- SinusitisAcute sinusitis refers to sinusitis symptoms that last less than four weeks. Most acute sinusitis starts as a regular cold from the common cold viruses and then becomes a bacterial infection. Chronic sinusitis is when symptoms last three months or longer. The cause of chronic sinusitis is believed to be a combination of swelling and infection. Recurrent sinusitis occurs when three or more acute episodes happen in a year.
- Pediatric CareAllergist/immunologists are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma and other diseases of the immune system. Allergists have completed medical school, at least three years of residency in pediatrics or internal medicine, then at least two years of specialized training in allergy and immunology. To be board certified, they must pass an examination and regularly attend continuing medical education programs in allergy and immunology.
- Primary CareInsurance: Dr. Dunagan participates in most managed care plans as well as Georgia Medicaid, (On-Physician) referral, Medicare, Blue Choice, Aetna, University Healthlink, Lifeplans and Healthnet. Benefits and co-payments may vary. Insurance is filed at no charge for initial visits. Check with your managed care plan administrator. Many plans require a written referral from the patient's primary care physician.
- Ear InfectionsWe live in a sea of germs, and everyone gets an infection at least once in a while. However, while most people can recover on their own from most infections, some people experience recurring infections that require antibiotic treatment. For instance, Lindsay, age two, has had eight ear infections each year of her life. Mike, 32, needs antibiotics six to eight times every year to treat sinusitis and bronchitis. Both Lindsay and Mike have a problem with too many infections. While one aspect of the problem of recurrent infections is the large number of infections, the other aspect of this problem is that these recurrent infections tend to last longer and to be more severe than in most other people.
- Emergency CareAsthma is an allergic disease that causes frequent episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness. It is common for people with asthma to also suffer from allergies, so your allergist may conduct thorough allergy and breathing tests to find the causes of your asthma. Studies have shown that care by an allergist can decrease the number of asthma flare-ups and the need for emergency care. You and your allergist can work together to ensure that your asthma is well-managed, so that you can participate in normal activities.
- ElectrocardiogramMost research protocols have built in safety monitoring for subjects. These may include blood or urine tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms (which monitor heart activity), and other tests. Many protocols also have automatic "kick out" criteria, instructing investigators to withdraw a subject from the study if the disease being studied worsens significantly. These safeguards help to prevent research participants from experiencing increases in their disease symptoms as a result of receiving a placebo or ineffective dose of the study drug.
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- ImmunizationsIf you have any of the conditions noted above, your allergist/immunologist will consider if you need to be evaluated for immunodeficiency. Very often, this evaluation may give reassuring results and even improve your immunity since immunizations may be part of the evaluation. If an immunodeficiency is detected, early treatment prevents complications of infections that then contribute to making other infections worse and more difficult to treat.
- GlaucomaSome medications can cause or worsen asthma. These include aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen; and beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches or glaucoma).
- Pregnancy
- Labor and DeliveryCan women with asthma perform Lamaze? Most women with asthma are able to do Lamaze breathing techniques without any problems. Asthma symptoms are rare during labor and delivery in women whose asthma has been managed during pregnancy.
- Internal MedicineDr. Dunagan is a 1991 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Dunagan completed his Internal Medicine and Allergy / Immunology training at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He served on the medical staff of Wake Forest University for three years and joined the practice with Dr. Cook in July of 2001.
- EpilepsyToxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), where the upper surface of your skin detaches like in a patient who has suffered burns, is another type of severe cutaneous adverse reaction. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any of these. Certain medications for epilepsy (seizures) and gout are often associated with these severe skin reactions.
- Anxiety
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyTo diagnose sinusitis, an allergist will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination. He or she may also order tests. These tests can include allergy testing, sinus CT scans (which take exact images of the sinus cavities) or a sample of your nasal secretions or lining.
- ChemotherapyAntibiotics are the most common culprit of anaphylaxis, but more recently, chemotherapy drugs and monoclonal antibodies have also been shown to induce anaphylaxis.
- EczemaFood allergies can cause problems ranging from eczema to life-threatening allergic reactions. The major strategy for preventing food allergies in children relates to the timing of feeding infants certain liquids and foods.
- FungusInfection occurs when a disease-causing germ, such as a bacteria, virus or fungus, invades the body. To become infected, you must catch the germ (exposure) and have the ability to become infected (susceptibility). Exposure is something that your grandmother warned you about when she told you to stay away from Johnny because he was sick. People with a lot of contact with others, such as elementary school teachers or salespersons, are more likely to be exposed to increased numbers of germs.
- Rashes
- Burns
- AllergiesFor instance, if you wheeze when you are at home and don't know why, you don't have to get rid of your cat if your allergy testing shows you are allergic to dust mites but not cats. With this information, you and your allergist can develop a treatment plan to manage or even get rid of your symptoms.