In the past, children who had asthma would have to sit out during recess or gym class because of their breathing difficulties. Not only did this prevent children from getting adequate exercise, but it also isolated them from their classmates and friends. Today, exercise is actually becoming part of a child’s typical asthma treatment.
This video takes an inside look at a school where children with asthma are encouraged to swim, run, climb, and participate in other common childhood activities. Allowing this exercise represents a dramatic shift in thinking in the medical community, as exercise is becoming encouraged instead of avoided. By helping children strengthen their heart and lungs, exercise helps children take control of their asthma symptoms.
Before beginning any exercise program, it’s important for asthma sufferers to speak with an allergy doctor. Call 1 (800) 86-COUGH to schedule an appointment with Allergy & Asthma SpecialistsSM
Board certified allergists/immunologists comprise the entire physician staff of Allergy & Asthma Specialists. Allergy doctors at this premier medical practice provide comprehensive allergy and asthma diagnostics and state of the art treatment, including two types of immunotherapy, at offices located in center city Philadelphia, Blue Bell, King of Prussia, Jenkintown, Doylestown, Lansdale, Pottstown, and Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Schedule today online at www.AllergyandAsthmaWellness.com or by calling 1-800-86COUGH
Except for appointments involving very young children, allergy doctors often include lung function testing as part of a basic allergy evaluation. Doctors can now assess the lung function capacity of someone as young as three years old using state-of-the-art, computerized tests. In addition, doctors can use specialized lung function testing to evaluate children and adults who experience exercise-induced asthma or chronic cough syndrome.
If you or your child experiences persistent coughing, especially at night or when exercising, you should ask your doctor about scheduling a lung function test. Your doctor can use a spirometry test to determine how well your body is moving air in and out of your lungs. In addition, your doctor can measure how your airways respond to foreign substances through an inhalation challenge test. Other signs that you should request a lung function test are if you experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, or your body makes a squeaky, whistling sound when you are breathing in and out.
For more information about lung function testing, schedule an appointment with Allergy & Asthma SpecialistsSM. You can reach our King of Prussia office by dialing 1 (800) 86-COUGH.
If you suffer from food allergies, you may be worried that you will have to constantly battle your symptoms for the rest of your life. While you will need to continue to be aware of your allergy triggers, your allergy doctor can offer treatment options to help minimize your allergy symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, is one of those treatment options.
Undergoing SLIT for food will not eliminate your allergies, but it can help increase your tolerance for the foods you are allergic to. In fact, one study found that patients with peanut allergies who were only able to eat less than one peanut before SLIT were able to eat seven peanuts before experiencing an allergic reaction after undergoing the treatment. SLIT for food allergies generally takes six to eight months to complete. The process involves placing a food extract on the patient’s tongue, which is held there for two minutes and then swallowed. The dose of the extract is gradually increased as the patient’s tolerance improves until a dose that is considered adequate for maintenance is achieved.
Are you interested in SLIT? If so, Allergy & Asthma Specialists can help. Contact us online or at 1-800-86COUGH to schedule an appointment with one of our allergy doctors in the King of Prussia area.
For much of her adult life, Shirley Hickey received two injections a week in an effort to tame severe allergies that caused frequent sore throats and sinus infections. Now she uses a less painful method.
“One drop under the tongue every morning, and that’s it,” said Ms. Hickey, 65, who lives in Beaver Falls, Pa. She is free of symptoms and sinus infections from her allergies to ragweed and tree pollens, she said.
Injections have been used to treat allergies from inhaled substances — often known as hay fever — for 100 years, and the basic formula has changed little. But an alternative is now emerging — liquids or tablets placed under the tongue.
Both Merck and Stallergenes, a French company, are seeking marketing approval for tablets to treat grass pollen allergies. An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration will discuss the drugs next week.
Staying physically fit is an important part of maintaining your overall health. However, if you suffer from allergies, you may find that your allergy symptoms are worsened when you are exercising. An allergy doctor can identify your allergy triggers and develop a plan to help you minimize your symptoms as you go about your daily activities. Continue reading to learn a few tips for exercising comfortably when you have allergies.
Take Medication First
One of the best ways to prevent allergic reactions during your workouts is to take an allergy medication beforehand. Taking an antihistamine tablet before you head out the door can help prevent reactions to any pollen, dust, or chemicals you come into contact with. If you suffer from asthma in addition to allergies, you may benefit from using your inhaler right before you start to exercise. It’s also a good idea to keep an epinephrine autoinjector, a rescue inhaler, and medical information with you when you exercise if you suffer from severe allergies.
Wear the Right Clothes
If you suffer from skin allergies, it is important to wear the right clothes when you exercise. Fitness clothes that don’t breathe can cause you to break out into a rash by the end of your workout. If you are sensitive to synthetic fibers, avoid workout clothes made from nylon or polyester and instead look for items made of Lycra.
Avoid Your Triggers
The most important tip to remember for exercising when you have allergies is to avoid your allergy triggers. If you suffer from hay fever, do not exercise outside when pollen and mold counts are high. When you go to the gym, bring your own exercise mat to avoid coming into contact with unknown materials. Avoid swimming in highly chlorinated pools if chemicals tend to aggravate your allergies, and check the labels before you eat any workout snacks if you have food allergies.
If you would like to schedule an evaluation with an allergy doctor in the King of Prussia area, call Allergy & Asthma Specialists at 1-800-86COUGH. We offer allergy skin testing, lung function testing, and more. You can find out more about the services we offer by exploring our website.
Asthma is a common condition among people of all ages. In fact, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 26 million Americans are currently suffering from asthma, and over two million emergency room visits for asthma occur every year. Pinpointing a cause of asthma can be difficult, as the condition can be prompted by both genetic and environmental factors. If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, you may be interested in the following information about the top causes of asthma.
It is possible for allergic reactions to trigger asthma symptoms. Oftentimes, inhaling or ingesting an allergen can cause person to experience an asthmatic episode. Common allergens that trigger asthma include cockroach droppings, animal dander, and pollen.
Different types of air pollutants can cause asthma symptoms to develop. Tobacco smoke, strongly scented cleaners, and industrial fumes are all types of pollutants that can aggravate a person’s asthma symptoms.
Exercise is a common cause of asthma. However, individuals with exercise-induced asthma should not avoid physical activity altogether, as it is important for their overall wellbeing and can help minimize asthma symptoms with time. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms may be worsened by cold weather.
Stress or Illness
Both physical and emotional stress can cause asthma symptoms to appear. Physical stress brought on by a viral respiratory infection may result in an acute asthma attack. It is also possible for asthmatic episodes to occur during periods of severe stress or anxiety.
While environmental factors like exposure to allergens or pollutants can trigger asthma, the condition often has a genetic component as well. Individuals with a family history of asthma are at a greater risk for the condition. Oftentimes, environmental and genetic factors both contribute to an individual’s asthma symptoms.
At Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we are committed to providing the best asthma management services for our patients. We have eight Pennsylvania locations, including offices in King of Prussia and Philadelphia. To find out more about our allergy doctors or to schedule an asthma screening, call us at 1-800-86COUGH today.