While May might have been Allergy Awareness month, summer hasn’t relented much when it comes to the tide of tissues, sneezes and sniffles that afflict many of us in the Pacific Northwest. Pollen counts for trees, grass, and weeds remain just high enough to keep those suffering from seasonal allergies miserable and indoors.
Thankfully, there are ear, nose, and throat care providers that are specially skilled in keeping those of us who are sensitive to pollen and other allergens free from the sniffles and sneezes. At WWMG, the Otolaryngology group is skilled in treating your allergies and helping you find relief during allergy season.
What is Otolaryngology?
This long word describes a specialist that is more commonly known as an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT). Within the ENT specialty, there are physicians who specialize in allergy as well as general otolaryngology. These skilled physicians combine surgical and medical expertise in order to care for patients suffering from any variety of allergic conditions of the head and throat.
An allergy is a condition, oftentimes inherited from one’s parents or grandparents, which causes a persons immune system to respond negatively to a substance. This ‘overreaction’ of the immune system can cause a variety of symptoms, including itching eyes and nose, congestion of the sinuses and throat, runny nose, and sneezing. An otolaryngologist is trained to help your body overcome this immune/allergic response.
Who Needs an Otolaryngologist?
Anyone suffering from an allergic disorder can be seen by an experienced otolaryngologist allergy specialist. Approximately 18% of our population suffers from allergies, making it one of the most common chronic illnesses. Billions of dollars are spent on allergy-related health care each year in the United States. Many people have accepted allergies as a mere way of life for themselves, rather than seeking the appropriate treatment.
Fortunately, many advancements are being made each year in the field of otolaryngology, and providers are better able than ever before to provide their patients with appropriate treatments that not only reduce allergy symptoms, but can help patients overcome or diminish the allergic reaction itself.
People that suffer from one of the following allergies would benefit from seeing an otolaryngologist who specialized in allergies:
Animal dander
Dust mites
Tree pollen
Grass pollen
Weeds
Mold
There are times that individuals suffer from allergies without realizing it as well. Sometimes allergies can develop slowly over time. Because of this, people may not be aware that they are constantly congested, or notice that they awake each morning with a stuffy nose.
Individuals struggling with any of the following persistent conditions should seek the medical advice of a provider:
Frequent sneezing
Itchy or watery eyes
Runny nose
Ongoing congestion in the sinuses or throat
Congestion of the respiratory system
It is important that people realize that suffering from such symptoms should not be a ‘way of life’ or a normal condition and that they can be treated for their condition.
Seeing an Otolaryngologist:
Our otolaryngologists (ENTs are able to provide our patients with a full spectrum of treatment options when it comes to health care. They are able to evaluate and treat allergic disorders affecting the ears, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists are also able to provide treatment for chronic diseases such as asthma, allergy related respiratory, head, and throat related problems.
If you or a loved one has been suffering from an ongoing allergy, or you are concerned that a persistent condition may indicate an allergy or other chronic health condition, it’s time to take action. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our allergy specialists, and begin living to your fullest—allergy free!