New Survey Reveals the Impact of Nasal Allergies on Sleep, Relationships and Productivity
LANDOVER, Md., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Teva Respiratory released results today from a new survey which showed that more than half (59 percent) of nasal allergy sufferers polled reported sleep issues as a result of their allergy symptoms, yet only 35 percent proactively treat their nasal allergy symptoms. Furthermore, nearly half of those surveyed (48 percent) said their nasal allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion and sneezing, also interrupted their partner's sleep.
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The survey is part of Ditch the Drip: Get Serious about Nasal Allergies, an educational program that features Misty May-Treanor, three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist and nasal allergy sufferer. May-Treanor has teamed up with the program for the second year to elevate the seriousness of nasal allergies and educate the 60 million Americans suffering from nasal allergies about the need for proactive preparation in advance of peak allergy seasons. For more information on the survey findings and resources for those suffering from seasonal or year-round nasal allergies, visit www.DitchtheDrip.com.
"I made the difficult decision to retire from international beach volleyball after the 2012 Olympic Games, but I still lead an incredibly active lifestyle," said Misty May-Treanor, Olympic athlete and Ditch the Drip spokesperson. "As I move into this next chapter of my life, I'm focused on spending quality time with my husband and pursuing both professional and educational goals, so suffering from bothersome nasal allergy symptoms just doesn't fit into my plans. By continuing my partnership with Ditch the Drip, I hope to show others that they don't have to miss out on doing the things they love just because they're suffering from nasal allergies. By being proactive about scheduling appointments with their doctors in advance of peak allergy seasons, people with allergies can avoid being sidelined by their pesky symptoms."
Beyond survey results related to sleep quality, additional findings include:
- 57 percent of survey respondents noted they've experienced difficulty concentrating at work
- 61 percent said they cannot enjoy the outdoors with their children as much as they would like due to their nasal allergies
- 71 percent indicated they typically only treat their nasal allergies when they are experiencing symptoms or a flare-up
"This survey further reinforces that although many people are significantly impacted by their nasal allergies, they are doing very little to avoid the onset of their burdensome symptoms," said Bill McLin, President and CEO of AAFA. "As such, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Misty and Teva Respiratory on the Ditch the Drip program to help provide people with nasal allergies with tools and resources they can use to better prepare for peak allergy seasons and nip their symptoms in the bud."
Visit www.DitchtheDrip.com to view more survey findings and to learn more about Misty's struggle with seasonal allergies. Visitors can also enter for a chance to be one of four grand prize winners who will receive a certified asthma & allergy friendly™ Dyson vacuum and accompanying asthma & allergy kit.
About the Survey
The Nasal Allergy Sufferers Survey was conducted by Manhattan Research on behalf of Teva Respiratory. The survey was conducted online and completed by 2,000 U.S. adults (age 18 and over) diagnosed with nasal allergies. The margin of error for the study is +/-2.2% at 95 percent confidence interval.
About Misty May-Treanor
Misty May-Treanor is an American professional beach volleyball player and actress. She has won more tournaments than any other female player. Misty and her teammate were the gold medalists in beach volleyball at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. They are the only beach volleyball team to win gold medals in three Olympic Games in a row.
Misty has struggled with seasonal allergies for most of her life and is now committing time to educating other sufferers on how to better prepare for and manage allergies through her participation in the Ditch the Drip program.
About Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by symptoms such as itchy, runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing. For many AR patients, nasal congestion or a stuffy nose may be the most frequent and bothersome symptom. AR is the most common allergic disease in the U.S., affecting between 10 to 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in the U.S. AR can cause some sufferers to experience symptoms year round – perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) – and others to have symptoms during specific times of the year – seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) – such as spring or fall.
About Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953 that serves as the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. AAFA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community-based services and support to people through a network of regional chapters, support groups and other local partners around the U.S. AAFA develops health education, organizes state and national advocacy efforts and funds research to find better treatments and cures. Visit www.aafa.org.
About Teva Respiratory
Teva Respiratory is the U.S.-based respiratory subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA). Teva Respiratory's core focus on safety, quality and customers has produced some of the most successful treatment options for people with asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and seasonal and year-round nasal allergy symptoms. For more information on Teva Respiratory and its products, visit www.tevarespiratory.com.
SOURCE Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America/Teva Respiratory