Health News

Read our monthly issue of HealthNews, the information bulletin of Uniprix-affiliated pharmacies. You can now also consult the PDF version of this newsletter, which features health information updates. Download HealthNews bulletin for May 2008.

Headline of the health information bulletin – May 2008

Health
Be on the lookout for seasonal allergies

Pollen from trees in the spring, grass in the summer and weeds in the fall: there’s no rest in sight for sufferers of seasonal allergies! Also known as “hay fever” or “seasonal allergic rhinitis”, seasonal allergies are the immune system’s response to certain plant allergens.

Unfortunately, the proportion of people with seasonal allergies is on the rise across industrialized countries. In Canada, an estimated 20 to 25 percent of the population – and approximately two out of five children – is currently affected by the condition. This increase is believed to be partially due to some environmental factors. The high levels of atmospheric pollution, for instance, are thought to affect the mucous membranes in nasal passages, making them overly sensitive to certain allergens.

Seasonal allergies cause various symptoms, such as:

• Sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose (with clear discharge, unlike a cold)
• Itchy nose and throat
• Prickly, swollen and watery eyes

The consequences are nothing to sneeze at!

It is important to prevent and treat symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. That’s because seasonal allergies disrupt the daily activities of sufferers by affecting their general state of health, their concentration and sleep. It also follows that particularly bothersome symptoms will lead to absenteeism from school or work. Lastly, if left untreated, allergic rhinitis can cause infections in the sinuses, ears and respiratory tract.

Dealing with seasonal allergies

Here is a list of what you can do to minimize your symptoms. Close your windows at home, use air conditioning in the car, do not dry your clothing on the clothesline, avoid going outdoors in the morning and on very windy days, take off your shoes and change your clothes when you come in from outside and use a nasal saline solution several times a day. Antihistamines can also be a great help.

For more information on this subject, talk to your pharmacist!

Download Health•news bulletin for May 2008