Allergy Season: It's Nothing To Sneeze At

By:Wade Gibson

Almost 40 million Americans face seasonal allergies, which usually begin in the spring and can last through the first frost. They're often triggered by pollens, molds or other airborne allergens. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Americans spend as much as $4.5 billion annually on medications and doctor visits to treat their allergies.

The first step in treatment is to reduce exposure to specific allergens. If that's not possible, managing symptoms through medication is often next.

Here are some tips to help control your allergies:

Know Your Triggers: To avoid an allergen, you need to know what it is. Physicians can determine what you're allergic to by reviewing your personal and medical history or doing a physical exam. In some cases a skin, patch or blood test may be used to confirm suspected allergens.

Create a Sneeze-free Environment: A few changes at home can make a difference. Use an air conditioner whenever possible, make your home "dust mite" unfriendly by vacuuming often, use hypoallergenic products and check pollen counts before going out. If they're high, stay inside.

Find the Right Remedy: Antihistamines reduce symptoms and work best if taken before exposure to allergens. Decongestants should only be used for a short time as they can worsen the condition. Nasal sprays, known as inhaled steroids, are another option.

Know the OTC Options: Doctors may recommend over-the-counter medications as a first-line treatment. Those that include diphenhydramine have been an allergy staple for years but can cause drowsiness. Newer non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claritin, are now available without a prescription. OTCs are usually far less expensive than prescription drugs and are now covered under pretax health care accounts, such as FSAs and HSAs.

Consider Generics: They can be as effective as brand-name medications and cost 30 to 80 percent less. Popular allergy medications Allegra and Flonase are now available as generics-fexofenadine and fluticasone. According to a recent Medco analysis, 80 percent of all Allegra prescriptions were filled with a generic at retail pharmacies within 30 days of its introduction.

Discuss the options with your doctor. With the right knowledge and treatments, you can spend more time outside and less time concerned about watery eyes, a runny nose and the cost of medication.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: Allergy Season: It's Nothing To Sneeze At

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Lisa Chavis, RPh, is a lead pharmacist for the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) department at Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Her books include "The Family Pharmacist" and "Ask Your Pharmacist."

Medications used to treat allergies include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays, both over-the-counter and prescription.

Lisa Chavis

Top Health Articles
1). Collarbone Injury By : Frank Vanderlugt The clavicle or “collar bone” connects the scapula bone in the shoulder to the sternum in your chest. It functions to hold the shoulder upward and backward. Clavicle fractures are common bone injuries. A break in the clavicle bone is usually a closed fracture that normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal in an adult, 4 weeks in a child. The injury rarely requires surgery.
2). The Hottest Hair Trends And The Sexiest Hairstyles For 2007 By : Copyright 2006 David Maillie Hair has become unequivocally important as it can literally make one look like a movie star or a has been from Hee Haw, which died out many years ago. It is big enough that it is a multi billion dollar industry and the average bill in a salon is approaching $100. In the big cities with a hot hairstylist like Jonathon in Beverly Hills prices can easily top $500 for a cut and style.
3). Muscle Imbalance And Chronic Injuries By : Jeff P. Anliker, LMT Injuries can occur anywhere and at anytime, but the most prevalent place of occurrence is in the workplace. The reason for such a high rate of injury is that people spend 8-18 hours a day, 5-7 days a week performing unidirectional (one-way) movement patterns, causing an imbalance in the musculoskeletal system that results in the overuse and under use of certain muscle groups.
4). Why Whey Protein? By : Sandy Knoll With all of the recent negative press given to body supplements, it makes good sense to be cautions about using different nutritional supplements as a part of your body building efforts. Whey protein has been lauded as a safe, natural and simple supplement. It's use has become popular for those genuinely interested in good health through physical fitness and body building.
5). Autism and its Generated Behavioral and Mental Impairments By : Groshan Fabiola Autism is a complex neurological disorder that dramatically affects people’s behaviors and social interactions. The disorder can be revealed in early childhood, by the age of 3. Although the first signs of autism can sometimes be identified in infants, the disorder is usually discovered at a later stage of life. Autistic children present a wide range of behavioral abnormalities, and they can be easily identified among normal children.
6). Why Asbestos Cancer Affects More Men? By : Alfred J.James Who needs to be examined? Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. Asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lungs. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended.
7). The Benefits of Martial Arts Training By : Clint Leung As any martial arts practitioner will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why the martial arts were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today’s world just as it was hundreds of years ago.
8). Study Says Obesity May Be Caused By Virus By : Rick Hendershot In new study published this month, a research team claims to have found evidence that a contagious virus can contribute to obesity. The team found that a specific human adenovirus Ad-37 seems to trigger obesity in chickens. Previous studies had linked other adenoviruses -- Ad-36 and Ad-5 -- to obesity in animals. These and other adenoviruses cause colds and other common illnesses in people.
9). How Long Will It Take To Gain Muscles\| Build Muscle Mass By : Chris Chew There are many factors to consider when you want to know how long will it take for you to gain and build muscle mass. Questions like are you eating enough and the right nutrients to accelerate muscle growth, are you exercising correctly and regularly and do you have the genes for quick muscle growth need to be addressed. In this article, we shall discuss whether you have the genetic make up to gain and build muscles quickly.
10). Breathe Easy: Some Asthma Relief Tips By : Nick Carter Asthma is the seventh-ranked chronic health condition in the United States and the leading chronic illness of children. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that makes airways (bronchial tubes) particularly sensitive to irritants. During an asthma attack, tightening of the smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes causes them to become inflamed, narrow inside, and produce excess mucus.

New Health Articles
1). How To Break An Addiction By : John Morris You need to evaluate the problem and find what triggers your addicts and what specific need it is using. Once you have determined that, you can begin breaking yourself of the habit one step at a time...
2). How Disabled People Overcome Their Disabilities For Better Sexual Health By : Gregg Hall For the most part these people can participate in sexual activity and take pleasure in the intimacy of having a partner. Participating in a healthy sexual relationship is a critical part of therapy do the disabled and helps them rebuild self confidence.
3). Fight Those Winter Time Blues ! By : ian Williamson In North America, it is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the population is affected by winter depression.
4). Cord Blood Banking: A Medical Safety Net By : Greg Roy Why pregnant women should consider cord blood banking when their children are born.
5). Make Your Heart More Healthy By : Dan Sherman Does it seem like there are more health risks these days than there were in the past? Well, the plain and simple truth is, there are. Now, more than ever, people around the globe grapple with various heath afflictions.
6). The Best Ways To Quit Cigarette Smoking By : Jonty Smith The author packed in his 40-a-day habit within a few hours. He did it quickly, easily and painlessly. Why then do so many other smokers struggle to quit? In this article, the author explains the best ways to quit cigarette smoking, and why many of the established methods are counter-productive.
7). Can Chocolate Really Kill Your Dog By : Gregg Hall We have all heard this all of our lives but how big a threat is it really? Is it life threatening or will it just make him sick? How much chocolate does the animal have to eat for it to cause a negative reaction?
8). The Attraction Of Magnetic Therapy By : John Morris Magnetic therapy is an alternative treatment for common ailments. The most commonly treated ailments for that magnetic therapy is used for are arthritis, pain, inflammation, muscle tension, migraines, tumors, asthma, allergies, diabetes and many other joints or healing complaints...
9). Symptoms, Signs, and Triggers of Anxiety Attacks By : Amit Mehta Discover key symptoms and signs of anxiety attacks, and how they affect the lives of anxiety attack sufferers. Also, learn how an anxiety attack can be coupled with agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces.
10). Power Scooters...Ask The Right Questions To Get The Right Answers By : RC Rougeux Asking the right questions can help you find out the information important to you. Use these when shopping for your next power scooter.