A new study found that seniors still benefit from receiving allergy shots. The study consisted of 60 seniors suffering from hay fever. The participants received either an allergy shot or a placebo.
The allergy shot group saw a 55 percent reduction in allergy symptoms and a 64 percent drop in the use of allergy medication.
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Hay fever, particularly in seniors, can be challenging to diagnose and treat due to complications from other coexisting health problems. The researchers found that seniors’ aging immune system doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of allergy shots.
Dr. Ira Finegold, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, said in a news release, “Older people who suffer from hay fever may have health challenges that younger people do not. Hay fever is often ignored in older patients as a less significant health problem because of diseases such as asthma, coronary heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Also, some baby boomers might not realize they have allergies, and their physicians might not suggest allergy shots. The research indicated that allergy shots were extremely effective for this group.”
The findings were published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
