Your immune system’s primary goal is to keep your body healthy. In the case of food allergies, your immune system mistakes harmless food proteins as a threat and attack. Large amounts of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody, are produced. IgE causes the release of histamine and other chemicals, which can trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

While any food has the potential to cause an allergic reaction, there are eight foods that account for almost 90 percent of all food allergies: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.

Food allergies can be diagnosed through a blood test. A blood test is used to measure the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies present in the blood.

If blood testing is negative, an oral food challenge can also be performed in order to rule out a food allergy. This test takes place in the clinic where you will be under constant medical supervision. This ensures if you experience an allergic reaction it can be treated immediately. The food in question is ingested in small amounts and the challenge is stopped at the first sign of a reaction. After a few hours, if no reaction has occurred, you are no longer allergic.

If the cause of the allergy symptoms cannot be determined, an elimination diet is recommended. Potential trigger foods are eliminated from your diet for a few weeks. If the symptoms resolve, the eliminated food is most likely the culprit. To make sure, you may be asked to reintroduce the food back into your diet to see if the symptoms return.

The symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to life strengthening. Mild symptoms include hives, itchy mouth, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain and sneezing. Severe symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue and/or throat, shortness of breath and turning blue. Any one of these severe symptoms or a combination of mild symptoms can be the sign of a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. In the event of this reaction, epinephrine should be administered and the patient should be taken to the hospital immediately.

Mild reactions can be treated with antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec.

While there are drugs available to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction, the only way to prevent one is through strict avoidance of the problematic foods.

A food allergy should not be taken lightly. The best way to stay safe is to know exactly what can cause a reaction and to have a treatment plan in place. The doctors at David & Eldredge ENT Specialists have the tests needed to determine what you are allergic to.

Contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.

There are many different types of allergies. Each has its own set of symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms depends entirely on your sensitivity and the amount of the allergen involved.

Pet allergies, specifically those to dogs and cats, are very common. You are not allergic to the animal itself; what you are allergic to is the allergens the animal creates. These allergens are found in the pet’s hair, dander, saliva and urine. Common symptoms of this type of allergy are sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, facial pain, coughing, wheezing, skin rash or hives.

Environmental allergies are a broad term used to describe an allergy to molds or pollens from various trees, grasses and ragweed. Since some plants only grow and flower at a certain time of year and some molds grow better in different weather conditions, environmental allergies may only affect you during specific seasons. A runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy, watery, red eyes, sneezing, a post-nasal drip and fatigue are common symptoms. These symptoms are very similar to the common cold, except a cold may include a low-grade fever and lasts only a week on average.

An allergy to insect stings can cause swelling, redness, hives, itching and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can lead to trouble breathing, vomiting, low blood pressure, fainting and cardiac arrest. The only treatment for this life-threatening reaction is an injection of epinephrine. Honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and fire ants are the five known insects to cause an allergic reaction.

There are numerous potential causes for your allergy symptoms. The only way to know for sure what is causing them is to complete a series of tests. Contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment for allergy testing.

Penicillin allergies have been notoriously overdiagnosed. This means that many individuals were told to avoid the drug, often having to settle for more expensive and less efficient treatment alternatives. Fortunately, there are a few simple tests that can be used to confirm your diagnosis.

First, your doctor will review your medical history. They are specifically looking for details about the last time you experienced a penicillin-induced allergic reaction, including the type and severity of your symptoms. This is important information, as your doctor will need to confirm your symptoms were mild enough to continue with the testing.

The first method of testing is the skin prick test. A drop of penicillin extract is placed on the skin and a small needle pricks the top layer of skin through the drop. After 15 minutes any reaction, such as red, itchy bumps, is measured. A positive reaction indicates a high likelihood of a penicillin allergy. Additional tests are typically completed when there is a negative reaction from the skin prick test.

An intradermal skin test is completed next. An intradermal wheal, or bleb, is injected directly under the top layer of skin. After 15 minutes any reactions are measured and classified as either positive or negative. If the results from this test are still negative, an oral challenge can then be performed.

An oral challenge is the final test to rule out a penicillin allergy. This test is performed in a medical setting with continuous medical oversight. This ensures if you do experience a reaction it can be treated immediately. During this challenge, you will ingest a single dose of penicillin and will then be monitored for at least an hour. If you can tolerate the dose without a reaction, your doctor will be able to confirm you are officially not allergic to penicillin.

If you think you were misdiagnosed with a penicillin allergy or would like to confirm a recent finding, contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.

The only way to treat your allergy symptoms is to determine exactly what is causing them. This is done through a series of allergy tests.

A skin prick test is the most common form of allergy testing. This test involves placing a small drop of an allergen extract on your skin. A needle is then used to prick the skin underneath the drop; this allows for a small amount of solution to enter just below the surface of the skin. After 15 minutes any swelling or redness is measured and, depending on the size, is considered a positive reaction. An intradermal skin test is completed next. An intradermal wheal, or bleb, is injected directly under the top layer of skin. After 15 minutes any reactions are measured and classified as either positive or negative.

A blood test is used to measure how much of an allergen-specific antibody, called immunoglobulin E (IgE), is in your blood. The more allergen specific IgE in your blood, the more likely you are to be allergic. Blood tests are typically used to confirm the results of a skin test; they may also be used in lieu of skin tests if a serious allergy makes skin testing unsafe.

Food allergies may be tested with a simple blood draw. An elimination diet involves removing the food in question from your diet for two to four weeks. If your symptoms resolve, there is a good chance the food was causing the reaction. Your doctor may return the problematic food to your diet, just to make sure the symptoms return.

In order to determine the exact cause of your symptoms, your allergist will need to complete a series of tests. Don’t wait to seek help; contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.

Pillar® Procedure is a minor surgery that is used to treat snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when the muscles in the roof of your mouth, tongue and throat relax. If the muscles relax enough, tissue can partially block your airway and vibrate with every breath. The more tissue that gets in the way, the louder the vibration; the louder the vibration, the louder the snoring. This is the cause for more than 80 percent of individuals who snore. Pillar Procedure stiffens the soft palate, leading to a decrease in symptoms.

The procedure is simple; local anesthesia is administered and then three polyester rods are inserted in the soft palate. Each measures 18 millimeters in length and is less than an inch thick. The procedure is completed in the comfort of our office and takes only 20 to 30 minutes.

After the procedure, you will be asked to stay seated for a few minutes in order to make sure there is no significant bleeding or swelling. Most are able to resume normal activities that same day. Anti-inflammatory pain medications will be prescribed to keep the swelling down and help with the pain after the local anesthesia wears off. An antiseptic rinse may also be ordered to prevent infection.

As the tissue around the implants heals it becomes harder. This further helps with the reduction of vibration. Because of this, some may not experience full results for a few months.

In order to determine if Pillar Procedure is an appropriate treatment plan for your snoring, contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule a consultation.

Snoring is the harsh sound that occurs when your breathing is partially blocked while sleeping. As you fall asleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth, tongue and throat relax and can block your airway. If the amount of obstruction is severe enough, it can lead to decreased levels of oxygen in your blood.

Almost 50 percent of all adults occasionally snore. While simple lifestyle changes such as weight loss or positional therapy can relieve snoring, it is important to note that snoring may be a symptom of a serious medical problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and even death.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat
• Gasping or choking at night
• Chest pain at night
• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control
• Restless and non-restorative sleep

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult with your doctor. They will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and perform a physical exam. A sleep study, which can be performed in a sleep clinic or in the comfort of your own home, will determine whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. During this study your brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep stages, movement and breathing rate are measured.  

There are many potential treatments for obstructive sleep apnea including positional therapy, surgery or continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP).

A CPAP device, known as the most effective nonsurgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, is used to increase air pressure in your throat while you sleep. This ensures your airflow is powerful enough to keep your airway passage open, preventing pauses in your breathing, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. A face or nasal mask is connected to a pump, which provides a positive flow of air through the mask. The mask must be worn every night. While it may be uncomfortable to some, the results are typically instantaneous and worth the discomfort.

Your board certified sleep medicine doctor can help you determine which therapy is right for you. Contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a vital component of your immune system. These oval-shaped glands are located throughout your body including your neck, under your chin, beneath your armpits and in your groin. These glands work to trap any bacteria or viruses that are traveling through your body’s lymph system.

Because the lymph nodes come into close contact with germs, they can easily become infected. When they become infected they swell; this is called lymphadenitis. Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong. The cause of the swelling can range from the common cold, strep throat, mononucleosis and skin infection to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis as well as cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia can also cause lymphadenitis.

In addition to being swollen, the glands will also be tender or painful. Depending on the cause of the infection, many experience a runny nose, sore throat, fever, swollen limbs and night sweats. If left untreated, the swollen glands can lead to abscess formation, a collection of pus caused by an infection, or a blood stream infection.

Use of a warm compress, over-the-counter pain medication and adequate rest are typically all that is required to relieve the symptoms of swollen glands. If the glands continue to enlarge, or have not responded to treatment within two to four weeks, you should seek medical attention.

In order to determine the cause of your swollen lymph nodes your doctor will review your medical history and complete a physical exam. Blood tests, imaging and a lymph node biopsy may be ordered, depending on the potential cause of the enlargement.

If you think you are suffering from swollen lymph nodes without an obvious cause, contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment. Early intervention is key to proper treatment.

Your thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland that sits on the front of your neck. Its primary role is to secrete hormones, which are responsible for metabolism, growth and development and the regulation of body temperature. The gland uses the iron from your food to produce these hormones.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body produces too many hormones. This increase can be caused by Grave’s disease, a viral infection or a toxic nodule. Too many hormones cause the body to speed up, leading to nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, a racing heart, frequent bowel movements and weight loss. This condition is diagnosed through a simple blood test. Antithyroid drugs are used to treat the condition; they work by blocking the thyroid’s ability to produce too many hormones.

Hypothyroidism occurs when your body does not produce enough hormones. This creates a slowdown in the body, leading to feeling colder, more tired, depressed and constipated. A simple blood test is all that is needed to diagnose this condition. The most common treatment for this condition is the use of daily hormones. Every six to ten weeks you will need a blood test to confirm your hormone levels are where they should be.

The parathyroid consists of four glands in the neck, right behind the thyroid. These glands are responsible for regulating your blood calcium levels. An improperly balanced parathyroid can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia, which is an increased level of blood calcium. This can cause digestive issues, constipation, depression, lethargy and weakness. Calcimedins and bisphosphonates are typically prescribed for this condition. Too little calcium leads to a rarer condition called hypoparathyroidism. This is treated with vitamin D and calcium tablets.

Thyroid and parathyroid disorders can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.