Treatment
Allergy and Asthma Treatment
If you’re one of the millions of Americans with allergies or asthma, treatments can help you live a full and active life.
Allergists and Immunologists are experts that receive special training and experience with the immune system. We are able to pinpoint the culprit and confirm it with tests. Our specific treatment plan is distinctive as we recognize that each individual has unique needs. Our treatment plans are based upon the latest research and recommendations in our field as published by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Allergy & Asthma Professionals Inc. is dedicated to providing the most up to date diagnostic and treatment options in pediatric and adult allergy, asthma, eye allergies, sinus disorders and hives. It is our mission to provide all patients with the highest quality of care. We consider our practice to be a family office where patients are treated with respect, warmth and professionalism. We attempt to see that each patient receives the attention necessary to solve his or her immediate and long range allergy problems.
Read more about our services and treatments:
Immunotherapy for Allergies
Also known as allergy shots, immunotherapy offers long-term treatment to decrease allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, conjunctivitis and stinging insect allergy.
Most allergy shots contain small amounts of what you’re allergic to. When you get the shots over time, your body gets used to having those substances around, and it reacts less to them. Not only can allergy shots improve your asthma symptoms, sometimes they can prevent a flare.
Rescue Inhalers (Short-Acting Bronchodilators) for Asthma
Nearly everyone who has allergic asthma should have a short-acting bronchodilator.
They’re often called rescue inhalers because they come in a small inhaler that you carry with you and puff when you have symptoms. The effects last 4-6 hours.
They work by opening up, or dilating, the airways in your lungs. Rescue medications include albuterol, levalbuterol and pirbuterol.
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma
If you are using your rescue inhaler too often, that’s a sign your allergic asthma isn’t under control. You may need to take medications such as inhaled steroids every day.
You inhale these drugs through a portable device. They work by curbing inflammation in your lungs’ airways.
They’re called “controller” medications because they help control your asthma over longer periods of time. These medications can help keep your lungs working better after future asthma attacks. You probably won’t need your rescue inhaler as much either.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators for Asthma
Long-acting bronchodilators are another type of controller medication. They work like rescue inhalers, but the effects last longer, usually about 12 hours. You use them regularly, twice a day.
They are used along with inhaled steroids and not as the only medication to control your asthma.
Anti-Leukotriene Drugs for Asthma
Montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate) and zileuton (Zyflo) are pills that help long-term asthma control.
These drugs shut down the effects of molecules called leukotrienes, which trigger airway inflammation.
Oral Corticosteroids for Asthma
Prednisone is a common steroid used by people whose rescue inhaler doesn’t help enough when they have a severe asthma attack. It’s usually taken as a pill. It works by lessening the inflammation that causes the serious symptoms.
You should use steroids only when you need them, because they can cause side effects if you take high doses for a long time.
Antibody Treatment for Allergies
Antibody treatments are given for people with severe allergies that don’t go away and aren’t controlled with other treatments. It prevents cells in your body from starting the inflammation process and makes you less sensitive to your triggers.
It’s given as an injection every 2 or 4 weeks at the office because you might have a severe allergic reaction to it. There are seldom side effects.