Asthma and Lung Allergies
Asthma is a common disease in the young and old, yet most people don't know that asthma is usually due to allergies in the lungs. This discussion focuses on the allergic causes and triggers of asthma so that patients can better understand how to control their disease. Many other forms of lung allergies are covered, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, which can mimic severe forms of asthma. COPD and emphysema, which can be confused with asthma, and chronic cough from various causes, are discussed by Daniel More, MD, a board-certified allergist.
Asthma: The Basics
There is much confusion about asthma, and yet it is a very common disease. Many people can have symptoms for years without being diagnosed, while others are mistakenly diagnosed with asthma. Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis and ways to treat this potentially dangerous disorder from Dr. Daniel More, a board-certified allergist.
There is much confusion about asthma, and yet it is a very common disease. Many people can have symptoms for years without being diagnosed, while others are mistakenly diagnosed with asthma. Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis and ways to treat this potentially dangerous disorder from Dr. Daniel More, a board-certified allergist.
Just Diagnosed with Asthma?
If you or your child was recently diagnosed with asthma, you may be confused by what this diagnosis means. Start here to learn the basics of asthma, find out what you should do next, and learn the ways to better manage your symptoms.
If you or your child was recently diagnosed with asthma, you may be confused by what this diagnosis means. Start here to learn the basics of asthma, find out what you should do next, and learn the ways to better manage your symptoms.
Develop and Follow an Asthma Action Plan
By developing an asthma action plan, you can be better prepared to treat your (or your child's) asthma if symptoms start to worsen. With the use of colored zones, you can be reassured that your asthma is stable, or prompted to seek medical care if your peak flow measurements are low. Either way, you'll achieve better control of your (or your child's) asthma!
By developing an asthma action plan, you can be better prepared to treat your (or your child's) asthma if symptoms start to worsen. With the use of colored zones, you can be reassured that your asthma is stable, or prompted to seek medical care if your peak flow measurements are low. Either way, you'll achieve better control of your (or your child's) asthma!
How to Use a Peak Flow Meter
Developing and using an asthma action plan starts with the correct use of a peak flow meter. Follow this tutorial to learn the correct way to use a peak flow meter.
Developing and using an asthma action plan starts with the correct use of a peak flow meter. Follow this tutorial to learn the correct way to use a peak flow meter.
Cough: Causes and Treatment
Do you have a cough that won't go away? You're not alone! Cough is the most common symptom for which people see the doctor. Many people will have a cough that lasts only for a few weeks, while others can suffer from a cough that lasts for years. Find out the most common causes of cough, how a cough should be evaluated, and the treatments used for the various types.
Do you have a cough that won't go away? You're not alone! Cough is the most common symptom for which people see the doctor. Many people will have a cough that lasts only for a few weeks, while others can suffer from a cough that lasts for years. Find out the most common causes of cough, how a cough should be evaluated, and the treatments used for the various types.
Prevention of Asthma in Children
Can asthma be prevented? There are many studies that have looked at a variety of ways to reduce the development of asthma in children, some successful and some not. Learn various strategies to possibly reduce the chance that your child will develop asthma in the future.
Can asthma be prevented? There are many studies that have looked at a variety of ways to reduce the development of asthma in children, some successful and some not. Learn various strategies to possibly reduce the chance that your child will develop asthma in the future.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a syndrome that closely mimics asthma. People with VCD are often labeled as severe asthmatics who don't respond to typical asthma therapies. Find out more about what VCD is, how it's diagnosed, how it's different from asthma, and the available treatments.
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a syndrome that closely mimics asthma. People with VCD are often labeled as severe asthmatics who don't respond to typical asthma therapies. Find out more about what VCD is, how it's diagnosed, how it's different from asthma, and the available treatments.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
The basics of COPD, including overview, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
The basics of COPD, including overview, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Alpha-1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency is an inherited enzyme deficiency that can cause emphysema and liver disease in adults. This disease should be suspected in people with emphysema who never smoked cigarettes. Learn more about this disease, how it's diagnosed and treatment options.
Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency is an inherited enzyme deficiency that can cause emphysema and liver disease in adults. This disease should be suspected in people with emphysema who never smoked cigarettes. Learn more about this disease, how it's diagnosed and treatment options.
Emphysema
Learn the basics of emphysema, including the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this increasingly common disease.
Learn the basics of emphysema, including the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this increasingly common disease.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterized by chronic cough and sputum production. Learn more about the basics of this disease, how it's diagnosed and the best ways to treat your symptoms.
Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterized by chronic cough and sputum production. Learn more about the basics of this disease, how it's diagnosed and the best ways to treat your symptoms.
Find Out if Your Asthma is Controlled
Most people with asthma over-estimate their level of control, and many have uncontrolled asthma! Think your (or your child's) asthma is controlled? Find out by taking this short questionnaire on asthma symptoms!
Most people with asthma over-estimate their level of control, and many have uncontrolled asthma! Think your (or your child's) asthma is controlled? Find out by taking this short questionnaire on asthma symptoms!
Advair: Safety, Side Effects and the Black Box Warning
Advair is a popular combination medication used to treat asthma. In 2006, the FDA issued a "black box" warning on Advair, based on possible side effects of one of the components of this medication. Find out how Advair works, what the warning means, and whether or not you should use this medication.
Advair is a popular combination medication used to treat asthma. In 2006, the FDA issued a "black box" warning on Advair, based on possible side effects of one of the components of this medication. Find out how Advair works, what the warning means, and whether or not you should use this medication.
Xolair in the Treatment of Asthma
Xolair is a relatively new injectable medication used to treat moderate to severe asthma. It is the only medication that acts to block allergic antibody, or IgE, which is the underlying trigger for allergic asthma. Find out more about how Xolair works, who should use it, and safety concerns regarding this medication.
Xolair is a relatively new injectable medication used to treat moderate to severe asthma. It is the only medication that acts to block allergic antibody, or IgE, which is the underlying trigger for allergic asthma. Find out more about how Xolair works, who should use it, and safety concerns regarding this medication.
Comparison of Rescue Medications Used to Treat Asthma
Short-acting beta-agonsits are used to treat the acute symptoms of asthma, resulting in immediate relief. This table offers a nice side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used rescue medications for asthma. Brand and generic names, common dosage amounts and pictures of the inhalers are included.
Short-acting beta-agonsits are used to treat the acute symptoms of asthma, resulting in immediate relief. This table offers a nice side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used rescue medications for asthma. Brand and generic names, common dosage amounts and pictures of the inhalers are included.
Comparison of Inhaled Steroids Used to Treat Asthma
Inhaled steroids are the preferred therapies to treat persistent asthma. This table offers a nice side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used inhaled steroids for asthma. Brand and generic names, common dosage amounts and pictures of the inhalers are included.
Inhaled steroids are the preferred therapies to treat persistent asthma. This table offers a nice side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used inhaled steroids for asthma. Brand and generic names, common dosage amounts and pictures of the inhalers are included.
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
Do you have severe asthma that is difficult to control with typical asthma medications? Do you have an allergy to the mold, Aspergillus? If so, then you could have ABPA, a disease that worsens asthma and is due to an allergic reaction to mold in the lungs.
Do you have severe asthma that is difficult to control with typical asthma medications? Do you have an allergy to the mold, Aspergillus? If so, then you could have ABPA, a disease that worsens asthma and is due to an allergic reaction to mold in the lungs.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is caused by an immune reaction in the lungs to various proteins in the environment. People with HP are often diagnosed with recurrent pneumonia, cough and shortness of breath. Common causes include molds, pet birds, and plant particles.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is caused by an immune reaction in the lungs to various proteins in the environment. People with HP are often diagnosed with recurrent pneumonia, cough and shortness of breath. Common causes include molds, pet birds, and plant particles.