 |
Spring Allergy Questions |
|
|
While most people gratefully welcome the longer days and warmer weather of spring, many people dread the itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing that comes with the season. These people suffer from seasonal allergies, more scientifically known as seasonal rhinitis. National Jewish allergist Richard Weber, M.D. answers several common questions about seasonal rhinitis and what can be done to ease the discomfort.
Q: What causes my allergies to flare up in the spring?
A: Pollen is the most likely cause. Your immune system has mistakenly learned to remember the pollen released by various plants as potentially harmful, and responds with the familiar allergic symptoms. Each species of plant releases pollen at about the same time every year. Trees are usually the first plants to release pollen, usually in the early spring. Grasses come next in the spring and early summer. Weeds generally release their pollen in late summer and fall. The specific types of pollen and the time of their release depends upon the local climate and varies around the country. People with seasonal rhinitis are often allergic to more than one type of pollen.
Q: How can I tell whether I have allergies or just a cold?
A: Generally, allergies last longer than a cold, often for a few weeks. If you notice a pattern in which you suffer the same symptoms at the same time year after year, you are likely suffering from allergies. Frequent sneezing and itchy, watery eyes are more frequently associated with an allergy rather than a cold. Also, a clear nasal discharge suggests that you are suffering from allergies. When you have a cold, the mucus is more often greenish or yellowish. A fever is also indicative of a cold. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between seasonal allergies, a cold, or another condition.
|
|
| |
 |
We
need your feedback |
|
We
want to continually improve the Asthma
Centre Website, so we need your help.
Please fill out our Quality
Feedback E-mail form so we can use
your responses, comments and suggestions
to make the Asthma Centre Website even
better! |
|
Currently, an estimated
25 per cent of Canadian people with asthma are
not acheiving adequate control of their symptoms.
 


|
 |
Questions
& Answers |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
Discussions
and Feedback |

|
| |
Discuss
your asthma topics
ONLINE! |
|
|
|
| |
| Newsletter |
Sign
up for e-mail updates from the centre.
|
|
|
This site has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant by Astra Zeneca.
|
|
We
would like to hear your FEEDBACK!
Copyright
©Dr. Patrick Gill Asthma Education Centre - ImageWorks
PEI Inc. 2001
Disclaimer: The
materials and other information provided by this web site
are for educational,communication and information purposes
only and are not intended to replace or constitute the giving
of medical advice or treatments. The
Patrick A. Gill Asthma Education Centre intends that the information
contained in this site to be accurate. However, errors sometimes
occur. Therefore, The Centre disclaims any warranty of any
kind, whether express or implied, as to any matter whatsoever
relating to this service, including without limitation merchantability
or fitness for any particular purpose. In no event shall the
Centre be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages arising out of use of any use of or
reliance on any content or materials contained herein. The
Patrick A. Gill Asthma Education Centre does not assume and
it hereby disclaims any and all liability to any person or
entity for any claims, damages, liability or other loss (including,
without limitation, any liability for injury or other damage
resulting from any use of or reliance on this service or from
the posting of any content or material by any third party.
No
use of, or reliance on, any materials included in this site
shall be deemed to give rise to a physician-patient relationship.
No material included in this site shall be deemed to present
the only or necessarily the best method or procedure with
respect to a matter discussed on this service; rather, any
such material shall be acknowledged as only the approach or
opinion of the discussant. The
users assume all risks of using the materials included in
this site.
|