Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Newsletter

Table of Contents:
1. From the Editors
2. Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Articles
3. Sinusitis Experience - Fighting Allergies With Honey
4. Feature - Allergy Proof Your Home for Winter

FROM THE EDITORS
With winter approaching, this week's feature article is vital for preparing to battle winter allergies. "Allergy Cleaning," similar to "spring cleaning," helps reduce your chances of allergy suffering during the cold season. By addressing mold, pet dander, and dust issues in advance, you are eliminating several high-potent allergy triggers. Today's feature article, "Allergy Proof Your Home for Winter," tackles several things you can start doing to dramatically decrease your winter suffering.

We'd like to say a big "thank you" to those who have taken the time to send in an allergy, sinusitis, or asthma experience. Our experience section is growing weekly and we've received several emails thanking us for adding this section. That thanks belongs to you for providing the content. Please keep your experiences coming. You can email them to asa@newsdial.com with the words "Sinusitis Experience," "Allergy Experience," or "Asthma Experience" in the subject header.

Wishing you much allergy cleaning success,

Joe Tracy & Kim Lance - editors
ASA Newsletter

Chronic Sinusitis Patients: Immune Response to Fungi
Scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered that people with chronic sinusitis have an exaggerated immune response to common airborne fungi. The results of their study appeared in last October's edition of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology...
Click here to read the entire article.

Influenza Immunization is Important for All Asthmatics
The American Lung Association has called for improved influenza immunization among people with asthma after citing extremely low vaccination rates. People with asthma are one of the largest group of chronically ill Americans that are strongly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine each year. Even though groups like the American Lung Association have recommended immunization for quite some time, only 40 percent of adults and 10 percent of children are actually immunized. This leaves the vast majority of people with asthma at a higher risk for serious complications and illness from influenza infection...
Click here to read the entire article.

Air Purifiers Provide Relief to Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
Research has shown that inhaling respiratory irritants such as smoke, mold, mildew and dust mites that breed quickly in indoor environments having poor ventilation and high moisture levels create a potential for serious illnesses such as allergies, asthma and cancer. However, health experts agree that dehumidifiers and air purifiers are very effective in preventing health risks associated with indoor air pollutants...
Click here to read the entire article.

CT Scans Safely Detect Remodeling in Asthma Airways
New research finds that high-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) scans may be a safe and effective way to detect undesired morphologic changes ("remodeling") in the airways of children with severe asthma. These findings are featured in the October 2005 Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (JACI). The JACI is the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)...
Click here to read the entire article.

SINUSITIS EXPERIENCE - Fighting Allergies With Honey
"Native honey from your area, or state, works. It is a natural anti-allergen. Try to find it from a local farm or supermarket. I take 1 to 2 tablespoons daily beginning in the spring thru the summer. (much better than sugar with tea and for baking)..."
Click here to read the entire experience.

FEATURE - Allergy Proof Your Home for Winter
As we enter the fall and winter months, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is recommending that perennial, or year-round allergy sufferers take some precautions before retreating inside during the colder months. Just as you would do your annual spring cleaning, think of fall as another seasonal cleaning opportunity.

It is true that pollen from ragweed is the main cause of allergy symptoms during the fall, but perennial allergy sufferers are also affected by indoor allergens. These indoor allergens can include dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and cockroaches. So, even after the seasonal allergies of the spring, summer and fall, people may still be suffering from allergies while indoors.

"Many allergy sufferers believe they are out of the woods once fall allergy season is over," said allergist/immunologist Robert Wood, MD, FAAAAI, and Chair of the AAAAI's Indoor Allergen Committee. "But when their symptoms continue to persist, chances are it is something in their home making them miserable."

During colder months, allergies can be mistaken for the common cold. Although many of the symptoms are similar, allergies can persist for several weeks, and require more than a standard cold medication. If allergies are left untreated they can seriously impact your quality of life, causing a significant amount of missed work and school. Untreated allergy symptoms can also develop into more chronic conditions, such as asthma, ear infections and sinusitis. Research shows that as many as 38% of patients with allergic rhinitis also have asthma.

If you suspect you may be suffering from indoor allergies versus the common cold, you should consider seeking the advice of an allergist/immunologist. An allergist can determine the exact cause of your symptoms and decide which, if any, medication is needed. Allergists can also work with you to gain control of the allergies circulating in your home and work with you to develop control measures in your home.

"Indoor control measures should focus on sites where allergens accumulate," Wood said. "Progressive changes will produce an indoor environment that is less allergenic, easier to clean and healthier for the whole family."

The AAAAI offers the following tips to help allergy proof your home:

- Remove any extra clutter in your home because it may be collecting dust. Also remember that dust can settle in carpeting. If you have a dust mite allergy, think about removing carpeting and replacing it with washable throw rugs. Also avoid storing anything under the bed.

- Put mattresses, box springs and pillows in special plastic cases that are allergy-proof or "non-allergenic." Studies have proven that these plastic cases can help reduce dust mites. Also wash blankets, sheets and pillowcases in 130 degree water every week.

- If it is possible, keep your pets out of the bedroom to decrease your exposure to animal dander. Also remember to wash your hands after touching pets.

- Clean moldy surfaces, such as the corners of showers or under the sink and fix leaks. Any leaks may leave surfaces wet which can allow mold to grow. Also avoid having carpeting in bathrooms or basements.

- To keep cockroaches out of your home, keep food in containers with tight lids and wash dishes immediately after use in hot, soapy water. Clean under stoves, refrigerators or toasters where loose crumbs can accumulate and block areas where cockroaches could enter the home, especially small spaces, like wall cracks, window or floor cracks, cellar doors and outside drains.

Contact an allergist/immunologist for more information on treatment options and recommendations for reducing your indoor allergen exposure.

That's it for this edition of the ASA Newsletter. The next issue will be delivered on October 26, 2005.

> Subscribe to the Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Ezine
> Return to the ASA Newsletter Archives
> Return to Main Health Reference Category
> Return to NEWSdial.com