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Urticaria, more commonly known as “hives,” is a skin reaction resulting in red, itchy bumps of varying size that fade and reappear as the reaction runs its course. The condition is considered chronic if the welts appear for more than six weeks and recur frequently over time. Short-term (acute) hives appear suddenly and clear up within a few weeks. The causes of acute hives include reactions to medications, heat or cold, stress, alcohol, food, fabric, exercise, insect or parasite bite or infection. Often, the cause of chronic hives is not clear. In some cases, chronic hives may be related to ... Read more

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer accounts for about 27% of all cancer deaths and is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. “Lung cancer is a serious disease, but it can be prevented and treated,” says Imtiaz Ahmad, M.D., Board Certified Pulmonologist and founder of Allergy Sleep & Lung Care. “Early detection and prompt treatment is key to fighting the disease.” Allergy Sleep ... Read more

When allergy season comes around, you may have more to worry about than just a runny nose and sneezing; allergies can also affect your quality of sleep. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when allergens in the air are breathed in, causing irritation and inflammation in the nasal passages. Allergens may include dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander. These particles trigger the release of a chemical in the body that causes nasal congestion, making it harder to sleep. These factors can cause the nasal passages to narrow, making it difficult to breathe properly at night. A survey ... Read more

You are constantly warned about how severe your allergies can get when outside; but did you know that allergy triggers can be found inside your own home? There are multiple triggers all around your home, some may be obvious, but others are not. Learn about 10 allergy triggers that can be found in your home, as well as what to do about it. Pets. Pets are one of the most common allergy triggers. If you or a family member is allergic to pets, avoid having a pet in the home, and avoid contact with pets while outside. If you do come ... Read more

Fort Myers pulmonologist and allergist Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad with Allergy Sleep & Lung Care discusses allergens that could be in your home with the local ABC station. Watch as he tours a typical home to show where allergens could be hiding.

Pollen counts vary from day to day, but Florida has one of the highest pollen counts year round. High pollen counts can result in severe allergy and asthma attacks with symptoms including sinus pressure that causes facial pain around the cheeks and eyes, body pain, headaches and migraines. Pollen counts are usually lower when the weather is wet or raining. This is because pollen particles get trapped in water droplets and are not able to spread to other surfaces. Because it rains less during the springtime in Florida, we’re more likely to have higher than usual pollen counts February through ... Read more

As daylight saving time gets closer, preparing a sleep schedule is important for your body. According to The National Institute of Health, the average adult aged 25 to 60 needs between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Cutting back on sleep hours can take a toll on your body. In fact, not getting enough sleep can affect your mood, energy level, mental sharpness and your ability to handle stress. During daylight saving time, you want to make sure that you plan a sleep schedule that works around the time change. Setting the clocks forward has a big impact ... Read more

Allergy Sleep & Lung Care will be hosting a free lung cancer seminar on Thursday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point on 23190 Fashion Dr., Suite 105 in Estero, and will focus on providing education on lung cancer detection and advancements in treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, about 220,000 new cases of lung cancer in men and women will be diagnosed in 2017. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. It is also the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the ... Read more

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an estimated 15 million Americans suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, most commonly known as COPD, and millions more are likely to have it but are unaware of it. In comparison to the general population, veterans are three times more likely to develop COPD, as presented in a study conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. COPD is a serious lung disease that makes breathing more and more difficult over time. When COPD is severe, even the most basic tasks can become a challenge to do. Symptoms of COPD include: ... Read more

Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad recently visited a lung cancer support group meeting to speak with caregivers, survivors and patients going through a lung cancer diagnosis. He spoke about screening, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment plans. He also talked about targeted therapy for lung cancer and low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening. “It was a pleasure speaking with patients and caregivers to give them the information they need to keep their bodies safe,” said Dr. Ahmad. “It is important to know not only the causes of lung cancer, but also how to prevent and effectively treat the cancer as well.” Lung ... Read more