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How to Survive Allergy Season
Health Tips

How to Survive Allergy Season

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

As we watch the winter snow slowly melt away, it’s a sure sign that spring is here to stay! While we’re sure many of us rejoice at hearing this news, a downside to the weather changing so drastically in these spring months is the arrival of allergy season.

Allergies may plague many of us, but luckily, there are some simple steps on how to survive allergy season.

Top Tips

If you’re like us and suffer from allergies every season like clockwork, keep reading to learn the top six tips on how to survive allergy season.

  1. Know the common warning signs. Contrary to popular belief, allergies affect everyone regardless of age. Some people may be more affected than others, but it’s important to be on the lookout of the common warning signs, like sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and a runny nose.
  2. Keep the air clean. You can’t control the pollen in the air outside your home, but you can control the air inside your home. On days with the highest pollen count, shut all the windows and doors. It may also be best to ask a family member or neighbor to change the air filters in your home at the beginning of each season to ensure the purest air is in your home.
  3. Seek immediate treatment. It can be easy to think that we can just muddle through allergy season, but allergies can have a serious impact on our overall health. Symptoms like an irritated throat or a congested nose can be especially dangerous for those with a cardiovascular health issue. Even if you’re not entirely sure if you’re suffering from allergies, it’s still best to speak with your doctor about your concerns. Remember: the sooner you seek treatment, the better.
  4. Avoid antihistamines. Although antihistamines are the common solution for treating allergies, they can be risky as most include drowsiness, dizziness and confusion as side effects. They could also potentially interfere with your regular medications, so it’s best to get a prescription from your doctor to treat your allergies.
  5. Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can’t cure allergies, but it can certainly help ease allergy symptoms. The best foods to eat during allergy season are fish, fruits, vegetables, soups, and yogurt.
  6. Being physically active is essential – not only during allergy season, but also all year-round! You may think it’s nearly impossible to exercise with allergies, but the key is taking these precautionary steps when exercising during allergy season.

 

Another Consideration: When Spring Cleaning Backfires

Along with allergies, another thing that often goes hand-in-hand with the spring season is spring cleaning! While spring is the perfect time to get organized and clean your home after a winter-long hibernation, spring cleaning can stir up dust that triggers allergies.

So does this mean that you simply forgo spring cleaning this year? Certainly not! Cleaning is the only way to get that dust out of your home. The best way to handle this is simple: take care of yourself and your allergies first! Having an air purifier in your home is another simple solution that will help alleviate your allergies so you can get back to spring cleaning in no time.

While spring cleaning, it’s also important to be on the lookout for any mold in your home. One of the most common allergies is to mold, which can grow unseen in your home. If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms without obvious cause, be sure to talk to your doctor about the possibility of mold in your home.

-Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
https://www.facebook.com/MedicalGuardian
https://twitter.com/MedicalGuardian
https://plus.google.com/+Medicalguardian
Links:
https://www.reviews.com/allergy-medicine/
https://www.medicalguardian.com/medical-alert-blog/health-wellness/spring-cleaning-safety-tips-for-seniors
https://www.medicalguardian.com/medical-alert-blog/fitness/exercising-with-allergies

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Health Tips

Cold or Nasal Allergies

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Cold or Nasal Allergies

Cold or Nasal AllergiesDo you wonder if you suffer from nasal allergies or the common cold? First we nee to understand the symptoms of nasal allergies, also referred to as “hay fever” and allergic rhinitis. Nasal allergies represent the body’s natural defense mechanism against certain allergens. When allergens come into contact with the nose, inflammation of the lining of the nose occurs. This inflammatory process produces the common symptoms experienced with nasal allergies. Cold or Nasal Allergies
What are the different types of nasal allergies?
Some people suffer from nasal allergies every day of the year or perennially. Other individuals suffer from seasonal nasal allergies which occur during seasons in which the count of the offending pollen is high.
How common are nasal allergies?
Nasal allergies affect 35 million people in the U.S. and is the most common allergy-based disease, by far. Perennial allergies occur in about 20 million people, while seasonal allergies occur in about 15 million people.
What are the symptoms of nasal allergies?
The most common immediate symptoms of nasal allergies include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Frequent sniffing
  • Postnasal drip, which often feels like a tickle in the throat and may cause a cough.
  • Itchy and/or watery eyes
  • Itchy ears, nose, and throat
  • Dark patches or circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”)
  • Frequent rubbing the nose

How can I determine if I have nasal allergies or a cold?
Both seasonal allergies and colds can cause many of the same symptoms, like a runny or stuffy nose. However, looking for several different symptoms can help you determine if you have a cold or seasonal allergies. If you have itchy or watery eyes, it is probably seasonal allergies. People with colds more commonly have coughs, you may have body pains or aches, and you may be more likely to have a sore throat. The biggest difference between the two is that cold symptoms typically last less than 2 weeks, while seasonal allergy symptoms can last 4 to 6 weeks, or longer.
How are nasal allergies diagnosed?
The history of your symptoms is very important in helping your healthcare provider determine if you are experiencing nasal allergies or some type of infection, like a sinus infection. Your physician may choose to perform an allergy skin test. During this test, a small sample of blood may be drawn or small amounts of allergens (like animal dander or dust) are scratched or pricked into the skin so the physician can observe for signs of an allergic reaction. An allergy skin test can help you know what allergens to avoid.
What are the consequences of nasal allergies?
Nasal allergies do not get nearly the respect they deserve. It is not a trivial condition. Nasal allergies can greatly impair the quality of your life. Consider the following facts on nasal allergies:

  • Nasal allergies add $5 to $6 billion in direct costs to the nation’s annual health care bill.
  • Nasal allergies account for over 15 million physician office visits per year.
  • Nasal allergies account for over 4 million lost work days per year.
  • Nasal allergies account for over 1 million lost school days per year.
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Exercising with Allergies
Health Tips

Exercising with Allergies

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Exercising with Allergies

Exercising with AllergiesWhen the weather changes, we all know what that means: allergy season is on its way! This may cause many of us to groan – after all, everyone is susceptible to allergies regardless of age, and allergies can actually cause some serious complications for those with cardiovascular health issues. But hiding indoors all allergy season isn’t going to help, either! Exercising with Allergies
Exercising with allergies may seem difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. In fact, the key is exercising the right way so you can take care of your allergies and your body.
Top Tips
Below are our top seven tips for exercising with allergies from WebMD:

  1. Know when allergy season begins and ends. Allergy season is highly predictable as it really only varies by a few days every year, but knowing when allergies really start to pick up in your area is key to prevention. Pay particular attention to any allergens that usually affect you and start taking medication before it really hits.
  2. Check the weather. This tip may seem obvious, but something as simple as checking your area’s pollen level can help you prevent allergies. On days when the pollen count is particularly high, it may be best to stay indoors. But don’t worry – you can still stay active with these weather-proof indoor exercises. An added tip: pollen levels are typically highest on warm, breezy mornings and lowest on cool, rainy days.
  3. Know when to exercise. If it fits into your schedule, it’s best to exercise either in the morning or late evening as pollen levels are typically low during this time (but remember to check before you go outside). The worst time to exercise is around noon and in the early afternoon as this is when pollen levels peak, but it’s important to note that pollen levels are never at zero, so just be cautious.
  4. Wear proper clothing. If you’re exercising during the morning or late evening, it can be surprisingly chilly. Be sure to bundle up before you go outside to exercise, especially if you have sensitive airways.
  5. Protect your lungs and eyes. This is a great tip if you are really sensitive to allergens. You can protect your lungs by covering your mouth and nose with a scarf or bandanna. To protect your eyes, it’s not uncommon for people to wear goggles. You may feel silly doing these things, but these simple tricks will help you prevent allergies, especially during the height of allergy season.
  6. Less intense activities count as exercise too! Don’t feel like you have to do a strenuous workout routine to get these health benefits. It can actually backfire during allergy season! Why? You breathe faster during intense exercises, and the faster you breathe, the more allergens you inhale. Less intense exercises that are perfect for allergy season include weight training, yoga and stretching exercises.
  7. Know what to do after you exercise. After coming inside after exercising, you could be covered in pollen and not even realize it, which is why it’s a good idea to change your clothes and put them in the laundry right away. Taking a shower will also rinse off any pollen in your hair or on your skin.

Just remember: as long as you are proactive about preventing and treating your allergies, exercising with allergies is in fact possible!
-Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
https://www.facebook.com/MedicalGuardian
https://twitter.com/MedicalGuardian
https://plus.google.com/+Medicalguardian
LINKS
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/exercise-allergies
https://www.medicalguardian.com/medical-alert-blog/fitness/weather-proof-great-indoor-exercises

 
 

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