SERVICES RENDERED BY THE ALLERGY, ASTHMA, SINUS AND IMMUNOLOGY CENTER AND AVAILABLE RIGHT IN THE OFFICE
DETAILED HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL PROBLEM ON HAND:
From the initial patient encounter, doctors Shawky and Fikria Hassan will obtain the most complete and accurate information from you and from any past medical records that you may have from other medical facilities. This is an important step. Accurate diagnosis relies on a detailed medical history, analysis of the patient lifestyle, and evaluation of the patient environment.
COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
This examination is conducted on the patient by the physicians themselves and not by anyone else.
NASAL OR SPUTUM CYTOLOGY:
in this procedure, samples are taken from the nose secretions or from the sputum following a productive cough. The samples are then stained and examined under the microscope. This is a quick and informative procedure. It is done right in the office to help to distinguish allergic reactions from infections in the nose, sinuses and lungs.
ALLERGY SKIN TESTS:
This is done right in the office. Allergy Skin testing is specific, sensitive and less costly than blood testing for the diagnosis of allergies. Allergy Skin testing consists of two parts, but not every patient requires both parts:
- Prick Tests: This is done by placing several drops of the allergens on the skin of the back and making a prick in the middle of each drop. This allows a small amount of the allergen to enter the superficial part of the skin which results in an allergic reaction if you are allergic to this substance. The reaction consists of redness and swelling (like a mosquito bite), which appears in a few minutes after the application of the test and reaches its maximum in about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Intradermal Tests: If the prick test on the back is not conclusive, the intradermal testing is done by injecting the allergens that failed to react on the back, in the skin of the arms using a fine needle. This test could be uncomfortable but is not painful. It is more sensitive than the prick test.
ENDOSCOPY OF THE NOSE, THROAT AND LARYNX:
This procedure is done right in the office using a special scope. When compared to CT scans of the nose and sinuses, this procedure has no exposure to radiation, which is a common hazard whenever CT scans are done. We do not recommend CT scans of the nose and sinuses except if there is an absolute indication for that. In addition, CT scans are very expensive procedures when compared to the endoscopy examination.
LUNG FUNCTION TESTS:
This is a very useful and informative procedure to evaluate the health status of both lungs and the small and large airways. It is very simple and accurate and done right in the office. Results are usually available immediately after the test is completed.
IMMUNOTHERAPY (ALLERGY SHOTS):
This is a very effective method for treating allergies and done right in the ofice. It is a vaccination program that increases immunity to allergens, which cause the allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers. The principle of this treatment is to gradually inject increasing amounts of allergens over several months. Immunotherapy reduces the allergy symptoms, has been shown to prevent the development of new allergies and it can prevent the progression of the allergic diseases. It is effective in approximately 85% of the cases. It offers more permanent relief from allergy symptoms than medications can ever do and can be administered during pregnancy and to breast-feeding mothers.
LABORATORY OR X-RAYS:
Whenever there is a need, blood, urine, sputum, and other tests or x-rays will be ordered from another facility.
ALLERGY SKIN TESTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND/OR TO FOODS
DIAGNOSIS OF FOOD ALLERGY
History
Physical examination
Allergy skin testa
Selected Laboratory tests
Trials of elimination diets
Food challenges
IMMUNOTHERAPY (ALLERGY SHOTS), IS AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES.
Given by injection (not by mouth or under the tongue), still is the gold standard of this form of treatment. It is a vaccination program that increases immunity to allergens, which cause the allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers.
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