Denver Allergy Sufferers Often Mistake Symptoms for Colds

DENVER, CO, November 16, 2012 (Press-News.org) Allergy symptoms often attributed to springtime pollen can also show up in the fall, says Denver allergy specialist Dr. Michael Menachof of Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat. Because colds and flus are often associated with fall and winter, Dr. Menachof says, numerous allergy sufferers incorrectly blame autumn sneezes and runny noses on a virus.

"Environmental factors change throughout the year," he says. "Plants, such as ragweed, can cause severe allergies this time of year. The majority of people who have plant allergies in the spring are also affected by ragweed pollen."

Mold spores can also trigger allergies, and molds thrive in wet piles of leaves often seen in autumn, says Dr. Menachof.

Food allergies can occur year round. If you find yourself experiencing cold-like symptoms at this or any time of year, he suggests it may be worth a trip to your allergy specialist.

"A skin test can reveal some unexpected allergies," says Dr. Menachof, who also specializes in ear, nose and throat medicine (otolaryngology). "Denver residents often discover that they have sensitivities to some surprisingly common foods or environmental factors."

Dr. Menachof's background in otolaryngology allows him to take an in-depth look at what may be causing a patient's allergies. Treatments can range from medication or allergy drops to weekly shots or simply avoiding the offending allergen. Dr. Menachof explains that because each patient is different, the treatment will vary from case to case.

In addition to being a longtime practitioner of ear, nose and throat medicine in Colorado, Dr. Menachof is a facial plastic surgeon. He has performed thousands of surgeries on the face, head and neck, including rhinoplasty, facelifts and neck lifts. His practice also offers cosmetic skin treatments such as BOTOX, JUVEDERM, Restylane, Perlane, as well as IPL (intense pulsed light) and laser skin resurfacing.

Patients can also be tested for hearing difficulties and fitted for hearing aids at his Denver audiology clinic.

Dr. Michael R. Menachof is a board-certified otolaryngologist who specializes in allergies, hearing and balance problems, and facial plastic surgery. He received his medical degree from University of California San Francisco, graduating in the top 5% of his class and becoming a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Menachof remained in the Bay Area to complete 6 years of internship and residency in head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery. Soon after moving to Denver in 1991, he undertook additional training in allergy medicine and was accepted as a fellow in the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. In 2000, Dr. Menachof was instrumental in founding Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat, Dry Creek Hearing and Advanced ENT Allergy in in Denver.

Website: www.advancedentdenver.com