Sweeping Away Allergies
Springtime is upon us. The time for kite flying and bluebonnets has finally arrived. But with this also comes the frustration of seasonal allergies for many of us. In an allergy prone city like Austin, it’s difficult to beat the sneezing and itching eyes but there are plenty of natural remedies that could help you enjoy spring more this year.
According to the University of Texas Health Center, Austin is ranked as one of the worst cities for respiratory allergies. Normally, they are just irritations coughing, runny noses and watery eyes. But if untreated and constant, they can also lead to bacterial infections.
At Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin, William C. Howland, a Board Certified physician in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology says there are ways to enjoy the outdoors even if you are prone to bad allergies.
“Even though Austin is ‘the allergy capitol of the world,’ with proper treatment most people can feel fine and really enjoy all the wonderful things about Central Texas,” Howland said.
Most respiratory allergies are just major annoyances that can make you feel lousy. However, sometimes they can lead to bacterial infections in your sinuses, ears or lungs, which may require antibiotics. In people with asthma, allergies can lead to serious symptoms. Allergies can also aggrevate asthma symptoms. Respiratory allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to a trigger that causes inflammation and/or swelling of tissues in the nose, eyes, ears, sinuses, throat, larynx (“voice box”) and airways.
Common triggers are pollens, dust, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and animal dander. So the question remains: How to avoid the mess? Of course there are plenty of medicines catering to the symptoms, which include sinus pressure, dry coughing, itching eyes and throat, and headaches, to name a few. Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra are just some of the specific medicines used to treat such symptoms.
Allen K. Lieberman, MD with the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin is also a Board Certified physician in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology. He says it’s all about continually taking care of yourself and making sure to visit the doctor when symptoms appear.
However, there are little things you can do to help prevent allergies. One of the most important things to do is keep clean. Change your clothes and shower often. Avoid the outdoors (especially in the morning) when the pollen counts are high in your area.
It is also important to remember to keep the indoors clean with air purifiers and clean pets. Because honey actually has some pollen in it, it’s very useful in building immunity to allergies. The key is to buy raw, local honey.
For sinuses, Neti Pots are a great choice. A little boat with saline solution, water is poured in one nostril and streamed out through the other, literally washing the dirt out of your nose. The pots can be purchased at most local drug stores.
Regardless of how bad they may seem, it’s important to not give up on your allergies. There are all kinds of solutions to try that could ultimately offer you a bit of relief this spring.
Signs and Symptoms
- Runny, itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy, swollen, burning and/or watery eyes
- A dry cough or one that produces minimal phlegm
- Ear congestion or popping
- Sinus pressure or stuffiness
- Headache
- Hoarseness
- Mucous drainage from the back of the nose down the back of the throat (post-nasal drainage)
- Throat tickle
- Itching of the soft tissue at the upper, back part of your mouth
3 fundamental ways of treating allergic individuals
- Avoidance
If allergens can be avoided, symptoms will not occur. Unfortunately, most allergens are impossible to completely avoid. Avoidance measures are most practical for indoor allergens such as pets and house dust mites and for food and drug allergy. - Medication
Many medications are available for controlling allergic symptoms. Prescription nasal sprays, lung inhalers and oral medications may temporarily relieve symptoms. Unfortunately, multiple medications may be required, side effects may occur and medicines do not affect the underlying allergic sensitivity. Symptoms may recur when medications are stopped https://www.azns.org/strattera-atomoxetine/. - Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)
The injection of increasingly stronger concentrations of specific allergens can lead to a gradual reduction in allergic symptoms. After several months, most people taking shots feel better and need less medication. A 3 to 5 year course of shots often results in reduced symptoms for years. Shots can almost eliminate the possibility of life threatening allergic reactions to bee or fire ant stings. Unfortunately allergy shots are not effective for food or drug allergic reactions.
Courtesy of Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin.
In the immortal words of comedian Will Rogers, “I love dogs because they do nothing for political reasons.”
Although they might make terrible running mates for office they make for great jogging partners. And that’s simply because your dog loves you, and they enjoy bonding with you through physical activity. So if you’re planning to lurch from your couch to the road in search of fitness and you’re looking for someone with the same amount of commitment — too often both the flesh and the spirit are weak — it’s wildly smart to consider your dog.
One partner that won’t let you down on the track is your faithful dog. He’s usually ready, willing and able to help you shed that extra weight you may have packed on, or to help you maintain the physique you’ve sweated so much for.
However, before you grab your running shoes and his leash, there are a few things you’ll want to remember:
He may be as out of shape as you, so go easy. Before starting him out on your exercise program, have him checked by a veterinarian (his heart, lungs, joints, etc.). By the way, if you haven’t been exercising for some time, you may want to consider a checkup as well.
Start out slowly and build up endurance.
Warm him up by walking first, followed by a short jog. Let him cool down with a walk at the end.
Watch him carefully for any signs of discomfort. Dogs are eager to please and yours will be thrilled to be out running with you. Unlike you, they’ll ignore or even be unaware of pain. If you see him struggling or tiring, walk.
Mind the weather. Dogs cannot tolerate heat as efficiently as you can. Consequently, they’re at greater risk for heat stroke or dehydration during warm weather. The best time to jog is early in the morning or the evening, to avoid the hottest time of day.
Bring enough water for yourself and your dog.
Exercise unleashes serious benefits for humans and pets alike —especially when you get moving together.
“Working out with your dog encourages you to stick to an exercise plan, and it incorporates him into more areas of your life, enhancing your bond,” says Robin Dupree, a certified dog trainer with VIP Pet Sitting.
It’s also an ideal way to keep everyone in your family healthy. After all, the obesity epidemic isn’t exclusive to humans — an estimated 45 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
Before you team up for a workout, check with your vet and take into account your dog’s breed, age, and health. Exercise is especially taxing for older dogs and brachycephalic breeds — the ones with short or flat noses, like bulldogs and pugs.
Don’t under estimate the power of walking your pets either. It pays off for the owner too — in a study by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, dog walkers faired a stronger body mass index and were less likely to suffer from chronic conditions and depression symptoms than those who didn’t walk their pets.
Dupree says there’s also a new trend barking up the fitness tree. It’s called Doga, whereby your dog takes part in the yoga on your mat.
“It’s a spiritual bonding experience with your pet and since dogs are social by nature it’s another activity that can reduce behavioral problems down the road,” she said. And just like that, you and your dog will have established a working exercise routine.
After all, it’s important to remember that if you give a dog what it needs, it will give you what you want.