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Don't Turn Your Nose Up at Seasonal Allergy Talk

Posted on: Thursday, 1 September 2005, 00:00 CDT

As a nation, we are becoming more allergic. A new study found 54 percent of Americans tested positive for an allergy to at least one of 10 common triggers, an allergy rate significantly higher than previously recorded.

This is not good news to receive, especially during ragweed season.

Dr. Jason White, an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Care Center in Evansville, said ragweed pollen began registering in the area earlier this month, and seasonal allergy sufferers have been filling his appointments for about two weeks.

"Ragweed is a big problem in the Midwest. The thing about the ragweed that's so amazing is those little pollen grains travel up to 400 miles."

Some ragweed plants grow up to 10 feet tall, he said, and each plant can produce 1 billion pollen grains in a season.

Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is associated with pollen and commonly called hay fever, include itchy, red eyes; a dripping, itchy nose; and nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing.

White said the majority of seasonal allergy sufferers also have difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, which can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating or problems at school or work.

Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available, including antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops.

If OTC medicines don't work or if allergy symptoms interfere with daily functioning, White advised, it's time to see an allergist.

Prescription treatments are typically more potent and have fewer side effects, White said, and allergy shots can actually decrease a person's sensitivity to an allergy trigger.

If you are allergic to ragweed and have medication that works, White said it's best to begin taking it before Aug. 15, the traditional start of ragweed season. He also suggests:

* Spending time outdoors in the evening after pollen in the air has had a chance to settle to the ground. Pollen counts typically peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

* Keeping windows closed and running the air conditioning.

* Showering at night instead of in the morning so you don't carry pollen spores with you to bed.

* Paying attention to the pollen counts.

* Drying sheets and towels in a dryer rather than hanging outdoors.

* Identifying any other allergens and minimizing them during peak season to avoid a cumulative effect.

Last week, White said the ragweed pollen level registered as "high." He anticipates the level will reach "very high" before the season ends, typically in October after the first frost.

Ragweed, dust mites, grass and cockroaches were most likely to trigger allergic reactions in the new study by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The study, conducted from 1988 to 1994, included 30,000 Americans ages 6 to 59. The rates of allergies to common triggers recorded during that time were two to five times higher than those of a previous study from 1976 to 1980.

The "hygiene hypothesis" is thought to be at the root of the increase, White said. The hypothesis, he explained, is that people living in Westernized countries have immunizations, clean water, public health and good hygiene, which means the immune system is not constantly engaged in fighting infection.

Instead of battling infection, White said the immune system skews its focus, overreacting and generating allergic reactions to substances such as pollen. Time will tell if the hypothesis is true. Until then: Gesundheit.

* * *

Hoosiers eat too much, smoke too much and don't exercise enough.

In an effort to prevent illness, pain and premature death, the president elect of the Indiana State Medical Association is calling on his organization to join other state and county groups in educating Indiana residents about healthy lifestyles.

"Prevention works best," said Dr. Kevin Burke, president elect and chief health officer for Clark County. "But despite all the talk about obesity rates, people still don't have a good concept of what is unhealthy."

Hoosiers have a higher rate of asthma, diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease than the national average. Burke believes physicians need to be involved in the solution and has submitted a resolution for consideration at an association meeting in September. In addition to a major focus on improving lifestyles, White is calling for education about addressing risk factors and increased health screenings.

* * *

Just thinking a pain reliever will work can cause the brain to release endorphins, its own natural painkillers, according to a University of Michigan study.

The new research provides the first direct evidence that endorphins have a role in the placebo effect and another argument against the placebo effect as a purely psychological phenomenon. The placebo effect occurs when a person believes a sham pain treatment will make them feel better and they do, even though the treatment has no physical benefit.

The study's findings, published in the "Journal of Neuroscience," may lead to better therapies for people suffering from chronic pain.

* Health Scope is a weekly look at new trends, treatments and equipment in the medical field. For information about specific items, contact your physician.

Source: Evansville Courier & Press

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