Each week, Centra Care doctors compile thousands of numbers from patient data in Orange, Lake, Seminole and Osceola counties to determine "What's Going Around" in Central Florida. We believe this information is important enough to share with you, because if you know "What's Going Around" in your area of town you can help to prevent yourself, your co-workers and family from getting sick. Many times we are also able to provide home care suggestions which may help the person feel better more quickly.

Centra Care physicians have seen an influx of allergy and asthma patients recently. Across all 18 Centra Care centers, allergy and asthma diagnoses are up 200% and 75%, respectively.

The Formosa, Oviedo and Waterford Lakes locations each saw an over 400 % rise in allergy patients. The Clermont center had the largest increase of asthma patients, up 300% from the previous week.

There are many different types of allergies including: skin, food, insect, and seasonal. The type being seen by Centra Care physicians is the latter. While most people turn to their local meteorologist to see what weather to expect, seasoned allergy sufferers know those predictions can indicate what lies ahead for them physically. This week’s rainy forecast will have an impact on those with seasonal allergies - bringing relief for some and suffering for others. More on that in a moment.

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An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to a normally non-threatening substance known as an allergen. Pollen from trees, weeds and grasses, as well as mold are all seasonal allergens. They cause symptoms like itchy watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing and headaches. Allergies can also irritate your airway tubes and cause more serious asthma type symptoms.

Asthma can be dangerous and should not be ignored. It is a disease of the airways, (your breathing tubes) and often goes hand in hand with allergies. Asthma creates inflammation and spasm of the tubes - which makes breathing more difficult and causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

A Centra Care doctor will diagnose asthma based on three things: medical history, a physical exam, and test results. They will also figure out how severe your asthma is in order to determine proper treatment. Tests may include a lung function test, a chest X-Ray and even an EKG. These tests will help find out whether an infection or allergy or foreign object may be causing your symptoms.

To relieve allergy symptoms the physician may recommend either over-the-counter or prescription medications. In some cases allergy shots can make your immune system less sensitive to allergens, which can help to reduce symptoms.

So, what role does rain play in seasonal allergies? It all depends on what allergens trigger your symptoms. Those suffering from pollen allergies welcome the rain. Heavy rains can bring relief by bringing down the pollen levels in the air. But, if mold is what exacerbates your allergies, the wet weather is unwanted. All that dampness leads to an increase in mold spores. Unfortunately for those with pollen allergies, the increased rain promotes rapid and increased growth of their pollen-producing adversaries… so this week’s reprieve is of little consolation.

There 18 Centra Care Urgent Care locations – and a Florida Hospital certified physician on site – 7 Days a Week. For locations and phone numbers visit: www.CentraCare.org.

 

Sincerely,


Florida Hospital Centra Care
407-200-CARE (2273)
To learn more about "What's Going Around" in our community you can listen to the Centra Care Senior Medical Director each Tuesday morning between 8am and 8:30am on 88.3FM radio - Z88.3