Monthly Archives: November 2015
Allergy Shots: An Effective Treatment
Anyone who suffers from severe allergy knows how life limiting it can become. A severe allergy attack can also become as serious as to feel the need to call in emergency medical assistance. Allergies also come in different types and forms and while there are many choices of treatment, one of them is of allergy shots.
When Are Allergy Shots Feasible?
While there are other treatments available to control allergies as well, your allergist may recommend allergy shots if no medication affects your allergy symptoms positively, if the medication causes side effects, or interferes with other medications you take, if you are allergic to insect stings or if you want to reduce the use of medications in the long run.
How Do Allergy Shots Help?
Allergy shots are affective in case if you have seasonal, indoor or insect sting allergies. Also known as “immunotherapy”, the shot contains a small amount of the allergen that triggers your condition so that the body may get used to it. Allergy shots aren’t a cure for your allergy but help the immune system adapt to the allergen so that it stops seeing it as a virus. Thus, these shots helps reduce the symptoms and severity of the allergy over time.
How Often Are Allergy Shots Required?
Allergy shots are given once or twice a week for a few months initially and contain the allergen you are allergic to, such as pollen, dust or mold. After the few months have passed, the dose is gradually enhanced until it reaches the level of maintenance dose. Once that level is reached, a shot is given every 2-4 weeks for a period of 4-5 months. Gradually, the time between shots is increased until you receive them only once a month. During this time, you should experience a decline in your allergy symptoms and greater tolerance for the allergen which caused you allergy in the first place.
You may be required to stay at your allergist’s office for 30 minutes after receiving the shot in order to ensure that there are no side effects of the allergy. However, if you still suffer from the same allergy symptoms, you should check in at the nearest emergency center.
After getting the allergy shots, you may experience some common symptoms such as irritation, redness or swelling in the area where the injection was inserted. These symptoms usually only last for 4 to 8 hours.
It is very important to pay attention to your allergy symptoms and seek the right treatment for it. If medications don’t help, you might want to consult a NYC allergist and get allergy shots as they have been found to be an effective treatment for most people. The process may be longer but it will help develop endurance in your body for the allergen. To schedule an appointment with one of the best NYC allergists, contact us at 212-319-5282 today.
How to Deal With an Asthma Attack
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, it’s important to know what to do in case it becomes severe. If you are on the right medication for asthma, chances are that you can avoid an asthma attack. However, there is no guarantee and you should always be alert. Some people suffer from asthma in certain weather conditions while others may experience severity from dust or pollution. Let’s see how you can stay in control during an asthma attack.
What Is An Asthma Attack?
There are many symptoms of asthma which we will discuss shortly but an asthma attack is characterized by the worsening of these symptoms. The attack is initiated as the muscles surrounding the airway become tightened, a condition known as bronchospasm. During the attack, mucus is produced that is thicker and more in quantity than normal while the lining of the airway also becomes inflamed. Together, these conditions cause a difficulty in breathing, coughing and shortness of breath which interferes with normal airway functioning.
Symptoms of Asthma Attack
Not everyone who has asthma experiences the same symptoms in the same way. Different symptoms may appear at different times and may also vary from one attack to another. While some people may suffer from asthma symptoms daily, others go long periods of time without them. This also means that some people suffer from asthma only during a specific activity, such as during exercise, or during a viral infection, such as cold. Common symptoms of an asthma attack include:
- Tightening of the chest
- Severe wheezing and coughing
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing
- Sweaty or pale face
- Blue nails or lips
- Difficulty in talking
What to Do In Case Of an Asthma Attack
Certain changes start taking place before an attack and are early signs that your asthma is worsening. By staying alert, you can take early action to prevent or reduce the impact of an asthma attack. Such early signs include:
- Feeling grouchy, moody or upset
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Coughing frequently
- Experiencing signs of cold or other allergy
- Trouble sleeping at night due to asthma
If you detect any of these early signs, it’s important to find and keep your inhaler with you and immediately take one or two puffs. If you feel the attack getting severe, sit down and try to take steady breaths. You can take two puffs every two minutes up to 10 puffs if your breathing is still constricted. If the condition worsens even more, you should call an emergency center or a loved one who can provide immediate help.
It’s very important for people who have asthma to get the right treatment and know all the reasons and causes of their asthma attack. Get in touch today at 212-319-5282 to book your appointment with one of the best NYC allergists and learn more on how to keep your asthma under control without disrupting your daily routine.
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