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!