Coastal Allergy & Asthma, P.C.

Did You Know?…Sinusitis

tadams — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:58:10 +0000

Did you know that sinusitis can last for months, or even years, if not properly treated.

A doctor can diagnose sinusitis through a physical examination, but may also require allergy testing, x-rays or use of a fiber-optic scope.
Treatments for sinusitis include antibiotics, decongestants, nasal sprays or non-medicinal therapies such as hot packs, humidifiers and salt water rinses.
many people can prevent sinusitis by reducing their allergy symptoms-allergy shots, avoiding exposure to allergy triggers and use of medications may be helpful.

For more information on sinusitis, allergies and asthma, please call Coastal Allergy & Asthma, PC today!

Information from AAAAI.org

Tips For Managing Your Allergies

tadams — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:32:54 +0000

Consider immunotherapy; allergy shots are over 94% effective in treating most allergies.
Clean your home. Dust mites are the most common allergen to cause allergic reactions. Regular use of a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, washing items in hot water, and mite proof casings will reduce these allergens.
Dust mite matter and pet dander hide in fabric, such as curtains, furniture upholstery, carpets and bedding. Look for cleaning products that will deactivate these substances. If possible, limit the amount of carpet in your home.
Wash all bedding, including mattress pads, in hot water or bleach every 10 days.
Don’t smoke!
Keep bathrooms, basements and kitchens well ventilated to reduce the growth of mold.
Bathe pets once a week to reduce pet dander, and, if possible, keep your pet out of the bedroom. Wash your hands after petting animals.
Chalk can irritate children with allergies. Tell your children not to sit too close to the chalkboard if this substance triggers allergic symptoms.
Limit the number of indoor plants; mold thrives in potting soil.
Leave your shoes by the front door. Shoes worn outside during pollen season can track these allergens into the home.
If you have food allergies, always read the ingredients before ingesting a new or packaged food. When dining out, ask restaurants for a list of ingredients or to prepare a meal without the offending food or additive.

Consult a board certified allergist. Together, you can develop a treatment plan to help you

live well, despite your allergies!

An Allergist Can Help

tadams — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:11:07 +0000

If You or Your Child ……

Have frequent sinus infections, nasal congestion or itchy, puffy eyes
Find that exposure to certain substances causes unpleasant reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, or watery eyes
Experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms several months out of the year
Find that over the counter medications do not control allergy symptoms or have unpleasant side effects
Feel allergies are affecting the quality of your life
Get tired of taking multiple medications to control the symptoms of allergies
Have trouble catching your breath during exercise or strenuous activity
Wheeze or cough, especially at night or after exercise
Sometimes feel shortness of breath or tightness in your chest
Find your asthma symptoms are not under control, even though you are being treated for the disease
Have reactions to foods, medications or stinging insects
Have eczema or other unexplained rash
Need help identifying strategies for preventing allergic reactions

…… An Allergist Can Help

Do It Yourself Allergy Testing?

tadams — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:21:50 +0000

Today’s home health tests promise quick diagnosis of complicated conditions in the convenience of your own home. But many experts warn against going it alone.

Do it yourself allergy tests allow you to draw a bit of your own blood, mail it to a designated lab, and within a few days they’ll let you know if you are allergic to any of 10 common substances. But experts say these tests turn up a lot of false positives, and don’t consider other information critical for a proper diagnosis, such as personal and family medical history.

A skin test, administered and evaluated by a board certified allergist, is the most accurate and cost effective means for determining what substances you are allergic to. This test, along with a thorough physical exam and consideration of your medical history, will provide you and your physician with the safest and most effective treatment plan for your allergies.

Healthy Diet May Help Prevent or Control Asthma

tadams — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:26:58 +0000

Recent studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, heart-healthy oils, whole grains, and beans, and low in meat, may cut the risk of developing asthma by as much as 78%. Kids who eat lots of fruit, especially grapes, tomatoes, oranges and apples, also have less wheezing, allergic rhinitis and asthma.

High amounts of other fats, such as those found in corn, soybean, and safflower oils and in meats and processed foods, can actually induce inflammation, an underlying cause of asthma, and promote the disease.

In addition, if you are overweight or obese, your odds of developing asthma are 50% greater than if you maintain a healthy body weight. Researchers estimate that excess weight accounts for 250,000 new cases of asthma every year. Obesity has also been found to increase children’s risk of developing the disease.

Bottom Line: Eat well to breathe better!

Source: USAWeekend.com and scientific sources cited

Breathing Hard or Hardly Breathing?

tadams — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:47:25 +0000

If after just a few minutes of running you are breathing hard, but aren’t breaking a sweat, you may have exercise-induced asthma, even if you’ve never been diagnosed with the ailment. In fact, 1out of every 10 people exhibit no classic signs of asthma yet still experience its symptoms during exercise.

In a study from Ohio State University Medical Center (Columbus), researchers screened 107 varsity athletes for exercise-induced asthma; 42 (39%) of the athletes tested positive, and 36 of those 42 athletes had no previous history of asthma. These results suggest that a significant number of athletes have unrecognized exercise-induced asthma.

“One important finding of this study is that a history of symptoms with exercise is not enough to make a correct diagnosis,” says Jonathan Parsons, MD, associate director of the Medical Center’s Asthma Center and lead author of the study. “Appropriate testing is critical.”

A separate study in the journal Chest linked exercise induced asthma with diminished sweat and saliva secretion, which further dries asthma sufferers’ airways.

Symptoms of exercise induced asthma include: coughing, wheezing, and tiring after 5 to 15 minutes of exercise. Experts recommend runners warm up and cool down for at least 15 minutes, and avoid running outdoors in extremely cold temperatures.

Take action: If your cardio workout leaves you excessively breathless, talk to your doctor.

Did You Know?..Clinical Trials

tadams — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:44:32 +0000

Clinical trials are medical research studies involving human volunteers. These studies help physicians and researchers learn more about diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
Participants in clinical trials are part of an exciting process that has both personal and community rewards.
Study participants may receive: cutting edge medical treatment, free, study-related medical care, important information about disease management, and compensation for their time.
Patient safety and rights are protected throughout the clinical trials process.
Before studies can be initiated in humans, they must go through extensive testing, pass government scrutiny, and be approved by an ethics board.
Each phase of a clinical trial is uniquely designed to establish dosage guidelines, determine the benefits of new or comparative therapies, learn how to manage any side effects, or analyze the relative cost effectiveness of already approved treatments.
Many studies involve medications that are already FDA approved.
Volunteer participation in clinical trials is critical to the future of medicine.

Did You Know?..Allergies or Cold

tadams — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:37:22 +0000

The primary difference between symptoms of a cold and allergies is the length of time the symptoms last. A cold disappears in a week to ten days; allergies last much longer.
Allergies cannot be passed from person to person; colds and other viruses are contagious.
General aches, pains and fever can sometimes accompany a cold or other viruses; these symptoms never accompany allergies. If these symptoms are present, it is likely a cold or another virus.
Symptoms to allergies begin almost immediately after exposure to an allergen, whereas symptoms of a cold usually develop over several days.

Myth: “as long as the nasal discharge is clear, it is an allergy.” Clear mucous from a runny nose is often associated with a cold.

Did You Know?…Outdoor Activities During Allergy Season

tadams — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:33:08 +0000

Running increases the respiratory rate. The faster you move through the air, the more airborne pollens and mold spores strike your face and are inhaled, and the greater your chance of an allergic reaction.
Do not plan workouts when pollen counts are at their highest, generally between 5:00 am and 10:00 am.
Pollen counts are usually highest on warm, dry, breezy days and lower on rainy, cooler days.
Determine your personal pollen tolerance level by monitoring the pollen count and your symptoms.
Although airborne pollen can travel miles, the farther you are from the source of the pollen, the better. If you can, choose running routes that avoid trees, grass, flowers; run on asphalt instead of grass; run on a treadmill on high pollen count days.
The extra adrenaline your body produces while you are working out can dampen the allergic response, at least while you are exercising. This means your worst symptoms may occur after, instead of during, your workout.
To reduce the risk of post-workout attacks, take a shower, wash your hair, and clean your clothes as soon as possible after working out outdoors.
Proper medication, taken regularly, can help prevent an allergy attack. Nasal sprays can help when started at least 24 hours before a workout.
Skin testing in a qualified allergist’s office can determine what substances you are allergic to.
Only a board certified allergist has the advanced training and specialized equipment necessary to offer you the best treatment options for your allergic conditions.

Did you Know?..Food Allergies:

tadams — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:18:24 +0000

Food allergies should be taken seriously; every year more people die of allergic reactions to food than allergic reactions caused by insect stings.

The most common food allergens are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.

A recent study showed that up to 25% of adults believe they have a food allergy; but, scientific studies have shown that in reality only about 2% truly do.
Up to 5% of children have food allergies; most will outgrow their allergies, although allergy to peanuts, shellfish and tree nuts may be lifelong.
There is no proven relationship between ADD or ADHD and food allergies.
Allergic symptoms can begin within minutes to one hour after ingesting the food.
Symptoms of food allergy include: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hives, eczema, swelling, itching or swelling of the lips, itchiness or tightness in the throat, and difficulty breathing.
There is no cure for food allergies; strict avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction.
Epi-Pen can be given to control symptoms after a reaction occurs. If your doctor prescribes an Epi-Pen for you, keep it with you at all times.