CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APPOINTMENT150 W. Half Day Rd., Suite 200, Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089 • (847) 793-0777

500 Skokie Blvd., Suite 140, Northbrook, Illinois 60062 • (847) 272-4296475 Brown Blvd., Bourbonnais, Illinois 60914 • (815) 933-5092

5911 Northwest Hwy., Suite 208, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014 • (815) 455-7289http://www.allergyasthmadocs.com

24-Hour Answering Service • Evening Hours AvailableMost Insurances Including Many PPO’s Are Accepted

Physician Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Hebrew

IRMA M. OLIFF, M.D.Board-Certified in Allergy/ImmunologyM.D. Degree: University of Southern CaliforniaResidency Training: Internal Medicine (Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center & West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital)Allergy Training: West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital and UCLA Medical CenterAcademic Achievements: Former teaching medical staff, Resurrection Medical Center; Former Fellow-In-Training Representative to ACAAI Board of Regents; author of allergy research articles.Staff Appointments: Skokie Hospital, Lutheran General Medical Center.

J. K. LAWSON, MDBoard-Certified in Allergy/ImmunologyM.D. Degree: Louisiana State University, New OrleansResidency Training: Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (University of Texas, Houston)Allergy Training: Rush University Medical Center, ChicagoAcademic Achievements: Former Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (UT Houston); author of allergy research abstracts; Fluent in Spanish.Staff Appointments: Good Shepherd Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital.

KATHY R. SONENTHAL, M.D.Board-Certified in Allergy/ImmunologyM.D. Degree: University of IllinoisResidency Training: Internal Medicine (University of Illinois at Chicago)Allergy Training: Northwestern UniversityAcademic Achievements: Former Director, Adult Allergy Clinic, Cook

County Hospital. Staff Member, Center for Excellence in Asthma, CookCounty Hospital.

Staff Appointments: Highland Park Hospital, Condell Medical Center,Cook County Hospital.

DAVID S. CHUDWIN, M.D.Board-Certified in Allergy/ImmunologyM.D. Degree: University of Michigan, Ann ArborResidency Training: Pediatrics (University of Wisconsin, Madison)Allergy Training: University of California, San FranciscoAcademic Achievements: Former Co-Director, Allergy Training Program

for physicians, Rush Medical College; Former Assistant Professor ofImmunology, Rush Medical College. Author of more than 30 medicalpublications. U.S. News “Top Doctor” 2011.

Staff Appointments: Highland Park Hospital, Skokie Hospital, St. Mary’sHospital, Riverside Medical Center and Good Shepherd Hospital.

SALMON S. GOLDBERG, M.D.Board-Certified in Allergy/ImmunologyM.D. Degree: Hebrew University, JerusalemResidency Training: Internal Medicine, Anesthesia (University of Tel

Aviv) and Pediatrics (University of Illinois, Chicago)Allergy Training: University of ChicagoAcademic Achievements: Director, Allergy Clinic, University of Tel Aviv;

Assistant Professor, Rush Medical College. Research in new allergydrugs, food allergies.

Staff Appointments: Highland Park Hospital, Children’s MemorialHospital, Skokie Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Riverside MedicalCenter, Northern Illinois Medical Center, and Good Shepherd Hospital.

ALLERGY & ASTHMA ASSOCIATESNORTHBROOK 500 Skokie Blvd., Suite 140 • (847) 272-4296 BUFFALO GROVE 150 W. Half Day Rd., Suite 200 • (847) 793-0777CRYSTAL LAKE 5911 Northwest Hwy., Suite 208 • (815) 455-7289 BOURBONNAIS 475 Brown Blvd., Suite 104 • (815) 933-5092

http://www.allergyasthmadocs.com

We accept most health insurance plans, including many PPOs, and are Medicare participants.

Asthma can be a debilitating chronic illness. Symptoms of asthma may include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, which, especially in combination, can cause a host of problems. For children, the condition can prevent them from doing their best at school and minimize their participation in sports, while, in adults, asthma can lead to lost days of work and, in some cases, lung damage. Some triggers of asthma include non-allergic factors such as exercise, cold air, smoke exposure, and viral infections, which can worsen asthma. However, a common underlying

T I P S F O R A S T H M A P R E V E N T I O N

E O S I N O P H I L I CE S O P H A G I T I S

I N C R E A S E SD R A M A T I C A L L Y

UNDERSTANDINGPOSTNASAL DRIP Are you frequently clearing your throat? Does it feel like there is a lot of mucus in the back of your throat, or is mucus coming out when you cough? Is your throat often irritated? If you experience any of these problems, you may suffer from postnasal drip. Normally, the linings of both the nose and sinuses produce mucus, but when these secretions become excessive, gravity pulls them down the back of the throat resulting in possible throat clearing, coughing, sore throat and hoarseness. A number of different conditions may cause postnasal drip. Postnasal drip may develop due to allergic rhinitis (commonly called hayfever). When allergens, like pollens or dust, are inhaled by those who are susceptible, these allergens trigger an allergic reaction that causes nasal and sinus tissues to swell and to greatly increase mucus produc-tion. While some of the mucus exits the nose via the nostrils through sneezing or by way of a runny nose, much of it slides down the back of the throat. Sinus infections, another common cause of postnasal drip, happen when viral or bacterial infections in the sinuses irritate the sinus linings and also lead to increased mucus production. Swelling of the sinus openings due to the infection can block the normal drainage of mucus from the sinuses so the secretions can become thick and discolored. Some of the mucus which does get out is blown through the nose, but the rest inflames the throat and causes a cough, especially at night. Another cause of postnasal drip is non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis), a poorly understood condition which is especially common in older individuals. Patients experienc-ing this problem tend to have a profusely runny nose, especially in the morning. However, some people may develop this symptom sporadically when the temperature changes, or when they bend or turn over, eat spicy food, or drink alcoholic beverages. Besides manifesting as a runny nose, some of the mucus goes down the throat, which causes an annoying postnasal drip. Especially when lying down, nasal congestion in people with this disorder tends to alternate sides more than usual. Non-allergic rhinitis is considered to be due to exaggerated nasal nerve reflexes which cause a “twitchy” nose.

The physicians of Allergy & Asthma Associates are all Board-Certified.(from left): David Chudwin, M.D., Irma Oliff, M.D., J.K. Lawson M.D., Kathy Sonenthal, M.D. and Salmon Goldberg, M.D.

INSURANCE PROBLEMS?

Our practice accepts most insurance plans. However, if you have lost your insurance, have no insurance, or have a very high-deductible policy,  we  will consider treating patients on a reduced-cost basis. Call one of our offices, preferably the one in your area, for more information.

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cause of most asthma is an allergic irritation within the lungs. Exposure to even small allergen particles such as dust, pollens, molds or animal dander may cause a smoldering allergic reaction in the lung tissues. One of the hallmarks of asthma is the large number of allergic blood cells, called eosinophils, present in the lung tissues and fluids. This allergic inflammation can damage the linings of the lungs, cause increased mucus production, and expose nerve endings, making the lungs more “twitchy” or sensitive to irritants. Asthma risk factors for an individual include a family history of allergies or asthma; a personal history of other allergic conditions like hayfever, food allergies, or eczema; a history of severe viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infancy; and exposure to environmental factors such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, mold spores, and cockroaches. One way to prevent asthma is to use anti-inflammatory medicines which help the lungs, especially by reducing potentially harmful reactions to inhaled allergens. These anti-inflammatory agents, which block late allergic reactions, include steroid spray inhalers such as Asmanex, Flovent, Pulmicort, Alvesco, or Qvar, and oral leukotriene blockers such as montelukast (Singulair). Another way to prevent asthma is to desensitize patients by administering allergy shots. Allergy shots are the only way available to “cure” patients with allergies. By injecting the very substances to which they are allergic, patients are able to build up a tolerance to the irritants so they can no longer can inflame the lungs. During a recent European research study, in addition to

ASTHMA PREVENTION(continued from pg.1)

receiving usual care, approximately 200 allergic children also at risk for asthma were divided into two equal groups-- those designated to receive allergy shot and those who were not. Followed over the course of three years, those given shots were much less likely to develop asthma.

One of the best means of prevention is to avoid allergens as much as possible. Among these, dust mites are microscopic insects which are the major allergen contained in house dust. To reduce mite exposure, individuals can use zippered pillow cases and mattress covers, purchase room air cleaners, and remove dust collectors such as carpets, stuffed animals and books from bedrooms. Pet dander, especially cat hair, can also be a major trigger. Sensitive individuals should ideally remove pets from the house, or at least keep them out of their bedroom at all times. Indoor mold caused by leaky roofs or flooding also can trigger asthma and should be avoided, along with cockroach-infested areas, more prevalently found in the inner city and poorer neighborhoods. Finally cigarette smoke acts as an irritant and should strictly be avoided. While a variety of physicians are available to treat asthma, allergists have the unique training and ability to identify underlying allergens, appropriately treat conditions with allergy shots when indicated, as well as counsel patients about avoidance of dangerous allergens.

COMMON SIGNS OFALLERGY

1) Sneezing2) Nasal congestion3) Recurrent infections or chronic “cold” symptoms 4) Sinus pressure5) Postnasal drip6) Itchy, red eyes7) Coughing8) Wheezing9) Hives

10) Eczema11) Headaches or dizziness12) Loss of smell, taste or hearing13) Fatigue14) Snoring15) Bloating, gas pains16) Muscle or joint aches

The incidence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) has dramatically increased in recent years. This disease, likely caused by a chronic allergic reaction, creates inflammation in the esophagus, the feeding tube that passes from the mouth to the stomach. The reason EE is believed to be an allergic disorder is the characteristic presence of eosinophils, the allergic cells in the blood and tissues. Eosinophils are usually found at the sites of allergic reactions. For example, patients with hay fever (allergic rhinitis) have an increased number of eosinophils in their nasal mucus, while those with asthma usually have eosinophils in their lungs. These eosinophils become apparent when patients with EE undergo a biopsy of the walls of their esophagus during a scoping procedure (EGD). A definitive diagnosis of EE can be made when more than 15 eosinophils per microscopic field exist in biopsy specimens. EE symptoms in adults include difficulty swallowing food, impaction of food in the esophagus while eating, abdominal pain, chest pain, and heartburn. A slight preponderance of EE exists among males, although the disorder may be found in both children and adults. In children, common symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and poor weight gain. EE patients also manifest a higher incidence of related allergic diseases. Being evaluated by an allergist for food allergy is important because many EE patients demonstrate a number of food allergies. Their conditions can improve significantly when these irritating foods are eliminated from their diets. Besides avoiding these irritating foods, the most common treatment for EE is swallowing sprays from inhaled anti-inflammatory steroid inhalers. Steroids reduce the number of eosinophils. This, in turn, blocks allergic reactions. Swallowed steroids carry a minimal risk of side effects since their impact is mainly localized to the throat, esophagus and stomach. EE is usually diagnosed by gastroenterologists, who recommend an allergy consultation as part of the evaluation. However, the medical community still has much to learn about why and how this condition develops, and about the long-term outlook for EE patients.

Another condition which can mimic postnasal drip is heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux), as this can affect the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box). Acid from the stomach can travel up the esophagus to the pharynx and larynx, especially at night when the person lies down. While some patients may notice throat irritation, mucus, or a raspy voice, this laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) may be otherwise asymptomatic. The treatment for postnasal drip varies depending on its cause. This is why it is so important for a patient to receive an accurate diagnosis. Allergists have the ability to expertly and efficiently diagnose and treat postnasal drip.