News

What do you mean, TOO clean?

Posted on October 1, 2020 by in Allergies

The hygiene hypothesis is a theory used to explain why there has been an increase in allergies around the world. What exactly is hygiene? The World Health Organization (WHO) describes hygiene as conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases, which means the things that you do to keep

Am I allergic to my Christmas tree?

Posted on September 14, 2020 by in Christmas, Mold

For many, bringing a fresh Christmas tree into the house signals the season of holidays. But when the tree goes up, some people start to experience allergic-like symptoms and may worry that the tree is at fault. Is there such thing as a Christmas tree allergy? The answer is complex and a number of things

This is not your mother’s IUD

Posted on July 20, 2020 by in IUD

One of the most common reasons for a young woman to visit me at Oak Street Medical is because she has questions or is unhappy with her current birth control method. When I provide her information about contraceptive options, I always include the intrauterine device (IUD). This is one of the safest, most effective and

If Kleenex is your constant companion, you may have chronic rhinitis

Posted on July 14, 2020 by in Uncategorized

My nose is always running. I can’t stop sneezing. I’m constantly clearing my throat. And I have dark circles under my eyes. I’ve never had allergies, so what’s going on? It could be non-allergic adult rhinitis (NAR), which normally appears later in life. Of those who suffer from this non-allergic condition, 70 percent develop it

Sublingual immunotherapy takes the sting out of seasonal allergy treatment

Posted on July 1, 2020 by in Allergies

Those who suffer from grass or ragweed allergies and could benefit from immunotherapy treatment now have another option, one that doesn’t involve shots or regular trips to the allergy office. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) been used in Europe for more than a decade with success. Last spring, the FDA approved its use in the United States.

How much vitamin D do I need?

Posted on June 28, 2020 by in Food, Vaccines

Many who live in the Northwest are vitamin D deficient. This is due to many reasons. One, is that we do not get enough sunlight to help produce enough vitamin D, often because many people have indoor jobs. Common symptoms include muscle or joint pain, weakness, tiredness and fatigue, and possibly depression. There is a

Opinions are mixed on peanut allergy desensitization

Posted on June 15, 2020 by in Allergies, Food

New treatments may soon be available for patients with peanut allergy. For decades, our best therapy was identification, avoidance and treatment of reactions with epinephrine and antihistamine. But this could change with a new procedure called oral peanut desensitization. While attending an allergy conference, I listened to a debate about peanut desensitization and whether it is

Memory loss with aging: Am I losing it?

Posted on June 14, 2020 by in Memory

If you find yourself using a lot of sticky notes to remember your to-dos, you’re not alone. As we age, it is not uncommon for people to experience memory lapses that may get more frequent and frustrating. Understanding different types of memory loss and normal memory loss that comes with aging may reduce any anxiety

Resolve to lose weight the healthy way

Posted on May 4, 2020 by in Uncategorized

The beginning of a new year means new resolutions. The No. 1 resolution I hear from people is their declaration to lose weight. They ask questions like, “Is there medication that can help me?” and “What is the best diet?” Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for shedding pounds. However, reaching an ideal weight for

How to sleep better at night

Many of us lie awake at night wondering when sleep will come. Others fall asleep quickly only to awaken in the wee hours. Whatever the scenario, most adults have experienced difficulty getting a full, restful night’s sleep. Insufficient sleep is linked to chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Alternatively, sufficient sleep