It's time to start thinking about allergy season

It may seem too early to start thinking about the allergy season now, but believe it or not, those bare-looking trees are beginning to send pollen into the air. To help keep you wheeze- and sneeze-free, the following are the top five steps allergy patients should take in order to help relieve the onset of symptoms:

1. Anticipate. While many of us may assume that warm winter weather might cause allergy symptoms to start earlier, weather really has very little to do with seasonal allergy symptoms. Pollination, and thus allergy symptoms, generally happens at predictable times. It's important that you know when to expect your symptoms, make sure you have current refills and start taking your medications early, just before the onset of pollen season. Seasonal allergy symptoms are easier to treat when caught early, before they get severe.

2. Seek relief. Many people try to tough out the allergy season, leaving them miserable, decreasing their work productivity and affecting their general quality of life. Don't just put up with the symptoms. From medications to immunotherapy, relief is available.

3. Limit side effects. Some medications may cause side effects such as sleepiness. If these side effects are intruding in your daily life, know that you don't have to put up with them. If you're having trouble, tell your doctor, who can find other treatments that have fewer side effects.

4. Don't just self-treat. If you're self-treating with over-the-counter medications but not getting enough relief, see your doctor. With the proper medication, allergy symptoms can be kept under control.

5. Seek professional advice. Ask your doctor whether you should consult with a board-certified, trained allergist immunologist. A specialist can help you find out exactly what you are allergic to (which will help predict when you might have trouble), and can work with your regular doctor to find a personalized medication strategy. Allergy shots are still the best hope for long-term relief of seasonal allergies.

Allergy season usually starts in the last part of January and lasts through October. And while there is no cure for the allergic diseases, working with a medical professional to find the right medications and staying on a medication regimen can help prevent the misery of allergies.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children's Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCG Health.org.