Archive for the ‘Allergies’ Category

Personal Story…

I was a first time mother. With labor a few weeks early, my baby girl was a bit small but healthy. It was only when she turned one years old, that we noticed something was wrong. The red cheeks, dark bags under the eyes, dry skin and cranky child, she just looked sick.

I am not sure how we thought of going to an allergist. Neither my husband nor I have much allergic histories. My husband did have some asthma as a child, but he outgrew it a while ago. I had a sister who was mildly allergic to eggs for a few years of her childhood… that was all. Could my daughter be allergic?

We were shocked but relieved to find the answer. After her first skin test done, she showed positive to eggs, milk, oats and beef. No wonder, she drank 6 bottles of milk a day! We took these results at face value (only later finding out that these tests are not always 100%) and began to learn to read labels and watch what she ate. She did improve, her face and eyes looked healthier…but her skin, it was dry, itchy and red. We discovered she had eczema. Was it a result of what she ate? Or was it a separate condition? The next two years we spent going from pediatric dermatologists, to top pediatric allergists. We did allergy blood work tests followed by skin tests. Results showed positive to tens of foods, including eggs, milk, fish, chicken, potato, banana, sesame, soy, and legumes; and now showed negative to beef and oats that were originally positive. Continue reading ‘Kid’s Allergy – Helping Parents of Children With Allergies’ »

Millions of allergens are possibly present in the air that we breathe. The daily sneezing attacks that you have or the intermittent respiratory problems you or any one of your family members might be experiencing could be attributed to these allergens. Maybe it is high time for you to get an allergy relief air purifier installed in your home. There are various types of these purifiers to choose from. You can sneeze-proof your home with any one or a combination of these air purifiers. Purifiers that are specifically designed to either prevent the growth of or to stop entry of allergens in the air can easily be installed in your home.

Dirty air laden with allergies could cause minor bouts of sneezing, rashes, rhinitis, and even serious asthma attacks that could lead to bronchial spasms and life threatening anaphylaxis. This should be reason enough for you to feel the urgent need to have an allergy relief purifier at the soonest possible time. Among the allergens that could be removed from the air in your home are airborne pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and molds. If you care enough about your family’s health, you will look into the viable options for air purifiers in your home now. The small investment that you will shell out for the installation of these air purifiers is such a small price to pay for your health and the health of your loved ones. Continue reading ‘Sneeze-Proof Your Home’ »

Newly diagnosed celiac and wheat/gluten allergy patients often feel overwhelmed once the reality of their new lifestyle hits them. Patients are told to completely stay away from gluten and wheat in their diets, but are often left to guess how to proceed with such a restrictive diet and lifestyle.

Many health care providers do not offer information to fully educate their patients on the “how-to’s” of adapting to the new challenges and changes that come with diagnosis. Patients who truly want to become healthier and completely adapt to their new lifestyle must embark on a journey of self-education.

Self-education is an on-going process for patients, and leads to empowerment and self-confidence by gaining knowledge and understanding of their condition. With knowledge, patients can face Life and safely take part in the world around them. Quality of life is greatly enhanced when patients are feeling good and more confident. Self-education is a very powerful tool for newly diagnosed patients who suffer from celiac disease and wheat/gluten allergies. Continue reading ‘Principle of Self-Education For Wheat And Gluten-Free Patients’ »

Metal allergy refers to a type of hypersensitivity reaction of the body against metal substances. One of the most common types of metal allergy is skin allergy against nickel especially in women who are using cheap jewelries that are made from nickel or with high nickel alloy. It has been said that 10 percent of the population unknowingly suffer from some sort of metal allergy. This cell-mediated type of hypersensitivity reaction can irritate the skin, causing rashes, eczema and inflammation with every close contact with a metal allergen.

Orthopedic patients who have implants in them may suffer from metallic allergies in one way or the other and may manifest the same signs and symptoms of cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction. These manifestations will only stop when the implants made of metal are removed.

Back in the Victorian era, the aristocratic women of Europe were fond of white creams to make their faces powdery white. This back then was trend of beauty and refinement. However, this powder caused poisoning because the powder itself was made of lead. For women who used this on themselves who had suffered from lead poisoning also suffered severe cases of metal allergy from using lead. Continue reading ‘History of Metal Allergy – Basics’ »

When most homeowners think of electronics and electronic appliances their first thought is entertainment devices. It makes sense because in many homes the HDTV is the center of family life. MP3 players, radios, and DVD players are all more popular than health and wellness electronics.

Did you know that according to the EPA that indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks? The easiest way to handle this risk is just to open the windows and let some fresh air blow in. This easy option, however, is not available to most of us for most times of the year. Nobody who lives in Florida is going to open the windows in the middle of the summer and the same for everybody who lives in New England in January.

All the sneezing, sore throats and runny noses that your family experienced this winter may not be due to colds at all. Dust, smoke, pollen and animal dander, to name a few of the particulates found in almost every home or apartment, can cause these cold-like symptoms. People susceptible to allergies are especially vulnerable to mold spores and dust mites, both of which are commonly found in indoor air. The complete list of indoor pollutants reads like the monster credits in a horror show. Continue reading ‘Healthy Electronics For Indoor Air Quality’ »

House dust mite allergies are probably much more common than you imagine. Almost every home has dust mites. They are most frequently found in beds and other soft furnishings. When you consider you spend a third of your day in bed then you are disposed to them for a long time.

It is actually the proteins found in the excretion of dust mites that causes the problem. If you inhale or touch these proteins, your body can produce antibodies, these then cause the release of a chemical called histamine which causes swelling and irritation of your airways. This can give you asthma and hay fever type symptoms. But unlike hay fever dust mites are there all year long. If you suffer from year-round allergic rhinitis, that is a snuffly nose, then it might be a smart allergy causing it. If your snuffly nose gets worse at night, then it seems logical to assume that something you are being exposed to at night is causing it.

Dust mites feed off human skin. The body releases a great deal of dead skin every day, especially when you are in bed. This is why it’s important to regularly wash and change your bedding. If you suffer badly, then you might consider having only looks that can be washed and board flaws that can be kept clean easily. Dust traps like teddy bears, cushions and general clutter encouraged us. Continue reading ‘The Raycop Helps Fight Allergies’ »

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Keep it dusted! That’s the prime rule for the spaces you spend a lot of your day in. Take a look at your keyboard and monitors and other, perhaps tucked away, electronics too. Those things attract dust like magnets. If you are allergic, keep them, dusted. Do be careful of what you use on LCD monitors. Spraying glass cleaner on them won’t do them any good, and besides, you can be allergic to that as well. If you need to dust or clean wood surfaces, test your wood cleaner first to see if it makes you sneeze. if you have to work it’s no good trying to type and sneeze at the same time. If you have a lot of knick-knacks in your office, dust those as well. Plain warm water (damp only) in a cloth is good for those, as well as any flat screens you have, or TV sets.

Your office chair is also important for good posture, and make sure that your computer height and keyboard are comfortable to use. If you practice “hunt and peck” keyboarding then there’s not much risk of your wrists getting tired because you are all over the place. If you are a touch keyboardist them using one of those gel arm/wrist rests works great. Your office chair is a critical factor in a healthy home office. If you find that leather or vinyl gets hot, then using a fabric chair works out, but only if you can keep it clean. Continue reading ‘Healthy Home Offices’ »

In this article we will discuss a cure for allergies and 3 natural ways you can cure your allergies and start feeling better. Suffering from allergies on a daily basis is a silent epidemic among many; yet we are expected to go through our day like we feel fine. We are not sick, so we don’t get the day off, yet we feel 100% worse than a person with a cold. Allergy medication doesn’t always help and it can be dangerous to take long term, so what is the answer for people who suffer from allergies? Read the 3 natural cures below and see if you can start feeling better now without the aid of medications.

1. Neti Pot: A neti pot can be used to clear out the sinus cavities, this helps to reduce allergy symptoms as many of the causes can be directly linked to the material that gets trapped in the sinuses and causes irritation. While it may seem strange to do this technique at first, it looks worse than it is and can dramatically decrease if not eliminate allergy symptoms when done on a regular basis.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Drinking apple cider vinegar upon onset of allergy symptoms or as a daily regimen has allowed many people to completely stop the histamine response and prevent their allergies. You can mix 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar with 16 oz. of water and sip it throughout the day, or drink the entire mixture all at once. Often one dose of this will stop the allergy symptoms, but others need to take it up to 3 times a day to see results. If you drink this mixture when your allergies begin, you can usually see your symptoms disappear within 1-3 a hours. It may taste disgusting at first, but you get used to it and benefits greatly outweigh the flavor! Continue reading ‘Cure For Allergies – 3 Natural Ways to Cure Your Allergies’ »

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The use of herbals and natural substances for sinusitis can be very effective against sinusitis. Most sinusitis herbals used as remedies do not possess any of the disadvantages that come with antibiotics and decongestants that may have side effects. Some people are allergic to specific chemicals and often times penicillin. Herbal remedies are simple to use. One can take them in the form of a capsule or make an extract by dissolving in warm water. Sinusitis herbal remedies are a clean way of treating sinusitis and could be as simple as inhaling their vapors or drinking an herbal tea and the effects begin within minutes when the mucus starts flowing and one can blow the nose to lose the stuffiness.

Licorice, also known as glycyrrhiza glabra, contains adrenal stimulating content that inhibits inflammation inside the nasal passage. Licorice also increases the life-duration of cortisol, a hormone that works against inflammation. However one must consult the doctor before using licorice extract or taking the capsules as it can cause loss of potassium and have side effects due to conflicts with other medications taken for the heart. Continue reading ‘Sinusitis Herbal Remedies’ »

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Sinusitis and nose functions are in constant conflict.The nose is a delicate organ performing a host of functions. This includes constantly filtering the air that is about to pass through to the lungs. Sinusitis symptoms keep the nose, the mucous membrane, cilia and the turbinates from fulfilling their designed functions. The mucous membrane moistens the nasal passages all day and secretes the mucus discharge which washes the lining and collects all the foreign particles and micro organisms trapped inside the nasal hairs. The cilia, which are delicate, slender projections of the lining in the nasal chambers constantly move and push the mucus into the throat, where the final objective is to send it to the stomach where, needless to say the harmful substances are destroyed by acids.

The turbinates perform multiple functions. These are numerous folds which create a vast surface area for maximum contact of the air with the nasal passage. This is to ensure the air is properly filtered and cleaned thoroughly before it reaches the lungs. Since the nasal passages are very small, the folds provide a great advantage by increasing the surface area through curves. The other function is that these turbinates are in contact will blood vessels. When blood vessels expand, the turbinates are clogged preventing passage of air. The design of the nose is such that the delicate cartilage called nasal septum divides the nasal passage into two airways. It is very normal functioning of the nose when air passes alternately through either passage. While cleaned air is passing through one passage, the other side is cleaning up the air and filtering it, which is done by expansion of blood vessels. The signal for blood vessels to expand is given by nerve cells present in the turbinates. Continue reading ‘Sinusitis and Its Effects on the Nose’ »