A cautionary note to allergy sufferers with regards to self-diagnosis and medication

Dr. Sami Bahna, Chief of Allergy & Immunology at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, in recent article, mentioned that many people are resorting to self-diagnosis and medication for their allergies.

Excerpts from her article is as follows:

[ Dr. Bahna says it certainly brings more people into his clinic, there are still many more who self-diagnose the symptoms they're suffering, and that can lead to trouble.

"Allergies are the most commonly mis-diagnosed and the most commonly self-diagnosed." It's when patients try to self-treat that they might be missing out on a simpler approach - or making things worse all around. "Medications are well known, not just to any physicians, but even the patients know the names of the nasal sprays and the antihistamines and the eye drops," says Dr. Hanoi, who suggests a visit to the doctor is still the smartest approach - even when advice and experience from friends and family abounds, "Their knowledge alone is not the issue It's how to tune it up for that particular person, and sometimes, a little adjustment like that makes a BIG difference!"

Besides that, Dr. Bhana says some over-the-counter medications can actually make your allergy symptoms worse. "The over the counter nasal sprays are not good. it will relieve the obstruction, the blockage of the nose quickly - pleases the patient - and rebounds again like a rubber band!" While those saline nasal decongestants are fine in small doses at bedtime so you can sleep, they're not good for constant daytime use. Dr. Bhana says that can lead to allergy sufferers using them more often, which only end up increasing the symptoms.

Gone improperly treated for too long, all that drainage can turn into a sinus infection. You'll know it when the mucus becomes discolored. That means you have a secondary infection and you need to see your doctor and get an antibiotic to go along with your decongestant.

Here are some tips for surviving Spring allergy season:

1.Try to keep doors and windows closed.
2.Use the air conditioning in your house and car.
3.Stay inside when you can, especially on dry windy days.
4.Use a dehumidifier
5.Use high efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter in your bedroom
6.Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves.]

Effective allergy and sinus relief can take the form of over-the-counter medications and some proven sinus infection home remedies can work just a well too!

Usually, if you suffer from allergies often, it is highly possible that you get clogged ears regularly which may lead to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

For more information on sinus infection treatment and medical procedures for sinus infection such as balloon sinuplasty, please visit Sinus Infection Help.