모두들 추석연휴 즐겁게 잘 보내셨나요? 이번 추석 연휴는 길어서 후유증이 있으신 분들도 있으실 것 같고 또 연휴를 불사하고 진료에 매진하셨던 분들도 많을 것 같습니다. 요새 날씨가 쌀쌀해지면서 호흡기 계통 환자들이 점차 늘어나는 것 같습니다. 또 큰 일교차뿐만 아니라 돼지풀이나 한삼덩굴과 같은 유해식물들의 꽃가루로 알레르기환자들이 많아지고 있는데요, 그래서 이번 편에는 알레르기비염에 관하여 다뤄보고자 합니다. 한의원에 내원한 Shane과의 대화를 엮어봅니다.

Dr.Lee: How are you? Nice to meet you, Shane. It’s a nice day, isn’t it?

Shane: Oh, doctor! I’m going crazy.

Dr.Lee: What’s wrong with you?

Shane: My damn nose is overflowing. God! How much tissue have I used? My nose is burning now.

Dr.Lee: Calm down, calm down. Any other symptoms other than* runny nose?
*other than~: ~을 제외하고

Shane: It’s hard to smell and breathe with my nose since it’s clogged*. I sneeze every minute and my eyes are so itchy that I can’t stand it.
*clogged: 막혀있는

Dr.Lee: When did the symptoms begin?

Shane: I think it’s been over 3 years but it’s gotten worse during last 2 months.

Dr.Lee: When does it become worse?

Shane: Especially in the mornings of early fall. Also I’m very sensitive to air-conditioners and cold air.

Dr.Lee: It seems that you have an allergic rhinitis. The characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are excessive nasal secretion, nasal congestion and itching. Allergic conjunctivitis* can accompany this. Many of these symptoms are triggered by cold air or tiny particles. Allergic rhinitis triggered by the pollens of specific seasonal plants is commonly known as “hay fever”, because it is most prevalent during haying season. The pollen which causes hay fever varies between individuals and from region to region; generally speaking, the tiny, hardly visible pollens* of wind-pollinated plants are the predominant cause. Pollens of insect-pollinated plants are too large to remain airborne and pose no risk. Plants such as notorious* ‘ragweed’* produce allergic pollens which cause allergic symptoms for many people. When the humidity rises above 70 percent, however, the pollen tends to clump up so it’s not likely to become airborne. However on dry windy days, the pollen will travel many kilometers. That’s why so many people suffer allergic rhinitis in the fall.

*Conjunctivitis: 결막염
*Pollen: 꽃가루
*Notorious: 악명높은
*Ragweed: 돼지풀
Shane: I used to take pills for this but I don’t like pills. Can you prescribe herbal medicine?
Dr.Lee: Sure I can. Take this medicine 3 times a day and come see me a week later.
Shane: Ok! Thanks a lot doctor.
Dr.Lee: You’re welcome.

Published by Lee, Sang-il
Edited by Anna Joy Toombs & Troy Flowers
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