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March 24, 2016. Breaking News for Asthma Sufferers

Good news if you or someone you love has severe persistent asthma:  the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new treatment.  It is a new injectable medicine called Cinqair (reslizumab) and is indicated for those with uncontrolled severe asthma. Cinqair is the second biologic monoclonal antibody (genetically-engineered protein derived from human genes) to be approved to reduce a particular kind of allergic inflammation in the lungs and airways. Nucala (mepolizumab) was the first such biologic approved by the FDA for allergic inflammation.  Patients who are candidates for Cinqair or Nucala typically have a particular cell called an eosinophil that is elevated in the blood and lung airway.   

These newly approved biologic therapies, in addition to Xolair (omalizumab), are becoming increasingly important drug therapies for individuals whose moderate to severe asthma requires multiple medications.  Cinqair was approved 3/23/2016 but is not yet available. As more details become available, you can count on The Asthma Center to keep you informed.

Nucala and Xolair are available. However, not all specialists have the resources or experience to offer these new biologic agents to their patients.  Often patients need to use outside infusion facilities.  The result is that the process of taking these new drugs is more time consuming, inconvenient, and more costly than when done by the professionals best suited to manage your asthma.  In these circumstances, individuals report that it is “more trouble than it’s worth” to get their asthma under control and lose the chance to improve their quality of life.

The physicians, nurses and staff at The Asthma Center have years of experience conducting clinical trials on these injectable biologic medications prior to FDA approval.  We’ve seen firsthand in our clinical practice as well the difference these new treatments can make.  Our group works together to make sure our patients can benefit from these new treatments by directly receiving their injections in our conveniently located offices, from a specialty team they trust, and with as little hassle as possible.  We have a committed staff that works directly with your insurance company and drug formulary to get these drugs covered by your plan.

If you or someone you love has severe and persistent asthma which is not controlled with medications, we recommend you ask your asthma specialist if you are a candidate for one of these new, very effective medications!

March 22, 2016. Get Ready Before Local Pollen Attacks: In the Air, On Your Car, Up Your Nose

Hearing more sneezing around? Buying more tissues and antihistamines for your household?

Yes, spring allergy misery arrived early this year!  You probably have lots of questions, and The Asthma Center is here with answers.   Ultimately, the best way to tackle these symptoms is to Get Clarity on what triggers your symptoms.  The board certified allergists at The Asthma Center can customize a treatment plan just for you.

What’s in the Air, now?

Since 1992 The Asthma Center has monitored pollen and mold spore counts, keeping the Delaware Valley informed on what’s in the air. Our studies have defined when the pollen seasons start, peak, and how long they last. Our resident pollen expert, Dr. Donald J. Dvorin, correctly predicted that pollen season would start early in 2016 due to the El Niño effect after Tree Pollen levels were EXTREME on Friday, 3/11/2016.

How Do Allergic Reactions Work?

Lining the mucous membranes of the nose, sinuses and lungs are unique cells known as mast cells. They release histamines and other chemical mediators that can cause inflammation of the nose, sinus and bronchial tubes. When mast cells interact with allergens, they release the chemical mediators. Your symptoms will manifest where the reaction occurs.

But What is an Allergen?

Allergens are particles, usually composed of proteins, capable of causing an allergic response. They are often airborne, invisible to the naked eye, and present in indoor environments year-round and outdoor environments during certain seasons.

What’s the Deal with Pollen?

Trees and other plants reproduce by creating pollen grains, a fine “dust,” that is often visible to the naked eye (all that yellow or green dust on cars in the morning), but other times so small that it can only be seen under a microscope. 

Not all pollen cause allergy symptoms, but those that do are light and can travel far on wind currents. Trees pollinate for two to three week intervals at various times and overlap. Similar to tree pollen, grass pollen is produced as a means of reproduction and depends on wind currents to be transported. Airborne grass pollen appears in early April, peaks throughout May, and declines in June. Weed pollens are prevalent later in the summer, with Ragweed pollen a major culprit in our area.

Right now, the following trees are pollinating: Juniper, Cedar, Maple, Walnut, Butternut, Poplar, Sycamore, and the first Pine and Elm Tree Pollen grains have been observed.

Saturday Appointments

Saturday appointments are available throughout the spring season so you can get relief!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has  9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

• April 16: Bala Cynwyd, PA, Langhorne, PA
• April 23: Northeast Philadelphia (Welsh Road) 
• April 30: Mt. Laurel, NJ
• May 14: Mt. Laurel, NJ, Langhorne, PA
• June 4: Langhorne, PA 

To watch Dr Dvorin’s explanation of the El Nino effect on our pollen season, CLICK HERE.

February 22, 2016. Dr Goldstein Discusses Replacement for SIgMID

The Asthma Center is excited to announce the publication of our findings on a treatment for some patients with selective IgM immunodeficiency in the Annual of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology February 2016. Our physician, Dr. Marc Goldstein, spoke more about this breakthrough in the video below.

February 17, 2016. Dr. Dvorin El Nino Pollen Report

It’s an El Nino spring, with pollen and mold spore count reports resuming earlier than usual. Check in on March 7 to find out what’s in the air!

After analyzing data, our physician and NAB certified pollen counter, Dr. Dvorin, took to the roof this morning to explain more.

February 15, 2016. Cold Weather Can Trigger Asthma Attacks

An important reminder: This cold weather can trigger asthma attacks, making it extra important to carry your epipen or asthma inhaler. However, keep them tucked away in a warm spot so the cold doesn’t affect them too!

February 10, 2016. Save Allergy Shots

“Having access, as I do now, to receiving allergy shots has saved my life and helped improve the quality of my life. The proposed changes would make it difficult for me and others.” -Philadelphia, PA petition signer

Help us ‪#‎SaveAllergyShots‬! Please sign and share the AAAAI petition here: http://chn.ge/1SllYcl

Want to learn how this topic will affect you or your loved one? The Asthma Center’s Dr. Marc Goldstein interviewed with NBC10 on this topic.

December 9, 2015. Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from our providers at The Asthma Center: physicians Dr. Marc Goldstein, Dr. Donald Dvorin, Dr. George Belecanech, Dr. Irene Haralabatos, Dr. Nancy Gordon, Dr. Raquel Empedrad, Dr. Juen Kim, Dr. David LaRosa, and Certified Nurse Practitioner Melissa Gross.

November 20, 2015. Flashback Friday

This ‪#‎FlashbackFriday‬ brings us to 2002! That year, our physicians’ photo was taken in celebration of our continued recognition by Philadelphia Magazine as “Top Docs” in the region. 

October 23, 2015. Asthma Center’s 25th Anniversary

For The Asthma Center’s 25th Anniversary this year, one of our “lifer’s” Gloria Cooper wrote, “Ode to the Asthma Center” to describe her time here since the beginning. We loved it so much, we thought we’d share a piece of it with you all:

“Between skin tests and shots, H&P and the meths,
When I think what we do I run out of breath.

We also do rhinos and six minute walks, 
The patients keep moving, they can’t even talk.

We empty the trash cans and fill up the vials,
We fill out the charts and make many piles.

The staff of the practice is very much caring
As some of the challenges are very daring.

As senior nurse, I am happy to say, 
Our training is thorough
We keep asthma at bay.”

Here’s Gloria in our Center City office shortly after it opened!

October 19, 2015. Our First “Hard Frost”

Last night, most of our region experienced our first “hard frost” (hard frost = temperatures below 28 degrees for a period of hours). This is GOOD NEWS for individuals with ragweed and other pollen allergies–why? Because Ragweed and many other pollen-producing plants cannot survive a “hard frost.” Today counts reveal no Ragweed or Grass pollen. Other Weeds are decreased to Low levels and Pine Tree pollen remains present at Very Low levels. Mold Spores (which are decreased with colder temperatures but hang around until there’s snow on the ground…) are decreased but remain Very High with Cladosporium Mold predominant.