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Posts for: May, 2014

May 05, 2014
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged

....but So is Hay Fever

Spring is in the air, and so are billions of tiny pollens that trigger allergy symptoms in millions of people. This condition is called seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever.

What's the Problem with Pollen?
Hay fever is caused by pollen carried in the air, which starts a chain reaction in your immune system. Your immune system controls how your body defends itself. For instance, if you have an allergy to pollen, the immune system identifies pollen as an invader, or allergen. Your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE).  These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Hay fever can affect your quality of life. It can lead to sinus infections, disrupt your sleep, and affect your ability to learn at school or be productive at work.

Hay fever symptoms include:

  • Itchiness in your nose, throat, eyes, and ears, and on the roof of your mouth
  • Sneezing
  • Suffy nose (congestion)
  • Runny nose
  • Tearing eyes
  • Dark circles under the eyes.

Know Your Sneezing Season
Depending on where you live, there are generally three pollen seasons. The start and end dates of these seasons, as well as the specific plants, vary based on the climate.

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By Northwest ENT & Allergy Care
May 02, 2014
Category: ENT
Tags: Asthma   Asthma Treatment   Allergies   Allergens  

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.  Spring is the peak season for both asthma and allergy sufferers. During the month of May, as your Milwaukie and Portland area ENT, we strive to raise further awareness for you so that you can better understand your asthma or allergies. To help you better understand asthma and allergies let’s take a look at 3 important facts for each.
 

3 Asthma Facts You Should Know

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in your lungs and can cause wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or tightness and pain in the chest. If you suffer from asthma you may experience one or all of those symptoms, which can be disruptive to your daily activities.
  1. Asthma attacks are triggered by allergens, exercise, smoke, pollution, or airway infections.
  2. Asthma is the number one reason why children are missing school, which accounts for over 10 million missed school days a year.
  3. It is a common myth that a child will outgrow his or her asthma. In fact, children with persistent asthma still have symptoms into adulthood.

3 Allergy Facts You Should Know

April showers bring May flowers, but they can also bring on sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes.  Spring is when allergy season begins and can last into the summer months, causing many people to experience an array of symptoms. The common allergy culprits are pollens, as well as mold.  The three allergy facts you should know are:
  1. There is no cure for allergies, but there is symptom relief through modification and prevention.
  2. Timing is key when taking your medications for your allergy—you should begin taking your medication two weeks before symptoms typically begin.
  3.  Allergies are on the rise, as more adults and children are diagnosed with allergies every year.
During the month of May, visit our Milwaukie, OR ENT office for more information on asthma and allergies. We will work with you to determine the best treatment plan to eliminate your symptoms.

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Watermark integrated home sleep technology is a fast, simple and cost effective alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. After identification of appropriate candidates for testing through a validated OSA risk questionnaire, home sleep testing equipment is provided to the patient by the provider. The Watermark sleep testing devices have been validated to be as effective as an in-lab sleep studies, yet with the convenience and simplicity of being performed in the comfort of the patients home at a fraction of the cost. Upon completion of the 2 night study, the information is uploaded to the WM Sleep Portal where the study data is auto-processed, undergoes a technical QA edit and professional interpretation by Dr. Adrian Varela, board certified sleep physician before being returned to the ordering provider for diagnosis, all within 48 hours.