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Allergist-immunologists are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases, asthma and other disorders of the immune system. Many people with allergic symptoms don’t know how much better they could feel when their symptoms are properly diagnosed and managed by an allergist-immunologist.
The allergist’s approach is individualized and based on the patient’s history, physical examination, and specific allergy tests. The results lead to an individualized treatment plan, which usually includes measures to prevent or eliminate triggers, recommendations for medications that suppress uncomfortable symptoms.
According to the results of numerous studies, every fifth inhabitant of the planet suffers from some type of allergy, and this number is growing rapidly. The reason for such disappointing indicators is: environmental degradation, the active use of chemicals in everyday life, the frequent use of low-quality drugs and self-medication, the use of low-quality products and fast food, and much more.
An allergist-immunologist can be visited in specialized diagnostic centers, hospitals, clinics. An allergist-immunologist is a narrow specialist with a higher medical education who treats diseases caused by the body’s reaction to various allergens and disruption of the immune system using modern technologies.
Causes of allergies
Allergies are the result of a chain reaction that starts in the immune system. The immune system controls the body’s defense processes. For example, if there is a pollen allergy, the immune system identifies the pollen as a foreign substance or allergen. The immune system reacts by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies react with cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction. The body is individual, and it is impossible to predict what power the reaction will be. A related area of allergology is immunology, since both areas deal with the immune system, an allergist-immunologist is engaged in their research.
What diseases does an allergist treat?
Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or year-round. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) usually occurs in the spring, summer, or fall. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and itchy nose and eyes. When symptoms occur year-round, they may be caused by exposure to household allergens such as dust mites or pets.
Asthma is an allergic disease that causes frequent episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and seizures.
Allergists can be involved in the treatment of sinus and ear infections. People with asthma are more prone to sinus infections (rhinosinusitis), which in turn can make asthma worse. Sinus infections are also common in people with allergic rhinitis. Young children will have more ear infections, it is important to monitor children with very frequent or severe infections. This is because the most severe immunodeficiencies usually appear in the first years of life.
Food Allergies – Even a small amount of food that you are allergic to can cause a reaction. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are usually seen on the skin or associated with the stomach and intestines. These include swelling, hives, eczema (itchy, red, scaly rash), vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or pain. Allergy testing helps determine which foods are causing these symptoms.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is an allergic skin reaction that appears as a dry, itchy rash on the face, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Atopic dermatitis is difficult to treat. Urticaria (hives) are red, itchy, swollen patches of skin that can vary in size and appear anywhere on the body. Angioedema is swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, eyelids, tongue, or lips.
Anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic reaction that develops very quickly and requires immediate qualified help.
Problems with the immune system can cause repeated infections such as bronchitis, ear infections, or pneumonia. People with inherited disorders of the immune system (primary immunodeficiency disorders) are more susceptible to infectious diseases and their complications. For such patients, observation and treatment by an allergist-immunologist is extremely important.
When to See an Allergist
Often asthma or allergy symptoms develop over time.
Patients with allergic reactions may become accustomed to frequent symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion or wheezing. With timely access to an allergist-immunologist, these symptoms can be prevented or controlled with a significant improvement in the quality of life.
Effective treatment of asthma and allergies requires the qualified assistance of an allergist-immunologist who will develop a treatment regimen for each individual condition and, if possible, provide the patient with a normal and asymptomatic lifestyle.
So when should you see a doctor?
- when there is full confidence that uncomfortable sensations occur upon contact with certain substances;
- with frequent manifestations of seasonal discomforts;
- prolonged presence of uncomfortable sensations (severe headaches, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, skin redness, itching, mucosal damage, etc.).
It is necessary to make an appointment with an allergist-immunologist, even if symptoms appear that at first glance are not related to allergic ones – a sharp increase in temperature (without reason), itching during physical exertion, frequent dizziness, loss of consciousness, nosebleeds. Any discomfort for the body is not harmless.
Methods of diagnosis
During the appointment, the doctor, when talking with the patient, on the basis of his anamnesis, prescribes a series of tests to determine the type of allergen; clarification of the form of the disease; development of an optimal therapy regimen; and also supervises treatment; selection of prevention methods; clarification of the rules for the care of housing; development of an individual memo for allergy sufferers (with medicines for the relief of acute allergy attacks); conducting examinations of patients who are registered.
In order to determine the irritating factor as accurately as possible and make an accurate diagnosis, it is possible to prescribe additional studies, including: skin tests (provocations, prick test); pulse oximetry; a detailed study of the functioning of the external respiratory organs; spirography, bronchoscopy, specific allergy testing, spirometry, CT and x-ray of the lungs.
From the tests are prescribed: a blood test for the presence of antibodies that provoke allergies; serological and microbiological examination; analysis of feces to determine dysbacteriosis, parasites and helminths; blood culture tank; collection of excreted fluids from the nose, eyes, ears.
Therapies
After carrying out all the necessary studies and identifying the cause of discomfort, a course of treatment is individually selected, which may include: antihistamines; sorbents; topical ointments; antihistamine serums and ointments; calcium gluconate, bronchodilators; sedative drugs, special diets and lifestyle changes.
Doctor’s recommendations
Specific individual recommendations of an immunologist-allergist can prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions in the future.
The first thing to do is to review your daily routine. Based on the doctor’s advice, choose the right diet, excluding foods that cause allergic reactions. Following the recommendations, include additional vitamin and immunostimulating complexes. Start playing sports (at least jogging, ideally swimming), it is reasonable to introduce hardening methods
It is important to remember that in all these moments it is important to consult a doctor.