5 Early Signs of Hypothyroidism in Women
Your period is out of whack, and you just don’t feel like yourself. It’s hard to describe, and you aren’t even sure it’s anything to worry about. Could it be hypothyroidism? Here’s how to tell.
Boost Your Allergy Immunity This Spring With Our Allergy Shots
While coronavirus has been commanding headlines and health care resources for three months, Mother Nature has continued as normal. As the days get warmer and flowers start to bloom, pollen and allergies may pop back into your mind. If your nose has started to run or your eyes have started to itch, welcome back to allergy season.
Allergies are often considered something that sufferers simply have to endure. After all, who doesn’t get a little sniffly as pollen floats through the air and collects on outdoor furniture and surfaces?
Thankfully, there is a way to boost your allergy immunity and keep your symptoms at bay. With our allergy shots, you can leave the tissue box and eye drops behind to enjoy all that spring has to offer.
Don’t let allergies interrupt your life. Come see the team at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care to keep your allergies in check. James Y. Lee, DO, and the rest of our team will make sure you receive excellent care. Dr. Lee is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is proud to offer a holistic, patient-focused approach to medical care. He works with you to lessen your allergy symptoms and eventually eliminate them.
On allergies
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. In fact, allergies are the sixth-largest cause of chronic illness in the United States; 30% of US adults have allergies. In economic terms, by one estimate, allergies lead to over $18 billion in health care costs and business losses per year. It’s clear that allergies are truly nothing to sneeze at.
What are allergies?
Allergies occur when your immune system mistakes a foreign substance, like pollen, for a potential threat to your body. To fight this invader, your body releases antibodies designed to defeat the hypothetically harmful allergen. When the antibody interacts with the allergen, you experience allergy symptoms.
Allergies often change over time and may increase in severity or disappear. You may grow out of childhood allergies or develop them as you get older.
Allergy symptoms
The first sneeze of spring can sometimes be a harbinger of things to come. Spring allergies have a common set of symptoms, including:
- Itchy eyes
- Dark under-eye circles
- Watering eyes
- Swollen sinuses
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Scratchy throat
- Cough
Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that includes low blood pressure, a weak pulse, and airway constriction, needs immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening.
Allergens
Common allergens can show up in the air, in your home, or on your plate. They include:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Mold
- Animal and pet dander
- Medicine
- Food (i.e. peanuts, shellfish, dairy)
- Insect bites
Dr. Lee offers allergy skin tests to discover your specific allergens.
Treating allergies
Dr. Lee uses immunotherapy to build resistance and treat your allergies. Immunotherapy is a series of shots that inject diluted amounts of your known allergens under the skin. The constant low-level exposure to the allergens helps your body learn that they’re not a threat. Eventually your symptoms will decrease or be completely eliminated.
You can take control of your allergies with immunity-boosting shots. Call our Woodstock, Georgia, office or book an appointment online today. You can also send a message to Dr. Lee and the team here on our website.
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