OUR PHILOSOPHY

Hospitals are dangerous places for asthmatics. The Corpus Christi Allergy & Asthma Center is committed to keeping asthmatics, of all ages, well and out of the hospital. It is our belief that the best allergist uses the fewest medicines, and thus avoids their dangerous side effects.

WHAT IS ALLERGY?

An individual is said to be allergic if he or she reacts to a substance in a manner different from the ordinary or normal person. Thus, to most of us an egg is a harmless and wholesome food - yet in certain individuals even a small amount of egg may produce such symptoms as swelling of the lips, a skin rash or even severe asthma. Such persons may be normal in every other respect except for this peculiarity and so we say of such persons that they are hypersensitive to egg protein or, in medical parlance, that they are allergic.

THE INCIDENCE OF ALLERGY

It is conservatively estimated that from 15% to 20% of the population of the United States suffer from some form of allergy requiring medical treatment. This means that over 50 million people, children and adults, have some form of allergy sufficient to interfere with their daily activities. So the problem becomes economic as well as medical. The earlier the person comes under treatment, the less will be the physical damage, and the better the results.

CAUSES OF ALLERGIC SYMPTOMS

Allergic symptoms are produced as a result of exposure to the substance or substances to which the patient is sensitive. Such contact may be brought upon by:

1. Inhalation - substance breathed in from the air.
2. Ingestion - things eaten
3. Drugs - taken for relief of various diseases by mouth, injection, application, etc.
4. Physical Agents - light, heat and cold
5. Bacteria - patients are not allergic to bacteria but infections may aggravate allergic symptoms.
6. Trigger Mechanism - many factors may aggravate allergic symptoms even though a patient is not truly allergic to them.

WHAT IS THE PROPER TREATMENT FOR ALLERGIC ASTHMA

1. Avoidance
2. Hyposensitization
3. Symptomatic Relief

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The following are informative brochures and links regarding the proper treatment of allergies and asthma and immunotherapy for allergies and asthma. Although some of the information is directed towards asthma, the treatment mentioned is also successful in curing several allergic diseases. (e.g. Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema, Hay Fever)

Brochures

• "The Proper Treatment of Asthma"
• "Expert Care and Immunotherapy"
• "The Role of the House Dust Mite"

Medical Links

• National Asthma Education & Prevention Program
• American Academy of Asthma Allergy & Immunology
• American Medical Association
• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• New England Journal of Medicine on Asthma