Food Allergies | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | ACAAI Public Website
Los Angeles Center For Ear, Nose, Throat And Allergy Opens Brentwood Office
LA CENTA broadens its reach to offer specialized care to additional communities in LA
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy (LA CENTA) announced today the opening of their new location in Brentwood, CA. This is LA CENTA's eleventh office location and will be led by Dr. Cong Ivy Ran.
Dr. Ran is a highly trained plastic surgeon specializing in facial aesthetics. She earned a degree in molecular genetics from The Ohio State University and then pursued her medical degree and Ph.D. In genetics at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine. After her academic training, Dr. Ran completed her internship and residency in general surgery and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Ran tailors treatments to the unique needs and aspirations of each patient, understanding that everyone's vision of beauty is distinct. Acknowledging that Western aesthetic standards may not always suit Asian patients, she is among the few plastic surgeons in Los Angeles who offers customized procedures for patients of all backgrounds utilizing a blend of advanced techniques and cutting-edge technologies. She specializes in head and neck procedures, including surgical facelifts, neck lifts, and brow lifts, as well as blepharoplasty and general ENT services.
"We're excited to expand our services and strengthen our commitment to our patients and community with the opening of our new Brentwood office," said LA CENTA Founder and CEO, Dr. Geoff Trenkle. "Dr. Ran's focus on advancing treatments and technologies will help further our mission to provide top-tier care to patients in various LA communities."
As with their other offices, LA CENTA will offer a variety of high-quality, university caliber medical services at their Brentwood location. The new office is located at 11600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 324 Los Angeles, CA 90025. Additional LA CENTA locations include Pasadena, Boyle Heights, Glendale, Hollywood, Montebello, Downtown LA, Huntington Park, Palmdale, South Bay, and Palm Springs.
About LA CENTA:The Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy (LA CENTA) provides University caliber, subspecialty care to the communities in which they operate. They were founded on the principle of accessibility and availability, and they are working to improve the quality of community healthcare in Los Angeles and beyond. LA CENTA believes it is important to work synergistically with their community hospitals and healthcare system to provide the most comprehensive care for their patients. They accept a wide variety of insurances and service multiple hospitals to help serve this end.
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They also offer online booking, virtual appointments, and services in house to streamline their appointment scheduling. LA CENTA has multiple locations in LA including Pasadena, Boyle Heights, Glendale, Hollywood, Montebello, Downtown LA, Huntington Park, Palmdale, South Bay, and Palm Springs.
Contact: The Co-Op AgencyErica Markle310.734.7834erica@co-opagency.Com
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SOURCE LA CENTA
Pollen Allergies
Pollen is a yellow powder made by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It floats in the air and can enter your mouth, nose, and eyes. Pollen is usually harmless. But for people with pollen allergies, it can trigger a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, headaches, and other symptoms.
Different plants make different kinds of pollen. You might be allergic to pollen from trees, grass, or weeds. Each of these plants makes pollen at different times of the year, usually when the plant is blooming. This is when your pollen allergy symptoms are usually worst. Tree pollen causes allergies in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weed pollen in the fall.
Some people call pollen allergies "seasonal allergic rhinitis" or "hay fever."
Plants release a fine powder called pollen that causes allergic reactions for many people.
When you have a pollen allergy, your immune system mistakes pollen for a dangerous invader, such as a germ. Because it thinks that germs are attacking the body, it tries to fight off the pollen. It releases chemicals meant to kill germs. These chemicals cause symptoms such as congestion, puffy eyes, and runny nose. These symptoms help flush germs out of the body. But when they're part of an allergic reaction, they're more harmful than helpful.
You may be allergic to pollen from certain plants but not others. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, which is in the air in spring. Others have a problem with grass pollen, which is more of a summertime issue. Still others have trouble with weed pollen, which is common in the fall.
Plants that give off the most pollen include:
About 20 million Americans are allergic to pollen. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, which is in the air in spring. Others have a problem with grass pollen, which is more of a summertime issue. Still others have trouble with weed pollen, which is common in the fall.
Plants that give off the most pollen include:
For most people, pollen causes problems when you breathe it in. But it can also cause symptoms when you touch it or get it into your eyes.
Common symptoms of pollen allergies include:
Can pollen allergies cause sore throat?
Yes. During an allergic reaction, your body makes extra mucus. This mucus is supposed to trap allergens so you can blow them out your nose (and into a tissue). But some of that mucus doesn't come out your nose; instead, it drips down the back of your throat. This is called postnasal drip. It irritates your throat, causing inflammation and swelling.
If you think you might have a pollen allergy, see your doctor. They will probably ask about your health history and symptoms, such as whether your symptoms are worse at certain times of the year.
There are two ways to test for a pollen allergy: a blood test and a skin prick test.
A blood test checks for an antibody called IgE. This is a substance made by the immune system. It's specifically designed to cause an allergic reaction to pollen, so if you have it, you're probably allergic.
In a skin prick test, a doctor called an allergist pricks your skin with a tiny needle containing a drop of pollen. After waiting a few minutes, the doctor will look at your skin for redness, swelling, itchiness, or other signs of an allergic reaction.
There are a few ways to treat pollen allergies and their symptoms:
Nasal irrigation. This is when you rinse out your sinuses using a squeeze bottle, neti pot, or other device with a saltwater (saline) solution. It can help remove the allergen from your nasal passages and relieve stuffiness,
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical your body makes when it comes in contact with an allergen such as pollen. Histamine causes allergic reactions, so blocking it will help relieve symptoms. Some common antihistamines include Zyrtec, Benadryl, and Claritin. Depending on the type, they could be a pill, liquid, or nasal spray.
If your nose is stuffy, decongestants can help. They calm the swelling in your nose, helping you breathe easier. You can get them as a pill, liquid, or nasal spray. Some medications contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant. Decongestants can easily become addictive, so don't take them for longer than five days.
Some other nasal sprays help with allergy symptoms, too. These might contain corticosteroids, which bring down the swelling in your nostrils. This should help get rid of the stuffy feeling and help you breathe. One option is Flonase.
Prescription medication. If the OTC drugs don't work, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Some prescribed meds block chemicals other than histamine that can trigger allergies. Others treat the symptoms caused by certain kinds of weed or grass pollen.
Allergy shots. If medications don't work for you, allergy shots may help. You'll go to the allergist every few weeks for the doctor to inject a tiny amount of pollen under your skin. Over time, the shots will contain more pollen, which will help your body get used to the trigger.
The best way to prevent pollen allergies is to avoid pollen. Some ways to do this are:
Check the weather. Your local weather report should give you the day's pollen count, which measures how much pollen is in the air. It also usually tells you which plants are giving it off. Pollen counts are higher when it's warm, dry, and windy and lower when it's cool, rainy, and wet. If you know it's going to be a high-pollen day, stay inside as much as you can. The yard work can wait.
Keep pollen out. Instead of opening the windows in your car or at home, run your air conditioner with a HEPA filter to remove pollen from the air. Don't hang your laundry on a line to dry or it may pick up pollen; use the dryer instead. If you've spent time outside, change your clothing, shower, and wash your hair before you get into bed. If you don't, you'll transfer pollen to your pillow and blankets and breathe it in all night. If you let your pet spend time outside, don't allow it into your bedroom.
Create a pollen buffer outside. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to keep pollen off your hair.
Take medicine. When pollen counts are high, take your medication before you notice symptoms to stop them before they start.
If you have a pollen allergy, you may notice that your mouth gets itchy after eating certain fruits or vegetables. This is a common condition called oral allergy syndrome. It affects up to 3 in 4 people who have a birch pollen allergy. But it also can happen in people with other types of pollen allergies, such as grass and ragweed.
Pollen is made of tiny proteins. Pollen proteins look a lot like the proteins found in some fruits and vegetables. Because of this, it's easy for your immune system to confuse the two. For example, it might think the proteins in an apple are actually pollen proteins. Your immune system mistakes these proteins for invaders such as germs, so it launches an allergic reaction.
Usually, this allergic reaction causes your mouth, lips, tongue, or throat to get itchy and swollen. It tends to happen immediately after eating, but it could happen over an hour later. Although pollen allergies tend to peak at certain times of the year, oral allergy syndrome can happen in any season. However, the reaction might be worse in allergy season.
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of mild food allergy. It's not usually dangerous, but in rare cases, it can cause difficulty breathing or anaphylactic shock. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing after eating a fruit or vegetable, call 911 right away.
Pollen foods
The types of foods that trigger oral allergy syndrome depend on what kind of pollen you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, you might develop an itchy mouth after eating peaches.
If you're allergic to birch pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to grass pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to mugwort pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you are allergic to pollen, you may not react to every food on this list. You might only get a reaction to one fruit or vegetable, or a specific variety of fruit or vegetable (such as Granny Smith apples).
Oral allergy syndrome only happens for raw foods. That's because cooking destroys the proteins that trigger the allergic reaction. If you have this condition, try sticking to cooked or canned versions of the foods that bother you. You also can try peeling fruits such as apples, because the proteins tend to be concentrated in the peels.
Talk to a doctor if:
When you have a pollen allergy, your immune system mistakes pollen for an invading germ. This leads to symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, congestion, and puffy eyes. If you think you have a pollen allergy, talk to your doctor about remedies such as over-the-counter and prescription medications.
How can you reduce pollen allergies?
Staying indoors when there's a lot of pollen in the air and taking over-the-counter or prescription medicines can help with pollen allergies.
What is the best medicine for pollen allergies?
In general, antihistamines are good for treating itchy eyes and sneezing, while decongestants and nasal corticosteroids can help with congestion. Each medication has different risks and side effects, so ask your doctor about which is right for you.
Can pollen allergies cause fever?
Allergies themselves don't cause fevers. But the swelling and congestion caused by allergies can make you vulnerable to sinus infections, which can cause fevers.
What Causes A Sore Throat?
A wide array of conditions can cause your throat to randomly start hurting, from infections to allergies to acid reflux and, rarely, tumors. Pain is just one symptom of what's typically known as a sore throat (pharyngitis). Other symptoms include having a dry or scratchy feeling in your throat or trouble swallowing.
Chances are your sore throat will fade in a few days without any real prodding. Decongestants, pain relievers, and saline nasal sprays can help in some cases. A healthcare provider may advise other treatments, such as antibiotics, depending on the cause.
Viruses are one of the most common causes of sore throats. A sore throat is often a symptom of a cold or the flu. Viruses that cause mononucleosis, measles, chickenpox, croup, and other illnesses can also produce sore throats. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can also produce a sore throat. A sore throat can sometimes appear as an early sign of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many people with HIV have flu-like symptoms within two to four weeks of infection. Try some of the following remedies to treat a sore throat caused by a virus: Gargle with warm salt water. Stay hydrated. Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). Use a humidifier or steamer to ease respiratory symptoms. Most viral infections tend to go away in about a week, except for mononucleosis, which can last weeks or months. Protect yourself from viral infections by washing your hands well and often. Don't get too close to people who are sick, and cover your coughs and sneezes. It's less common, but bacterial infections can also cause a sore throat. You may develop a sore throat if you contract a bacteria through direct exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person (coughing, sneezing), by kissing, or from intimate contact. A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is inflammation or swelling of the tissue that lines the sinuses. It's caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. You may develop a sore throat with a sinus infection as a result of post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip happens when excess mucus builds up and trickles down the back of your throat. Other sinus infection symptoms can include: Bad breath Cough that worsens at night Fatigue or general ill feeling Fever Headache Loss of smell Pressure or pain behind your eyes Runny or stuffy nose Toothache A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics for a sinus infection caused by bacteria. Decongestants, pain relievers, and saline nasal sprays can also help relieve symptoms. About 50 million people in the United States have allergies. Allergies happen when your body has an outsize reaction to specific foreign invaders like: Dust Mold Pet dander Pollen These invaders set off a cascade of symptoms, including a sore throat. Other symptoms include sneezing and a stuffy nose. Sore throats from allergies can be made worse by post-nasal drip. Some people may confuse allergy-related sore throats with viral and bacterial sore throats. Allergies tend to cause symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes rather than a fever. Many allergy-related sore throats also only appear during certain seasons, like spring, summer, or fall. A sore throat can be a symptom of acid reflux, especially if it's chronic, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive disorder in which stomach acid comes up in the esophagus. Symptoms, which can get worse after a big meal, also include: Chest pain Cough Heartburn Hoarseness Nausea There are medications to treat GERD. You can also tame the condition by managing your weight and eating dinner two to three hours before bed. Irritants differ from allergies but also cause reactions to certain outside elements, like air pollution or cleaning products. Exposure to certain irritants can make your throat sore, so it's best to try to avoid them if you can. Laryngitis is inflammation and swelling of the larynx, which is also known as the voice box. Allergies, bacteria or viruses, and GERD can cause laryngitis. You may develop a sore throat, as well as a fever, hoarse voice, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Antibiotics can treat laryngitis that's caused by a bacterial infection. It's important to rest your voice to decrease inflammation. Using a humidifier can add moisture to dry air, which also eases a sore throat. Strep throat, which is caused by Streptococcus bacteria, is a common culprit of sore throats, especially in children. Other symptoms may include: Chills Fever Red spots or white patches on the tonsils A throat culture will tell you whether you have the infection. It's essential to treat strep throat if you have it. Late complications include damage to the kidneys and heart valves. Antibiotics, like penicillin and amoxicillin, usually clear strep throat. Tonsillitis is inflamed and swollen tonsils. A viral or, more commonly, bacterial infection usually causes tonsillitis. The tonsils are two growths at the back of the throat that form the frontline of the body's immune system. They keep germs from entering the body. Tonsillitis may cause a sore throat, as well as symptoms like: Chills Ear pain Fever Headache Pain when you swallow Red, swollen tonsils Tender jaw or throat White or yellow patches on the tonsils Tonsils can become large enough to obstruct the nasal passages in severe cases. You may experience breathing, swallowing, and sleep difficulties if that happens. Throat cancer doesn't need to be at the top of your list of things to worry about when you have a sore throat, but it can happen. A tumor typically manifests with other symptoms, such as: Throat pain from a tumor also tends to linger. It's important to see a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these red flags. Sore throat has several potential causes. Some of these may be more common among people with certain genetic factors. Repeated bouts of strep throat and tonsillitis, for example, may run in families. The same is true for allergies and GERD. Viral infections, which are the most common cause of sore throat, are generally more common in children. Even adults have an average of two or three colds per year. You can't wholly keep viruses, allergies, or other causes of sore throats at bay. You can still help prevent sore throats by trying some of the following: Avoiding close contact with people who are sick Avoiding smoke exposure Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands Practicing proper handwashing Anyone can get a sore throat. It's most common in the colder months when viral infections like the cold and flu spread more easily. Certain risk factors, such as environmental pollutants, smoking, and a weak immune system, can also increase your likelihood. Dry Air Humidity and temperature can both affect the mucous membranes that line your throat. Dry air, for example, can cause discomfort. Summer air conditioning can have a similarly painful effect on your throat. This discomfort tends to be worse first thing in the morning. "A lot of time in the winter months, you have the heater going, so you're breathing dry air all night. Use a humidifier in your room at night when you're sleeping," Kathleen Tibbetts, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, told Health. You can also heat a pot of water and inhale the soothing steam. Environmental Pollutants Industrial emissions and smoke can cause inflammation and irritation of the tissues that line the throat, causing a sore throat. Environmental pollutants can also weaken the immune system. Decreased immunity can make it easier to contract viral infections that cause a sore throat. Muscle Strain Some evidence suggests that aerobics instructors and teachers have more frequent sore throats. Yelling and screaming can hurt your throat, but so can talking. Recent Intubation or Surgery Intubation is a procedure in which a healthcare provider inserts a tube into the throat to help you breathe. This procedure, as well as surgeries that affect the throat area, can cause discomfort. You may also experience a dry throat, coughing, and muscle strain after surgery. Smoking Smoking releases chemicals that cause inflammation and irritation of the tissue that lines the throat. It can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to viral infections that cause a sore throat. Smoking is also a risk factor for GERD, which is a common cause of a sore throat. Weak Immune System A weak immune system makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the body and harder for the body to fight them off. These germs are responsible for several infections that cause a sore throat. A viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, causes most sore throats. You might have a sore throat for several other reasons, such as allergies, acid reflux, strep throat, or, rarely, throat cancer. Consult a healthcare provider if your symptoms don't improve within a few days or worsen. Less common causes of a sore throat, such as throat cancer, require treatment.Thanks for your feedback!
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