Global Warming Is Making Me Sneeze!
I've never experienced seasonal allergies in my 22 years of life, and all of a sudden I can't stop sneezing, blowing my nose, and rubbing my blood-shot eyes. Single-handedly I am keeping Kleenex in business. Did I mention my entire body is itchy and I have the luxury of waking up to ringing (and somewhat deaf) ears? Wonderful! Where did this all come from? Well, yes, May in Boston is synonymous with blooming flowers, plants, and pollen "black-outs" (or should I say "yellow-outs") - but why the allergies now?
I've read that seasonal allergies can develop later in a person's life, but is there more to this? It feels like everyone I talk to is experiencing more intense allergy symptoms this year than ever before. Pollen counts are actually breaking records here in Boston, with medium-high to high allergy alerts becoming the norm. So why now? Why all the extra yellow yuck?
In my seasonal allergy research, I stumbled upon a very interesting article that ties global warming to longer lasting, and more severe allergy symptoms (my "aha" moment!). According to the article, studies are beginning to show that global warming is partially responsible for longer and more intense, allergy symptoms. The article claims that "rising temperatures are causing plants and trees to flower earlier each spring and this means that the spring pollen season starts sooner"- i.e.-pollen is sticking around a whole lot longer than previous years. The article also says that "increasing carbon dioxide concentrations and rising temperatures can cause pollen-bearing plants to produce more pollen". Studies have found that the elevated climate has resulted in "ragweed to grow fast, flower earlier, and produce more pollen".
Although global warming is not entirely to blame for my increased sneezing fits, it does play its part. With global warming on the rise, what do we have to look forward to in the future? The article reports that "there could be a 320 percent increase in ragweed production by the end of the century". Scary! Maybe I should consider investing in Kleenex...
While these are only preliminary studies, the findings are somewhat startling. Of course there are other factors involved with the increased pollen counts, but this research gives us yet another reason to conserve energy and to do our part to reduce global warming.
So now I ask you - Has anyone else experienced worse allergies this season in comparison to previous seasons? Do you find it more difficult getting work done at home, school, or work due to these allergies? What gets you through the day?
I've read that seasonal allergies can develop later in a person's life, but is there more to this? It feels like everyone I talk to is experiencing more intense allergy symptoms this year than ever before. Pollen counts are actually breaking records here in Boston, with medium-high to high allergy alerts becoming the norm. So why now? Why all the extra yellow yuck?
In my seasonal allergy research, I stumbled upon a very interesting article that ties global warming to longer lasting, and more severe allergy symptoms (my "aha" moment!). According to the article, studies are beginning to show that global warming is partially responsible for longer and more intense, allergy symptoms. The article claims that "rising temperatures are causing plants and trees to flower earlier each spring and this means that the spring pollen season starts sooner"- i.e.-pollen is sticking around a whole lot longer than previous years. The article also says that "increasing carbon dioxide concentrations and rising temperatures can cause pollen-bearing plants to produce more pollen". Studies have found that the elevated climate has resulted in "ragweed to grow fast, flower earlier, and produce more pollen".
Although global warming is not entirely to blame for my increased sneezing fits, it does play its part. With global warming on the rise, what do we have to look forward to in the future? The article reports that "there could be a 320 percent increase in ragweed production by the end of the century". Scary! Maybe I should consider investing in Kleenex...
While these are only preliminary studies, the findings are somewhat startling. Of course there are other factors involved with the increased pollen counts, but this research gives us yet another reason to conserve energy and to do our part to reduce global warming.
So now I ask you - Has anyone else experienced worse allergies this season in comparison to previous seasons? Do you find it more difficult getting work done at home, school, or work due to these allergies? What gets you through the day?
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Sarah on May 31, 2009 at 5:34pm - My allergies have been AWFUL this year. Normally I start in about April and run through July but by February I was sneezy. Portland had a really warm week in February and EVERYTHING bloomed then ... and things are still blooming in June! I am so done with sneezing and itching and being stuffed up. We *should* invest in Kleenex!
-
Comment by Lisa on May 27, 2009 at 9:05am -
Since I am not a huge fan of needles, I think I'll be sticking with some of the more basic methods ;0)
Great info and tips, thanks Amanda!
-
Comment by amanda on May 22, 2009 at 11:40am -
Lisa,
Really interesting post. I've been wondering lately if I have allergies and I've never been worried about it before this year. I wonder if it's because we are getting older or that it has something to do with the weather. (Or all my WEGOHealth Allergy research!)
I just read an article that says that allergies are worst in places where the climate shifts from cold to warm really fast. (Boston would probably be a great example since I was just shivering in the awful cold rain on Monday and then sweating in the humidity of the last few days). Supposedly because of the sudden warm weather, many plants get excited all at once and release their pollen at the same time. This year more people were affected by allergies a month earlier than usual (says the article). It even goes on to say that, because we were all exposed earlier than normal - we were primed and ready to react more violently the next month. You'd think the opposite were true and we'd be physically prepared to handle the next bout of pollen. But nope. And even though allergy attacks are happening earlier and earlier every year, this doesn't mean they will end earlier. Ah, fertile nature.
Here are some tips:
–Use an air conditioner to filter the air. Even just using the fan in an AC unit can help keep pollen out of your house.
–Try to avoid peak pollen times. Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning and late afternoon, which are peak pollen times; if you want to exercise outside, do so in mid-day. The best time is between noon & 2pm.
–Take a shower. Washing your hair and bathing before bed can help clean pollen off of your skin and hair, so you won’t be carrying pollen to bed with you.
–Wash the sheets and pillowcases weekly. This is a good way to rid your environment of pollen, as well as dust mites, which can also trigger allergy symptoms year round.
A more permanent solution is immunotherapy, which works for about 80%. It "reduces their symptoms, it reduces their medication needs, and occasionally it allows them to go off medication altogether." But it seems rather invasive due to the weekly shots that turn into monthly shots that needs to happen for years. It often 'cures' allergies for a while - but children who go through this, for example, often are back into suffering attacks by the time they are 30. Ugh!
Article: http://news.health.com/2009/05/20/chilly-winter-spring-allergies/1/
-
Comment by Lisa on May 21, 2009 at 1:40pm
-
PS-
I just read that May is "Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month" - go figure! Get educated here.
-
Comment by Lisa on May 21, 2009 at 9:23am
-
Hi HaleyMae!
Great to finally meet you yesterday! I'm looking forward to working with you! I'm sorry to hear you're suffering as bad as I am here in Boston. Don't you wish we could just enjoy this beautiful weather instead of having to hide inside! As for the fatigue - I can definitely relate. I feel completely deflated, with no energy at all! Recently I've also been relying on Starbucks to get me through the day (probably not the best idea). As for the soon-to-be 92 degree day, I am feeling OK as of now, but will definitely be keeping the Kleenex handy! Thanks Haley!
-
Comment by HaleyMae on May 20, 2009 at 10:00pm -
Hi Lisa!
I totally sympathize with your situation. For the first time ever I have AWFUL allergies this year. My dad has always been the one who starts sneezing and gets itchy, watery eyes in May, but this year I seem to have inherited his allergies. But my symptoms are a little different. For the past week I've been getting really bad head aches, my eyes are swollen and I feel excessively tired even though I'm getting much more sleep that I was just a few weeks ago during my college exams.
Tomorrow I'm going to start taking Claritin and try it every day for a week to see what happens. I've been hesitant to begin a regular allergy medication, primarily because of cost and because I've heard it can have a side effect of drowsiness (which is exactly what I'm trying to get rid of in the first place!). But I have to try something, so I'll let you know how it goes! Also, it sounds a little strange but caffeine seems to be helping the headaches a little bit. I had a half-caf ice coffee this afternoon when my headache was bothering me and it seemed to help.
Tomorrow it's supposed to be really hot and it may be the worst day yet this season for allergies, so make sure you have a lot of tissues nearby! I'll be thinking of you and hoping you feel okay.
© 2009 Created by Marie
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join this Ning Network