May 15, 2007
'Tis the 'Sneezin' for Seasonal Allergies
More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, which cost over $18 billion each year. In 2002, 14 million doctor visits were due to seasonal allergies.
Allergies are caused by an overreaction of the bodys immune system to substances called allergens. Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year, or where symptoms appear on the body. There are indoor and outdoor, latex, insect, eye, and skin allergies.
This time of year people start noticing their outdoor allergies. The symptoms often seen are sneezing, nasal stuffiness, clear nasal discharge, itchy watery eyes, itching of the roof of the mouth and ears, and coughing. Doctors can diagnose allergies using three simple steps.
Personal and medical history
Physical examination
Tests to determine allergens
After determining if it is allergies and the severity of the symptoms, a treatment plan is made. There are three main treatment options for allergies: avoiding allergens, medication, and allergy shots.
When you live in Alaska and have outdoor allergies, avoiding the allergens will be difficult. Most people with outdoor allergies or seasonal allergies have a mild form of the disease. Medication can be used to treat and prevent the symptoms of mild to moderate allergies.
The allergy shot is reserved for people with severe allergies who have failed the first two treatment options.
If you think you have allergies, talk to your healthcare provider today about your treatment options.