Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Jun 2012
ReviewExtensively heated milk and egg as oral immunotherapy.
The introduction of extensively heated milk and egg protein into the diet has been explored in recent years. ⋯ An oral challenge to extensively heated milk and egg into milk and egg allergic children's diets should be considered when appropriate. Oral food challenges are the most reliable means of establishing a diagnosis and should be undertaken under physician supervision.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Jun 2012
ReviewVitamin D and atopy and asthma phenotypes in children.
To give an overview of the recent research into whether a lack of vitamin D contributes to the development of atopy and asthma in childhood. ⋯ The current literature suggests that intervention to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during both pregnancy and childhood may reduce the development of atopy and asthma in children. However, important questions need to be answered regarding the levels of vitamin D required, which may vary between the sexes and between individuals, and the optimal timing and duration of such intervention.
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This review summarizes recent literature regarding the association of nonorganic laryngeal dysfunction with occupational exposures. Laryngeal dysfunction may masquerade as asthma and is an important consideration in patients with work-associated respiratory symptoms. ⋯ Laryngeal dysfunction is an important consideration in patients with work-associated respiratory symptoms. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion, in particular, if symptoms are associated with exposure to a respiratory irritant. Situations of high psychological stress may also be associated with recurrent symptoms. There is a requirement for evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of laryngeal dysfunction, which should also address work-related factors.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Apr 2012
ReviewVitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for childhood allergic disease and asthma.
Over the past 2 years, the number of studies relating vitamin D deficiency and asthma and allergies has increased significantly. The purpose of this review is to update the last review in this journal and examine the evidence of the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and childhood asthma and allergies. ⋯ Data that vitamin D deficiency results in increased risks for asthma and allergies continues to accumulate. However, the optimal level of vitamin D that decreases both the risk for development and severity of these disorders remains elusive. Results of ongoing clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation will be needed before recommendations can be firmly established.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Feb 2012
ReviewExposure to biomass smoke as a cause for airway disease in women and children.
An estimated 3 billion people (about half the world's population) burn biomass fuel (wood, crop residues, animal dung and coal) for cooking and heating purposes exposing a large population, especially women and children, to high levels of indoor air pollution. Biomass smoke comprises gaseous air pollutants as well as particulate matter air pollutants, which have significant harmful effects. ⋯ Physicians need to be aware about the harmful effects of biomass smoke exposure and ensure early diagnosis and appropriate management to reduce the disease burden. More research needs to be done to study health effects due to biomass smoke exposure better. Reducing the exposure to biomass smoke through proper home ventilation, home design and, if possible, change of biomass to cleaner fuels is strongly recommended in order to reduce biomass smoke-induced mortality and morbidity.