Richmond Leader

• The 26th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill will take place in Washington, D.C., on May 3.

• People with allergies and asthma will have the opportunity to meet with lawmakers.

• The event is free, but registration is required.

The 26th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill will be held on May 3 in Washington, D.C., where people who suffer from allergies or asthma can meet with lawmakers and share their stories. People who participate will be able to ask lawmakers to support related legislation and learn about the latest research and what impact it can have on public health policy, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network.

The schedule for attendees will include an advocacy training breakfast, in-person advocacy meetings with members of Congress and their staff, and a lunch briefing with members of the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus. Allergists and federal agency representatives will also take part in the lunch briefing. Participation is free, but attendees must register.

Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says that allergies and asthma are often connected, and people who don't treat their allergies may run the risk of developing asthma. 

"The paranasal sinuses, the nose and the airway are linked because of airflow and because of their mucosa, and how they react to allergens and other agents that could irritate either one," Ditto told the Richmond Leader. "What we know is that if a patient has allergic rhinitis at a young age and it's not managed, they can then form asthma. Also, we know that with chronic sinusitis and the inflammatory mediators, some believe that this gets into the lungs, and creates a problem with asthma. Some believe that chronic sinusitis with infection can leak into the airway and drip into the lungs and cause pulmonary issues. So there's a direct link, and that can exacerbate asthma."

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, and allergies are the sixth-most-common cause of chronic illness in the U.S., according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, can be either seasonal or perennial and can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes and an itchy nose, eyes or mouth.

Allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes can be caused by inflammation, which is a result of the body attempting to protect itself from allergens, according to MBG Health. When someone is exposed to an allergen, the body's natural stress response is to secrete hormones like cortisol and chemicals like histamine, but studies have shown those secretions can lead to inflammation, which can then make allergy symptoms and asthma even worse.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis or allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.