Dr. Michael LeNoir Talks Asthma

Details: Published on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 10:19; Written by Tonya Pendleton, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Asthma affects over 25 million people and a great number of them are African-American. The chronic disease inflames and narrows airways, making it hard for its sufferers to breath. Stress and environmental toxins can exacerbate asthma. African-Americans are twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma as whites, three times as likely to visit an emergency room with an asthma attack and less likely to have an action plan to treat it.

It’s recommended that anyone with asthma create an asthma awareness plan (AAP) which sets out a list of instructions should an asthma attack happen. As May is National Asthma Awareness Month, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraging asthma sufferers and their parents or spouses to formulate an AAP. This plan could potentially save lives, as poorly controlled asthma can be fatal. Right now, only 1 in 3 people with asthma have this plan. Doctors and other healthcare providers, educational institutions and employers should all help encourage the use of AAP’s to help ensure that asthma sufferers can lead healthy and active lives. An AAP is part of a six-step plan to assist asthmatics and those who love them. The six steps based on the NAEPP guidelines are:

1.      Inhaled corticosteroids to control asthma in those with severe asthma.
2.      Written asthma action plans to guide patient self-management.
3.      Assessing severity of the asthmatic disease at the initial visit to determine initial treatment.
4.      Monitor and alter treatment depending on symptoms
5.      Schedule follow-up visits.
6.      Avoid or reduce environmental toxins that worsen the patient’s asthma.

You can find a toolkit to help with your asthma treatment using the six steps here.

About Dr. LeNoir
Dr. Lenoir is a board-certified allergist and pediatrician in the San Francisco Bay area who specializes in the treatment of asthma. He received his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and has been an Associate Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco for more than two decades. For much of that time Dr. Lenoir was the Chief of Allergy at San Francisco General Hospital. For his work, he’s been recognized as one of the 50 most positive physicians in America by the American Medical Association and in 2001, “Black Enterprise” magazine named him one of its Top 100 Black Physicians. In 2010, “Oakland Magazine” profiled him as one of the top five outstanding doctors as the Best in the East Bay.

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I am allergic to sulfur. I told the doctor but he gave me an inhaler that had sulfur in it. I had another attack in front of the nurse. Did not use inhaler again.

Good idea.

What's the best over the counter medicine for outdoor allergies?

I like Loratidine, Ceterizine and Allegra, they don't cause drowsiness.

Doctor, is there anything comparable to symbicort that's less expensive. I am 58 yrs old and have adult onset asthma.

Symbicort is a combination of and inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting beta agonist. They are all expensive. You might ask your doctor for and inhaled corticosteroid alone, but first find out what triggers your asthma and reduce those triggers.

How come I get flu like symptoms when I get around some dogs and cats then sometimes I don't get any symptoms, is it the type?

All cats and dogs are not the same. it sounds like you need a full allergy workup to identify triggers for your allergies and a better medical approach.

Are there any natural remedies I can use to either eliminate my allergies or help with them? I take so much over the counter medication I feel like i am an addict and some days the medication does not work.

Go to a good health food store, they can help.

I break out in whelps every year?

May be related to allergy but most often not. It sounds like you need a full allergy workup to identify triggers for your allergies and a better medical approach.

Why does pollen make my eyes water and itch if I'm not allergic to it?

There can be so much pollen in the air that it mechanically irritates.

What can i do to for watery and itchy eye?

Across the counter allergy eye drops or antihistamines by mouth.

I had an allergy skin test over 20 years ago. Do I need another one?

Yes, if you are still having symptoms.

Doctor does the Abuterol cause heart problems?

It can cause palpitations or arrhythmia.

Doctor is there something you can put in itchy ears?

There are anti inflammatory ear drops, ask your doctor.

What's the best medicine for allergy related chest congestion?

You need to find out where the congestion is coming from. The upper or the lower airway. It sounds like you need a full allergy workup to identify triggers for your allergies and a better medical approach.

What can be done to combat weight gain that is caused by long term use of steroids to control and treat asthma?

That is a tough question. You need to reduce the steroids and then take off a little at a time over a 6 to 12 month period.

I have soy allergy. Is there a difference in the protein & the oil? I am without healthcare at this time.

No, if it has soy protein in the product, you will have a problem.

Is coughing a sign of having asthma?

Coughing is the most common sign of asthma.

My nose bleeds when i blow it, first thing in the morning. i was wondering is something going on with allergies when I sleep?

it is probably not just allergy. You may have a blood vessel that needs to be looked at.

I have itchy skin all over including itchy eyes and tongue.

It probably represents either dandruff or eczema, see your doctor.

I found what looks like Petechei at the bottom of my 18 month old niece's feet. Is it something to rush to the ER for?

No, but she should see her doctor.

Doc, good morning. I have Pityriasis Rosea. My dermatologist said it shouldn't last longer than 12 weeks but its not going away. What can i do to ease the itching & make these spots disappear?

Low strength steroid creams usually reduces the itching.

Help. I'm a long time allergy sufferer. i regularly take Allegra. Claratin, and Zyrtec. i have to alternate these medications because the effectiveness seems to wane over time. Plus, i have to take the medications at night or I'm no good in the morning. With all that said. I'm still stuffy with a slight headache in the am. what do i do? - Sneezy and miserable in Indianapolis.

It sounds like you need a full allergy workup to identify triggers for your allergies and a better medical approach.

My mom's allergies started when she was in her 60s. Mine started when i was in my 50s. Anything my daughter in her 30s can do now to help prevent the same from happening to her?

Not really. She may or may not develop allergy but she should seek help as soon as any symptoms develop.

Doctor, I'm a 37 year old female. Every morning my nose is stuffy when i wake up. Why and what can I do to make sure it isn't like that? When i go to bed its fine. I do have allergies and asthma.

Decongestants or non sedating antihistamines and the nettie pot does work.

I live in Tennessee and we have horrible ragweed issues. How do i stop the drainage and constant tickle in throat. I am tired of eating cough drops everyday, help me.

It sounds like you need a full allergy workup to identify triggers for your allergies and a better medical approach.

Why is it when i take allergy/sinus medicine it dries out my special body part & what can i use to bring the moisture back?

Moisturizing lotions like Eucerin or Cetaphil can help.

I use generic Claratin with Loradine with Sudafed in it. Is this a good medicine mix for allergy season?

Yes it can be. You are taking an antihistamine and decongestant combination, that should be good for allergy.

If I am allergic to chlorine can I still swim? I take allergy pills for it and they seem to be working.

Yes, most people react to chlorine but are not allergic to it.

Can asthma be an inherited condition?

Yes. in 60 % of cases.

Why does Allegra cause me to itch if I miss a few doses?

Because the Allegra is stopping the itching.

What are the best medications for allergy relief?

Avoiding triggers and non sedating antihistamines.

Tom what does the doctor recommend for me? I sneeze and get hives when I am around my wife?

Divorce.

What about dairy products, does that affect asthma?

Yes, dairy products, especially in children can affect asthma.

I Have gone to ent and an allergist but I can't stop coughing.

May be time to see a lung specialist or pulmonologist.

I have nasal polyps and am allergic to grass, trees and ragweed. I use Zyflo and a sinus rinse, but neither are working. Do you have any other suggestions?

May be time for an allergy shot program.

My four year old grandson has been using an inhaler before he turned one. He stopped using it for awhile around age two or three. Recently he was diagnosed with bronchitis and the doctor put him back on the inhaler. This past weekend he spent four days with me in Denver and had no signs of wheezing and we never used the inhaler. We only noticed some sneezing when he did not get enough rest. My concern is a with the medications he is inhaling at such a young age. He is an active four year old who exhibits no signs of breathing issues when he is with me, only a lack of rest. Should I be concerned about the medications?

No, not if he is really having trouble with asthma at his own home; the risk of uncontrolled asthma is worse.

What do i do for constant sinus drainage and cough?

Get an allergy or ent evaluation to identify triggers.

Is there correlation between one's sinuses and high blood pressure? I have a recent diagnosis of sinuses but prior would get this head pressure and elevated blood pressure. Told by one doctor it does that because of the pain but another doctor says no the medication stabilizes the pressure.

Not much correlation, take care of the blood pressure.

Are allergies and eczema related?

Many times they are aggravated by the same triggers.

i have asthma. My doctor wants to put me on steroids. i am afraid of steroids however and wondered if there was an alternative treatment?

If your asthma gets to a certain dangerous point, then a short burst of steroids may be the only way to manage it.

Dr. Lenoir, what do I do for sinus drainage and constant cough?

You need an allergy or ent evaluation.

What about using Advair?

Only if you have identified triggers and tried inhaled steroids alone.

I haven't had a regular physical in some years what should I do with no insurance or extra money?

Community clinics can help.

Dr. my daughter wakes up every morning sneezing from allergies but she goes to sleep fine with no problem. What can i do?

She may have a dust allergy. Try some allergy dust controls

I have a chronic cough from post nasal drip. i have prescribed Patanase nasal spray. How safe is this medication? It works.

It is just a nasal antihistamine.

Dr. Day 2010 MLK Center Dallas