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Working Through Cedar Fever
Dealing with Allergies on the Job
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AUSTIN, TX – Are seasonal
allergies interfering with your ability to get your job
done? If so, you’re not alone. The American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that 35 million
people suffer from seasonal allergies in the U.S., resulting
in as many as four million lost workdays each year. One
third of those allergy sufferers report decreased work
effectiveness, and up to 80 percent say they have problems
sleeping. It’s no surprise that U.S. companies lose $3.8
billion a year in lost productivity through a combination of
employee absence and reduced productivity.
Seasonal allergies pose particular challenges here in
Central Texas, says
John Villacis, M.D., an allergist with The Austin
Diagnostic Clinic (ADC). “We have pollens circulating in our
area year-round,” he explains. In springtime, tree pollens
such as oak and mesquite are high. In summer months we have
grass pollens, which slow down in August just in time for
weed pollens to pick up. Molds are a problem off and on
throughout the year. |
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But the worst allergy season, says Dr. Villacis, is mountain
cedar. “It’s one of the most allergenic pollens there are,” he
says, “and it’s specific to Central Texas.” Mountain cedar
season begins in December and will continue through February.
During this time, many employees will find themselves struggling
to be productive while dealing with the onslaught of allergy
symptoms.
How can you keep your allergies from hindering your
effectiveness at work? Dr. Villacis points to three causes for
reduced productivity on the job—the allergy symptoms themselves,
fatigue from lack of restful sleep, and side effects from
over-the-counter medications. Fortunately, he also offers sound
advice for dealing with this triple threat.
Seasonal allergies can cause a wide variety of symptoms, says
Dr. Villacis. Beyond the typical congestion, sneezing, and
post-nasal drip, some sufferers may develop a cough, get
headaches, or have itchy eyes, nose or throat. Symptoms can
range from mild to intense. With allergies, what may seem like a
bad cold can last for weeks on end.
The symptoms that are making you miserable during the day can
also keep you from sleeping well at night. A good night’s sleep
is crucial to good health and top mental performance, but people
who suffer from allergies can find it challenging to get more
than a few hours of shut-eye. “Nasal symptoms can interfere with
a continuous deep sleep,” explains Dr. Villacis. “Even if you
manage to fall asleep, you may wake frequently throughout the
night, which is going to contribute to drowsiness the next day.”
To manage daytime symptoms and sleepless nights, many allergy
sufferers turn to the remarkable selection of allergy
medications now available over the counter. But with so many
allergy medicines to choose from, it’s hard to know which ones
spell relief. When it comes to buying medications, Dr. Villacis
wants consumers to be educated. “Reading the symptoms on the
front of the box is not the best way to choose,” warns Dr.
Villacis. “You need to know the main ingredients in each
product, and know what their potential effects are.”
When you’re suffering with allergies, the last thing you want is
to deal with more symptoms. But that is often the case when
employees take certain over-the-counter medications as they’re
heading off to work. You may find that your annoying itchiness
is gone, but you now feel jittery and can’t seem to concentrate.
Some drugs can make you feel as if your head is stuffed with
cotton. Some anti-histamines work well to stop sniffling and
sneezing but will make you drowsy, slowing your productivity to
a crawl.
To treat your symptoms effectively while avoiding side effects,
Dr. Villacis recommends that allergy sufferers take non-sedating
medications for daytime use, and save the more powerful
anti-histamines for bedtime. “Loratadine is an effective
non-sedating allergy drug—it’s what you find in Claritin and
Alavert. Combining that with a good decongestant will help you
get through the day.” At night, however, you can improve your
odds of getting a good night’s rest by taking the sleep-inducing
drugs you avoided all day. Dr. Villacis points to Benadryl as a
well-known example of an anti-histamine that tends to make
people drowsy.
Different people have different reactions to specific
medications, so finding the most effective combination for you
and your symptoms may take a little trial and error. You may
also find that nothing available over the counter brings you any
relief. In those cases, your best bet is to visit your primary
care physician or allergist. Your doctor will be able to
prescribe the latest medications for treating allergy symptoms,
including topical nasal-steroid sprays and prescription allergy
eye drops.
“Mountain cedar season does not have to mean three months of
misery—for you or your workplace,” says Dr. Villacis. “Relief is
out there. You just need to take the time to find what works for
you.”
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The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC) is a multi-specialty clinic
with physicians representing 24 medical specialties at six
locations. Dr. Villacis is an allergist and practices at
The Austin Diagnostic Clinic Main and South Austin clinics.
To make an appointment with Dr. Villacis call 901-4002.
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