Indoor Allergens
Tame Those Triggers
Ask
expert the
Dear Dr. Gheith,
Q
By Connie Mitchell
M
any people suffer from seasonal allergies caused by pollen. Yet for some people, being cooped up indoors all winter long is just as bad. Indoor allergens are a common cause of wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes and other annoying symptoms. “Indoor allergens are very common among children and adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies,” says Dr. Erica Yalavarthi, a physician with Internal Medicine of St. Luke’s. “The most common types of indoor allergens are dust mites and pet dander. Other causes are cockroaches and indoor molds.” For those who are allergic to these triggers, symptoms can persist all year, adds Dr. Hamsa Subramanian, an allergist on staff at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. “Sometimes patients notice symptoms more at night or on weekends, if they are allergic to something like pet dander,” she says. Because indoor allergens cause Dr. Erica Yalavarthi, the same types of symptoms seen with pollen allergies, treatment physician, Internal Medicine is much the same. “The initial of St. Luke’s treatment is oral antihistamines,” says Dr. James Te m p r a n o , a physician with Mercy C l i n i c Allergy and Immunology. “If symptoms persist d e s p i t e t h e s e ove rt h e - co u n te r medications, allergy testing i s i n d i ca te d .
“Indoor allergens are very common among children and adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies.”
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young who I : Apatient recently
A:
treated asked the question “what is RSD?” after being diagnosed by her orthopedic surgeon.
More than 1.2 million Americans suffer from a severe neurological pain disorder named Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (commonly referred to as “RSD” or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). This disorder results in severe pain and much suffering for the afflicted. Patients often obtain a delayed diagnosis and many physicians do not understand how to treat it. Furthermore, the prognosis of this condition is dependent on timely recognition and prompt treatment. CRPS (also known as “RSD”) is a dysfunctional response from the spinal cord that often occurs in an extremity as a consequence of an injury to that body part. It is commonly seen after surgical operations, fractures, soft tissue injuries, crush injuries or as a consequence of nerve damage. Patients often suffer for many months or years prior to presenting to a pain management expert for treatment. Patients often experience spontaneous pain, burning, hypersensitivity, discoloration, swelling, pins-and-needles sensations, and tremors in the affected body part. The pain is so severe it often leads to anxiety and depression related to the fear of worsening pain with performing daily activities. Due to significant hypersensitivity, patients commonly guard and protect the affected extremity from outside exposure, since even wind blowing on it can cause worsening pain. Patients may suffer from loss of sleep due to pain and are unable to tolerate the slightest touch, including the bed sheet touching the affected extremity. Too often, the patient will lose function of the affected body part due to disuse and eventual contraction deformities. Once a patient is diagnosed with this condition, or is even suspected of having this disorder, it is imperative to seek immediate care with an interventional pain management expert. I have had extensive training and experience with treating this condition and can offer my expertise to patients who are currently suffering from this intractable and chronic painful disorder. If you suffer from any chronic painful condition, including this disabling disorder, please call for an appointment for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.
Ask the expert professionally answered by... RAMIS GHEITH, MD, MS, BSN Diplomat, American Board Of Anesthesiology Subspecialty Certification, Pain Medicine, ABA Fellowship Trained
Interventional Pain Institute 636-933-ACHE (2243) manageyourpainnow.com 1405 N. truman Blvd, Festus 10435 Clayton Road, Suite 120, Frontenac
{LadueNews.com} February 28, 2014
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