Is Your Asthma Getting in the Way of Your New Year's Resolution?

Is Your Asthma Getting in the Way of Your New Year's Resolution?

                                 


                                     
                                          

When walking my dog early morning in January, I'm always struck by the increase in the number of people heading to the gym.  It seems like the streets are almost crowded with yoga and exercise gear. Where were these people a few short weeks ago?   It's no surprise to hear that exercising more is one of the top three resolutions that Americans make according to a YouGov 2017 survey

In January, most hit the ground running (literally!) but for some maintaining that new years resolution isn't just about will power.  What if you have the desire to exercise more, but get really sob cough and get winded easily when doing so.  Could asthma be getting in the way of you goal of exercising more?   

I'm always surprised when I hear patients tell me that they aren't good at exercise.  Exercise can make anyone short of breath, but for many it can trigger an asthma attack. 

Some quick screening questions tell me that they might be suffering from a form of asthma known as exercise induced asthma.  

What is exercise induced asthma? 

• A form of asthma where lungs become tight during asthma
• As many as 90% of people who have asthma have a form of exercise induced asthma
• For teenagers and young adults, exercise induced asthma is the most common cause of asthma symptoms. 

What are symptoms associated with exercise induced asthma?

Do you have cough, chest tightness or SOB associated only with exercise?

• Does going outside on a cold day trigger a cough?
• Are you sensitive to cold temperatures and dry air? 
• Does air pollutants (tobacco smoke car pollution, and air quality issues) trigger symptoms?

                                            

Do you suspect you have exercised induced asthma.  Are asthma symptoms getting in the way of your exercise goals for 2020?  

Please let us help.  

Need help managing your asthma?  Please visit click here to schedule an appointment. We will help you get to your next exercise goal.  Follow us at @gramercyallergy for allergy friendly tips!

Want more help for Asthma and Allergies?  Gramercy Allergy and Asthma is an expert in treating all forms of asthma and allergy.  Schedule an appointment with us.  Dr. Jennifer Collins, MD,a Castle Connolly Top Doctor  We are ready to help you with your asthma.  Gramercy Allergy specializes in treatment of asthma and allergies in New York City  

Hypoallergenic Dog- Truth or Fiction?

I love dogs and so do many New Yorkers.  About 72.2 million households have dogs in the USA.  And in NYC,  there are about 600,00 dogs according to a survey by the American Veterinary Association & American Community Association. The medical benefit of animals in the home is strong. Dogs provide companionship, stress reduction and bring a lot of love into the home. 

Sadly, about 20% of the population are allergic to dogs.  These symptoms can lead to allergies, asthma and disputes within the family.  Most animals have the same "rights" as others in the home and being allergic to a pet can be the source of family stress. Uncontrolled allergies and asthma can lead to poor school/work performance, overall reduction in quality of life and even emergency department visits.

Common dogs marketed as hypoallergenic are  poodle, labradoodle, Spanish waterdog, and the Airedale terrier. Recently I've had several patients develop allergies after getting a "hypoallergenic" dog.  They are a bit dumbfounded  as they were told that these dogs couldn't cause allergies.  After welcoming their dog into their family, at a loss for what to do next.  Symptoms are severe and they question even giving up their pet.

I thought it would be worth looking at the data to see if this is truth or fiction.  Luckily, there was a study in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 10-2012 that asked the same question.

The protein that causes dog allergy is called Can f1 and it's found in the hair and coat of all dogs. 

The researchers measured the levels of Can f1 in dust samples from the hypoallergenic dogs versus allergic dogs and found the levels to be slightly higher in the hypoallergenic dog dust sample!  Unfortunately, there is no thing as a hypoallergenic dog.  Want to read the study yourself?  http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(12)00793-2/fulltext

Don't despair though! If you are having allergies to your dog or other pet, seek out an allergist and they will help develop a plan so you will feel better.  The answer isn't always giving up your pet.  Symptoms can be controlled often with some simple environmental control measures, medications, and allergy shots if needed. 

Want to talk to me about it?  Please feel free to email jcollins@gramercyallergy.com or call the office for an appointment 212-228-2312.  We are located at 205 East 22nd Street, NY NY 10010



It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction.  Fiction has to make sense.
- Mark Twain.

 

August in New York...

... is one of exodus.  The city empties as residents seek to be calmed by the sea, cooled by the green shade from a mountain top, or inspired by the intoxicating glow of the moon from the other side of the world.  

As exotic and relaxing as all this sounds, traveling with allergies and asthma at times can be dangerous. Being in unfamiliar territory can pose some unexpected challenges.  

Recently my patients have told me stories about their difficulty with allergies- like a moldy apartment in Buenos Aires, Brazil that triggered an asthma attack, cedar storm in TX during a music festival causing severe sinusitis and loss of voice, and sunscreen allergy during a surfing expedition in Costa Rica causing a very bad rash.

Here are some easy tips to keep you healthy, safe and focused on your priority as Robert Louis Stevenson says, "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” 

Have food allergies?

• Do a quick search to see what restaurants in the area are friendly for those with allergies.
• Have a travel anaphylaxis kit to carry in you carry on or purse

Have asthma?

• Bring an extra inhaler along with you in your bag.  You never know what kind of environmental triggers you'll be exposed to in your vacation home.
• Check out common triggers/environmental exposures you might face 
• Ask your doctor to put together an emergency supply of medicine that you can bring with you in case you get sick- this will help keep you out of an unfamiliar emergency room,

Have skin allergies?

• Bring travel size versions of your favorite sunscreens, moisturizers, shampoos/conditioners
• Ask your doctor for a small tube of a corticosteriod to carry with you just in case; no one wants to be be itchy and scratchy while on vacation

Going somewhere where they speak another language?

• If you have food allergies  translate your food allergy before you go.  It might help to put this on a card and carry it with you to make sure there's no confusion
• In many countries asthma and allergy medications are over the counter.  Translate your problem so you'll be able to effectively communicate with the pharmacist there.

With these simple effective tips, your vacation will be filled with laughter, love, and beautiful memories rather than a trip the doctor

Want more directed tips on allergies and travel?  Feel free to email me at jcollins@gramercyallergy.com, click here to schedule an appointment, call the office 212-679-3574 or check out our new website- www.gramercyallergy.com

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"Bizarre travel plans are dancing lessons from God"– Kurt Vonnegut