THE ADVOCATE April 7, 2011
Sponsored By Monsey Medical & Dental Center 40 Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey, NY 845-352-6800
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FAMILY HEALTH TALK For tips on allergy proofing your home see page 22
DEPARTMENTOF OF DEPARTMENT PEDIATRIC MEDICINE PEDIATRIC MEDICINE: Dr.Esther EstherBekritsky Bekritsky Dr. Dr.Paul PaulBloom Bloom Dr. Dr. Gerson Gluck Dr. Gerson Gluck ADULT MEDICINE Dr. James Israel ADULT MEDICINE: Dr. Arthur James Landau Israel Dr. Arthur Debra Grohman Landau Dr. Eric Grohman Goldman Dr. Debra Blitz, PA Dr.Brian Eric Goldman ElanaBlitz, Klein,PA PA Brian FAMILYMEDICINE: MEDICINE FAMILY Dr.Ryan RyanBanach Banach Dr. OB/GYN OB/GYN: Dr. JoelW. W.Allen Allen Dr. Joel Dr.Debra DebraKirschner Kirschner Dr. Dr.Karina KarinaZhuravleva Zhuravleva Dr. MelissaA. A.Carco, Carco,PA PA Melissa DENTAL DENTAL
Dr.Genady GenadyBenyaminov Benyaminov Dr. Dr. Leonard Kundel Dr. Leonard Kundel Dr. Stacey Lubetsky Dr. Stacey Lubetsky Dr.Jacklyn Ramin Kashani Dr. Tadros Dr. Tadros Dr.Jacklyn Mark Raider Dr.Sarah Mark Hanna Raider Dr. SarahHygienist Hanna JanaDr. Barkin,
Jana Barkin, Hygienist SPECIALTY: Dr. HarrySPECIALTY Baldinger - Podiatry Dr. Harry Baldinger--Podiatry Podiatry Dr. Stuart Birnbaum Dr. Stuart Birnbaum Podiatry David Schwalb - Urology DavidWitkowska Schwalb - Urology Dr.Dr. Renata - Allergy Renata Witkowska - Allergy Dr. Dr. Samuel Wong - Ophthalmology Dr. Samuel Wong Ophthalmology Dr. Alfred Hellreich - Dermatology Dr. - Dermatology Dr.Alfred PhilipHellreich Fried - Dermatology Philip Fried - Dermatology Dr.Dr. Yoel Kantor - Endocrinology Dr. Yoel Kantor - Endocrinology Hanna Raice - Nutrition Counseling Hanna Raice Nutrition Counseling Aaron Muller, Speech Therapy Aaron Muller, Speech Therapy Melech Karp, Speech Therapy Melech Karp, Speech Therapy
THE MOST COMMON SPRING ALLERGIES
SELECTIVE MUTISM
Department of Allergy & Immunology
Department of Speech Therapy
While you might enjoy the warmer weather, you certainly don't welcome spring allergy symptoms. But knowing the sources of bothersome spring allergies, such as pollen, can help you lessen your exposure. Seasonal allergy symptoms make many people miserable in the spring, when pollen and mold spores become airborne. For those who are allergic, inhaling these culprits sends the body's immune system into overdrive, leading to allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, and itching. In the springtime alone, which typically begins in March, hay fever — an allergy to pollen or mold — affects 30 to 60 million people in the United States.
“However common symptoms associated with selective mutism include excessive shyness, over-dependency on parents and oppositional behavior,” notes Aaron Muller, a speech therapist at Monsey Medical and Dental Care.
“Spring is typically considered to be a tree pollen season.” Says Dr. Renata Witkowski, an allergist at Monsey Medical and Dental Care. “May and August tends to bring grass pollen allergies, while ragweed allergies usually hit in the fall,” she points out.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states that the following criteria lead to a diagnosis of selective mutism:
Mold, which is considered a year-round allergy, can also wreak havoc in spring. This is especially true when damp and rainy conditions, followed by warmer weather, lead to a high concentration of mold.
• The problem disrupts school/occupational achievement.
Trees cause allergies because they produce small pollen cells that are light and dry, and can be carried far by the spring breeze. Eleven types of trees are common triggers of hay fever in spring, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: Oak, Western red cedar, Sycamore, Maple, Elm, Birch Ash, Cottonwood, Walnut These trees release pollen around the same time every year. If you're allergic to any of them, when their pollen is in the air you'll start sneezing, experience congestion, and feel itchy eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. You'll get some relief from spring allergy symptoms on rainy or cloudy days, or when there's no wind to make the pollen airborne. But when the weather is warm and dry, and especially when the wind picks up, your allergies are likely to become worse. Mold spores work in a similar way. Mold, such as yeast and mildew, releases seeds called spores that are carried by the wind. They're very abundant in the air outside and tend to cause the worst allergy symptoms from spring through fall. Outdoor molds include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Hormodendrun. Mold can also be found inside your home; indoor molds include Aspergillus and Penicillium.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY: Monsey Medical & Dental Care 40 Robert Pitt Dr. Monsey, NY 10952 (845) 352-6800
Selective mutism is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to speak in certain settings. For example, a child may be able to speak with family at home but not with peers at school. Selective mutism is linked to anxiety and may be related to social phobia. It is important to remember that selective mutism does not occur because an individual is shy or chooses not to speak.
Mold also causes typical allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, or watery eyes that are itchy. Your best defense from spring allergies is to keep your doors and windows closed, use allergy filters on your air conditioning unit, wash your clothes and take a shower after you've been exposed to pollen and mold spores, and avoid doing yard work or exercising outdoors on days when pollen counts are high.
To discuss this and other healthcare issues with our allergist, Dr. Renata Witkowska Please call the Medical Center 845.352.6800
• The child is unable to speak in at least one social situation.
• The symptoms last for at least one month, beyond the first month of school. • The child’s inability to speak isn’t caused by an insufficient grasp of his/her primary language. • Another communication disorder (such as stuttering) or a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder cannot account for the difficulty. A child may show the following behaviors when struggling to say thoughts, feelings, or opinions out loud: Sometimes a child will become motionless and expressionless when trying to communicate. This behavior is particularly common at the beginning stages of selective mutism. The goal of treatment is to increase communication both verbally (speaking) and nonverbally (signs, gestures, motions, etc.). Treatment Options include: • Introducing the child to new individuals and situations gradually. • Shapes communication by encouraging the child to progress from whispering (or mouthing) to voicing. • Shows the child videotapes of desired behaviors. • Uses nonverbal methods (picture cards, gestures, etc.) to build up to speaking tasks. Mr. Muller advises, “Any attempt a child makes to interact needs to be recognized and reinforced. This includes eye contact, following instructons, or any sort of non-verbal communication.” The team may include a psychologist/ psychiatrist, a speech languagepathologist, and/or a pediatrician. To discuss this and other healthcare issues with our speech therapists, Aaron Muller M.S. CCC-SLP, or Melech Karp, M.A. CCC-SLP, Please call the Medical Center 845.352.6800