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Hey Fever, Allergy And Asthma
Hay fever 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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