allergies and asthma center
Allergy Medicines
The days of choosing between allergy relief and being awake enough to stumble through the day thanks to sleep-inducing medications are over. Allergy and asthma sufferers have a broad range of improved traditional remedies as well as numerous alternative treatments available to them.

Allergy treatments have evolved, allowing doctors to focus on quality of life — not just basic functioning. "What we're trying to do is make the quality of life better. To that end, we try to make it as simple as possible for our patients to take care of their allergies so that it's not disruptive of their lives," says Paul Erlich, M.D., assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine.

allergy medications
   Antihistamines
Antihistamines are the most popular treatment for allergies. They can provide relief from nasal symptoms (sneezing, itching, runny nose), eye symptoms (itching, tearing, and burning), and skin conditions (hives, eczema, itching, and some rashes). Prescription antihistamines are Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec. A prescription antihistamine nasal spray called Astelin works only on the nasal passages. If nasal congestion is your only symptom, a topical medicine may suffice, but eye, nose or chest symptoms might respond better to a pill.
allergy medications
   Decongestants
Decongestants help relieve congestion from swollen nasal tissues. Over-the-counter sprays should not be used for more than three or four days in a row, although prescription ones can be used longer. Decongestants should not be prescribed to those with high blood pressure or heart disease because it can raise blood pressure and cause rapid heartbeat in susceptible people.

Homemade saline solution is another effective decongestant. Mix one quart of water with two to three heaping teaspoons of kosher salt and a teaspoon of baking soda. Use a bulb syringe to rinse your nose out with the solution in the morning and evening. The rinses irritating pollen from nasal cavities. Use a saline solution before applying nasal sprays to make access to your nasal tissues easier.
allergy medications
   Anti-inflamatory Agents
These medications help fight the inflammation that typically results from allergy and asthma. They include nonsteroidal medications, which are topical, as well as topical and oral corticosteroids. Corticosteroids may be used as creams, sprays, liquids or tablets. Oral forms are generally reserved for those with severe asthma.

Recent studies have confirmed that long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma does not stunt a child's growth. One conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the other by researchers in Denmark found that children who were treated with inhaled steroids for an average of 9.2 years still reached their expected final heights.
allergy medications
   Anti-leukotrienes
These medications are used in the treatment of chronic asthma. They combat the effects of leukotrienes, which cause inflammation in the airways, leaking of fluids from pulmonary blood vessels and contraction of smooth muscles in the airways.

 
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