Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_06_21/GA_2106_E1_020.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

June 21 2007

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
As you stretch your bronzed limbs and reach for a cool drink as the sun continues to shine spare a thought for up to one in 10 people who suffer from hayfever, the most common allergic condition in Ireland. Summer for them means endless sniffling, sneezing and general misery. Hayfever is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen grains of which grass pollen is the most common type, explains Dr Audrey Kinahan of University Late Night Pharmacy at Newcastle Road. "Sneezing, a runny nose (rhinitis), nasal congestion and watery eyes are the most common symptoms. However, wheezing and coughing can also be a problem for a significant proportion." These symptoms if not managed properly can affect not only sufferers' private lives but also work performance, she says. "In some cases it may influence career paths. Outdoor occupations such as farming or landscape gardening where exposure to pollen is high may not be bearable for severe hayfever sufferers.' Studying and exam performance can also be adversely affected, she outlines. A recent UK study reported that one in five students are at a disadvantage due to hayfever. "The survey of 612 children aged seven to 12 years reported 23 per cent suffered from hayfever while about 40 per cent of those who were at Junior or Leaving Certificate level were sufferers. Some 25 per cent of students had missed classes due to hayfever while 33 per cent felt that it had affect ed their academic performance." Sporting performance, particularly for outdoor athletes, can be dramatically affected also, according to the pharmacist. "Jesper Parnevik in the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie suffered a very bad hayfever attack. ` It was so bad I came very close to walking in after five holes,' he said. ` I felt terrible all the time. I was constantly sneezing and I had to time my putts and shots between sneezes. My nose was constantly dripping, so I stuck paper up there to try to clog it up.'" The condition has a psychological impact on chronic sufferers, Dr Kinahan believes. "Incessant sneezing and streaming eyes for months on end can take its toll." Reducing sufferers exposure to pollen can help control and manage the condition. she says. "The higher the pollen count level in the atmosphere, the worse the effects with symptoms often being at their worst in the early morning and late evening." Patients are encouraged to try simple preventative measures first before using medication.

O'CONNOR
"We provide a daily Galway-specific pollen forecast so that when pollen counts are forecast to be high, hayfever sufferers can take simple preventative measures to reduce their exposure to the pollen in the air. Simple advice like avoiding mowing the grass or keeping car and house windows closed on these specific days can make a significant difference. More severely affected sufferers may consider investing in an electric air purifier which can remove pollen and allergens from the air. This can reduce symptoms of hayfever, asthma and other allergies. Simple over the counter remedies such as antihistamines and nasal sprays provides relief for most people. "Many of the newer antihistamines thankfully do not have the side effect of drowsiness previously associated with hayfever treatments. However in more serious cases patients may need to be referred to their GP." The pollen season is at its peak during June and July. Generally, the pollen count will be at its highest on a perfect summer day clear sky, no rain and gentle breezes. Coastal areas tend to have lower pollen counts than rural grassy areas so head for the beach rather than sitting at home in the garden!

Sneeze no more
Consider investing in an air purifier for your home or office. Check if your car has a pollen filter. As coastal areas have lower pollen levels, go to the coast when the pollen counts are high. Do not smoke and avoid smokey atmospheres. It is recommended that if there is a history of pollen allergy in a family, newborn babies should be kept away from high pollen concentrations. spreads and transfers from one flower to another. Lower counts are associated with overcast and cloudy days. pollen in the summer months. Pollen counts reach the highest in the months of June and July. In March to May, the temperatures are usually quite low resulting in low counts.

Wind effects
Higher counts are produced when winds are light, below Force 4. Time of the day Counts are usually lower early in the day. The peak level is reached in the late afternoon and evening, while there are morning peaks also. Lowest levels are usually around midday.

Rainfall
Rain will wash the pollen out of the air, especially rain in the early morning.

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Free pollen forecast
A free daily pollen forecast is available from a variety of sources including University Late Night Pharmacy. Log onto www.eirpharm.com and sign up for the free pollen forecast email service or tune in to Galway Bay FM each morning. * University Pharmacy also runs a series of free hayfever advice clinics throughout the summer. For further details telephone (091) 520115.

Factors which influence pollen counts
These include the following: Amount of sunlight
Higher counts are found on sunny days as pollen

Location
Pollen counts in rural grassy areas are much higher than urban areas. However, research has shown that a higher percentage of children in urban areas suffer from hayfever than in rural areas. This is thought to be due to increased traffic pollution.

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contact with pollen:
Avoid freshly cut grass ideally get somebody else to mow the lawn! Stay indoors with the windows closed. Do not sleep with an open window. Keep car windows closed. Wear sunglasses to prevent pollen grains getting in your eyes. Wash your hands regularly and do not touch your eyes with your hands. Apply Vaseline to your nose. This can trap pollen and prevent it travelling further up the nasal passage.

Time of the year
Flowers produce most

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Audrey Kinahan of University Pharmacy Newcastle. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy