March 28 • 2019 49
jn

Awaken the Beauty Within...

DANIEL SHERBERT, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Certifi
 ed by The American Board of Surgery, 
The American Board of Plastic Surgery & Fellowship 
Trained in Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Specializing in Cosmetic Surgery &

Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery

W est Maple
Plastic Surgery

(248) 865-6400

5807 W. Maple Suite 177 West Bloomfi
 eld

IChoseHeartland.com

Marvi
n & Betty Dant
o 
Heal
th Care Center
6800 
West
 
Mapl
e 
Road
West
 
Bl
oomfiel
d, 
MI 
48322
248.788.5300

Ask Dr. Vieder 

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

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 medicine 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 are unsure of the source of your allergies, see your doctor right away and get tested. Knowledge of what types of allergies 
trigger your symptoms can help refi
 ne medication treatments and help you reduce exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) and our local health 
department can be excellent sources of information for activity and peaks with particular types of allergies and pollens.

Other than taking my medication, what other 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 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. Follow the guidelines listed on your furnace fi
 lter and replace the fi
 lter as 
recommended. When coming in from any outdoor activity, showering and changing your clothes can help reduce your exposure to allergens.

What are the differences 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 the right preparation and recognition of triggers 
to avoid, everyone can enjoy the coming warm, sunny months ahead!

