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Editorial
Losing sleep not only malady as spring arrives
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Don't forget we'll all lose an hour of sleep this Sunday as we "spring forward" into Daylight Saving Time, that semi-annual misguided effort to make a day longer in the afternoon by making it shorter in the morning.
If you're not grumpy from loss of sleep, however, you may find yourself being miserable from another season-related malady -- sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy and runy noses and watery eyes.
Those are all symptoms of allergies from pollens released into the air from trees, weeds and grasses.
"This year, we've seen tree pollen counts a little earlier, even in January, but we still expect it to continue in March, April and even into May," said Jill Poole, M.D., University of Nebraska medical center allergist and associate professor in the department of internal medicine.
"I advise people to get their medications out and get on board before they get behind the eight-ball on their allergy symptoms."
If it's a problem for you, you're not alone. About 20 to 40 percent of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, and if over-the-counter medications don't work well, you should get tested, Dr. Poole said.
And pills may not be the only answer. An alternative is desensitization, which involves exposing patients to low doses of the allergens and increasing them over time to ultimately desensitize them to the point they have fewer symptoms.
There are new medications administered by injection or sublingual tablets and nasal sprays.
If over-the-county medications make you sleepy, start with a half-dose for a week or two to let the body adjust before going to a higher dosage.
"If you still get drowsy on the antihistamines, which some people do, then you might need prescription nasal sprays instead of pills," Dr. Poole said.
She also offered tips to lessen the effects of allergies:
* Use over-the-counter nasal-sinus irrigation products, avoid nasal decongestant sprays.
* Over-the-county antihistamines are non-sedating and also can be beneficial.
* Shut windows, run the air conditioner, shower or wash your hands or face after being outside to get off alelrgens.
More information is available at www.aaaai.org