Longer Growing Seasons Increase Airborne Pollen
Each year, does it seem like your eyes are getting itchier, your nose is getting runnier and your sinuses are getting stuffier? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, recent research has found that pollen season is growing longer and more severe. In this post, we review information from the study, what these findings mean…
Hearing Loss Isn’t an All or Nothing Condition
Too often we assume that people either have a disability or they don’t. This binary thinking not only ignores the nuances and complexity that come with disabilities but can also cause harm to people who have these conditions. This includes people with hearing loss. Categorization Ignores Individual Experience When we discuss hearing loss, we often…
How to Properly Administer an EpiPen
If you or your child suffers from severe allergies your doctor will likely prescribe an EpiPen or other epinephrine injector in case of anaphylaxis. It’s essential for you to know the proper way to store and administer your EpiPen in case of a life-threatening emergency. Signs of Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that…
How Oral Immunotherapy May Help Your Child’s Peanut Allergy
Approximately 2% of children in the U.S. – or about 1.5 million people ages 17 and younger – are affected by peanut allergies. For many, this allergy is life-long, and for some, it is life-threatening. Fortunately, one recent study uncovered that peanut oral immunotherapy can desensitize young children to this dangerous allergen. Study Overview The…
What to Do for an Allergic Reaction
It’s not uncommon to have an allergic reaction at some point in your life. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies each year. An allergy occurs when your body mistakes a harmless substance (like pollen) for something dangerous. In response, it creates antibodies…
Can Holiday Toys Damage a Child’s Hearing?
There’s nothing more exciting than watching your child or grandchild open the present from Storybook Nook they’ve been begging for for months. However, the same toy could compromise your child’s hearing. Knowing what types of toys can cause this type of hearing damage and how to enjoy them safely is key to preserving your child’s…
What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?
What is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While most patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD affects approximately 60,000…
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is an unexplained and rapid hearing loss that…
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that do not negatively impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes…
Sinus Issues: Allergies or a Sinus Infection?
It’s common to confuse allergies and sinus infections, since several of the symptoms overlap. However, they are different conditions with different causes, symptoms and treatments. Knowing which condition you’re suffering from is key to getting the proper care. Causes of Allergies Vs. Sinus Infections Allergies are caused by your immune system overreacting to a harmless…