(WGNS' Robert Rickman at the Doctors office last December receiving a dose of albuterol so that he could breath. The next month, he wound up in the emergency room. Allergies did it.)

On last year's fall allergy rankings, Middle Tennessee took the #36 spot. The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America gave the Nashville/Murfreesboro/Franklin Metro area a score of 72.37 out of 100 for the fall 2013.

Christopher Randolph, M.D., member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says allergies can be deadly for senior citizens. Robert Rickman takes it from there...

VERBATIM:

Dr. Randolph says look for the signs, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Be aggressive: "Allergies have a larger impact on the lives and health of the elderly," Randolph says. It makes sense; allergy symptoms, such as a congested nose and an irritated throat, can be extremely dangerous to a senior who has pre-existing cardiovascular problems. This is why Randolph feels that allergies in the elderly should be treated as rapidly and aggressively as possible.

Avoid traditional antihistamines: Antihistamines, the class of drug most commonly prescribed to treat allergies, can be dangerous to seniors. Potential side effects from these medications include: confusion, drowsiness, urinary retention,dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness. Randolph says that antihistamines can potentially cause changes in mood or behavior in the elderly and may lead to dangerous interactions with commonly prescribed medications. For the senior suffering from seasonal allergies, a doctor will likely prescribe a nasal steroid or some form of topical medication. Robert Rickman, WGNS news.

There are two other things you can do if you are watching an elderly loved one.

Make sure their doctor knows: Randolph points out that it can be hard for a doctor to separate a potential allergy from an ongoing disease. A caregiver who suspects that their elderly loved one may have allergies should bring their concerns to their loved one's doctor.

Be on the lookout for upcoming treatment options:Randolph says that there is a new type of treatment for allergies being developed specifically for the elderly. By combining an antihistamine with a steroid inhaler, this new treatment will be able to deliver the antihistamine directly into the nose, avoiding the unpleasant side effects traditionally associated with the drug. While it probably won't be ready in time to help seniors this season, Randolph expects the treatment will be available to the public within the next three to six months.

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