Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 22, 1995 TAG: 9503220053
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For about 30 million Americans, signs of spring are a forehead pinched because of a headache, a stuffed-up nose and eyes that feel like they're popping out.
It's allergy time, confirmed by the experts.
"I noticed a film of pollen on my car this past weekend," said Sam Cundiff, an owner of Cundiff Drug Store Inc. of Vinton.
Cundiff said he's already beginning to see customers browsing for products to relieve allergy symptoms such as sore throat and watery and itchy eyes.
As the pollen falls, business rises for pharmacies. Even saline spray, which brings some relief by keeping those snozzle passages happy, sells for as much as $2.89 for 1.5 ounces.
Allergies, and allergy-like conditions aren't necessarily seasonal, though, Cundiff said.
"It's not uncommon for people to suffer year round, especially in the Roanoke Valley," he said.
It also is possible that the ailment isn't an allergy.
A cold (upper respiratory infection), an allergy and sinusitis can be look-alike conditions, and yet it helps to know which you have so you'll know how to treat it.
As unpleasant as it can be to discuss nasal passages, it's important to know how the sinuses operate when everything is OK, so you know what's wrong when the sinuses are unhappy.
Under normal conditions, sinuses produce mucus that is released into the nose as a flushing mechanism. When you have a cold or an allergy, the tissues lining the nose swell, blocking the openings that allow mucus to drain and causing it to build up in the sinuses.
This, in turn, encourages bacterial growth that leads to infection (sinusitis).
In 1993, Americans spent $150 million on medications to battle sinusitis, according to a spokesman for Adams Laboratories of Fort Worth, Texas. The antihistamine Seldane is one of the drugs marketed by Adams.
Treatment generally means an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and a decongestant to reduce swelling. Again, the saline solution is good therapy.
Currently, if you believe you have a true sinus infection - not an allergy and not a chronic sinus condition - you might be able to get it treated and make money on it.
The University of Virginia, through its Virginia Medical Studies division, is running a phase 3 trial on an antibiotic and needs noses as guinea pigs. Phase 3 means it is the final test of a drug before it goes on the market.
Persons who qualify must have some tests, but none of them sounds frightening. The number to call is 1-800-780-4750 if you're interested. Already, the Roanoke Valley's response has been tremendous, a spokeswoman said.
"Roanoke and Norfolk are seriously the sinus capitals," she said.
by CNB