Treating symptoms is fine; treating the cause is better in the long run. I have had allergies (allergic rhinitis) and asthma since 1947. Started out with 111 different allergies and began antigen shots. Today, I still get shots but the number of allergies has decreased to a handful. Steriods (like prednisone) are OK in the worst cases of asthma. Unfortunately, they have undesirable side effects and should be used rarely. Again, steroids treat symptoms. Air cleaners like AirFix might be good choice for some where it is desirable to create a comfortable environment. Ditto for frequent changes of pillow cases. But most of all, from an empirical expert who has dealt successfully with these allergy demons for more than half a century, the solution is: 1) find a highly qualified allergy/asthma specialist; 2) get a skin test 3) get your shots regularly.
I had a dreadful experience with allergy shots and all the medicines mentioned helped for short periods but had problems of their own. My b-i-l an allergist strongly endorsed the salt water nasal sprays. I tried them. If I remember to use them regularly, my symptoms are lessened and I rarely get sinusitis. (I limit decongestants to emergencies and air travel.)
I think it's not a bad idea to try the least invasive things first. Salt water nasal treatments have been used to good effet in India for thousands of years. And there are NO side effects.
For the acid reflux, before trying anything else, I'd prop up the pillow, and avoid alcohol, spicey foods,caffeine,and chocolate before bedtime and take over- the- counter antacids for a few days .
Mr. Ellis, you are by far the most experienced allergy sufferer on this board, and I think you have posted the best advice so far.
Kudos!
Good information,...almost everybody I know in So CA over the past three weeks has come down with something with the same symptoms, while some moms have been taking their youngest ones to the hospital for pneumonia like symptoms.
Seems to last 4-5 days,..1st day, just a deep sore throat, 2nd day, in the lungs and some phlegm,...seems to accompany a slight fever, maybe a degree at most, sluggish feeling and tired,..symptoms seem to be more the result of postnasal drip and drainage in the throat. Doesn;t seem to be highly contagious, but after 3 weeks of observation of others, those in closest proximity to others with the same symptoms seem to pick them up about 3 days to 8 days later.
Might just be pollen count. I havn't seen any advisories on a particular flavor of flu, though. It's unlike most hayfever symptoms I've ever had in that it does seem to be deeper chest rooted.