Allergy Expert James Thompson, MD shares Allergy management news and commentary at MyAllergyNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/95037/relieve-congestion Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD "Doc, it seems like I can't ever breathe out my nose. The pills help my sneezing but I always feel congested"   Many people identify with the above complaint. Nasal congestion is one of the most common symptoms of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. "Rhinitis" means inflammation of the inside of the nose. Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergy triggers such as pollens from trees, grasses or weeds. Other allergy triggers include mold... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/95037/relieve-congestion http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/80164/allergy-medications Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:58:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) affects about 30 million people in America and has increased in prevalence over the last 25 years. Allergy medications have dominated the shelves in many pharmacies as a result of the increasing brands of antihistamines, nasal sprays and decongestants. Despite the plethora of remedies, both over the counter (OTC) and by prescription, many people continue to suffer from chronic nasal congestion and post-nasal... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/80164/allergy-medications http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/74767/rhinitis-treatment Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:35:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD 1. Your medication may not be targeting the right symptoms. Some patients enter my office frustrated because of the failure of their antihistamine pills (e.g. Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) to relieve symptoms of nasal-sinus congestion.   Antihistamines chiefly dry up the nose and reduce itching and sneezing. Symptoms of stuffy nose and sinus pressure, however, are not usually relieved by... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/74767/rhinitis-treatment http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/68778/misconceptions Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:14:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD "Doc, I think I'm allergic to cottonwood tree. Every summer I start sneezing my head off when those "cotton things" start floating around in the air."   Every year in May or June a few people ask me about cottonwood allergy after noticing their eye and nasal symptoms escalate as the cottonwood tree molts its seedlings. But this is a common misconception. In March and April (primarily in northern states of America) cottonwood tree... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/68778/misconceptions http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/64247/peanuts-allergic Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:38:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD Understanding allergic diseases and how they are managed is becoming increasingly complex. Recent research is chipping away at age old practices that for decades were thought to be sound allergy advice.   The first oxymoron: For decades allergists  have told patients to remove their furry pets from the home but recent scientific research suggests some kids who grow up with dogs and cats, and have exposure to more germs are... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/64247/peanuts-allergic http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/60615/battling-dry-winter Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:48:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD Seasonal allergy sufferers are still enjoying the absence of outdoor allergy triggers as the days of winter come and go. If you are fortunate enough to have avoided severe colds, sinus infection and flu symptoms up to now, the outlook is good. On the other hand, those who are sensitive to indoor allergy triggers have not experienced as much of a decrease in allergy symptoms.   Furthermore, people with chronic skin conditions such as... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/60615/battling-dry-winter http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/57023/allergic-rhinitis Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:14:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD The "dog days" of winter means more than bone-chilling cold weather and snow. Although people with seasonal allergy problems tend to favor this time of the year, perennial allergy sufferers and those with non-allergic rhinitis are currently singing the blues. What is it about mid-winter that brings on so many sinus complaints?   Here are some explanations: -The changing weather fronts are associated with swings in temperature,... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/57023/allergic-rhinitis http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/53105/5-allergist-follow Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:11:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD There are days when it seems no matter what you do allergy symptoms take over your life. This is especially frustrating when you have already gone through the series of skin testing, locked the dog out of the bedroom and spent some hard earned dollars on allergy medication.   Allergists are trained to comprehensively evaluate patients before deciding on the appropriate course of treatment. The treatment plan is four tiered:   1)... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/53105/5-allergist-follow http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/49094/antibiotics-answer Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:11:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD Cough, cold and flu season has arrived for most of the northern half of America. Doctor's offices are busier trying to squeeze patients in for sick visits. Emergency departments and Urgent Care Centers are shuffling patients in and out of examining rooms as they attempt to keep up with the increased demand for acute medical care. Some parents are getting less sleep as they listen to their children cough through the wee hours of the morning.... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/49094/antibiotics-answer http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/46417/ending-medication Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:26:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD We have almost made it through the last of outdoor allergy season. Ragweed has run its course in most of the U.S. while mold spores try to survive the declining temperatures of the Midwest and Northeast. Currently outdoor mold, weather changes and shared germs are leading factors in the escalation of cough, wheezing, runny nose and sinus congestion plaguing many of us. Although many areas of the country will soon see a dramatic decline in... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/46417/ending-medication