What exactly are allergies?
If you're a chronic allergy-sufferer, your answer to this question would probably include the words: frustrating, annoying, debilitating, painful, and uncomfortable.
You know the struggle. And you're likely in one of two camps: itchy, sneezy, and watery eyes or stuffed up and congested. Regardless of which one, it's a camp you don't want to be in. And you've probably tried every over-the-counter remedy you could find.
To scientifically answer that question, allergies are the body's reaction to foreign substances such as pollen, dust or animal dander. Or, some may say...the body's overreaction. Your immune system goes into fight-mode and responds by shutting them down.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Most allergy symptoms involve the eyes, nose and mouth, which makes sense when you think about it because allergies are directly correlated with the sinuses.
Sufferers know all too well the laundry list of tell-tale signs when allergies start up. Sneezing and an itchy, runny, drippy nose are common. On the opposite end, many people experience chronic congestion and inflammation, typically caused by a lining that's irritated and an anatomy that's too tight.
Red, itchy and watery eyes. Coughing, wheezing and even difficulty breathing. In extreme cases, some folks even deal with rashes and hives, tingling or itching in the mouth, dizziness and swelling around the eyes and lips.
When Do Allergies Start?
Spring allergies are typically the first to come to mind, when the world around us comes back to life as it thaws after winter. Pollen, spores, mold - they're all around us and hard to avoid. However, as the seasons change, there's also a threat of fall allergies caused by autumnal weeds like Goldenrod and Ragweed.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is your body's reaction to environmental allergens and can occur year-round.
The best way to treat your symptoms is to avoid your triggers and use appropriate measures such as antihistamines or nasal sprays. Or you can explore more long-lasting treatments like allergy shots and drops, allergy testing … or an in-office procedure at ADVENT, where in a matter of just minutes we can shut down that allergy inflammation.
The simplest way to treat your symptoms is to avoid your triggers and use antihistamines or nasal sprays. But these over-the-counter treatments are only temporary, and you'll likely find yourself making frequent trips to the pharmacy to refill or find something you haven't tried yet, hoping "this is the one that actually works." In addition, long-term use can be dangerous and damaging.
You can eliminate your suffering by solving the root cause of the problem with an in-office procedure, and get your nose back to working the way it's supposed to!
If you're in the 'stuffy, congested' camp, a balloon sinuplasty permanently opens up the airway, giving you more room to breathe. If you're on the opposite end of the spectrum with a runny nose that pours and drips like a broken faucet, Clarifix® turns it off almost instantaneously. This nasal cryotherapy heals the inflamed nasal lining and the underlying nerves. Both of these simple and quick treatments can provide lasting symptom relief to any allergy sufferer!
So if you're ready to kick the pills and sprays to the curb and FINALLY end the cycle of allergy frustration, schedule your appointment right now!