Have you ever eaten a fruit or vegetable and noticed that your tongue/throat feels itchy or tingly? If you have seasonal allergies or “hay fever”, you may be experiencing a common phenomenon called oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Sometimes our bodies get confused and think that the protein of certain fruits and vegetables look exactly the… Read more »
Holiday Decorations and your Allergies/Asthma
Ahhh-Chooo! Do your holiday decorations make you sneeze? Not to worry we have some tips and tricks for our beloved allergy sufferers! Fact: Both real and artificial trees/holiday decorations can trigger allergic and non-allergic asthma and allergy symptoms. By sticking with a few simple rules, you too can rejoice in this upcoming holiday season with… Read more »
Do I Need an Antibiotic?
With cold and flu season in strong force, the question of if an antibiotic is necessary is important to address. The majority of the time, an upper respiratory infection (URI), or “the common cold”, is a virus. There are over 200 sub types of viruses that can cause an URI, the most common is a… Read more »
From Influenza Strains to a Universal Flu Vaccine
Flu Season At the time of this writing, the influenza season in Colorado is underway. Public Health experts reported a tough influenza season in Australia earlier this year, which may predict a similar upcoming pattern in the Northern Hemisphere. Every year, the World Health Organization tries to predict which influenza strains will predominate during the… Read more »
Biologic Drugs-What are they?
Have you heard the term “biologics” as they pertain to the management of allergies and asthma? What is a biologic? Are they just like any other medications? If your doctor prescribes a biologic medication and not a more typical drug, such as an antihistamine or nasal steroid, what is the difference? Biologics Overview Many people… Read more »
E-cigs: More Dangerous Than We Thought
What are they? E-cigs are also known as e-cigarettes, e-vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). They have nicknames such as e-hookahs, hookah pens, vapes, vape pens, and mods. The devices contain four common components: a battery, a heating element, a mouthpiece, and a cartridge which contains a liquid solution. The liquid solution or “e-juice”… Read more »
Climate Change and Your Allergies
Colorado-A Growing Community Many patients have commented that their allergies seem to have gotten worse in recent years. Some of this change may be related to the population growth that we have experienced over the past 25 years along the Front Range in Colorado. The growth brings more traffic and congestion, construction dust, and landscaping… Read more »
Vocal Cord Dysfunction – What is it?
Vocal Cord Dysfunction or VCD is a medical condition that can mimic asthma. In fact, many people are misdiagnosed with asthma, acid reflux, or psychological disorders before their diagnosis of VCD is made. VCD is an involuntary spasm of their vocal cords. The symptoms of VCD include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing on inspiration (as… Read more »
I am so itchy!
Pruritis is the medical word for itching. Itching can be a very frustrating symptom. Many patients are not able to sleep soundly, or enjoy their day if they are itching. The diagnosis for itching is divided by whether or not a patient has a rash along with the itching. This article discusses itching WITHOUT a… Read more »
Biotin-The Hair & Nail Supplement
Biotin (Vitamin B7) is a vitamin found in multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, and products promoting healthy hair, nails, and skin. Some medical professionals even prescribe the vitamin as adjunct therapy for nerve pain and multiple sclerosis. The recommended daily allowance for Biotin is 30 micrograms (mcg) per day. However, some products contain much higher doses from… Read more »