Immunologist
An Immunologist can be described as a medical specialist trained to prevent, diagnose, manage and treat diseases that result from abnormalities of the immune system. Immunologists are highly qualified and trained to treat immune system disorders such as allergies, asthma, inherited immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases. Clinical immunologists and allergy specialists undergo similar training as with any other medical specialists. After completion of four years of premedical education at a college or university, they receive atleast four years of medical school education. After receiving general training in internal medicine, they receive additional training in immunology and allergy areas. Immunologists are involved in a gamut of work areas, in hospitals, private practice, diagnostic immunology laboratories, research centers and industrial houses. The medical immunologist or allergy specialist primarily identifies and treats the diseases that result from abnormalities of the immune system.
Patients are referred by a general physician for further diagnosis, confirmation and management of clinical disorders of the immune system.
Patients seeking the advice of an immunologist for education regarding disorders of the immune system.
Patients suffering from life threatening allergies such as anaphylaxis.
When food or occupational allergy is suspected, the patient is referred to an immunologist.
When a physician contemplates immunotherapy for treatment of allergic diseases, the patient is sent to the immunologist.
Patients suffering from asthma exhibiting continuing poor control despite regular use of asthma medication.
Patients with unexplained inflammation such as fevers of unknown origin, unexplained fevers, weight loss.
For investigation of recurrent or unusual opportunistic infections.
Allergist
Immunologists as they are also called, allergists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating any disease relating to the immune system of the body. Allergists may also specialize in any particular type of allergy like food allergy or may specialize in treating a particular age group such as adults or children. Allergists who treat children are called pediatric allergists. The general conditions treated by allergists are asthma, eczema, insect bites and allergies due to environmental pollution or food. Allergies arise due to various reasons in our day to day life and allergists will be the right persons to identify them.
Allergist diagnoses, reaches the root cause of the problem and identifies the reason for the allergy.
He will ask for a few tests that will help identifying the cause for the allergy. The tests can include either blood tests or skin tests.
Depending on the test results, the reason for the allergy is pinpointed and you will be asked to avoid those allergy-causing agents.
Depending on the type of allergy and taking into account the cause of the allergy, medications are prescribed.
In worse cases, if the allergy refuses to ease off even after medications, injections are given to ease off the allergy.
Choose the right allergist
Ensure that the allergist is a qualified physician who has completed medical school and specialized in pediatrics (in case of children) or internal medicine. He should have completed a specialization in allergic diseases for a period of at least two years.
The allergist should have a certification from the American board of allergy and immunology.
Ask your family physician to recommend the right allergist and check on the type of medication he will use for you.
Ensure he has the right experience to handle the type of problem you or your child is facing.
Modern day innovations have made it easy for people who have to undergo allergy treatments. Medications of the recent days no longer give the patient a drugged feeling as they used to earlier thereby imparting the freedom to carry on with their usual routine. New immunotherapy systems are replacing the traditional ones are both easy to use and highly effective.
Melatonin - The Sleep Drug
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland that is located at the center of the brain. This hormone regulates the body's sleep and wake cycles. The chemical name for melatonin is N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine and this hormone is crucial to the biological circadian rhythm of the body. Melatonin plays the role of helping our bodies to understand when it's time to go to sleep and when to wake up. Melatonin production hinges on the presence of light - more melatonin is synthesized at night when compared to it's day time production. Consequently, prolonged reduced exposure to light during seasonal changes can lead to a sleep disorder or 'winter blues'. This happens on account of increased production of melatonin. Insufficient production of melatonin can lead to insomnia.
Melatonin works as an antioxidant - it protects against cellular aging of the brain cells. It plays a vital role as a protector of the immune system. As melatonin production reduces over time, shortened sleep time is noticed in older persons. Melatonin is prescribed for those suffering from insomnia, stress and jet lag.
Side Effects of Melatonin:
Reported side effects of Melatonin include sleepiness and headache. It has been seen that people on melatonin experience abdominal cramps, dizziness and irritability. Decreased sex drive in men and women is also noticed. Those who suffer from depression tend to experience worsening symptoms. Persons having liver disease or High Blood pressure may be at higher risk of experiencing melatonin side effects. The effects of melatonin when taken along with other medicines is yet to be verified. Melatonin is contraindicated for women who are pregnant or nursing. Women who are trying to conceive must avoid this hormone as it might have contraceptive properties. If you suffer from severe allergies or auto-immune diseases, melatonin might be contraindicated for you.
Dosage of Melatonin: Melatonin is usually taken as 1 - 6 mg tablets daily. Initially larger doses can be taken and subsequently the dosage can be reduced. Typically one capsule of 1 mg is taken at night ½ hour before bedtime. A dosage of 3 mg is sometimes resorted to for severe cases of insomnia.
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