Smoking and Asthma - What is the Connection That You Should Know? By Paul Kramer

Allergy sufferers rely on antihistamines, steroids, and other heavy duty prescription medications to cover up the symptoms. Allergies can take a toll on one's immune system, energy levels, general well-being, and even mood. Allergies may predispose one to chronic sinusitis, daily headaches, inability to concentrate, insomnia, eye pressure, etc. Allergy sufferers are often told to avoid the allergen or undergo weekly intramuscular injections to "desensitize" them. Neither of those options is feasible for most people. Avoidance is often impossible and very few allergy sufferers want to visit the allergist for an injection once a week for several years.
Many allergy sufferers who do not want to rely on weekly antigen injections, and who are not satisfied with medicating themselves to cover up the symptoms of allergies, have chosen to undergo sub-lingual immunotherapy (SLIT). SLIT is very popular and used widely in Europe. It is emerging as an effective treatment strategy in the United States as well, with new research being generated regularly to support it. More than 300 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals prove that sublingual treatment is both safe and effective. The publication of the ARIA (Allergy Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) guidelines, by an international workgroup, indicated that SLIT is a viable treatment approach. A Cochrane Review, the most trusted independent, evidence-based, meta-analysis organization in the world, released their analysis in 2003 and determined SLIT both safe and effective.
SLIT, or allergy drops, can be formulated based on either skin or blood testing. Once formulated, the drops are placed under the tongue where absorption is ideal. The drops then deliver a slowly increasing dose of physician prescribed antigen. An antigen is what the person is allergic to, such as dust, ragweed, etc. The dose is calculated based on the degree of allergenicity on either the skin or blood testing. The allergy drops are used in gradually increasing dosages affecting the immune system such that there is a development of tolerance to the antigen, the allergy-causing substance. Over time, tolerance to the antigen means that allergy sufferers are no longer exhibiting signs and symptoms of an allergic response. They are able to lead an allergy-free life over time. This is one of the most gratifying things that I see in my medical practice.
Allergy drops are painless and easy to use. There is no need to go to the allergist's office to obtain painful weekly or monthly injections. Allergy drops are also more cost-efficient than allergy shots. The treatment usually requires approximately 2 office visits a year to optimize the dose and recheck response. Over time, allergy drop users will notice that they are able to breathe easier and therefore will be able to wean off the allergy medications that were giving them side-effects of their own.
There are two possible treatment regimens. The first is a "pre-seasonal treatment," in which the drops are more concentrated. This is a quick build up of antigen several weeks prior to an allergy season. There drops are continued at a lesser concentration for the duration of the allergy season. Treatment is then stopped thereafter. The second, and more common, approach is more "regular dosing" for patients with chronic allergies to things like molds, foods, dust, etc. The treatment can last from one to two years.
Advanced Medicine of New York is pleased to announce that it is now accepting new allergy patients. The approach will be comprehensive; including recommendations in diet as it reflects the patient's particular allergy, a focus on natural supplements that support the immune system and fight off an allergic response, medications and/or intravenous treatments as needed, and with Sub-lingual Immunotherapy or allergy drops.