Articles and Information

Allergy Season has arrived!  According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the list below provides steps to feeling better during the Spring season. 

Source: http://acaai.org/resources/connect/patient-newsletter/issue4

Blow Away Spring Allergies

Many of the most common things people use to keep spring allergies in check may offer no relief at all. Take the right steps and you’ll be on your way to feeling better in no time. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) shares five common mistakes and offers advice to help you stamp out springtime sneezing and wheezing.

Survey Says…

• Eight in 10 allergy or asthma sufferers said self-medication falls short of being “very effective” in treating their symptoms.
• Patients who had seen an allergist were nearly three times more likely to say their treatment was effective than those who took over-the-counter medicine.
• Survey Methodology: Penn, Schoen and Berland; 1,206 Internet interviews February 2009; 502 respondents were allergy and/or asthma sufferers.

1. Treating symptoms without knowing their specific cause. More than two-thirds of spring allergy sufferers actually have year-round allergies. An allergist, a doctor who is an expert in treating allergies and asthma, can perform tests to pinpoint exactly what you are allergic to and then find the right treatment to stop it.
2. Racking up drugstore receipts with no relief. If over-the-counter medications aren’t working talk with an allergist about treatment alternatives such as nasal spray or allergy shots, which can cure allergies in some cases and keep you out of the drugstore aisles.
3. Treating after the sneezing starts. Don’t wait until you’re feeling bad to take allergy medication that has worked for you in the past – try taking it just before the season starts. Local forecasts can be a helpful cue: When the temperature warms up, pollens and molds are released into the air.
4. Not avoiding your triggers. Finding the right treatment is important, but it’s also essential to minimize your exposure to things you are allergic to. If you have a pollen allergy, keeping windows closed, showering when you come inside and staying indoors during mid-day when pollen counts are highest can make a big difference in how you feel.

Eating produce that can trigger spring allergies. One in three seasonal allergy sufferers experience an itchy mouth, lips or throat, and may sniffle and sneeze after eating certain raw foods or fresh fruits. The condition is called oral allergy syndrome. The immune system of people who are allergic to pollen can sense a similarity between the proteins of pollen and those in foods. If you are allergic to tree pollen, for example, apples, cherries, pears, apricots, kiwis, oranges, plums, almonds, hazelnut and walnuts may cause an allergic reaction. Cooking or peeling the food may help, but be sure to talk to an allergist.

Call 402-397-7400 to schedule an appointment today with the Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic!!!

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic is excited to welcome Dr. Teodoro (Ted) Segura M.D. Ph.D. to the practice.   Dr. Segura will start seeing patients on December 7, 2015.

Dr. Segura is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and is fluent in Spanish (Habla español).

For more information on Dr. Segura check out his bio on the Our Doctors Tab.

CDC Recommendation for Flu Shot

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the top three or four flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, ideally by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins.

In addition to getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.