Frequently Asked Questions
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Pollen CountThe local pollen counts performed in our lab are being suspended for the winter months. Plant pollens are normally not present until February or March in this area. Some mold spores can occasionally be seen in the winter, except when snow is on the ground, but are not clinically significant. We will resume regular counts next Spring when pollens reappear. Meet Our StaffDavid Ade joined our staff in March 2006 as a Lab Assistant. He previously worked in a reference lab and is a graduate of the University of Kansas. A life long Kansan, David lives in Topeka with his wife Stephanie who is finishing her degree in Education at Washburn University and plans to start teaching in the spring of 2008. Billie joined our staff in early 2009. In 2007 she graduated from Barton County Community College with AAS in Laboratory Technology. Billie enjoys spending time with her husband Justin and her two sons Cade and Kyler. Pat Blanchett, CMA joined our staff in September 1998 as a Phlebotomy Technician. Before attending Topeka Technical College for training she worked for over 15 years at a clipping service bureau. Pat has one son and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys spending her spare time at home with her dog and cat. Shari Boswell joined our staff in August 2006 as a part-time Transcriptionist/Receptionist with 8 years of previous experience. Her husband John and three children, Taylor, Camryn and Cade, keep her very busy. Chris Childress joined our staff in May 1999 as Office Manager. He has worked in healthcare business for over 20 years. He has a background in medical health insurance and medical management having worked with various specialties and locations. Chris received his Bachelor of Science degree from Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas and met his wife Doneen while attending school there. He and Doneen live in Topeka where she teaches elementary school music. They have one daughter, Allie, who is in high school. Donna Doll joined our staff in August 2003 as the Patient Accounts Manager. She has worked over 20 years in the medical field with patient accounts and coding. Originally from Wichita, Kansas she now resides in Topeka. Donna is strongly involved with Job's Daughters, a youth leadership organization. Whenever she has a chance she enjoys reading, attending auctions, fly-fishing and camping with her better half Brett. Jennifer Figge, R.N. joined our staff in June 2009. She has over 15 years experience in healthcare. She enjoys jewelry making, furniture re-finishing and spending time with her husband Bill and her son Zach. Renae Meier, R.N. has been with our clinic since January 2002. She brings with her over 30 years of experience in many fields of medical care. She enjoys the variety of ages we see here at TAAC. She and her husband Rick are avid sports fans from college basketball to NASCAR Racing. She also loves the time she spends with her grandchildren. Linda Miller joined the staff in June 1986 as a Medical Assistant after graduating from Seaman High School, Topeka. She also graduated from Kaw Area Technical School, Topeka with a certificate in child care. Linda enjoys spending her spare time gardening, canning, and taking care of her cats, dogs, and chickens. Linda and her husband Robert live in Holton, Kansas and are very supportive of their two daughters, Samantha and Charlene. Tamara joined the staff in December 2001 as our Lead Receptionist. Prior to coming to TAAC she managed the greenhouses at a local water garden store. In her spare time Tamara enjoys walking, working in her flower garden and quilting. Tamara and her husband have three grown sons and a lovely daughter in law. Contact Us*Click here to email Topeka Allergy & Asthma Clinic Free Asthma ScreeningHave you ever wondered whether your child has asthma? Now you can use a new, validated Screening Questionnaire to find out. This test is for children ages 5 to 14 years, and only takes 10 minutes to complete. We do not make a charge for this test. If your child is between ages 5-8 years, they do not have to be present, but if your child is age 8 or older, please bring them along for the screening visit. Note: This is only a screening test and does not establish a definite asthma diagnosis; but it will indicate if your child has symptoms highly suggestive of asthma and allergies.
Nitric Oxide Testing Now AvailableNitric oxide testing for asthmatic patients is now available. This test recently became available in the United States and we believe it will revolutionize the asthma treatment as we know it. Asthma is an inflammatory disease and nitric oxide testing is a noninvasive method for measuring the inflammation actually present in the asthmatic airways. It helps us to determine if your asthma is under good control and it allows us to adjust your asthma medications or even discontinue them based on precise measurements. In addition, it may help to diagnose asthma in unclear cases. For more information, call our office at (785) 273-9999 or (800) 657-7217.
Serevent (salmeterol) Foradil (formoterol) AlertA word about Serevent (salmeterol) and Foradil (formoterol) inhalers: An FDA Expert Panel has just advised (Dec. 10, 2008) that these drugs, known also as "long-acting beta agonists" or "LABA's" not be used as single entities for the treatment of asthma, due to a slight increase in mortality among asthmatics doing so. BUT: remember that these two drugs are also ingredients of Advair (salmeterol + fluticasone) and of Symbicort (formoterol + budesonide). The expert panel found that the warning regarding increased risk DOES NOT apply to these two drugs. In fact, these two drugs are now the mainstay of treatment for moderate to severe asthma. Do not stop using Advair or Symbicort if you are now using them!
Who is an Allergist?Where do you go if you think you are allergic? This question can, surprisingly, cause confusion, because there are some non-allergist physicians who offer to do "allergy tests." Often these tests have been found unacceptable by "real" allergists, and they may be painful, inaccurate, and expensive (e.g.: "serial dilution-titration" skin tests). Some insurors will not reimburse for such tests. An allergist is never a nurse or physician assistant. A Board-Certified Allergist has received 2-3 years of specialty training in Allergy and Immunology, and is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Anyone claiming to be an allergist who does not meet this qualification should be avoided. At TAAC you will be evaluated only by allergists certified by this Board.
Allergy TestingMost people who come to TAAC will be tested for allergies by one of two primary test methods: Prick skin testing, or the ImmunoCAP blood test. Both methods have been extensively studied, and each has advantages. Some patients benefit from having a mix of each type of test. Prick skin test: we use the Morrow Brown® standardized, sterile, disposable plastic pricker. It has a 1 mm beveled point. It is dipped in a small amount of allergy vaccine or "extract" made from a suspected allergen, then pressed against the skin. It makes a dent deep enough to cause a reaction in a sensitive person, but never causes bleeding, and discomfort is minimal. A considerable number of tests can be done at one time, usually on the back, and can be read in 15-20 minutes. The advantage of this test is that it almost never gives a false positive reaction, so allergy is unlikely to be diagnosed when not present (a big problem with more invasive, "intradermal" tests such as "serial dilution-titration" tests). By carefully comparing the test results with the detailed history we take from our patients, we can determine what the important allergens are with a high degree of accuracy. ImmunoCAP® test: This test, performed in our certified lab, is recognized as the best-available blood test for allergy. It is useful as a "second opinion" test when skin tests are equivocal, and as a substitute for skin testing if patients are taking drugs that interfere with skin tests, or have damaged skin, or a skin disease which prevents use of skin tests. On a per-test basis it is more expensive, and the results are not immediately available as with skin tests. However, it is very useful, and the ability to do this test can contribute greatly to patient comfort.
Food Allergy Advice: Introducing Infants to FoodsIntroduction: This advice is particularly aimed at families with a history on one or both sides of close relatives with allergy-related problems such as allergic eczema, asthma, hay fever, anaphylaxis, and known food allergies. 1. Most authorities believe that breast feeding for six months helps prevent later allergy development. However, in rare cases small infants have been sensitized to foods ingested by breast feeding mothers. 2. Supplemental feedings during the first four months can increase the risk of developing allergies up to the age of 10 years. 3. Evidence indicates that cow milk allergy in particular can be prevented by avoiding all exposure for at least six months. While evidence is less good for solid foods, it is believed that the same rule should be followed. 4. Food allergy incidence and type seems to be related to the country and culture and possibly ethnic background of the person. 5. For American/Western Diet: cow milk, egg white, peanut, tree nuts, fish, seafood and to a lesser extent, wheat, are the foods that pose the greatest risk. (Other foods may be equally risky when there is a family history or introduction occurs too early). 6. For fruits and vegetables, cooked, homogenized forms are preferred to fresh materials. (Not all foods are rendered hypoallergenic by cooking. Consult your allergist for detailed advice). 7. Mixed foods containing various potential allergens should be avoided for small infants unless tolerance to each ingredient has already been proven. The American Academy of Pediatric recommended schedule for introduction of potential allergenic foods is as follows: Breastfeeding6-12 mos.Solid foods- Hypoallergenic diet6- Dairy products12- Egg24- Peanut, tree nuts36- Fish36 Reference: Food allergy and the introduction of solid foods to infants: a consensus document (Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) Annals of Allergy 97 pp 10-20; July 200
Asthma & Dust Mite SensitivityAsthma and dust mite sensitivity may interact to reduce lung growth in children, according to a recent report in the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine. Danish researchers studied a population sample of 408 children between ages 7 - 17 to determine which were allergic to dust mites, and which were asthmatic. They then compared their pulmonary function with the non-allergic children. They found that either asthma or dust mite sensitivity caused reduced growth of pulmonary function as measured by the FEV1 test, which we and other asthma doctors routinely use as a main measurement of lung function. Children with both asthma and dust mite sensitivity had the lowest growth of lung function, but even children without known asthma who just had mite allergy had 5% lower function than normal. The reason for this is presently unknown. It may be that early recognition of mite allergy combined with aggressive steps to eliminate mites from the environment, can prevent this lung growth reduction, but more research is needed.
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