Medical Bracelets Go High-Tech. Style Aside, More People Find They Should Wear Them

It's a simple step, but one many doctors forget to remind patients to take: Wear a medical-alert bracelet. A growing number of American adults and children face complex medical conditions. . . They may have drug or food allergies, suffer from disorders like autism, or take medications like the blood thinner coumadin that medical staff should know about in an emergency. New bracelets and other medical-identification systems can fill in first responders on practically a patient's complete health history. They're a far cry from the simple identification bracelets of the past, which with a few engraved words informed medics that a person was, perhaps, allergic to penicillin. . read more.

Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza

This year's annual flu shot will offer protection against the pandemic H1N1 (swine flu) virus, in addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to be in circulation this fall and winter. Last year people had to receive a separate flu shot to obtain protection against pandemic H1N1 influenza. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children and older adults. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. . read more.

I've heard that LABAs can cause severe asthma attacks. Should I stop taking them?

In some studies, long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) have been linked to life-threatening asthma attacks. The risk appears to be greatest when a LABA is used without also using an inhaled corticosteroid. In contrast, taking an inhaled corticosteroid along with a LABA is appropriate treatment for many people who have asthma. Don't stop any of your asthma medications before checking with your doctor first. . read more.

The Claim: Dark Cats Cause More Allergies Than Light Ones

THE FACTS: Cats, love them or hate them, are among the most common causes of allergies, affecting twice as many Americans as dogs do. The sources of these allergies are proteins found in feline dander, urine and saliva, making all cats capable of provoking reactions. But some scientists suspect that the darker a cat’s coat, the greater the likelihood of it inducing allergic reactions. . read more.

Risks: A Warning on Asthma and Acetaminophen

Young teenagers who use acetaminophen even once a month develop asthma symptoms more than twice as often as those who never take it, a large international study has found. And frequent users also had more eczema and eye and sinus irritation. Other studies have linked acetaminophen (often sold as Tylenol and in other over-the-counter remedies for pain, colds and fever) with an increased risk of asthma. But the new study’s authors cautioned that the findings did not mean children should stop using it. “Acetaminophen remains the preferred drug to relieve pain and fever in children,” said the study’s lead author. . read more.

Beware When the Label Says "Made in a Facility That Processes..."

While patients might be tempted to ignore food labels that say "made in a facility that processes" (something they're allergic to), new research suggests products with these labels are in fact more likely to be contaminated with peanuts, milk or eggs than unlabeled foods. "Our study underscores the need for allergic consumers to avoid advisory-labeled products, which present a small but real risk," the authors write in the study, which was reported online July 12th in a letter to the editor in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. While companies are required to clearly state if their products have possible allergens in the ingredient list, there are no particular regulations on whether they need to add statements such as "may contain traces of peanuts," for example, for foods that aren't supposed to contain such allergens. . read more.

Be Aware of Epinephrine Autoinjector Substitution

An epinephrine autoinjector is used to treat a severe allergic reaction or to prevent anaphylactic shock caused by stinging insects, foods, latex, medications or other allergens. If you have a severe allergy and carry epinephrine, it is important to know that each brand functions a little differently. The stress of an anaphylactic reaction is not the time to realize you have a different autoinjector than what was demonstrated to you by your allergist. . read more.

Can I be allergic to my sunscreen?

With depletion of our ozone layer comes an increase in the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches us, and specifically our skin (the body’s largest organ). We need to be careful and practice careful and a limited exposure to sunlight to prevent aging of the skin as well as skin damage and skin cancers. Allergic contact dermatitis is responsible for a variety of skin reactions to sunscreens as well as a variety of other products such as cosmetics. In general, females are slightly more commonly affected than males, and adolescents and mid age adult appear to be more commonly affected. . read more.

In the Works: Immunotherapy for Food Allergies

From the time she was 11 months old until this past spring, Caroline Cooper was severely allergic to milk — a bit of cheese or yogurt could have killed her. But early last year, the teenager began a type of immunotherapy, eating minute but gradually increasing amounts of milk protein. But many allergists say immunotherapy for food allergies outside of a research setting is irresponsible. About 20 such trials are now underway, according to the National Institute of Health database and that's where such treatment should currently stay, these allergists say. . read more.

Damp House Linked to Kids' Risk of Nasal Allergies

Children who live in damp, water-damaged homes may be more likely to develop nasal allergies, a new study suggests. Researchers found that of nearly 1,900 children they followed for six years, those who lived in homes with dampness or mold problems were more likely to develop allergic rhinitis during the study period. In this study, published online July 16th in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 16% of children whose parents reported dampness in the home developed allergic rhinitis over the next six years. That compared with just under 12% of children whose parents reported no dampness problems -- that is, no visible signs of water damage to the ceilings, walls or floors, and no visible mold or mold odor in the home. The researchers weighed a number of factors that might help account for the connection, including families' socioeconomic status and whether children were also exposed to second-hand smoke. However, damp, moldy conditions in the home remained linked to an increased risk of children's nasal allergies. Children whose parents reported any mold or water damage in the home at the outset were 55% more likely than other children to develop allergic rhinitis -- connected to any allergen, not just mold. Such conditions encourage the growth of dust mites and fungi, and attract cockroaches -- all of which can serve as allergy triggers. Moisture may also boost the emission of chemicals from building materials, which could potentially create inflammation in the airways.

Nonallergic rhinitis

Nonallergic rhinitis involves chronic sneezing or having a congested, drippy nose with no apparent cause. The symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis are similar to those of hay fever (allergic rhinitis), but there's no allergic reaction involved. Nonallergic rhinitis can affect children and adults, but is more common after age 20. Although nonallergic rhinitis is more annoying than harmful, it can make you miserable. . read more.

Researchers Report Gene Linked to Asthma in Children

Researchers have found that a gene on chromosome one appears to be linked to moderate to severe persistent asthma in children -- the second such genetic locus associated with the disease. "In asthma, patients have an inappropriate immune response in which they develop airway inflammation and overreaction of the airway muscle cells, referred to as airway hyper-responsiveness," authors said. Gene mutations appear to lead to overproduction of immune system chemicals called cytokines that subsequently drive this oversensitive response in asthma patients. Authors said the research may have pinpointed a therapeutic target. "Because this gene seems to regulate many different cytokines, intervening in this pathway has great potential for treating asthma.”. . read more.

Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches are headaches that may accompany sinusitis, a condition in which the membranes lining your sinuses become swollen and inflamed. You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs. Although these can indicate sinus headaches, don't jump to conclusions. Many people who assume they have sinus headaches actually have migraines or tension headaches. . read more.

Childhood vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers

Do vaccines cause autism? Is it OK to skip certain vaccines? Get the facts on these and other common vaccine questions. Childhood vaccines protect children from a variety of serious or potentially fatal diseases, including diphtheria, measles, meningitis, polio, tetanus and whooping cough. If these diseases seem uncommon — or even unheard of — it simply means that vaccines are doing their job. Still, you may wonder about the benefits and risks of childhood vaccines. Here are straight answers to common questions about childhood vaccines. . read more.

Can Foods Trigger Migraines?

I had a blood test for food allergens, cut them out, and my migraines were greatly diminished in frequency and intensity. Is this a common experience? Are there good studies supporting this? Can allergies to certain foods trigger migraines? What about food additives like MSG? . read more.