Asthma-COPD Overlap
Read the full articleAsthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS) is when you have both diseases. Each condition must be treated.… Overview Asthma is considered severe when it is difficult to treat and manage the symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of lung diseases that cause breathing problems…

Allergic Asthma
Read the full articleAllergic asthma is triggered by allergens such as pollen, pets and dust.… Overview There is often a link between allergies and asthma. Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergies. But allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander…

Adult Onset Asthma
Read the full articleIt can be frustrating to develop asthma for the first time as an adult. Fortunately, an allergist can help you… Overview Some people don’t show signs of having asthma until they are adults. This is known as adult-onset asthma. What causes adult-onset asthma? There are…

Types of Asthma
Read the full articleUnderstanding what type of asthma you have can result in better treatment and quality of life.… There are many different types of asthma, brought on by many different triggers. If you’re struggling with asthma symptoms – trouble breathing, a persistent cough or tightness in the…

Asthma Action Plan
Read the full articleAn asthma action plan can prevent flare-ups and emergency room visits.… Overview If you have asthma, it’s important to have a plan in place for a range of situations and symptoms. In fact, one of the single most important steps that you can take to…

Asthma Cough
Read the full articleIt’s easy to think that coughing means you have a cold or bronchitis – but if that cough keeps coming… Overview Asthma affects the airways in the lungs, making them inflamed and swollen. The breathing tubes also become reactive, causing them to squeeze and tighten.…

Asthma Attack
Read the full articleAsthma is an inflammation and obstruction of the bronchial tubes — the passages that allow air to enter and leave… Overview An asthma attack can be a terrifying experience. It can feel as if someone is sitting on your chest or there’s a cloud in…

Other Medical Conditions
Read the full articleWhen conditions like the flu or osteoporosis affect your breathing, it's important to let your allergist know.… Overview When asthma is combined with other conditions, such as the flu, chickenpox, osteoporosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it requires special attention and teamwork with your allergist. An…

Who Gets Asthma?
Read the full articleAsthma can affect people of all ages.… Pregnancy and Asthma Managing your asthma while pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your baby. Learn to Manage Your Asthma Asthma in Children If your child is diagnosed with asthma, an allergist…

Food Allergy Testing and Diagnosis
Read the full articleFood allergy testing is a very important step in diagnosing food allergies.… Overview Some people know exactly what food causes their allergy. For example, they eat peanuts or a product with peanut in it and immediately break out in a rash. Others need a doctor’s…

HOME Allergy Management
Read the full articleUse HOME to learn about the different types of indoor allergens and to receive room-by-room tips on managing allergies. Did… Use HOME to learn about the different types of indoor allergens and to receive room-by-room tips on managing allergies. Did you know that for allergy…

Food Allergy Avoidance
Read the full articleThere is no cure for food allergy, and avoidance of the food allergen is the only way to protect against… Overview If you or your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, you’ll often hear the word “avoidance.” That’s because there is no cure…

Environmental Allergy Avoidance
Read the full articleIf it's not possible to completely avoid an allergen, there are things you can do to decrease your exposure. Here… Allergens Dust Mites Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and carpets. No matter how clean your house is, it's…

Cooking & Baking with Food Allergies
Read the full articleIf you or your child has recently been diagnosed with a food allergy, you may find yourself looking for a… Overview How does one go about making a birthday cake without wheat? Are pancakes now off-limits because you are not able to use eggs? Will…

Living With Allergies
Read the full articleLiving with allergies means working to make your environment as free of allergens as possible.… There are steps you can take to reduce the allergen load in your house and other environments. Do you ever feel like you or someone you know is constantly coughing,…

Medications
Read the full articleIf you feel like you can't avoid allergens, there are many medicines that can help control allergy symptoms.… Decongestants and antihistamines are the most common allergy medications. They help to reduce a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing and itching. Other medications work by preventing the…

Allergy Shots
Read the full articleShots are effective in treating reactions to many allergens.… Overview Allergy shots are the most commonly used and most effective form of allergy immunotherapy. They are indicated for the treatment of allergic conditions affecting the nose and eyes (allergic rhino-conjunctivitis), ears (allergic otitis media), lungs…

Management & Treatment
Read the full articleGet tested, get treated, get better.… 1 Consultation Your first step is to see a board-certified allergist-immunologist. You can get a referral from your primary care physician or ask for a recommendation from a family member or friend who is seeing an allergist. Find a…

Wheezing, Shortness of Breath
Read the full articleWheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound in your chest when you breathe, especially when you exhale. It is one… Signs of Asthma Swelling or narrowing of your throat or the airways to your lungs can cause wheezing. It can also result in shortness of…

Runny Nose, Stuffy Nose, Sneezing
Read the full articleIf your runny, stuffy nose or sneezing is from allergies, the best remedy is to get your allergies under… Signs of Allergies Everyone sneezes. But how do you know whether your sneezing is caused by an allergy? It can happen when you least expect it,…

ACAAI names new Annals Editor-in-Chief
Read the full articleDr. Grayson’s scholarly achievement, experience in research design and organization skills, in addition to his years on the Annals editorial… The College is pleased to announce that Mitchell Grayson, MD, FACAAI has been selected as the next Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.…

2020 Annual Meeting will be virtual
Read the full articleAfter closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on our patients, practices and country, the College has made… After closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on our patients, practices and country, the College has made the decision to deliver the…

From the desk of the EMD: “I have asthma, I can’t wear a mask.”
Read the full articleLast Sunday, I went to an open-air shopping center in an affluent suburb of Atlanta to buy a new iPad… Last Sunday, I went to an open-air shopping center in an affluent suburb of Atlanta to buy a new iPad at the Apple Store. The…

How do we grow in challenging times?
Read the full article“I wish it need not have happened in my time,“ said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf. “And so do… "I wish it need not have happened in my time,“ said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf. “And so do all who live to see…

Become an Advocate
Read the full articleContact us at AdvocacyCouncil@acaai.org or 847-427-1200. Advocate for Our Speciality Our resident advocacy expert, Dr. Allen Meadows, offers tips… Contact us at AdvocacyCouncil@acaai.org or 847-427-1200. Advocate for Our Speciality Our resident advocacy expert, Dr. Allen Meadows, offers tips on the best ways…

Upcoming events
Read the full articleAttend your local, state or regional medical society meetings. Upcoming meetings include AAIFNC, AAISG, Eastern Allergy Conference and more!… Attend your local, state or regional medical society meetings. Upcoming meetings include: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Foundation of Northern California (AAIFNC) San Francisco, CA April…

The Joint Board Review Course is going virtual
Read the full articleThe 2020 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Board Certification Review Course, originally scheduled to be held this month in Chicago, is moving to… The 2020 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Board Certification Review Course, originally scheduled to be held this month in Chicago, is moving to an online format. The online…

From the desk of the EMD: Coronavirus and the future of allergy practice
Read the full articleAs I stay sheltered in place, I have had plenty of time to think about the “new normal.” In my… As I stay sheltered in place, I have had plenty of time to think about the “new normal.” In my last Insider column, I mentioned…

Your questions answered
Read the full articleWe asked Michael Blaiss, MD, FACAAI, executive medical director, to reflect on how the pandemic will affect our future practice.… We asked Michael Blaiss, MD, FACAAI, executive medical director, to reflect on how the pandemic will affect our future practice. What lasting changes might be…

Dr. Chitra Dinakar is remembered as a valued leader, colleague and mentor
Read the full articleThe allergy and immunology world lost a treasured colleague on March 27 with the passing of Chitra Dinakar, MD, FACAAI.… The allergy and immunology world lost a treasured colleague on March 27 with the passing of Chitra Dinakar, MD, FACAAI. Dr. Dinakar was a Clinical…

In memoriam: Gary Hein
Read the full articleWe were saddened to learn that Gary Hein, founder of Lincoln Diagnostics, passed away on Feb. 2. Several members gave… We were saddened to learn that Gary Hein, founder of Lincoln Diagnostics, passed away on Feb. 2. Several members gave tributes to Gary. Entrepreneur, businessman,…

Remembering Dr. James Breneman
Read the full articleThe College was saddened to learn of the loss of James Breneman, MD, FACAAI. He passed away at age 98… The College was saddened to learn of the loss of James Breneman, MD, FACAAI. He passed away at age 98 from natural causes earlier this…

From the desk of the EMD: “Coronavirus Anxiety Syndrome”
Read the full articleWhen I wrote my editorial on COVID-19 for the College Insider on March 2nd, I was hopefully optimistic that we… When I wrote my editorial on COVID-19 for the College Insider on March 2nd, I was hopefully optimistic that we would not be seeing what…

COVID-19: What is an allergist to do?
Read the full article“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Those immortal words were written by patriot Thomas Paine in the American… “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Those immortal words were written by patriot Thomas Paine in the American Revolution. When thinking about the…

College service has enriched my life
Read the full articleI became active in College committees as a fellow in training because I wanted to become involved beyond my membership.… I became active in College committees as a fellow in training because I wanted to become involved beyond my membership. Early on, Ira Finegold recruited…

Promote your practice
Read the full articlePromote your practice this spring with our free downloadable article templates. They are easy to use for everything from your… Promote your practice this spring with our free downloadable article templates. They are easy to use for everything from your local media to your website.…

From the Desk of the EMD: COVID-19 and the allergist
Read the full articleDuring a recent haircut, my barber, who knows I’m a physician, wanted to know about the coronavirus and what she… During a recent haircut, my barber, who knows I’m a physician, wanted to know about the coronavirus and what she should do. She was hoping…

Drug-induced anaphylaxis, mast cell activation syndrome and the ICON on ocular allergy
Read the full articleThe days are getting longer as we get closer to the spring allergy season. Although our emphasis in this month’s… The days are getting longer as we get closer to the spring allergy season. Although our emphasis in this month’s issue of the Annals of…

Are you informed about informed consent?
Read the full articleUpdated February 23, 2018 You know informed consent is a basic principle of health care and your practice should take… Updated February 23, 2018 You know informed consent is a basic principle of health care and your practice should take it seriously. But do you…

Are you informed about informed consent?
Read the full articlePop quiz: what is informed consent, when is it required for allergy practices, and how exactly should it be done?… Pop quiz: what is informed consent, when is it required for allergy practices, and how exactly should it be done? Some physicians and practices have…

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