Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. In fact, they can be deadly. Beyond bothersome sneezing, coughing, runny nose and watery eyes, allergies can exacerbate asthma, raise one’s heart rate, restrict breathing, and – in the worst cases – lead to death.
For 50 million Americans, allergic reactions to food and drugs, insect/bug bites or stings, and a host of other allergens pose a daily – often deadly – threat. Research reveals that allergies have grown among all ages, genders and ethnic groups in little more than a generation. Researchers are not sure why. But they know allergies are the third most common chronic disease among children under 18 and are the fifth-leading chronic disease in the country for all age groups, notes the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
heart rate, restrict breathing, and – in the worst cases – lead to death.
We may not know why allergies have grown. But we know how to treat and diagnose most allergic reactions. Soffer Health Institute, the leading cardiology and vein care practice in Miami, Aventura, Pembroke Pines and all of South Florida, now provides allergy testing in its Plantation office.
Among other startling allergy statistics from the Foundation, 40 million Americans are allergic to grass, tree, weed and vegetation pollen; mold spores; and dust mites, among other, common sources. Ten million people are allergic to dander found on cats and dogs. Six percent of Americans suffer food and drug allergies; eight foods – milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish – cause 90% of all food allergy reactions, the Foundation notes.
Millions more suffer skin allergies, like dermatitis, eczema, urticarial, hives and other “contact” allergies caused by coming into contact with an irritant. Even Latex is a common allergen. Millions of these sufferers endure multiple allergies.
With the right education, diagnosis and treatment, allergies often can be neutralized and reactions can be eliminated or reduced. Patients learn to live not in fear of an allergic reaction, but in a state of readiness for its possible arrival.
Founded by Dr. Ariel Soffer, a prominent, board certified Aventura cardiologist and varicose vein care specialist, The Soffer Health Institute serves patients needing cardiology, vein treatments and primary care – including allergy treatments. Dr. Soffer is the former Chief of Cardiology at Jackson North Medical Center and former Chief of Medicine at Hollywood Medical Center. Soffer Health also offers extended and Saturday hours. For more information, visit us at www.sofferhealth.com.
