Allergy Center
Spokane
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic has been providing allergy evaluation and
treatment options to patients from the Inland Empire for several
decades, in fact it is the home of the oldest allergy department in
Eastern Washington. Allergy frequently causes symptoms of the ears,
nose or throat such as sneezing, nasal obstruction, hearing loss from
fluid behind the eardrum, or chronic voice problems and cough. Ear,
nose and throat physicians (otolaryngologists) are therefore ideally
equipped to evaluate and treat these and related problems. All of our physicians
are qualified to evaluate these problems, and with the help of the
allergy department, to find a solution which best meets the needs of
each individual patient.
Allergy
problems can be treated by avoidance, pharmacotherapy (medications), or
immunotherapy (allergy shots). Some problems related to allergy such as
ear infections, sinus infections, and nasal obstruction can also be
treated with surgery. Again, ear, nose and throat physicians are
ideally qualified to evaluate and treat these problems, as all of these
treatment “tools’ are available to them. Many of our physicians are
members of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and are known
as “Otolaryngic Allergists.” To find out more about Otolaryngic
Allergy, visit our academy’s website.
There
are many excellent medications available to treat allergy problems.
These medications can be taken systemically (pills or shots) or
topically (drops or sprays). After interviewing and examining the
patient, our doctors can make a recommendation for best treatment.
Sometimes patients do not tolerate medications, the medications do not
work, or patients seek a more long-term solution to their problems.
These patients may be ideal candidates for allergy shots, or
immunotherapy. Immunotherapy used to be called “desensitization,”
and is done by injecting increasing amounts of the substances known as
antigens (typically “inhalants” such as pollens, molds, animal dander,
or insect antigens, but not usually foods) under the skin every week
for several months or years to “desensitize” the patient to the
antigens or allergens. The goal of immunotherapy is to manipulate the
immune system, so that the patient is no longer allergic to the
substance for which they are being treated.
In
order to begin immunotherapy, the patient must be tested to determine
their specific sensitivities or allergies. Sometimes it is valuable to
determine allergies so that patients may avoid those allergens to which
they are most sensitive. There are many methods used to determine
allergies. The Allergy Department at Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat
Clinic uses Skin Endpoint Titration to determine allergies. This method
is advantageous over other methods, as it identifies and quantifies
(demonstrates the severity of) allergies. Once our physicians know how
severe a patient’s allergies are, they can be treated with allergy
shots safer, faster, and better than if the severity is not known.
Sometimes a blood test (In Vitro test, sometimes known as RAST test) is
used by our physicians to determine a patient’s allergies. In Vitro
tests can also be very accurate.
Allergy Department Services:
The
allergy department at Spokane ENT assists the physicians of the clinic
by performing allergy testing, mixing allergenic extracts for
immunotherapy, and administering allergy shots. They also serve as a
resource to our patients by providing counseling services regarding
avoidance of allergens, including both inhalants and foods.
Meet the Allergy Department
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Connie Meyer, R.N.
Connie
is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a BS in Nursing and
has worked in the allergy department at Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat
clinic for 18 years. She has two daughters who are married and living
in the Seattle area. Her hobbies include hiking, biking, kayaking,
traveling to explore the cultures of other countries, gardening, and
just enjoying a good book.
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Kelly Devin, L.P.N.
Kelly
has 20+ years experience as an LPN, along with 9 years as a medic while
proudly serving with the U.S. Army (now retired) for 20 years. He holds
a Bachelors of Science Degree in Information Technology from Oregon
Institute of Technology. He enjoys working with data (“its only a
puzzle if you can’t figure it out”), baking, and likes to watch
baseball, hockey and football with his wife. Kelly is an avid
outdoorsman, has nearly mastered the art of home beer brewing, rides a
1999 Harley Davidson Road King with his wife on her 2002 Fat Boy, and
says “if it looks like a fun hobby, I’ll try it”. |
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