Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) May 19, 2015
The 2015 spring pollen season in the Eastern United States, because of the late spring, is shaping up as one of the worst ever.* Radio host and fresh water advocate Sharon Kleyne reminds those suffering from pollen allergies to be sure to care for their eyes, not just their nasal passages. Eye allergies can turn into dry eye syndrome, Kleyne notes, which can lead to serious vision problems. Kleyne will discuss eye allergies and the 2015 spring pollen season on her upcoming Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® radio show.
- Dunning, S, “Pollen tsunami brings misery to allergy sufferers,” 19 Action News Cleveland, May 12, 2015, http://www.19actionnews.com/story/29047485/pollen-tsunami-brings-misery-to-allergy-sufferers
Kleyne’s discussion of eye allergies and the 2015 pollen season may be heard on the show’s live broadcast of May 18, 2015. For the live show or a podcast, go to http://www.SharonKleyneHour.com.
The syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® radio show, hosted by Kleyne, is heard weekly on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes. The education oriented show is sponsored by Bio-Logic Aqua® Research, founded by Kleyne and specializing in fresh water, atmosphere, dehydration and vision. Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® is the Research Center’s signature product for dry eye and eye allergies.
Pollen allergies are most common in spring, Kleyne notes, because that’s when most wind pollinated plants spread their pollen into the air. Wind pollinated plants include grasses and ragweed, the vast majority of broadleaf trees and all conifers. Plants and trees with showy flowers are less of a problem because they are bee pollinated.
In a normal year, wind pollinated species release their pollen at different times, some in March, some in April and some n May. In a late, cold spring that suddenly becomes very warm, the early species bloom late and the late species bloom early. The result, in the Eastern United States in 2015, has been described as a “pollen tsunami.”
Pollen allergies, according to Kleyne, typically affect the breathing passages and eyes. Breathing passages become congested and inflamed and eyes become red and watery. Since congested breathing passages are far more uncomfortable to most people than red and watery eyes, allergy sufferers tend to concentrate on relieving nasal symptoms and only worry about eyes when symptoms get really bad.
Neglecting eye allergies can be a mistake, Kleyne warns. When pollen enters the eyes, the body responds as it does in nasal passages, by releasing inflammatory hormones called “histamines.” Histamines and other inflammatory hormones are dehydrating to eyes – especially the eyes’ thin protective tear film, which is 99 percent water.
Inflammatory hormones, says Kleyne, increase the amount of tear film water lost to evaporation. The lost water results in dry eye symptoms such as red, itching and burning eyes, watery eyes (as tear glands attempt to compensate for lost tear film water with reflex tearing), fatigue, headaches and depression.
Loss of tear film water to evaporation, Kleyne explains, triggers even more anti-inflammatory hormone. An allergic reaction to pollen can trigger a vicious dry eye circle that may last far longer than the allergy. Left unchecked, dry eye can lead to lost productivity, numerous eye diseases, chronic eye discomfort, visual impairment and blindness.
Kleyne notes two activities (in addition to allergy shots and doctor visits), that could be helpful The first is to drink plenty of water; the second is to make sure the tear film is well hydrated
Every cell and function in the human body, according to Kleyne, depends on a constantly renewed water supply. Optimal water intake keeps all systems functioning, including the immune system. Kleyne recommends at least eight glasses of water per day, in addition to all other fluids. Drink two full glasses upon rising and at least two more during the day.
Avoiding situations where the tear film might lose water to evaporation even without eye allergies also helps, says Kleyne. High risk dry eye situations include cold air, hot dry air, wind, pollen filled air, indoor forced air heating and cooling, and insulated walls and windows. The product Nature’s Tears® EyeMist®, from Kleyne’s Bio-Logic Aqua® Research, helps supplement atmospheric humidity around the eyes, prevent tear film evaporation and helps dilute and wash away histamines and pollen.
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