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Biomedical subjects

John J Oppenheimer

Publications and source records attributed to John J Oppenheimer.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Attaining asthma control.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite our knowledge of asthma pathophysiology and several guidelines, studies have indicated growing morbidity. This review highlights the rationale for the trend in asthma care of separating asthma control from asthma severity. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research has highlighted why asthma morbidity continues to be such a conundrum. This includes the variability of asthma control over time, inability to achieve total asthma control in some patients, disagreement between various measures of asthma control and the lack of an agreed tool for determining asthma control. SUMMARY: By dissociating asthma control and severity, the clinician may focus on the level of control during each encounter, independent of asthma medication. One can still build upon the step-up and step-down algorithm, while reinforcing control of asthma as the ultimate goal. Asthma control connotes the status of the disease, highlighting the dynamic nature of this illness both as the response to a trigger as well as therapy. Although more aggressive intervention may be required to achieve adequate control in severe persistent asthma versus mild persistent disease, the goal of appropriate asthma control remains constant in the spectrum of asthma severity.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

Occupational allergy caused by Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria).

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis to Alstroemeria has been well documented; however, occupational allergy to this decorative flower has never been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: We describe a florist with complaints of a sense of throat tightness, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, urticaria, and facial angioedema attributable to the handling of this popular flower. METHODS: An allergy skin testing by the puncture technique and a challenge test are performed in a private office. A staff member is used as a control for the skin testing. Main outcome measures are the subject's clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The allergy skin testing reveals positive response to Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily), but negative to Stargazer lily, solidago, and few other flower extracts. In the challenge test, the subject develops conjunctival injection, postnasal drip with nasal congestion, and cough. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a type I allergic reaction to Alstroemeria and illustrate the ease of in-office performance of skin testing and challenge to flowering plants.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Next generation antihistamines: therapeutic rationale, accomplishments and advances.

Antihistamines, among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world, have evolved considerably since the first generation was introduced >50 years ago. The first generation antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, promethazine and hydroxyzine) are still widely available and in use today. These drugs have considerable sedative effects caused by their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The next generation of antihistamines to emerge in the market were devoid of these sedative effects; however, two (terfenadine and astemizole) have shown rare but lethal cardiotoxic side effects. The third generation antihistamines, metabolites of the earlier drugs, have demonstrated no cardiac effects of the parent drugs and are at least as potent. Many have exhibited superior pharmacokinetic and pharmacological profiles, including an improved onset of action and duration of effect. The clinical benefit of these newer oral antihistamines will clearly help improve the quality of life of patients with chronic allergies.

Animals↗