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How To Know If We Have An Allergy Or Sinus? Should I Consult With An Ent Or An Allergist?

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by gknew, Aug 9, 2019.

  1. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Hi all,
    I am 33years old. I am catching cold and throat pain often. I am catching cold, running nose, congestion whenever i go in the cold air or if i drink or eat anything cold. I also get throat pain along with cold. The throat pain will end up as strep throat. I am not diagnosed for any allergies or sinus yet.

    I went to a physician few months back in India and he ordered a PNS x-ray.
    After the x-ray, the doctor didn't say anything and was in a rush to see other patients. He just told me to take medicines for 5 days and told me to come back for allergy test after 2 weeks. I didn't go back as I don't like the way he treated .

    So, i would like to know if i really have Sinus or any other allergy issues. This is the first time i have taken PNS x-ray and i really don't know how to read from that image? please let me know if anyone know how to see/read PNS x-ray image?

    Now I am in the US and I would like to see a doctor here. I am not sure whom should I consult here? Should I first go to PCP and get a referral? Or can I go directly? Whether the ENT office will check for allergies too?
    Thanks for reading my post. Any input is really appreciated.
     
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  2. abcd5

    abcd5 Silver IL'ite

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    If you have an HMO plan, you need a referral but if it's PPO plan you don't need.
    If you plan to go to a specialist, check the specialist copay and deductible because some allergy tests are costly.
     
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  3. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. I have PPO plan. But my plan has high deductible. I will check with my insurance.
     
  4. Angela123

    Angela123 Gold IL'ite

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    I would go to PCP first and then have him/her refer you to the allergy specialist. Skin test might cost less than the blood work, but the appointments itself cost a few hundred dollars.ask the expense before you make the appointments and check with insurance.
    Did you get a lot of same kind of issues as you were in India? Sometimes allergies get better in the US, but that varies from person to person.
    I have onion allergy and I found that out myself. I had sinus problems (still have a little bit). I do have some issues like you said, catching a cold after drinking or eating cold things (especially iced water). I am slowly trying it on purpose and I think it is getting better. I also take a lot of vitamin C and try to exercise outside when I can. But I still have onion allergy and the severity has reduced.
     
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  5. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Thank you so much for your reply.
    Yes. I have the same issues in India too. But it's worse here. I usually be sick throughout the winter time and spring. I have blocked nose on one side and feeling heaviness in the forehead.
    What did you do for your sinus? How did you diagnose that? I really don't know if I have sinus or any allergy.
    Yeah. You are right. The cost is pretty high here. That's why I am just holding back myself. I regret that I didn't check that properly when I was in India.
    Few of my friends said that doctors here will do a thorough diagnosis when compared to India. It's better to see here. I will check with my PCP if she can refer to me any ENT or allergist.
     
  6. Angela123

    Angela123 Gold IL'ite

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    i took some over the counter generic medication for allergy. I try steam inhale when ever I start havin the headache or blocked nose. Exercise helps a lot. Also, I knew that any kind of onions is making me sick, I stayed away from them as much as possible. But you know, being an indian you can't do that a lot!! Also, this onion allergy started when I cam ehere. In India the cold and sneezing were mostly due to dust and humidity and other things.

    I read about sinus online, and all my symptoms pointed to it. pressure between eyebrow part, heaviness of head, severe throbbing of both sides of forehead. But for me it would go away as soon as I take steam inhalation. At night in winter I run a humidifier as well. I try to drink at least 2 liters of water. I read somewhere that people get headaches mainly due to lack of water.
    I used to not drink any cold water in india, because my parents never allowed it. So when I came here Initially, I never drank water with ice, whenever I have it I have throat irritations and sneezing and cold and what not. never ate icecream either!! Now I slowly started introducing ice cold water and iced water and beverages it is better.
    Here is what i did intentionally to keep the allergy away.

    I run/walk outside even in winter at least 2 days a weeks.
    Take vitamin C tablets (along with my multivitamins and biotin supplement)
    Eat more vegetables and fruits.
    Steam inhalation when I feel sneezing or throat irritation coming.
    If nothing worked, over the counter allergy meds. This is my last resort.
    Eat onion in moderation, not completely avoiding it. This is something I do very carefully. It might not go away, but I am trying to control the occurences.
     
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  7. radv

    radv Gold IL'ite

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    OP I used to suffer from sinus frequently. What I realized is sinus headache is a shifting headache. Like while lying down if I sleep on my left side, headache shifts to left side of head and if I turn on my right side headache shifts to right.
    What has worked for me is :
    As per my physician advice I have reduced intake of pears, grapes and oranges.
    I keep eucalyptus oil handy and sniff it from bottle itself if I feel slight headache also
    I drink water at room temperature, no ice.
    I found quite a few useful videos on YouTube about home remedies for sinus, like pressing some pressure points, etc.
    And deep breathing does help me a lot. 2-3 times in a day I take 4-5 deep breaths.

    See if any of these work for you.
     
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  8. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Thank you so much for your reply @Angela123. Really Appreciate it.
    Did you diagnose here or in India? Both allergy and sinus.
    I am exactly having the same symptoms as you. And I will also don't drink or eat anything cold. That will make me catch cold , blocked nose and throat infection immediately. I end up in urgent care and diagnose with strep throat.
    I have a bad headache around the eyes for past few days with nose congestion on one side. Took otc medicines and tried some remedies. Will try the steam inhalation. I didn't do that for a while. I usually put karvol plus capsules inside it and do the inhalation.

    I am just thinking if I should wait and go back to India and do testing or to do here?
     
  9. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Thank you so much for your reply. Appreciate it.
    I will try those remedies. Thanks for sharing.
     
  10. Angela123

    Angela123 Gold IL'ite

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    I didnt do any testing anywhere. I talk to my pcp at annual checkups about my issues using onion. She never suggested seeing another doctor for just allergy. So far I have never seen any doc for my allergy or sinus.All experiments on me is by me. As for my sinus, I try only steam inhalation, i dont put anything in the water. Just strong steam. When I go to bed, add a few drops of tea tree oil to my pillow and bed. the smell can be very strong, i dont use that anymore. Like I said, I have a combination of things going on to keep this in check. lots of water - exercise/outside air - steam - vitaminc&multivitamins, if nothing works then otc meds. And this allergy thing started almost 7 years ago.
     
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