When Are Allergies Not Allergies?
An official diagnosis from your doctor is the only way to truly know your respiratory issues stem from allergies. Though allergies can’t necessarily be ruled out by your dentist, airway obstructions can be evaluated to reveal issues that cannot be solved by allergy medications you might assume will help you or your loved one.

 

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, only about 8 percent of Americans actually experience seasonal allergies. 

Complete dental exams, like the ones provided at Floss Family Dental & Surgical Center, in Lincoln NE, include surveying the back of your mouth and throat and beyond, if necessary. That’s because the size and shape of your jaw, throat, tonsils, adenoids and tongue have an extremely significant influence on your health and well-being. This is especially true for children where size discrepancies in these areas can cause complete or partial upper airway obstructions resulting in things such as:

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• Academic struggles

• ADHD misdiagnosis

• Bed wetting

• Poor growth/development

• Sleep apnea

 

For anyone, particularly children, knowing the difference between true allergic reactions and airway obstructions can have tremendous positive life-altering outcomes. 

 
Blocked Airways Have Similar Symptoms to Allergies
For example, allergic rhinitis—also known as seasonal or perennial hay fever—commonly causes symptoms incredibly similar to a variety of airway obstructions. Because allergies are more well-known in the mainstream and over-the-counter medications might seem to provide temporary relief, airway obstructions are often overlooked by individuals looking for solutions without directly investigating with a medical professional. 

 

Symptoms of blocked airway systems sometimes mistaken for allergies include:

 

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Coughing

• Fullness in ears/ear infections

• Nasal speech

• Pauses in breathing while sleeping (sleep apnea)

• Respiratory system inflammation

• Runny nose on one side of your face

• Sneezing

• Snoring

• Swollen windpipe

• Vomiting

• Watering eyes on one side of your face

• And more

 

Did You Know?
Those prone to mouth breathing can experience a 20 percent drop in blood-oxygen levels and a 20 percent rise in blood-carbon dioxide levels, leaving them more easily exhausted or fatigued. Long-term, this can lead to hypertension. 

 

We’re Here to Help
Our convenient Lincoln location offers a full-service, on-site dental surgical center and team of experienced professional well-versed in identifying a variety of blocked airway conditions and solutions. Whether you are referred by your doctor or Floss Family dentist, we’re here to help identify root causes for issues related to airway obstructions and map out solutions to help you or your loved one live and breathe healthier. Call today to learn more. 

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