University Health System Blog

Dr. Nevin Wilson answers the questions: How can I tell the difference between cold and allergy symptoms? Also should I use a humidifier to help my child breathe at night?

There are several ways to determine if your symptoms are related to a cold or an allergy.

A fever and sore throat, as opposed to one that feels itchy, usually accompanies a cold. Nasal discharge starts out clear, then turns yellow and finally green as the cold progresses.

Allergies are more commonly associated with itchy, red, burning eyes, itchy throat and incessant sneezing.

Those who have allergies are more susceptible to getting colds, which can then lead to sinusitis.

I’m not a big fan of humidifiers because their main purpose is to add moisture to the air. When you do that, you increase the atmospheric conditions of the room or home and make them more favorable to growing mold and dust mites, two of the most common pediatric allergies.

This is especially true in Nevada, where it’s dry.

Dust mites and mold flourish in humidity around 40 percent and it doesn’t take much effort for a humidifier to raise a room’s humidity to that level.

This same argument holds true for using a swamp cooler in the summer: by raising the humidity levels, you increase the chance of developing dust mites and mold which can then affect your child.

Nevin Wilson, M.D., is chair of the pediatrics department at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno. He is board-certified in pediatric allergy and immunology. He graduated from the University of Nevada School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of California, San Diego.

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Dr. Evan Klass answers the question: “Is there any connection between hypothyroidism and female infertility?”

Definitely. Hypothyroidism, when it is not treated or not treated adequately, reduces ovulation, and obviously, no ovulation, no pregnancy. In addition, when hypothyroidism is not treated adequately, a woman’s libido or interest in sexual activity may be reduced (no sex, no pregnancy).

Most patients with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis [PDF], an autoimmune disease which causes the thyroid to fail. Some people who have normal thyroid function may be found to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis by doing a specific blood test for thyroid peroxidase antibodies. The presence of these antibodies in the blood, even with normal thyroid hormone levels, has been associated with reduced fertility and with increased risk of miscarriage.

Finally, for women who have hypothyroidism who become pregnant, it’s essential that their thyroid hormone dosage be adjusted early in the first trimester–the dose will almost certainly need to be increased in pregnancy.

Evan Klass, M.D. is an endocrinologist practicing in Reno, Nevada at University Health System. Dr. Klass completed his fellowship training in endocrinology at George Washington University Medical Center.

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Dr. Kami Larsen answers the question: “Is it worth the cost to buy organic baby food?”

This really is a personal decision that each family must make on their own.

While organic baby foods may be ideal for some, most baby foods are just fine for your child. In fact, making your own baby food at home is likely the most cost-effective and safest for your child.

While it is more time consuming, fresh fruits and vegetables can be steamed or boiled and then purred in a food processor. Once they are processed you can simply pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for ideal portion sizes. This way you know what exactly your child is eating.

It is always important to remember however, not to add additional spices or flavoring for very young infants and to stay away from high allergy foods such as strawberries and citrus until most other plain fruits and vegetables have been tried first.

Kami Larsen, M.D. is a pediatrician at University Health System in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Larsen is assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and medical director of Kids Healthcare Clinic.

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Dr. Kami Larsen answers the question: “Is it okay for me to travel by plane with my infant?”

It is a common misconception that infants shouldn’t travel by plane because of the altitude.

While the pressure changes that take place during initial takeoff and prior to landing may cause some discomfort, it’s unlikely this could cause any real damage.

The bigger concern for most infants is the contact they have with all the other passengers in the plane and at the airport.  Simply put, planes are full of germs.

I typically counsel patients to avoid air travel if possible in the first two months of life. If however, travel is necessary, I encourage parents to pack a container of antiseptic wipes to clean the arm rest, tray tables and surrounding areas on the plane.

I also suggest they avoid the more crowded areas of the airport if possible.

Kami Larsen, M.D. is a pediatrician at University Health System in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Larsen is assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and medical director of Kids Healthcare Clinic.

Have a question? University Health System doctors answer select questions from readers like you.