For advertising information visit www.samplerpublications.com or call 859.225.4466 | August 2014
The Role of
an Allergist
By Jamie Lober, Staff Writer
Wondering what an allergist does?
Wonder no more.
“The allergist/immunologist is a
physician that is an expert and treats
patients of all ages with allergic and
immunologic conditions,” says Dr.
Beth Miller, chief of the division
of allergy and immunology at the
University of Kentucky. They treat
and diagnose a variety of complaints,
some more common than others.
“The diseases we treat vary and range
from common allergic rhinosinusitus
and asthma to immunodeficiencies,” says Miller. According to the
American College of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology, more than 50 million people in the United States have
allergies, so this is quite a booming
profession.
Those who suffer from ear, nose or
throat issues may wonder if an allergist can help them. Miller advises: “If
your symptoms are not controlled,
if you have been hospitalized for an
allergic condition or if your symptoms require oral steroids for relief,
those are a few reasons to be seen
by an allergy expert.” The American
College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology says that anyone with
allergies and asthma should be able
to feel good, be active all day and
sleep well at night. There is no reason
that people should accept less when
it is possible to get relief.
If you have sinus infections, skin
allergies, immune system problems
that may cause frequent infections,
reactions to food, insect stings or
drugs; eye allergies or asthma and a
frequent cough, it is time to schedule
an appointment. A visit with the allergist is comprehensive and it can help
to bring a journal of your symptoms
and what you are experiencing. “Our
expertise is best at identifying triggers
and allergens causing your symptoms
by taking a thorough history and
physical and then ordering appropriate tests,” says Miller. Treatment will
then be planned accordingly.
There is no such thing as a typical
patient. Allergies do not discriminate
by age, sex or ethnicity. Family history plays a role as well as exposure to
the bothersome allergen. “Common
complaints of allergic rhinosinusitus
or nose and sinus inflammation
include itchy, sneezy, runny, stuffy,
post nasal drip; or symptoms similar
to cold-like symptoms but without
a fever,” says Miller. Symptoms can
involve the eyes, throat, skin and
chest in addition to the nasal or sinus
area. The idea is that with help from
an allergist, you should be able to go
about your life in a way that is as normal and symptom-free as possible.
Two new allergy treatments have
made the headlines lately.
“Recently, a sublingual allergy
therapy, or oral drops for
grass and ragweed allergy,
was FDA approved,” says
Miller. The downside is
that since most people
are allergic to molds, dust,
animal dander and trees,
this treatment will only benefit a limited population.
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