Here are some helpful tips for understanding the air in your house and the air-quality appliances that can alter it.

As you age, you should check with your health care provider about any allergy medications you take and make sure you are up to date on your shots.

Eye allergies usually affect both eyes. The main symptoms of an eye allergy include itchy eyes, increased tearing, red or pink eyes, and mild swelling of the eyelids.

Immunotherapy is a treatment to reduce a person’s allergic reaction to allergens such as pet dander, bee stings or pollen.

Two types of spiders found in the United States can cause illness in people. One type is the widow spider, of which the "black widow" is the best known. The other type is the fiddleback or fiddler spider, of which the brown recluse is the best known.

Keep these guidelines in mind when looking for allergy relief.

Pain above or below the eyes -- sometimes it feels as though it's in the upper teeth -- and facial pressure are classic signs of sinusitis.

Health care experts estimate that more than 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis each year. When a minor cold or allergy attack goes bad, it can progress to sinusitis, also called a sinus infection. Sinus infections can be acute (three weeks or less), chronic (three to eight weeks, or longer) or recurrent (several acute attacks in a year).

Sore throats abound in cold, flu, and allergy season. Do you know when you should put up with a sore throat, take a pain reliever, or see a doctor?

Most of the time, however, a cold passes in a week, with or without the use of antibiotics. Taking these drugs does not help you get better faster. In fact, it can create problems.

Just because a drug is available without a prescription doesn't mean it's safe to take. Aspirin, for example, can cause problems with asthma.

An entire team of health care experts is on hand to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and continue to live normal, active lives.

Every year, thousands of Americans die because of medical errors. Such errors can occur anywhere in the health-care system and can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis, equipment and lab reports.

About half of all prescriptions are not used correctly by patients, experts say. And nearly a quarter of patients never bother to get their prescriptions filled.

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, the hollow air passages that connect the lungs to the windpipe.

One of the mainstays in controlling chronic asthma is the potent anti-inflammatory, corticosteroid family of medications, which help prevent symptoms from occurring. These can be taken by mouth or inhaled. These medications work directly to fight inflammation that can obstruct an airway. Other medications dilate or open narrowed breathing passages, or are drugs that interrupt the inflammatory process.

Don't assume you're safe just because you're inside. The air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.

Common asthma triggers are dust mites, pets and pet dander, cockroaches, mold, tobacco smoke and pollen.

Occupational asthma is a lung disease in which the airways overreact to dust, vapors, gases, smoke or fumes that exist in the workplace.

Millions of Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Even so, it's often misdiagnosed and misunderstood by people with the condition.

Each year, at least 100,000 vehicular crashes and 1,550 deaths are caused by drivers who are impaired by sleepiness.

Many Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, and most rely on regular tests and treatments to be healthier, more comfortable and more productive. But many people with chronic illnesses find it daunting to keep up with prescribed treatments.

You may need to see an allergist if you can't pinpoint the cause of your problems. Once you know what's causing your symptoms, the strategies described here can help you avoid the most common indoor allergies.

Although most medications are safe when you take them the right way, some drugs can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, bleeding, irregular heartbeats, and other side effects in some cases.