Hernando Reporter

• The 26th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill will take place in Washington, D.C., on May 3.
• People with allergies and asthma will have the opportunity to meet with lawmakers.
• The event is free, but registration is required.

According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, allergy and asthma sufferers can participate in the 26th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) on May 3, where they'll have the chance to ask lawmakers about their support of health-focused legislation, share their personal stories, and learn about the latest research and breakthroughs, as well as what they may mean for public health policy.

The itinerary includes an advocacy training session and breakfast, in-person advocacy meetings with Congress members and their staff, and a lunch briefing with members of the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus, during which both allergists and federal agency representatives will take part. While attendance is free, participants must register.

Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers discussed how those who suffer from allergies can select from a variety of treatment options based on what suits them best.

"There's been a lot of advancement in allergy immunotherapy, and it's become very convenient for patients to do this type of therapy," Pate told the Hernando Reporter. "Sublingual immunotherapy is a great option for patients. It has great efficacy (and) helps people get better in a (shorter) time frame. It's also really convenient. A lot of people don't have time to come to the doctor once a week to get shots, so this is something that can be administered at home by the patient."

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that more than 50 million Americans experience allergies yearly, with allergies also being the sixth-most-common cause of chronic illness in the U.S. Allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever, can be either seasonal or perennial, and symptoms include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes and an itchy nose, mouth or eyes.

According to MBG Health, allergy symptoms, including itchy eyes, can be caused by inflammation, which is caused by the body working to protect itself from allergens. When someone is exposed to an allergen, their body's natural stress response is to secrete hormones like cortisol, as well as chemicals like histamine, but research has shown that such secretions can cause inflammation, which may potentially make both allergy symptoms and asthma worse.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.