Today’s Pollen, Mold & Air Quality forecast
The Baz Blog
our most recent article
Do you have a Cold or Allergies?
As allergy season nears and cold season winds down sometimes the question may arise, "Do I have a cold or do I have allergies?
read moreAllergy Doctor in Fresno
Fresno and the central valley has some of the most challenging air quality in the US and some of the worst in California. Poor air quality can trigger a number of medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, breathing problems and sinus infections. Unlike areas with cleaner air, selecting the best allergist in Fresno can be one of the most important decision you can make for your family’s health.
Dr. Baz and his team of specialists have been committed to serving families of the central valley since 1982. Our goal is to diagnose and treat adults and children with allergies, asthma or sinus problems with compassionate care and understanding. Baz Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center has 13 convenient locations from Visalia to Castro Valley that offer flexible scheduling in order to meet our patient’s unique needs.
Allergy specialists
The Baz Allergy team of medical providers are highly trained, board certified and have years of experience treating patients for allergies in the central valley. In over 30 years of treating patients, we understand what weather, pollen and other environmental conditions trigger allergic reactions. The experience we’ve gained working and living here has also formed our knowledge about what causes our bodies to become allergic and how to best treat our patients.
Allergies can be treated in multiple ways, sometimes an over-the-counter product will be the best choice, other times immunotherapy is the best solution. Immunotherapy is the treatment of a disease with products (medicine) that promote your immune system. These medicines may be in the form or allergy shots, allergy drops or may be delivered in pill or capsule form.
The central valley is home to some of the richest farmland in the state and living in an agricultural community such as ours – we have a lot of pollen. Pollen is fine and powdery, you may sometimes see it collect on your car – it can be dust like. Pollen is actually the male part of a seed which when it lands on a compatible female part of a plant, germination occurs and seeds sprout and plants grow. The study of pollen is called palynology.
Many people are allergic to pollen, most have different levels of allergy to different types of pollen. Some of us are allergic to different sorts of tree pollen, oak, pine, etc.. some of us have grass allergy – which is where the term “hay fever” comes from. Dr. Baz and his team have very reliable testing protocols they follow to help them zero in on the exact type of allergy that is causing your discomfort. Once we know what type of allergy we’re dealing with we can put a plan in place for treatment.
Aside from the respiratory related allergies, Baz Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center also treats symptoms related to;
- Skin allergies
- Food allergies
- Insect allergies
- Drug allergies
Allergy treatment may be completed in a single visit or may require ongoing treatment with monthly or weekly visits – depending on the severity of your allergies.
Asthma
Asthma can be a very serious condition which requires expert treatment. “Treatment” isn’t really the correct word as there is no cure for asthma so “management” is really the proper term.
Asthma is a condition where your airways become more narrow or constrict and breathing can become extremely difficult. As the airways to your lungs swell, coughing or wheezing can occur. Some asthma sufferers also experience shortness of breath.
Click to learn about Asthma Symptoms
People experience asthma differently. For some it’s a minor annoyance, for others it can affect and alter their daily routines and overall quality of life. Some people live in fear of a sudden and violent “asthma attack” where breathing becomes very difficult. These attacks can also cause panic which in turn can make the symptoms of the asthma attack even worse.
While there is no cure for asthma, the symptoms can be treated. Medicines and breathing techniques can be administered which will lessen the effects of the symptoms (shortness of breath, coughing & wheezing).
It is extremely important for adults and children suffering from asthma to have an effective and practical asthma treatment plan to manage asthma symptoms. A treatment plan includes meeting with your asthma doctor as often as necessary for them to establish the best plan for your overall benefit. Follow up appointments are important to allow your physician to monitor your progress and make changes where appropriate.
Treatment for asthma may include medication in the form of capsules, pills daily inhalers, and emergency inhalers. Certain allergies may also trigger asthma attacks so part of your play may be to limit exposure to these allergy triggers. Breathing treatments such as a nebulizer given in the office or prescribed for home use may also be part of your asthma treatment plan.
The physicians at Baz Allergy Asthma and Sinus Center are experts in asthma treatment and will work with you or your child to develop the most effective asthma management plan available.
Sinus Infection and treatment
Sinusitis, rhinosinusitis or sinus infection is a very uncomfortable condition. Sinusitis is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and symptoms may include pain in face around your nose, plugged nose, fever, cough and even sore throat.
Air pollution, allergies or an infection may be the cause of a sinus infection but typically it’s caused by a virus. People who suffer from asthma may experience recurring incidents of sinusitis.
Some people who believe they have a sinus infection may actually be experiencing a migraine headache which is why it is so important to seek out the best sinus doctor to provide an expert diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment may include pain medicine, antibiotics and even surgery for the most severe cases. The Baz Allergy Asthma and Sinus Center team has both the training and the state of the art diagnostic equipment to best determine what’s best for your sinus condition.