Mold Exposure Center - Sterling, VASterling Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors for Mold ExposureType of Physician: Asthma & Allergy Specialist What is a Asthma & Allergy Specialist? A certification by the Board of Allergy & Immunology; practitioners are expert in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of immune disorders. Specialty: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Common Name: Allergy Doctor Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors in Sterling * Allergy & Asthma Associates PC  Adult & Pediatric Allergy Center  Adult & Pediatric Allergy Center  Adult & Pediatric Allergy Center  Richard R Rosenthal MD  Jyothi Gadde MD PA  Jyothi Gadde MD PA  Jyothi Gadde MD PA  Mackie & Miller MDs  Mackie & Miller MDs  Family Allergy Center  Michael R Kletz MD  Mehdi Bajoghli MD  Richard R Rosenthal MD  Richard R Rosenthal MD  Frank Eslami MD  Internal Medicine & Allergy Associates  Burke Allergy & Asthma  Lan & Richard Tu MDs  Northern VA Allergy & Asthma  Northern VA Allergy & Asthma  Peter C Latkin MD  Robert N DeAngelis MD  Annamma J Jacob MD  James Piepergerdes MD  Accredited Allergy Center  Kaiser Permanente  John R Vroom MD  Nicholson & Schwartz MDs  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Paul M Goldberg DO  Mehdi Bajoghli MD  Pierre Paul Gagnon MD  Alexandria & Clinton Allergy Associates  Alexandria & Clinton Allergy Associates  Allergy & Asthma Associates  Allergy & Asthma Associates  Allergy & Asthma Associates  Allergy & Asthma Associates  The Virginia Center for Allergy & Asthma Inc  Allergy & Asthma Center of Fredericksburg Ltd  Allergy & Asthma Center of Fredericksburg Ltd  Asthma & Allergy Center  Asthma & Allergy Center  Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center  Virginia Ear Nose & Throat Associates PC  Virginia Ear Nose & Throat Associates PC  Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists  Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists  Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists  Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists  Virginia Allergy & Asthma Institute  Advanced Allergy & Asthma of Virginia  Advanced Allergy & Asthma of Virginia  Advanced Allergy & Asthma of Virginia  Advanced Allergy & Asthma of Virginia  Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Central VA  Advanced Allergy & Asthma of Virginia Sterling, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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MoldWhat is mold?Mold refers to multiple types of fungi that grow in filaments and reproduce by forming spores. The term "mildew" is sometimes used to refer to some kinds of mold, particularly mold with a white or grayish color or mold growing in shower stalls and bathrooms. Mold may grow indoors or outdoors and thrives in damp, warm, and humid environments. Mold can be found in essentially any environment or season. The most common types of mold that are found indoors include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra and sometimes referred to as "black mold") is a greenish-black mold that can also be found indoors. Stachybotrys grows on household surfaces that have high cellulose content, such as wood, fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Molds reproduce by forming tiny spores that not visible to the naked eye. Mold spores are very hardy and can survive under conditions in which mold cannot grow, such as in dry and harsh environments. These spores travel through outdoor and indoor air. When mold spores land on a surface where moisture is present, mold can start to grow. Outdoors, molds play a role in the decomposition of organic matter such as dead trees, compost, and leaves. They are most common in damp, dark areas or areas of decomposing plant life. Indoors, mold is often found in basements or shower stalls. Indoor mold has the potential to cause health problems and can destroy surfaces and objects where it grows.
Where can mold be found in homes?Although shower stalls and basements are typical moist areas prone to the growth of molds, any moist area in the home may harbor mold. Drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture, ductwork, roofing, paneling, wallpaper, and the areas around plumbing pipes are examples of areas in the home that may become inf... Recommended Reading Related to MoldChronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip » What is the purpose of the nose?The purpose of the nose is to warm, clean, and humidify the air you breathe as well as help you to smell and taste. A normal person will produce about two quarts of fluid each day (mucus), which aids in keeping the respiratory tract clean and moist. Tiny microscopic hairs (cilia) line the surfaces of the nasal cavity, helping to brush away particles. Eventually the mucus blanket is moved to the back of the throat where it is unconsciously swallowed. This entire process is closely regulated by several body systems. Structurally, the nose is separated into two passageways (left and right nostrils) by a structure called the septum. Protruding into each breathing passage are bony projections, called turbinates, which help to increase the surface area of the inside of the nose. There are three turbinates on each side of the nose (inferior or lower turbinates, middle turbinates, superior or upper turbinates). The sin... Other Related Mold Exposure ArticlesEmergency Contact for Sterling
Nearby Sterling Hospitals *Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Reston Hospital Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Graydon Manor Behavioral Health Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Suburban Hospital National Institutes of Health Sibley Memorial Hospital Dominion Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Psychiatric Institute of Washington Prince William Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Holy Cross Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Walter Reed Army Medical Center The George Washington University Hospital Inova Alexandria Hospital Washington Adventist Hospital Howard University Hospital National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington Hospital Center Children's National Medical Center Washington DC VA Medical Center Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington Saint Elizabeth's Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Frederick Memorial Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center United Medical Center Laurel Regional Hospital Potomac Hospital Doctors Community Hospital Jefferson Memorial Hospital Howard County General Hospital Fort Washington Hospital Fauquier Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Springfield Hospital Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Related Diseases & Conditions
19 articles-
Asthma
- Asthma is a common disorder in which chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and wheezing.
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Fever
- Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
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Hay Fever
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
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Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
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Chronic Cough
- Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
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Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lung caused by small airborne particles such as bacteria, mold, fungi, or inorganic matter. There are two types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, body aches. Examples of hypersensitivity pneumonitis include bagassosis, mushroom worker's disease, sauna taker's disease, pigeon breeder's disease, and farmer's lung disease. Most commonly, it results from exposure to pet birds.
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Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
- Allergic rhinitis symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is usually caused by pollen in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a type of chronic rhinitis and is a year–round problem, often caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, animal dander, and pollens that may exist at the time. Treatment of chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip are dependant upon the type of rhinitis condition.
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Allergy
- An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
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Biorhythms
- Biologic rhythms, or biorhythms, are how our bodies respond to the regular phases of the sun, moon, and seasons. A medical chronobiologist studies how the "body clock" or biorhythms affect diseases and how the body clock responds to treatment of diseases and conditions at different times of the day.
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Food Allergy
- The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.
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Asthma: Over the Counter Treatment
- Patients who have infrequent, mild bouts of asthma attacks may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat their asthma symptoms. OTC asthma medicines are limited to epinephrine and ephedrine. These OTC drugs are best used with the guidance of a physician, as there may be side effects and the drugs may not be very effective.
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Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
- Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the symptoms, which symptoms one wishes to relieve, and the active ingredients in the OTC product. Taking products that only contain the medications needed for relieving your symptoms prevents ingestion of unnecessary medications and reduces the chances of side effects.
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Nasal Allergy Medications
- Nasal allergy medications are used to relieve itching, sneezing, and nasal swelling associated with allergies. Antihistamines, decongestants, and steroids are different types of nasal allergy medications. Possible side effects of these medications include dryness, stuffiness, burning, bleeding, nervousness, and palpitations.
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Allergy Treatment Begins At Home
- Avoiding allergy triggers at home is one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms. Controlling temperature, humidity, and ventilation are a few ways to allergy-proof the home. Cleaning, vacuuming, and using HEPA air filters also helps control allergies.
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Indoor Allergens
- Indoor allergens are substances that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Common sources of indoor allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, molds, pets, and plants. Avoiding indoor allergens is one way to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.
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Asthma Complexities
- There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
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Hurricane Preparedness
- Natural diasters such as a hurricane can take a toll on family, friends, and neighbors. Both physiological and psychological stresses can be devastating. Learn how to prepare for a hurricane like food storage, safe water, first aid measures, cleaning mold, wearing protective gear, preparing for electrical hazards, avoiding carbon monoxide, avoiding physical injuries and hazardous materials, preventing drowning, reducing the risk of thermal stress, and preventing fatigue related injuries.
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Night Sweats
- Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
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Asthma
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Procedures & Tests
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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Health News
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