Here are some simply tips to help reduce exposure to common Allergens...

• Wear a mask when cleaning the house or mowing the lawn
• Change the air filters regularly in your heating system
• Get rid of sources of mildew
• Don't allow dander-producing animals in the home
• Change feather pillows, wool blankets, wool clothing to cotton or synthetic fibers
• Enclose matress, box springs, and pillows in plastic barrier cloth
• Use antihistamines and decongestants as necessary and as tolerated
• Sleep with the head of the bed tilted upward. Elevating the head of the bed helps relieve nasal congestion
• Practice good heatlh, plenty of exercise daily, no smoking, avoid air pollutants, balance diet and supplement diet with vitamins, especially C!
• Use a humidifier in the fall / winter, clean it regularly to avoid mold

Why to be cautious in September?

This month brings back to school excitement and some well-appreciated temperature drops compared to the scorching heat of August. Along with the good comes the bad allergy season. Mid-September is historically noted to experience increased hospitalizations associated with allergies and conditions such as asthma. Plant pollinations that increase in September cause much grief to people with irritable allergies. Many don’t consider fall to be associated with allergies as spring certainly is, but this does not mean this is the case. September can experience days of very windy weather as today, September 18^th, and with it migration of spores from common lawn grass, flowers, and mold. Typically, when people think “mold” the mind associates this with indoors but mold is found in fungi and natural other species which can give off airborne spores.

The 5th Annual CHEER (Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research) Coordinator's Conference was held August 10-11, 2012 in Alexandria, VA.  The group is now a "peer-to-peer- network, 24 sites strong in 16 states with a mix of 12 community/private practice and 12 academic sites representing over 200 otolaryngologists, 100 audiologists and 50 speech language pathologists.  We are supported by NIH and AAO-HNS Foundation resources and are positioned to address questions and concerns crucial to evidence-based patient care through integration of relevant and feasible research into everyday clinical practice, with the long-term goal of improving patient care and patient health.

During the conference, experienced coordinators shared their knowledge with those new to research.  Background information on hearing loss/treatments, FDA history of regulations, and voice are some of the topics covered.  The sharing of ideas but ultimately working as a team for continuing clinical research and the resources available through the network are keys to success.

Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat is committed to enhancing the health of all of its patients.  Additional information on clinical research can be found by clicking on on "Clinical Research" tab:  http://www.coastalearnoseandthroat.com/clinical-research.html