Dr. Brendan Fitzpatrick, a UCD Medical graduate trained in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
He is a Medical Doctor  and since the early 1980's has had a special interest in Allergies and Complementary approaches to medicine.

Depending on the individual clinical problem, treatment methods include Allergy Management, Herbal and Homeopathic Medicine, Vitamin Supplements and Acupuncture. In addition to Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment, other methods used include Acupunctur...

Dr. Brendan Fitzpatrick is a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society and a Medical Doctor with more than 20 years experience in Acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of high quality, fine needles into carefully selected Acupuncture points. Acupuncture is successfully used in a variety of painful conditions, e.g. neck, back, shoulder, elbow pain as well as other common medical conditions.

For further information on Acupuncture and list of conditions treated please click here

Allergy, Acupuncture and Complementary Medicine


Allergies 12th July 2010

Allergies are a favourite topic of converstaion at any time but particularly now during the middle of the Hay Fever season when the pollen is at its highest level for several years. A three day Allergy Fair was recently held in Dublin and all aspects of Allergy were discussed. I also recently attended a three day symposium on paediatric Allergy at St. Thomas's Hospital, London where a comprehensive programme covered all aspects of Allergies and Allergy testing. Traditonally, hospital based Allergists have confines themselves to classical allergies e.g. Asthma, Eczema and Hay Fever. It was interesting at the meeting to see a shift towards the acceptance of non IGE mediated Allergy/Sensitivities and this was particularly noticed among the Gastroenterologists who were present. I would again emphasise that Allergy testing is only one part of Allergy management which should always include a good detailed history. This will allow a treatment programme including diet to be undertaken even if Allergy tests are negative. At the meeting there was hope for peanut allergy sufferers with a pilot programme to gradually de-sensitise patients with peanut allergy over a period of time using minute amounts of peanuts in hospital setting. Half of all food allergy deaths are due to peanuts. However, it is important to emphasise that the average deaths from food allergies are 1-2 per year.

Allergy testing is traditionally associated with asthma and nose problems. However, it is becoming increasingly accepted that Allergy consultation and Testing should be considered in a wide variety of other chronic medical conditions e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, musculo skeletal problems, urticaria and poor overall energy and well-being. I have a long standing interest in the role of sugar and yeast sensitivities in Allergies. Patients with a history of thrush, athlete's foot, abdominal bloating and hormonal problems can often have increased incidence of allergies to mould and yeast. Treatment of this with diet, supplements and anti-fungal medication can often improve symptoms as well as overall energy and well being.

Another interesting item from the conference was that in children with eczema, negative Allergy testing in the first few years indicates a favourable outlook for the Eczema as well as a significantly reduced risk of Asthma and Rhinits. On the contrary, a positive Allergy Test to milk, dairy and peanut carry increased risk of more chronic Eczema and other Allergic conditions.

Address: Slievemore Clinic, Old Dublin Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin Ireland.

Phone: (01) 2000530           Email: bfitzpatrick@allergy.ie