Family Health The Truth About Allergies SouthCrest Physician Helps Patients Fight Back!

April showers bring May flowers, but all that beauty can bring misery for countless allergy sufferers. Then there are others who fight allergy battles with certain foods, chemicals or airborne particles. What causes these reactions? Please join Kirk Smith, M.D., as he discusses “The Truth about Allergies” on Tuesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 91st and Hwy. 169, Education Center, Suite 145. Board-certified in family medicine and fellowship-trained in advanced obstetrics, Dr. Smith will also discuss the various treatment options to help you find much-needed relief. He is a partner at South Tulsa Maternity and Pediatric Associates, located on the SouthCrest Hospital campus at 9001 S. 101st East Avenue, Suite 300, (918-392-5424). Attack Mode “Our immune systems are designed to attack harmful substances like bacteria and viruses,” Dr. Smith says. “But with allergies, our bodies launch an assault far beyond what is called for on substances such as pollen, mold, dust mites, pet saliva and dander, medications, insect sting venom and even some foods.” But, allergies don’t stop there. These persistent little buggers can cause different skin-related symptoms (such as hives, eczema and rashes); gastrointestinal problems; and assorted allergy-related symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, loss of smell and sleep disturbances. Other Typical Symptoms of Allergies -Runny nose -Watery eyes -Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth -Sneezing -Stuffy nose -Pressure in the nose and cheeks -Ear fullness and popping or itching -Dark circles under the eyes -Sore throat -Irritability -Depression -Cough -Asthma Doesn’t exactly sound like a walk in the park, does it? But, at least allergy sufferers can know they are far from alone. Recent statistics show that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S., affecting at least one in every five persons – an estimated 50 million people. Allergies are also a very expensive problem with total costs exceeding $3 billion in the U.S. each year for medication, doctor visits, and nearly 3.8 million lost work/school days. Treatment of Allergies So, what’s a person to do? Several ways to fight the allergy battle include: Avoidance •Wear a pollen mask when mowing the grass or housecleaning. •Stay indoors in the morning (when the pollen count is at its highest) and on windy days. •Read and understand food labels. •Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollination seasons. •Use the air conditioner in the house and car. •Rid the home of indoor plants and other sources of mildew. •Don’t allow dander-producing animals in the house. •Change feather pillows, woolen blankets and clothing to cotton or synthetic materials. •Enclose mattress, box springs and pillows in plastic barrier cloth. •Wash sheets, mattress pad and blankets weekly in hot water (at least 130F). •Remove carpets and upholstered furniture (drastic measure). •Use acaricide (a chemical that kills house-dust mites) or a tannic acid solution (neutralizes the allergen in mite droppings). •Use air filters. •Use a dehumidifier. Medication When avoidance or control of an allergen isn’t possible, medications may be necessary. Common allergy medications include: •Decongestants •Steroid nasal sprays •Antihistamines Immunotherapy When avoidance, environmental control measures and medications fail to control allergy symptoms, the doctor may suggest immunotherapy or allergy shots. Immunotherapy involves the injections of allergen extracts to “desensitize” the person. Healthy Habits “While we don’t completely understand why allergies develop, we do believe that a combination of things create the immune system ‘confusion’ – from genetic predisposition to environmental factors,” Dr. Smith says. “While most risk factors for allergies are out of your control, you can reduce your allergy symptoms by limiting your exposure to known allergens. Also, healthy eating habits and exercise can go a long way in strengthening the immune system and avoiding unwanted reactions.” For more information regarding SouthCrest Hospital and its full menu of services, please visit www.southcresthospital.com.