The arrival of autumn is marked by changes in weather conditions in different Brazilian regions. In this Tuesday’s edition (22) of the Medical Correspondentfrom Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained how to reduce the impacts of allergic crises during the season.
In the autumn months, there is a significant decrease in rainfall in the Southeast and Midwest of the country. More intense cold waves cause a drop in temperature in the South region, which still experiences storms. In the Northeast, it still rains a lot, mainly in coastal areas, as well as in the extreme North of the country.
Due to the effects of the La Niña phenomenon, it is estimated that the autumn of this year will have less rain than normal in the states of the South region and also in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and areas such as the South of Minas Gerais. In the Center-North of the country, the season should be characterized by more humid conditions than normal, especially at the beginning of the season. In May, the first strong cold wave should start, expected for the second half of the year.
According to the neurosurgeon, the drier weather in much of the country contributes to the development of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, ear, throat, cough and shortness of breath.
Allergy is an exacerbated reaction of the immune system to exposure of the body to a series of substances. Respiratory allergies can be caused by several factors, such as dust mites, pet hair, fungi present in mold and pollen from flowers, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions, such as low air humidity. Autumn weather conditions favor the onset of crises.
“Because of the characteristics of the air, the temperature, the issue of humidity and the allergens, which are often dust, hair and elements of nature, are more suspended and manage to reach the mucosa of the respiratory system in a more forceful way. ”, explains Gomes.
The specialist recommends that the use of medication, including nasal spray, should only be done under medical supervision. “Most allergies end up being easy to control with medications that block this exacerbated inflammatory response in the face of exposure to the agent that causes allergy,” he says.
To relieve symptoms, Gomes advises daily hydration with plenty of water, the application of saline solution to the mucous membranes of the nostrils and the use of a nebulizer in cases of discomfort. Rest, balanced diet and regular and moderate practice of physical exercises also contribute to the expansion of immunity.
allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common clinical conditions among Brazilians. In general, it is characterized by chronic and recurrent cases, mainly by exposure to mites present in dust, pollen, fungi, urine and saliva of animals such as dogs and cats.
“Rhinitis, asthma and sinusitis are some of the most common diseases at this time of year because dry and cold air acts as an irritant in the airways and, in the case of allergies, the airways that are already inflamed come in contact with this cold air and dry and manifest respiratory symptoms”, says the naturopathic pharmacist, Jamar Tejada.
The most common symptoms are swelling of the mucosa with nasal obstruction, runny nose, continuous sneezing and itching in the nose, throat and eyes. The diagnosis can be made by investigating the patient’s history, in addition to skin tests and blood tests.
In the case of allergies, the definition of treatment is performed by the doctor considering aspects of each patient’s profile, such as the level of allergy and the body’s response to the components of the drugs that will be indicated, including antihistamines, decongestants, bronchodilators and corticosteroids.
For pharmacist Jamar Tejada, homeopathy can also be used as a therapeutic option based on the activation of the body’s immunological memory.
(With information from Climatempo)
Source: CNN Brasil
