Sunday, January 23, 2011

Another Cedar pollen/Cold & Flu season

Well, I guess I was too busy sewing (another love of mine) to blog. I decided I better get back into the swing of things before I lose my audience. I just want to be sure and say I do NOT like Cedar pollen!! There, I feel better.

If any of you live where we have a huge spike of Mountain "Cedar" (Juniper) pollen take over our noses from Dec-Feb then you know what I am talking about! When it hits we are all in a mode of non-stop sneezing, blowing our noses, scratching our eyes, nose, throat and ears along with not being able to smell anything because our noses feels like someone filled them with concrete. Not to mention the sinus pressure and headaches that go along with it all. Doesn't that make you want to live in Central Texas?

I have suffered from Cedar pollen allergies for most of my life and over the last 10+ years I have finally figured out how to make it through the season without a sinus infection. That doesn't mean I don't suffer quite a bit, but I do avoid the nasty sinus infections that used to put me in bed for days.

What is my secret you ask? I start taking my antihistamine - such as Allegra, Zyrtec, claritin, etc. on December 1st. Also I start using my steroid nasal spray - around the same time. Starting these 1-2 weeks before the pollen hits is the key to getting your body ready for the pollen then when it does show up your head won't be overtaken with the histamine response to the allergen.

In our area of Texas the Cedar pollen peaks the first three weeks of January which means I have to pull out my saline sinus wash to help curb the explosive amounts of pollen attacking my nose. I can't express how helpful the rinse is in relieving the pressure of my nose/sinuses and helps rinse out the drainage that is constantly dripping or going down my throat YUCK!

There are two ways to rinse out your nose/sinuses, one is a "Neti Pot" and one is a bottle that you squeeze. Here is one example by NeilMed . Both work well with one exception - if one side of your nasal passage is too clogged to pour the solution through with the Neti pot, the squeeze bottle will be able to get it through. If you are completely clogged on one side then simply stick to the open side, it still does the job because the fluid goes in one side and out the other. The key is DO NOT blow your nose hard after using the rinse. Just a gentle blow without pinching your nose is the best way to do it. As always, be sure to fully read the instructions that come with each kit before using any of products to prevent complications.

Along with Cedar pollen there are a lot of cold viruses and flu going around and all of these can cause a stopped up nose and sinus pressure. More great reasons to have a sinus rinse at home and to pull it out to ease the discomfort from the increased pressure and mucus production that comes with each of these conditions.

Along with the sinus rinse everyone should practice good hand washing. This one act is so easy to do, and if there is no sink readily available then having a bottle of alcohol gel handy is often even better. Being sure to sneeze or cough away from others and if you have a tissue use it - being sure to throw it away and wash your hands after each use. Coughing in the bend of your arm at the elbow (if you have on a shirt of course) will also help prevent the spread of germs.

I hope everyone is able to stay well and healthy throughout the winter season and should you feel you are coming down with a cold or flu be sure to contact your primary health care provider or the nearest medical facility.