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Local Allergist Helps Patients Help Themselves

 

A local allergist is trying to help patients get and stay healthy while avoiding the high cost of care. 

KYW's Lynne Adkins reports Dr. Frederick Cogen, Chief of the Allergy Department at Holy Redeemer Hospital says the economy has hit patients hard.  Many have lost their health insurance or seen co-payments sky-rocket so he's suggesting ways allergy sufferers can avoid a costly trip to the doctor:

"Many of the drugs that a board certified allergist will prescribe are now over the counter, so that the number of prescriptions that I personally am prescribing has dropped dramatically and I just list on a piece of a paper the medications that available to every patient over the counter without a doctor being involved."

He also urges patients to help themselves, if they suffer with dust mites, rip out the carpets and put in air purifiers and if pollen is your poison, shut the windows and turn on the air conditioner.

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