Spring is in the Air

For those who are affected by allergies, the expression, "spring is in the air" has special meaning. Get ready to sniffle, drip, and itch your way through the pollen-filled blooming months. Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the immune system to relatively harmless substances such as pollen, dust, food, animal fur, and environmental pollutants. In this article we will talk about the different forms of allergies and medications available and find answers to some frequently asked questions such as, are there any side effects associated with the common allergy medications and is there a cure for allergies?

More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from asthma and allergies that have no immediate cures. Fortunately, there is no shortage of medications for these conditions. Asthma is usually treated with antihistamines to prevent the release of histamine chemicals that are released during allergic reactions. This form of treatment is effective, however, it comes with its share of side-effects which include: dry mouth, difficulty with urination, constipation, drowsiness, and may even cause nightmares in some children.

Hayfever runs in families and is related to asthma and eczema. Hayfever is present at different times of the year and is dependent on the pollen to which you are allergic. Other external factors include the weather and the air quality. Inhaling allergens such as grass pollen, weed pollen, tree pollen, dust mites, animal fur and consuming allergy causing foods may cause hayfever. It is difficult to avoid these allergens, however, you can reduce the symptoms by keeping your home ventilated with fresh air. Vitamin C, garlic and gingko biloba are also known to help. Treatments for hayfever are similar to that of asthma and can be available over-the-counter or by doctor's prescription.

Individuals with asthma may also experience sinusitis. Each year, health care providers report 32 million cases of sinusitis to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinusitis is defined as the inflammation or infection of one or more sinus cavities directly related to the nasal cavity. Air trapped within blocked sinuses found in the facial bones that surround the nose, including areas within cheekbones and in the bones of the forehead above the eyes, may cause pressure on the sinus wall. Other symptoms include fever, weakness, tiredness, cough usually more severe at night and runny nose or congestion.

Most cases of sinusitis start with a common cold caused by a virus. In some cases, fungal infections can cause sinusitis. Although fungi are abundant in the environment, they are usually harmless to healthy people indicating the human body has a natural resistance to them. Chronic sinusitis occurs in individuals who suffer from asthma and some asthmatics find dramatic improvement by taking antibiotics. Doctors may also treat this condition with steroids such as steroid nasal sprays.

Corticosteroids (steroids) reduce inflammation associated with allergies and treat nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and an itchy, runny nose due to allergies. These forms of allergy medicines are also used to decrease inflammation and swelling from other allergic reactions, such as food allergies or skin allergies. Corticosteroids are effective but they must be taken daily for one to two weeks before the full effect of the medicine can be felt. Inhaled corticosteroids may cause cough and unpleasant yeast infections in the mouth.

The side effects of oral corticosteroids include: