Allergy and Asthma Immunotherapy Treatment

An Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens.

Within just the past few years, medical advances have produced a whole new range of treatment options for asthma that work better and last longer. For those who suffer from debilitating, hard-to-control asthma, new research in the field of immunology offers promising, cutting-edge treatment for those who thought they had no options beyond steroid medications.

Some Common Allergens and Asthma Triggers:

Allergens & Irritants - Cigarette Smoke - Cockroaches - Dust Mites - Mold - Pets & Animals - Pollen

A variety of tests now exist to diagnose allergic conditions; these include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific IgE. Treatments for allergies include allergen avoidance, use of anti-histamines, steroids or other oral medications, immunotherapy to desensitize the response to allergen, and targeted therapy.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) is a proven, effective form of treatment that can dramatically reduce sensitivity to certain allergens. Like a vaccine, immunotherapy works by injecting increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient in order to develop an immunity or tolerance. Immunotherapy is not recommended for food allergies. It is recommended for individuals over the age of five who seek long-lasting relief from:

* Allergic asthma
* Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and conjunctivitis
* Stinging insect allergy

In studies, allergen immunotherapy has been shown to prevent the development of new allergies, and in children with allergic rhinitis, it may prevent the development of asthma.

Considerations for Immunotherapy Treatment

* Length of allergy season and severity of symptoms
* Effectiveness of medications and environmental changes in controlling allergy symptoms
* Desire to avoid long-term medication use
* Potential future benefit for children in prevention of new allergies and asthma
* Time: immunotherapy will require a significant time commitment

Diagnosis & Treatment

After a detailed medical history and complete physical exam, your physician will perform allergy skin testing to identify your specific allergic triggers. Since immunotherapy is not for everyone, your physician will discuss your situation with you to develop an individualized treatment plan. If immunotherapy is recommended and you wish to achieve long-term relief from allergies, your physician will create an immunotherapy treatment plan for you. During the build-up phase, you will receive increasing amounts of allergens via shots once or twice a week. This phase typically lasts for 3 to 6 months. Next is the maintenance phase in which a constant maintenance dose is administered every 2 to 4 weeks until there is lasting remission.

The Advantage of Immunotherapy Treatment

The success of immunotherapy treatment not only depends on the quality of your physician and the patient's adherence to the treatment plan, but also on the quality of the allergen shots.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that is characterized by both inflammation and a heightened senstivity of the airways to certain triggers. It affects both children and adults. In asthma, the inflammation of the airways causes them to swell and fill with mucous. In turn, the airways become more sensitive and the muscles around the airways tighten. This restricts airflow into the lungs and creates the symptoms of asthma. Asthma symptoms can include: coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Common Triggers of Asthma

* Allergens-pollen, dust, mold, animal dander, foods
* Irritants in the air, especially tobacco smoke
* Viral respiratory infections and sinusitis
* Emotional stress
* Exercise
* Weather changes
* Reflux disease

Diagnosis & Treatment of Asthma

After a detailed medical history and complete physical exam, your physician will assess your lung function and identify your asthma triggers in order to develop an individualized asthma management plan. Treatment plans include: measurements of lung function, elimination of environmental triggers, medication therapy, and patient education.

We Would like to thank the Allergy Doctors Raleigh North Carolina specializes in allergic disease, asthma and immunology for being a sponsor of this site. They can help you breathe better and live better.

Allergy Partners of Raleigh - 10010 Falls of Neuse
Suite 106 - Raleigh, North Carolina 27614
Phone: 919-846-0800

Specialty Services include: Hay fever and eye allergy diagnosis and treatment Prick/scratch and Intradermal Skin testing Immunotherapy (allergy shots) Cluster Immunotherapy Asthma evaluation and treatment Pulmonary Function testing Sinusitis workup and treatment Food Allergy evaluation and treatment Oral food challenges Eczema / skin allergy diagnosis and treatment Stinging insect allergy evaluation and treatment Drug allergy evaluation and treatment Urticaria (hives) and Angioedema (swelling) evaluation and treatment Immunodeficiency evaluation and treatment Occupational allergic disorders diagnosis and treatment.

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