Issue 3
What's News
June-September
"The news you want to hear about!"
"The news you want to hear about!"
When people think of allergies they tend to think of hay fever and the effects that allergies have on the nose and eyes. The common picture is the patient with sneezing, runny nose, and puffy, watery eyes. The nose and eyes are most commonly affected because this is where allergens like pollen, dander and molds enter the body. The nose and eyes receive the brunt of the allergen exposure and suffer the greatest symptoms. However, allergies are not limited to these areas of the body. Once allergens enter the body, any part can be affected. One of the next most common places to experience allergy problems is the skin. When substances’ that a patient is allergic to touches the skin or enters the body, the skin can react. Most commonly, people develop hives which are red itchy welts that can occur anywhere from head to toe. These hives usually pass within a few hours as the allergy exposure fades. Some patients develop scaly itchy areas that are more persistent. We usually call this eczema and allergies are a major trigger for these uncomfortable reactions. Less commonly, allergies can cause swelling. This is usually limited to food or medication allergies and swelling of the lips, tongue or throat is a more serious sign of a severe allergy.
Allergies can also affect the lungs. Patients with asthma can have a significant asthma attack which is characterized by chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. This can happen when a patient inhales an allergen or if a strong allergen is swallowed or injected.The stomach and intestines can also react to allergen exposure. This usually only happens when an allergen is swallowed or injected. Patients can develop the sudden onset of abdominal cramping along with diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting. This caused by the muscles around the stomach and intestines suddenly contracting very tightly. Other muscles can be affected the same including those around the bladder or uterus. A sudden severe urge to urinate or severe female cramps can be associated with a severe allergic reaction.
As you can see, allergies can affect most parts of the body. Most of the less common reactions only happen during severe allergic reactions to foods, medicines or insect stings but shouldn’t be ignored if they are recognized. Your allergist can help you determine if any of these symptoms are part of your allergies.
Spring Time Food Allergies
[By: W. Ted Kniker, MD]
With the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in the spring and summer time, an important food allergy reaction comes to mind. It is called the oral allergy syndrome (OAS) which affects 5% of children and 8% of adults. OAS occurs immediately after eating fresh fruits, vegetables or nuts to which the individual has become sensitized. There can be lip or facial swelling, itching and swelling of the tongue, gums or throat, and even trouble breathing. In some people intestine symptoms and itchy hives on the skin can occur. Interestingly, allergic sensitization to grass, tree or weed pollens often make things worse when there antigens are related to the causative food products. Anyone with OAS should see an allergist since some food reaction can be quite serious. [By: Amanda Bedell, RMA]
Have you ever been excited about starting or implementing something new into your life? You know, like learning how to paint, or learning a new language. Initially there’s a period of excitement and a sense of determination. However, after the “new project” has become familiar, the excitement begins to fade, and the determination, well, it’s not as motivating as it once was. As humans this behavior is pretty common and unfortunately is not limited to the entertaining things in life. As a Registered Medical Assistant of 4 years, I’ve seen patients become emotionally excited when they are prescribed a new treatment for their allergies, like immunotherapy (allergy shots). These patients become excited because they are told immunotherapy may be able to treat and control their allergy symptoms, where other medications have failed. But just like learning a new language, immunotherapy requires a 100% commitment in order to see any progress.The problem with immunotherapy is the commitment the treatment demands from the patient. Most patients are required to receive injections once a week for 6 1/2 months followed by a monthly maintenance injection for 4-5 years. This means the patient needs to make time in their week just to receive a shot, and on top of that, pay a co-pay during each visit. Because of this, most immunotherapy patients find it difficult to give a 100% commitment which in return affects their treatment plan and their quality of life. Fortunately with the advances in modern medicine, there is an alternative to immunotherapy: RUSH immunotherapy (RUSH IT).
We have offered RUSH IT to our patients since 2006 and just recently treated our 100th RUSH IT patient! RUSH IT is a way to rapidly desensitize a patient to their known allergens. In just one 6 to 8 hour office visit, a patient can receive up to 5 months of weekly injections. By eliminating many of the injections from a patient’s treatment plan, we’ve increased the likeliness the patient will remain compliant throughout the treatment process.
If you are prescribed immunotherapy or RUSH IT the goal is to reach the maintenance period, which is receiving injections only once a month. Here is a side by side example of how RUSH IT may benefit you:
- Number of weekly injection visits to reach maintenance period;
Immunotherapy= 28
RUSH IT= 9 (after the initial 1-day RUSH visit)
- Co-payment cost to reach maintenance period (Ex. $20 a visit);
Immunotherapy= $560
RUSH IT= $180
Co-payments, Deductibles, & EOB’s Ohhhh My!!
[By: Eric Hartgraves]
There are many misconceptions regarding how insurance companies pay claims and what if any is the policy holder’s responsibility. The first thing a policy holder needs to understand is the terminology insurance company’s use in their policy agreement. While the vocabulary used in the policy agreement may sound foreign to us “mere mortals”, that contract is the written agreement stating how your insurance claims will be paid. Here are some common definitions that will help you navigate the world of insurance policies and claims:
- Co-payment-a pre-determined cost that is enforced by insurance companies which is to be paid by the policy holder during each outpatient visit or filling a drug prescription.
- Deductible-The amount the policy holder pays out-of-pocket for expenses before the insurance company will cover the remaining costs.
- E.O.B. (explanation of benefits) - A written statement to a beneficiary from a third-party payer after a claim has been processed indicating the benefits and charges covered or not covered by the policy holder medical benefits plan.
[By: Brandon Kreager]
AAIASTX has some very exciting news to announce about the future and growth of our practice. Coming sometime late fall 2010, we will be opening our fourth medical office! This fourth office will be conveniently located in the Westover Hills Medical Park, which is on the corner of Military Dr. and the IH-151 axes road.
The 3,500sqft building will have 8 exam rooms, a research center, a luscious waiting room and the ability to house 2 full-time medical providers.
Ground breaking is projected to start late June 2010. Visit allergysa.com, and look under the Latest News section for updated development photos!
[From: Allergy & Asthma Research Center]
We are currently enrolling subjects for asthma research studies. Qualifying subjects may receive study related office visits, medication and compensation for their time and travel.
To learn more about these studies please contact us at:
[By: Daisy Cherian, R.N.]
Buying a medication is never a welcomed expense, especially when it’s for a routine medication. Without any indication that medications will decrease in cost, some people are forced to ask themselves “do I eat or maintain my health?” No one should ever be forced to make this decision!
One saving opportunity that is greatly overlooked is the coupons pharmaceutical companies offer. Most pharmaceutical companies offer some form of coupon for their products. Below is a list of commonly prescribed medication that offers a coupon. Just click on the name of the product you would like to save money on, and complete the steps that are required for the coupon. 5 minutes of your time could mean extra money in your pocket!
- Advair
- Symbicort
- Singular
- Xyzal
- ProAir
- Zyrtec
- Clarinex
- Omnaris
- Veramyst
- Astepro
- Proventil HFA
- Nasonex
- Asmanex
- Foradil