Healthy Tips For Better Live

Treating your allergies or asthma properly can be expensive.  Statistics from the American Academy of Allergy have estimated the cost of treating allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies or hayfever) and asthma is on the order of many billions of dollars per year in the U.S.  The costs that patients face are both direct (medications, doctor visits, hospital stays etc…) and indirect (missed work or school, decreased productivity on the job etc…).  Both add up rapidly to become a big part of health care costs for patients and insurance companies.  As a practicing allergist, I have put together some suggestions for patients who are interested in saving money on their prescription medications.  Working with your doctor is the best way to find ways to control spiraling prescription medication costs.

5 Ways to Save on Allergy and Asthma Medications

1.  Take the medications as directed by your doctor.  This may seem obvious, but it is probably the best long term way to save money.  Many medications such as nasal steroid sprays (Flonase, Nasonex, Veramyst, Rhinocort AQ, Nasacort AQ) and inhaled steroids (Flovent, Asmanex, Qvar, Azmacort, Advair, Symbicort) and Leukotriene blockers (Singulair or Accolate) work best as “Controller Medications”.  Controller means that taking the medicine daily prevents symptoms and illness. If you can prevent allergy symptoms, or a flare of asthma, you save health care dollars and money out of your pocket by not needing additional medications such as antibiotics, or incurring co-pays for sick visits.  You and your kids will also miss less work and school, which makes you more productive in the long run. 

2.  Check with your insurance plan to see if ordering medication in bulk will be cheaper.  Many insurance plans come with pharmacy benefits that offer discounts if you order ninety day supplies of medications.  Since many allergy and asthma medications need to be taken on a preventative basis (“controller”), having several months supply of medication on hand makes sense, may allow for discounts, and will save you several trips to the pharmacy.

3.  Research which medications are covered best by your insurance plan.  Physicians have a difficult time keeping up with which medications are covered best by your insurance plan.  Do your homework to see if your insurance plan has a list of medications, or formulary, which outlines which medications they cover at lower, or generic, co-pays and discuss this with your physician during a visit.  Often times, physicians are happy to switch a patient to a medication that is covered well by their plan as long as it is safe and provides equal benefits.

4.  Don’t just ask for samples. Ask your doctor if his office has any coupons for you medications.  There is a trend now for pharmaceutical companies to provide fewer samples and more coupons or discount cards for their medications.  Often these coupons will lower or totally eliminate the entire co-pay.  Many coupon offers provide you a month’s free supply of medications and enroll you in future discount programs.

5.  Research on the internet discount offers for medications.  The website www.allergymedsites.com compiles many allergy and asthma medication coupon offers to help patients.  Google coupons or discount offers for your allergy or asthma medications.  A good place to start is the website of the pharmaceutical company that makes your medication or try typing in nameofyourmedication.com (e.g. advair.com).  Often these coupons are not quite as good as what you can find at your doctor’s office, but they can save you a great deal of money and are easy to use.

Signs and symptoms

 

For some people an allergic reaction to a particular food can be uncomfortable, but not serious. For other people, a food-allergic reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of a food allergy usually develop within a few minutes to an hour after eating the offending food.

 

The most common signs and symptoms of a true food allergy are: *

 

Tintelingen in the mouth

* Galbulten, itching or eczema

* Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body

* A wheezing, nasal congestion or difficulty in breathing

* Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

* Dizziness, light or fainting

 

symptoms depends on what type of food allergy you have.

 

In a severe allergic reaction to food, called anaphylaxis, You can have more extreme symptoms including this life-threatening signs and symptoms:

 

* Design of the airways, such as a swollen throat or a lump in the throat, which makes it difficult to breathe

* Shock With a sharp drop in blood pressure

* Fast heartbeat

* Dizziness, light or loss of consciousness

 

Emergency treatment is of crucial importance in the treatment of anaphylaxis. Food anaphylaxis is responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and as many as 200 deaths in the United States each year.

 

Exercise-induced food allergy

Some people have an allergic reaction to a food which is caused by exercise. If the body is stimulated by exercise, a person with an exercise-induced food allergy May feel itchy and lightheaded. In severe cases it can lead to reactions such as hives or anaphylaxis. Not eating for a few hours before the exercise of this problem can be avoided.

 

Oral allergy syndrome

Some fresh vegetables and fruits can lead to a mild allergic reaction that causes the foot to Tingle or itching. This is an example of cross-reactivity, proteins in vegetables and fruits because they cause the reaction ‘re similar to those allergy causing proteins found in certain pollens. For example, if you ‘re allergic to ragweed, you may also react to melons, if you ‘ re allergic to birch pollen, you may also react to apples. Most cooked vegetables and fruits generally do not lead to cross-reactive oral allergy symptoms.





By Rishabh Sood

 

Generally, allergy shots are safe, with minimal side effects. There are no long-term complications associated with this form of therapy, but there is a small risk of allergic reactions immediately following the injection. These allergic reactions can be severe.

Typically, allergy shots may cause slight swelling or redness at the injection site. These reactions can occur immediately after the injection and/or can occur several hours later. This mild allergic reaction is usually harmless and goes away within 24 hours.

The shots may also cause symptoms similar to the allergy symptoms you experience: itchy, stuffy nose; itchy, watery eyes; sneezing. In very rare cases, these symptoms become very severe and are accompanied by other symptoms, including the following, difficulty breathing or wheezing, chest or throat tightness, rapid or irregular heart beat, dizziness or light-headedness, loss of consciousness and death.

This type of very severe allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis. It is a very uncommon reaction to an allergy shot, but it is dangerous, even life threatening.

This is less likely to happen if you follow the schedule of shots recommended by your allergist and observe the technician administering the shot. Be sure you are receiving the correct dose of the correct extract. The dizziness, light-headedness, and loss of consciousness are due to dangerously low blood pressure, usually called “shock.” These symptoms occur when the brain is not receiving enough blood. Anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency.

Such severe reactions usually begin within 20-30 minutes after receiving the shots. For this reason, most allergists require that you wait in the office for 20-30 minutes after your shots to be monitored. If you should experience these symptoms at any time, tell the allergist or other medical professional right away.

If you have already left the allergist’s office, and are having a severe reaction, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you already have and Epi-pen, use it. If you have an antihistamine such as Benadryl, take it regardless, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or urgent care center as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive yourself. If no one is available to drive you immediately, call 911 for emergency transport.

Immunotherapy does not treat symptoms; it treats the immune system, the source of all allergic reactions. Although the exact details of how allergy shots work is unknown, we do know the general way they affect the immune system.

An allergic reaction occurs when the body is exposed to an external substance (the antigen) that the immune system interprets as a foreign invader. In allergic individuals, the immune system then makes an unusual (allergic) response that harms the body.

Allergy shots desensitize you by turning down this immune response to the antigen. As a result of immunotherapy, the white blood cells no longer respond as strongly to the antigen, and less production of the immunoglobulin E antibody to this antigen occurs. So, when you are exposed to this antigen, less severe allergic reactions occur in affected areas like the eyes, nasal mucosal surfaces, and the bronchial airways.

Generally, allergy is a word that describes as reaction of body tissues in certain individuals, which is uncommon in substance and has no noticeable or characteristic result on other people. Studies have shown that out of every one hundred Americans seventeen of them are indeed hypersensitive to some substances that are known to cause uncommon reactions, in other words they are allergic to common sources of allergens. These allergens may range widely from varies sources of irritants. For instance, some individuals show signs of allergies when introduced to certain annoyances such as dust and pet dander as well as insect venom, mold spores and pollens. Others may show signs of allergies when exposed to flowers and yet other individuals may show signs of being allergic to certain soaps.

Common Allergies:

1. Anaphylaxis – generated by food, insect stings or drugs

2. Contact Allergies – activated by skin-affecting allergens

3. Food Allergies – provoked by certain types of food

4. Insect Sting Allergies – produced by insect venom

5. Respiratory Allergies – prompted by airborne allergens

In view of the fact that all individuals may display reactions unique to their own bodily system, allergic reactions may vary widely as well as show signs to all or some of the reactions listed below. Always seek advice from your physician if any allergic reaction becomes severe or persistent. Here you will find symptoms, which are associated with common allergy types, these symptoms may range from mild to very severe.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction that has sudden and severe affects on varies areas of the body. This allergic reaction is most commonly found resulting from food or drug allergies as well as from insect stings. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. Anaphylaxis is generally noticeable very soon after the exposure of the affecting allergens, and can very well bring on a life endangering shock. As well, other signs of Anaphylaxis are distress of the respiratory system, swelling in certain areas of the body or the total body and an extreme itching over the total body.

Anaphylactic symptoms include:

1. Abnormal heartbeat

2. Tightening sensation of the chest

3. Difficulty in swallowing and breathing

4. Swelling of the throat, mouth and tongue

5. Flushing of the skin

6. Tingling or itching throughout the body

7. Agitation, anxiety or distress

8. Confusion or disorientation

9. Dizziness or lightheadedness

10. Fainting or nausea

11. Stomach upsets such as abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea

Since some severe cases of anaphylactic shock, can occur and can prove to be life threatening it is best to get proper medical treatment immediately. As a sudden drop in blood pressure, which results from the dilation of blood vessels may also cause the loss of consciousness and the swelling of the body’s bronchial tissues can cause choking before the loss of consciousness.

Contact Allergies

The symptoms of contact allergies normally occur within a few moments of exposure to the allergen; however, it is possible for reactions to the allergens to show up several hours after exposure. There are many common allergens such as poison oak and poison ivy as well as medications, latex, dyes, fragrances or perfumes and cosmetics, preservatives and nickel, rubber and hair dyes. Nickel is a frequently used metal in jewelry, hairpins, buttons and zippers as well as snaps and metal clips and is frequently associated with allergies. Some individuals may also display signs of being allergic to the exposure of the sun.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Eczema

2. Hives

3. Redness or swelling of the skin

4. Itchy or a bumpy rash

5. Skin bumps that are filled with fluid

Severe Symptoms:

1. Anaphylaxis

Food Allergies

Certain types of food, which normally occurs within a few minutes, generally bring on a food allergy symptom. As well as showing, up several hours after the food consumption. Although it is possible for food allergies to involve many areas of the body, it is usually seen around the areas of the mouth and lips as well as the digestive tract. Foods that are commonly known to cause allergic reactions are milk, nuts, eggs, wheat and soy as well as shellfish and fish products.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Tightness of the throat

2. Difficulty in swallowing or speaking

3. Itching, swelling or tingling in the areas of the mouth, throat, tongue and lips

4. Wheezing

5. Sneezing

6. Coughing or congestion

7. Rashes of the skin

8. Itchy, stuffy or runny nose

9. Nausea

10. Abdominal cramping and indigestion

11. Diarrhea and vomiting

Severe Symptoms:

1. Difficulty in breathing

2. Sudden increase of heart rate

3. Sudden hoarseness or inability to speak

4. Extreme facial swelling

5. Sudden outbreak of facial itching

6. Dizziness and fainting

7. Sudden and profuse sweating

8. Anaphylaxis

Insect Sting Allergies

Although it is possible to develop symptoms of allergies to insect stings can occur several hours after exposure, most symptoms of allergies from insect stings normally happen just a few moments after being stung. Allergic reactions from insect venom can come from such insects as bees, hornets and wasps as well as yellow jackets and fire ants.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Swelling of the tongue

2. Tightness of the chest

3. Difficulty in breathing

4. Fever

5. Nausea or fatigue

6. Hives

7. Swelling in other areas of the body, including the stung area

8. Itching in other areas of the body, including the stung area

9. Pain in other areas of the body, including the stung area

Severe Symptoms:

1. Anaphylaxis

Respiratory Allergies

Respiratory allergies symptoms generally occur after several hours of exposure, which is normally provoked by airborne allergens, such as dust mites, plant pollens, and pet dander and mold spores.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Itchy, watery, red swollen eyes

2. Impaired sense of smell

3. Postnasal drip

4. Runny or stuffy nose running with clear thin mucus

5. Sneezing

6. Wheezing

7. Coughing

8. Itchy nose or throat

9. Congestion

10. Hoarseness of the throat

11. Conjunctivitis

12. Fatigue

Severe Symptoms:

1. Pain and tightness in the chest

2. Difficult or shortness of breathing

It is vital to understand that many allergies have symptoms similar to other diseases or conditions. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you consult with your physician while assessing a condition and getting a proper diagnosis.

Allergy is prevalent both in adults and babies these days. You would be alarmed to hear that out of the total population that suffers from allergies, 6% constitutes children, especially infants. You never know when an allergy will come. Okay…how does allergy occur? As soon as the immune system starts to react differently for the food items that you generally take, it means you are allergic to that type of food.

When I say babies are prone to food allergies, I’m sure many parents will wonder how and why? Am I not true in saying that for every parent, their children is their world? You give them with all the basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter and above all, good care. It is essential that you be aware of the food items that your child is allergic to as sometimes, it may even cause death.

You get a lot of food items like pizza, burger, cheese, milk, pasta, fishes, etc. and your child may be allergic to one or more of these food items. It is the duty of each and every parent to take care of their child’s health and that too when allergies are more prevalent. Necessary steps have to be taken to ensure that the child is not experiencing any uneasiness due to allergies. You will have to be extra careful if you are introducing solid foods to your infant.

Let us see how an allergy occurs as this will help you understand how to prevent as well as manage food allergies. As soon as the child eats a food item that is allergic to him/her, IgE (antibodies) will be produced by the body. The next time when the same food is eaten by your child, IgE will inform the immune system for producing histamines. Histamines are produced to fight against the allergens. In general, allergens are harmless; however, it is the immune system that mistakes this to be harmful for the child and will start to attack it. Due to this, a child may get symptoms and signs of allergy. These symptoms may occur within few minutes or in two hours depending on the response from the immune system.

Allergic symptoms fall into two categories, namely, mild and severe. Mild symptoms include:

a) Swelling of skin, or parts of the body like ears, mouth, tongue, etc.

b) Rashes, which are itchy.

c) Discomfort in breathing

d) Vomiting

e) Diarrhea

In some cases, allergy is hereditary. Say for example, one of your family members is allergic towards milk, there are possibilities for your child to inherit this allergy. Some children do not show any signs of allergy when they start eating these food items; however, in the longer run may develop allergic signs and symptoms. Few food items that may cause allergy are:

a) Eggs

b) Milk

c) Fish

d) Peanuts

e) Treenuts

It is advisable to call the local emergency number immediately after your child shows allergic signs or symptoms. Why should you do this? It is because some allergies may even cause death. It is always good if you can detect the allergy at an earlier stage itself. If you get in touch with your pediatrician, he/she will be able to prepare and give you a plan of action to prevent allergy.

Don’t take allergy as a simple disease. Please pay proper attention to if your child is allergic towards a food item. This will save the lives of your precious and priceless gift, that is, your baby.