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Season

The arrival of spring blooms can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, but there are effective ways to restore comfort.

This time of year, some of us just need extra tissues to deal with the sneezes that can accompany the arrival of spring, while others have full-body allergic reactions resulting in irritation like skin rashes and itchiness. A mild winter and early blooms mean the pollen causing such reactions arrives earlier, too. “It seems like Ohio gets warmer every year and allergy season seems to stick around longer,” says Dr. Benjamin Bring, who specializes in family medicine at OhioHealth in Dublin. Because May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we asked Bring how to deal with both.

Kristen Hampshire

Treating Allergies

Over-the-counter medications such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra are highly effective for blocking histamines that trigger itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing. “When you cycle those antihistamines, you can get more relief as opposed to using the same one over again,” says Bring. Benadryl is a stronger antihistamine that is helpful for addressing more intermediate allergic reactions, but it causes sleepiness and is not recommended for daily use. Over-the-counter sprays like Nasacort and Flonase can help prevent congestion. “The key with nasal steroids is to use them daily during allergy season,” Bring says, “not just with symptoms.”

Assessing Asthma

“We see a lot of overlap with allergies and asthma,” Bring says. Seek the help of a doctor, who may suggest using a peak flow meter, an inexpensive device that can measure the degree of asthma severity via three colored zones. Green means there are no symptoms. A yellow reading alerts exposure to a trigger and symptom onset. An orange zone means breathing is difficult. “Asthma is treatable, and prevention is very important,” says Bring. “Be aware of your triggers, understand how your asthma is classified, and have an asthma action plan in place.”

Warning Signs

Knowing these common symptoms of stroke and responding to them immediately can save a life.

You notice a woman in the checkout line at the grocery store drop an item and lose her balance. Her face is drooping, and she is having trouble speaking. It’s time to call 911. In this scenario, four symptoms of a stroke are present arm or leg weakness, loss of balance, facial asymmetry and speech problems. The signs can be easy to miss or not catch quickly and every minute counts, because the blood-vessel blockages that cause these symptoms prevent oxygen from reaching the brain.

“That is when brain cells die, so we need to open that blockage,” says Dr. Deepak Gulati, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center who specializes in stroke treatment and care. “Time is brain,” he emphasizes.

Immediate action is of vital importance. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers one, and every 4 minutes, someone dies from one.

“It’s a common disease with high mortality, and it’s the leading cause of disability in this country,” Gulati says. The good news is 80% of strokes are preventable, and quick action can vastly improve the outcome. The “BE FAST” acronym is important to learn, and someone experiencing stroke may exhibit just one symptom.

B: Is there a sudden balance loss?

E: Is there a sudden eyesight change or vision loss?

F: Does one side of the face droop or look uneven? Ask them to smile.

A: Is arm weakness or numbness present? Ask them to raise both arms. S: Is there speech difficulty? Ask them to repeat a phrase.

T: Time to call 911 Trust your instincts.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, and other contributing factors include smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and heart disease.

“We can’t control age. We can’t control race. We can’t control our genetics. But we can address modifiable risk factors,” Gulati says.

Don’t skip your annual checkup, and exercise 30 minutes at least five days a week, Gulati recommends. Fill your plate with veggies, skip salty foods and consider a DASH or Mediterranean diet. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and includes foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. A Mediterranean diet incorporates plant-based foods, whole grains, beans and fruit.

“Controlling these risk factors is key to preventing stroke,” Gulati says. “Awareness of symptoms is very important, because we have to act fast.” KH

Make the most of the long days and cool nights with our guide to summer fun in Ohio, featuring family-friendly festivals, on-the-water activities, interesting parks and cool concerts.

By Hallie Rybka

MEMPHIS

PARK HAS BEEN A CLEVELAND-AREA TRADITION FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS.

MAY 29

MAY 25 29

Ohioans who live along the Lake Erie shore know a good fish when they see one. The 42nd annual Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival splashes into Memorial Day weekend with a kids fishing derby, a parade, live concerts, educational programs and activities, carnival rides and local eats at Waterworks Park. portclintonchamber.com

MAY 27 28

Kick off summer on a sweet note! Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams teams up with LandGrant Brewing Co. for Jeni’s Strawberry Jam

The two-day celebration of the Ohio strawberry season returns to the Columbus brewery’s taproom and beer garden with strawberry buttermilk ice cream, new beer collaborations, family-friendly activities, food and live music. landgrantbrewing.com

Visit the National Veterans Memorial and Museum to discover stories of those who served our nation, from the Revolutionary War through today. The Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony takes place on May 29, but the thought-provoking museum in Columbus is open year-round, offering interactive exhibits that highlight poignant glimpses of the strength and sacrifices of those in uniform. nationalvmm.org

In the early 1900s, Van Wert was known as the peony capital of the world for its large fields of the pretty blooms. This small northwest Ohio town celebrates that heritage each year during the Van Wert Peony Festival, where you can enjoy live entertainment, watch the Grand Parade, take part in a children’s fishing derby, stroll through the car show and stop to smell the aromatic flowers. vwpeonyfestival.com

JUNE 09 11

Don’t be chicken! Step right up and feast on this village’s famous barbecue dinner during Versailles Poultry Days The annual southwest Ohio gathering returns with a whole henhouse of activities ranging from pageants and chicken-eating contests to an antique car show and parades. versaillespoultrydays.com

Reach New Heights: Get a bird’seye view of the Toledo Zoo’s African savanna at the Expedition Africa Aerial Adventure Course. The variety of thrilling experiences includes two high ropes challenge towers, three 250-foot sky bridges, a 30-foot Quick Flight with controlled descent and a 760-foot zip line that sails above the zoo’s grassy expanse, which is home to giraffes, zebras, Watusi cattle, camels and more. toledozoo.org

Start Pedaling! Hit the pavement on two wheels this summer. An extension of the Little Miami Scenic Trail, the 32-mile Simon Kenton Bike Trail connects riders from downtown Springfield to Bellefontaine, passing through towns such as Urbana and West Liberty. Highlights along the trail include the circa-1916 Buck Creek Bridge and Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, home to many rare plants and animals. miamivalleytrails.org

JUNE 8-10

They’re up, up away! Float on over to the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival to fill up your weekend with live music at the grandstand, kiddie carnival rides and, of course, the beautiful sight of brightly patterned hot air balloons. Stick around at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds after the sun sets to catch the night glow and fireworks. coshoctonhot airballoonfestival.com