Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs. These airways, or bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs.
If you have asthma your airways are always inflamed. They become even more swollen and the muscles around the airways can tighten when something triggers your symptoms. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness.
For many asthma sufferers, timing of these symptoms is closely related to physical activity.
Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide. Allergy symptoms of allergies range from making you miserable to putting you at risk for life-threatening reactions.
According to the leading experts in allergy, an allergic reaction begins in the immune system. Our immune system protects us from invading organisms that can cause illness. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader. This substance is called an allergen. The immune system overreacts to the allergen by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release histamine and other chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.
According to the leading experts in immunology, when part of the immune system is either absent or not functioning properly, it can result in an immune deficiency disease. When the cause of this deficiency is hereditary or genetic, it is called a primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD). Researchers have identified more than 300 different kinds of PIDD.
The immune system is composed of white blood cells. These cells are made in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream and lymph nodes. They protect and defend against attacks by "foreign" invaders such as germs, bacteria and fungi.
Our Specific Services
Skin Testing
Skin Testing is the most accurate diagnostic test used by a trained allergist/immunologist. The skin is lightly scratched on the surface with a tiny amount of the allergen on the tip of a small instrument, similar to a plastic toothpick. If you are allergic to a substance, a small mosquito bite-like bump will appear which allows the allergist to determine your specific allergy profile. We will test for allergies to foods, dust mites, cats, dogs, feathers, mouse, orris root, cockroach, pyrethrum and the most prevalent trees, molds, weeds and grasses in the area.
Allergy Shots
Receiving allergy shots desensitizes allergy patients to their specific allergens. By gradually increasing the strength of your allergen, your body develops an immunity and/or tolerance to that allergen. With allergy shots, your allergy symptoms can be decreased, minimized or even eliminated and the results can last up to 20 - 30 years.
Patch Testing
Patch Testing can help determine if you have allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis as a result of a substance that you are coming in contact with.
Venom Testing
Venom Testing can help determine if you are allergic to stings from wasps, bees, hornets, yellow jackets and/or fire ants.
Venom Immunotherapy
Venom Immunotherapy involves administering gradually increasing doses of venom to decrease a patient’s sensitivity to the venom in order to reduce the risk of a future allergic reaction.
Oral Food / Drug Challenge
An oral food or drug challenge is a procedure where a person takes a particular food or medication by mouth in order to assure that no allergic reaction occurs.
Local Anesthetic Testing
Examples of local anesthetics include novocaine, lidocaine and benzocaine. Skin testing can be helpful in the evaluation of adverse reactions to these medications.
Antibiotic Testing and Desensitization for Drug Allergies
Commonly tested antibiotics are penicillins and cephalosporins.
Latex Testing
Natural rubber latex is often found in rubber gloves, condoms, balloons, rubber bands, erasers and toys. Allergic reactions to latex range from mild to very severe. Skin testing can help determine if an allergy is present.
Vaccine Testing
Examples of vaccines include MMR, Varicella and Influenza Vaccine.
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
Pulmonary Function Test provide measurable feedback about the function of the lungs by determining how much air your lungs hold and how quickly you can move air in and out of them.