VIDEO: Second day of physician assistant conference highlights asthma, allergy topics

Key takeaways:

• Sleep quality affects the immune system.
• Allergic reactions to insect venom vary.
• Chronic cough may have multiple causes.

PARK CITY, Utah — Bee stings and a good night’s rest were on the agenda, among other topics, during the second day of the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Allergy, Asthma & Immunology CME Conference.

“Today we had great lectures on the immune system,” Gabriel Ortiz, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, treasurer and cofounder of the association, told Healio.

For example, Ortiz said, one lecture discussed how sleep impacts the immune system, while a breakout session tackled oral immunotherapy scheduling.

Additional discussions explored allergic reactions to insect venom, allergen avoidance mechanisms, atopic dermatitis, possible causes of chronic cough and how the environment can affect asthma.

“And later tonight, we’ll finish the evening with a social event,” Ortiz said. “We’re looking forward to completion of day and looking forward to day 3.”

For more information:

Gabriel Ortiz, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, can be reached at gabriel.ortiz@thermofisher.com.