Cohen, Joel MD

It's important to regularly see an asthma doctor and follow your individual treatment plan. About 500,000 people a year are hospitalized due to asthma symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a form of allergies where you develop symptoms without necessarily being exposed. Some symptoms include frequent sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, or mouth or skin itchiness. Hay fever affects 40 to 60 million Americans.

The body's defense system is also known as the immune system. The medical field that focuses on that system is immunology. When someone is healthy, the immune system kills viruses and bacteria to protect the body.

Did you realize consuming certain foods and beverages can trigger an asthma attack? It's true. Although the foods may vary from person to person, common trigger foods include nuts and dishes or ingredients preserved using sulfites.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation of the airways that narrows the breathing channel. There are 22 million people in the U.S. who have asthma, including about six million children.

Pollen allergies are one of the most common non-food allergies. What makes pollen so disruptive is that it is airborne and thus hard to avoid. Pollen allergies tend to be most potent during the spring and summer months.

One way to monitor your asthma is to track your symptoms. Common symptoms that may be indicative of a problem include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, problems exercising, and nighttime symptoms.

Did you know that if you develop redness, heat, swelling and pain on your skin when you come in contact with certain substances, you may have what is known as "contact dermatitis"? About 80% of skin reactions are caused by direct contact with an irritant.

Patients who suffer from asthma and take medication for other conditions require a more careful treatment approach. Some types of medication, like aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and beta blockers, can interfere with the effectiveness of asthma medications. Your doctor will check your medications carefully to avoid any negative interactions.

Do you need to reduce allergens in your home? Keep these tips in mind: switch out carpet for hardwood floors, keep the humidity in the home below 50%, tell smokers to go outside and use an efficient air filtration system.

It is not actually the fur of a cat or dog that causes allergies however, their fur can collect dust, bacteria or mold which may be the cause of some allergies.

Did you know that a stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes and sneezing can be symptoms of a food allergy? If you suffer from allergies, call us today! We will identify the offending allergens and find the best treatment plan for you.

Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, is a common condition that causes symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, watery eyes and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth.

When you get sick, do you often crave comfort foods like fried chicken or French fries? Remember, fried foods are high in saturated fat and could increase the inflammation in your lungs.

Your first appointment with an allergy physician will consist primarily of a consultation and physical examination. In addition, your allergy physician will take down your family history and determine which allergy tests are appropriate.

While the best way to treat asthma is to avoid the allergens or triggers that bring on an asthma attack, we know this may not always be practical, or possible. Drug therapy may help, which consists of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and swelling, and bronchodilators to open up constricted airways.

Do you ever get sick of hearing about how indoor allergies aren’t that bad because you can control your environment? Since some of the worst allergens can also be some of the most adorable (we’re talking to you, pet parents), let’s talk about how to make you allergic to your furry family members.

Patients with asthma reported 14.2 million visits to a doctor’s office and 1.3 million visits to hospital outpatient departments.

Acute bronchitis generally lasts for just a few days, and in some cases, up to a week or more. Viruses that trigger colds and the flu spread through contact with other people and often are the cause of acute bronchitis.

Asthma is much more dangerous to children than to adults. Children have not yet learned to recognize the symptoms, how to avoid triggers, or how to properly manage it until they can receive medical help. Children also have the highest prevalence rate of asthma with 1 in 10 children suffering from it!

Autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the body can't discern between healthy body tissue and antigens. It is similar to hypersensitivity, the allergic condition in which the body reacts to an outside substance that it would normally ignore.

Did you know that 90% of all asthma sufferers actually have allergy-induced asthma? However, the causes of this condition are wide ranging, from specific allergens like pollen to pollutants to other factors like stress and exercise.

Hashimoto disease (also called chronic thyroiditis) is an immunological disorder that mostly affects middle-aged women. Hashimoto disease takes months or even years to be symptomatic and is often associated with a family history of type 1 diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, or an underactive parathyroid gland.

Unfortunately, people with certain autoimmune conditions may find that they’re unable to enjoy some foods they aren’t allergic to without a reaction. In these cases, it may be necessary to use a food elimination diet to better understand which foods are problematic and, more importantly, if their deliciousness is worth the symptoms.

Although most people understand that refined sugar can lead to a host of health problems, they may not associate it with worsening bronchitis symptoms. If possible, avoid sweets and sugary drinks when you're sick.

Some of the best ways to lessen the number of serious asthma episodes is by avoiding the triggers that inflames your airways, causing them to restrict. That may include avoiding second-hand smoke or staying indoors, especially during the spring.

One reason not to get pierced: According to the Mayo Clinic, jewelry containing nickel can trigger a lifelong metal allergy.

You've probably already discovered hospital stays have typically gotten shorter over the last couple of decades. Care to guess the average length of an asthma related hospitalization? If you guessed 3.6 days, you're right.

Did you know that allergic reactions can have both an early and a late phase? Typically, the early phase will start within a few minutes of exposure, while the late phase may start several hours after the initial contact with the allergen.

Before traveling, it is important to create an asthma travel pack, which should include copies of your asthma action plan, an extra prescription, both quick-relief and controller medications, a spacer/chamber, and a peak flow meter.

It's important to be tested for immune system problems as soon as they are suspected. Left untreated, these disorders can cause problems like repeated ear infections or pneumonia. In general, someone with an immune system disorder is more prone to infections and complications from these infections.

Keep the humidity level in your home between 35 and 50 percent to help reduce the growth of mold, a common asthma trigger. In hot climates, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier. Also, fix leaks, which allow mold to grow behind walls and under floors.

A deficient immune system can be an inherited condition or caused by a virus. Usually, an immunologist will perform a blood test to diagnose an immunodeficiency. Treatments may include antibiotics to fight infections and therapy to improve the immune system's response.

A peak flow meter is a device that measures the flow of air out of the lungs in liters per minute as the person forcefully exhales. This is often used as part of an asthma treatment plan to determine the severity of symptoms and how well medications are working.

Did you know that Celiac disease (CD) is not a food allergy? It is actually a disease of the digestive system. CD patients must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet in order for the small intestine to heal and for their overall health to improve.