Springtime is a time of thawing, new growth, getting outdoors…and for people dealing with seasonal allergies, it’s a time of sneezing, sniffling, headaches, and more. Seasonal allergies can stretch from late winter to early summer for many, and some suffer the symptoms year-round.

To best manage your allergy symptoms, you need to know what causes them, what to watch for, and steps you can take to prevent onset in the first place — or at least cut down on the severity of your symptoms.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is basically your body reacting — or more accurately, overreacting — to something in the environment; instead of treating the food or pollen as something harmless, your immune system thinks it’s dangerous and reacts by trying to get rid of that substance using antibodies. The next time your body is exposed, the antibodies react again (and again and again), releasing chemicals to fight off the invader. Those chemicals, such as histamine, cause the allergic symptoms that plague millions of Americans. ¹

Compared to a food or drug allergy, seasonal allergies are often tied to the outdoors. When the world starts turning green again, trees and grass begin producing pollen, one of the most common allergens. ² When it’s warm and humid, mold grows more quickly and dust mites thrive. ³ All of these are common causes of seasonal allergies, and they all tend to hang around longer than just one season.

Seasonal allergies are often hereditary or related to exposure. Your risk of an allergy is higher if your family has a history of allergies, but you can also develop allergies by being around that substance more — for instance, farmers, bakers, and carpenters are more likely to develop a mold allergy since they are more often exposed to mold compared to some other occupations. ⁴

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are not often tied to the extreme allergic reactions that some food and insect allergies can produce, like anaphylaxis. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t make you miserable, or that they should be treated lightly.

Some of the common symptoms of seasonal allergies include: ⁵

• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Runny nose and eyes
• Post nasal drip (drainage in the throat)
• Fatigue
• Coughing

Many of the symptoms of an allergy overlap with a cold or even COVID-19. Talk to a doctor and get tested to know whether you’re sick or you’re allergic to something; if you regularly deal with these symptoms, it’s likely you have an allergy, but that doesn’t mean those same symptoms couldn’t be an illness — so if you don’t feel well, take precautions to not spread any bacteria or virus.

What can I do to prevent allergies?

Allergens are pretty much everywhere — and the wind can carry them almost anywhere they aren’t already. Moving away won’t help, so what can you do to avoid symptoms?

Start by paying attention to the weather conditions. Local news and weather often track pollen counts, and the daily forecast can be an indicator all on its own during pollen season. Dry and windy days mean that more pollen can be stirred up into the air; the day after a good rain can mean that pollen levels will drop for a little while. Pollen counts from many plants tend to be higher in the morning, so planning outdoor activities for the afternoons can help cut back on exposure.

You can’t always avoid going outside, and it’s not easy to plan everything for the afternoon. Other steps you can take to lower your exposure to triggers include: ⁶

• Close your windows. Most allergens are outside the house, so less get in if the house is sealed up when the allergens are present. Don’t stop with just your house windows — it applies at other places and in your car, too.
• Wash up. We tell you to wash your hands to stop the spread of a virus, but you should wash your whole body to prevent the spread of an allergen. Pollen can cling to your skin and hair, transferring to your furniture, pillow, carpet, and even toys. Shower and wash your hair before going to bed to cut down on the pollen that stays in your house.
• Protect your head. Sunglasses and a hat don’t just make you look like a celebrity; they can also help prevent allergens from irritating your eyes and getting in your hair while outside.
• Take medication. If you wait until you’re having symptoms, you’ve waited too long to start taking something. Most allergy medication works over time to keep your body from making those chemicals that cause the symptoms in the first place.
• Use your washing machine AND your dryer. Regularly wash your bedding and clothes (even outdoor clothes that don’t really seem dirty). When it comes time to dry them, put that dryer to good use — hanging laundry outside to dry gives allergens another chance to come back inside by attaching to all your freshly cleaned fabric.

Even taking all the right steps, it’s still almost impossible to keep allergens out. Some steps to take inside your home include: ⁷

• Maintain your forced air systems. Filters catch a lot of allergens from circulating, but they stop working as well after a little while. Keeping them clean can make a world of difference in air quality.
• Use a dehumidifier. Dust mites and mold both like high humidity, so keeping the humidity level down can keep them both from thriving in your house. It’s important to still clean though — a dead dust mite can still cause an allergic reaction. ³
• Vacuum often, especially if you have carpet. Carpet has a lot of fibers that allergens can cling to, so cleaning your floors regularly is a must to keep allergens away. Some vacuums have HEPA filters that are designed to target allergens especially.
• Ventilate your bathrooms. Bathing or showering can generate a lot of humidity in a small room, and mold loves humidity. A ventilation fan can help get the humid air out of the room and out of the house. ⁴
• Fix leaks quickly. A dripping pipe can lead to standing water or damp walls, which can lead to mold. Nip it in the bud by fixing and trouble spots as soon as you identify them. ⁴

What medications can help with allergies?

There are over-the-counter medications that can help with allergy symptoms (some medications have a combination of these): ⁷

• Antihistamines: These block your antibodies from making histamine, which is the chemical that often causes sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.
• Decongestants: If you’ve got a stuffy nose instead of a runny nose, a decongestant can help temporarily. These shouldn’t be used for more than a few days at a time as the symptoms could return and actually worsen if used for a longer period of time.
• Nasal Sprays: Some nasal sprays, like cromolyn sodium nasal spray, don’t have the side effects that a decongestant can have, but they aren’t as effective if you already have symptoms. Pay attention to the pollen count and start this option early if you want to experience the most benefit.

These medicines do not always make a person feel like they’re 100 percent back to their normal self, but they can often make them manageable in the short term. If none of the above seem to help, talk to your doctor about long-term immunotherapy treatment options, like allergy shots or under-the-tongue tablets. ⁶

If you aren’t sure which medication would most benefit you, or if you have any other questions about an allergy, talk to your healthcare team — including our team here at the pharmacy. We’re here to discuss options, identify concerns, and get you back to feeling like yourself.

 

Sources:

¹ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

² https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/seasonal-allergies/

³ https://www.aafa.org/dust-mite-allergy/

⁴ https://asthmaandallergies.org/asthma-allergies/mold-allergy/

⁵ https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/seasonal-allergies

⁶ https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/

⁷ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343

Cholesterol has a bad reputation, but it is in fact a necessary part of how your body functions. The concern comes when there’s too much of it, especially the bad type of it – it can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke, both leading causes of death in the United States.

Your cholesterol levels are controllable if you take the proper steps to know your numbers and manage your risk. Your healthcare team, including the staff at our pharmacy, are always ready to help you take those steps and take control of your heart health.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance in every cell of the body, and it travels through the bloodstream on lipoproteins. The liver produces all the cholesterol that your body needs to do its job of making vitamin D and certain hormones as well as digest fats. ¹

Most of the cholesterol in the body is LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and is considered “bad”; it can build up in your blood vessels, creating a buildup of plaque that can block blood flow. Meanwhile, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is often called “good” because it carries LDL cholesterol out of your blood vessels and back to the liver; the liver breaks down the LDL so it can be passed out of the body. ¹

Diet, especially having too much saturated or trans fats in your diet, can cause your body to produce more cholesterol than it needs. Dietary cholesterol is mainly found in animal products, such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Saturated and trans fats can also be found in many baked, fried, and processed foods. ¹

A third element that plays a factor is triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood, made from extra energy from your diet. High levels of triglycerides can also cause fatty plaque to build up in your blood vessels, especially in combination with too much LDL or not enough HDL. ²

 

How do I know if my cholesterol is high?

There aren’t really any symptoms of high cholesterol — the only way to find out if your levels are high is to get your blood screened for it during a lipid profile.

When a health professional does a screening, they are looking at four numbers: ³

• LDL: goal level is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• HDL: goal level is 60 mg/dL or more
• Triglycerides: goal level is less than 150 mg/dL
• Total cholesterol: goal level is less than 200 mg/dL

High cholesterol is sometimes considered an adult’s problem, but children can have it too — it can in fact be inherited from parents. On top of genetic risk, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise as a child can start the process of building up plaque that can cause bigger problems as an adult. ⁴

All children should be screened at least once between 9 and 11 years of age, and another test should be done between 17 and 21. Checks for adults is recommended every 4 to 6 years, though people that have a higher risk or are living with certain conditions should get screened more often. As you get older, your doctor may suggest doing a screening every 1 to 2 years. ³

 

What are the causes of it? ⁵

There are a number of things that can affect your levels. Not enough exercise, an unhealthy diet, and too much weight can all negatively impact your cholesterol — and they are all things you have some control over. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also raise your overall level.

You have less control over other factors. Genetics and age can play a large role in your risk for high cholesterol, for instance. Certain chronic conditions can raise your risk, too:

• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney disease
• Lupus

Some medications can cause it to be worse, even though the medication is taken for other concerns. Some conditions that have medication causing it include:

• Acne
• Cancer
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heart rhythms

How can I lower it?

Because you don’t have control over all the areas that can affect your cholesterol level, it’s important to do what you can in the areas you do control.

Follow a heart-healthy diet

A big step in lowering your LDL is cut back on how much saturated fat and trans fat you are eating. This means less fatty cuts of meat and more lean meats and seafood; less full-fat dairy and more fat-free dairy; less fried or processed foods and more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. ⁶

Get to a healthy weight

Weight doesn’t completely dictate whether you will have high cholesterol, but obesity does raise your LDL levels as it changes how you body uses and removes it. Losing weight can be hard, so work with your doctor or nutritionist to come up with a plan that works for you. ⁶

Quit smoking

Smoking hurts your blood vessels, making any plaque there harden faster. It can also lower your “good” HDL cholesterol levels. If you are ready to quit, talk to our team today – we’re here to support you as you take your first step, and every step after that. ⁵

Drink less alcohol

Too much alcohol can raise both your cholesterol levels and the amount of triglycerides in your blood. The CDC recommends that men stick to no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and women should have one drink at most. ⁶

Get moving!

Most other methods have to do with lowering your “bad” LDL cholesterol. Exercise, meanwhile, helps to raise your “good” HDL levels. More HDL in your blood means that there’s more good cholesterol to carry the bad to your liver for removal. At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, biking, yard work, etc.) can help lower overall cholesterol. ⁷

Do I need medication?

Everyone should take steps to lower high cholesterol, but prevention is not enough for some. That’s when medicine comes into the picture. Your provider may prescribe a medication for you if you have certain risk factors, such as you have had a heart attack or stroke or your LDL levels are too high. Age, family history, chronic conditions, and more can also go into this decision. ⁸

Statins are commonly prescribed to help lower a person’s LDL levels; they also help the liver remove the LDL cholesterol. Some other medicines include fibrates, niacin, and nicotinic acid. All medications have side effects, and those taking cholesterol medicine are especially at risk for nutrient depletion. If you are on any medicine for cholesterol, it’s important to check in regularly with your doctor to make sure the medicine is still needed; also check in with your pharmacy team — we can help you manage the side effects and watch for any concerns relating to the medicine. ⁸

At the end of the day, your cholesterol level is just one factor in your overall health. Healthy lifestyle choices can make a big difference on cholesterol as well as wide range of other concerns, and your healthcare team can help guide and support you.

Sources

¹ https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html

² https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides

³ https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm

⁴ https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/common-misconceptions-about-cholesterol

⁵ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800

⁶ https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/prevention.htm

⁷ https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia

⁸ https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/treating_cholesterol.htm