Specialties(Allergy, Asthma, Rhinitis, Sinus, Atopy)

Allergy(Pollen, Food, Plants, Seasonal, Animal etc.)

           

       

Allergy is a disorder of the immune system that is often called atopy. Allergic reactions occur to
environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly,
allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity.
It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils
by a type of antibody, known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response.
Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever,
asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.^[1]

Mild allergies like hay fever, are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as
allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness and runny nose. Similarly, conditions such as asthma are common, in which allergy
plays a major role. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens, or to medication,
occur that may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.

A variety of tests now exist to diagnose allergic conditions; these include testing the skin for responses to known
allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific IgE. Treatments for allergies
include allergen avoidance, use of antihistamines, steroids or other oral medications, immunotherapy to
desensitize the response to allergen, and targeted therapy.
 

Asthma


 

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the
respiratory system in which the airway occasionally
constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with
excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to
one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered
by such things as exposure to an environmental
stimulant (or allergen) such as cold air, warm air, moist air,
exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children,
the most common triggers are viral illnesses s
uch as those that cause the common cold.^[1]
This airway narrowing causes symptoms s
uch as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness,
and coughing. The airway constriction responds to
bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel
well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain
short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time
than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma,
which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually
be controlled with a combination of drugs and
environmental changes.

Public attention in the developed world has recently
focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing
prevalence, affecting up to one in four urban children.
^[

Rhinitis, Sinus

Rhinitis is the medical term describing irritation
and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose.
The primary symptom of rhinitis is a runny nose.
It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation o
f the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses,
bacteria or irritants. The inflammation results
in the generating of excessive amounts of mucus
producing a runny nose, nasal congestion and
post-nasal drip. According to recent studies
completed in the United States, more than fifty
millon Americans are current sufferers. Rhinitis
has also been found to adversely affect more than
just the nose, throat, and eyes. It has been
associated with sleeping problems, problems
with the ears, and even been linked to learning
problems ^{[citation needed]}.[1]
Rhinitis is caused by an increase in histamine.
This increase is likely caused by airborne allergens.
These allergens may affect an individual's nose,
throat, or eyes and cause an increase in fluid
production within these areas.

Sinus may refer to:

In anatomy, where a sinus is a sac or cavity
in any organ or tissue:

• Paranasal sinus, an air cavity in the cranial bones, especially those near the nose
• Sinus (anatomy), description of the general term
• Anal sinuses, the furrows which separate the columns in the rectum
• Dural venous sinuses, venous channels found between layers of dura mater in the brain

In the heart:

• Sinus node, a structure in the superior part of the right atrium
• Sinus rhythm, normal beating on an ECG
• Coronary sinus, a vein collecting blood from the myocardium
• Sinus venosus, a cavity in the heart of embryos
• Sinus venarum, a part of the wall of the right atrium in adults, developed from the sinus venosus

Atopy

       

Atopy (Greek ατοπία - placelessness) or atopic syndrome is an allergic hypersensitivity affecting parts of the body not
in direct contact with the allergen. It may involve eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma.
There appears to be a strong hereditary component. One study concludes that "the general risk of developing
atopic dermatitis (3%) and atopy (7%) increases by a factor of two with each first-degree family member
already suffering from atopy" ^[1]. Eczema-a typical atopic manifestation

The hereditary component is presumably due to certain genes coding proteins involved in the normal
immune response mechanism, i.e., human leukocyte antigen, although environmental factors have also been implicated.
Atopic syndrome can be fatal for those who experience serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, brought
on by reactions to food or environment.

The individual components are all caused at least in part by allergy (type I hypersensitivity reactions).
These responses appear after the body is exposed to various allergens, for example specific kinds of food,
pollen, dander or insect venoms. Although atopy has various definitions, most consistently it is defined by the
presence of elevated levels of total and allergen-specific IgE in the serum of patient, leading to positive skin-
prick tests to common allergens.

The multicenter PARSIFAL study in 2006, involving 6630 children age 5 to 13 in 5 European countries, suggested that
restrictive use of antibiotics and antipyretics, are associated with a reduced risk of allergic disease in children.^[2]
Some symptoms, from an atopy questionnaire^[3]:

• Cracks in the skin under the earlobe
• Eczema
  • In elbow flexures and/or hollow of the knees
  • Nipple eczema
  • Neurodermatitis
  • Subtype Dyshidrosis
• Keratosis pilaris
• Perlèche
• Conjunctivitis
• Chronic or seasonal rhinitis

practitioner
 院長 中醫師 朴濟舜
(Je Soon Park, L. Ac)
Helmsley J. Park, L. Ac
Haoyun Wang(Park). L.Ac