November 20, 2009

Baby Food Allergies – All you Need to Know

In recent year we have seen an increase in the susceptibility of allergies. Baby food allergies are of particular concern as the source may be difficult to detect.

Baby food allergies are as common as adult food allergies.

If your baby appears distressed for no apparent reason or has unexplained areas of itchiness to the skin, then perhaps he or she has a baby food allergy.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy can be defined as an intolerance to a particular substance when touched, inhaled, injected or ingested.

When our body is exposed to a substance that causes an allergic reaction the response may be nasal or respiratory congestion, itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, or itchy rashes anywhere on the body.

Baby Food Allergies – Can My Allergies be Passed on to my Baby?

If you tend to have an allergic reaction then your baby may have a tendency to be allergic also.

However you and your baby may not share the same food allergies or be allergic to the same substances.

You may have asthma, while your child may develop hay fever.

Baby Food Allergies – How to detect them

It can sometimes be difficult detecting the cause of baby food allergies. If you think your infant has a baby food allergy, eliminating the following products from their diet may help.

• Milk and dairy products

• Eggs

• Nuts

• Shellfish

• Citrus Fruits

Once you have eliminated each of these food groups from your baby’s diet, you can begin to reintroduce them gradually one by one.

Wait a few days before the introduction of an additional food group and do not mix food groups.

If your baby has a baby food allergy you be able to detect it by monitoring his or her reaction to the introduction of these individual food groups.

Baby Food Allergies – Can they be prevented?

Breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of his or her life helps to reduce the incidence of allergies earlier on in life.

Try to avoid giving your baby pre-prepared foods that contain additives, or tinned or packaged foods.

Baby Food Allergies – When are they Most Likely to Occur?

Baby food allergies can occur at any time. Many babies are allergic to, or have an intolerance to cows milk and your baby may develop an allergy to other milk or wheat products, shellfish, nuts or citrus fruits.

If your baby has an allergic reaction after eating a particular food, you should see the signs within an hour.

Baby Food Allergy – Signs to Look For

The symptoms of a baby food allergy could include swelling or itchiness of the lips or tongue, wheezing or a skin rash.

Some babies may develop an intolerance to particular food groups.

If your baby has a food intolerance, symptoms might include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, colic or wind.

Treating Baby Food Allergies

As long as you can find the cause, then the best way to treat a baby food allergy is to refrain from giving your baby that particular food.

If your baby is experiencing related symptoms then the allergy could be pollen related rather than a baby food allergy. Non food substances that could also cause an allergic reaction include pet hairs, tobacco smoke, feather pillows, perfume or dust mites.

Baby Food Allergies – Healthy Alternatives

If your results indicated that your infant is experiencing baby food allergies, here are some non allergic foods that you can try introducing into their diet.

• Mangoes, apples, grapes

• Barley, oats, rye

• Cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes

• Chicken, salmon

If in any doubt you should seek professional help to determine whether it is a baby food allergy or something more serious.

Baby food allergies are quote common and with a little work are fairly easy to detect. Once you have detected the source of your baby’s food allergy, the simplest way to eliminate the symptoms is to remove the cause.

Sacha Tarkovsky
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/baby-food-allergies-all-you-need-to-know-83578.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 4 Comments

November 16, 2009

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Causes

Allergic rhinitis is an atopic disease, which is inherited from the parent. If both your parents have allergic rhinitis or other respiratory diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis, and emphysema, the probability that you have these kinds of respiratory diseases is 50%. If one of your parents has respiratory diseases, the probability that you inherit their diseases is 25%. If both of your parents do not have any respiratory diseases, your chances to have respiratory diseases are no more than 12.5%. Sometimes, what has happened during pregnancy can cause allergic rhinitis to the newly born baby. The immunological status of the mother during pregnancy may cause the newly born baby has allergic rhinitis. Pregnant mothers who are smoking, drinking coffee and alcohol usually have poor immunological status, which can also cause newly born infant has allergic rhinitis or other respiratory diseases. This is because all these acts can cause high IgE antibody level in umbilical blood. Apart that, using bottle-feeding to feed milk to infant, early introduction of several kinds of food and early exposure to certain allergens and pollutants can cause nasal allergy to the newly born infant.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms change with age. At the earlier stage, children are mostly sensitive to seasonal allergens. After they have grown older, they usually become sensitive to perennial allergens. Therefore, after they have got over the symptom that is caused by seasonal allergens, they may still keep on the symptoms due to the perennial allergens. When the children grow older, they may have higher risk to have bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma. 17 to 19% of them will have asthma after grow up. To protect them from getting asthma, perennial immunotherapy should be used at the early stage. Moreover, the risk of getting asthma does not depend to age when the allergic rhinitis started, family history of atopic disease, sex, severity of symptoms at the starting period and treatment.

Allergic rhinitis started when the atopic individual meets the antigens that are able to stimulate the IgE response. So, what are substances that can act as allergens? Allergens usually are airborne particles, which have molecular weight ranging from 30 to 40,000 daltons and also with diameter ranging from 2 to 60 µm. Most of them have diameter more than 15 µm, which can deposit onto the nasal, pharyngeal and ocular surface. Chemically, these particles are proteins, which link to some small unit of carbohydrate. Particles that have these kinds of characters are pollen, acarids, animal dandruff and fungi.

Pollens that are released from grams, weeds and trees during breeding season usually cause seasonal allergic rhinitis. Only light pollens that can be pollinated by wind can exist in air and cause a high natural exposure to the allergic rhinitis patient. The seriousness depends to the concentration of the pollens in the atmosphere. Individual with allergic rhinitis who lives in suburban area will be seriously affected by these seasonal pollens compared to the one who lives in city. Surrounding temperature also gives an impact to the pollens concentration in air. Usually, in warmer environment, plants release more pollens compared to cold environment. Most of the plants breed in late spring and summer that is the warmest season. Windy weather will cause the pollens scatter around in air and this will cause the most exposure to the allergic rhinitis patient. The better day is rainy day. Rain water can wash all the pollens in air and bring them down to the ground. Surrounding air becomes fresher and cleaner after raining.

The main culprit of the perennial nasal allergy is house-dust mites. The acarids that are commonly found in the house dust are Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus and farinae, Euroglyphus maynei and Blomia tropicalis. Substances that are directly responsible to the nasal allergy from these dust mites are their body and metabolic products. Usually, mites grow rapidly in damp and warm climate. Therefore, sensitization to acarids depends to where you are actually living. Nasal allergy for patients who live in tropical and equatorial regions have higher possibility causes by acarids because these regions climate is promote mites growth. House-dust mites grow at maximized concentration when surrounding humidity level is between 70 to 80 % and with the presence of high temperature. Nasal allergy symptoms will develop when the level of dust mite concentration reaches 2 µg/g in air. Conversely, in high mountains with dry and cold climate have lowest level of dust mites because this climate prevents the mite growth. Animals also are the other source of aeroallergens. These aeroallergens are present in the animal’s saliva, feces, urine and dandruff. Therefore, nasal allergy can be caused by domestic animals such as cat and dog and also wild rats and mice.

Air pollutants enhance the sensitization of the nasal allergy by the allergens. Air pollutants can be divided to two groups that are outdoor pollutants, which are released from industrial works, automobile exhaust and domestic heating, and indoor pollutants such as tobacco smoke, furnishings, wood and coal burning and heater. Chemically, air pollutants consist of oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and black smoke. How actually air pollutants enhance sensitization of nasal allergy is not completely clear. This may be due to air pollutants easily irritate the respiratory mucosa and make it prone to allergic sensitization. Air pollutants have negative impact to the nasal epithelium and ciliary beat, which are responsible to the clearance of allergens. Furthermore, some pollutants can enhance the releasing of the mediators that induce inflammation such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotriene C-4.

Apart from that, some pollutants also can stimulate synthesis of the IgE antibody directly. When allergen binds two IgE molecules together on the mast and basophil cells surface, primary chemical mediator; histamine, will be released and it will cause nasal allergy. Therefore, we can affirm that allergens can easily enter into our blood stream through our nasal mucosal membrane if we have chronic inflammation, not enough IgA antibody, impaired ciliary beat and also with air pollutants around us. IgA antibody is very important to our body because it prevents allergens from penetrating through our nasal mucosal layer. Monounsaturated oleic acids, which can be found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive and coconut oil, hazelnut or filbert oil (or the whole nuts), green and ripe olives, and almonds can increase IgA antibody in our body. Besides oleic acids, vitamin A also can increase IgA antibody, which can be found in cod liver oil, pumpkin, cooked carrots, sweet potatoes/yams, squash and other yellow or orange vegetable.

References:

Passàli D, Mosges R. Consensus Conference of Allergic Rhinitis in Childhood. Allergy 1999;54 (Suppl 55):5–27.

Linna O, Kokkonen J, Lukin M. A 10-year prognosis for childhood allergic rhinitis. Acta Paediatr 1992;81:100–2.

Braham SS, Barrows AA, Decotiis BA, Settipane GA, Corrao WM. Airway hyperresonsiveness in allergic rhinitis. A risk factor for asthma. Chest 1987;01:671–4.

Pedvis S, Fox ZR, Bacal HL. Long-term follow-up of ragweed hay fever in children. Ann Allergy 1962;20:

569–77.

Ausdenmoore RW. Allergeni aerei e fattori ambientali. In Lawlor GJJr, Fisher TJ editors. Manuale di Immunolgia

e allergologia. Milano, Libreria Editrice Internazionale, 1990:50–62.

Taudorf E, Moseholm L. Pollen count, symptom and medicine score in birch pollinosis. A mathematical approach. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1988;86:225–33.

Krishna MT, Mudway IM, Kelly FJ, Frew AJ, Holgate ST. Ozone, airways and allergic airways disease. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25:1150–8.

Konlee, Mark. “A Consumer's Guide to Immune Restoration: The Search for 'Th1'.” Positive Health News. Report No. 18. Spring 1999.

Alexander Chong
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/allergic-rhinitis-and-its-causes-81280.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 2 Comments

November 15, 2009

Grass Allergy

Grass allergy is one of the most common and prevalent form of allergy that affects people with histories of it during certain seasons.

Grass allergy normally occurs all throughout the spring season and during the onset or ending of the summer season. Grass allergy is somehow directly linked to hay fever, because their symptoms and causes are somehow similar to each other.

Grass allergy can also take the form of an inhalant kind of allergy similar to asthma. It is noted that in the United States alone, about 30% of overall yearly allergy reported or recorded is in the form of grass allergy.

Grass allergy is caused by an allergen that invokes discomforting reaction upon body contact.

Cause of grass allergy

The most usual allergen or substance that cause or triggers grass allergy is pollen. Pollens are very tiny and small particles of ovulation structures owned by plants.

During your primary education and even in your previous Biology classes, you have encountered the word pollen on subjects related to the proliferation or reproduction of plants' flowers.

Take note that pollens are so tiny and light that they can stick to the tiny feet of butterflies. Pollens are most of the time flying or are carried out in the air especially during summer and spring when trees, flowers, and mostly, grass pollinate.

Because pollens are so light weight and they are carried over through the air, people can inhale them. Inhaling pollen can cause or trigger adverse reactions to the person.

Symptoms of grass allergy

Manifestations that indicate the onset of grass allergy are usually identified with breathing disorders.

The most common symptom of grass allergy is severe or constant dry cough. Usually these cough will occur with sore throat. It can never be mistaken for a common viral colds or cough.

The person with grass allergy also experiences difficulty in breathing. It s because the air passages are narrowed or constricted as a result of the body's defense mechanism against grass pollen.

It can be noted that since the air passage constriction is a body defense mechanism, it is not dangerous. The danger occurs when the person experiencing it panics and feel a thriving discomfort.

Itchiness which can appear in several areas of the body can also occur at the onset of a grass allergy attack.

In rare occasions, fever can also be detected. However, in such occurrences, immediate help from doctors and medical practitioners should be sought to detect the presence of complications.

Fevers indicate the presence of viral and bacterial attacks in the body and should therefore be immediately attended at to avoid further complications.

Treatment and prevention of grass allergy

The most effective treatment for grass allergy is also its most potent prevention. That is, to avoid the grass allergy causing allergens, which are usually grass pollen.

To avoid exposure to grass pollen or the possibility of grass pollen inhalation, people with histories are advised to stay indoors especially during summer and spring when grass pollens are carried out in the open air.

Doctors also advise such people to install a working air conditioner in their home and room to make sure the ventilation is good and the probability of air contamination with grass pollen is reduced.

Otherwise, medications are available both through prescription and over the counter. Allergy shots can immediately relieve and soothe the symptoms. Antihistamines are also usually prescribed to curtail grass allergy development among patients.

Charlene J. Nuble
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/grass-allergy-59620.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 5 Comments

November 14, 2009

Surgery Methods for Reducing Sleep Apnea from Nasal Obstructions

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a very serious problem that can severely impede your wellbeing. OSAS can be defined as a breathing disorder in which the sufferer actually stops breathing completely for 10 seconds or more (termed an apnea) for up to five times per hour spent asleep. To ensure that the body gets the oxygen it requires the person asleep is awakened enough to enable the re-commencement of his/ her breathing, after which sleep resumes. Being deprived of deep sleep life-long cardiovascular stress coupled with daily exhaustion has a large negative effect on the sufferers health.

OSAS can be due to an obstruction of a persons airways. When asleep peoples muscles relax, some to the point where, due to a particular set of physical characteristics, an airway is sufficiently reduced in size to allow habitual blocking. One of the commonest causes can be a deviated septum.

The septum is the wall of flesh and bone that separates each nostrils chamber. Whether due to an accident or genetic defect/ similar this part of the body can be altered with modern surgical techniques, if other techniques fail (e.g. nasal strips), to alleviate the nostril blockages. Narrowings of the nasal cavity potentially threaten the draining of the mucus from the sinuses. Infections can result from drastic build-up of waste matter in the nasal cavity, further restricting airflow. Allergic rhinitis, e.g. hay fever, can also obstruct the nasal air passages through tissue swellings.

Electrosurgical probes or lasers can be used by trained surgeons to literally burn enlarged areas of obstructing skin within the nose away, typically an office procedure. This surgery is usually directed at the surface tissue or underlying tissue (sub-mucosa). Recovery of the nose tissue when the surface was operated on tends to take 3 or more weeks. If sub-mucosal surgery was adopted the recovery is generally shorter, at around 10 days maximum.

The cartilage or bone in the nose can be broken and left to set in its new and usually more natural position. If the source of the obstruction was the thickening of nose tissue the moved tissue/ bone often returns to its original position unfortunately.

Surgical scissors or the use of a laser can remove just the flesh around the septum (turbinate excision), or the bone as well (turbinate resection). After this type of surgery a gauze soaked with antibiotics is placed in the nostrils about the surgery area for several days to prevent infection.

Of the potential complications that can occur with surgery such as this, over bleeding may result if the nose is not packed with enough sterile absorptive material. This is generally a potential problem with turbinate resections. Resections of the turbinate can also possibly end with the tissues being irreversibly dried out through too many of the blood supplying vessels having been damaged. General healing of the nose, often involving the accumulation of dried blood blocking the airways, can take longer than expected e.g. 4-6 weeks.

Alex Rider
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/surgery-methods-for-reducing-sleep-apnea-from-nasal-obstructions-52038.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print Comment

November 12, 2009

Do You Think You Have Asthma

More than fifteen million people in the United States suffer from asthma, making it a very common long-term condition that affects the human airways and breathing process. Whether or not you have experienced what asthma is, you should be aware of its existence and how it can endanger a person's well-being. Regardless if you are currently diagnosed as an asthmatic or not, knowing the nation's leading cause of chronic illness in children, less than sixteen years of age, is extremely important.

In fact, of the ten million people diagnosed with asthma, five million are children alone and over one million are asthmatics over sixty-five years of age. But although younger individuals can develop asthma more frequently than adults, the fact remains that an asthma attack can occur at any moment during our lives. Asthmatics have reported attacks while outside or inside, during any season of the year and time throughout the day. Whether or not one experiences asthma attacks once a day, a month, or a year, they can last anywhere from a few minutes to even days. But today, these upper-respiratory problems can be alleviated when surfacing, as asthmatics can decrease their severity by taking the proper medication that is prescribed by a doctor to treat their particular situation. Moreover, peak flow meters, devices that measure the amount of force an asthma patient can exhale, help asthmatics track their situation and check if an asthma attack is on its way.

Asthma affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of lugs. Those suffering from asthma have sensitive airways that can easily become swollen. During the irritation process they narrow in width, the muscles around them tighten, and there may be an increase in production of sticky mucus or phlegm. All these make the possibility of breathing extremely difficult and cause wheezing, coughing and chest pains associated with one feeling short of breath.

Unfortunately, while many suffer from asthma and the cases reported vary from rather mild to very severe, the cause of asthma is not yet fully understood. Researchers and specialized doctors have concluded that asthma is partly an allergic condition and partly hereditary (run through the family) because of the genetic connection found between asthma, hay fever and eczema. But since anyone can develop asthma at any time during their lifetime, doctors cannot predict who will suffer from asthma in the future solely based on hereditary indicators. Again, although asthma is not predictable, it is somewhat preventable. Asthmatics have to keep track of their case duration and austerity of their asthma attacks and report to their doctor any observed change. Using the peak flow meter daily and stay on alert for warning signs of possible asthma incidents are some of the practices asthmatics can use to prevent themselves from experiencing an unforeseen attack.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-you-think-you-have-asthma-51846.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 1 Comment

November 7, 2009

What Happens to you When you Have An Allergic Reaction

Each year, about midsummer, millions of children and adults begin to show various significant allergy symptoms. They sneeze, their eyes itch and become watery. They feel wretched for a month or two. Then the symptoms abate. These persons are suffering from attacks of hay fever - a prime example of what physician would call an allergic reaction.

To understand what allergies are, we must point out that when the normal equilibrium of the human body is threatened by an external agent, a sequence of automatic defense mechanisms moves into action. If the body becomes overheated, for example, it begins to perspire in order to cool itself. If it becomes too cold, it starts to shiver in an attempt to get warm.

An allergy is also a response to an external agent. But in this case the response to this outside source is severe and the reaction is neither normal nor desirable.

There are literally hundreds of possible causes of allergy, and the reaction may express itself in the human body in many different ways. One person breaks out in hives when he eats strawberries. Another starts to sneeze in the presence of dogs or cats. A third reacts to ordinary house dust. Some people have asthmatic attacks when faced by an emotional crisis.

The symptoms of allergy may first appear at any time from infancy to old age. They occur most often, however, before the age of twenty. Indeed, one of the major problems facing the doctor who treats allergies is to recognize the condition early enough so that he will be able to start treatment when it can do the most good.

Many allergic reactions are mistaken for other, less serious, conditions, especially in the case of infants and young children. Parents often neglect to mention these reactions to their physician until they have recurred several times.

It has long been known that inheritance plays a significant part in allergy. A person who has to allergic parents or whose family has a history of allergy has up to ten times as much chance of developing an allergy as a person from a non allergic family. Moreover, his or her symptoms will usually appear at an earlier age than would otherwise be the case.

However, persons with no trace of an allergic inheritance may also develop allergies, and some members of an allergic family may be completely free of allergic illnesses during their entire lives. There is not always a direct relationship between the type of allergy in the offspring. For instance, a mother with asthma may have one asthmatic child, another who suffers from allergic skin disease but who is free of asthma, and a third who shows no signs whatsoever of any allergy.

It is not allergy itself, but rather a tendency or susceptibility to allergy, that is passed on from parent to child. A person may have a tendency to manifest allergic reactions and yet never experience a single moment of allergic illness. His or her system is prepared at all times to react violently to an allergic assault. Fortunately, however, he or she will never have to come upon an allergic substance under conditions which would lead to a visible reaction.

Charles Amith
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-happens-to-you-when-you-have-an-allergic-reaction-62831.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 4 Comments

November 5, 2009

Fungal Defense Against Candida

Candida is a term that is commonly used for the medical
condition known as candidiasis; or yeast overgrowth. The
condition was first identified during the 1970's by American
doctors and is now believed to effect more than 40 million
Americans. While it should be noted that moderate amounts of
candida and other types of yeast exist in all individuals
without any problems, in some situations yeast begins to grow
uncontrollably. When this occurs it can ravage the body and
create a number of symptoms.

In some of the symptoms related to candida there is damage to
the intestinal wall. This allows toxins to escape into the
bloodstream and cause problems such as migraines, muscle aches,
food allergies and difficulty in concentration.

Other individuals who suffer from candida experience what is
known as thrush; although not everyone who has candida will have
problems with thrush. In some situations, candida will cause
problems associated with the endocrine system; which will then
lead to even more health problems. These problems may typically
include joint pains, PMS, asthma, sinus problems, hay fever,
irregularities related to a woman's menstrual cycle, fungal
infections, ear infections, weight gain/weigh loss, allergies
and/or a sensitivity to perfumes, tobacco smoke and chronic
tiredness. Finally, some individuals experiencing problems
related to candida may experience diarrhea and/or constipation,
flatulence or a bloated feeling. In very rare cases, candida has
even been known to cause problems associated with endometriosis
and other illnesses and diseases.

In total, candida has been known to cause 100 or more varied
symptoms. It is not uncommon for an individual to suffer from 20
or more symptoms associated with candida at the same time.
Symptoms related to candida have been noted to become worse when
the individual is exposed to humidity or hot weather. Stressful
conditions have also been shown to make candida worse.

In addition to the symptoms listed above, candida has also been
noted to cause other health issues such as rectal and/or vaginal
itching and pain, colic, diaper rash, acne, hives, kidney and
bladder infections, flu like symptoms, spotted vision,
impotence, lack of sexual desire, psoriasis, eczema, heartburn,
indigestion, bad breath, sore throat, hemorrhoids, dry mouth,
cough, painful intercourse and loss of hair.

One of the most common causes of problems associated with
candida is the usage of antibiotics. In situations where the
body's immune system has already been compromised due to
hormonal changes, stress or illness antibiotics are believed to
further contribute to a situation in which candida may flourish.
The use of birth control pills has also been shown to be
associated with the development of candida.

In many cases, individuals live with the effects and symptoms of
candida for years because portions of the health community have
been reluctant to admit the link between antibiotics and the
development of candida or even that a problem exists in some
cases.

Fungal Defense delivers the most effective anti-yeast and
anti-fungal compounds found in nature. It contains a specific
anti-candida formula to help you battle the effects of this
debilitating health issue. In addition, it helps to restore
health intestinal flora and enhance immune functions

Generation Health
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/fungal-defense-against-candida-1388.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print Comment

November 4, 2009

Asthma And Allergies

If you are troubled by both allergies and asthma you might thinking, "if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all". The fact is that it is estimated that as many as sixty percent of the asthma cases in the U.S. are allergy related. You are not alone. There are many people like yourself who are suffering from the same double barreled malady. The fact is that allergies can induce or agrivate asthma. Both the lining of the nose and throat are susceptible to allergic reactions to molds. pollen and whatever els it is you may be allergic to. You may be suffering from allergy induced asthma and not even know it.

There is hope however. Ongoing research has made en roads into the connection between allergies and asthma. Over the years people who were treating their asthma with strictly asthma medications might have been treating the symptom and not the cause all along. Allergen immunotherapy has been shown to work on people with allergy induced asthma in many cases. For these people desensidation shots have been a blessing and have been successful of relieving them of their suffering by enabling their body to have the allergic reactions that were causing their asthma.

There are a number of medicines available that can help to reduce the inflammation in the throat of the asthma sufferer. The come in all forms from inhalers to pill form to injections and if your type of asthma is allergy induced they can be helpful in bringing you relief from allergy induced asthma. It is possible to have allergies and have asthma be your only reaction. That is, you need not show any other allergic reactions other that your allergy induced asthma. So you may be one of the many people out there suffering from allergy induced asthma who don't even know that this is the cause of their suffering.

Who is at risk of having allergy induced asthma? If you have a family history of allergies and also have asthma than you are at a higher risk than normal that your asthma is allergy induced asthma. Studies have shown that up to seventy-two percent of people who have asthma also have hay fever. This is not to say that all asthma cases are allergy induced asthma. There are in fact several other forms of asthma that are not allergy induced asthma. Other forms of asthma are exercise induced asthma, and non allergic asthma, triggered by cold air or asthma triggered by gastroesophogeal reflux disease. It is important that you determine what type of asthma you have.

The fact is that there is hope for all asthma sufferers. Ongoing research is developing new treatments for both allergy induced asthma and non allergic asthma. Many research scientists believe that a cure is on the horizon. In the absence of a complete cure though, great strides have been made in the treatment of the symptoms that make those who suffer from the malady miserable. Some have found a combination of treatment strategies to be the answer to their problem. Finding and removing the source of their allergy symptoms is of course the first step if at all possible. Many times this is the solution. The important thing is that you not give up your hunt for help.

Sven Ullmann
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/asthma-and-allergies-121168.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 3 Comments

November 1, 2009

10 Skin-care Tips: Look Stunning in your 40s

Stay Beautiful in Your 40s

Deeper wrinkles and reduced elasticity and firmness are the most common skin problems in this decade, as years of sun exposure and declining estrogen take their toll.

As you age, decreasing estrogen levels influence the production of other substances in your body. For example, the amount of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring chemical that helps keep skin firm, begins to decline, affecting your skin's ability to retain moisture.

Oil production also slows down, reducing natural lubrication. To help counteract these changes, use creams that contain humectants (like glycerin, citric acid, propylene glycol, urea, and phospholipids) and emollients (such as petrolatum, shea butter, and cetyl alcohol) to seal in moisture.

Skin Care Tips

1. Amp up your regimen. Look for cleansers and toners with more moisturizing capacity. Exfoliate more often.

2. Check your eyes. The skin around your eyes is thinner and may develop more obvious lines, discoloration or puffiness. Use specialized spot treatments for the eye area.

3. Choose multi-tasking makeup. Many modern cosmetics gently treat as they cover. Use those especially designed for aging or damaged skin. Caution: Hold back on coloration as heavy makeup can make imperfections more glaring.

4. Pour on some body love. Indulge your body to improve your mood and alleviate the discomforts of hot flashes and night sweats. Use shower gels and lotions liberally.

5. Practice a regular cleansing routine. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize…this daily routine should carry you on your way toward healthier skin. Select a gentle skin cleansing solution that works for your specific type of skin - dry, oily, normal.

Using your selected product, cleanse face in a circular motion and rinse with lukewarm water, as hot water zaps skin's moisture.

6. Daily use of sunscreen products with at least an SPF of 15 and antioxidants along with protective clothing such as full-brimmed hats, long sleeved blouses and shirts, and slacks instead of shorts will greatly reduce the aging of the skin and the possibility of skin cancer.

7. Facial skin care should also be of concern and sunglasses should be worn while outside. This will protect the eyelids from aging and will help reduce crows feet by reducing the squinting which comes from sun exposure without eye protection.

8. Scaly patches of skin can be a disappointment if you are planning to bare your skin. These spots are 'eczema', which presents itself in a number of ways, including itching, rashes and thickened brown patches of skin. People who suffer from hay fever and other allergies may be at greater risk of developing eczema.

Keep the affected areas well moisturized using a thick moisturizing cream. You can also try experimenting with a lotion containing AHAs to slough off the thickened skin. Avoid picking or scratching at the patches as this can lead to bleeding and scarring. Visit a dermatologist if the problem persists.

9. Frequent weight gains and losses can also dramatically affect the elasticity of the skin. When the weight is gained, the skin stretches to accommodate the excess weight. When a lot of weight is lost, quickly, the skin doesn't have time to accommodate the changing contours and sagging and premature wrinkling can occur.

Gradual weight loss should not impact the skin, although a reduced calorie diet can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless unless the diet is well balanced.

10. Many studies have been done over the years demonstrating the healing and physiological properties of bovine colostrum. Colostrum helps the immune system to function more efficiently, maintain peak performance and fight acne causing bacteria.

Colostrum supplies growth factors (hormones) as well as stimulating the endocrine system to keep producing its own supply of hormones. Research strongly indicates that the combination of growth and immune factors in colostrum works together to create a potent anti-aging effect, including tighter skin, and regrowth of cells and tissue of organs that normally decrease in size with age.

Daily supplementation on Bovine Colostrum allows the body to have improved resilience against any type of stress. Overall health and well being is accomplished when the body has all of the necessary factors it needs for defense, healing and repair.

If you have special skin issues, such as stubborn acne, rosacea, or extremely sensitive or oily skin, the best thing to do is to seek out the advice of a professional dermatologist.

Pretty, healthy skin is well within your grasp, with a little bit of awareness, determination and persistence on your part. The results are definitely worth it. Live juicy and be happy with your largest organ!

Note: None of the information in this article is scientifically based, but it does work, based on the personal experiences of myself and many others.

For more info on Bovine Colostrum, Visit :

http://www.BuyBovineColostrum.com

Farrell Seah
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/10-skincare-tips-look-stunning-in-your-40s-70569.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print Comment

October 31, 2009

If you Think Allergies are not a Big Deal, Think Again

There's always seemed to be a suspicion of a link between asthma and allergies. Asthma, is a chronic illness characterized by inflammation of respiratory tubes that result in wheezing, a choking sensation and shortness of breath. A better understanding of asthma will result in an appreciation of the importance to address allergies quickly. Simply stated, continued research is suggesting that allergies are a main cause of the development of asthma.

The case concerning the connection between allergies and asthma is so strong that it has led Dr. James T. Li, an allergy specialist at the www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergies-and-asthma/ to suggest that it's many as 60% of the people with asthma have a form of allergy induced asthma. If correct, this makes allergies one of the leading causes of asthma. Given the high number and type of asthmatic triggers that have been identified, it shouldn't come as a surprise that allergies may play a large role in the development of asthma

A trigger is simply an event that can cause someone with asthma to have an attack. While many people with allergies have cold and flu like symptoms, an allergy attack can seriously affect one's ability to breathe. Asthma triggers include dust, dust mites, molds and mildew, pet dander, smoke odors and almost anything that can be taken into the body by breathing. So it stands to reason that many of the causes of allergy would be closely related to asthma.

Allergen immunotherapy, which is allergy shots that desensitize, have been shown to significantly improve asthma. If you or someone you know has allergic asthma, the best treatment continues to be reducing your exposure to the things that may trigger an asthma attack. Understand however, that having allergies does not automatically mean that you will develop asthma, only that it increases your risk significantly. According to Dr. Li, up to 78% of the people who have asthma also have hay fever.

The key then is to understand that at a minimum, there is a casual link between allergies in the development of asthma. For this reason alone, it makes sense to try and limit your exposure to potential asthma triggers that may be in your home.

Although allergies seem to play a key role in the development of asthma, it's not the only cause to consider. There are many other forms of asthma that can develop over the course of time. With the prevalence of allergies playing a large role in the number of asthma cases, it just makes sense to protect yourself as much as possible.

Abigail Franks
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/if-you-think-allergies-are-not-a-big-deal-think-again-83187.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Permalink Print 8 Comments

How Hay Fever Affects The Body

Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe — you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles in your body, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergens, which simply means they can cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs only in people who have a condition called atopy. It means that allergens are likely to cause an allergic reaction. An atopic person often develops more than one allergy. Experts don't know why people become atopic and have allergic reactions. Most people who have allergies have family members who also have some kind of allergy. The first time you are exposed to an allergen in the air, your body's immune system may recognize the allergen as a foreign substance. Your body reacts by making antibodies against the allergen. The next time you are exposed to the allergen, the antibodies attack it, releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause the symptoms of your allergy. This is called sensitization. If sensitization occurs, it tends to be after age 3. Children who develop allergic rhinitis after age 3 generally become allergic to many allergens, including dust mites, dander on pets, and pollens. If you have a pollen allergy, your symptoms may vary according to the climate and the types of plants that grow in your area. If you have symptoms in: * Winter and spring, you are probably allergic to tree pollens; * Summer, you are probably allergic to grass and weed pollens; * Late summer and fall, you probably are allergic to ragweed or other weed pollens, such as tumbleweed or sage. Hay fever can affect your health if you do not treat it, particularly women in their menopause years. If it lasts a long time, you may have complications such as sinusitis, plugged ears and ear infections. Many people with asthma also have hay fever, and researchers are looking at whether allergic rhinitis may lead to asthma. Hay fever can also affect your quality of life. You may avoid seeing people, have problems sleeping, and feel tired or irritable. You may have trouble with school or work.

Best Tips For Managing Hay Fever Symptoms

"Hay fever" or seasonal allergic rhinitis affects over 20 percent of the people living in the US. Most common in early spring, the symptoms of hay fever develop as a reaction to allergens (allergy-causing substances) in the air, most notably to pollens in the early spring. Other examples of airborne allergens include mold spores, dust, and animal dander. Pollen consists of the minuscule, male cells of flowering plants. Pollen from garden flowers usually doesn't cause allergies, since this type of pollen is large and waxy and most often carried by insects. Small, light, dry pollens produced by trees, grasses, and weeds can disseminate with the wind and lead to allergic symptoms. Your physician can help you determine whether treatments are necessary, such as prescription or nonprescription antihistamines to control the symptoms of hay fever. Whether or not you take medication for hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, you can still take steps to reduce the severity of your symptoms and get rid of allergy-related insomnia . The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) has some useful tips for those who suffer from seasonal allergies: 1. Wash bed sheets weekly in hot water. 2. Always bathe and wash hair before bedtime (pollen can collect on skin and hair throughout the day). 3. Do not hang clothes outside to dry where they can trap pollens. 4. Wear a filter mask when mowing or working outdoors. 5. Avoid peak times for pollen exposure (hot, dry, windy days, usually between 10 am and 4 pm). Although pollens are usually emitted in early morning, peak times for dissemination are between around 10 am and 4 pm. 6. Be aware of local pollen counts in your area (visit the National Allergy Bureau Web site). 7. Keep windows and car windows closed; use air conditioning in both if possible rather than opening windows. 8. Perform a thorough spring cleaning of your home, including replacing heating and A/C filters and cleaning ducts and vents. 9. Check bathrooms and other damp areas in your home frequently for mold and mildew, and remove visible mold with nontoxic cleaners. 10. Keep pets out of the bedroom and off of furniture, since they may carry pollen if they have been outdoors.

Got Hay Fever? Get To Work With Hay Fever Relief!

Hay fever slams people every spring: can't breath; can't think; can't even hear very well. Do you call in sick or drag your fuzzy-brained self to the office? Or do you simply pop an allergy pill and get on with your day? Either way, American workers have long waged a battle with hay fever. Hay fever is the fifth most common chronic disease - topped by orthopaedic problems, sinusitis, high blood pressure, arthritis and constipation, according to the National Academy on an Aging Society. Ten years ago, nearly seven million workdays were lost because of hay fever allergies, either through absenteeism or "presenteeism" - when workers show up but are less productive. The total cost to employers was more than $600 million in lost productivity because of allergies and taking sedating allergy medications at work. At that time, the nonsedating antihistamines were prescription drugs, and oftentimes expensive, especially for people without drug coverage. That has changed, however, over the last few years, now that there are new medications that promise to alleviate hay fever among children, teenagers and adults and are less expensive. For people with hay fever who get the right medicine and the right dosage, the amount of lost productivity has dropped to almost zero. But if you are not taking medication or taking the wrong medication there will be lost productivity. For employers, the message is clear: they need to educate workers on allergy cures. Also employers should make sure health plans cover prescription medications if people do not benefit from the over the counter allergy drugs. After all, for hay fever sufferers, the symptoms are no small matter. If you do not have allergies, you do not realize it but hay fever is more than just a stuffy nose because there are whole-body effects that make it hard to function.

The Symptoms, Causes And Hay Fever Diagnosis That You Must Take Note Of

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever happens when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe - in short, you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles in your body, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergen. This allergens can cause an allergic reaction. People with allergies, for example in anti aging skin care products, usually have symptoms for many years. You may have symptoms often during the year, or just at certain times. You also may get other problems such as sinusitis and ear infections as a result of your allergies. Over time, allergens may begin to affect you less, and your symptoms may not be as severe as they had been. In most cases, when you have allergic rhinitis: You sneeze again and again, especially after you wake up in the morning; You have a runny nose and postnasal drip. The drainage from a runny nose caused by allergies is usually clear and thin. But it may become thicker and cloudy or yellowish if you get a nasal or sinus infection; Your eyes are watery and itchy; Your ears, nose, and throat are itchy. You probably know that pollens from tress, grasses, and weeds cause allergic rhinitis. Many people have allergies to dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold as well. Things in the workplace, such as cereal grain, wood dust, chemicals, or lab animals, can also cause hay fever. If you are allergic to pollens, you may have symptoms only at certain times of the year. If you are allergic to dust mites and indoor allergens, you may have symptoms all the time. To find out if you have allergies, your physician will ask about symptoms and examine you. Knowing what symptoms you have, when you get them, and what makes them worse or better can help your doctor know whether you have allergies or another problem. If you have severe symptoms, you may need to have allergy tests to find out what you are allergic to. * Your physician may do a skin test. In this test your doctor puts a small amount of an allergen into your skin to see if it causes an allergic reaction. * Your doctor may order lab tests. These tests can find substances in your blood or other fluids that may mean you have hay fever. There is no cure for hay fever. One of the best things you can do is to avoid the things that cause your allergies. You may need to clean your house often to get rid of dust, animal dander, or molds. Of you may need to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Unless you have another health problem, such as asthma, you may take over the counter medicines to cure your symptoms at home. If you do have another problem, talk to your physician first. Others also should talk to their doctor before starting self-treatment include older adults, children, and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. If your allergies bother you a lot and you can't avoid the things you are allergic to, you and your physician can decide if you should get allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help control your systems. For allergy shots to work, you need to know what you are allergic to. Finding the ed treatment that works best for you may take a little time.

Treatments And Drugs For Hay Fever

There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications available that help relieve hay fever symptoms. They include pills, liquids, nasal sprays and eyedrops. Many people get the best gift ideas and relief from a combination of allergy medications. You may need to try several medications to identify what works best for you. Over-the-counter medications may be enough to relieve your hay fever symptoms; or, you may need a prescription from your doctor. If your child has hay fever, talk with your doctor about the best treatment. Some medications are approved for use in children, while others are only approved for adults. If you want to try an over-the-counter medication for your kid, be sure to read the labels carefully. Medications for hay fever include: * Nasal Corticosteroids. These nasal sprays help prevent and treat the inflammation caused by hay fever. For many people they are the most effective hay fever medications, and they are often the first medication prescribed. Although hay fever medications can start to work after a few days of treatment, you may not notice any improvement until after you have used them for a week or so. Nasal corticosteroids are a safe long-term treatment for most people. Side effects can include an unpleasant smell or taste and nose irritation. * Oral Corticosteroids. Corticosteroid medications in pill form are sometimes used to relieve severe allergy symptoms. Because the long-term use of oral corticosteroids can cause serious side effects such as cataracts, osteoporosis and muscle weakness, they are usually prescribed only for short periods of time. * Antihistamines. These oral medications and nasal sprays can help with itching, sneezing and runny nose, but have less effect on congestion. They work by blocking histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Older over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine work as well as newer ones, but can make you drowsy. Newer oral antihistamines are less likely to make you drowsy, but are more costly than the older antihistamines. * Decongestants. These medications are available in over-the-counter and prescription liquids, tablets and nasal sprays. Because oral decongestants can raise blood pressure, avoid them if you have high blood pressure. Oral decongestants can also worsen the symptoms of prostate enlargement, making urination more difficult. Do not use a decongestant nasal spray for more than two or three days at a time because it can cause rebound congestion when used longer. * Cromolyn Sodium. This medication is available as an over-the-counter nasal spray that must be used several times a day. It helps relieve hay fever symptoms by preventing the release of histamine. Cromolyn sodium does not have serious side effects, and it is most effective when started before signs and symptoms develop. * Leukotriene Modifiers. Montelukast (Singulair) is a prescription tablet taken to block the action of leukotrienes — immune system chemicals that cause allergy symptoms such as excess mucus production. It has proved effective in treating allergic asthma, and it is also effective in treating hay fever. Possible side effects include headache. Less common side effects include abdominal pain, cough, dental pain and dizziness. Like antihistamines, this medication is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids. It is often used when nasal sprays cannot be tolerated, or when mild asthma is present. * Nasal Atropine. Available in a prescription nasal spray, ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) helps relieve a severe runny nose by preventing the glands in your nose from producing excess fluid. It is not effective for treating congestion, sneezing or postnasal drip. Mild side effects include nasal dryness, nosebleeds and sore throat. Rarely, it can cause more-severe side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness and difficult urination. The drug is not recommended for people with glaucoma or men with an enlarged prostate. Other treatments for hay fever include: * Immunotherapy. If medications do not relieve your hay fever symptoms, your healthcare provider or doctor may recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy or desensitization therapy). Over a period of 3 to 5 years, you receive regular injections containing purified allergen extracts. The goal is to desensitize you to specific allergens, reduce your signs and symptoms, and decrease your need for medications. Immunotherapy may be especially effective if you are allergic to cat dander, dust mites, or pollen produced by trees, grass and weeds. In children, immunotherapy may help prevent the development of asthma. * Nasal Lavage. To help with irritating nasal symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you rinse your nose with salt water. Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or prepare your own saltwater solution using 1/4 teaspoon of salt mixed with two cups of warm water. Both can be extremely effective at relieving congestion.

Ways To Prevent Hay Fever

There is no proven way to avoid getting hay fever, but you can prevent allergy symptoms by avoiding the things that trigger your reactions. While the evidence is not clear yet, doctors think reducing a child's exposure to allergy-causing substances such as dust mites may help delay or prevent hay fever. This may be especially true in children with a family history of allergies. It is not possible to completely avoid allergens, but you can reduce your signs and symptoms by taking some steps with website design Lexington to limit your exposure to them. It helps to know exactly what you are allergic to so that you can take steps to avoid your specific triggers. 1. Pollen Or Molds: * Close doors and windows during pollen season. * Do not hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels. * Use air conditioning in your house and car. * Use an allergy-grade filter in the ventilation system. * Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest. * Stay indoors on dry, windy days. * Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity. * Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom. * Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves, which stirs up pollen and molds. * Wear a dust mask when doing outdoor activities such as gardening. 2. Dust Mites: * Use allergy-proof covers on mattresses, box springs and pillows. * Wash sheets and blankets in water heated to at least 130 F (54 degree Celsius). * Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity. * Vacuum carpets weekly with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a small-particle or HEPA filter. * Consider removing carpeting, especially where you sleep, if you are highly sensitive to dust mites. 3. Cockroaches * Block cracks and crevices where roaches can enter. * Fix leaky faucets and pipes. * Wash dishes and empty garbage daily. * Sweep food crumbs from counters and floors. * Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers. * Consider professional pest extermination. 3. Pet dander * Remove pets from the house, if possible. * Bathe pets weekly. Using wipes designed to reduce dander also may help. * Keep your pet out of the bedroom.

Hay Fever: Are You Sure It Is Not Your Problem?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an allergic response to pollen that affects the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and air passages. Symptoms include itchy eyes, watery discharge from the nose and eyes, sneezing, and nervous irritability. Many of the symptoms of hay fever are similar to those of the common cold. However, allergies cause a distinctive clear, thin nasal discharge, whereas secretions caused by colds usually become thick and yellow-green as the illness progresses. Also, colds are often associated with mild fever and are usually gone within a week, while allergy sufferers often have a feeling of being "wiped out" for weeks on end. At least 22 million Americans suffer from the seasonal sneezes, runny nose, and itchy eyes that come with hay fever. There are actually three hay fever seasons, distinguished by the different types of pollen present at different times. Tree pollens appear first, usually between February and May, depending on the local climate. The biggest problems come later in spring and in summer, when both tree and grass pollens - and people - are out at the same time. The fall is ragweed pollen season. Depending on which pollen or pollens an individual is allergic to, hay fever may be present at any or all of these times. People who suffer from hay fever often also suffer from other so-called atopic disorders, such as asthma and dermatitis. Those who suffer from hay fever symptoms and work on SEO campaign throughout the year are said to have perennial rhinitis. The symptoms may be triggered by animal hair, dust, feathers, fungus spores, or some other environmental agent. People prone to allergies are most often aware of the time of year and conditions under which they are most sensitive. For a definitive diagnosis, the radioallergosorbent (RAST) test is easily done and gives reliable results.

Why Choose MBtickets.com For Your Los Angeles Laker Tickets

Basketball has become an insatiable passion for American. People love playing and watching this game whether in a backyard, a blacktop urban playground, or an indoor stadium. In fact basketball is one of the largest spectator sports and its obsession is unstoppable because of its high score, fast pace and employing of some of the worlds best players and athletes. Do not miss out on this exceptional show of athleticism because being at an NBA Finals game or even in a regular season game is the experience of a lifetime. The excitement in the stadium, the shouting is absolutely intoxicating. Buy your NBA tickets from MBtickets.com. MBtickets has all the best basketball tickets for every regular season game, NBA playoff tickets, and NBA Finals tickets. No matter how hard it is to get your hands on Los Angeles Laker tickets, MBtickets.com will prove to you that they are the best place to get them. Still not convinced that MBtickets.com are the best NBA ticket broker? MBtickets.com also provide NBA basketball team information, updated selection of event schedules, and news. In the mean time, do not miss out on the most exciting entertainment being played in cities across the country. Athletes keep getting better and as a result, so do the games. Indulge yourself and let MBtickets.com supply you with the best basketball sports tickets to every game you want to see.