Asthma is a chronic inflammatory medical condition that affects the airways. A common medical condition, asthma is characterized by episodic symptoms that are usually referred to as asthma attacks. Symptoms of asthma consist of wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. Asthma is an incurable medical condition, but its symptoms can be managed. Still, asthma is considered to be a potentially dangerous condition, and possibly even fatal. When suffering from asthma, it’s important to have regular checkups with an asthma doctor.
The symptoms may change over time and it’s important to adequately change the course of treatment. The cause of asthma is still not entirely understood. Doctors believe that there are several risk factors that may lead to the development of asthma. These factors could be divided into two groups – environmental and genetic. Environmental risk factors include:
Allergens, such as dust mites, animal material, mold and cockroaches
Air pollutants, such as tobacco and traffic smoke pollution
Organic compounds, such as formaldehyde. Genetic risk factors, such as having asthma in the family, have also been shown to be relevant. Also, people with atopic diseases, such as atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis, are more likely to develop asthma at some point in their life. Symptoms:
These symptoms usually appear more – and are worse – in the morning and the evening, after exercise and when exposed to cold air. Asthma attacks are also triggeredby certain substances, most notably allergens, tobacco smoke, sulfite containing foods and air pollution.A wheezing noise is produced during an attack because the airways become tighter. This interferes with normal passage of air, which in turn causes the feeling of shortness of breath. A person with asthma will also have an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This inflammation has to be treated because it may play a part in potential lung damagethat can be caused by asthma. An asthma doctor should evaluate it and recommend treatment. Treatment
Treatment options for asthma symptoms include:
Leukotriene antagonists, can be used in addition to corticosteroids and LABAAsthma medications are usually administered by inhalers.
SABA as well as anticholinergic drugs are used for in the short-term type of treatment for symptoms. Anticholinergic drugs should only be used by people that can’t tolerate SABA. Corticosteroids are the most common medications used for long term treatment of asthma, and are also usually administered by inhalers, unless in very severe cases, when they are administered orally.
Sinusitis is a medical condition in which the tissue lining in the paranasal sinuses – cavities surrounding nasal passages – become inflamed and swollen. If the condition lasts for more than eight weeks, despite treatments, it is called chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by a number of different factors including allergens, infections, and growths inside the sinuses. The condition is treatable, and is not life threatening, although it may lead to further complications which present a more severe health-threat, such as meningitis and aneurisms. When starting to experience the symptoms, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor.
There are a number of causes of chronic sinusitis:
Tissue growths inside the sinuses, such as nasal polyps Inflammations that follow some allergies, such as hay fever, can be a cause of chronic sinusitis. A number of other things that block or obstruct nasal passages, such as deviations and polyps, can also cause chronic sinusitis. Infections caused by viruses,
bacteria and fungi are also among the possible causes of chronic sinusitis. A visit to the doctor for sinus infections is required to determine the exact cause and treat it.
Where the sinuses are located. With chronic sinusitis, the nasal passages can become blocked, which causes difficulties with breathing through the nose. The inflammation may cause tenderness and swelling, which can be felt in the area where the sinuses are located – the forehead, nose, cheeks and around the eyes.
Other symptoms, though not as common, can also be present:
When any of these symptoms is combined with a change in vision, stiff neck, shortness of breath, and a swollen forehead, immediate medical attention should be sought. These are the signs of a serious infection which may lead to severe complications.
The treatment options for chronic sinusitis usually deal with the symptoms and the causes separately.
The symptoms are treated by:
Over-the-counter pain relievers Nasal irrigation is used to rinse the nasal passage. Corticosteroids are delivered by nasal sprays, unless in the more severe cases, when they are delivered orally or by injections. Decongestants are used to ease breathing through the nose, but they can only be used for a few days. Depending on the cause of chronic sinusitis, a doctor may recommend antibiotics, immunotherapy, or even endoscopic surgery.
I started this blog to educate and answer questions about all subjects that I encounter being an Allergist in NYC
The name of the blog came from my Google search results. The most common term that people used to find my website. “Best Allergist NYC”. So, as a humble person, I cannot take credit for the title completely.
What I would like to do is write in layperson terms about the common problems I treat and occasionally, discuss actual cases that I treat. The most common types of problems that I will discuss are:
Allergic Eye Conditions (Allergic Conjunctivitis)
Allergic Nasal Conditions (Allergic Rhinitis, Hay Fever)
Allergic Reactions
Allergic Skin Conditions
Anaphylaxis (Life threatening allergic reactions)
Angioedema (Skin swelling)
Asthma
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Bee Sting Allergy
Chronic Cough
Chronic Sinusitis
Contact Dermatitis
Environmental Allergies
Food Allergy
Hives (Urticaria)
Medication Allergy
Non-allergic Rhinitis
Recurrent Infection and Suspected Immunodeficiency
Please stop by often and see what new posts I have to share. If you would like me to discuss any specific topics please feel free to email me.
Dr. Boyan Hadijev
Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025