Why
should I see an allergist for my asthma?
Asthma is in most cases an allergic condition
of the lower airways. In addition to receiving expert treatment and
evaluation of the severity of your asthma the allergist will evaluate
allergic factors that might be contributing
to your airway inflammation. Allergists are in addition experts in total
airway management and most asthmatics have allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
Sinusitis is also a major trigger for asthma.
What is the "united airway hypothesis"?
This
hypothesis states that there is a link between the upper and lower airway.
When there is inflammation in the upper airway caused by hayfever, head
colds or sinus infections this results in increased asthma activity.
Are allergy shots effective for asthma?
Allergy
shots have been shown to improve asthma severity in several studies.
Allergy shots must be given with caution in asthmatics and peak flows
must be measured prior to each injection.
Can allergy shots prevent asthma?
There
are a few studies showing that allergy injections can prevent asthma
in patients at risk for asthma but who have hayfever.
What are allergy shots ( allergen immunotherapy or allergy vaccine therapy)?
Allergy
shots consist of a customized mixture of allergens that are given by
injection on a weekly basis for for at least 20 weeks and then monthly
for 3 or 4 years. The allergens used include pollen, mite, mold, animal
dander and bee venom.
What is the youngest age that children can be tested?
Children
as young as a few months old can be tested. The number of tests done
will be tailored to each patient in terms of both the medical need for
testing and emotional maturity of the child.
What is the link between allergies and sinus infections?
The
sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull that are connected to the nose.
Nasal congestion caused by allergies causes obstruction of drainage
from the sinus cavities. This can result in repeated sinus infections.
Aggressive treatment of allergies in these patients is essential for
a good clinical result.
Why
should I see an allergist for nasal allergies or sinusitis rather than
an ear nose and throat doctor?
Both
allergist and ENT doctors treat allergies and sinus infections medically
in similar ways. Identification of the offending allergens by allergy
testing and performing environmental controls are critical to a succesful
outcome.
What is eczema?
Eczema
(atopic dermatitis) is an allergic condition of the skin that frequently
is worsened by food and environmental allergies. Identification of the
offending allergen with appropriate avoidance measures has been shown
to improve eczema.
Why
is allergic asthma and hayfever so common these days?
Allergic
airways disease has increased at least 3 fold over the past 3 decades.
The reasons for this are an area of intense research. The most widely
held view is the so called "hygiene hypothesis". This states
that there is an inverse correlation between hygiene and allergy. This
means the less infections that we experience as a society, the more
allergic asthma and hayfever cases. Minimizing the use of antibiotics
may lessen the chance of developing allergies.