“Asthma attacks can cause serious medical problems, leading to missed school days and the unwanted distress and expense of emergency room visits or hospital stays,” says pediatrician Rebecca Fazilat, M.D., who is one of the physician leaders of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s Asthma Management Program. “Fortunately, many children with asthma do improve as they get older. If your child’s asthma does not get better, good asthma control can make this condition almost invisible and ensure lifelong good health.”
In this blog post, Dr. Fazilat answers some of the most common questions from parents about asthma. Read More about Children and Asthma
With studies and the media reporting increases in kids’ food allergies, should parents be worried? Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s allergist and immunologist Grace Peace Yu, M.D., answers some of the questions she hears most frequently from parents.
For the millions of adults who have asthma, there has never been a cure, only medication options for preventing or treating asthma attacks. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) now offers a new procedure called bronchial thermoplasty that gives long-term relief from asthma.
PAMF was among the first medical providers in the United States to offer this new procedure for patients with severe asthma. Ganesh Krishna, M.D., is an interventional pulmonologist with expertise in pulmonary critical care medicine, who practices at PAMF’s Mountain View Center. Dr. Krishna is an expert at bronchial thermoplasty and other highly specialized, minimally invasive pulmonary treatments.
“We are leaders in bronchial thermoplasty and one of the most experienced centers in the world,” Dr. Krishna said. “Other physicians travel to our center from all over the country for training in this breakthrough procedure.”
What’s all the talk these days about gluten free food and gluten free diets?
Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye. The consumption of gluten by susceptible individuals causes celiac disease, which affects the digestive system. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten experience an immune reaction that damages the lining of their small intestines. This damage interferes with the intestines’ ability to absorb certain nutrients. Over time this can deprive many of the vital organs of important nourishment.
The most common symptoms of celiac disease are abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea. Less common symptoms are depression, irritability, joint pains, upset stomach, cramps, rashes and weight loss. Infants and young children seem to have more of the digestive symptoms than do adults. Read More about What Is Celiac Disease?
Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Flu season is here, and I always tell my patients that the number one way to prevent flu is to get your flu vaccination. This helps protect you, your family, co-workers and community. Along with the flu vaccine, patients sometimes ask me about other flu prevention ideas, so I’ll share a few with you here.
Flu Prevention Principles:
- Number one – get your flu vaccination
- Wash your hands
- Use a hand sanitizer
- Regularly wash your linens
- If you are infected, wear a mask if in close proximity to others, especially those who are high risk