IS IT AN UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION OR

A MOLD ALLERGY?

Fall has arrived! The weather is starting to cool off and we have had a little rain. You have a stuffy, runny nose and maybe a cough.  Several weeks have gone by and you're not feeling better.  It might be just a cold or an upper respiratory infection. However, if these symptoms persist and do not improve, it is possible that you have mold allergies.  Mold allergies tend to get worse in the fall, when the leaves are falling (the black on the fallen leaves is mold) and after the rain, when everything is damp.

Inhaling the spores of mold and mildew (which are fungi) can cause allergic reactions in some people.  You are more likely to have mold allergies if you have seasonal and/or allergies to dust mites and animal dander and if you have family members who are allergic. 

Mold allergy symptoms range from mild to severe.  They may be year-round or experienced only during certain times of the year, particularly the fall. Symptoms of mold allergy include sneezing, runny and/or stuffy nose, cough and postnasal drip, itchy eyes, nose and throat and watery eyes. They may precipitate a sinus infection.  Certain allergic conditions caused by mold are more severe, such as asthma, allergic fungal sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

If you are allergic to mold, what can you do to minimize your mold exposure?  Consider the following measures to reduce your exposure to both indoor and outdoor molds.

Try to avoid going outdoors right after it rains, or during foggy, damp weather; mold counts tend to be higher during these times. Also consider sleeping with your windows closed,  as the concentration of mold spores is greatest at night.  When you are working in the garden, wear a dust mask over your mouth and nose to prevent inhaling the spores. If you use an air conditioner, try using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter attachment, which can filter out mold spores before they enter your house.

You can also take steps to minimize the growth of indoor mold spores. If you are on a raised foundation or have a basement, check for and eliminate any standing water or dampness underneath your house.  Clean your bathroom walls and shower surfaces regularly with a cleaning solution that kills mold (there are nontoxic options available), and ensure that your bathroom is properly ventilated.  Change heater and air conditioning filters regularly.

While these avoidance techniques will help decrease mold exposure, they will not necessarily prevent allergic mold symptoms from occurring.

If you suspect that you might have a mold allergy or any other allergy-we can help! Take our online allergy test.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose and Throat, we employ the most recent advances in medical science to diagnose and treat your allergy.  Our techniques are easy, very accurate, and very convenient for you.  Long-term relief is available through immunotherapy, either by injections (shots) or sublingually (drops) to lessen your body's allergic response to the allergens in the environment.

To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please call our Sacramento office at (916) 736-3399, our Folsom office at (916) 984-8830, or our Roseville office at (916) 782-1291. You may also request an appointment online at sacent.com.

COULD YOUR CHILD HAVE SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea in children is something that is receiving increasing attention by the medical community due to the significantly detrimental effects it may have on children's learning and development. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 1%-3% of the pediatric population in the United States may have obstructive sleep apnea (some other sources estimate this number to be higher).

The primary symptom of obstructive sleep apnea in children is loud, persistent snoring. This may be accompanied by complete obstruction of breathing, as well as gasping and snorting noises, or just very restless sleep. Unexplained bedwetting can also be a symptom.  

The effects of sleep apnea in children may be subtle, but can have both behavioral and social consequences. Pediatric sleep apnea can result in slow growth or delayed development, disrupted mood, lack of energy, and poor school performance.  Sleep apnea is also known to be a contributing factor in attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  It is also important to note that even if they do not have sleep apnea, children who snore are three times as likely to have attention deficit disorder as children who do not. Sleep apnea can also markedly worsen other medical conditions, such as acid reflux (which  may contribute to failure to thrive).

Is your child at risk for sleep apnea? Risk factors for pediatric sleep apnea can include:

•  Positive family history
•  Allergy with nasal obstruction
•  Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Certain dental abnormalities (e.g., large overbite)
• Obesity
• Craniofacial disorders
• Down Syndrome (ultimately 80% + of children with Down Syndrome have obstructive sleep apnea)
• Seizure disorders and developmental delay
• Use of certain drugs (eg, sedatives, opioids)
• Inherited diseases such as mucopolysaccharidoses
• Other  genetic abnormalities

Pediatric sleep apnea may be diagnosed clinically and treated. It can also be diagnosed through a sleep test (polysomnography).  However, sleep tests are not always one hundred percent accurate, particularly in children. Even if sleep test results indicate normal or borderline results, there still may be a diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing, based the parents' feedback or a physician's clinical evaluation. It has become apparent that even subtle elements of respiratory obstruction, without apnea, may have profound effects on cognition.

If you need more information or to book an appointment, please contact our Sacramento office at (916) 736-3399, our Carmichael office at (916) 966-2700, our Folsom office at (916) 984-8830, or our Roseville office at (916) 782-1291. You may also request an appointment online by going to sacent.com.

SUGAR-HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR SKIN?

Before you know it, the holidays will be here, and with them come all the delicious sweets many of us love-the cookies, cakes, and candy.  But before you have another one too many of Aunt Betty's quadruple fudge supreme bars, you might ask yourself, "how is all this sugar affecting my body?"

By now, we all know that excess sugar consumption is an important culprit in weight gain and can also increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes. But did you know that in addition to weight gain and diabetes, excess sugar consumption over time can actually contribute to wrinkling and dullness of the skin?

What causes this? It's caused by a process called glycation.  During this process, the sugar molecules you ingest coat the protein molecules in your bloodstream.  These sugar-covered protein molecules damage other proteins, including collagen and elastin.  Collagen and elastin are the two key protein fibers in your body that keep your skin firm and supple.  Consuming excess sugar damages the collagen and elastin, thus contributing to wrinkling and sagging.   Additionally, excess sugar consumption can cause a process called inflammation. Inflammation,  by causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, can cause biochemical changes in the cells that some in the medical research field believe can result in accelerating aging of all organ systems in the body.

What can you do to reverse the glycation process and restore your skin to a more youthful appearance?  Cut back on refined sugar and other simple carbohydrates in your diet (including white flour, white rice, etc.-which are converted to sugar in the digestion process).  With processed packaged foods, check ingredient labels for "hidden" sugars. Avoid high fructose corn syrup, which is found in sodas, fruit flavored drinks, and processed snack foods.  Supplement your diet with 1 mg of vitamin B1 and B6 per day (consult with your doctor before doing so). According to some research, these vitamins are potent inhibitors of glycation.  Get plenty of exercise-it is known to inhibit glycation. As always, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every day, all year long (and in addition to your face, don't forget your hands and neck).  Skin that has gone through glycation (damage from excess sugar consumption) is more susceptible to sun damage. In addition to protecting your skin from photo aging, a broad spectrum sunscreen will help prevent further damage to your skin from excess sugar.

There are also many surgical and nonsurgical options available for improving the look of your skin and your overall appearance. Our board-certified facial plastic surgeons,  Dr. Philip Bernstein, Dr. Donald Clutter, and Dr. David Kiener use the most current and advanced methods available to perform the complete spectrum of facial plastic surgery as well as minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, including laser skin resurfacing, laser skin tightening, and injectable fillers. Our laser skin resurfacing services, using the state-of-the-art Palomar laser, are particularly effective in rejuvenating aged and weathered looking skin.

We also offer a full range of aesthetic services at our Folsom and Roseville offices to help your restore a youthful glow to your skin. Consultations are available with our trained aestheticians who can evaluate your skin and can create an individual treatment plan for you using the highest quality skin cosmeceuticals, moisturizers, and protecting agents customized to help your skin look its most beautiful.  Our services also include a wide variety of custom facials, each specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of your skin.

For the Sacramento office, please (916) 736-3399.  For the Folsom office, please call (916) 984-8830.  For the Roseville office, please call (916) 773-0395. You may also visit us at sacent.com to request an appointment online.