Is It Allergies?
By Susan Andresen

You wake up with a headache, runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat. Is it Allergies, Sinusitis? Colds and influenza infect the upper respiratory tract also, caused by germs called viruses. How can you tell the difference and what do you do about it? You are also coughing and feel a little short of breath. Is this due to Allergies or Asthma?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the sinuses, which are air-filled pockets located behind the nose, cheeks and forehead. It is usually due to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Sinusitis causes pain and tenderness around the eyes and cheeks; a stuffy or runny nose; sometimes toothache and you may feel feverish.

In Asthma, there is a widespread airways obstruction, which leads to coughing, wheezing, difficult to breathe and trouble sleeping. Asthmatic reactions can be triggered by exercise, cold air, and allergens including pollen, animal dander and dust mites. Stress and anxiety can also trigger an asthma attach. Spirometry is needed to make a firm diagnosis.

Allergies are the body's reaction to the air you breathe (pollen, dust, mold, animal dander) something touching your skin (latex rubber, plants, soaps, chemicals) or anything you put in your mouth (nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, seafood, preservatives, medication). Your immune system goes on high alert when it reacts to an antigen (the substance you are allergic to). Your system then releases"histamine" in response to your natural antibodies trying to detect and destroy the antigen. The medications used to treat the allergy symptoms are known as anti-histamines.

A doctor will help you find the cause of your symptoms and determine the treatment through an exam and allergy testing. If you have a food allergy you may need to keep a diary and remove certain foods from your diet to determine exactly what you are allergic to. Most children outgrow allergies to milk, egg, soy and wheat by 5 years of age. Only a small number will outgrow allergies to peanuts, tree nuts fish and shellfish. If the child's reaction to eating the food was hives (bumpy, red itchy rash) or atopic dermatitis (an itch that when scratched turns into a rash) the allergy is more likely to be outgrown.

Once the source of your allergies is found you may be prescribed medication or take over-the-counter drugs that can help ease the symptoms. Your doctor may also advise you to use a nasal spray or allergy eye drops.

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