[Allergy & Asthma Corner]

AOL Health has a listing of the top ten worst cities for asthma. Several factors tie into why a city or any particular environment may be bad for your respiratory health. Some of these factors include:

-Pollution (car emissions, industrial pollution, ozone, particulate matter)

-Pollens

-Mold spores

-Presence or absence of smoking bans (and the extent of the ban if present)

-Climate changes

How do you think your city ranks?

Did it make the list?

What are the worst cities for fall allergy sufferers? Click on the second link below to find out.

Here is the link for the top ten worst cities for asthma:

http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/asthma/top-cities?icid=100214839x1209795125x1200566742

Top 25 worst cities for fall allergies here:

http://www.aolhealth.com/health/fall-health/allergies-cities-ragweed

How are you handling ragweed season so far?

For many people ragweed came in like gangbusters the last week of August. Hurricane Gustav cleaned the air in many southeastern and Midwestern states giving some of us a brief period of relief. But don't be fooled into thinking fall allergy season is over. The first sustained frost has not yet arrived, signaling the end of this year's outdoor allergy season.

Are you familiar with the term "Presenteeism"?

Presenteeism is a term allergist and other doctors use to reflect on the impact of a disease, primarily in the work setting.

"Absenteeism" is when you miss work of course. Some illnesses are so severe you cannot possibly make it in to work.

Sinus allergies more often cause presenteeism: You show up for work but your productivity or efficiency is markedly reduced because of your nasal and or eye allergy symptoms. In addition to stuffy, runny and itchy  nose you may have headache, fatigue, throat irritation and episodes of cough (associated with postnasal drip).

Many people with fall seasonal allergy are looking for a life-line right now.

I recommend you review my tips about nasal spray use.

Here is the link:  Nasal Spray Technique

If you want more tips check out my latest posting on MyAllergyNetwork:

Click here (SOS)