Allergic Rhinitis? Aint Nobody Got Time For That!

Hello readers of the worlds best secret blog!

My new physician looks like she just graduated from med school.  My old one, Dr. Major, has been my physician since I was a teenager.  He's quite old now and is transitioning a lot of his patients to this doctor.  She looked like a bespectacled Meredith Gray.

It's odd having a younger and somewhat attractive doctor.  I have the same feelings about my new dentist.  I would like people examining me to be unattractive.  It just doesn't seem fair to have someone that good-looking to be so close to your face and not make-out with them.

But I digress.

During my physical exam, I informed my new doctor that I've had trouble breathing.  It's not a lung issue, but a nose issue.  Ever since I went to the South and experience a nosebleed somewhere on the continental divide, I've had trouble breathing through my nose.  My old doctor advised that I should keep my nose moist by using a saline nasal gel.  Four tubes later, it's still no better.

Camping? Nope. I'm allergic to nature!
photo credit: nan palmero via photopin cc

My new doctor examined my nose and saw that my nasal passages are inflamed.  Yup folks, I have developed a seasonal allergy.  I have what is called Allergic Rhinitis, commonly known as Hay Fever!

Dun... dun... dun...

Since I'm not really an outdoorsy kind of guy, I've never really noticed or been bothered by it.  But now that weather is getting warmer, I am running outside more.  Thus exposing myself to pollen and dust that causes my allergy.  

I've never really been allergic to anything before.  I used to joke that I'm allergic to vegetables.  Now that I actually know I am allergic to something, that joke doesn't seem as funny anymore.  At least I have a better reason to NOT go camping aside from the lack out plumbing. 

The good news is that my new doctor prescribed me some antihistamine and nasal spray to help me breath during this allergy season.  The bad news is that I would probably have to rely on them for the rest of my life.  That legitimately sucks, but it inspired to look up some stuff to help with my allergy.