You may have heard about the allergy test and wondered if it is right for you or your children. When you ask people about the allergy test, you can hear all kinds of answers, some true and many false. Let’s discard the myths and look at the reality of allergy testing and how it can help you.
Some people think allergies should just be endured or ignored. These people will tell you allergy testing is a waste of time. If you suffer from allergic symptoms, you know how allergies can take over your life. The more you ignore them or try to endure, the more miserable you feel.
Even worse, if left undiagnosed and untreated, allergies can cause severe reactions and put extra stress on your body. Allergies are not something to ignore. On the positive side, if you can pinpoint your specific allergies, you can start a treatment plan that improves your health and your daily life.
So let’s ignore the naysayers. Don’t let them hinder your decisions for a healthy life. Let’s look instead at what the allergy test is and why it’s beneficial.
One way to test for an allergy is through blood tests. When your body targets a certain allergen (for example, pollen, pet dander, or dust mites) as “bad,” you build up antibodies toward that substance. The antibodies are like an alarm system that informs your body when an intruder is present. Antibodies signal your immune system: Pollen is here! Bad! Attack! Then the whole chain reaction begins that causes your allergic symptoms.
By looking at what is in your blood, the allergy test identifies the presence of antibodies. These antibodies show which allergens your body has targeted as “bad.” Blood tests screen for antibodies to the most common allergens that might be causing your symptoms.
Another way of testing for allergies is through the skin test. People often dread the thought of having their skin poked with a needle and exposed to allergens. But skin testing can be a very effective way to determine specific allergies, to help you start getting the right treatments.
When our allergist does a skin test, he injects a trace amount of suspected allergens into the skin and watches how the skin reacts. He uses these reactions to determine which substances are causing the patient’s allergies.
While allergies are very common, allergic reactions and their effects on overall health are specific to each individual. Before any testing is done, our allergist will take a medical history and provide a medical exam. This will help him determine the best method of testing for your particular situation.
When our allergist can pinpoint your specific allergy triggers, he can create the most effective treatment plan for you.
Many allergy sufferers avoid “everything” because they are so worried they will come across a trigger. With allergy testing, you can learn specifically what causes your allergies and focus on the most effective treatments. You can stop avoiding harmless things and spend more time enjoying life. You can also learn what medications you need and which ones you don’t. Our allergist will help you with all of this when he analyzes the results of your allergy test.
The allergy test will also help you discover – under your allergist’s care – any potentially severe allergies. You won’t have to discover these by accident when you are not prepared. You will be aware of your allergies and be prepared with an effective response.
Are you ready to stop suffering the misery of not knowing what you are allergic to? Are you ready to get specific answers and the most effective treatment plan? Dr. Hadjiev, New York City’s own allergist, is here to help you. Call today for an appointment and ask him about the allergy test. It’s time to get some answers.
For More Information, Visit Our Main Website: DrSneeze.com
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-tests/about/pac-20392895
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioallergosorbent_test
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/blood-test#1
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_allergy_test
If you have ever suffered from sinusitis, you probably dread the feeling. That onset of stuffy head, painful sinus cavities, and achy feeling all over. Then comes the fever. Your teeth and eyes start to hurt. Post-nasal drip sets in, and you’re down for the count. Who could imagine that a few small cavities in your head could cause so much discomfort or congestion?
Sinuses are hollow spaces surrounding your nose. Healthy sinuses perform a much-needed function of lubricating the nose with mucus. The mucus protects you from pollutants and other irritants.
Sinusitis, sometimes referred to as a sinus infection, occurs when the tissue that lines the sinus cavities becomes inflamed. Swelling can be triggered by something as simple as a cold, an allergen, or a pollutant in the air.
Because sinus cavities are located close to the eyes and teeth, you might also feel pain in those areas during sinusitis.
When sinus cavities are swollen, mucus doesn’t flow freely. It backs up. That makes the sinus cavities ripe for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to grow. The sinuses react to those germs by producing even more mucus. Next thing you know, you’re in pain and misery. Sinusitis has set in.
If you have experienced sinusitis, you know it doesn’t go away overnight. Acute sinusitis can linger for two weeks or even longer. Believe it or not, that’s the good news. Chronic sinusitis can last for months.
Once you have recovered from sinusitis, you hope not to have that experience again anytime soon. Unfortunately, it might recur sooner than you’d like. People often suffer from sinusitis throughout the year, regardless of the weather and other health factors.
If you are suffering from sinusitis, or if you are prone to recurring sinus infections, a visit to our allergist, Dr. Hadjiev can help. He can treat your current infection and symptoms, so you can have some reprieve and start getting well.
That’s just the beginning of what Dr. Hadjiev will do to help you. He will also look for underlying causes of your sinusitis. He doesn’t want you to keep having those sinus infections any more than you do. The goal is not just to treat your current sinus infection. It’s also to help you become less susceptible to sinus problems in the future.
If you are not suffering right now, but you are prone to sinus infections, our allergist can help you determine why you regularly have sinusitis. You can get answers and help before the next infection sets in.
When something affects your sinuses, you can’t stop them from reacting, swelling, producing mucus, or becoming infected. But through a medical exam and tests, our allergist will be able to treat the underlying causes and help you minimize the triggers, so your sinuses can work better.
Through a medical exam, our allergist will look for any structural problems that might contribute to frequent sinus inflammation. Nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or other problems that block the sinuses can cause susceptibility to sinus infections.
Allergens and environmental pollutants can also trigger recurring sinusitis. Through allergy testing and looking at your medical history, our allergist can determine what may be causing your sinus inflammation.
When you know what is triggering your sinus reactions, you can begin to modify your environment to eliminate or reduce those triggers. Where needed, immunotherapy may be offered along with other treatments.
If you are suffering from sinusitis right now, or if you have frequent problems with sinus infections, don’t suffer any longer. Call Dr. Hadjiev and make an appointment at our convenient Midtown Manhattan office today.
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