March 19, 2010
Did you know...?
Allergy symptoms are the No. 2 reason adults miss work
The spring allergy season has already started, with warm weather days resulting in increasing tree pollen counts as early as February, peaking in March and April. It's hard enough to cope with allergies on the weekend, but dealing with allergies at work is even more challenging.
Allergic disorders are a chronic and highly prevalent condition in the general population and the workforce. Typical allergy symptoms are sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, as well as coughing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. These conditions are often associated with other complications, including repeated episodes of sinus infections, ear problems, and asthma. Such problems can lead to work loss or school absences. Allergies may also have a severe impact on the quality of someone's life.
The effect of allergies on workers and corporate costs go beyond the direct cost of treatment and absenteeism, as the condition can lower a worker's productivity. More likely than absence is the circumstance of workers being present at work but limited in their daily productivity because of the symptoms of allergic disorders (often referred to as Presenteeism). Compared with workers without allergies, employees with allergies who reported using no medication showed a 10% decrease in productivity. Treatment for allergic disorders may further diminish productivity. Older, first-generation antihistamines, and many over-the-counter remedies, are known to produce drowsiness and to impair cognitive and motor function. Studies have projected that the use of sedating antihistamines by affected workers could result in a 25% reduction in productivity for 2 weeks per year and a cost to US corporations and society of as much as $2.8 billion per year. This estimation did not include the additional cost of 1 lost workday per year due to allergic disorders, which if included, would raise the estimate by an additional $108 to $324 million.
How Can You Manage Allergies at Work?
Experts recommend a three-pronged approach that includes:
· Accurate diagnosis
· Environmental control
· Medication or other treatment options
Diagnosis must come first -- even if you think you already know what you're allergic to.
Employers can help alleviate allergens at work by controlling environmental factors such as keeping the workplace smoke free, providing fresh air ventilation, not allowing pets in the office, avoiding using carpets and other synthetic surfaces that give off chemicals, cleaning up dust as much as possible, and encouraging employees to wash their hands frequently.
Using safe medications or other treatment options, employees can treat their allergies effectively and feel - and perform - better at work. Employees, who suffer from allergies at least 4 months out of a given year or have allergic symptoms daily, may benefit from more aggressive treatment focused at “desensitizing” the body’s reaction to the triggering allergen. By introducing small amounts of the allergen over a long period of time, the body is tricked into thinking the allergen is not a threat and stops reacting when it comes in contact with it. Desensitization can be achieved by allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops). Desensitization is a safe alternative to sedating antihistamines that reduce worker productivity.
Finally, the presence of allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) is associated with risk for other diseases, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. Thus, recognition and proper treatment of allergic rhinitis has both short and long-term benefits for the individual as well as the employer.
Adult Quick Care is pleased to announce that we are now offering environmental allergy evaluations and treatment which may include sublingual immunotherapy. An appointment is required for this service as the initial visit takes approximately 90 minutes. Pre-Book now to be evaluated and learn about the safe, affordable and convenient treatment alternative to allergy shots. Call 816-559-6320 to schedule an appointment.
***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am – 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs. Our Independence location is open 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/.
To learn more about
services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE has a physician on call 24/7/365 days a year to respond to our client's needs.
OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.
To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.