Managing The Allergic Patient

This new reference provides up-to-date, disease-specific diagnostic and treatment protocols in a new, full-color, heavily illustrated reference. Provides quick access to key anatomy, tests, and management protocols in the clinical setting. Allows the user to compare common presentations and quickly reference the latest in diagnosis and treatment options with over 300 clinical and diagnostic algorithms, photographs, charts, and tables.

Over the past 20 years, public concerns have grown in response to the apparent rising prevalence of food allergy and related atopic conditions, such as eczema. Although evidence on the true prevalence of food allergy is complicated by insufficient or inconsistent data and studies with variable methodologies, many health care experts who care for patients agree that a real increase in food allergy has occurred and that it is unlikely to be due simply to an increase in awareness and better tools for diagnosis. Many stakeholders are concerned about these increases, including the general public, policy makers, regulatory agencies, the food industry, scientists, clinicians, and especially families of children and young people suffering from food allergy. At the present time, however, despite a mounting body of data on the prevalence, health consequences, and associated costs of food allergy, this chronic disease has not garnered the level of societal attention that it warrants. Moreover, for patients and families at risk, recommendations and guidelines have not been clear about preventing exposure or the onset of reactions or for managing this disease. Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy examines critical issues related to food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergy and its impact on affected individuals, families, and communities; and current understanding of food allergy as a disease, and in diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and public policy. This report seeks to: clarify the nature of the disease, its causes, and its current management; highlight gaps in knowledge; encourage the implementation of management tools at many levels and among many stakeholders; and delineate a roadmap to safety for those who have, or are at risk of developing, food allergy, as well as for others in society who are responsible for public health.

Allergic diseases affect nearly one-fourth of the population and cause or contribute to significant chronic illness. Allergic diseases are common and are seen by a wide variety of health care providers. In Clinical Allergy: Diagnosis and Management, the author provides a practical clinical overview for the common disorders encountered in the specialty of Allergy. Designed to be easily readable and to provide clinically applicable information for both the nonallergist and allergist, the intent is to unravel the mystery of allergy. The introductory chapters focus on the human immune response, environmental allergens, and the different types of allergy testing. The subsequent chapters focus on the common allergic conditions seen in the office or clinic, including rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, allergic eye disease, asthma, urticaria and angioedema, atopic and contact dermatitis, drug allergy, food allergy, anaphylaxis, and stinging insect allergy. "Cross-talk" between chapters helps show the interrelationships among the various allergic disorders. The chapters begin with a review of pathophysiologic mechanisms and then consider a clinically structured approach to diagnosis and management of the disorders. In addition to pharmacologic treatment, the importance of nonpharmacologic management and patient education is emphasized. At the end of each chapter, clinical vignettes highlight the daily management of the allergic patient. Clinical Allergy: Diagnosis and Management, provides a logical framework for the evaluation and management of allergic disorders in patients.

Fifty million Americans suffer from allergies to certain foods, pollens, animal danders, dust mites and other less common allergens. Although the most common symptoms, from watery eyes to hives, are not life-threatening, there is a substantial cost in health care spending associated with these conditions. Americans spent about $18 billion each year on asthma care in 2009. And of the $19 billion spent each year on over-the-counter remedies, a substantial portion is spent on allergy medications. Now two specialists in allergy medicine reveal how to manage allergies safely and effectively, and live more comfortable, symptom-free lives. Allergies debunks the many myths about allergies and offers long-term help to both seasonal and chronic sufferers. This comprehensive and authoritative resource helps you make informed choices about everything from diagnostic tests to nasal antihistamines and corticosteroid sprays, from homeopathic remedies for poison ivy and insect bites to desensitizing therapies and emergency relief for severe allergic reactions and much more, including: • A detailed evaluation of the most common over-the-counter drugs • How to minimize allergens like mites, pollen and danders in your house. • Useful advice for life threatening allergies such as food and stinging insects. • Allergies and exercise • Allergies and pregnancy • Skin disorders from allergies • When allergy shots are unnecessary • Self-treatment versus traditional care • How to recognize and avoid allergy scam treatments • Allergies in children and the elderly • Plus a comprehensive guide to reliable information on the internet

With insight and research from world-renowned experts, this book provides specific approaches to diagnosis and treatment, addressing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management. Specific conditions examined include asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis, anaphylaxis, atopic and contact dermatitis, urticaria and angioedema, hereditary angioedema, drug allergies, and primary immune deficiency. An overview of obstetric management of the high risk asthmatic and allergic patient is provided, and the book concludes with a discussion of the prevention of asthma and allergic diseases during childhood.

This is a practical book for clinicians setting out the options for effective management of chronic disease. There have been enormous advances in knowledge and understanding of the scientific and clinical aspects of allergic disorders over recent years. This book provides an evidence-based overview of therapy for allergy, showing how increased understanding translates into clinical practice, with a discussion of promising future therapeutic agents. This comprehensive review volume provides clinicians with a thorough understanding of the factors which will enable them to formulate an appropriate strategy for treatment and long-term management for each individual patient. It sets out integrated prevention and management strategy for allergic disorders. It is relevant both to hospital doctors and to GPs. It emphasizes importance of the patient viewpoint in the management of disease.