Allergies is the propensity to develop allergy antibodies against common environmental allergens. The immunologic basis of this is a deviation of the immune system towards an immune response that play a role in allergic inflammation. Individuals with allergy are at a risk for developing allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema and food allergies. There has been a […]
Air Pollution and Asthma
Emerging evidence suggests that roadway air pollution causes childhood asthma. The costs of this can be quite high. A study was done in Los Angeles county looking at the regional exposure to Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide and the cost burden associated with it. Approximately 36 million people in the United States live within 300 feet […]
Sinusitis Diagnosis and Management
Sinusitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in the United States. Rhinosinusitis is used interchangeably with the term sinusitis. Because of its importance, I will review the diagnosis and management of this disease. The definition of acute sinusitis is symptoms less than 12 weeks of nasal discharge, congestion, fever, cough and headache. Recurrent […]
Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus outbreak emerged in March 2014 and quickly became the deadliest Ebola outbreak. All doctors need to be aware of this disease and means of transmissions. Most of the outbreaks have taken place in West Africa, but as most recent news reports have shown, there have been cases in the United States. There […]
Childhood asthma and obesity
Childhood asthma is on the rise and so is obesity. Is there a link between the two? Approximately 17% of US children age 2-9 are obese. These children are increased risk for developing asthma. Childhood asthma accounts for 14 million missed school days a year. Despite the link, a definitive mechanism remains unknown. Although genetic […]
Stepping Down Asthma Treatment
Stepping down asthma treatment is a way to manage patients over time. There can be benefit or harm by stepping down asthma medication. Many factors need to be considered which I will discuss ahead. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease related to genetic and environmental factors. A stepwise approach by the National Asthma Education […]
Asthmanefrin for Asthma Treatment
Inhaled racepineprhine (RE) became available in September 2012 as a nonprescription treatment for bronchospasm. It is delivered by a handheld electronic nebulizer, its called Asthmanefrin. It is being promoted as a replacement for epinephrine chlorofluoocarbon metered-dose inhaler (Primatene Mist). Results of a study showed that RE was much less effective than albuterol in protecting against […]
Flonase will go Over the Counter (OTC)
Following in the footsteps of Nasocort, the FDA has approved Flonase for OTC use.
Can Early Exposure to Allergens and Microbes Protect Against Wheezing?
Wheezing can affect up to half of all children by age 3.
Do Antibiotics Early in Life Cause Asthma?
Asthma prevalence has doubled in the last 30 years.