Hay fever is defined as a chronic condition characterized by nasal congestion, sneezing, runny and itching nose, palate, ears and eyes. Should you recognize any of the above symptoms, it’s probable that you or a member of your family has suffered from hay fever at some time. The medical term for Hay Fever is allergic rhinitis, and if you've had it - - as 22 million Americans have - - you're likely to be plagued during the spring and fall seasons by the annoying symptoms of sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy throat and red, watery eyes. Allergies have different names. Allergic reactions occurring in the nose and sinus are called "sinus" or "hay fever" or "allergic rhinitis." When allergic reactions occur in the chest we call it "asthma." Allergic reactions in the skin are named "hives" or "angioedema." So you see, allergies have different names depending upon where in your body they occur. One in every six Americans suffer from an allergic condition. Allergies are an inherited trait; a genetic susceptibility towards the production of certain allergy anti-bodies. Hay fever is essentially an allergic reaction to pollens from trees, weeds and grasses. Dissimilar to garden flower pollen, which are carried by insects, the dry light-weight pollens that cause hay fever are usually spread by wind currents which make them difficult to avoid. While most people suffer only 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 hay fever can be serious. The same allergens that cause hay fever can reach the lungs causing asthma as well as 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 is key to helping determine the appropriate individualized treatment program. Physicians who specialize in allergies and immunology have special skills in the area of asthma management. An allergy and asthma specialist can detect and determine the environmental elements (pollens, molds, dust mites, animal danders, workplace chemicals) which may be the cause of a patient's asthmatic condition. A careful physical examination, medical history, selective allergy skill testing and lung function studies are typically conducted. On occasion, blood tests, home and workplace evaluations, and x-rays of the sinuses and lungs are required. Asthma is a more complex disease than hay fever; involving a reversible constriction of the muscles lining the human airways. Asthma 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 asthma therapy of all is avoidance of those things which produce asthma symptoms. These include allergens such as house dust mites, pets and irritants, such as tobacco smoke and chemical fumes.
This article is provided by Carol Bond Health Foods. Carol Bond Health Foods has been serving natural health consumers for over 25 years. For the best vitamin supplements and health foods visit www.CarolBond.com.
This article is free for republishing
Source:
http://www.articlealley.com
