Sometimes we just tolerate not feeling our best. Sometimes we get so used to feeling less than our best that we ignore the signs our body is trying to tell us. Chronic headaches, stuffy noses, sinus pressure, interrupted sleep and chronic fatigue takes its toll on your well-being. The bad news is that these symptoms continually come and go. The good news is that these are all symptoms of allergic disease that can be identified and treated with a little as one visit to the allergist. Some people can identify what causes their allergy symptoms almost immediately. They get itchy, watery eyes or start to sneeze the moment springtime tree pollen covers the ground or a cat walks into the room. However, for many, allergic triggers and the symptoms are less obvious, and you get so accustomed to the symptoms that you don’t even notice them. However, your body is giving you signs all the time that even your family, friends and coworkers do notice—from the chronic coughing, snorting and throat-clearing at work to the snoring and wheezing that keeps your spouse awake at night. Untreated allergies may even affect your appearance, leaving you with sallow skin and dark circles under the eyes. Many people with allergies don’t realize how much better you can feel with the right treatment.
Allergies are more common than most people realize, and millions of people go undiagnosed. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some sort of allergy each year, making allergies the sixth most common cause of chronic illness in America. Between 10 and 30 percent of the world’s population suffers from nasal allergies alone. Allergic reaction to plant pollen, mold, dust and animal dander may be hard to distinguish from a cold but they can certainly have a negative impact on your quality of life, both for you and those around you. Left untreated, these allergies may have more serious long-term consequences such as recurrent sinus, lung or ear infections, frequent sore throats, unrelenting headaches, and compromised lung function.
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Feel better. Sleep better. Look better. See an allergist.
Consider seeing a board-certified allergist/immunologist if you experience any of the following:
- Cold-like symptoms that last longer than two weeks.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Unexplained rashes or hives.
- Persistent cough and/or congestion.
- Persistent urge to clear the throat.
- Experiencing three or more ear, throat, lung or sinus infections per year.
- Consistent snoring.
- Sallow skin tone (sometimes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood cells).
- Lack of relief or undesirable side effects from over-the-counter medicines.
- Sleep disruption due to nasal congestion.
How an Allergist Can Help
When you visit the office of an allergist, the doctor will review your medical history and your symptoms to determine the underlying cause. He/she will also use skin testing (without needles) to determine your specific allergy triggers. Once the cause is confirmed, the allergist will prescribe a treatment plan and make suggestions for adapting and dealing with the underlying cause. Lifestyle changes may be as simple as implementing a more effective cleaning method at home or a medicine regimen. Most patients who have their allergies properly diagnosed and treated find an improved quality of life as a result.
All the physicians of Allergy & Asthma Specialists are board-certified in allergy and clinical immunology. You can easily schedule an appointment at one of the eight convenient locations. To learn more, contact us today at 1-800-86-COUGH, or click here to visit our website with information on the location closest to you.”
Learn more about the Allergy & Asthma SpecialistsSM here.
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