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Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances.Allergies are among the most common medical disorders. It is estimated that 60 million Americans, or more than one in every five people, ...
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An allergy is an exaggerated immune response or reaction to substances that are generally not harmful.Allergies are relatively common. Both genetics and environmental factors play a role.Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which l...
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Allergic reaction is more common than ever before. And it's not just hay fever or bee stings. This comprehensive report describes the causes and cures for everything from food allergies to poison ivy.
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Physical allergies are allergic reactions to cold, sunlight, heat, or minor injury.The immune system is designed to protect the body from harmful invaders such as germs. Occasionally, it goes awry and attacks harmless or mildly noxious agents, doi...
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Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances.Allergies are among the most common of medical disorders. It is estimated that 60 million Americans, or more than one in every five peopl...
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If allergies bother you in the fall, you're most likely sensitive to one or more molds, weeds, trees or grasses.
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A short glossary of asthma terms.Allergen. An environmental substance, such as mold, pollen, dust mites, animal dander or feathers, that can trigger an asthma attack.
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Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances.Allergies are among the most common of medical disorders. It is estimated that 60 million Americans, or more than one in every five peopl...
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Detailed information on allergy, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Allergy is a physiological reaction caused when the immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as damaging to the body.
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For asthmatics, age can bring a bit of relief from the symptoms. But asthma can also appear at any time of life.
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Detailed information on allergy, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Allergies are physiological reactions caused when the immune system reacts to a specific foreign substance (allergen).
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Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances.Allergies are among the most common of medical disorders. About one quarter of all Americans suffer from some form of allergy, such as as...
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If you're heading out of town, and you or your child has allergies or asthma, proper planning can help you keep sneezes, sniffles, wheezing and attacks under control.
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Dust mites are perhaps the most common cause of nasal allergies. These mites are microscopic organisms that live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets. They thrive in warm, humid conditions.
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Food allergies affect approximately 3 percent of children and 1 percent of adults in the United States. It is estimated that an even larger percentage of the population experiences problems with food intolerance.
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Detailed information on allergy, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment There are many things to consider when a child is affected by allergies. Listed in the directory below are some of these considerations, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Detailed information on the differences between the common cold symptoms and symptoms of allergies
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A hypersensitive response by the immune system to a foreign substance that is ordinarily harmless.Allergies account for more office visits to pediatricians than any other ailment, besides the common cold,.and are responsible for more missed school...
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Glossary of terms relating to asthma and allergy [return to top] adrenaline - see epinephrine.
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Detailed information on allergy testing, including blood testing (rast testing) and scratch testing
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Detailed information on allergy testing, including blood testing (rast testing) and scratch testing
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Detailed information on allergy, asthma, and immunology Topic Index Allergy Asthma
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Detailed information on avoidance of allergens and treatment for allergy, including immunotherapy (allergy shots) and medication
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Detailed information on avoidance of allergens and treatment for allergy, including immunotherapy (allergy shots) and medication
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Detailed information on allergies in children, including information on allergic rhinitis and food allergies
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List of online resources to find additional information on allergy and asthma This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician(s). The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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Detailed information on symptomatic conditions of allergy, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, rhinitis, and urticaria
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Detailed information on symptomatic conditions of allergy, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, rhinitis, and urticaria
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Detailed information on allergy, asthma, and immunology Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Home
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Some people who have symptoms from heart disease mistakenly think they are experiencing episodes of acid indigestion. Before you proceed through our advice guide, we would like to make sure that your symptoms are not likely to result from coronary artery disease.
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Is it possible for a baby to have allergies? My grandson is 4 months old. He is fussy must of the time. For the past month and a half he has been rubbing his head and nose and tugging on his ears. He has had two ear infections, but I believe there is something else going on. He has had very bad cradle cap and the doctor says he has eczema.
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Detailed information on allergies and the immune system and how a person becomes allergic to a food or product
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Sinusitis refers to an inflammation of the sinuses, airspaces within the bones of the face. Sinusitis is most often due to an infection within these spaces.The sinuses are paired air pockets located within the bones of the face.
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Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.Acute sinusitis; Sinus infection; Sinusitis- acute; Sinusitis- chronic; Rhinosinusitis.The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull(behind t...
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Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which are airspaces within the bones of the face. Sinusitis is most often due to an infection within these spaces.The sinuses are paired air pockets located within the bones of the face.
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Detailed information on sinusitis, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Health care experts estimate that more than 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis each year. When a minor cold or allergy attack goes bad, it can progress to sinusitis, also called a sinus infection. Sinus infections can be acute (three weeks or less), chronic (three to eight weeks, or longer) or recurrent (several acute attacks in a year).
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Sinusitis, or sinus infection, refers to an inflammation of the sinuses, the air spaces within the bones of the face, due to an infection within these spaces.The sinuses are paired air pockets located within the bones of the face. They are:.The fr...
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Detailed information on sinusitis, including anatomy of the sinuses, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Pain above or below the eyes—sometimes it feels as though it's in the upper teeth—and facial pressure are classic signs of sinusitis.
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Millions of Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Even so, it's often misdiagnosed and misunderstood by people with the condition.
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Detailed information on sinuses, sinusitis, sinusitis symptoms, sinusitis causes, sinusitis treatment
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Detailed information on sinusitis, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on sinusitis, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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How do you know if you have a sinus infection?
Harvey B. Simon, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Health Sciences Technology Faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the founding editor of Harvard Men's Health Watch (www.health.harvard.edu) and the author of six consumer health books, including The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health (Simon and Schuster, 2002) and The No Sweat Exercise Plan. Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Live Longer (McGraw-Hill, 2006). Dr. Simon practices at the Massachusetts General Hospital; he received the London Prize for Excellence in Teaching from Harvard and MIT.
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Sinusitis. It even sounds painful. This inflammation of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection, is one of the most common problems doctors treat. Yet a lot of us don't know much about it.
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A set of related cancers that form in the bone marrow and other blood-producing organs.Leukemia is named after the leukocytes, white blood cells which mutate before maturity and become cancerous. These cells reproduce rapidly, suppressing producti...
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Detailed information on leukemia, including causes, stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the organs that make blood, namely the bone marrow and the lymph system. Depending on specific characteristics, leukemia can be divided into two broad types: acute and chronic.
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Leukemia is a group of bone marrow diseases involving an uncontrolled increase in white blood cells(leukocytes).For information about a specific type of leukemia, see the following:.Acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL) Acute myelogenous leukemia(AML) C...
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Leukemia is different from other types of cancer. Most cancers begin as a tumor and spread to other parts of the body. How large the tumor is and how far the cancer spreads determines the stage of the cancer. But leukemia doesn't begin as a tumor. It is in your blood, which means it is already moving throughout your body.
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Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin changing in ways that aren't normal. Cancer that starts in blood cells is called leukemia.
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Detailed overview of leukemia, including types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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The cells that were removed for your biopsy are looked at more closely during special tests. These tests help tell what kind of leukemia you have. The type you have affects your choices for treatment.
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Normal white blood cells help the body fight infections. Because leukemia cells are abnormal, they do not function as normal cells do. People with leukemia often find out about their disease because they may have fevers and infections.
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There is no sure way to prevent leukemia. In fact, most people with leukemia have no known risk factors. People can, however, make certain lifestyle choices that might lower their risk of developing leukemia.
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Certain factors can make one person more likely to get leukemia than another person. These are called risk factors. Although such risk factors do exist, a person who has one or more risk factors will not necessarily get leukemia. In fact, a person can have all the risk factors and still not get leukemia, or he or she can have no known risk factors and still get the disease.
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You have just been told, "You have leukemia.” With these 3 words, you may feel that your world has stopped. It's scary to hear. However, knowledge is powerful. It can help make a difference in how you handle your experience with leukemia.
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No standard screening process exists for detecting early stage leukemia. Doctors often detect chronic leukemia during routine blood count checks or screening tests, such as those conducted when a person seeks employment, joins the military, is pregnant, or is about to undergo an operation.
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This treatment uses strong X-rays to kill leukemia cells. For leukemia, this treatment is most often used after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. It may also be used to help control pain. In the rare cases that leukemia causes a tumor, radiation may be used to shrink it. A radiation oncologist sets your treatment plan. The plan details what kind of radiation you'll have and how long the treatment will last. This doctor can also tell you how you may feel during and after the treatment.
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You will likely have physical concerns since your leukemia may cause symptoms and you may have side effects from your treatment. In this section, you'll learn more about how to respond to some of the most common ones. You will not likely have all of these side effects or symptoms. They are listed alphabetically to help you find information when you need it.
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If your doctor thinks you might have leukemia, you will have a special kind of biopsy. For it, your doctor needs a small sample of bone marrow and bone. The doctor takes these from the inside of your pelvic bone. The procedure is called a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. In some cases, the doctor takes an aspiration from the breastbone instead. A pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope. It may take a few days for the results to come back. Then your doctor knows if you have leukemia.
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Targeted therapy is a new type of treatment for some types of leukemia. It's designed to "see” a certain change in a cancer cell. This is a change that makes the cancer grow, divide, repair, or "talk” with other cells. These new drugs attack only cancer cells. They destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. But they avoid normal, healthy cells. That means this treatment tends to cause fewer and less severe side effects than other kinds of treatment. These 3 main types of targeted therapy can treat leukemia.
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Detailed information on leukemia in childhood, including symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment
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Leukemia can be treated. Your treatment depends on all these things. The type of leukemia you have
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Detailed information on leukemia in childhood, including symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment
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To find out whether you have leukemia, your doctor does a physical examination and other tests. Sometimes a doctor finds leukemia during a routine exam. This can happen when a person doesn't know about a problem because he or she doesn't have symptoms.
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Listed below are some frequently asked questions about leukemia. Q: What is leukemia?
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It's normal to worry about what leukemia will mean for you and your family. You may wonder, "What are my chances of being cured?” and "How long will I live?” The answers to these questions are what you may hear healthcare experts call your prognosis. This is the likely outcome, or course, of your leukemia. Your doctor considers how likely these outcomes are for you when making your prognosis.
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When you are being treated for leukemia, you will likely have side effects from that treatment and also, perhaps, symptoms of the disease itself. For instance, the leukemia itself can cause symptoms such as fevers, weight loss, or bleeding. The treatments to destroy leukemia cells can harm healthy cells at the same time, and that means treatment can cause side effects.
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If you are having targeted therapy, your healthcare team will explain its side effects and help you manage them.
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How you get targeted therapy depends on the kind you get. You get monoclonal therapy by intravenous (IV) needle or under the skin 3 times a week. You won't need to stay in a hospital overnight. How long each treatment lasts depends upon the dose you get. It also depends on whether you have any reactions to the treatment. If you get an IV, it may take about 2 hours. If you get an injection under the skin, it may take a few minutes.
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Once your radiation oncologist has mapped out your treatment plan, a radiation therapist treats you. There are a few ways to do that.
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A clinical trial is when a new treatment is tested. It tests treatments that may work better or cause fewer problems than current treatments. A clinical trial may give you a chance to get a new treatment not yet available to the public.
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Surgery can do little to treat leukemia. For chronic leukemia, though, it is helpful in some cases. Your doctor may remove your spleen if it is swollen and pressing against other organs. Your spleen is an organ near your stomach. It helps produce white blood cells and destroy red blood cells. Another reason you may have your spleen removed is to raise levels of certain blood cells. That's because a swollen spleen can start removing too many of them from your blood.
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The hallmark of leukemia is often an increase in the number of white blood cells. It's ironic that mass production of white blood cells--your body's infection fighters--actually causes you harm. The problem is that the white blood cells made when you have leukemia may not function normally. When your body makes too many leukemic white blood cells, it doesn't make enough normal ones to fight infection. This decrease in the strength of your immune system is called immunosuppression. A weaker immune system means you are at a greater risk of getting both common infections you encounter in everyday life as well as uncommon ones.
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Treating your leukemia to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor or nurse know if you are experiencing any side effects or discomfort. Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as to treat your leukemia.
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You may have heard a lot about alternative or complementary care. These are a group of practices and products that are not yet thought of as a part of standard medicine.
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Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chances of getting cancer or of being cured. Statistics show what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, statistics cannot be used to know or predict what will happen to a particular person.
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When many people think of cancer care, they may think of traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. These treatments are used to get rid of cancer cells in the body. But there is another form of care that many people with cancer also receive called supportive care. Supportive care does not fight the cancer, but it can improve the overall health or quality of life for a person with cancer. It can include dealing with side effects of cancer and its treatments, such as fatigue and pain, learning about the condition and treatment, and getting nutritional and psychological support. For leukemia patients, supportive care is an important part of helping the patient get through treatment.
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Once you know you have leukemia, your doctor will likely do more tests. Most people need more than one.
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Dealing with these feelings is often easier as you learn more about your disease and get support. Doctors, nurses, and other members of your healthcare team can answer questions about your concerns. Talking with friends and relatives or getting in touch with others who have had leukemia or cancer can be helpful. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also help. Many people with leukemia attend support groups. There they can share what they have learned about leukemia and its treatments.
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Many side effects of treatment are not serious. They end once the treatment ends. But others may develop over time or be a sign of more serious damage from treatment. For instance, chemotherapy can damage organs, such as kidneys or lungs. Also, when leukemia cells break down during treatment, they release their contents into the bloodstream. This can cause what is called tumor lysis syndrome. It can also affect certain organs. If you have a stem cell transplant, the immune system cells from a donor attack the leukemia cells. They can also attack your normal cells, causing a variety of side effects. And, in rare cases, you may develop another type of cancer as a side effect of treatment.
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Radiation affects normal cells as well as cancer cells. It may cause side effects. They depend on how much radiation you get and where you get it. Here's a list of common side effects people with leukemia may have after radiation. Ask your doctor or nurse which ones you are most likely to have.
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Side effects of chemotherapy depend upon the type and amount of drugs you take. They vary from person to person. Here's a list of side effects you may have with this treatment. Talk with your doctor or nurse about which might be most likely to happen to you.
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You and your doctor will talk all about stem cell transplants and their side effects before you have it done. After this treatment, you will have a weakened immune system. That makes you are at greater risk for infection and other serious side effects. You must stay in the hospital for several weeks. You may also need to be in isolation after being in the hospital until your white blood cell counts start returning to normal. During this time, your stem cells are making new white blood cells. Here are some common side effects you can expect. Many of these are from chemotherapy or radiation treatments and will go away after treatment ends.
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Hemophilia refers to a group of bleeding disorders in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot.Blood clotting factors are substances in the blood that help form a clot. When one or more of these clotting factors are missing, there is a hig...
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Detailed information on hemophilia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on hemophilia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Hemophilia is a genetic disorder—usually inherited—of the mechanism of blood clotting. Depending on the degree of the disorder present in an individual, excess bleeding may occur only after specific, predictable events(such as surgery,...
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Hemophilia is a coagulation disorder arising from a genetic defect of the X chromosome; the defect can either be inherited or result from spontaneous gene mutation. In each type of hemophilia(hemophilias A, B, and C), a critical coagulation protei...
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