PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

And the winner in the battle of the healthier sex is…

Allergy and asthma risk is in the genes and how the environment interacts with them

2013-11-08
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Christine Westendorf
ChristineWestendorf@acaai.org
847-427-1200
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
And the winner in the battle of the healthier sex is… Allergy and asthma risk is in the genes and how the environment interacts with them BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Are men healthier than women when it comes to allergies and asthma? Is one sex genetically at higher risk for chronic allergic illness? There are many differences between men and women. And when it comes down to health, one gender seems to be more prone to allergies and asthma.

According to a presentation being given at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), adult females are at higher risk for allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases.

"More prepubescent males have rhinitis, asthma and food allergy than females," said presenter Renata Engler, MD, allergist and ACAAI Fellow. "However, roles change. When females enter young adulthood, they outnumber men in these chronic illness categories."

Why are women at higher risk for allergy and asthma post puberty? The reasons for gender-differences in disease risk and immune responses are complex and vary with age. IgG immune responses to vaccines are enhanced in women compared to men but IgE levels are actually higher in asthmatic men than in women. The important message is that in order to improve personalized care of patients, improving understanding and impact of gender diversity on diagnosis, treatment and outcomes is needed. One size fits all is not the best approach.

"The importance of sex differences in the practice of allergy-immunology cannot be overstated," said Dr. Engler. "Improved sex/gender based medicine and research practices will benefit men and women alike."

Genetics, aside from sex hormones, play a role in determining who will develop allergy and asthma. According to ACAAI, if parents have either of these chronic illnesses, their children are at an increased risk.

In her presentation, Dr. Engler stated personalized medicine is more than just in the genes. Because allergy and asthma manifest in each person differently, it is important sufferers see an allergist. Proper treatment involves more than just relieving symptoms, but finding the source of the suffering and developing individualized care plans to avoid symptom triggers.

### The ACAAI Annual Meeting is being held Nov. 7-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. For more news and research being presented at the meeting, follow the conversation on Twitter #ACAAI.

About ACAAI The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 5,700 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Holiday health: Asthma with a side of allergies

2013-11-08
Holiday health: Asthma with a side of allergies Asthma sufferers allergic to cats doubles, making holiday travel challenging BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – People with asthma traveling to pet friendly homes for the ...

Oral allergy syndrome and high blood pressure medications can create lethal cocktail

2013-11-08
Oral allergy syndrome and high blood pressure medications can create lethal cocktail Some allergy suffers with hypertension may be at increased risk for severe reaction BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Oral allergy ...

Reducing 2.1 million emergency room visits, 1 count at a time

2013-11-08
Reducing 2.1 million emergency room visits, 1 count at a time Asthma inhalers with dose counters lessen visits by 55 percent BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Asthma is the most common chronic illness and is responsible ...

State of residency can increase children's risk of hay fever

2013-11-08
State of residency can increase children's risk of hay fever Southeastern and southern states are home to more allergy sufferers BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – If you think your child's stuffy nose is due to an autumn ...

The great disappearing act: Bone marrow receiver cured of allergy

2013-11-08
The great disappearing act: Bone marrow receiver cured of allergy Life-saving transplant results in end to peanut allergy BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Not only can bone marrow transplants be life-saving for children ...

You can have a food allergy, and eat it too

2013-11-08
You can have a food allergy, and eat it too Food allergy may only affect parts of offending food BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Have food allergies? If you answered yes, you know the best way to prevent a severe allergic ...

Allergic to insect stings: Allergy shots decrease anxiety and depression

2013-11-08
Allergic to insect stings: Allergy shots decrease anxiety and depression Stinging insects are everywhere making them nearly inescapable. The thought of being stung can cause depression and anxiety for the two million ...

Anaphylaxis from shrimp allergy is rare in children

2013-11-08
Anaphylaxis from shrimp allergy is rare in children Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Shellfish is the third most common food allergy to cause anaphylaxis. However, according to ...

Instrument neglect can lead to 'saxophone lung' in musicians

2013-11-08
Instrument neglect can lead to 'saxophone lung' in musicians Reed instruments, such as the clarinet and saxophone, can be detrimental to your health if not properly cleaned. In a study presented at the American College ...

High bat mortality from wind turbines

2013-11-08
High bat mortality from wind turbines More than 600,000 of the mammals may have died in 2012 in the contiguous United States A new estimate of bat deaths caused by wind turbines concludes that more than 600,000 of the mammals likely ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Hidden in plain sight: A century-old museum specimen turns out to be a landmark in evolution

People with substance use disorder were 24% more likely to require unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days of previous discharge

New study brings vaccine hopes for deadly Nipah virus

Can a compound produced by deep-sea bacteria treat cancer?

How does infection with respiratory syncytial virus affect the health of older adults?

Will implantable brain-computer interfaces soon benefit people with motor impairments?

Can certain fungi boost the micronutrient content of bread wheat?

AI serves as ‘crystal ball’ for predicting outcomes in hospitalized cirrhosis patients

Transfer printing technology for lithium protective layers to prevent battery explosions

Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure in older people by changing oral microbiome

Metal-free supercapacitor stack delivers 200 volts from just 3.8 cm³

Spatial multi-omics maps how metformin protects precisely across diabetic kidney zones

Weight loss benefits of Tirzepatide persist after stopping treatment in Chinese adults

Interference to astronomy the unintended consequence of faster internet

Women politicians judged more harshly than men, research finds

Surprising rocky worlds revealed around a small star

UC Davis Health receives $3.6 million grant from NIH to improve eye gene therapy

Heatwaves to increase in frequency, duration under global warming

GLP-1 diabetes drugs likely trump metformin for curbing dementia risk in type 2 diabetes

Annual UK cost of mental health disorder PTSD likely tops £40 billion

Study: Powerlifting through breast cancer – how a breast cancer survivor defied chemotherapy with strength trainin

Sustainability Accelerator selects 41 new projects with potential for rapid scale-up

First impressions count: How babies are talked about during ultrasounds impacts parent perceptions, caregiving relationship

Next-gen tech can detect disease biomarker in period blood

UTA unveils supercomputing research hub

Americans prefer a more diverse society

Masonic Medical Research Institute publishes breakthrough study on combating heart disease linked to obesity and high-fat diet

How our body keeps time in the heat

Not just a messenger: Developing nano-sized delivery agents that also provide therapeutic treatment

AI used for real-time selection of actionable messages for government and public health campaigns

[Press-News.org] And the winner in the battle of the healthier sex is…
Allergy and asthma risk is in the genes and how the environment interacts with them