Asthma…. Way more common than you think!

Although asthma can be managed relatively easily, it remains a potentially deadly illness. While genetics can play a large role in the development of asthma, environmental factors can also cause a person to develop the illness. Nor does a person have to be born with it. Specialty Asthma and Allergy Doctors  see thousands of adults a year who never suffered as children. Furthermore,  the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, roughly 8% of adults in the US had asthma.

A number of factors may increase your asthma risk:

Allergens both inside the home, such as dust mites and pet dander, and outside, such as pollens and dust.

Smoke, whether from a smoker or fire, can be both a factor and trigger for asthma.

Certain chemicals used for cleaning, particularly those that have fumes or include particles that can be airborne.

Environmental pollution can be a significant cause for the development of asthma, and allergies. If you live in an area where smog is a frequent problem, particularly in the summer months, this can be a serious problem for your lungs, even beyond causing the development of asthma.

Acid reflux, more commonly known as heartburn, can contribute to the development of asthma. When the digestive system pushes food back up the esophagus, stomach acid is included with the food, burning the esophagus. With the close proximity of the esophagus and airway passages, the acid may also trigger asthma.

Obesity is also a likely contributing factor as a greater percentage of those who have asthma are obese, compared to those who are overweight or at a normal weight.

Asthma: Factors That Increase Your Asthma Risk & Decrease Your Health

Asthma is one of the most insidious diseases around. It comes on without warning and is seemingly exacerbated by a host of unrelated issues. In short, it is a real impediment for sufferers who want to live life to the fullest. With those facts in mind, here are a few things that our Arizona asthma doctors want the sufferer to be made aware of  order to minimize their susceptibility to the disease:

Man-made pollutants – Smoke, sulfites and other airborne particulates created by modern technology are a significant trigger of asthma attacks in the Phoenix area. Remaining indoors while at home or keeping the windows up while traveling are simple fixes that can really help during the allergy season.

Natural substances – It is not just man-made irritants that are a problem as everything from pollen and pet dander to dust mites and particles of cockroach waste can trigger an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

Food allergies – While generally not recognized by the general public, anaphylactic shock from food allergies is one of the most potent promoters of asthma in an unsuspecting patient. The body's natural desire to rid itself of the

Phoenix and the surrounding Maricopa County area is just now starting to hit the worst part of the allergy season – September through the end of November. For more information on avoiding the worst of the asthma and asthmatic allergies, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C..

Do I Have Asthma, or am I Just Out of Shape?

Can’t make it to a 10 count without gasping for air? It may not be an exercise routine that’s too difficult for you – it may be asthma, or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) to be precise. How can your Phoenix asthma specialist tell the difference?

Diving into EIB:

One in 10 experience exercise-induced bronchospasm – when airway muscle spasms constrict airflow. This asthma-related coughing or shortness of breath typically occurs 5 to 10 minutes after exercise starts or ends. It is typically accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness, and fatigue, and may be more pronounced in cold, dry environments.

Drop and give me 20:

A  Phoenix asthma specialist can diagnose this condition with the help of breathing tests performed after exercise and while resting. They will also take a thorough medical history to identify other potential triggers, which can worsen this condition, such as air pollution, high pollen counts and respiratory infections.

Reaching your potential:

Luckily, a diagnosis of EIB doesn’t mean the end of exercise goals. A trained allergy and asthma doctor can help you reach new heights with lifestyle changes and proper treatment, including:

• Proper hydration.
• Effective warm-ups and cool-downs that will benefit your condition.
• The prescription of inhaled bronchodilators such as albuterol or formoterol before exercise as bronchospasm prevention or as needed for symptom relief.
• Identifying environmental triggers.
• Advice on new exercise routines or ways to minimize exposure to environmental triggers, such as wearing a scarf during cold weather, exercising in a climate-controlled environment, and more.

Tired of struggling through your exercise routine? Don’t throw in the towel – take it to the next level. Find a Phoenix asthma specialist near you today.

Egg Allergy: Unscrambling the Symptoms

If you or your child aren’t feeling on the sunny side after your morning scramble, it could be egg allergy. The second most common food allergy after milk, egg allergy reactions can vary from person to person, making them difficult to confirm without a food allergy skin test.

An omelet of allergy symptoms:

Reactions to egg in allergic individuals can vary drastically each time they occur, and can include…

• Skin inflammation or hives (the most common reaction).
• Runny nose and sneezing.
• Congestion, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.
• Digestive upset: cramps, nausea, vomiting.
• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency presenting as dizziness, rapid pulse, constriction of airways and swelling of the throat that make it difficult to breathe.

Don’t let egg allergies poach your health:

If these symptoms are experienced shortly after eating eggs or egg-containing foods, an immediate consultation with an allergist including an allergy skin test is warranted, as reactions could worsen rapidly or over time.

Egg allergy skin tests are over-easy:

To confirm the allergy, a drop of liquid egg extract is placed on the skin of the forearm or back, which is then gently punctured by a special device. If the skin reddens, or more importantly, if it swells, the egg allergy is confirmed.

Hard boiled treatment:

Living with an egg allergy mostly involves a little foresight and common sense. Those effected by egg allergy are advised to have quick access to an epinephrine auto-injector in case of anaphylactic reaction. As is apparent, eggs and products containing eggs should be avoided. Be sure to read the labels of all packaged food products, which are required to list use of eggs on the label. Common sources include:

Pasta/macaroni

Baked goods

Mayo

Marshmallows

Nougat

Marzipan

Meringue

Surimi

Lecithin

Albumin

Take charge of your health and start looking on the sunnier side of things. Uncover the truth. Schedule a food allergy skin test at an allergy doctor near you today.

Does My Child Have Asthma?

Regardless of the age of your child, the possibility of asthma can be frightening. Add to the experience the inability for preschool or younger aged children to verbalize dangerous symptoms, and the threat of asthma can be all the more terrifying. If you cannot tell what’s going on with your child, is there any way for your Phoenix asthma doctor to verify this condition?

First, does your child experience these asthma-related symptoms?

Be on alert for these signs if you’re unsure if your child has asthma, particularly in infants and toddlers, who are at greater risk:

• Colds that frequently settle in the chest.
• A nagging cough, which worsens at night or is aggravated by triggers (smoke, perfume, pollen, dust, dander…).
• A wheezing or whistling sound when breathing out.
• Difficulty breathing or fast breathing causing the skin around the ribs and/or neck to be drawn in.
• A family history of allergies, hay fever, hives, asthma, or eczema.

If your child has some or all of these symptoms, have asthma diagnosed!

In children, especially the very young, asthma can be difficult to recognize, however it is very important for children to receive proper treatment. That’s why an asthma doctor, often called an asthma specialist, is necessary for accurate diagnosis. How is asthma verified? In children old enough, it’s confirmed with an airflow test, which involves blowing very hard into a tube. Unfortunately, pre-kindergarten age children may not be able to perform this test, so parents and caregivers will need to remain on alert for symptoms.

How is it treated?

Pediatric asthma is typically managed with asthma medications such as bronchodilators (via inhaler or nebulizer) for rapid relief of attacks, and corticosteroid anti-inflammatories to prevent symptoms and attacks. Skin or blood tests may also be performed to identify allergies that trigger symptoms, and an asthma control plan drafted so you can identify when help is necessary.

Unsure if your child has asthma? Don't put your child at risk. Find a Phoenix pediatric doctor specializing in asthma and allergiesnear you today.

Tips For Hiring the Best Allergy Doctor

When it comes to your health, do you want a Phoenix allergy clinic that is superb or so-so? Finding a great allergy doctor can help you more quickly determine the cause of your allergies – and identify effective methods of control that can return your quality of life back to normal. What are the tricks to finding this paragon of knowledge?

Research reputation.

The best allergists will get results, gaining great word of mouth. Forget flashy advertisements - they will hold superior online and personal reviews. Don’t be afraid to schedule an initial consultation to interview the doctor and get references.

Get credentials.

Board certification by The American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) shows an Phoenix allergy doctor has the training and experience necessary to get the results you need, and a lack of malpractice claims and disciplinary actions means your health is safe in their hands.

Verify experience in your condition.

How many has the allergist treated? Does the specialist work often with sinus allergies or are they only knowledgeable about certain types of food allergies, such as gluten. The more experience, the more testing methods, the larger number of patients served, the better.

Consider gender.

Gender-specific care is becoming increasingly common. Does the doctor have experience treating the allergy in your gender, or does your allergy involve an issue you’d be more comfortable discussing with a particular sex?

Love their location:

Does the allergy doctor in question have offices conveniently located to you, with scheduling that meets your hectic lifestyle? If these things don’t fit, you’re unlikely to follow up on treatments and get results.

Hone-in on hospital quality:

Is the hospital the allergist has privileges at top-rated and conveniently located? Both accessibility and quality can affect outcomes in situations in which hospital care is necessary.

Rely on respect.

A top rated Phoenix allergist will be open to questions, interested in getting to know you, and considerate of your treatment preferences and decisions. Asking questions and noting responses is a great way to gauge communication styles.

It’s your health. Find the right area allergist to help you. If you are looking for a caring specialist with a friendly, knowledgeable team behind him/her, please call us! We would love to help you!

Moving Beyond Your Mucousy Misery: A Guide to Visiting the Allergy Doctor

Brain fog. Puffy eyes. Constantly dripping nose. Sneezes that throw your back out. Wishing you took out stock in the tissue industry…. When you’re experiencing more than your typical allergies, a typical doctor such as your primary care physician may not be able to offer the symptom management you need. To get back to your much-loved and missing quality of life, enlisting the help of a knowledgeable and well-versed allergy doctor may be in order.
How can you attain optimal results?

• Plan ahead.
  Keeping a symptom diary on timing and triggers before visiting your area Scottsdale allergy clinic.
• Follow through.
  Make – and attend – the appointment. Your allergy doctor can’t help you if you don’t show! Be sure to ask about special instructions for you appointment for the most efficient use of everyone’s time.
• Be prepared.
  During your visit, be sure to have access to the following information:
  
  • Your complete medical history.
    This may involve a records transfer from other physicians to help your allergist paint a complete picture and understand if any lifelong problems may be contributing to your condition.
  • Your allergy history – and your family’s.
    This helps your doctor gain a better understanding on contributing factors, such as desert foliage, pollution, and other common contributors. Family history is also especially important in food allergies.
  • Your medications.
    Bring in medications currently in use, as well as those used in the past which have been effective, for your doctor to review during your visit.
  • Your questions.
    Allergy doctors like – and encourage – questions. Writing a list prior to your visit ensures you won’t forget any.

Though some general practitioners may be able to diagnose and treat your allergies, moderate, severe, or long-lasting cases require the attention of an understanding allergy doctor. Get the help your raw nose and antihistamine-laden body really needs. Find a Scottsdale allergy clinic near you today!