(WXYZ) — Spring allergy season has kicked off and reports from Pollen.com of airborne allergen conditions in most of southeastern Michigan have already reached medium levels. For those who suffer from allergies, we have a plan on how you can treat your symptoms.
Question: How can you treat seasonal allergies?
Yes, spring has certainly sprung which is not always the best news for those with allergies. Tree pollen is starting to circulate causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing along with other annoying symptoms. So how you get relief? Well, there are three key ways:
1. Avoidance: keep your windows closed so pollen doesn’t get inside as easily, especially in the mornings when the pollen count tends to be high.
2. Medication: there are many types that treat symptoms to help make your life easier – but please discuss them with your doctor first.
3. Immunotherapy: this is when a person is given doses of the substance they’re allergic to, which then helps their immune system react less to it.
Question: Immunotherapy sounds a bit scary since you’re begin exposed to something you’re allergic to, how safe and effective is it?
Immunotherapy is generally safe but it’s possible a person could react to them. Most reactions are mild but some cases can be severe, even life threatening. Now there are different types of immunotherapy, the most popular and effective method are allergy shots. A person is given a tiny amount to start and then the dose gets increased over time. This allows your system to build up a tolerance to the substance and become less sensitive to it. And then over time, your symptoms diminish. So depending on what type of allergy you have, it’s possible to train your body to be less allergic.
Question: How can you tell if you have a cold or allergies?
It can be confusing to tell the difference between a cold and allergies since they both share symptoms like sneezing and coughing. The telltale sign is itchy, watery eyes. However, the only way to know for sure is to get tested. If you feel like your cold is lasting much longer than the average 7-10 days, make an appointment to discuss your symptoms with your family doctor.
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Join Dr. Nandi this Sunday at 4 pm as he investigates the rise in chronic health conditions on the all-new Dr. Nandi Show. You’ll meet a man who faced aggressive treatments for an autoimmune disease but was able to turn back the clock. Another guest shares how she used turmeric to battle blood cancer. You’ll also learn how to turn kitchen cabinets into medicine cabinets. Plus, Holistic Doctor Madiha Saeed discusses the root cause of chronic disease.
