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Why request a second opinion at the Erasmus Hospital? Above all else, requesting a second opinion is a choice. Everybody is entitled to request a second medical opinion for support and reassurance regarding their treatment.  Also, not all doctors and hospitals necessarily have the expertise, experience and/or equipment required to treat your pathology.   As a university hospital, the Erasmus Hospital gives pride of place to research and teaching and remains at the forefront of scientific research. As a result, when all conventional treatment options have been attempted, there sometimes remain possibilities at the Erasmus Hospital to benefit from innovative treatment in the framework of clinical trials.  What procedures to follow when requesting a second opinion? Whenever possible it is preferable to obtain a copy of your medical records from your GP. This is clearly important so that the Erasmus Hospital can give a second opinion on the basis of all the available information and not repeat examinations and visits unnecessarily.  Specifically, patients should request a complete copy of medical records  from their original doctor and/or hospital. These have a legal obligation to provide the patient with these records within 15 days or to send them to the doctor of the patient’s choice. Some information is shared between Belgian hospitals through Brussels Health Network for the exchange of medical information. Patients must give their written and signed permission to the hospitals involved in this exchange.  Image Contacting the Erasmus Hospital In practical terms, patients can contact the department of their choice depending on the problem encountered.   Services Together we are stronger. Requesting a second opinion is a way of taking a fresh look at your care options. So don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance on your care pathway. 

What is a respiratory allergy? A blocked or running nose, itching eyes, sneezing, night cough, breathing problems... Whether chronic, persistent or seasonal, these symptoms can be the sign of a respiratory allergy (such as hay fever) and/or an asthma of allergic origin. Not all cases of asthma or rhinitis are attributable to an allergy. However, it is important to know whether or not this is the case as this will determine the choice of treatment, its effectiveness and even certain reimbursements!  Care The H.U.B’s Asthma and Allergic Diseases Clinic offers diagnosis and treatment for persons with these diseases or who present respiratory or skin symptoms of the allergic type.    Diagnosis and follow up   First consultation: The person is seen by a pneumologist who notes the symptoms, their frequency and the moments and circumstances in which they appear. The doctor will also carry out a spirometry test which is a simple test that measures the respiratory function. A prick test is also carried out to identify the allergen(s) responsible for the symptoms. This skin test involves placing a drop of the allergen on the arm and then pushing it beneath the epidermis using a fine needle.  The patient should also have a blood test the same day at the Testing Centre. There is no need to fast. In all cases the doctor will already be able to diagnose treatment to relieve the symptoms.    Tests for asthma: if asthma is suspected,  If the respiratory test shows a bronchial obstruction, a bronchodilatation test is carried out immediately;    If the respiratory function is normal, the person is asked to return for a bronchial provocation test using histamine. Carried out under medical supervision, this test makes it possible to either rule out or confirm asthma with quasi certainty.    Second consultation : 6 to 8 weeks later, the patient returns for a consultation.  Aims: to assess the response  to the symptomatic treatment and to discuss the blood test results and other treatment that could be considered.    Follow-up consultations : Once the asthma or respiratory allergy is under control, follow up is proposed at a frequency that depends on the severity of the condition.    Good to know: Depending on the case and needs, the H.U.B.’s Asthma and Allergic Diseases Clinic proposes joint consultations. This enables patients to see  a pneumologist and ENT specialist at the same time or, in the case of a skin allergy, a pneumologist and dermatologist.    Persons with asthma can also benefit from treatment education programmes at the  School of Asthma. Treatment Treatment for a respiratory allergy depends both on the allergens in question and the symptoms.    Symptomatic treatment includes antihistamines taken orally, corticoid-based nasal sprays and eye drops.     Immunotherapy consists of modifying the immune response of the patient, causing it to evolve from an allergic status to a tolerance status in regard to the allergen.   Immunotherapy often involves taking tablets that melt on the tongue or otherwise drops. This treatment is effective but it is relatively long and costly. It is only reimbursed if the asthma is caused by an allergy to dust mites and associated with a dust mite allergic rhinitis.      Asthma treatment (bronchodilatators, anti-IgE, anti-interleukins, biological treatment, etc.) is varied and  depends on the type of asthma. As the illness varies over time, the treatment must be adapted accordingly.    Advice Treatment by avoidance is always recommended in the case of allergies. This involves avoiding as much as possible exposing oneself to allergens or applying certain measures to reduce to the maximum exposure to the allergens. For example: washing sheets at 90°C; airing rooms in winter when it is cold; in the case of allergy to dust mites, closing the windows when pollen is at a peak (allergies to grains and other pollens), etc.    Image Research The main line of translational research pursued by the H.U.B’s Asthma and Allergic Diseases Clinic concerns inflammation of the lower respiratory tract (bronchi). Doctor  researchers work on the use of exhaled NO to guide immunotherapies and biological therapies as well as on induced expectorated sputum as a means of identifying the phenotype of an asthma and to guide treatment.    Related service Related doctors

Our role This multidisciplinary team of healthcare staff exercising different professions aims to ensure continuity of care at the Erasmus Hospital and externally when the patient approaches end of life or requires symptomatic treatment, notably to manage pain and uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, hiccups, constipation, etc. Our mobile team is available on request for the care team, patient and patient’s family.    Image Our specialities Our team consists  of liaison psychiatrists, internists, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers.  Their missions are to give timely and/or repeated opinions without assuming direct responsibility for the patient, to offer support to those around the patient and the care teams, to prepare for discharge, return home or transfer to another institution or rest home in close cooperation with the family GP and the required outpatient assistance and care structures. All team members listen to the patient, possibly provide advice and increase the awareness of all the interlocutors while respecting their individual philosophical convictions and religious beliefs. The joint approach to a patient with a serious, progressive and incurable illness must be centred around respect for autonomy while seeking to guarantee as much as possible the remaining quality of life and comfort.     Useful links Fédération Bruxelloise de Soins Palliatifs (FBSP)  Association pluraliste de soins palliatifs de la région de Bruxelles (Palliabru) : +32 (0)2 743 45 92

Our role Rheumatology is the branch of internal medicine concerned with problems of the joints, tendons, muscles and/or bones caused by certain diseases. These can be diseases of the locomotor system or other pathologies that result in symptoms and pain in the joints, tendons, muscles, bones or any other organ. Image Image Rheumatology is applied immunology: it deals with all disturbances to the immune system and the diseases that result from them. Ultimately, any disease could be linked in one way or another to rheumatology Pr Muhammad Soyfoo Head of Rheumatology Department Our specialities In addition to a general rheumatology clinic, the department covers a number of specialised sectors and consultations: · Early onset arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis consultationsSpondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis consultationsSystemic and auto-immune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome (see Focus), etc.Consultations for bone diseases of the osteoporosis varietyFibromyalgia consultations, in cooperation with the Multidisciplinary Centre for Pain Assessment and TreatmentVideocapillaroscopy, which is an examination to detect anomalies of the capillary blood vessels. In particular, it makes it possible to detect Raynaud's disease or a scleroderma. The Erasmus Hospital is one of 5 Belgian centres to propose videocapillaroscopy.Joint ultrasoundThe Department also proposes psychosomatic consultations to help patients confront the sometimes major psychological repercussions of their illness. Our Team Image Our medical specialists Focus In consultation with the Ophthalmology and Stomatology Departments, the Erasmus Hospital Rheumatology Department proposes a multidisciplinary approach to Sjögren's syndrome. This auto-immune disease affects mainly perimenopausal women and results in dryness of the eyes, mouth, vagina, etc. The department also has the distinction of being :Scleroderma reference centreEarly arthritis clinicMultidisciplinary centre for systemic and autoimmune diseasesA pioneer in research into systemic diseases Research Rheumatologists at the Erasmus Hospital participate in a number of fundamental or clinical research programmes on the diseases in which they specialise: rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, etc. The department cooperates in particular with the Metabolic Biochemistry Department and the Immunology Department at Gosselies. Publications Aquaporins: Unexpected actors in autoimmune diseases. Authors : Delporte C, Soyfoo M.Journal : Autoimmun Rev. 2022 Aug;21(8):103131. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103131 Neuromyelitis Optica: Pathogenesis Overlap with Other Autoimmune Diseases. Authors : Taheri N, Sarrand J, Soyfoo MS.Journal : Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2023 Nov;23(11):647-654 Involvement of CCL2 in Salivary Gland Response to Hyperosmolar Stress Related to Sjögren's Syndrome. Authors : Chivasso C, Parisis D, Cabrol X, Datlibagi A, Delforge V, Gregoire F, Bolaky N, Soyfoo MS, Perret J, Delporte C.Journal : Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 11;25(2):915 Involvement of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Autoimmune Diseases. Authors : Sarrand J, Soyfoo MS.Journal : Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 23;24(19):14481

To protect the eye health of younger children, consider other options. Risks Excessive screen time can pose several risks to children, both physically and mentally. Spending too much time in front of a screen can lead to eye problems, such as eye strain, and disrupt their sleep cycle, increasing the risk of sleep disorders. Moreover, prolonged screen use can hinder children's social and emotional development by limiting face-to-face interactions and fostering isolation. Additionally, constant exposure to inappropriate or violent content can negatively impact their behavior and psychological well-being. Therefore, it is essential to limit screen time and encourage activities that promote balanced development. Alternatives There are many alternatives to screens that entertain children while stimulating their creativity, motor skills, and social interactions. For example, reading books fosters language development and imagination, while offering a moment of calm. Board games are also an excellent option to strengthen family bonds and promote cooperation or healthy competition. Outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, or ball games, are ideal for improving physical fitness and spending time in nature. Additionally, creative activities like drawing, painting, or making music help children express their emotions and develop their creative minds. Finally, spending time with other children, whether playing in a park or participating in group activities, enhances their social skills and emotional development. These alternatives are essential to provide a balance between digital activities and those that foster healthy development. Ophthalmology Paediatric ophthalmology