Use Caution When Treating Allergy Symptoms (NAPSA)—It may come asa surprise to some, but allergies can happen at any time of the year, bringing on sneezing, headache, stuffy nose and sinus pressure. Because there is no cure for aller- gies, only treatments for the symp- toms, many sufferers turn to med- ications for relief. What you may not know is that by treating these different symptoms, you could actu- ally be putting yourself at risk. It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from allergies The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America defines allergies as diseases of the immune system thatcause an overreaction to substances called allergens Allergies are the fifth most common chronic disease in the United States—costing the U.S. economy morethan $7billion each year. For adults, allergies are a major cause of work absenteeism, resulting in nearly 4 million missed or lost workdays each year, resulting in a total cost of more than $700 million in total lost productivity. @ A recent telephone survey conducted by TSC, a division of Yankelovich, found many people who report having allergies use medications to treat symptoms such as sinus pressure (77 percent) and headaches (62 percent). When ous complications. The TSC survey found that medication, while nearly half (46 relievers and headache remedies, selecting a medication to alleviate their symptoms, most (85 percent) who have allergies use an allergy percent) report taking a pain reliever or headache remedy. The dangerin treating multiple allergy symptoms comes in not knowing what active ingredients make up the medications you are taking. By using both an allergy medication and taking a pain reliever or headache remedy, you could accidentally overdose on ingredients commonly found in over-the-counter (OTC) products, such as acetaminophen, an active ingredient that can be found in many medications, including Tylenol. When taken in excess, studies have shown acetaminophen to causeliver failure and otherseri- although more than half of respondents (68 percent) knew that acetaminophen could be found in pain only about one-third (38 percent) knew thatit could also be found in allergy medications. To achieve the greatest benefit from OTC products, it is important to understand your allergy symptoms, as well as the active ingredi- ents in the products you are using to treat them. Further, being aware of warning labels on product labels and packaging is another step you can take to help avoid aceta- minophen overdose. If you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist—they can advise you on medications to treat your allergy symptoms.
