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New York Times
18-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Yes, Adults Can Develop Seasonal Allergies
After decades of never experiencing seasonal allergies, you suddenly find yourself sneezing and sniffling along with the tens of millions of Americans who suffer from them. What happened? 'People tend to think of allergies as a childhood thing' and not something they can get later in life, said Dr. Tolly Epstein, an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine who researches allergies and immunology. But 'it's very common to develop new allergies,' especially in your 20s, 30s and 40s, she said. And the symptoms aren't always obvious. Most people with seasonal allergies will have sneezing, itchy eyes or nasal congestion. But those can also be accompanied by fatigue, a headache or sinus pressure — which, if you've never faced allergies before, you might mistake as cold symptoms, Dr. Epstein said. If you've recently developed a pollen allergy, you might also experience itching in your mouth after eating certain raw fruits and vegetables, said Dr. Andrew Rorie, an assistant professor in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. That's because the immune system sometimes confuses proteins in the plants for pollen proteins, he said. What causes seasonal allergies to develop? Seasonal allergies are reactions to environmental elements like pollen or mold spores that tend to swirl around in the air during certain times — such as in the spring, when plants pollinate. When you're allergic to something like pollen, your immune system perceives it as a threat and triggers a chain reaction at the point of exposure. Antibodies in the nose or lungs stimulate the release of chemicals like histamine, which can lead to the sneezing, runny nose or congestion. Scientists aren't exactly sure why you can develop new allergies or symptoms without ever having had them before, but there are several potential causes. For one, climate change is causing allergy season to start earlier and last longer, so it makes people more prone to developing symptoms, experts said. In addition, some infections (like colds) could compromise protective mucous membranes, which could in turn weaken the body's ability to keep allergens from triggering the immune system, said Dr. Alkis Togias, a branch chief at the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Where you live, and how long you've lived there, may matter as well. For some people, moving to a new place can bring a reprieve, if they're no longer exposed to the allergens that used to trigger their symptoms. But for others, it can introduce new problems, said Dr. Caroline Sokol, a principal investigator at the Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Some may see their seasonal symptoms initially disappear — typically for about three to five years. 'Then all of a sudden, the allergies come back in full force,' she said. 'But now they're directed against new pollens.' Living in the same place for a long time can also factor in. Prolonged exposure to irritants like pollen may actually increase the risk of allergies, as the body gradually builds an immune response to a substance it continually encounters, Dr. Sokol said. There's also some early research to suggest that hormonal fluctuations might affect one's allergic response. But it's not always for the worse — for example, while some pregnant women see allergy symptoms become more severe, others see them improve, Dr. Rorie said. Menopausal women may have fewer allergy symptoms than they used to, possibly because of hormonal changes, along with the declining immune response that tends to come with older age. How do you know if it's really allergies, and what can you do about it? Seasonal allergies can affect people's quality of life, including their mood and their productivity at work, Dr. Togias said: 'Whatever they're doing, they're not going to do it well.' But allergists are quick to point out that sneezing and runny noses — even during the spring — aren't necessarily caused by allergies. Technically, an allergy requires an immune system response. It's possible for an irritating substance like pollen or pollution to just trigger nasal inflammation without your immune system ever kicking into gear. If that's the case for you, it might mean that allergy medications won't ease your symptoms very much, Dr. Sokol said. If medications do work, or if you consistently experience symptoms on days with high pollen counts, there's a good chance your suffering is caused by a seasonal allergy, she said. There are widely available treatments to help alleviate symptoms, including over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. Many allergists also offer immunotherapy, such as allergy shots, that gradually expose you to allergens like pollen or ragweed to reduce your body's reaction. Beyond medication, there are a few simple steps you can take to minimize your discomfort, said Dr. Jonathan Spergel, chief of the allergy program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Right when you get home, 'wash your hands and face' to rinse off any allergens, he said. Take a shower before going to bed, and sleep with the windows shut, he added: 'Those common sense things that Grandma told you.'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
4 Strategies to Make Your Desktop More Ergonomic, According to the Pros
Your workspace might feel comfortable in the moment but haphazard ergonomics can take a toll on your body. Your workspace might feel comfortable in the moment but haphazard ergonomics can take a toll on your body if you aren't careful. Make an audit of your workspace and make sure it is up to snuff before aches and pains make you wish you'd done it earlier. Proper ergonomics and immediate comfort aren't the same thing, so it's a good idea to defer to specialists. Years ago, at the height of the pandemic, experts from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine published the results of a survey in the journal Ergonomics in Design. Today, it stands as excellent professional-grade advice you can apply right now for benefits that pay off in the days, weeks and years to come. A leading cause of pain from makeshift workstations stem from an improperly oriented screen. The study found that many laptop users' screens are too low, causing neck strain from looking down for hours on end. Those with external displays often had them too high, causing the inverse problem. The answer? The top of your main screen should be at eye level, to ensure that maximum screen real-estate is viewable from a neutral, forward head position. Any additional screens should be off to one side, but viewable straight on. While it's easy to accomplish with an external display, it can be a little tougher with a laptop. But a stack of books can help raise it up to an appropriate level with ease, though it may leave you with some trouble typing, which brings us to step two. Laptops are great for portability but their ergonomics are inherently subpar. Their keyboards and touch pads are cramped and virtually unusable if you've hefted your screen up to an appropriate height. That's where external peripherals come in. The study results showed that over half of participants were stuck with their laptop input devices, where external options could improve workstation ergonomics significantly. Not only are external devices better for ergonomics; they make your workstation more fun to use. Not only are external devices better for ergonomics; they make your workstation more fun to use. Grab an external keyboard but consider going mechanical. Bluetooth mice are great but might I suggest a trackball for the pinnacle of comfort you'll never come back from? A big external monitor will pay dividends not just in neck comfort, but in screen real estate. And a USB dock or hub makes it easy to attach and detach all this gear in one go. Being on the edge of your seat is fine if you're watching a blockbuster, but it's bad news for your body if you're doing it all work day long. The study found that the majority of workers were failing to get were failing to get the maximum support from their chair, either being too far forward to benefit from lumbar support, experiencing arm strain by not using armrests or having them improperly adjusted. Simple measures like scooting closer to your work surface or adjusting armrest height can go a long way to improving comfort. Whatever your workstation looks like and no matter how ergonomically well-considered it is, a crucial measure everyone can take is to get up and move around. Studies show that you should be changing position at least once ever 30 minutes, whether you're simply standing up for a bit, taking a walk around the block, or moving between a sitting and standing desk if you are fortunate enough to have both at your disposal.
