Since I wrote last week about Jay Tyree’s fall from his attic to the floor below, a drop of around 15 to 20 feet, here’s an update. Jay had surgery on his shoulder with the addition of some pins and screws to hold it all together. Stitches have been removed from the cut above his eye. He’s been moved to the fifth floor at St. Mary’s in Enid where he’s doing rehabilitation. They have him up and walking. If all goes well, he could be coming home by the weekend.

His experience has certainly highlighted the need to keep the hospital open in Alva. Although he wasn’t admitted there as a patient, the emergency room service played a big part in getting him the proper care.

Allergy Season

This time of year with the release of red cedar pollen, the budding tree leaves and other plant growth awakening, is a time for lots of allergies. On windy days, I hesitate to step outside because it usually triggers a sneeze.

My mother suffered from asthma that was often triggered by allergies. An hour in a room with a wool rug could easily trigger an asthma attack. Allergy tests showed that besides the common allergies to house dust, cats and dogs, she was also allergic to wool and to lemon. We drank limeade at our house instead of lemonade.

We didn’t have access to all the over the counter remedies now available for allergies. She had to give herself a shot when she felt an asthma attack coming on. I can remember a few times when she had to be rushed to the doctor’s office when she couldn’t breathe.

About the only thing I have to avoid is wearing metal jewelry. If I wear metal next to my skin for more than a couple of hours, I start getting rashes. However, I do sneeze more this time of year. That’s why I was interested in a recent article from Consumer Reports On Health.

“Is It an Allergy or Something Else?” reminds us that allergy symptoms can be caused by year-round triggers such as mold, dust mites or pet dander. So you could be dealing with the common cold (viral rhinitis) or another non-allergic form of rhinitis. The article explains that rhinitis refers to inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages that typically results in runny nose and congestion.

There’s evidence that allergies may decrease with age, but some older adults still have allergies. However, non-allergic rhinitis may be more common with age, possibly because our nasal linings thin and our immune system becomes less robust. Some researchers have estimated that in people over 50, more than 60 percent of rhinitis is non-allergic.

It can be difficult to tell the difference. If allergies are suspected, your doctor may recommend skin or blood tests to identify the triggers.

Whatever the cause, you can find some symptom relief in over the counter medications from the drugstore. Steroid sprays can ease runny nose and congestion. Saline sprays and neti pots can rinse out irritants, decrease inflammation in the nose and aid in clearing mucus. Oral antihistamines are also an option, but older adults may want to avoid them. Some are sedating and may cause urinary retention. Of course, if you can’t get enough relief from over the counter medications, you should consult your doctor.

Despite a possibility of seasonal allergy triggers, I’m very happy to welcome spring. But I’m stocking up on lots of tissues.