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Ask Dr. Vieder
Since we had a warmer than normal winter, is this going to make my allergies worse this year?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. An earlier and longer growing season for trees and plants will increase pollen levels, which in turn could signifi cantly exacerbate
allergies, asthma and other chronic respiratory illness. Our March warmth started the blooming and pollination process much earlier than normal. If you are
miserable and feeling the effects and symptoms of seasonal allergies, you’re not alone. Tree pollen, mostly from Cottonwood, Maple and Juniper trees are
causing the most grief right now.
Now that it’s all blooming…any advice?
Have a seasonal allergy action plan and think preventative. When you use medications early, you may ease your symptoms all spring.
Finding the right combination of treatment might take a bit of trial and error:
Antihistamines can help if you're sneezing, have a runny nose, or your nose and eyes are itchy.
Decongestants can come to the rescue when you're all stuffed up because they shrink the lining of the passages in your nose.
You can try a nasal spray or a pill format, but be aware of potential rebound effect with long- term use, as they are best used for periodic relief.
Nasal corticosteroid sprayed into your nose, can give you relief from stuffi ness and sneezing. These are very effective when used regularly, but they may take a
few days or weeks to kick in. Always consult with your primary care physician if you take other routine medications to avoid potentially problematic interactions.
What is the long- term ramifi cation of warmer winters here in Michigan?
Climate projections across the Midwest point to warmer winters, earlier springs and warmer summers. This fosters conditions suitable for
higher precipitation, which leads to a greater risk of vector-borne diseases. Examples include mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile
virus and tick-carried diseases such as Lyme disease. Heat waves featuring high temperatures, high humidity and stagnant air masses could
become more common and may lead to increased levels of heat-related illness.
Predicted increased precipitation and fl ooding from such events can also lead to runoff from sewage and septic systems potentially
increasing the risk of water-borne diseases and, in some cases, harmful algal blooms in our most precious Great Lakes.
For more info, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com
Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfi eld / Livonia
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May 5 • 2016
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