May 8, 2017

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

With allergies and asthma on the rise in the United States, education and awareness are critical to attaining proper treatment and care.  Throughout May which is a peak season for allergy & asthma flares, The Asthma Center joins the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America in raising allergy and asthma awareness with a new blog series about allergy & awareness.  Check back in with us on our blog, on facebook, or subscribe to learn from our board-certified allergists for frequent updates.

Help us celebrate and raise awareness! Share your stories on The Asthma Center’s Facebook page, and let us know your tips for living with allergies & asthma.

Allergies & Mental Health

May 8, 2017. Allergies can take on mental and physical complications beyond the symptoms of sneezing attacks, itchy nose, ears & eyes, runny nose & watery eyes, stuffiness and sinus headache.

The top 5 effects of allergies on performance, behavior, and mental health:

1. Sleep compromise which can affect concentration and energy.
2. Irritability and behavioral problems especially in kids.
3. Reduced ability to work effectively and be productive.
4. Deterioration in overall quality of life.
5. Social embarrassment trying to avoid sneezing, coughing, runny eyes and nose and heavy nasal secretions.

Allergy Co-Conditions

May 8, 2017. People with upper respiratory allergies not only experience classic sneezing, itching, congestion, post nasal drip and sinus pressure, but also can suffer from a myriad of other co-conditions.  A recent national survey from 2012 identified the 5 most common co-conditions for people with allergies:

1. 40% had asthma
2. 35% had heartburn or gastrointestinal reflux (GERD)
3. 33% had sleep disturbances with 10% suffering from actual sleep apnea
4. 30% had sinusitis
5. 15% had migraines

Bottom Line: Unmanaged allergies may contribute to the onset of other respiratory and non respiratory conditions.  Who knew allergies could be so complex and pervasive!

Board-Certified Allergists, Pediatric Allergists & Asthma Specialists

Effective treatment of allergies and other related medical conditions first depends on a correct and proper diagnosis.  Seeing a board-certified allergist is your first stop to healthy living with allergies.

At The Asthma Center, our allergists and pediatric allergists help our patients manage their allergies by determining what local spring allergens cause symptoms.  For example, with spring allergies, we identify which local trees (including Oak, Pine, Mulberry and Birch) and grasses trigger allergy symptoms by using minimally invasive in-house diagnostics, like allergy skin testing. Pairing these results with local knowledge of allergy triggers like pollen, ragweed and mold, our allergists develop personalized plans that treat not only the symptoms but also the cause of allergies. And because allergy symptoms often spike with pollen, we know exactly when to adjust allergy medication – providing more relief when conditions are bad and less medication every time else. 

Our allergists, pediatric allergists, and asthma specialists treat patients in 9 convenient locations throughout the Delaware Valley including Philadelphia (Center City Philadelphia, Society Hill Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia), The Main Line – Montgomery County (Bala Cynwyd – Lower Merion PA), Bucks County (Langhorne PA), and South Jersey (Mt. Laurel NJ, Woodbury NJ, Hamilton NJ, Forked River NJ).

Ask about our Special Spring Saturday Hours for New Patients (available in selected locations)!

The health information contained in this article is meant for basic informational purposes only.  It is not intended to serve as medical advice, substitute for a doctor’s appointment or to be used for diagnosing or treating a disease. For interviews and tours of the Delaware Valley’s only National Allergy Bureau (NAB) certified pollen, ragweed, and mold spore counting stations in Philadelphia, PA and Mt. Laurel, NJ, please email gwoodlyn@asthmacenter.com.