Barb's Daily Dose

Sinusitis, Allergies or Migraines

Sinus congestion, headache, pain over the cheeks?  Could it be Sinusitis?  Or is it the start of a Migraine?

ABC did a nice video on this recently.

What about sneezing, lots of nasal discharge and itching, watery eyes?  Allergies or Sinusitis? How can you tell?  Often all 3 of these very common conditions are confused for one another. Here's a few hints to help you figure it out, and of course as always, talk to your own health care provider for more information.

Allergies - More common than sinusitis, and because many of the symptoms are the same, it's often confused and incorrectly treated.  Here are some of the symptoms:

• Itching, swollen and watery eyes
• Itchy feeling at the back of the throat
• Sudden and frequent sneezing
• Sinus congestion
• Sudden or quick onset
• Reaction to something in the air (pollen), in food or from pets, and
• The skin may tingle and feel irritated.

With allergies, cold packs on the face will improve the symptoms, as will the over the counter allergy remedies. Talk to your health care provider about the ones that they recommend. Some cause drowsiness and some don't.

Migraines - Many people have sinus symptoms that precede their headache, and can be their aura and way that they know a headache is approaching.

• Many people with migraines will feel sinus congestion, but usually don't have any sneezing or nasal discharge
• Symptoms can start suddenly, and
• There isn't any itching or watery eyes.

Sinusitis - is less common than allergies and migraines. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Thick yellow or green nasal discharge from the nose or back of the throat
• Pain and pressure in the face and forehead
• Swollen nasal passages and difficulty breathing through the nose
• Many people also have pain in their upper jaw and ears, and
• Slower, gradual onset.

I ask my patients to bend at the waist and put their head down. If a person has an increase in their sinus pain and pressure, then they often have sinusitis.

When in doubt, give your health care provider or pharmacist a call.

Food Allergies in Kids

I recently was on ABC in San Francisco talking about Food Allergies in kids.

There are 1.5 million people in the US with a peanut allergy.  

Exercise, Allergies, Asthma and Teens

I saw a teen the other day who had just stepped off the soccer field at school. I was there to watch my niece play. His color was grey and he was sweating profusely.  I asked him if he was having trouble breathing and he just nodded.  He was struggling to breathe and wheezing. Since I didn't have my stethoscope,  I put my ear to his chest and was shocked to hear that very little air was moving and there were crackles and wheezes with the intake of air and when breathing out.

A Possible Alternative to Allergy Shots

With such a tough winter this year many of us are looking foward to Spring, but one thing I  could do without is the allergies.  I have to alternate Claritin and Zyrtec in the spring to prevent my face from swelling up and scratching my eyes out.  The pollen can be so thick that it leaves a thick layer on everything. I often refer patients to an allergist for more specific treatment and injections.  In Europe there are oral treatments that may be available here in the US soon that are as effective for grass and other allergens.

Nut Allergy? Shea Nuts Not Allergic

If you or someone you know has a nut allergy, you know how difficult it can be to avoid all nuts.  Nuts and nut oils are everywhere and used in virtually every packaged food.  People with nut allergies have to be particularly careful with the oils from the nuts, as exposure can cause difficulty breathing and even anaphylactic shock.  With so many products using shea oil, which is derived from a nut, many parents have been wondering if it's safe to use products that contain shea oil.

Allergy Advice

If you're like millions of Americans who have allergies, there's a few things you need to know.

Is It a Cold or Is It An Allergy?

With a cold or flu, there's usually a feeling of warmth or fever plus a sore throat, feeling run down and fatigued, a cough, runny nose and maybe stomach upset.  

With an allergy, look for puffy, itchy, irritated eyes, runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, and even itching in the back of the throat.