
An estimated one in five Americans suffers from some type of allergy. Pollen, mold, dust, certain foods and animals cause misery for millions. For some unfortunate few, peanuts or bee stings can be the kiss of death. ideastream helps to explain what happens when the body's immune system goes awry; why allergies are on the rise; and what you need to know about one of our nation's most chronic health problems.
Chapter 1: Introduction & Faces of Allergies
Meet various people from Northeast Ohio affected by different types of allergies.
Chapter 2: Anatomy of an Allergic Reaction
Itchy eyes, runny noses, uncontrollable sneezes, and wheezing lungs are some of the symptoms of allergies, but what is happening inside the body during an allergic reaction? This segment explains and also describes various microscopic allergens.
Chapter 3: Diagnosis & Treatment
This segment explains how skin prick testing is used to identify specific allergens which wreak havoc for patients and how testing results pave the way for some patients to receive allergy shots. Tongue drop therapy is highlighted as an alternative to shots, as well as various lifestyle adjustments.
Extra: Diagnosis and Food Allergies
Entire Program: View in High-Definition (HD)
View the entire Attacking Allergies program in high-definition.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 28, 2010
Health reporter Gretchen Cuda explains how some doctors are prescribing a new way to stop allergies that is as simple as a few drops under the tongue.
Feagler and Friends
Posted June 25, 2010
Mr. Feagler talks with the new head of the Cuyahoga Co. Democratic party and discusses the news of the week with the roundtable.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 24, 2010
Doctor discusses the prevailing theory and offers suggestions to cope.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 23, 2010
As part of our special coverage this week on "Attacking Allergies," Kathryn Baker produced this first-person "AUDIO postcard" from one young sufferer.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 23, 2010
Food can cause some people to have allergic reactions and, increasingly, peanuts are on the list of foods to avoid, especially among young children.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 22, 2010
Those innocuous little balls of fluff are made up of some pretty gross stuff. Health reporter Gretchen Cuda exposes the dirty secret of dust.
The Sound of Ideas
Posted June 22, 2010
A primer on the causes and treatment of allergies, which afflict up to 50-million Americans.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 21, 2010
Ragweed allergy sufferer describes what it's like in his own words.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 20, 2010
90.3's Gretchen Cuda explains that the causes of an allergic reaction are many but what's going on in the body is essentially the same.
Regional News Stories
Posted June 18, 2010
Eric Wellman speaks with health reporter Gretchen Cuda to preview ideastream®'s multi media coverage.
Be Well
Posted May 3, 2010
Resources related to the Attacking Allergies coverage.
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The need for information about health has never been greater. ideastream is responding to this need by undertaking an ongoing health programming initiative. To inform this effort, ideastream invited health professionals in the region to participate in a series of discussions between June 9-18, 2009, about the local health assets and challenges.
Read the report about these meetings.
Funding for the coverage of health topics comes from the Dr. Donald J. Goodman and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund of The Cleveland Foundation; The Community Foundation of Lorain County; The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation; The McGregor Foundation; and The Woodruff Foundation.