What To Know During The Allergy Season

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

Á What's the best way to stay symptom©free during the allergy season? It used to be an impossible task. But that's past history. Here are some answers to the most common questions that arrive in my mail.

Question © What is an allergy?

Allergies are triggered by pollen , molds, food and dust. In some cases the body's immune system is sensitized and over©responds to these substances. The most common condition is "allergic rhinitis" resulting in a runny, stuffy, and itchy nose.

Question © But what actually causes these symptoms?

The culprit is "histamine". Once the allergic substance enters the nose, mast cells in the lining of the nose release histamine which provokes these symptoms.

Question © Is allergic rhinitis a threatening problem?

It's not going to send you to the great beyond. But years ago after suffering from hay fever for weeks I sometimes wished I was there! It was hard to do a day's work with a constantly running nose. Not to mention the difficulty sleeping and the fatigue.

Question © Here's a question I used to ask myself. Why don't I take my own advice and see a doctor or just buy an antihistamine?

Because I knew that the older antihistamines would make me too drowsy to perform surgery. These drugs crossed the bloodbrain barrier and affected the "brain tranquillizing center". So it was a matter of living with the devil you know or falling asleep.

Question © Is there anything I can do to decrease the symptoms of allergic rhinitis without taking antihistamines?

Since airborne pollens are more abundant in the early morning, keep bedroom windows closed at that time. If possible avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Cigarette smoke also has a major impact on the frequency and severity of respiratory allergies. So see a psychiatrist if you're still smoking. See a second one if you allow friends to smoke in your home. A marital counsellor if your partner refuses to stop smoking! And if that doesn't work I leave the rest to your imagination.

Question: Should I agree to take cortisone?

The use of intranasal corticosteroids along with one of the newer antihistamines improves the quality of life for hay fever sufferers.

Question © But doesn't cortisone cause complications?

I asked several specialists about this point. Some doctors fear that this medication is toxic and may effect the mucosal lining of the nose over a period of years. But there's little evidence that this happens because intranasal corticosteroids are mild, act on the local tissues and are not absorbed systemically.

Question © Are there antihistamines that don't cause drowsiness?

There are several non©sedating histamines. In fact, fighter pilots can use them without any effect on their performance.

Question © What is the best one?

I've only had personal experience with Claritan. It keeps me awake during surgery and only requires one pill a day. Claritan also generally starts to work in a matter of hours. On the other hand some antihistamines need a week or two to achieve maximum results. But whatever antihistamine is used it doesn't lose its effectiveness if taken for long periods of time.

All types of antihistamines are helpful once an allergic attack has started. But they are even more effective if taken before an attack. Consequently if you know you're going for a walk in the country it's prudent to take an antihistamine beforehand.

Dr. Samuel O. Freedman, Professor of Medicine at McGill University, addresses this problem in the April issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. He says that Seldane and Hismanal may cause electrocardiographic changes when used at the recommended dose. And that some medications such as ketoconazole, erythromycin, and clarithromycin may cause these cardiac arrhythmias. But that Claritan does not cause these potential problems. He also stresses that Seldane should not be given to children.

Á Some physicians warn against self©medication with antihistamines. I agree that it's always safer to see your doctor when seasonal allergy strikes. But this is not always possible. If so, ask your pharmacist about the non©sedating antihistamines.

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod