Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Definition
Alpha-gal syndrome is a recently identified condition characterized by an allergic reaction to the alpha-gal sugar molecule found in red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb. The reaction is triggered by the body's immune system producing antibodies against the alpha-gal molecule, leading to symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
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Internal Medicine
Covering every aspect of health care for adults, Internal Medicine is the largest department in the Yale School of Medicine, and the largest clinical service at Yale New Haven Hospital. We provide comprehensive and specialized services in all areas in a variety of outpatient settings as well as the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Health Care System campus in West Haven. Our culture of collaboration and research gives patients access to expert opinions from nearly 1,000 doctors, as well as opportunities to get tomorrow’s health care today through more than 100 clinical trials. Most importantly, we attend to our diverse community of patients with compassionate, thorough care. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Allergy & clinical immunology Cardiovascular medicine Digestive diseases Endocrinology General internal medicine Geriatrics Hematology Infectious diseases Medical oncology Occupational health & environmental medicine Nephrology Pulmonology, critical care & sleep medicine Rheumatology International reputation for work in understanding function, independence, and quality of life in older persons Key research breakthroughs of the past decade that include the development of a protective Lyme bacillus disease vaccine, exploration of the underlying causes of allergic disease, and the discovery of novel inherited immunological diseases Largest interventional cardiology program in Connecticut Major referral center for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as other metabolic conditions Nationally ranked program in kidney diseases and the largest kidney transplant program in New England, with multidisciplinary care clinics One of the largest peripheral vascular programs in the country, with leadership and participation in multiple new percutaneous device trials Once of only a few motility centers in Connecticut to provide all motility procedures and services Unique medical forensic exams for individuals with claims of torture who are seeking asylum in the U.S.Allergy & Immunology
We provide expert evaluation and treatment to adult and pediatric patients across the entire spectrum of allergic and immunologic disorders. Our board-certified specialists have specific clinical and scientific expertise, and are highly capable of providing comprehensive, thoughtful care from the most common to the rarest conditions. Our physicians meet weekly to discuss the management of complicated cases. Yale has been the site of several key research breakthroughs in the field, including the discovery of new inherited immunological diseases and the development of a crucial understanding of the underlying causes of allergies. We offer comprehensive evaluation of both common and rare allergy and immunology conditions, including allergy skin and blood testing, oral food challenges, drug allergy testing, and contact dermatitis patch testing. We offer allergic rhinitis and asthma care through recommendations for environmental controls and pharmacological controller therapy, and biologic therapies for severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, as well as chronic urticaria and hereditary angioedema. We have expertise in management of immune deficiencies with intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin replenishment. We also provide consultations for drug allergy desensitization when needed. Among the conditions we treat are: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (nasal and eye allergies) Asthma Chronic rhinosinusitis Food allergy Insect sting allergy Medication allergy Urticaria (hives) Angioedema Hereditary angioedema Atopic Dermatitis Contact Dermatitis Common variable immunodeficiency Secondary immune deficiencies Our service has specific strength in the management of inherited immune deficiencies, with a dedicated service that closely collaborates with experts across other specialties. Through a long-standing collaboration with Yale Laboratory Medicine, patients have access to a broad array of state-of-the-art immunological testing. Our care for children and adolescents includes treatment for: Asthma Our doctors collaborate with colleagues in the Pediatric Asthma Program to ensure that our patients receive comprehensive asthma care, including: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management of childhood asthma for patients with varying degrees of severity Testing for allergic precipitants Mechanical analysis of respiratory function Outreach care at patients' homes when needed Allergy Testing for allergens, desensitization, and immunotherapy Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis Drug allergy Food allergy Insect venom allergy Urticaria (hives), mastocytosis, anaphylaxis Hereditary angioedema Primary Immunodeficiency and Recurrent Infections Testing for antibody deficiency, cellular immunodeficiency, and complement disorders Treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases, including intravenous immunoglobulin therapy Evaluation and management of recurrent infections, including fungal infectionsPediatric Food Allergy Program
At the Yale Pediatric Food Allergy Program, our nationally recognized team of clinicians focuses on the diagnosis and management of food allergy, as well as education and research on food allergy. We are a Center of Distinction through the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) Clinical Network, a coalition of top food allergy centers chosen from across the United States. We are a progressive center that focuses on compassionate and personalized care, and we serve food allergic children from throughout the New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Our clinicians offer a wide array of services including: Specialized food allergy prevention clinics Outpatient in-person and virtual appointments Diagnostic testing Oral food challenges Oral immunotherapy (limited providers) Access to a food allergy child life specialist Access to a food allergy dietician