European allergists have been treating allergy sufferers for years with allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy. This may be a cost-effective alternative to allergy shots, which some view as a painful, inconvenient therapy, particularly in children.

Some allergists in the United States already offer sublingual immunotherapy, which may be able to be given at home, rather than in the doctor’s office, as is the case with allergy shots. The allergy drops may be safer and nearly as effective as the current form of allergy shots. Other allergists don’t like the idea of giving up the income associated with allergy shots, which are covered by most insurance plans.

While not currently FDA approved, sublingual immunotherapy is likely on the horizon for use in the United States. And for those who fear needles used in traditional allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy may be just what the doctor ordered.

What you should consider when choosing between traditional allergy shots and newer allergy drops.

A recent study showed there are certain factors that are associated with early detection of melanoma.  In France in 2004, the people who were diagnosed with melanoma were more likely to be:

• Young
• Living in an area with many dermatologists
• Diagnosed by a dermatologist

Remicade (infliximib) is a biological medication used to treat psoriasis.  A recent study looked at treating hidradenitis suppurativa with Remicade and the results were mixed but showed that further study is warranted.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, scarring disease that affects the sweat glands. More severe cases involve deep abscesses that create extensive scarring. Many times antibiotics don’t work and the only way to definitively treat hidradenitis is to remove a large area of skin, then allow the area to heal from the inside out sometimes requiring skin grafts.

In this study Remicade did reduce inflammation and significantly improve hidradenitis lesions.  On the other hand, one person dropped out of the study because of an adverse effect.  The study size was too small to definitively conclude that Remicade treats hidradenitis but it did show that further study is warranted.

Yoga has been advocated to improve your health in general and may help improve your asthma. In general yoga may help you:

• Improve flexibility
• Increase strength
• Tone your muscles
• Decrease chronic pain
• Relieve stress

Pranayama, a type of yoga breathing exercise, may also help you gain control of your asthma. Learn more about these yoga exercises that might improve your breathing.

• Introduction to Pranayama Breathing Exercises
• Equal Breathing – Sama Vritti Pranayama
• Alternate Nostril Breathing – Nadi Sodhana
• Dirga Pranayama- Great For Beginners

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Some patients with asthma may have increased hyperresponsiveness of airways and airway inflammation that leads to nighttime or nocturnal symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough that disrupt sleep. Patients with large nighttime changes in their FEV1 may also have more daytime symptoms.If your symptoms are worse at night or you think you might have nocturnal asthma check out the links below.

Learn More About Nocturnal Asthma

• What Is Nocturnal Asthma?
• How Common Is Nocturnal Asthma?
• How Is Nocturnal Asthma Treated?

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While inhaled corticosteroids like Flovent or Pulmicort are generally the first treatment recommended when your rescue inhaler does not sufficiently control your asthma symptoms, not everyone responds. Certain groups and risk factors increase your risk for not responding to inhaled steroids.

Learn More

Do All Patients Respond to Inhaled Corticosteroids?

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Do you think the new health care bill will effect you? How? Take the poll and leave a comment or go to the forum and join the discussion.

As I was flipping through some old email today I found an email to a friend outlining a very short list of New Years resolutions. This got me wondering- did any of you have resolutions related to your asthma and how are you doing with keeping them? Leave a comment and let us know?

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Is measuring your peak flow is an important part of your asthma care plan? If the measurements are going to be meaningful, you need to know how to figure out what your peak flow should be. Learn several different ways to determine what your normal peak flow should be.

Learn More

What Is My Personal Best Peak Flow?

What Should My Normal Peak Flow Be?

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According to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, children with food allergies may not be getting enough epinephrine from Epi-Pens to stop a severe reaction and may require a second dose.

Food allergies affect about 6% of children and by recent estimates, is rising. Treatment for food allergies – varying from nuts to shellfish – is a self-administatored shot of epinephrine.

The study conducted by Boston’s Children’s Hospital physician Susan A. Rudders and her colleagues, tracked the allergic reactions of approximately 1200 children, average age 6, who were treated in the Boston hospital center between 2001 and 2006.

When they narrowed the group to those with a severe food allergies (52%), they found 44%of children received epinephrine and among this subset, 12% received more than one dose.

Combined with similar findings from previous studies, doctors may soon recommend at-risk-children with severe food-related allergies carry two doses of epinephrine, said Dr. Rudders to Reuters.