In this Issue
- Fall Allergies and
Asthma
- Do You Know the Differences in Over
The Counter Medications?
- Allergy Factoids - Some
Tidbits About Those Annoying Allergies
What's New
Fall Allergies and
Asthma
The lazy days of summer are slowly slipping
away, bright fall colors and cooler temperatures are around the corner.
For many allergy and asthma sufferers these changes may trigger seasonal
allergies unless proper measures
are taken. These include: seeing an allergist to identify the plants that
trigger symptoms; taking proper medications; considering immunotherapy
allergy shots to lessen the reactions to the triggers; and avoiding the
plants that most often provoke allergies.
Ragweed,
the plant most responsible for the onslaught of fall allergy symptoms, is
often found along road sides, vacant lots, fields and almost any other
sunny spot. It’s most prevalent throughout the Northeast, South and
Midwest, although forms of ragweed allergens are prevalent in all areas of
the United States. Besides ragweed, other common fall allergens include:
-
Outdoor molds found in soil, vegetation and rotting wood. Some molds
peak in late summer or early autumn, while leaf molds peak after the
leaves have fallen. They are most prevalent in the North during
the fall and year-round in the South and West Coast.
-
Trees, flowers and weeds that pollinate in the fall, including
sagebrush, pigweed, tumbleweed, and Russian thistles are troublesome
in the South.
Do You Know the Differences in Over
The Counter Medications?
Sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and
sniffling. So many allergy sufferers choose to self-medicate. Many OTC
medications were once available only by prescription. Just because a
medication is available over the counter does not make it safer or less
effective than its prescription equivalent.
Antihistimes
are the medicine of choice for sneezing, itchy nose, throat, and ears.
Antihistamines block the action of histamine and prevent the allergic
reaction from taking place. The most popular OTC antihistamines are
diphenhydramine (Benadryl), clemastine (Tavist), and chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimetron). The most common side effect is sleepiness, not an
insignificant consideration if you plan to take these products during the
day.
Decongestants
can be taken orally or topically to shrink the mucous membranes, thereby
decreasing the surface area. This eases the symptoms of nasal stuffiness.
Unfortunately, when the medication wears off, so does the symptom relief.
A popular oral decongestant is pseudoephedrine. This product is also
available in prescription strength. Many people get very jittery and shaky
while taking these products.
Combination Products.
These products may be appropriate for post-nasal drip.
Since this symptom can be caused by allergy or infection recurring
symptoms should be referred to your doctor.
Make sure if you have any questions about these or
any drugs that you talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
ALLERGY FACTOIDS
DID YOU KNOW? * Allergies tend to run in families.
If one parent is allergic, the child has a one in four
chance of developing an allergy. If both parents are
allergic, it is likely that two out of three children
will be allergic also.
*
Dr. Clemmens von Pirquet, an Austrian physician, coined
the term "allergy," meaning "altered reactivity" in the
early 1900s.
*
French scientists have discovered a link between
people's date of birth and their allergies. Individuals
with grass pollen allergies are most likely to be born
between January and May, while people with mold
allergies are least likely to be born in April, May and
December.
* A
sneeze can throw water droplets six feet into the air at
speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
*
The earliest clear description of what is today known as
"hay fever" was written in 1565 by Botallus, a physician
living in Padua, Italy.
*
When someone sneezes, we say "God bless you" in English.
Here are some "bless you" equivalents from around the
world:
* Italian - "Salute!"
* Spanish - "Salud!"
* French - "A vos souhaits!"
* Russian - "Boot-tyeh zdarovi"
* Norwegian - "Velsigne du"
* Chinese - "Dui-bu-qui"
* Turkish - "Cok yasa"
* Hindi - "Bhagvan apka bhala kare!"
* Hawaiian - "Ho`omaika`I"
* Dutch - "Zegenen jou"
What's New
MIcroAir Screens
Do
you enjoy the cool and crisp fall weather? Do you like to sleep with the
windows open but are afraid of pollen and other allergens getting in? If
so we have a solution. Originally designed for asthma and allergy sufferers, the
MicroAirScreen™ is the most Advanced free flow window air filter
available.
The MicroAirScreen™ is a patented window microscreen that filters
out environmental contaminants such as pollen and dirt, letting in
sufficient quantities of clean air without the use of fans or blowers.
It also prevents the entry of rain even in storms. It buffers heavy
gusts of wind and of course keeps out the smallest of insects. It is
used even in winter to prevent "sick building" syndrome.
Click Here for more information.
Surface Lead Test Kits
The PRO-LAB®
Professional Lead Surface Test Kit is the most accurate
instant lead test kit available to the consumer. The
NON-TOXIC chemically impregnated test pads, when
moistened with water, provide the most effective and
reliable results possible.
Click
Here for more information.
Wishing you the Best of Health
Mike Krause
|
