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Frequently Asked Question

What is asthma?

What does the anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses look like?

What are allergy shots?

What causes your allergy symptoms?

What are common triggers of allergies?

What can I do about my allergies?

What can I do about my allergies?

You should allow atleast 24hrs before using your inhaler.

What can I do about my allergies?

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers(petdander).

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.

Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include:

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  • The common cold

 

  • Allergic rhinitis, which is swelling of the lining of the nose 

 

  • Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps

 

  • A deviated septum, which is a shift in the nasal cavity

       

   

You may hear your doctor use these terms 

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  • Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2-4 weeks.

 

  • Subacute sinus inflammation usually last 4 to 12 weeks.

 

  • Chronic inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.

 

  • Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

 

 

Who Gets It ?

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Lots of people. About 35 millon Americans have sinusitis at least once a year. It's more likely if you have:

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  • Swelling inside the nose like from a common cold 

 

  • Blocked drainage ducts

 

  • Structural differences that narrow those ducts

 

  • Nasal polyps

 

  • Immune system deficiencies or medications that suppress the immune system

 

 

For children, things that can cause sinusitis include:

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  • Allergies

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  • Illnesses from older kids at day care or school 

 

  • Pacifiers 

 

  • Bottle drinking while laying on back 

 

  • Smoke in the environment 

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The main things that make sinusitis more likely for adults are infections and smoking. 

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Treatment

  If you have a simple sinus infection, your doctor may recommend you use a decongestant and saline nasal washes. You shouldn't use an  over-the-counter decongestant more than 3 days cause a re-round nasal congestion because it can make nasal spray(oxymetaeoline).

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  If your doctor gives you antibiotics, you'll probably take them for 10 to 14 days. The symptoms usually disappear with treatment.

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 Warm, moist air may help if you have chronic sinusitis. You can use a vaporizer, or you can inhale steam from a pan of warm water. Make sure the water isn't too hot.

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These are some other things you can do yourself to help with chronic sinusitis:

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  • Warm compresses can ease pain in the nose and sinuses.

 

  • Saline nose drops are safe to use at home .

 

  • Over-the-counter decongestant drops or sprays can temporarily help. Don't take them longer than recommended.

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What is Bronchodilators?

 Bronchodilators are medications that open(dilate) the airways (bronchial tubes) of the lung by relaxing bronchial muscles and allowing people who have difficulty breathing to breathe better. Bronchodilators are used for treating:

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  • Asthma

 

  • Chronic obstuctive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 

  • Allergic reactions

 

  • Related conditions that cause breathing problems 

 

Asthma is a breathing problem resulting from narrowing of the airways that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. These airways become narrowed from the accumulation of mucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways (bronchospasm), or swelling of the lining of the airways.

Airway narrowing leads to symptoms of asthma which include: 

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  • Shortness of breath

 

  • Wheezing

 

  • A cough

 

  • Congestion

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Do I need a prescription for bronchodilators?

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  • Yes. Bronchodilators approved for treating asthma and other respiratory conditions are prescription products.

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  • Over the counter (OTC), homeopathic, or herbal products often promoted for treating asthma are not approvedby the FDA and they are not considered effective by many doctors.

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 What are the uses for bronchodilators?

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The bronchodilators listed in this passage are used for the managing the brochospasm due to asthma, reactive airway disease, and exercise-induced asthma. There are two types of bronchodilators: Short-acting and Long-acting bronchodilators.

 

The short-acting bronchodilators are used for immediate brochodilation. These start working in 5-15 minutes. 

 

The long-acting bronchodilators are used for sustained brochodilation on a daily basis and usually have a delayed onset of action but they can keep you open for 12-24 hours.

Eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition characterized by severe itching, redness, oozing, and scaly rashes. Allergy plays a role in selected patients with eczema.

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Eczema comes and goes over time. It results in very dry and sensitive skin, and can be made worse by exposure to many different things, including allergens such as pet dander or dust mites. Other common triggers include soap, detergents and lotions with heavy fragrances. Exposure to perfumes and cleaning products can also irritate eczema. For some people, weather changes (especially dry winter air) make eczema worse. Allergists are specially trained to help you take control of your eczema, so you can live the life you want.

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Eczema is particularly common in infants, and an estimated 10 to 20 percent of children have eczema. It is often hereditary. About 60 percent of those with eczema will experience symptoms by age 1, and the other 30 percent will experience symptoms by age 5. Children born into families that have a history of allergic diseases such as asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk for developing eczema.

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Eczema is considered to be part of the "atopic march". The atopic march involes the diagnosis of eczema, food allergy, allergic rhinitis , and asthma, typically in that sequential order. Studies show that up tp 80 percent of children with Atopic Dermatitis develop asthma and/or allergic rhinitis later in childhood.

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Although most children out grow eczema for adults who continue to suffer, it is a serious condition. Adult eczema is a chronic condition that involes inflamed, red, itchy patches of skin that can erupt in oozing flare-ups. Diffrent areas of the body can be affected for adults, including face, hands and even eyelids. The itching for adults can feel unbearable as a flare-up can affect skin all over the body. There are treatmeants and medications which can help control some of the itchiness and pain caused by eczema. It is unusual to develop eczema after age 60. If it occurs, then it usually has to di with a more serious underlying medical condition and you should see your doctor.

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There are new injectable medications that are not steroids that stop the underlying immune dysfuction that causes eczema. Your allergist can provide the best treatment options for you.

Urticaria?

Another name for hives. Raised, itchy areas of skin that are usually a sign of an allergic reaction. Hives can be rounded or flat-topped but are always elevated above the surrounding skin.

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Common allergies that produce hives include:

  • Pollen

 

  • Poisonous plants

 

  • Insect bites

 

  • Medicines, especially aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, narcotic painkillers, or antibiotics

 

  • Various foods and preservatives

 

  • Food allergies, such as strawberries, fruits, eggs, nuts or shellfish

 

  • Animal dander

 

  • Stress

 

  • Materials, like wool or latex

 

  • IV administration of blood products, contrast agents.

Anaphylaxis?

An acute severe allergic reaction. It occurs when a person's immune system has been triggered to identify a substance as a threat to the body. Hence when there is a subsequent exposure to the substance a sudden and severe reaction occurs.

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Any of these symptoms may be present during servere allgeric reaction.

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  • Circulation-dizziness, chest pain, weak pulse, loss of consciousness, fast heartbeat 

 

  • Stomach -cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain  

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  • Skin-severe itching, rash, hives or swelling

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  • Mouth-swelling of the face, mouth, lips or tongue

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  • Breathing-wheezing, coughing, trouble breathing, sneezing, shortness of breathe, trouble swallowing, hoarsenes

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  • Other- anxiety, eye irritation, headache, confusion, slurred speech, metallic taste in mouth

     

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Only a few symptoms may be present. Severity of symptoms can be increased or get worse quickly. Some symptoms can be          life-threating. Symptoms of Anaphylaxis have to be treated promptly.With epuephrine use.and a follow up should be done in the emergency room.

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