Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. Although allergies are so common, that does not mean that diagnosing and treating them is a simple affair. However, medical professionals who specialize in allergies are able to perform tests that help to identify different types of allergy and provide effective treatments. Dr. Andrew J. Pestcoe is an otorhinolaryngologist at The Head and Neck Center, P.C located in Bethlehem, PA. One of his specialties is diagnosing and treating allergies—read on to learn how he can help you.
The Two-Step Process of Allergy Diagnosis
There are two essential steps to allergy diagnosis.
- Medical history: Your medical history can provide your doctor with as much helpful information as the allergy tests themselves. Important details include:
- Past and current health conditions
- Any family history of allergies
- Medications you take on a regular basis
- How long you have been experiencing symptoms of an allergy
- Allergy testing: Along with medical history, allergy skin testing is the most common method for allergy diagnosis. Your doctor will prick the surface of your skin with a tiny amount of allergen. This test can be used with common allergens such as:
- Plant pollens
If you are allergic to one of the substances, your skin will appear red at the site of the prick. If the results from the prick test are not clear, an intradermal test may be used to inject a small amount of allergen under the upper layers of your skin.
In some cases, your Bethlehem doctor may recommend an allergy blood test rather than a skin test. For example, if you are taking certain medications that may interfere with allergy test results or if you have a serious skin condition. In this case, the sample will be sent to a lab and examined for allergen antibodies.
If you live in Bethlehem and you suffer from allergies, call Dr. Pestcoe today at (610) 691-2552 to make an appointment for a consultation.
The medical specialty of otolaryngology essentially deals with conditions and disorders that affect the ENT or ear, nose, and throat region, as well as related neck and head areas. This means that if you’re having any issues with these body parts or regions, such as hearing problems, throat irritation, or allergies, you should see your ENT specialist, Dr. Andrew Pestcoe, here at The Head and Neck Center, P.C. in Bethlehem, PA.
What Do ENT Doctors Do?
ENT doctors are experts in the medical and surgical treatment of these conditions:
- Ear Conditions and Disorders: You may have to visit an ENT specialist if you’re struggling with an ear problem, including an ear infection, hearing loss, ear pain, or ringing in your ears or tinnitus. ENT doctors can likewise treat and manage congenital ear disorders or those that you were born with.
- Nose Disorders and Conditions: ENT doctors typically treat and manage issues that negatively impact the sinuses, nasal cavity, and nose. These issues could impact not only your sense of smell but your breathing as well. If you’re having any issues with your nose, such as sinusitis, nasal congestion, or allergies, you can go to your ENT specialist in Bethlehem, PA, for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
- Throat Conditions and Disorders: These negatively affect your speech, swallowing, eating, singing, and even your digestion. ENT doctors could diagnose, treat, and manage throat problems to help prevent more serious complications.
- Neck and Head Disorders and Conditions Related to the Ears, Nose, and Throat: Aside from treating throat, nose, and ear problems, ENT doctors are likewise experts in managing trauma, tumors, deformities, and diseases of the face and neck. They’re also capable of performing reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, managing issues with the neck and head nerves that control hearing, sight, facial movements, and hearing.
Do You Have Ear, Nose, or Throat Concerns?
Arrange an appointment with Dr. Andrew Pestcoe here at The Head and Neck Center, P.C. in Bethlehem, PA, by dialing (610) 691-2552.
Allergies don’t have to dictate what you can and can’t do. Get them under control now!
From visiting a friend’s house that is overrun with pets to just trying to enjoy the beautiful outdoors on a pollen-heavy day, there are so many reasons why your allergy symptoms might be acting up. The Head and Neck Center, your ENT in Bethlehem, can tell you some of the most common allergy symptoms and what you can do to make life with allergies a bit easier on yourself.
Pinpoint Your Triggers
The next time your allergies flare up, make note of what’s around you or what activities you were doing (e.g. vacuuming; gardening). Write down any patterns you notice and discuss them with your otolaryngologist to figure out what could be to blame for your allergies. Knowing what triggers your symptoms will help you avoid them altogether.
Make Changes to Your Home
It’s always a great idea to chat with your ear, nose and throat doctor about how to reduce your allergy symptoms from the comfort of your own home. After all, your home should be a comfortable abode, not an allergy-riddled lair. If Fido has you sneezing, make sure he gets weekly baths and designate certain rooms as being pet-free (particularly bedrooms). Choose a HEPA-filter air conditioner that will filter out pollen and other outdoor allergens. Keep windows closed, particularly on windy days and make sure to keep all surfaces and furniture dusted and clean.
Consider Your Treatment Options
While you can certainly make a lot of lifestyle changes to improve your allergy symptoms, in most cases you may also require medication to help keep your allergies under control. You may find the proper relief through over-the-counter nasal sprays and other medications, while those with more moderate or serious allergy symptoms will want to turn to their ENT doctor to find out what prescription medication could control your allergies (or whether allergy shots are the best option).
Whether you have questions about managing your allergy symptoms or you want to find out what medication is right for you, give your ENT specialist a call today if your allergies are becoming difficult to tackle on your own. Finding the right allergy relief is just a phone call away.
Find out if the ear problems you are having could actually be due to an ear infection.
There is nothing fun about having ear problems. Of course, it isn’t always easy to tell if the symptoms you are having are warning you of an ear infection. Knowing the symptoms and when to see your otolaryngologist, The Head and Neck Center, P.C in Bethlehem for treatment is very important so you can eliminate the infection and get your ear health back on track. If you think you have an ear infection, here are some of the signs to look for.
An ear infection often comes on suddenly. If you are an adult suffering from an ear infection it’s fairly common to experience ear pain and drainage, as well as muffled or lessened hearing. If you suspect that your child might have an ear infection here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Ear pain
- Discharge from the ear
- Lack of appetite
- Poor balance
- Irritability or fussiness
- Problems sleeping
- Tugging at ear
- Having trouble hearing or responding to others
- Fever of 100 degrees F or higher
While most people don’t immediately see a doctor the minute symptoms arise, you should go ahead and schedule an appointment with your The Head and Neck Center, P.C otolaryngologist if:
- Your symptoms last more than one day
- A child under 6 months old is displaying these symptoms
- Your ear pain is serious
- If your child is having trouble sleeping
- If you notice pus or blood draining from the ears
There are many reasons for an ear infection, whether it’s from a simple illness or swelling of the Eustachian tubes in the ears. Your doctor will talk to you about the symptoms you are experiencing and then examine your ear. If a virus is to blame (which is often the case) then antibiotics will be prescribed. We can also talk to you about other at-home measures you can take to manage your symptoms and reduce pain and discomfort.
If you are concerned that you may have an ear infection then it’s time to call an ear, nose & throat doctor that you can trust. Call our office today and let us know what symptoms you are experiencing. We will try to get you in right away.
Discover some easy steps you can take to protect your hearing.
According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, about 20 percent of Americans have some form of hearing loss (that’s about 48 million people!). By the time someone reaches the ages of 65, one in three have hearing loss. While hearing loss does often happen as we age, there are many other factors that can affect our hearing. Here are some helpful ways to protect your hearing for years to come courtesy of your ENT professional, The Head and Neck Center, P.C. located in Bethlehem, PA and Allentown, PA.
Listen to Music Safely
If you wear headphones to listen to music it’s a good idea to listen to music at 60 percent of its maximum volume for no more than one hour a day. Listening to music at high volumes, while fun, can certainly damage your ears. If you find that you can’t hear sounds around you while listening to music then the music is much too loud. The same rule applies if others can hear your music blasting from your headphones.
As you can probably already imagine, being exposed to loud noises for long periods of time can damage your hearing (think concerts, festivals and racecar events). Make sure to bring earplugs with you and take 10-minute breaks away from the sound whenever you can.
Prevent Occupational Hazards
While those working on construction sites and factories used to experience a lot of trouble with their hearing, safety regulations have been put in place to protect workers’ hearing. However, you should make sure you are still using the proper equipment and hearing protection at all times. If you are concerned about your hearing while at work talk to your boss about ways to keep everyone safer.
Be Aware of Your Hearing
It’s important to always be on the lookout for any changes to your hearing. Do you notice that it’s becoming more and more difficult to hear those around you? Do you find that you have to keep turning the volume up on the TV or radio just to hear it? Do you ask people to repeat themselves often? If you are noticing changes then it’s time to see your Bethlehem, PA and Allentown, PA otolaryngologist or audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
If you have questions about hearing loss or are having difficulty understanding those around you then it’s time you called your ENT doctor in Bethlehem, PA and Allentown, PA today to find out the extent of your hearing loss and what can be done to treat it. Start being part of the conversation again.
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