Allergies/Asthma
Latest articles on Allergies/Asthma
A common and effective treatment for allergies is an antihistamine. This type of medication works quickly, and a wide variety is available without a prescription.
Like any chronic disease, asthma must be treated on a regular basis in order to be managed optimally, says Jordan Fink, MD. "Our goal is to keep the asthma under control so patients can live a normal life."
Dr. Julie Mitchell explains why "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," or COPD, is often the most efficient way to designate overlapping syndromes.
Allergy and asthma incidence is rising, so testing has taken a more universal role in health care. "Testing is necessary for anyone who needs identification of specific allergens," says Asriani M. Chiu, MD.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics and other medications. It is rare, says Dr. Julie Mitchell: only about 2 cases occur per million people in one year.
It might be possible to decrease exposure to pet allergens, such as keeping the animal out of the bedroom and using HEPA filters in the bedroom and family areas. But if asthma due to pet allergy becomes difficult to control, it may be a sign to start looking for other homes for that pet.
"Allergies can represent many different things," says Asriani M. Chiu, MD. "In general, what's going on is the individual is eliciting a hypersensitive response to a particular protein." These might be found in airborne pollen, dust mites, or in foods such as peanuts.
In 1993 and 1994, an average of 13.7 million Americans reported that they experienced asthma-related conditions. Today that number has risen to about 15 million, nearly 5 million of whom are children.
The number of patients and health care workers who have had allergic reactions to latex is down since the mid-1990s, mainly due to a change in the way latex gloves are manufactured.
A study of data from 8,000 infants found that African-American children given vitamins in their first six months were about 30% more likely than white children to develop asthma. Dr. Asriani Chiu urges parents not to jump to conclusions.
When someone has sinusitis it means that their sinuses are infected or inflamed, but this gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause.
For the approximately 11% of Americans with asthma, the flu can lead to serious complications, according to Dr. Randolph Lipchik, a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
"What I've found very clearly is that your chances of ever having wheezing or asthma are significantly less if you have lived on a farm than if you live in a rural community but not on a farm," says Dr. Alan Adler.
Hay fever is a commonly used term for pollen allergy, a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Cleanliness and lack of exposure to various microorganisms may be affecting our immune systems to the degree that we are losing out bodily ability to fight off certain diseases. Dr. Subra Kugathasan discusses the "hygiene hypothesis."
A new testing system not only tells doctors about the presence of asthma, says Dr. Alan Adler, it helps them evaluate how well the asthma is being controlled.
"Many children's hospitalizations might be avoided if parents and children were better educated about the child's condition, medications, the need for follow-up care, and the importance of avoiding known disease triggers," says Dr. Glenn Flores.
For people with mold sensitivities or allergies, the all-pervading presence of molds in our environment can lead to seasonal or situational symptoms that make them feel miserable.
Even though the antibiotic cephalosporin can trigger allergic reactions in penicillin-sensitive patients, a study co-authored by Dr. Michael Zacharisen found that one out of ten non-allergist physicians would prescribe it for patients known to have had severe reactions to penicillin.
With 50 million of us affected, it seems we’d know all there is to know about allergy causes and cures – yet we’re still full of questions. Dr. Jordan Fink clears the air.
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