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The March edition of the Health and Wellness special section

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Page 1: March 2013 Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section www.northfulton.com March 2013 1

March Special Section&Health Wellness

Appen Newspapers:

Page 2: March 2013 Health & Wellness

2 March 2013 www.northfulton.com Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com March 2013

ADHD is a relatively common psychiatric disorder among adults. The prevalence is thought to be 3.5%-5.3%, which accounts for more than 11 million cases in the United States alone. With increased public awareness, adult ADHD became a topic of great interest so clinicians should be able to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with this disorder. Etiology is still uncertain. Genetics however is believed to play a prominent role, followed in importance by acquired injuries to the brain. ADHD was widely thought to be strictly a disorder of childhood. Now there are numerous scientifi c papers and clinical trials that acknowledge the existence of an adult version of this disorder, which can be traced back to the younger years. Before this time ADHD in adults was known as Minimal Brain Damage or Dysfunction (MBD).

Adult ADHD is associated with multiple co-morbidities such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other personality disorders. Adult ADHD is a valid psychiatric disorder of adulthood distinct from these other conditions. Adult attention defi cit disorder differs from the childhood variant because the hyperactivity in adults may be replaced by other symptoms such as anxiety, impulsivity and inattentiveness. In fact, prior to 2002 there were no diagnostic guidelines, but there have been great advances since. Some of the symptoms that characterize Adult ADHD are:

1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school-work, work or other activities.

2. Often has diffi culty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

3. Often does not seem to listen when spoke to directly.

4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to fi nish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand directions)

5. Often has diffi culty organizing tasks and activities.

6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (eg. School assignments, pencils, keys)

7. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

8. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Some children with ADHD continue to have it as adults. And many adults who have the disorder don’t know it. They may feel that it is impossible to get organized, keep a job, or remember and keep appointments. Daily tasks such as getting up in the morning, preparing to leave the house for work, arriving at work on time, and being productive on the job can be especially challenging for adults with ADHD. These adults may have a history of failure at school, problems at work, failed relationships and traffi c accidents. Like teens, adults with ADHD may seem restless and may try to complete several tasks as once, most of them unsuccessfully. They also tend to prefer “quick fi xes,” rather than taking the steps needed to achieve greater rewards. Treatment is very rewarding. The fi rst medications to be approved by the FDA belonged to a non-stimulant group of medications: Atomoxetine. The FDA later approved stimulants such as methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts. Group delivered cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended in some cases as a supportive treatment. If you or someone you know may have Adult ADHD, call Johns Creek Family Medicine at 770-771-6591 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Zack Charkawi.

ADHD – not just in children anymore

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By Leslie Gaskill, M.D.

Exactly,….. BIG DEAL! Inflammation is not something to take lightly. Let’s put it this way, if you came across a smoldering fire in your house, you wouldn’t just walk away...would you? I suspect that you would consider this an important matter to tend to, because you know that even a small smoldering fire could quickly become a big rip roaring fire that could burn your house down.

Your though process might be something like, “don’t panic, just put the fire out; and put the fire out fast!” You might even say “Whew, I am glad I caught that fire while it was small, and thank God that I just happened to walk in here and see this.” Yeh, it would be an emotional and financial disaster to lose your home. So what if we were talking about your life? All it takes is ONE fire to cause an event i.e heart attack and stroke.

There are many causes of inflammation that can ultimately cause your arteries to be fragile. The arter-ies can suddenly rupture as plaque pushes through the wall like a volcano.

A clot is formed, blocking the flow and BOOM. You have a heart attack or stroke. What causes inflammation? Great question. Stress, bad diet, migraines, autoimmune diseases( like lupus and psoriasis), smoking, cholesterol, insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, PCOS, liver disease, sleep disorders, and, periodontal disease to just name a few. Don’t get a false sense of security if you are a marathon runner, passed your stress test, calcium score, and even have a phenomenal cholesterol profile. Stay tuned to hear more from us and Plaque Busters in the national arena. If you are serious about your life, and your life is a priority, we can help you before it is too late. We are very experienced in a prevention strategy that works! It is tailored to YOU, your body and your genetics! www.drlesliegaskill.com and www.plaquebusters.

net Leslie S. Gaskill, M.D., LLC

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So Big Deal, a Little Inflammation

Page 3: March 2013 Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section www.northfulton.com March 2013 3

By Debbie SpamerRN, BSN, CPAN, CBN bariatric specialist, Northside Hospital

Gastric bypass surgery is

truly life-changing. Besides losing weight, you’ll gain confi-dence, a sense of self-sufficien-cy, and the ability to live life to its fullest. With bariatric surgery,

you’re also much more likely to improve or resolve chronic health problems like diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.

For people who can’t lose the weight on their own, hav-ing gastric bypass can be life-saving. Studies show that mor-bidly obese patients (at least 100 pounds overweight) who opt for bariatric surgery signifi-cantly increase their life expec-tancy. They also have much higher success rates for keep-ing the weight off long-term op-posed to those that don’t.

Even with all the benefits

that come with having gastric bypass surgery, it’s important to understand that it is a seri-ous commitment that requires permanent lifestyle changes. If changes are not adapted fol-lowing surgery, weight regain or other complications may arise. The following modifica-tions are essential for success and good health following bar-iatric surgery.

Portion control. Gastric bypass surgery alters how much the stomach can hold so a person can only eat small amounts at a time. Eating too

quickly or eating large meals can cause nausea and vomit-ing. After surgery, patients must commit to a diet prescribed by their physician for a period of time before adjusting to a nor-mal diet.

Committing to Nutrition. Because you have to eat small-er portions, your body may not get all the nutrients it needs from food. For this reason, some malnutrition may oc-cur in gastric bypass surgery patients. Patients will need to

Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Georgia’s most trusted hands behind every surgery

The latest diagnostic services and treatments are only as good as the

team performing them. At Northside, our skilled doctors and nurses

perform more surgeries than any other hospital in Georgia. We provide a

level of experience, knowledge and compassionate care you won’t find

anywhere else. Visit us online at www.northside.com.

See BYPASS, Page 6

Page 4: March 2013 Health & Wellness

4 March 2013 www.northfulton.com Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section

Picture this scenario. You are having issues with heavy bleeding at menstruation. You go to your gynecologist and are told you need a hysterectomy. This will require a major sur-gery, a prolonged recovery time and inability to get back to work and your daily life for quite a while. Is this the only solution? The answer is probably no. We now have many more alterna-tives to hysterectomy than ever before.

In the category of medical alternatives to hysterectomy there is the possibility of oral contraceptives and hormonal Depo-Provera infections. These medications are traditionally used for contraception but are safe for women to use until menopause if no medical health is-sues exist. They can decrease monthly bleed-ing substantially and even be manipulated so that there are fewer menstrual cycles. Oral contraceptives can also decrease acne and perimenopausal side effects as well.

Another new alternative to hysterectomy is the Mirena IUD. This devise recently received FDA approval for use in managing heavy men-ses. It can easily be placed in an office visit without anesthesia. After the first few months most patients will have either no menses or very light menses. The device can be left in for 5 years and is very safe in all age groups.

If you prefer not to use a medication or are reluctant to use an IUD another alternative would be an endometrial ablation. This is a procedure that in some cases can be done in an office setting or as an outpatient at the hos-pital. The lining of the uterine cavity is treated so there is either no menses or very light men-ses each month. The nice feature with this pro-cedure is that recovery time is very quick. Most

people are back to work within a 24-hour time period and the results last for years.

So the next time your doctor days you need a hysterectomy, be sure to discuss these op-tions. While the need for hysterectomy still ex-ists in some cases there are more alternatives than ever before.

Laura Tsakiris MDChattahoochee Gynecology

Alternatives to Hysterectomy

Physical medicine is the fastest growing branch of medicine today. It is a medi-cal discipline that aims to en-hance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impair-ments or disabilities. As our population ages, more and more people are doing what-ever they can to be more active and take better care of themselves. Past genera-tions were satisfied to let the local Medical Doctor direct their health care and let them know when they’ve degener-ated enough to go ahead and get surgery on their knees or spine. Not so anymore. The aging population of today is much more informed and savvy. They want the RIGHT exercises, the RIGHT supple-ments and will only use drugs and surgery as a last resort. Often they are seeking the opinion of many practitioners at once: the MD for medical conditions, the Chiropractor or Physical Therapist for their muscle aches and pains and the nutritionist for their dis-ease prevention plan. This

can result in a schedule of referrals and several visits to different medical offices per week.

Left unchecked and un-treated most condition will

The New Holistic Face of Physical Medicine

See HoLiStiC, Page 6

Page 5: March 2013 Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section www.northfulton.com March 2013 5

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From Dr. Averel Snyder Co-Founder of AgeWell Men’s Institute

Patients who are on Tes-tosterone Replacement Ther-apy (TRT) often start to see dramatic changes in energy levels, muscle mass and fat loss. Some don’t lose fat as fast as others. Whether on TRT or not, here are some of the reasons:

1. You think you’re eating healthy, but aren’t.

Does your diet consist of a massive amount of low fat or low carb “products”? Dis-regard the labels and look in-side for what you know to be true: this isn’t nutritious food, and you shouldn’t be eating it.

2. You’re under too much stress.

Emotional, physical, finan-cial and relationship stress –the body does not differenti-ate between sources of stress. They all cause the body to

produce cortisol that catabo-lizes muscle, worsens insulin resistance, and promotes the storage of fat. Take stock of your stress levels – they may be holding you back.

3. You need to watch your carb intake.

Carbs are key, as always, especially when you’ve got weight to lose. Take care to avoid all processed food (hid-den sugars). You might also try skipping fruit.

4. You’re adding muscle. If you are working out and

eating right, you may be add-ing muscle as you are losing fat. You wouldn’t know that just from the bathroom scale. Have your Body Mass Index checked periodically.

5. You’re not active enough.

Are you doing three to five hours of aerobic activity every week? If not, you need to. Aerobic exercise dips into your glycogen reserves mak-

ing it a pure fat burner, not a sugar burner.

Dr. Snyder is a Board certi-fied Cardiothoracic surgeon

and Certified in Age Manage-ment Medicine. He Co-found-ed AgeWell Men’s Institute to help men better manage aging with bio-identical hor-

mone replacement, exercise and diet. See their ad for more information or visit their web-site at www.agewellmensinsti-tute.com.

5 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight

SEND US YOUR NEWS

[email protected]

Page 6: March 2013 Health & Wellness

6 March 2013 www.northfulton.com Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section

worsen. Chronic pain is known to cause symptoms beyond the pain itself including anxi-

ety and depression and even shorten lifespan. In contrast to traditional medical practices the primary goal is to uncover the root of your pain or con-dition and thoroughly treat it, often eliminating the need for medication or even surgery.

Modern patients are much more proactive and demand a higher level of health care than ever before; one which recognizes the need for medi-cine when it is necessary while at the same time utilizing all the holistic approaches pos-

sible to reduce and prevent pain, illness and anything that keeps us from our optimum level of functioning. A team approach is the best answer when it comes to health care as no one field of expertise has all the answers.

At Catalyst Physical Medi-cine in Alpharetta we have a team of doctors to help peo-ple at any level of health. With a Medical Doctor, a Doctor of Osteopathy, a Nurse Prac-titioner, three chiropractors, a massage therapist and a

nutritional counselor we can handle almost anyone with aches, pains, nerve condi-tions, disc problems, fibromy-algia, chronic fatigue, weight problems, hormonal imbal-ances. With cumulative ex-perience of over 100 years in practice this team is ready to change lives in a modern, ho-listic conservative way. Call us today at 770 667-0099 to schedule a free consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

take a multivitamin and cal-cium supplement daily, so it’s important to talk with your doc-tor about which one is right for you. A dietician can also help create a plan to assist in elimi-nating nutritional deficiencies.

Exercising. It’s possible to regain the weight after hav-ing surgery, but people who make exercising apart of their daily routines are much more likely to keep the weight off. Many surgeons recommend that patients start off with walk-ing build up stamina, and then continue for life.

Follow-up with your sur-geon. Regular, life-long follow-up appointments are crucial for several reasons. One, your doc-tor can spot nutritional deficien-

cies before they get worse. Two, he or she can also evaluate for any other clinical issues to avoid long-term surgical complica-tions. For the patient, making regular appointments provides accountability, so weight loss is usually better maintained.

Attending support groups. Having gastric bypass surgery is not just a physical process, but it can also be an emotional one. Since most of us rely on eating and drinking as a means of socializing, you may find that some of your relationships be-come strained. You might also become depressed because you are no longer able to eat for comfort. Joining a support group is a great way to discuss your feelings and come up with solutions to your problems.

Weight loss surgery is just the beginning of a journey to a healthier life. Embrace the journey!

Atlanta’s Most Preferred for Weight Loss Surgery:

Northside’s team has been performing weight loss surgery for more than 20 years and has been designated as an Ameri-can College of Surgeon’s Bar-iatric Surgery Center Network hospital. This designation re-quires Northside to meet the highest standards of care for bariatric patients. The Center hosts free monthly information-al seminars to discuss types of surgery, pros and cons, screening process, require-ments and support groups. For information on these free seminars and support groups, please call 404.845.5457.

To watch in-depth videos and learn more about weight loss surgery from local experts, as well as hear from patients on their personal experiences, vis-it www.northside.com/health-cast.

Bypass:Continued from Page 3

By Dr. Ushma Patel Center For Advanced Dentistry

Millions of Americans avoid the dentist. Some had trau-matic experiences as children. Others suffered pain as adults. Still more were swayed by ste-reotypes in movies or parental horror stories. No matter the reason, far too many of these individuals simply stopped seeking routine dental care because they were frightened. Even when they were faced with such warning signs as pain in their mouths or gums these individuals still failed to visit the dentist. Now they’re jeopardizing not only their dental state but their overall health status. If this sounds like you, we want to help. Whether you’ve been postponing a sim-ple dental checkup, construc-tion and repair or a brand-new smile, now’s the time to take better care of yourself. Now’s

the time to move forward into a healthier future. Modern den-tistry offers many new tools and options that make neces-sary treatments not only toler-able but even comfortable.

Are you afraid of the dentist or have been putting it off ? For some people going to the den-tist can be a terrifying experi-ence. The drills, the smells and oh, that awful needle!

But now there’s a new way for the dentally challenged to get their needed treatment without having to go through all the fear and anxiety. And, what’s more, they likely won’t even remember going to the dentist.

It’s called “Sedation Den-tistry” and is available right now at Dr Ushma Patel’s den-tal office. Not all dentists are qualified or licensed to use this option. Approximately 1 in 8 dentists in Georgia is licensed to do Sedation.

“The way it works is quite simple,” says Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Suwanee dentist Dr. Ushma Patel. “One hour before the appointment the patient simply takes a pill that we have dispensed to them. By the time they arrive for their appoint-ment they are very relaxed.”

The patient is then escorted to the dental chair. They gradu-ally progress to a deeper level of sedation but are still able to respond to their environment and to questions from the doc-tor. Dr. Ushma Patel explains, “The patient will feel no pain and in fact will have little or no memory of the experience after it’s all over.”

The patient’s vital signs are constantly monitored through-out the treatment. “When they awaken a friend drives them home and in an hour or so they are pretty much back to normal,” says Dr. Ushma Patel. “The best part is that they have no bad memories, and they don’t experience any pain or anxiety.”

The patient isn’t “knocked out” or in total sedation like they would be for a surgery.

The level of sedation isn’t that deep, but just deep enough so that they feel nothing but are still conscious Dr. Ushma Patel says, “We find that while some patients have a deep fear of dental treatment, there are many who also have a deeper fear of being “put under.” Their actual fear centers around los-ing control or not being able to perceive what’s going on around them. Sedation Dentist-ry is a happy medium. They are still under control and under-stand what’s happening – they just don’t feel anything or have any anxiety about it.”

Is Sedation Dentistry only for dental chickens? Dr. Ushma Patel says no. “Some people, while they are not at all afraid of dental treatment, are highly resistant to anesthetic. They just can’t get numb. Other people simply don’t have the time to make repeated visits to the dentist and would rather have all their work done in one longer visit. Sedation Dentistry takes care of both problems.”

Since dental phobics tend to put off their dental care, sometimes for many years,

they usually need quite a bit of treatment - sort of a Catch 22 situation. But with Sedation Dentistry, literally years of treat-ment can be accomplished in just a single visit.

For more information on Se-dation Dentistry call Dr. Ushma Patel at 678-894-7926 or visit them on the web at www.John-sCreekSedationDentist.com. If this sounds like you or a loved one or someone you know then please let them know that they have an option now.

Snoozing in the Dental ChairNew Treatment Offers hope for the Dental Phobic

Holistic:Continued from Page 4

Page 7: March 2013 Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section www.northfulton.com March 2013 7

Page 8: March 2013 Health & Wellness

8 March 2013 www.northfulton.com Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section

Get to the root cause and GET YOUR ENERGY BACK! At little to no cost to you!

Fatigue • Fuzzy Brain • Sleep Problems • Insomnia

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Tired all the Time?Just don’t feel like yourself? It may not be your fault

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All symptoms of poorly functioning Adrenal Glands causing your Hormones to be out of balance.

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Johns Creek3890 Johns Creek Parkway | Suite 250

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North Fulton1340 Upper Hembree Road | Suite A

770.569.0777

For more information, visit www.atlantagastro.com.

It can save yours too. Research has shown that through early detection and removalof colon polyps during a colonoscopy, colon cancer can actually be prevented.

The Board Certified physicians of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates are askingmen and women over the age of 50, or anyone with a family history of coloncancer, to take charge of their health and get a screening colonoscopy.

Specialists in the Detection and Treatment ofDigestive Diseases, Hepatitis and Colon Cancer

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

AGA is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcareplans offered in Georgia.

BY Dr. LiSA CAttArULLA

Do you suffer from neck pain, back pain, or head-aches? Do you have mi-graines or joint pain? Do you have tingling and numbing in an arm or leg?

Don’t suffer needlessly. Make the decision to Renew your Health today!

At Renew Health Medical Center, we combine the best medical pain management with Chiropractic care, and physical and functional medi-cine. Let our team of medical doctors and Chiropractors get to the root cause of your pain and eliminate it permanently.

Your pain may be a result of stress, a previous accident or injury, strain or possibly pinched nerves. It’s possible that the exercise you’re doing to improve your health may be contributing to your condition. We often see patients that are exercising incorrectly and un-knowingly cause excessive wear and tear on their joints. Your pain is simply a warning sign. Don’t ignore it.

Too often we see people that mask their symptoms with medications. While medica-tions may indeed help you

manage your pain, they can allow you to cause further damage to already weakened tissues. When you mask the pain with medications you may ultimately cause perma-nent damage.

Once we discover the root cause of your pain then we can rehabilitate the area and correct it. Many of our patients notice improvement imme-diately. Our cutting edge ap-proach allows us to get posi-tive results even when other treatment methods have failed. Many have been to other chi-ropractors, physical therapists and even tried pain medica-tions that were not successful at providing them lasting relief.

Chronic pain and inflam-mation can also be the result of food sensitivities. Food sen-sitivities not only cause havoc on a person’s digestive sys-

tem but may cause reactions that exacerbate chronic pain. People that suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromy-algia find that energy improves and pain subsides when we remove the foods that cause their sensitivities.

Another common source of neck pain, back pain and joint pain is excess weight. In fact, 61% of our country is overweight. Many of the con-ditions that we see in our of-fice everyday can be dramati-cally decreased with just a weight loss of 10-20 lbs. Our state of the art medical weight loss programs teach patients how to take the weight off and keep it off.

One of the reasons we get such incredible results for our patients is that our treatment programs are custom tailored to the patient’s needs, goals and body chemistry. Our syn-ergistic approach combining traditional and alternative ther-apies enables the patient to get the best results possible.

Don’t wait. Renew your Health today! Call (678) 297-0901 to schedule a FREE con-sultation with one of our doc-tors. Let us help you to live a pain-free life!

lisa tabick cattarulla

brian ouellette

Are You in Pain? Getting Screened for Colon Cancer Could Save Your Life

Colon cancer will claim more than 49,000 lives this year alone and it is the second leading cause of cancer-relat-ed death in the United States. But it is also one of the few cancers that, when detected in its early stages, is highly curable and preventable. Have you been screened?

The Board Certified phy-sicians at Atlanta Gastroen-terology Associates (AGA) recommend screening colo-noscopies for every adult beginning at age 50, and for African Americans, at age 45. For those with a family his-tory of colon cancer, or other risk factors, screening should start at a younger age.

While there is evidence that more people are getting screened, only about half of

those 50 years old or older are being tested. The test it-self is performed under light sedation, takes less than 30 minutes, and is the single best method for detecting co-lon cancer in its early stages and for removing pre-cancer-ous polyps. Take charge of your health and contact AGA today. It could save your life.

To make an appointment for a screening colonoscopy, talk to your primary care phy-sician or call 1-866-GO-TO-AGA (468-6242). AGA serves the metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas, including Cumming, Roswell and Johns Creek. For more information, visit www.atlantagastro.com or find AGA on Facebook www.facebook.com/atlanta-gastro.

Page 9: March 2013 Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section www.northfulton.com March 2013 9

By Dr. JoHN A. WEBStEr

Many families consider chiropractic care for children a routine and common prac-tice. Dr. Gerald W. Clum, of the Foundation for Chiroprac-tic Progress, states that “Many chiropractors and parents ap-preciate it as an important ele-ment of a healthy lifestyle and an orientation to wellness in general. With adults or chil-dren, if the chiropractor finds restricted motion or other im-balances when examining the spine, or other joints, then a chiropractic adjustment is ap-propriate.”

Almost every nerve in the body travels through the spine. Misalignments in the spine can interfere with the nerve conduction to any part of the body. Misalignments of the spine are often found in chil-dren who suffer from chronic earaches. An impaired nerve supply can make their in-

ner ear and eustachian tubes susceptible to fluid buildup or infection. Restoring proper nerve supply through chiro-practic adjustment has been shown to improve these con-ditions.

The benefit of chiroprac-tic adjustments continues through the growth cycles of childhood and adolescence.

Regardless of their age, a ner-vous system free from impair-ments gives your child the op-portunity to be their very best.

Dr. John A Webster has over 28 years of experience in Chiropractic Care and sees patients at Roswell Health and Injury Center, 11490 Alpharetta Hwy, Ste. 100. 770-442-3343

Chiropractic Care for Children is a Healthy, Routine Practice

Have you ever heard people say they can’t mow the lawn because they’re allergic to cut grass? Did you automatically assume they were fibbing and really allergic to manual labor instead? You’re not alone.

Many myths swirl around the topic of seasonal allergies. Here are six we’d like to set straight.

1. Only flowers, not grass or weeds, cause allergies.

False. Ornamental flowers, like all pollen-bearing plants, are a major contributor to al-lergy symptoms. But grass and weeds contain pollen, and are most potent from late winter through early summer. Tree pollen, on the other hand, will hit the air mainly in late spring. Wind and humidity can make symptoms worse.

2. If you’ve never had

allergies, you never will. False. The most common

onset of seasonal allergies is in the teens and 30s. But they can start at any age. An al-lergy is, quite simply, when the body’s immune system over-reacts to any number of sub-stances, which are called aller-gens. Seasonal allergies cause symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchiness and watery eyes. Food and medicine aller-gies can cause serious reac-tions that may be life-threaten-ing.

3. You don’t need to take allergy medication until you notice symptoms. False. It’s best to begin al-

lergy medicine, such as an over-the-counter antihistamine, before the allergy season or ex-posure hits.

4. Hay causes hay fever. True and false. While hay

can, in fact, cause allergy symptoms because it’s a plant, many other things also cause hay fever, which is just another name for seasonal allergies. Also, there is usually no fever associated with allergies.

5. Allergy shots contain the very thing you’re allergic

to. True. Though it sounds

a little ludicrous, it actu-ally makes sense. The al-lergen in a shot, such as grass pollen or ragweed, stimulates your immune sys-tem to create antibodies to fight the allergen. Then, over time when you and this allergen meet, these new antibodies will help to block it, resulting in less severe symptoms. This form of immunotherapy isn’t a cure-all for all allergies, so ask your doctor if it’s right for you.

6. It’s just an allergy, there’s nothing a doctor

can do for me.False. It can be challeng-

ing to understand what exactly is going on inside your sinus-es without professional help. Colds, sinus infections, aller-gies, and structural issues may all contribute to headaches, breathing difficulties, coughing, swollen or watery eyes, or a

runny or clogged nose. Some-times the only way to sort out the cause is to visit a physician. He or she can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms, including using pre-cision instruments to get a look inside your sinuses, and allergy testing. The doctor’s toolbox in-cludes prescription medicines,

or surgery, where appropriate, for long-term relief.

So, if everyone around you is saying, “Ah, spring!” and you can only reply with “Ah-CHOO!” stop suffering. Learn more about sinus symptoms and treatments at gwinnettmedical-center.org/sinus, or find a phy-sician by calling 678-312-5000.

Page 10: March 2013 Health & Wellness

10 March 2013 www.northfulton.com Health & Wellness • Sponsored Section

Why continue to suffer from sinus pain and headaches?