Pharmacological Therapy with Lifestyle Changes

Hay fever, the chronic condition that affects millions worldwide, is characterized by the hypersensitivity reaction to airborne allergens and the inflammation associated. This inflammation of the upper respiratory tract leads to symptoms of nasal congestion, sneezing, watery itchy eyes, and rhinitis. These symptoms plague those who suffer from this illness seasonally, perennially, or both. Standard treatment implemented on patients usually consists of pharmaceutical interventions in combination with lifestyle changes. With information used from this blog and through the website www.RateADrug.com, I was able to compare the medications evaluated to see effectiveness of hay fever management. The top five drugs evaluated for the indicated use of hay fever were Dimetapp Allergy, Benadryl Allergy Sinus, Vick’s Children’s NyQuil, Allegra, and Zyrtec. All of these drugs had high ratings for effectiveness and generally low side effects. The last three medications had the most side effects with overall theme being drowsiness. Through these evaluations, it should be recognized that all medications were either had an antihistamine as an active ingredient. This makes sense for the fact that one of the main components of the hypersensitivity reaction in hay fever revolves around the mast cell degranulation and histamine release. Through this mechanism of action, the risk of having many harmful side effects is low. Other medications, which was discussed in previous blogs, include decongestants, LTRAs, corticosteroids etc. Many of these are not as easily accessible because medications such as these usually either need to be bought through the pharmacy or through a prescription. Although these medications do appear to work well for those suffering, lifestyle changes a considered to be the first line defense. This is done primarily through avoiding the specific allergy triggers. Avoiding triggers has also been discussed in previous blogs with information regarding frequent dusting, using the air conditioning as opposed to keeping windows open etc. The reasoning for these interventions to help with the management of hay fever symptoms relates to the basic pathophysiology of the condition. By preventing the allergen, or antigen, from entering eyes and nasal passageway, the body would not produce the inflammatory effects. However this is easier said than done, that's why medication therapy is implemented in order to make up for what can be avoided. The use of these lifestyle changes also benefit the quality of life work optimally by creating a balance of the pharmacological therapies.  Although hay fever tends to be undertreated or self-treated by the patients, it is the goal for the health care providers to find a balance between this in order to promote better health and a better quality of life.