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Abstract : Food Allergy: From Clinical Presentation to Management and Prevention
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Abstract: Food allergy is an adverse immune-mediated pathological reaction directed toward proteins or glycoproteins in food. It affects the skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, resulting in a broad spectrum of diverse clinical presentations. Consequently, establishing a diagnosis can present a great challenge. The prevalence rate of food allergy is increasing, particularly in modern industrialized countries, and is becoming a significant public health problem. There is still no current treatment, and avoidance of suspected food allergens remains the most important treatment modality. However, in order to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions, food hypersensitivity should be confirmed using allergy tests prior to introduction of elimination diet. In cases of validation of food allergy, avoiding suspected foods are recommended. Education of patients is the cornerstone of prevention and therapy; providing all relevant information on how to exclude specific foods from the patient's diet, as well as how to detect and manage allergic reactions, especially in severe cases like anaphylaxis. This review aims at presenting the clinical picture and diagnosis, as well as discussing current treatment and preventive strategies for different types of food allergies. Keywords: Elimination diet, oral food challenge, food induced asthma, atopic dermatitis, food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, food protein-induced proctocolitis.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Editorial: Manipulating Nutrient Intake Circadian Patterns: An Economical Therapeutic Strategy
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Abstract : Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ich Tam Khang as a Supportive Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure
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Abstract: Background: Heart failure is a chronic disease needing lifelong management. Despite the advances that have been made in the treatment of the disease, both the longevity and quality of life for those with chronic heart failure remain impaired. A more effective therapeutic approach with less negative side effects is still needed. In this study, we evaluate Ich Tam Khang (ITK), the poly-ingredient herbal and nutritional preparation with multiple physiological actions, as a supportive therapy for patients with chronic heart failure. Aims of Study: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Ich Tam Khang as an adjunctive treatment of chronic heart failure. Methods:A total of 60 patients with chronic congestive heart failure were enrolled in this open label, cross-sectional and prospective study. All patients were treated with a conventional regimen (digoxin, diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers) for at least 4 weeks before being divided into two equal groups. In the treated patients with ITK, patients received conventional therapy plus 4 tablets ITK per day added in two divided doses. In the control patients, all patients kept the same conventional regimen without ITK. All patients were followed up for 3 months for clinical and para-clinical outcomes. Result:The symptoms of heart failure (dyspnea, palpitation, peripheral edema, neck vein distention, heptojugular reflex) decreased. Heart rate and blood pressure stabilized during treatment in the treated patients with ITK. Additionally, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol normalized in the patients treated with ITK. Most of echocardiography parameters in the ITK treated patients were superior to the control patients. ITK is safe and it has no side effects. Conclusion:ITKas a combination of herbal and nutritional preparationis effective in reducing heart failure symptoms, improving patient’s quality of life for the patients with decompensated heart failure and reducing total cholesterol and LDL-C. Keywords: Ich Tam Khang, heart failure, herbal medicine, nutritional supplement.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Nutritional Status in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis
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Abstract: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is defined as a continuing inflammatory disease of the pancreas that is characterized by irreversible morphological changes often associated with pain and the loss of exocrine and/or endocrine function, which may be clinically relevant. Maldigestion (absolute deficiency of pancreatic enzyme secretion) is a typical complication of CP of any etiology with long anamnesis. Fat malabsorption is considered to be the malnutrition base in CP patients. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the role of nutritive status and nutritive deficiency in CP patients, evaluate diagnostic approaches, correct nutritive status deviation with reference to previous experience, and explore the present situation and possible future perspectives. Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, maldigestion, malnutrition, nutritive status.Download Full Article |
