Resources on the WWW : Palgic® Carbinoxamine Maleate

Physician Associations and Allergy-related Organizations

Patient Oriented Resources

Technical and Industry References

acute rhinitis, allergy, allergen, allergist, angioedema, anosmia, antihistamine, asthma, atrophic rhinitis

chronic rhinitis

decongestant, dermatographism, dose

ENT

hay fever, histamine

IgE count, immune / immunity, immunology

allergy - an acquired or induced sensitivity. This is a specific reaction to a normally harmless substance that doesn't bother most people. Allergic people are often sensitive to more than one allergen/ substance. Some reactions can be severe, even fatal. But most are merely bothersome ailments. More than half of all allergy sufferers initially misinterpret their symptoms as being a cold or the flu. Common symptoms include: sneezing, wheezing, coughing and itching.

allergen - also listed as antigen. These are specific substances that enter the body and cause a sensitivity or reaction. These particles may be:

airborne - includes pollen, dust, mold spores that enter through the nose or mouth.
insect venom - injected through stingers and skin contact.
foods (or medicines) - ingested by mouth.

allergist - a physicians specializing in the examination and diagnosis of allergic reactions and immunology. These conditions range from skin irritations to serious respiratory conditions.

angioedema - [an'gio.e.deema] eruptions of the skin associated with vasomotor nerve disorders (aka: angioneurosis). Similar to urticaria. PALGIC is indicated for this disorder.

anosmia - [an-oz-'me-a] the sense of smell is lost or "blinded" by nasal disease or an obstruction of the olfactory nerve. This condition is common with atrophic rhinitis.

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antihistamine - drugs used in the treatment of allergy symptoms that have an effect to neutralize or antagonize histamine action (or the production of histamine by the body).

asthma - a condition of the lungs in which there is widespread narrowing of the airways, making breathing very difficult. Such contractions vary over time either spontaneously or as a reaction to treatment. These release of histamine is one example of a vasoactive substance, released in or near the lungs, that causes such constrictions as part of an allergic reaction.

decongestant - drug that reduces congestion or fluid in the airways and lungs. This symptom is common in many allergy patients.

dermatographism - [der.mah'.toe.graph'.izm] a form of urticaria in which whealing occurs in the site and in the configuration of stroking (pressure, friction) applied to the skin. (aka: urticaria factitia, Ebbecke's reaction).

dose - the amount of medication taken at a single interval. Examples of dosing schedules include:

BID dose - once per day
QID dose - four times per day
PRN - dose as needed (not to exceed daily maximum)

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ENT - physician specializing in Ear, Nose and Throat medicine. These doctors are usually otolaryngologists. Patients with severe conditions may be referred by their primary care physician.

hay fever - common description for allergic reaction to pollen.

histamine - [hiss.tah'mean] this substance is released by the body in response to a skin injury. "H." has triple action in that it a) is a powerful stimulant of gastric secretion, b) is a constrictor of the respiratory (bronchial) smooth muscles and c) is a vasodilator that causes a fall in blood pressure. The gastro-secretions are often tested in allergy assessments.

laryngitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, often associated with respiratory infections and "noisy" breathing.

IgE count - Allergy sufferers may have higher levels of the antibody IgE in their system. It may cause their immune system to overreact to what it perceives to be "threatening invaders" that enter their respiratory system (i.e. reaction to pollen particles).

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immune/ immunity - status of being free from infection, or the sensitivity and natural reaction to, an infectious agent or allergen. This alteration is usually the result of previous contact with the antigen or through specific treatment. It may be passive as when antibodies have been passed from mother to child. It may also be active as when acquired through vaccinations.

immunology - the science concerned with the various phenomena of immunity, induced sensitivity and allergy. This physician is a target for PALGIC. [Immunologist: im-yu-nol'o-jist]

MAO inhibitor - (monoamine oxidase or containing flavin)

mucus - clear viscid secretion of the mucous membrane consisting of mucin (lubricating secretion from sub-maxillary glands in upper jaw), epithelial cells, leukocytes and inorganic salts suspended in water. The effect is soothing and lubricating action for respiratory tissue.

mucous membrane - thin covering lining the body's organs or tissue. Also called "tunica" or "tunicae" meaning coat/tunic, this mucus-like covering describes the linings of: the bronchi, the esophagus, the larynx, the sinuses, the pharynx, the trachea and the oral cavity.

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OTC - "over the counter" drugs that do not require a prescription. Often, these drugs were formerly considered prescription only when they were developed. After years of use and a good patient safety record, the FDA may have re-classified them as OTC.

Otolaryngology - the combined specialties of diseases of the ear and larynx, often including the upper respiratory tract (and many diseases of the head and neck). [Otolaryngologist: o-to-lar-ing-gol'o-jist]

Pollen - natural plant spores. Pollens may drift through the air (as part of the pollination process for flowering plants). However, these microscopic particles also can trigger seasonal allergic reactions. When they're in season, a breath of fresh air can cause sniffles and sneezes for millions of allergy sufferers.

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Rhinitis - [rye'.nye.tis] infections of the nose or nasal airway. These are the most common of all respiratory infections. Rhinitis may be acute (short-lived over a few days) or chronic (long-standing). PALGIC® is indicated for this disorder.

Several specific varieties include:

nonallergic rhinitis - an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. Characterized by a runny nose and stuffiness (caused by an infection).

acute rhinitis - is the usual sign of a cold. It can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. If caused by bacteria, the doctor identifies by type and prescribes an appropriate antibiotic. If caused by a virus, antibiotics are NOT effective. In either case, symptoms can be relived by taking phenylephrine (i.e. a nasal spray that can be used 3-4 days) or pseudoephedrine (i.e. taken orally as in a cough syrup). The OTC drugs cause the blood vessels of the nasal membrane to constrict, opening airway and providing symptom relief.

chronic rhinitis - usually caused by smoking, air pollution or allergies. It may also be caused by a severe infection (i.e. syphilis, tuberculosis, rhinoscleroma, etc). Such infections often destroy soft tissue, cartilage and bone. Symptoms include blocked nasal passages and a runny nose. Rhinitis infections also cause discharges of pus and frequent nosebleeds. Doctors try to identify the microorganism causing the infection by performing a biopsy (removing a small section of tissue for microscopic examination) or examining a sample of nasal discharge for culture tests (growing microorganism in a laboratory).

atrophic rhinitis - chronic rhinitis in which the membrane thins (atrophies) and hardens, causing nasal passages to widen. This is the major difference between atropic and other forms of chronic rhinitis. Cause is unknown although a bacterial infection is likely involved. Crusts form inside the nose and an offensive odor develops. Secretion cells (with tiny hair-like projections to remove dirt particles) normally found inside the mucous membrane are replaced by cells like those normally found in skin. As a result, the patient loses the sense of smell (anosmia) and may suffer recurring nosebleeds. Teatment is designed to reduce crusting and eliminate the odor. Antibiotics (i.e. bacitracin) are sprayed into the nose to kill bacteria. To promote nasal secretions, estrogens, vitamin A and vitamin D may also be sprayed into the nose or taken orally. Another treatment approach is to block or reduce nasal passages through surgery (or with a pad of lamb's wool). Doing so may reduce the crusting by decreasing the airflow and drying the thinned mucous membrane.

vasomotor rhinitis - chronic rhinitis marked by swollen blood vessels in the mucous membrane of the nose, sneezing and a runny nose. Cause is unknown but doesn't appear to be an allergy. The condition is worsened by dry air - increased humidity may be beneficial (i.e. vaporizer at home or work). No crusts or pus is discharged; but the swollen membrane may vary in color from bright red to purple. Treatment is designed to relieve symptoms; but is not always successful.

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sinus - any channel in the passage of blood or lymph or the hollow in bone or other tissue. One specific example is evaginations (protrusions) of the mucous membrane of the middle and superior meatuses (channels) of the nasal cavity. These passages are divided into s. anteriores, s. mediae and s. posteriors.

Sinusitis -

Urticaria - [ur.tah'.care.e.ah] formal terms for hives (or nettle rash) that features a skin eruption of itching wheals. The most common stimuli are foods and drugs. ). PALGIC is indicated for this disorder.

vasomotor rhinitis - [vazo'.motor - rye.nye'.tiss] causing dilation or constriction of the nasal blood vessels. ). PALGIC® is indicated for this disorder.

wheal - [wheel] a welt-like allergic reaction in the skin usually accompanied by intense itching. These edemas (excessive fluid in tissue) are often produced by as a positive response to allergy tests.

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