Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Newsletter

Table of Contents:
1. From the Editors
2. News Links
3. Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Articles
4. Sinusitis Experience - Responses to Rosemary
5. Feature - World Asthma Day

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to another edition of the Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma newsletter. Wow - two weeks ago I asked for people to submit their sinusitis experiences and they started pouring in. It will take us awhile to get them all posted, but all of them will be uploaded and highlighted here. In today's Sinusitis Experience section you'll be able to read two responses readers wrote to Rosemary, whose experience (and request for tips) we posted in the last newsletter.

So this week, allergy season really hit me hard. I am based out of Salem, Oregon and every year we have extremely high pollen rates (for grass, trees, and weeds). Two days ago, the itchy watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose hit with full force. Thus I started putting my "Allergy Plan" into effect. For me, that includes completely "purifying" the place I spend most of my time - my office. All my windows are double paned and closed tight. I have a really good air purifier running full blast and the door to my office always closed. In addition, I've started with a Claritin-like treatment and nasal spray. I've changed the filter on my air conditioner and am ready for battle!

I'd love to hear what some of you do to prepare for allergy / hay fever season. Just send me your "Allergy Plan" to asa@newsdial.com and I'll post some of the best ones.

Finally, for sinusitis suffers, you'll soon have a new resource of in depth information on a regular basis about treatments, research, studies, and news. Watch the coming issues of this newsletter for more on that.

Alright - time to get to the updates!

Wishing you the best of health during this record-breaking allergy season,

Joe Tracy, editor
ASA Newsletter

NEWS LINKS
Here are the most recent major media articles concerning allergies, asthma, and sinusitis:

News-Leader: Allergies Often Confused with Colds
Quote: "...Generally speaking, symptoms of allergies are similar to those of the common viral upper respiratory infection, with a few key differences. Symptoms of allergies are runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, scratchy throat and so forth. Allergies are usually associated with excessive tearing and itching of the eyes as well..."

WOAI: Hundreds of San Antonians Fight Sinus Infections
Quote: "...This week alone, more than 300 people have gone to see doctors at Texas Med Clinics all over the city because of sinusitis. The most cases are in the north central area of San Antonio..."

The Telegram: Overcoming Asthma
Quote: "...Twelve-year-old Hilary Underhay has been living with asthma since about age three. However, the chronic lung disease doesn't stop her from playing spotlight, soccer or hockey, or from singing in the church choir and in school competitions..."

ALLERGY, SINUSITIS AND ASTHMA ARTICLES
Here are the most recent articles, published by NEWSdial.com, that deal with allergies, sinusitis, and asthma:

Asthma Facts
We've put together a list of interesting asthma facts for you to look out, including asthma's daily effect on society (40,000 people a day miss school or work because of asthma)... Click here to read the entire article.

Experimental Ragweed Therapy Shows Promise
Americans accustomed to the seasonal misery of runny noses, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes caused by ragweed pollen soon may benefit from an experimental ragweed pollen allergy treatment that not only requires fewer injections than standard immunotherapy, but leads to a marked reduction in symptoms... Click here to read the entire article.

Balloon Sinuplasty for Treating Sinusitis
After successful studies in Australia, more United States ENT are offering balloon Sinuplasty in the treatment of sinusitis... Click here to read the entire article.

SINUSITIS EXPERIENCE - Responses to Rosemary
Two of our readers responded to the last highlighted experience, posted by Rosemary. You can read the original letter here and the responses here. Here's a quote: "Based on my Allergy experience, dust mites, cats and mold are some of the most tenacious allergens to neutralize. While you mention dust mites, it is likely that you are also allergic to some seasonal allergens as well"... Click here to read the entire experience.

FEATURE - World Asthma Day - May 1, 2007
Nearly 60 per cent of people with asthma do not have good control of their condition thus posing a serious, but preventable health risk to nearly one million Ontarians with asthma. In an effort to heighten awareness about asthma, The Lung Association urges communities across the world to recognize World Asthma Day May 1, 2007.

Asthma is a chronic breathing disorder that does not discriminate according to age. Recent studies indicate a large proportion of the general public is at risk of developing asthma.

According to The Burden of Asthma Report, released in September 2006 through the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences, an individual in Ontario has a 40 per cent risk of developing asthma before they reach the age of 40. This represents significant health care costs and has considerable economic and social impacts on the province.

The risk of developing asthma is greatest in childhood, with 20 per cent of children being diagnosed with asthma by age 12. Asthma remains the number one cause of hospital admissions and missed school days in children. Even after childhood, people have a 16 per cent chance of developing the disease. This underlines the importance of asthma education programs, implementing effective interventions and disease management strategies for people with asthma.

"The study indicates that the prevalence of asthma and the risk for developing the disease are high and warrants attention of the health care system and the public," says Lisa Cicutto, RN, PhD, ACNP, CAE, University of Toronto and one of the principal investigators of 2006 The Burden of Asthma study. "Asthma is a potentially life-threatening disease, with serious implications for both individuals and the greater community and deserves more public attention than it currently receives. In most cases, asthma can be controlled and people with asthma can live full, active lives."

The Lung Association offers a toll-free Asthma Action Helpline (1-800-668-7682), answered by certified asthma educators who are trained to provide asthma education and help develop an asthma care plan with callers.

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