Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 56)

Q&A Breathing Easy Why am I sneezing all of a sudden? ASK The ExpErt S Q Q pring in Central Florida means allergies for many people. Experts estimate that 35 million Americans throughout the country suffer from allergies because of airborne pollen! It’s important to take allergies seriously. If left alone, they may turn into a sinus or ear infection. have contact with? If these things are new to you and you develop symptoms, you may be allergic. Q How will my allergy by diagnosed? What exactly are allergies? Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called allergens. They have different triggers— things that cause your allergic reaction—and could be caused by the time of year or determined by where symptoms appear on the body. Doctors diagnose allergies in different ways. They will take a personal and medical history from you. They will do a physical examination, which may include a pulmonary function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs. You may even need an X-ray of your lungs or sinuses. Finally, the doctor may do tests to determine your allergens, such as a skin test, patch test or blood test. Q Q How are allergies treated? What are common types of allergies? There are many kinds of allergies, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever, indoor/outdoor, seasonal allergies), allergic asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, anaphylaxis (extreme response to a food or drug allergy), latex allergy, insect sting/ bite allergy, urticaria (hives, skin allergy), atopic or contact dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergy). After your allergy has been diagnosed, you may be treated in a number of ways, including avoiding your allergens or taking medication or allergy shots. What’s the best way to prevent allergies? Q I’ve never had allergies before. Why am I having symptoms now? Allergens are different in different parts of the country or in different homes or buildings. If you’ve moved from one area of the country to Brevard County, your body may not be accustomed to the types of allergens found here in the plants, insects, mold spores and dust mites, to name just a few. Are you taking a new medication? Have you visited someone’s home with pets you don’t usually Stay away from your known allergens as much as possible. If you’re allergic to cats or dogs but simply can’t give up Fluffy or Bowser, then don’t let them in your bedroom. Wash your sheets often and keep the dust down in your house to get rid of dust mites. And be sure to shower after spending time outside to wash away pollen that collects By David Williams, on your skin and hair. D.O., board-certified emergency physician David Williams, D.O., is medical director of the MedFast Urgent Care Center inside the Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John, 5005 Port St. John Parkway. MedFast hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. Urgent care is for when you need to see a doctor fast, such as when your allergies kick in, but it’s not bad enough for an ER visit. Make an appointment online for MedFast by using InQuickER (see the card bound into this issue). 56 Vim & Vigor • SP R I N G 2 011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - Parrish Medical Center
Table of Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
What’s New?
Watch Your Step
A Workout for Every Mood
Don’t Fail Your Heart
If Your Bones Could Talk
Healthy Travels
Over 40 and Fabulous
Do-It-Yourself Health?
Fighting Words
Balancing Act
Giving & Getting
Fitness & Wellness Go Hand in Hand
Stopping PAD in Its Tracks
Community Health
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - Parrish Medical Center

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