MELANIE BISHOP “SOLD” is my middle name NOAH BISHOP COHEN The Next Generation of “SOLD” 248-867-7800 OVER 52 MILLION SOLD IN 2017 MelanieSold.com 4130 Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 BLOOMFIELD HILLS WEST BLOOMFIELD COMMERCE TOWNSHIP Landmark Cranbrook Estate 5 beds, 5.3 baths, 5,678 sq. ft . $1,650,000 Pine lakefront, 4 beds, 3.0 baths, 6,243 sq. ft . $1,350,000 3 beds, 2.1 baths, 3,512 sq. ft ., Walled Lake Schools $550,000 ROYAL OAK Fabulous new construction, 4 beds, 2.1 baths, 2,380 sq. ft . $494,900 WEST BLOOMFIELD Colonial, 4 beds, 2.1 baths, 2,912 sq. ft . $279,900 WEST BLOOMFIELD Ranch condo, 2 beds, 2.0 baths 960 sq. ft . $109,900 SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS! Ask Dr. Vieder Every spring, my allergies kick in and I’m miserable. Is there a good time for me to start taking my medication to help keep the symptoms at bay? Preparing early for the oncoming allergy season can signifi cantly reduce your allergy symptoms once the season begins. The best way to prepare is to consult with your primary care physician now and allow her to provide you with guidance for your specifi c allergy symptoms. Very soon, pollen levels will begin to escalate as our weather warms and the plant life around us comes back to life. It may be advisable to begin preventative allergy medications now. This can help prevent early infl ammation and the cascade of allergic reactions you may face before they spiral out of control. If you’re unsure of the source of your allergies, see you doctor right away and get tested. Knowledge of what types of allergens trigger your symptoms can help refi ne medication treatments and help you reduce exposure. The CDC and our local health department can be excellent sources of information for activity and peaks with particular types of allergies and pollens. Other than my medication, what steps can I take to alleviate my symptoms? Prevention is always worth a pound of cure! If you are able to determine the specifi c allergens that trigger your symptoms, this can help you reduce or potentially eliminate exposure to the elements that cause you grief. If tree pollen is your source of misery, it may not be possible to eliminate exposure. That’s where treatment with preventative medications can make a signifi cant difference, especially if you start before your symptoms begin. In your home, keep windows closed and rely on your home’s heating and cooling system along with good quality air fi lters and dehumidifi ers to reduce symptoms while indoors or sleeping. When coming in from any outdoor activity, showering and changing your clothes can help reduce your exposure to allergens. What’s the difference between seasonal and perennial allergies? Perennial allergies refer to specifi c allergens that cause an allergic reaction year-round. Common examples include pet hair or dander, food allergies or medication allergies. In contrast, seasonal allergies typically occur with weather changes that allow for new environmental plant, mold, insect or grass growth. Locally, pollen and mold season can begin as early as February and last through November. Now is the right time to begin discussions with your physician about the preventative measures you can take to keep allergy symptoms from activating your immune system. And this can help you avoid the dreaded return of sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. Lakes Urgent Care can also be a resource if you do not have a primary care physician. We can help guide your preparation for seasonal allergies or arrange for allergy testing. With appropriate preparation and recognition of triggers to avoid, everyone can enjoy the coming warm, sunny months ahead! For more health information, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACEP, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfi eld/Livonia jn March 22 • 2018 37