Seasonal Allergies on the Rise – It isn't Just You, Achoo!
Are seasonal allergies on the rise? According to the latest studies, yes! Pollen productions are on the rise and experts are now linking it to global warming. The hotter the temperatures get, the longer the growing seasons for many of the allergens that cause allergic symptoms.
The longer the growing season, the more people will be affected by it. Ragweed is the number one trigger for fall and late summer allergies in the U.S. that can cause allergies. One ragweed plant alone can produce one billion pollen grains that can travel from 300 to 700 miles in the air.
 Seasonal AllergiesHay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, has been diagnosed in an estimated 14% of American adults, or nearly 30 million people, according to a recent survey. Another 3.5% of the population have allergies to food. Experts believe that the number of allergy sufferers is even greater because many never see a doctor. August 15th is the opening day for ragweed season, which is bad news for the 36 million Americans who suffer from ragweed allergies, and global warming could be making things worse. According to the latest scientific estimates, the planet is expected to heat up between 2° and 4° this century alone. Allergy experts warn that the warmer temperatures will make pollen seasons worse for allergy and asthma sufferers. This trend is likely to accelerate in the coming years. Whether you have allergies is a case by case issue. Many people who develop allergies as an adult, may have experienced an allergic episode earlier in life but do not remember it. In babies and toddlers, allergy symptoms most often present as eczema. Children who suffer from seasonal allergies tend to be less bothered by a runny nose than adults. For many people, allergies fade during adolescent years, but can sometimes return later. In some cases, adult allergy sufferers have no history of allergic sensitivity at all. The substance that provokes an allergic reaction is called an 'allergen' or 'antigen'. Allergens can be foods, like milk, eggs, corn, fish, etc., or come from the surrounding environment, such as dust, animal dander, additives, chemicals, bacteria, or pollens. Any of these things can induce allergic reactions after being consumed, touched, or inhaled. Over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Approximately 55% of all U.S. citizens test positive to one or more allergens. Seasonal allergies, which some people call 'hay fever', generally occur in the spring and fall when trees, grasses, and weeds bloom and release pollen into the air. Year-round or perennial, allergy symptoms are typically set off by indoor allergens like dust mites, mold, and animal dander. Other types of allergies are on the rise also. Some studies show that increased chemical pollution in our air, water, and food, is causing an escalated frequency and severity of allergic reactions among many people. Commercial foods now contain hundreds of hidden ingredients, both natural and synthetic, that can cause a wide variety of allergic reactions. In a recent review, researchers describe various ways in which warmer temperatures impact asthma, allergies, and other respiratory disorders. One British study, (on hundreds of allergy causing plants), found that they flower an average of nearly 5 days earlier now compared to a decade ago, and 10% flower 15 days earlier. These statistics indicate that allergy season’s are also getting longer. Global warming is making pollen seasons longer and more concentrated. Other research shows that increased carbon dioxide gases are linked to a 60% - 90% rise in pollen production for some varieties of ragweed. Global warming is also expected to create more forest fires, which triggers more air pollution that makes asthma, seasonal allergies, and other respiratory disorders worse. All of these things, keep allergies on the rise. To keep seasonal allergy symptoms to a minimum, allergy sufferers should stay proactive. Keep windows closed during heavy pollen seasons, stay indoors during the middle of the day when pollen count is high, and wash clothes immediately after spending time outdoors. Allergy Relief
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