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Attack Those Allergies
Start the New Year off right and wise
up about your allergies.
The American College of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recently launched a national education
campaign called "Get Smart About Allergies."
The campaign encourages people with
allergies to see an allergist or family doctor to get the best possible
treatment so allergies don't interfere with their lives or lead
to health consequences such as sinus and ear infections, asthma
and sleep problems.
This public education effort comes
after a ACAAI survey that found 94 percent of people with allergies
believe their quality of life -- including work productivity, sleep,
concentration and sex lives -- is harmed by their allergies.
The program includes a brochure that
offers guidelines on how people can manage their allergies. It also
explains why they should consult with a family doctor or allergy
specialist.
The brochure explains the risks of
not getting medical advice and also includes information about the
potential dangers of over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications.
A Web site and public service announcement
are also part of the campaign.
A national telephone survey by the
ACAAI found that while many people with allergies said it affected
their quality of life, only 50 percent considered allergies to be
a serious medical condition. Nearly two-thirds of them said they
didn't see an allergist or other doctor the last time they had allergy
symptoms.
The survey also found that 41 percent
of people with allergies said they incorrectly assessed their condition
as a common cold. The survey respondents tried an average of at
least five OTC allergy medications. Nearly half said the reason
they tried more than one OTC allergy medication was because they
were dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the OTC medications.
The ACAAI says that shows the importance
of going to a family doctor or allergist for the best treatment.
More information
Here's where you can find the Get
Smart About Allergies Web site.
Reference
Source 101
For
more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
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