Dr. Tracy came to Nebraska by way of the Air Force and Offutt Air Force Base in 1993. Dr. Tracy moved around frequently, growing up in Minnesota, joining the Air Force and attending the University of Maryland. His studies took him to Maine for medical school, and then to California for his pediatric residency. The Air Force kept Dr. Tracy moving, sending him up to North Dakota next. He stayed there for three years, practicing general pediatrics. During his time in North Dakota, Dr. Tracy realized that he wanted to teach and loved to care for his patients with asthma and allergic diseases. When he was transferred down to San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Tracy completed his training specializing in allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology. Dr. Tracy's last transfer with the Air Force moved him up to Omaha.
Previous Columns from 2010:
By: James Tracy, M.D.
Q: I want to get a dog, however, I have allergies. Are there certain types of dogs that will not affect my allergies, or is there something I can take to help me with my allergies around animals? A: Unfortunately there are no true hypo-allergenic dogs. While there may be some breed differences it may not be possible to determine if a person with dog allergies will react to the dog other than exposing yourself to that particular breed. Also, even if the initial exposure does not trigger an allergic response, with prolonged exposure one may develop allergies to that breed of dog. Those who have both allergy to dogs and asthma are at a greater risk of worsening their health as they may also have worsening of their asthma over time. Q: I get bronchitis once a year around this time of year. I have been diagnosed with seasonal asthma. Is there anything I can be taking to help with the seasonal asthma to prevent getting bronchitis each year? A: Having asthma is not necessarily a factor in getting bronchitis as the majority of bronchitis is caused by a viral infection. Asthma is thought to be a chronic condition of lung airway inflammation. Seasonal asthma exacerbations are most likely due to a seasonal allergy such as ragweed in the fall. One of the major triggers of asthma is viral infections and what may be occurring is that a viral bronchitis is triggering your asthma. Simple precautions such as getting the seasonal flu vaccination (and H1N1) should reduce the risk of this viral infection and frequent hand washing to decrease the chances of getting the common cold virus is advisable. Finally, optimal control of your asthma will lessen the chances of a significant exacerbation of your asthma. Optimal control typically requires the regular use of a controller medication for asthma. This can be discussed further with your asthma physician.
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