Allergies: A Summary from Dr. Daniel Reichmuth
    By Daniel Dempsey

I had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Daniel Reichmuth, the allergy guru of the Florida Medical Clinic, the allergies that we, in Florida, need to address.

The most common types of allergies arise from pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold spores… the latter arise from humidity in our Florida air. The impact of allergic rhinitis is enormous; it accounts for significant health morbidity and a large financial expenditure. It has been associated with impaired learning, slower decision making, and psychomotor dysfunction. Genetic and environmental factors play a big role in their development. The progression from eczema to respiratory allergies, the “allergic march” as it is known, is what allergists worldwide are trying to interrupt.

Allergists worldwide are improving the quality of life for allergy victims in a number of ways. Allergies and/or asthma may be diagnosed after a complete medical history which may include an “allergy skin test” or a “spirometry” (lung function test). After determination, treatment usually consists of allergen avoidance with prescription medications and in some individuals continue into allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots). With allergy immunotherapy, the individual will be given increasing amounts of allergens, to which he or she has been found to reduce allergic symptoms, but may also decrease the incidence of allergic rhinitis progressing (marching) into asthma or further allergies.

Dr. Daniel Reichmuth has been attracted to allergy control by his own physiological makeup. Being allergy diagnosed as a child has led him to a degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. His post graduate studies were performed at Indiana medical School in Indianapolis. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and Allergy, Asthma Immunology. He was born and raised in Highland, Indiana and is married to wife Gina of 3 years. Gina was born and raised in Dover, Florida and thus the “small and hometown” attraction to Zephyrhills/Dade City area. Our area welcomes the Reichmuth’s and their 22 month old daughter Brooke to our community.

For inquiries regarding allergies, you may call Dr. Reichmuth’s office in The Florida Medical Clinic and ask for Joy or Krista at 813-779-8194.” – Pasco News, March 10, 2005

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April is Cancer Control Month
According to the American Cancer Society, April is Cancer Control Month with a whole week dedicated to National Minority Awareness. In a recent article, dated February 2, 2005, from the American Cancer Society states, “African American’s are most likely to die of colon cancer than any other ethnic group in the U.S., despite ways to prevent and even cure the disease today.”
Black men in particular have a cancer death rate 40% higher than that of white men.  Cancer death rates as a whole are dropping yearly but the gap between blacks and whites still remains large.  According to the American Cancer Society, “Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among both African-American men and women.” Why such vast differences between races could be due to poverty or possibly lifestyle.
It is advised that families and individuals use every resource possible to lower their risk of cancer.  Those who delay getting exams that can find cancer early are missing out on a chance to catch cancerous or precancerous growths that could be removed early and increase the odds for survival.  To learn more about cancer among minorities, log onto http://www.cancer.org

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