Health NW: Trans fat hurts heart

The unseasonable warm temperatures have strengthened the allergy season. Trees are blooming several weeks earlier than normal, sending pollen counts up. Grass and weed pollen counts will be rising in the months ahead. As pollen counts rise, allergy sufferers stock up on tissues and look for medications to help relieve their symptoms.

Complicating the issue this year is the prolonged flu season affecting the Pacific Northwest. The symptoms of allergies, colds and the flu overlap to some degree, making it difficult to tell what is going on. It is also possible to suffer from allergies and a cold or the flu simultaneously.

The flu is caused by a respiratory virus transmitted from person to person. The symptoms of a fever, body aches, headache, weakness, fatigue and cough are prominent with the flu.

The common cold is also caused by a respiratory virus, but symptoms are less severe than with the flu. People with colds rarely have a fever or body aches, but they usually have a sore throat, sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose.

Despite the name “hay fever,” pollen allergies never cause a fever. The most common allergy symptoms are sneezing, an itchy and runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, and itchy, watery eyes. People who have both pollen allergies and asthma may have a flare up of their asthma during pollen season, with cough, chest tightness and wheezing.

Histamines are a chemical substance in the body, released by mast cells when an allergic person is exposed to an allergen, such as pollen. Histamines cause allergy symptoms, so antihistamines are the most effective medications to reduce these symptoms.

Antihistamine pills are available both over the counter and by prescription. Some over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) may cause drowsiness. This may be helpful at bedtime.

There are now over-the-counter antihistamines that don’t cause drowsiness, such as loratadine (Claritin) and desloratadine (Clarinex). Most prescription antihistamines don’t cause drowsiness; these include fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetirizine (Zyrtec).

People with more severe allergies may find that an antihistamine is helpful, but doesn’t really help all their symptoms. They may need additional medication to really suppress the histamine being released by their mast cells.

Nasal sprays can help with congestion and runny nose symptoms. Over-the-counter cromolyn sodium nasal spray (Nasalcrom) is safe for adults and children; it should be started before or as soon as allergy symptoms start. It is not a decongestant spray, so it can be used on a regular basis. (Nasal decongestant sprays should never be used for more than three days in a row because “rebound” congestion will occur with prolonged use.)

Prescription nasal corticosteroid sprays include beclomethasone (Beconase AQ), fluticasone (Flonase) and budesonide (Rhinocort). If taken regularly, these are excellent at reducing nasal and sinus symptoms.

Itchy, red and watery eyes can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops such as Naphcon-A, Opcon-A and Vasocon-A. Other types of eye drops for allergies are available by prescription, such as Acular and Opticrom. Sunglasses, artificial tears and cool compresses can also help eye symptoms.

Avoidance of pollen is crucial when pollen counts are high.

Keep doors and windows closed at home.

Air conditioners and HEPA air filters help clean indoor air.

Stay indoors in the morning; pollen counts are highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Wash bed linens weekly.

Shower and wash your hair before going to sleep after being outdoors.

Rinse your nose with a saline nasal spray after being outdoors.

Mow grass and remove weeds in your yard before they go to seed.

Kathryn B. Brown is a family nurse practitioner with a master’s degree in nursing from OHSU. Is there a health topic you would like to read about? Send ideas to kbbrown@eastoregonian.com. You can find more local health news and information in the Health section at www.bluemountaineagle.info.