| A few years ago a woman started having a wide | | | | quickly showed the couple they had made the |
| variety of medical issues. They ranged from a | | | | right move by getting a second opinion. The new |
| skin condition all the way to classic heart attack | | | | physician made two appointments for his patient. |
| signs and symptoms. Her family doctor ran a | | | | One appointment was with a dermatologist for |
| complete array of tests over a period of months, | | | | the skin problems and one appointment with an |
| but never considered the possibility of a heart | | | | allergist. |
| attack. The doctor's lack of concern with ruling | | | | The dermatologist explained exactly what the |
| out any heart problem worried the husband from | | | | course of treatment was going to be and |
| the first appointment. The end result was all of | | | | explained that nothing was going to happen until |
| her medical issues were allergies, lots of allergies | | | | the woman had seen the allergy specialist. He |
| to a host of different things. None of the ailments | | | | explained everything he was going to do in |
| suggested allergies were the cause; either alone | | | | satisfying detail. Finally the couple felt some relief, |
| or collectively. Why would they? | | | | all but knowing positive results were just around |
| The lady had been suffering from extremely dry | | | | the corner. |
| skin with flaking and itching all over, but mostly on | | | | In just a couple of appointments with the allergy |
| her back. She assumed it was from the brand of | | | | doctor, the couple knew exactly what all of the |
| soap she was using in the shower. Later she | | | | medical problems were a result of and knew |
| began to notice unusual sensations around her | | | | what they had to do to avoid repeats of the |
| mouth and in her throat, but it didn't seem to last | | | | discomfort. |
| for any length of time. Still later she started to | | | | It seems the list of different things the lady was |
| notice she was having stomach problems on a | | | | allergic to was two and a quarter pages long. |
| semi-regular basis. She still had no major concerns | | | | Almost all of the allergic reactions were different |
| with her health in general, nor did she have any | | | | from the next. Some of the allergies were |
| idea they might be somehow related to a | | | | causing the skin dryness. Some were much more |
| common cause. | | | | dangerous, causing her airway to constrict. The |
| After several months she started noticing | | | | allergy doctor told her that some of the things |
| headaches, something she almost never | | | | she was allergic to would close off her airway so |
| experienced in the past. Even more time passed | | | | rapidly that emergency medical treatment would |
| and other abnormal conditions developed. Last | | | | not be quick enough to save her life. The husband |
| was the chest pain and pressure, pain radiating | | | | was most relieved by learning that the heart |
| down her left arm, shortness of breath and | | | | attack signs and symptoms were all allergies too. |
| pounding heartbeat. Up to this point she had made | | | | It is important to know this woman was age 49 |
| little or no mention of any of these issues to her | | | | when she demonstrated allergic reactions. Prior to |
| husband. When she started seriously loosing sleep | | | | that time, she had no known allergies throughout |
| because of the chest pain and related discomforts | | | | her lifetime. |
| she informed her husband. The very next day | | | | In the event that someone you know does have |
| she made an appointment with her family doctor. | | | | similar medical conditions, insist that the doctor |
| After the very first appointment her husband | | | | consider allergies as the cause. If the conditions |
| was really concerned because the doctor hadn't | | | | present themselves like a possible heart attack, |
| ruled out any heart disease before considering | | | | first insist that all heart issues are ruled out. That |
| anything else. The doctor ran tests for gall bladder | | | | should be the doctor's first focus. Hopefully, simple |
| and several other possibilities. Each test meant | | | | testing will prove that the heart is healthy. If so, |
| another follow up with the family doctor and each | | | | insist the doctor test for allergies. Keep in mind |
| time nothing showed up. Still no attempt was | | | | that this lady had lots of medical difficulties and |
| made by their family doctor to deal with the | | | | none seemed related. That is because there were |
| possible heart problems. | | | | lots of different allergies - each producing different |
| After new problems popped up and the scare | | | | symptoms with different levels of severity. It is |
| with the chest pain continued both the husband | | | | worth the uncomfortable feeling of pushing the |
| and wife decided to change family doctors. | | | | medical professional for the peace of mind you |
| The very first appointment with the new doctor | | | | will finally gain. |