The Worst Cities For Allergies In 2012

Each year, 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, when airborne irritants trigger an overreaction of the immune system, marked by itchy, watery eyes, violent sneezing, coughing, wheezing, severe nasal or sinus congestion and, in some cases, difficulty breathing.

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Helping the body fight off allergies

While there are different types of conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma, about 50 to 70 percent of Americans suffer from allergy-induced types of these conditions. An allergy is defined as an abnormal sensitivity to a substance normally tolerated and generally considered harmless such as pollen, dust mites, food, drugs or insect stings. This means that while some allergens are tolerated by most people, they can induce an allergic reaction in others, mainly due to the presence of the IgE antibody. IgE, one of our immunoglobulins ( the others are IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD), is a key player in allergic reaction.

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5 ways to tame your seasonal allergies

1. Make a stay-strong grocery list. Dark leafy vegetables, 100 per cent whole grains, unsaturated fats and lean protein boost immune strength. And avoid pollen allergy co-conspirators: 70 per cent of those with allergies to birch or alder trees also get an itchy, swollen mouth from celery, cherries and apples. And 20 per cent with a grass allergy react to tomatoes, potatoes or peaches. Cooking them may quell irritants, or leave them off your menu.

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Mild Winters and Allergy Season

Experts say allergy season may be more severe and offer tips for relief

Warmer temperatures made this year’s winter feel more like spring on several occasions. While the moderate weather delighted most, experts say spring allergy sufferers may not be as pleased, due to the earlier onset of symptoms and a more severe season ahead. Anju Peters, MD, suggests taking a preemptive approach in order to get ahead of symptoms before they get you down.

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Spring Has Sprung and so Have Allergies

Spring has officially sprung, which means allergy season is sweeping across the Midlands and keeping local allergy specialists busy.

Pollen is covering cars and sidewalks as it falls in the Midlands, but those who suffer from allergies should be worried about what they don't see.

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5 Ways You Worsen Your Allergies

If you suffer from springtime allergies, there are five surprising ways you may be aggravating your suffering — fruits and vegetables, air filters, fresh air, procrastination, and self-medication.

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Nothing to Sneeze At

What you need to know about the causes and culprits behind your soon-to-be wheezing and watery eyes during the allergy season.

The Lone Star State is home to hundreds of allergy-inducing trees and plant species that can cause itchy, watery eyes, wheezing and sneezing. In fact, of the more than 50,000 types of trees, less than 100 types contribute pollen - and most of these are native to Texas, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

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Minimizing Allergens in Your Office

a woman minimizing allergens in her workplacePeople entering your office can have allergic reactions to a host of substances. The severity of these reactions can range from mild to life-threatening, so it’s smart to try to rid your space of the most common allergens for patients and staff in a medical office.

MOT spoke with several experts in the field of allergen control to find out what substances found in medical offices most frequently cause allergic reactions and how practices should approach them. Read on for their advice.

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8 Tips for Fall Allergy Relief

United Allergy Labs Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Frederick Schaffer, M.D., board certified allergist and immunologist, was recently featured in EverydayHealth.com.

Fall allergies have you hiding out in your home? Get back to enjoying the great outdoors with these allergy management tips.

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Has Climate Change Increased Seasonal Allergies?

A recent study suggests that severe seasonal changes may lead to higher levels of outdoor airborne allergens and increased allergy susceptibility.

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The nose knows it’s a bad allergy season

“Everyone always has a reason to think the current year is the worst year ever for allergies,” said Dr. David Rosenstreich, director of the allergy and immunology division at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. But this year those complaints really do have some merit, he added.

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Asthma: Providing Relief for Your Patients

Approximately 34 million people in the United States suffer from the wheezing and discomfort of asthma. Affecting patients of all ages, advancing research into the treatment of asthma is providing promising results for sufferers.

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Heat Wave Especially Horrible for People with Certain Illnesses

Besides being hot and sticky, Lisa McDavid of Drexel, N.C., said, “I get really tired, can’t breathe out of my nose and my chest starts hurting.” McDavid suffers from seasonal allergies, a deviated septum and mitral valve prolapse, a condition that causes one of the heart valves to not close properly. “When it’s hot but not that humid, I can stand being outside a little longer, but when it’s humid, I feel like I’m suffocating.” Read more


5 Ways Americans’ Allergies Are Getting Worse

Allergies are going nowhere but up. One in five Americans now suffer from allergies, accounting for 17 million doctors appointments and 30,000 emergency room visits each year. And the numbers are on the rise, according to a large new study from the medical testing and information company Quest Diagnostics.

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