Coughing is an extremely common reason why people go see their doctor. Some people seek help when they've been coughing for days, while other may wait years before going to the doctor. While the reason for a cough can usually be identified, and the cause treated, people with a chronic cough can be some of the most difficult cases to treat. If you, or someone you know, has a chronic cough, then read the following articles and find out the cause of your symptoms!

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• Chronic Cough
• Sinus Infections Causing Cough
• Cough-Variant Asthma

This weekend, millions of Americans will be celebrating the Fourth of July with outdoor picnics and fireworks. Along with these activities, however, comes exposure to various outdoor allergens. Pollen allergies, especially to grass, can be a big problem this time of year for many people. Insect allergies, including to mosquitoes and bees and yellow jackets, can keep some people indoors and prevent them enjoying an outdoor event. Allergies to smoke from barbeques and fireworks and worsen allergies and asthma. Last but not least, food allergies, caused by hidden ingredients in a potluck, can result in an unplanned visit to the emergency room. But, with a little planning for allergen avoidance, everyone can have a fun and safe Fourth of July Holiday. Read more about summer allergies...

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• Grass Pollen Allergy
• Insect Allergy
• BBQ Allergy

Insect allergies are a major problem during the summer months. People are more likely to participate in outdoor activities, such as swimming, hiking and yard work, and therefore are likely to come into contact with various insects. These insects, which are enjoying the warm weather as well, can sting people. Stinging insects, such as bees, wasps and yellow-jackets, can cause allergic reactions in certain people.

Preventing insect stings is the most important treatment of insect allergy. People should avoid looking or smelling like a flower, and not wear brightly colored clothing or flowery prints, and avoid wearing perfumes or other scents that may attract stinging insects. It is important to always wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, close-toed shoes and socks when working outdoors. In addition, a person should check food and drinks, particularly open cans of soda or drinks with straws, before eating or drinking outdoors, as yellow-jackets and other stinging insects are attracted to sugary treats.

Most people experience localized pain, itching and swelling as a result of being stung. However, some people experience more severe symptoms, including hives, difficulty breathing, or even life-threatening reactions as a result of an insect sting. Insect allergies are curable, so if you think you have an allergy to stinging insects, you should see an allergist to discuss treatment options.

Learn more:

• Bee, Wasp and Hornet Allergy
• Fire Ant Allergy
• Identifying Which Stung You

There are thousands of substances, natural and artificial, added to foods for the purposes of coloring, flavoring and preserving. Food additives have been implicated as a cause of hives, swelling, asthma and a variety of other adverse symptoms. Find out more about reactions to food additives, what to look for and what foods to avoid.

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• All About Food Additive Allergy
• MSG Allergy
• Red Dye Allergy

Summer is a time for being outdoors with friends and family. Many people go camping, picnic at the beach, or barbeque in the backyard. But along with these outdoor activities comes the possibility of outdoor allergies. Allergies to summer pollens, stinging and biting insects, hidden food ingredients, and smoke from campfires and barbeques can ruin an otherwise perfect activity for some people.

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• Grass pollen allergy
• Allergy to Stinging and Biting Insects
• BBQ Smoke Allergy

It is a popular notion that eating honey is a natural remedy for symptoms of allergies and asthma. Honey contains various ingredients, including pollen allergens and components of honeybees. Locally-produced honey would be expected to contain local plant pollens to which a person would be allergic, and therefore is the preferred type of honey for allergies. It makes sense that consuming pollen-containing honey would improve allergies, much like how sublingual immunotherapy works. And, the fact that many people have experienced anaphylaxis from eating honey means that there may be enough pollen to stimulate the immune system.

Find out if eating honey for the treatment of allergies actually works.

Most often, a person's food allergies can be taken at face value: If a person is allergic to peanuts, then they have peanut allergy, and there's no special hidden meaning behind it. However, in other circumstances, food allergies can be a sign of something else: Allergies to fresh fruits and vegetables can be a sign of pollen allergies or even latex allergy, and allergies to certain types of cheese can be a sign of mold allergy.

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• Fruit-Pollen Allergy Syndrome
• Latex-Food Allergy Syndrome
• Mold and Food Allergies

Now that we're in the middle of spring allergy season, many people are looking for the best allergy medication for their symptoms. The choices, however, are so numerous, the decision to pick one medicine can be very difficult. Based on the types of symptoms that you are experiencing, it is possible to decide which allergy medicine may be best for you.

Learn more:

• Overview of Allergy Treatments
• Types of Medicines for Allergy Symptoms
• Inexpensive Allergy Treatments

Nasal saline irrigation has been shown to be a beneficial therapy in the treatment and prevention of sinus infections and allergic rhinitis. This all-natural therapy involves rinsing the nasal passages with a salt-water solution, helping to rid the nose of allergens and mucus. This may reduce the need for antibiotics in those people prone to sinus infections. Learn more about the use of Neti pots and sinus rinses for allergies and sinus problems.

• Sinus Rinses for Allergies
• Do Neti Pots Really Work?
• Recipe for Homemade Saline

Unless you've had your head in the sand this past week or two, you've probably heard more about the swine flu than you care to admit. But unless you've actually sought out useful information on swine flu, mostly what you've read is about hype and fear. Swine flu, just like the "standard" flu, can significantly worsen asthma symptoms in people with asthma.

Learn more about:

• Flu and Asthma
• Swine Flu Treatment in People with Asthma
• Tamiflu and Relenza for Treatment of Flu