Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Allergies and Asthma
Allergies and asthma are two of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes the airway to narrow and makes breathing difficult. Asthma affects 1 in 13 Americans, as many as 6 million of those are under the age of 18. A wide range of factors can trigger symptoms for the 50 million Americans who live with indoor and outdoor allergies.
What many people may not realize is the link between the two conditions, which often occur together. If you experience either condition, you can benefit from learning about how they are related. Doing so will help you limit your exposure to triggers and treat your symptoms.
Many people experience one condition without the other, but allergies can either worsen asthma or trigger it. When these conditions are so closely related, it’s known as allergy-induced, or allergic, asthma. It is the most common type of asthma diagnosed in the United States. It affects 60 percent of people with asthma.
Many of the same substances that trigger allergies can also affect people with asthma. Pollen, spores, dust mites, and pet dander are examples of common allergens. When people with allergies come into contact with allergens, their immune systems attack the allergens the same way they would a bacteria or a virus. This often leads to watery eyes, runny nose, and coughing. It can also cause a flare-up of asthma symptoms. Therefore, it can be helpful for people with asthma to closely watch the pollen count, limit time spent outside on dry and windy days, and be mindful of other allergens that may induce an asthmatic reaction.
Family history affects a person’s chances of developing allergies or asthma. If one or both parents have allergies, it’s much more likely that their children will have allergies. Having allergies such as hay fever increases your risk of developing asthma.
At Sage Infusion, we are committed to helping you have a better quality of life. These asthma and allergy injections and infusions are some of our best-performing treatments to improve your symptoms and allow you to get back in the game.
• Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) is an add-on, prescription maintenance treatment for patients aged 12 years and older with severe asthma. TEZSPIRE works to target and block the alarmins released by your lungs by asthma triggers. The treatment helps to proactively reduce the inflammation which can lead to asthma attacks. TEZSPIRE is an injection that’s administered once every 4 weeks.
• Xolair (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe persistent asthma in people 6 years of age and older whose asthma symptoms are not well controlled with asthma medicines called inhaled corticosteroids. A skin or blood test is performed to see if you have allergies to year-round allergens. Xolair treats nasal polyps in people 18 years of age and older when medicines to treat nasal polyps (nasal corticosteroids) have not worked well enough.
Xolair treats chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU, chronic hives without a known cause) in people 12 years of age and older who continue to have hives that are not controlled with H1 antihistamine treatment. Xolair is given in 1 or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), 1 time every 2 or 4 weeks.
• Nucala (mepolizumab) is an add-on, prescription maintenance treatment for patients 6 and older with severe eosinophilic asthma. NUCALA is a different kind of treatment for severe asthma. It’s an injection you get every 4 weeks. When added to your current asthma medications, NUCALA may decrease airway inflammation that can cause severe asthma attacks. NUCALA targets eosinophils, one source of inflammation, so it treats more than just your symptoms of severe asthma. Eosinophils are a normal part of your immune system, but in higher numbers, they can cause inflammation. NUCALA helps reduce eosinophils in the blood, so it treats a source of severe asthma, not just the symptoms.
• Fasenra is an add-on maintenance treatment for patients 12 and older with severe eosinophilic asthma. Fasenra helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and may improve breathing. Fasenra works differently from an inhaler or steroid. It is designed to target and remove eosinophils, a key cause of asthma. Fasenra has been studied in a robust clinical trial program in severe eosinophilic asthma and worked better than standard asthma treatments alone. Fasenra has been proven to reduce asthma attacks by up to 51% and lowers daily steroid use by 75%.
• Prolastin-C is an augmentation therapy that has been proven to effectively raise alpha1-antitrypsin protein levels in patients with Alpha-1. It is a concentrated form of the protein alpha1 antitrypsin that is purified from human plasma, the fluid part of your blood. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1) is a rare genetic disease often called “genetic COPD” because it can be passed down through families. If you have alpha-1, your body does not make enough alpha1 antitrypsin, a protein that protects your lungs. Prolastin-C involves a lifelong, weekly infusion that takes approximately 15 minutes when given at the recommended rate.
At Sage Infusion, we want you to breathe easier and provide you a serene and inviting environment to receive your treatments. Sage Infusion also eases your medical burdens by handling the care coordination process, including insurance authorization and patient progress updates. Our flexible scheduling meets our patient’s needs with extended hours. Day, night, and weekend appointments are available. Our physician assistants and nurse practitioners follow the National Infusion Center Association guidelines and our proprietary clinical protocols. Sage Infusion offers a variety of comforting amenities and patients can choose to receive treatment in the open lounge or a private room.
With locations in Fort Myers, Clearwater, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, and The Villages (coming early 2023), Sage Infusion offers the best infusion and administration facilities in the Sunshine State. At Sage Infusion, we’ve reimagined patient care. From a quick start to upfront pricing and financial assistance, to compassionate care by our clinical experts in a serene environment, you will experience infusion therapy like never before. Sage Infusion accepts most insurance making it as easy as possible for patients to get the care and support needed to maintain the best health possible.
(239) 533-5962 | sageinfusion.com
8880 Gladiolus Drive, Suite C-200
Fort Myers, FL 33908
