Hayfever is a chronic condition characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, runny
and itching nose, palate, ears and eyes.
If you recognize any of these symptoms chances are, you or some member
of your family has experienced hay fever at one time or another. Doctors call
it allergic rhinitis. Most people know
it as hay fever and if you've got it - - as 22 million Americans do - - you're
likely to be plagued during the spring and fall seasons by such annoying
symptoms as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy throat and red, watery
eyes. Allergy has different names.
Allergy reactions occurring in the
nose and sinus are called "sinus" or "hay fever" or
"allergic rhinitis." And when
allergy reactions occur in the chest we call it "asthma." Allergy reactions in the skin are named
"hives" or "angioedema."
So you see, allergy has different names depending upon where in your
body it occurs.
One out of every six Americans
suffers from an allergic condition.
Allergy is an inherited trait, a genetic susceptibility towards the
production of certain allergy anti-bodies.
Hay fever is basically an allergic
reaction to pollens from trees, weed and grasses. Unlike garden flower pollen, which is carried
by insects, the dry lightweight pollens which cause allergic rhinitis are
generally spread by wind currents which make them difficult to avoid. In fact, samples of ragweed pollen have been
found 400 miles at sea! While most
people suffer mild discomfort with hay fever, it is estimated that more than 40
percent of the 5.8 million children who have respiratory allergies miss some
school, stay in bed or feel upset by the condition.
Additionally, complications from
allergic rhinitis can be serious. The
same allergens that cause hay fever can reach the lungs causing asthma and
other complications. Sinusitis
(inflammation of the sinus cavities) and nasal polyps (small outgrowths of the
mucous membrane of the nose) may develop.
Secondary infections of the ear, larynx and bronchial tubes may
occur. Also, prolonged year-round nasal
stuffiness and mouth breathing may lead to facial bone growth changes in
children.
Surprisingly, many parents realize
that their children have asthma before their physicians do. An accurate diagnosis, however, is most
important in helping to determine an appropriate individualized treatment
program. Physicians specializing in
allergy/immunology have special skills in the area of asthma management.
The allergy and asthma specialist
will detect and determine those environmental elements (pollens, molds, dust
mites, animal danders, workplace chemicals) which may be the cause of a
patient's asthmatic condition. A careful
medical history, physical examination, selective allergy skill testing and lung
function studies are typically performed.
Occasionally, blood tests, home and workplace evaluations, and x-rays of
the sinuses and lungs are required.
Unlike hay fever, asthma is a more
complex disease involving a reversible constriction of the muscles lining the
human airways. It is more often
associated with allergy immune cells and can get progressively worse reaching
life-threatening stages if not properly controlled. It can be treated more effectively when it is
diagnosed early.
The best therapy of all, however, is
avoidance of those things which produce asthma symptoms. This includes allergens, such as house dust
mites, pets and irritants, such as tobacco smoke and chemical fumes.
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