December
Newsletter
Issue: 12
December 2013
In This Issue
Holiday Allergy and Asthma Safety Tips
End of Year Scheduling
Test you Knowledge
Allergy & Asthma News
Like us on Facebook
Contact Information
Allergy & Asthma Solutions
8000 Warren Parkway
Suite 200
Frisco, TX 75034
 
469-633-1818

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8am -6pm
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Carrollton Office
2008 E. Hebron Parkway
Suite 100
Carrollton, TX 75007
Thursday only by appointment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As the year comes to an end, be sure to take advantage of your flexible spending account balances.  These are "use it or lose it" benefits.  You can use your benefits to pay any patient statement balances or co-pays at our office.  

 

  

 

 

 




Holiday Allergy and Asthma Safety Tips  
white-red-presents.jpg   

As we draw to a close this year, I would first like to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and New Year. We hope the season brings joy and peace with family and friends. However, this is a time when accidents can happen as you lower your guard. So we've compiled some tips from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: 

 

For those with mold allergy:

Avoid live Christmas trees as they tend to gather spores in their bark that can easily trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. If you do wish to keep a live tree treating the bark with a mild bleach solution can help removing mold.  Also limiting the Christmas tree indoors to a few days will also help reducing the symptoms. However, the safest would be to replace the live tree with an artificial tree which will carry no mold and very little dust.   

 

If you have a food allergy, take additional precautions: 

 

Here are some seasonal foods that can have unexpected allergens: 

 

Brussels sprouts can come garnished with shaved almonds. Cranberry sauce: Some recipes can have slivered almonds as hidden ingredients Marzipan and praline both have tree nuts as ingredients Eat Smart: The greatest risk is from catered food where there is no ingredient list, so people need to ask direct questions at parties, in restaurants, at buffets and at other social events. Don't worry about making a fuss. When you visit friends, make them aware of your allergy. 

 

Alcoholic Drinks: In Europe (and several states in the US) it is now a rule that any of the 14 ingredients should be clearly labeled in all alcoholic drinks. Here is the list: 

 

Egg, milk, fish, crustaceans (crab, lobster, crawfish, shrimp), mollusks (snail, mussel, clam, squid, oyster), peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, cereals (wheat, oat, rye, barley etc.), soy beans, celery and celeriac, mustard, lupine, sulfites. 

 

Some alcoholic drinks like Bombay Sapphire Gin are mixed with a mixture of ingredients including almond oil. Other alcoholic drinks containing nuts include Frangelico, Nocello and Cr�me de Noix.

 

 If you haven't tried something and don't know what's in it, it's best not to risk it. Do your homework and read labels on common or popular drinks, spirits and mixers, looking for ingredients lists and 'contains' boxes to find out which are affected by your allergen(s) then stick to 'safe' options when out and about. 

 

Remember, too, that alcohol consumption may reduce your vigilance and could also make any allergic reaction more severe. 

 

Wherever you go during the holiday season, make sure your emergency Epipen medication is with you. 

 

 DON'T FORGET If you have an allergy to tree nuts or peanuts, before friends and family plant a kiss make sure they rinse their mouth first.Serious reactions do occur. 

 

For those with asthma: Medicate before you go, pre treat with your albuterol inhaler but keep it handy. If you did get exposed to a trigger you could take another couple of puffs.

 

   Plan Well.  Be Safe

 


End of Year Appointment Scheduling
 
Be sure to check you benefits before year end.  
Building
Deductible amounts start over in January.  Schedule your appointment in advance to ensure you can be seen before January if you have met your deductible for 2013.  

Test You Knowledge

 

Which food allergy is most common in children?

a. eggt

b. cow milk 

c. peanut

d. soy    

 

Which allergy symptom is not controlled with antihistamines?

a. sneezing 

b. runny nose 

c. itchy eyes 

d. stuffy nose    

 

Click Here for answers

News from the Allergy World
 

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 Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) is a new bronchoscopic procedure (running a lighted telescope into the airways in the lungs) to treat adults with severe asthma who have not improved on inhaler medications. Thermal energy is applied in three sessions to reduce the thickness of the airway muscle walls, thus opening up airways. So far it is only approved for adults has helped severe asthmatics breathe better (Ann of Allergy Asthma and Immunol November 2013)

 

A recent study showed that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is not associated with increased sensitization to indoor allergens lik cat, dogs, dust mite and indoor molds. However, further studies need to be done to corroborate these findings. Our recommendations still stand at avoiding indoor or any tobacco exposure due to its various effects on development in children.

Ann. of Allergy Asthma and Immunology November 111 (2013) 387-390

 

 

  

Allergy and Asthma Solutions is accepting new patients.  If you or a family member or friend need to make an appointment please call our office and we will schedule you immediately.


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A Message from Dr. Chinoy 
Dr. Chinoy

 

A special thank you to all my patients.  I have enjoyed working with each of you this year and look forward to 2014!  Please take time this holiday season to evaluate your health and take care of yourself.  My wish for all is a safe and enjoyable holiday!

 

Dr. Birjis Chinoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

AnswersAnswers to the Test Your Knowledge Section:

Cows     

b. cow milk                  d. stuffy nose

 

 

 

b. About 2.5% of all children under 3 yrs are allergic to cow milk


d. most antihistamines are linked with a decongestant to address this symptom Claritin D, Zyrtec D, Allegra D etc.)