A recent double-blind study comparing phenylephrine to placebo showed no measurable difference in reducing nasal congestion. For people who need/use pseudoephedrine for their congestion, it is available “behind the counter” and must be signed for.
Since pseudoephedrine (found in drugs such as Sudafed Congestion, Claritin-D and Zyrtek-D) has become a “sign-for-it-at-the-pharmacy drug,” phenylephrine (brand name Sudafed 12/24 Hour® and others) has replaced it as the most common OTC decongestant.
Dear Dr. K: I’ve had a blood test for gluten sensitivity, allergy tests for wheat and even an intestinal biopsy for celiac. All the tests are negative, but I still feel better when I avoid wheat. What gives? What gives is that wheat is not good for you. No medical test is perfect. Even “gold standard” tests such as chest X-ray for pneumonia or cardiac catheterization for coronary blockage sometimes fail to demonstrate an existing abnormality. The bottom line is…
The most common cause for drug allergy is from IgE-mediated (allergic) reactions, such as having hives from penicillin. New research is discovering a second mechanism for drug reaction being called “drug hypersensitivity,” as it is mediated by T-lymphocytes. The reactions are different from the arch-typical “allergy” in that they tend to be somewhat delayed and different types of rashes. Examples are measles-type bumps, the life-threatening skin condition Steven-Johnson Syndrome or liver irritation. Of great interest is that there seems to…
In the early 1900s, German scientist and Nobel Laureate Paul Ehrlich pioneered an antiserum to help combat diphtheria. His anti-serum saved many lives in the pre-antibiotic era. He also popularized the concept in medicine of a “Magische Kugel” (Magic Bullet). His idea was to find treatments that were so specific that they only worked on their specific targets without any collateral effect or damage to the body. In 1975 Cesar Milstein and Georges Kohler (also Nobel Laureates) invented hybridoma technology…
Buteyko is a Russian breathing technique to improve control of asthma through respiratory exercises. Basically, it consists of daily sessions of progressively incremental breath holding. Research studies have shown improvement in asthma and even reduction in medication.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is an autoimmune eye problem that starts with recurrent bouts of “pink” or “red eye”. Eventually it can cause the eyelashes to turn white and the retina to detach. Proper diagnosis by an ophthalmologist is key to anyone suffering repeated bouts of “red eye.”
Over the past five years this newsletter has offered numerous articles about the health benefits of probiotics. We have learned that because 80 percent of the immune cells in the human body are found lining the GI tract, it is critical that these cells see a normal, healthy microbiome (like a micro-ecosystem in the body.) Altering healthy gut flora leads to both a pro-inflammatory and a pro-allergic state, predisposing to auto-immune and allergic disorders. Ingesting healthy microbes in the form…
Recent research done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis led to an unusual discovery! Rapamycin, a drug normally used to suppress the immune system was found to bolster the powers of the flu vaccine. Rapamycin was originally discovered in a soil sample taken on Easter Island (whose Polynesian name is Rapanui; hence, “rapamycin).” Early on it was found to have antifungal properties, but additional research revealed it to also have immunosuppressant and anti-tumor properties. Giving low doses…
We are obligate aerobic creatures requiring constant, good oxygenation. Allergic individuals sometimes have less than ideal oxygen delivery because of nasal obstruction or asthma. If, in addition, they are anemic, then oxygen delivery to the tissues is reduced for a second reason. Iron deficiency anemia is fairly common, especially in growing children and menstruating females. The usual therapy for this is oral iron supplementation. Until recently, this was recommended on a daily basis. However, recent research published in the Journal…