Just a Cold? You Should Check with An Allergist

We all have aches, pains and inconveniences that we just try to ride out. Maybe it’s that lingering cough, or a chronic headache that won’t go away. But these issues can actually have an underlying cause. If you’re having trouble sleeping, feel a need to clear your throat, or have dark circles under your eyes, it might be a sign of allergic rhinitis or allergic disease, commonly known as allergies, and if left unchecked, those symptoms could gradually deteriorate your health and affect your lifestyle.

How do I know if I have allergies?

Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system overreacts to substances known as allergens (including pollen, and organisms found in dust, mold, or pet dander) by releasing a chemical called histamine to cells in your lungs, nose, mouth, gut, and blood, which causes your body to produce more mucus and inflammation.

How your body reacts to that process can determine what symptoms you have. Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose are the most commonly recognized symptoms, but itchy eyes, frequent sinus infections, and chronic coughing as a result of postnasal drip are also key indications of allergies. These symptoms can result in trouble sleeping, sleep apnea, snoring, chronic fatigue and dark circles under the eyes.

How can I feel better? Sleep better? Look better?

 The more effective first step is to schedule an appointment for allergy skin testing with a board-certified allergist, who can help you determine if you have allergies and get you started on the path to treatment. At Allergy & Asthma Specialists, the allergist will identify your allergy triggers without the use of needles, and in the same appointment, can develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs. An effective treatment plan may be as simple as identifying the best combination of medications and tips on avoiding your allergy triggers.

With the right medication and lifestyle changes, a good treatment plan can reliably limit your allergy symptoms. More often than not, this can all be accomplished in a single appointment, which means you could be sleeping, feeling, and looking better in no time.

Feel better. Sleep better. Look Better. See an allergist. To schedule an appointment at an Allergy & Asthma Specialists location near you, call 1-800-86COUGH, extension 2 or visit their website today. Offices are located in Center City Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Blue Bell, Jenkintown, Doylestown, Lansdale, Collegeville and Pottstown.