It sounds like science fiction. A hideous blood-sucking alien creeps into the bedroom of an unsuspecting victim while they sleep. With razor sharp fangs the monster begins to feed, injecting a cocktail of chemicals to keep the blood flowing. As the fiend’s venom works it’s way through the body, a frightening change takes hold. Forever […]
Maricopa County health officials are continuing to report an alarming increase in cases of whooping cough. In fact, the number of confirmed cases of whooping cough in 2012 in Maricopa County was more than three times the number in 2011, with 282 confirmed cases by September. Whooping cough or pertussis, caused by the bacteria Bordetella […]
It’s finally starting to feel like fall. Nighttime and early morning temperatures have dropped below 90 degrees, the monsoon humidity and risk of monster dust storms is on the decline, kids are back in school, and club sports are in full swing. We are also seeing early signs of the Arizona fall allergy season. […]
In sports and other competitive pursuits the saying “whatever does not kill you makes you stronger” seems appropriate and possible even comforting. To have this applied to the topic of food allergy, particularly in children, seems anything but comforting. Recent research aimed at understanding the complex problem of food allergy suggests that this principle […]
The following instructional videos will help you learn the proper use of asthma inhalers, a spacer, and nebulizer How to Use the Nebulizer Machine – Demonstration How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler – Demonstration How to Use a Diskus for Asthma Relief – Demonstration How to Use the Pulmicort Flexhaler How to Use an […]
Palo Verde is one of the most common trees of the Sonoran Desert and is found throughout southern Arizona and southeastern California. Starting in April, the Palo Verde produces a brite yellow flower that stands in contrast to it’s characteristic green trunk and branches. In late spring it is common to see the Palo Verde covered […]
“If you wish to converse with me,” said Voltaire, “define your terms”. In my practice as an allergy specialist, I find the principle of first defining terms before beginning a discussion with a patient to be key. Particularly the term “allergy”. “Allergy” is a very common word, frequently used in general conversation, therefore its […]
A bit of bad news if you live in Tempe, Arizona, particularly if you live in or near Warner Ranch, and are allergic to Ash pollen. Arizona Ash is a medium to large deciduous tree, growing to 30-50 ft and found natively in Arizona around the Mogollon Rim at an elevation of 2000-6000 ft. In […]
Cough is one of the most common symptoms prompting patients to see a doctor in the United States with an estimated 30 million trips to the doctor for this problem each year. More than 40% of the patients seen in our allergy and pulmonary practice between November and February complain of cough. Cough is classified […]
When talking with a patient in our allergy clinic, so often the response to my question, “Are there any pets in the home”, is “yes, a dog, but it is a hypoallergenic dog”. I also hear, “My breed of dog does not have fur, it has hair”. The idea being that, since people are allergic […]