<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1518900340" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{12}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">If May has you reaching for tissues or feeling a little short of breath, you are not alone. Spring brings beautiful weather, but it also brings pollen, dust, and other triggers that can make asthma and allergy symptoms worse.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1819717752" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{14}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declared May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. The timing is intentional, lining up with peak spring allergy season when asthma symptoms often worsen. Here&rsquo; s what you need to know to feel better this season.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="2061699469" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{16}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong></strong><strong>What to know:</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1368472338" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{18}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Seasonal allergies can trigger asthma symptoms and sometimes lead to an asthma attack, so knowing your triggers matters.&nbsp;</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1833405366" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{20}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Preventive care is available to AZ Blue Members, so you can talk to your doctor about asthma and allergy concerns before they get worse.&nbsp;</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="590801090" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{22}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">AZ Blue is making it easier to connect with a doctor from home through Telehealth, r to get immediate help for those tough allergies.&nbsp;</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1709656694" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{24}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong>What is Asthma?</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1617732121" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{26}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">Asthma is lung condition that causes the airways to swell and narrow, making harder to breathe.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="797947768" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{28}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">It affects both children and adults, and symptoms can come and go. Some people manage asthma easily with medication and small lifestyle changes. Others have flare-ups triggered by exercise, allergens, cold air, or stress.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="760884022" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{30}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong>What Are the </strong><strong>Symptoms of Asthma?</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1928328564" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{32}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">Common symptoms include:</p>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1902132449" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{34}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Shortness of breath</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="541696689" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{36}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Coughing, especially at night</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1482963648" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{38}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="2128321995" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{40}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Chest tightness or pressure</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1598085058" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{42}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Trouble breathing during physical activity.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="865238999" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{44}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong>What Is </strong><strong>an Allergy?</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="416085182" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{47}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">An allergy is your immune system overacting to something that is usually harmless, like pollen, dust, or pet dander.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="2119661727" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{49}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">Allergens can enter your body in a few different ways. You might breathe them in, eat them, touch them, or have them injected (like a bee sting). Your immune system treats them as a threat and goes into defense mode, causing those familiar symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1659273610" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{51}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong>How Do Seasonal Allergies Affect Asthma?</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="987857698" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{53}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">If you have asthma, you may notice it gets worse during allergy season. Here is why.</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="773514093" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{55}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">When your immune system spots an allergen, it releases a chemical called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight it off. A little IgE is helpful. Too much can cause swelling in your airways, making it harder to breathe and sometimes trigger an asthma attack.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1981180782" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{57}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">That is why people with both asthma and allergies often feel double the impact in spring. The pollen that makes your eyes itch can also tighten your chest.</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1028186892" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{59}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Tips for Feeling Better This Allergy Season</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="885261297" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{61}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">You cannot control the weather, but you can take steps to reduce your exposure and feel better. Here are a few simple tips:</p>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="568283754" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{63}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Keep windows and doors shut at home and in the car to keep pollen outside.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1980511649" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{65}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Stay indoors during peak pollen hours, usually mid-morning to early afternoon.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="329521480" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{67}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Check the daily pollen count before heading out and plan around it.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="428206934" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{69}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Wear a mask for outdoor chores like mowing the lawn or gardening.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW152106622 BCX0" role="list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
    <li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{'335552541':1,'335559685':720,'335559991':360,'469769226':'Symbol','469769242':[8226],'469777803':'left','469777804':'','469777815':'hybridMultilevel'}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px;">
    <p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="8649512" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{71}" style="background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Shower and change clothes after spending time outside to wash off pollen.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="2078627131" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{73}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">If you have been struggling with asthma or allergies, you do not have to push through it. Talk to your doctor, take small steps to reduce your exposure, and give yourself permission to slow down on high-pollen days.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW152106622 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW152106622 BCX0" paraid="1170550356" paraeid="{adbbcc36-4f95-48f2-be81-30b127b1ff3c}{75}" style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px;">Need to find a doctor? Log in to your <a class="Hyperlink SCXW152106622 BCX0" href="https://identity.azblue.com/member-login" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">AZ Blue member portal</a> and click Find Care.&nbsp;<span class="EOP SCXW152106622 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.85px;"></span></p>
</div>
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National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month: Tips for Feeling Better 

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National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month: Tips for Feeling Better