Rochester General Health System
News & Events
Allergies: What You Need to Know
This can be the time of year can cause asthma symptoms to worsen. The pollen from trees and flowers may cause many asthmatics to wheeze. Make sure you or your child receive the medications that prevent the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eye and runny nose symptoms that trigger asthma problems.
The following medications are important in preventing asthma triggers:
- Inhaled Steroids - reduces inflammation in lungs: Qvar, Pulmicort, Flovent, Asmanex
- Combination Inhaled steroid / Bronchodilators - reduces inflammation and open up the lungs: Advair, Symbicort
- Leukotriene Modifiers - reduces allergy symptoms: Singulair, Accolate
- Nasal Steroids - reduces nasal allergy symptoms: Nasonex, Nasacort AQ, Rhinocort Aqua, fluticasone nasal
- Antihistamines- reduces allergy symptoms: Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratidine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Xyzal
Begin these medications about 2 weeks before the air starts to warm up.
You can still be put at risk for an “asthma attack” by unusual weather conditions, your own personal state of health and other stressors in your life. Knowing the signs that your asthma is getting worse can warn you to seek help before it becomes an emergency. Useful tools to keep track of your lung function are:
- The Asthma Control Test– 5 questions that can show if your asthma is not well controlled
- A Peak Flow Meter – a simple device you blow into daily to measure your lung function. Your doctor can prescribe one for you
An Asthma Action Plan is also helpful. It is used so you know what to do when your asthma gets worse. Your doctor will give you an instruction sheet that tells you what medications to take and how much to control your asthma symptoms. It will also tell you when to seek help if your symptoms get worse.
Other measures to reduce your risks of springtime asthma are:
- Avoid tiring outdoor activities in the early morning when outdoor pollen counts are highest
- Wear a mask when you mow the lawn or are around mold
- Take a shower and change your clothes after being outside to remove pollen
- Keep pets that go outdoors away from areas in your home you spend a lot of time in, like bedrooms
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning, if you have it. Be sure filters are clean or have been changed since last year
For more information, visit our Center for Allergy/Asthma, Immunology & Rheumatology Web site or call us at (585) 922-8350.
News & Events
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August 25, 2010
Dr. Alok Gandhi from Bariatrics of Western New York at Rochester General Hospital will host FREE informational seminars at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital.
August 19, 2010
With financial assistance from the Rochester General Foundation, Camp Bronco Power, summer camp for kids with asthma, was held at Camp Piperwood in Fairport.
August 12, 2010
Joined by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and State Senator Joseph Robach, the president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced an award of more than $300,000.
