Tag Archives: Seasonal allergies

Straight, No Chaser: Treating Your Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever

Environmental, General Health and Wellness, Health Prevention, , , , , , , , ,

hay fever solution
You’re miserable from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis)? You’ve seemingly tried everything, and nothing seems to help? Did you read the introductory post on hay fever? Good. Now, let’s do a Straight, No Chaser look at your treatment options.
I want to start with a very simple point that’s more important that everything else that will follow.
People who have allergies will have allergic attacks.
Understand that. Accept that. Now let’s deal with it.

allergy prevention

The goal in addressing seasonal allergies is prevention. The way your body works is simple. If you are exposed to a pollen or other substance the body interprets as a potential danger (an allergen), it will generate a defense to fight it. The suffering you sometimes feel is the byproduct of that fight. Furthermore, when you are subsequently exposed to the allergen, you will generate a stronger response, as your immune system is now primed for the fight.
All of this means that avoidance of these “triggers” is the key to your wellbeing. Everything else is compensation after the fact, which, in some cases, work counter to what the body may actually need at a certain point in time. Start by focusing on identifying your triggers and practicing avoidance.

  • During pollen season, stay indoors on especially hot, dry and windy days.
  • Don’t be afraid to wear a mask.

There are many treatment options. Besides avoidance, strategies involve treating symptoms and reducing the immune response.
Symptomatic Relief

  • For many, a nasal wash sufficiently eliminates mucus from the nose.
  • Antihistamines are a good place to start, and there are over the counter options. Be mindful of whether or not the one you’re selecting makes you drowsy. If so, act accordingly. (E.g., don’t operate heavy machinery while taking them.)
  • Nasal steroid sprays (corticosteroids) are the most effective treatment for allergic reaction, but may not be as effective if you’re not taking them continuously. Steroids are anti-inflammatory agents; that’s how they combat allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nose.
  • Many people reach for decongestants first because the nasal stuffiness is so annoying, but be advised: You should not take these for more than three days at a time. If the need persists, you should obtain medical attention.

hay fever

Reducing the Immune Response

  • A class of medicines called leukotriene inhibitors block the substances released by your immune system. These substances are problematic because they also produce symptoms.
  • If symptoms either get incapacitating or you can’t avoid your triggers, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy (aka allergy shots). This involves desensitization to the pollen by receiving incrementally stronger exposure until your body can adapt to the exposure.

The point of it all is you should focus on prevention by avoidance and work with your physician to address symptoms and your body’s response to them.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Do You Suffer from Hay Fever?

Environmental, Health Prevention, , , , , ,

SeasonalAllergies_enHD

Hay (fever) there! If any of you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis), consider yourself lucky. As nuisances go, this has to rank high on the list. Allergies can make you incapacitated for days at a time and make you feel horrible. There are two questions I often get on this topic:

  • Why does it hit me so hard?
  • What can I do about it?

Today we deal with the why. We will dedicate a separate post to management of  seasonal allergies.

hayfever_1382411c

The rhinitis in allergic rhinitis refers to the nose; the “itis” is a suffix designating an inflammation. Knowing this should make the symptoms and process easy to understand: we’re describing an inflammation of the nose due to allergies. We’re all aware of the offending particles: dust, pollens, certain animals, etc. The problem is the process of exposure causes the body to release chemicals in an effort to combat what is thought to be an imminent danger to the body.
Hay fever is a specific type of allergic scenario involving pollen as a culprit. The pollens of trees, weeds and grasses are carried by the wind to your nose. You don’t need a pollen count to tell you when the risk is high. Basically…

  • If you live where it’s hot, dry and windy, there are going to be a lot more pollens in the air.
  • If you live where it’s cool, damp and rainy, you won’t suffer as much, because the pollen isn’t in the air to the same extent; it’s being washed away.
  • If you have hay fever and allergies in your families (especially if both of your parents have them), you are likely to have hay fever and allergies. 

HayFever

If you inhale a pollen to which you’re allergic, symptoms will start rapidly. They typically include the following:

  • Itching primarily in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat and skin, although any area can be affected
  • Runny Nose
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Difficulties with smelling

With ongoing exposure, you can develop additional symptoms.

  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy, congested nose and sinuses
  • Stuffy, congested sensation in your ears
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Puffiness and circles under the eyes

If your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to over-the-counter preparations, you may need to see a physician. Similarly if the discharge turns from clear to colored, you may need medical intervention. If your symptoms remain or worsen over time, you may wish to discuss allergy testing with your physician, as this will guide treatment options.
Check back to Straight, No Chaser for a discussion of treatment options. Feel free to ask your SterlingMedicalAdvice.com expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Treating Your Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever

Environmental, General Health and Wellness, Health Prevention, , , , , , , ,

hay fever solution
You’re miserable from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis)? You’ve seemingly tried everything, and nothing seems to help? Let’s do a Straight, No Chaser look at your treatment options.
I want to start with a very simple point that’s more important that everything else that will follow.
People who have allergies will have allergic attacks.
Understand that. Accept that. Now let’s deal with it.

allergy prevention

The goal in addressing seasonal allergies is prevention. The way your body works is simple. If you are exposed to a pollen or other substance the body interprets as a potential danger (an allergen), it will generate a defense to fight it. The suffering you sometimes feel is the byproduct of that fight. Furthermore, when you are subsequently exposed to the allergen, you will generate a stronger response, as your immune system is now primed for the fight.
All of this means that avoidance of these “triggers” is the key to your wellbeing. Everything else is compensation after the fact, which, in some cases, work counter to what the body may actually need at a certain point in time. Start by focusing on identifying your triggers and practicing avoidance.

  • During pollen season, stay indoors on especially hot, dry and windy days.
  • Don’t be afraid to wear a mask.

There are many treatment options. Besides avoidance, strategies involve treating symptoms and reducing the immune response.
Symptomatic Relief

  • For many, a nasal wash sufficiently eliminates mucus from the nose.
  • Antihistamines are a good place to start, and there are over the counter options. Be mindful of whether or not the one you’re selecting makes you drowsy. If so, act accordingly. (E.g., don’t operate heavy machinery while taking them.)
  • Nasal steroid sprays (corticosteroids) are the most effective treatment for allergic reaction, but may not be as effective if you’re not taking them continuously. Steroids are anti-inflammatory agents; that’s how they combat allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nose.
  • Many people reach for decongestants first because the nasal stuffiness is so annoying, but be advised: You should not take these for more than three days at a time. If the need persists, you should obtain medical attention.

hay fever

Reducing the Immune Response

  • A class of medicines called leukotriene inhibitors block the substances released by your immune system. These substances are problematic because they also produce symptoms.
  • If symptoms either get incapacitating or you can’t avoid your triggers, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy (aka allergy shots). This involves desensitization to the pollen by receiving incrementally stronger exposure until your body can adapt to the exposure.

The point of it all is you should focus on prevention by avoidance and work with your physician to address symptoms and your body’s response to them.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2015 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Do You Suffer from Hay Fever?

Environmental, Health Prevention, , , , ,

SeasonalAllergies_enHD

Hay (fever) there! If any of you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis), consider yourself lucky. As nuisances go, this has to rank high on the list. Allergies can make you incapacitated for days at a time and make you feel horrible. There are two questions I often get on this topic:

  • Why does it hit me so hard?
  • What can I do about it?

Today we deal with the why. We will dedicate a separate post to management of  seasonal allergies.

hayfever_1382411c

The rhinitis in allergic rhinitis refers to the nose; the “itis” is a suffix designating an inflammation. Knowing this should make the symptoms and process easy to understand: we’re describing an inflammation of the nose due to allergies. We’re all aware of the offending particles: dust, pollens, certain animals, etc. The problem is the process of exposure causes the body to release chemicals in an effort to combat what is thought to be an imminent danger to the body.
Hay fever is a specific type of allergic scenario involving pollen as a culprit. The pollens of trees, weeds and grasses are carried by the wind to your nose. You don’t need a pollen count to tell you when the risk is high. Basically…

  • If you live where it’s hot, dry and windy, there are going to be a lot more pollens in the air.
  • If you live where it’s cool, damp and rainy, you won’t suffer as much, because the pollen isn’t in the air to the same extent; it’s being washed away.
  • If you have hay fever and allergies in your families (especially if both of your parents have them), you are likely to have hay fever and allergies. 

HayFever

If you inhale a pollen to which you’re allergic, symptoms will start rapidly. They typically include the following:

  • Itching primarily in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat and skin, although any area can be affected
  • Runny Nose
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Difficulties with smelling

With ongoing exposure, you can develop additional symptoms.

  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy, congested nose and sinuses
  • Stuffy, congested sensation in your ears
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Puffiness and circles under the eyes

If your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to over-the-counter preparations, you may need to see a physician. Similarly if the discharge turns from clear to colored, you may need medical intervention. If your symptoms remain or worsen over time, you may wish to discuss allergy testing with your physician, as this will guide treatment options.
Check back to Straight, No Chaser for a discussion of treatment options. Feel free to ask your SterlingMedicalAdvice.com expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress. We are also on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Straight, No Chaser: Treating Your Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever

Medical Treatment, General Health and Wellness, , , , , , , ,

hay fever solution
You’re miserable from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis)? You’ve seemingly tried everything, and nothing seems to help? Let’s do a Straight, No Chaser look at your treatment options.
I want to start with a very simple point that’s more important that everything else that will follow.
People who have allergies will have allergic attacks.
Understand that. Accept that. Now let’s deal with it.
The goal in addressing seasonal allergies is prevention. The way your body works is simple. If you are exposed to a pollen or other substance the body interprets as a potential danger (an allergen), it will generate a defense to fight it. The suffering you sometimes feel is the byproduct of that fight. Furthermore, when you are subsequently exposed to the allergen, you will generate a stronger response, as your immune system is now primed for the fight.
All of this means that avoidance of these “triggers” is the key to your wellbeing. Everything else is compensation after the fact, which, in some cases, work counter to what the body may actually need at a certain point in time. Start by focusing on identifying your triggers and practicing avoidance.

  • During pollen season, stay indoors on especially hot, dry and windy days.
  • Don’t be afraid to wear a mask.

There are many treatment options. Besides avoidance, strategies involve treating symptoms and reducing the immune response.
Symptomatic Relief

  • For many, a nasal wash sufficiently eliminates mucus from the nose.
  • Antihistamines are a good place to start, and there are over the counter options. Be mindful of whether or not the one you’re selecting makes you drowsy. If so, act accordingly. (E.g., don’t operate heavy machinery while taking them.)
  • Nasal steroid sprays (corticosteroids) are the most effective treatment for allergic reaction, but may not be as effective if you’re not taking them continuously. Steroids are anti-inflammatory agents; that’s how they combat allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nose.
  • Many people reach for decongestants first because the nasal stuffiness is so annoying, but be advised: You should not take these for more than three days at a time. If the need persists, you should obtain medical attention.

Reducing the Immune Response

  • A class of medicines called leukotriene inhibitors block the substances released by your immune system. These substances are problematic because they also produce symptoms.
  • If symptoms either get incapacitating or you can’t avoid your triggers, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy (aka allergy shots). This involves desensitization to the pollen by receiving incrementally stronger exposure until your body can adapt to the exposure.

 The point of it all is you should focus on prevention by avoidance and work with your physician to address symptoms and your body’s response to them.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress