Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology
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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.
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This review focuses on comorbidities between nose and skin allergies. For this purpose, allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were selected as examples of nasal disorders and atopic dermatitis and urticaria as examples of allergic skin disorders and the individual entities of both localizations were evaluated and compared in relation to their prevalence and coincidence, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, genetic data and shared therapy options. ⋯ Allergic skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria are frequently associated with comorbidities of the nose as well as allergic rhinitis and CRS. By contrast, different manifestations of these diseases involve the nose and the skin. These are not separate diseases but are linked by complex and currently unclear/insufficiently defined inter-relationships.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Oct 2011
ReviewEarly life exposures: impact on asthma and allergic disease.
To identify and discuss recent studies relating prenatal and early-life environmental exposures to the development of asthma and allergic disease. ⋯ This overview highlights environmental exposures during the in-utero and ex-utero time periods that are potential stimuli for the early programming of asthma and allergy. Special consideration is given for the potential role of intestinal microbiota. Future studies in this field promise to inform health policy and intervention strategies for the prevention of asthma and allergic disease.