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Website
Disclaimer
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Conditions
We Treat
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About
Allergies
| Acid Reflux |
Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever) |
Anaphylaxis |
Asthma |
Avoiding Allergens |
Cold vs. Flu--which do I have?
Drug
Allergy |
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis |
Food Allergy |
Immune Deficiency |
Insect Allergy |
Latex Allergy |
Sinusitis
| Snoring
| Urticaria
(Hives) |
Women's Health & Allergies
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About
Allergies
While
some people think their allergies represent a "weak immune
system," that is usually not the case. In fact, most
allergies are an overzealous immune response to an otherwise innocuous
agent such as pollen, pets or dust mites (see allergens, above).
If symptoms are compatible with allergies, then allergy testing
is often warranted. Depending on the nature of the reaction,
this testing may be done quite quickly in the office in a single
visit. Sometimes, additional laboratory (blood) testing is
necessary.
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Acid
Reflux (Larngeal Reflux, GERD, heartburn)
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Allergens
Allergens
are the various chemicals (usually proteins or protein-carbohydrate
compounds) to which someone is allergic. The major allergens
for most common allergies have been identified and standard allergy
testing and treatment is available for them. Knowing your
specific triggers is vital to help you control your symptoms.
It is possible to reduce symptoms by practicing certain avoidance
measures and/or by medication. The common indoor allergens
include dust mites, cat,
dog, mice,
cockroach and mold. Outdoor allergens include
mold and pollens.
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Allergic
Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergy/Hayfever
and Perennial Allergy)
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Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms include
hives, swelling of the face, neck or throat, asthma (wheezing, difficulty
breathing), lightheadedness or fainting secondary to low blood pressure,
or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal
cramps or diarrhea. Anaphylaxis usually is caused by a specific
trigger such as a food, insect sting or medication. It may
also be induced by exercise, temperature extremes or may be idiopathic
(reasons unknown). The treatment for acute anaphylaxis is
adrenaline. Other medications including antihistamines and
steroids are frequently prescribed. Most patients with
a history of anaphylaxis will be given an self-injecting form of
epinephrine (EpipenŽ) in
the event of recurrent anaphylaxis. If you use your Epipen,
your next stop should be the emergency room without delay!!
Click
here for a link to the definitive anaphylaxis website.
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Drug
Allergy
Drugs
can cause a variety of common allergic reactions and sometimes unusual
toxic effects. Rash is the most common sign of drug allergy.
Antibiotics and aspirin-like medications are most commonly implicated.
Drug allergies can be hereditary---people are more likely to have
an allergic reaction to a medication if one of their parents has
a drug allergy. However, that is usually not sufficient reason
to avoid a drug. Management of drug allergies consists of
proper diagnosis by skin testing or challenge. Occasionally
drug desensitization is performed but usually avoidance is recommended.
Specific
drug allergies:
PENICILLIN ALLERGY: Studies show that many people who have been
told they are allergic to penicillin may in fact be able to take
penicillin or related drugs. Evaluation includes taking a detailed
history and when indicated, skin testing for penicillin.
ASPIRIN
ALLERGY: There are many different types of reactions to aspirin
some of which are not even allergic (such as an upset stomach).
Even amongst those people who do have a true aspirin allergy, the
mechanism of the allergy and the consequences vary. People who have
"classic" allergy to aspirin are actually allergic to
ALL NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including Motrin,
Advil, etc. The list of drugs that contain aspirin or NSAIDs is
quite long but most such drugs should be labelled as such. Generally,
Tylenol is tolerated well in most people allergic to aspirin.
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Eczema/Atopic
Dermatitis
Itching,
which is sometimes intense, is the hallmark symptom of eczema.
Eczema is often called the "itch that rashes" as opposed
to other "rashes that itch." Any body surface area
in a patient with eczema can become involved. Eczematous skin
may be dry (scale and flake), wet (scratched to the point of redness
and bleeding), or if bacterial or viral infection is introduced
by scratching, blister and ooze. Eczema is often associated
with other allergies. Patients with eczema may also have many
environmental allergies. Also, perhaps 10% of patients with
eczema have a food allergy that contributes to the cause.
Allergy testing and elimination diets may be helpful in that circumstance.
However, the skin is the primary problem and is the main focus of
treatment. This includes medications (steroid creams) and
meticulous skin care.
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Latex
Allergy
Latex allergy
is a very dangerous, potentially life-threatening allergy.
Our understanding of this allergy has expanded greatly in the last
decade as this epidemic has emerged. Much information is available
on the web.
An introductory site: What
You Need to Know About Latex Allergies.
Latex Allergy News-non-profit
organization dedicated to education and advocacy for latex allergic
healthcare workers and patients.
Latex
Allergy Links-a directory of links
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Primary
Immune Deficiency
Primary
immunodeficiency diseases cause repeated infections in children
and adults that are hard to cure. Up to 1/2 million people
in the United States suffer from one of the 70 immune deficiency
diseases. Unlike acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),
these diseases result from naturally occurring defects of the genes
that govern immune functions. Defects of the immune system
may include poor antibody production or diminished white blood cell
counts and function. The general perception that primary immunodeficiency
diseases are found only in infancy or early childhood is incorrect.
The majority of individuals diagnosed with congenital immune defects
are over age 21. IgA deficiency, by far the most common of the primary
immunodeficiencies, occurs in 1 of 300 to 1 of 1000 adults.
Another impression is that congenital immune defects are rare. However,
taken together, the primary immunodeficiency diseases are as common
as leukemia and lymphoma. In some ways, immune deficiency
and allergies are related. Some immune deficiency patients
have eczema while others have recurrent sinus or ear infections.
View a chart of the 10
Warning Signs of Primary Immune Deficiency.
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