Allergies

Effective Allergy Solutions - 5 Ways To Effectively Manage Airborne Allergies

2011-10-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Being allergic to common indoor pollutants such as dust, dust mites, and pet dander can really take it toll on your physical and emotional health. Here are 5 not too hard ways to clear the air of these problem causing allergens.

Change Filters As Needed----Your central heating and air conditioning system has filters. Check them regularly and change them whenever they start to fill up.

Once you know about how long it takes for them to need changing, plug a reminder into your mobile device or laptop so that you stay on schedule.

The amount of time between changes may vary according to seasons, so stay alert and move the schedule to a shorter or longer period to compensate.

Wash Linens Regularly---Dust mites are most often found in the bedroom and are one of the most potent allergy triggers known. Every home has them regardless of how clean it is. But you can significantly decrease their number and most probably your symptoms by washing your linens weekly with water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since these bugs are killed by sunlight, letting your bed remain uncovered while you launder the linen is another way to reduce their numbers. Be sure to wash your pet's special pillow or bedding frequently too.

These natural solutions are effective, non-invasive, and cost effective. Sprays and pesticides for mites increase the potential for health problems, discoloration of rugs and fabrics, and need to be repeated so they are labor intensive too.

Furnish Your Home With Allergies In Mind---Rome wasn't built in a day, and unless you are buying a new house and all new furniture, it will take time to affect this change. But with this as a goal, it will happen as you need to make changes.

Hard surfaces for floors such as tile, linoleum, wood, faux wood and stone are easier to clean and they take no prisoners in the form of mites. Small throw rugs scattered about are easier and less costly to clean.

Materials that can easily be cleared of particles such as blinds and shades keep the ntmber of particulates lower than draperies and other elaborate window treatments.

Clean With Water---When possible remove dust by damp wiping surfaces. Steam clean floors your floors where possible. This cuts down on the amount of particles that are sent into the air and really takes them out of circulation.

For rugs and other areas where water or steam is not appropriate, use a HEPA vacuum. This type of cleaner has a filter that will keep particles that it removes from going back into the air.

Use a HEPA Air Purifier---One of the best ways to continually remove allergy irritants from the air is to continually filter the air with a purifier that contains a high efficiency particle arresting filter. This is the type of technology that hospitals use to keep the air clean.

This type of filter can remove airborne particulates as small as.3 microns which is far smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. Continuous cleaning of the air along with the other 4 suggestions in this article will increase your chances of lessening your allergy symptoms and improving your quality of life.

Avoiding Scent Allergies

2011-10-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Some of the most powerful parts of the holiday season are the smells... candles that fill a room with the fragrance of home baked goodies, or air fresheners that leave a room filled with the refreshing outdoor scent of pine. These products add a subtle something to the air for some, while triggering uncomfortable scent allergies (and possibly asthma) for others.

As these scented products have grown more popular, allergists are seeing more complaints from people about reactions to all the fragrance. There's sneezing and coughing, and while there isn't an allergy test for these products, people certainly seem capable of having strong reactions to them.

An allergy expert made a presentation on the health risks of scented products citing a 2009 study that found large numbers of Americans are affected by pollutants found in products we use every day.

Almost 11% of over 2,000 adults who were surveyed reported a hypersensitivity to popular laundry products; almost 31% reported adverse reactions to scents on other people, with about 20% reporting problems (trouble breathing, headache) when around air fresheners. For those with asthma, the rate was 34% who had bothersome symptoms when around air fresheners or scented candles.

These scented products do emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), defined as chemicals forming a gas or vapor when at room temperature. Some of the VOCs in air fresheners include formaldehyde, petroleum, benzene, styrene, terpenes, alcohol, phosphates, bleach and even ammonia.

High levels of VOCs can lead to irritation of the eye and difficulty breathing, as well as headaches, dizziness and memory impairment. A study conducted in 2008 discovered that a large number of laundry soaps and room deodorizers gave off potentially dangerous VOCs.

A particular brand of plug in freshener sent out more than 20 VOCs, 7 of these classed as toxic or hazardous in existing federal laws. Candles produce soot, organic compounds and VOCs - including benzene and lead.

Today experts estimate more than 75% of American homes use scented air fresheners and other such products. And not just for the holidays, now we expect our homes to smell pleasing year round, and with this demand, an industry has grown accordingly.

What's more, these products aren't limited to homes. More often scented products appear in the workplace. If you like the smell, you probably don't mind, but if it left you sneezing and coughing you'd probably feel differently. Just because something smells good to you doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same way. Often some smells, such as the food type can be tolerated, while flowery ones cannot.

The scented products industry group says that VOCs aren't necessarily all that bad. Anything that gives off a scent, they say, is sending out a VOC.

In the U.S. air fresheners and other scented products are governed by the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, both requiring product producers to inform consumers about any risks or compounds that might contribute to a health risk. There are some who feel these requirements aren't nearly strict enough.

If you find yourself uncomfortable with all the scented products, talk with an allergist about your symptoms and your fragrance exposure. There are coping strategies and treatments for scent allergies that can help.

Ninety Percent of All Acknowledged Food Allergic Reactions Originate From These Foods

2011-09-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

A food allergy can range from uncomfortable to dangerous. It is caused when a normally harmless substance causes our immune system to react in an inflammatory response usually on the skin or respiratory system, and when the airways constrict due to swelling, known as laryngeal edema, the condition may be life-threatening. Allergies can be caused by airborne substances like pollen and bee stings and bites of other insects, but for this piece we will confine our discussion to common food allergies.

Food allergies should not be confused with food intolerance. The symptoms may be similar, but food allergies, though usually easier to diagnose, are often more critical. A true food allergy requires the presence of Immunoglobulin E, a class of antibody found only in mammals. These antibodies react against the problematic food, and food intolerance does not exhibit the same reaction.

It can be said that about 90% of all food allergies are caused by eight different foods. These foods are as follows:

1. Peanuts. These are really legumes, as they are grown underground. Peanuts are one of the allergies most common, and they have been known to cause severe reactions. They are also a problem because they contain a number of allergens that cannot be destroyed by cooking, and trace amounts can cause severe reactions in sensitive people.

2. Soya. An allergy similar to milk allergy, this is typically found with young children who typically outgrow it by the age of two. It is usually not considered dangerous but it has been known to cause anaphylaxis.

3. Cow's milk. The most common allergy to young children (about five percent of those under one year) who usually outgrow the condition by three. The symptoms usually are quite mild, but in rare cases can cause anaphylaxis.

4. Nuts. We refer only to those grown on trees (not peanuts) such as pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds and pine nuts. People allergic to these nuts usually have a lifelong condition, and for people who are sensitive can cause anaphylaxis.

5. Eggs. Similar to milk, egg allergies usually afflict young children who grow out of it by the age of three; however it is more apt to cause anaphylaxis than milk.

6. Fish. Similar to shellfish, this is more likely to afflict adults rather than children and can cause very severe reactions, including anaphylaxis. Cooking does not destroy these allergens.

7. Shellfish. This is more common in adults and can be quite severe, even to the point of reacting to vapors of cooking shellfish. Examples are prawns, crab, lobster, crayfish, scallops, oysters, clams and mussels.

8. Wheat. This allergy is quite common with babies, and may be circumvented with a gluten-free diet.

These are only eight common food allergies, however there are many more. But these cover just about all that are afflicted by food allergies, and as in many young children they simply outgrow the condition. But it is definitely something that shouldn't be taken lightly, as if a person consumes a food that their system cannot handle there could be dire consequences. There are no perfectly accurate statistics on the number of people who die from allergic reaction, but a Harvard study estimated the average deaths in the United States annually to be 150 people. It may not seem like many unless it is someone close to you.

Benefits of Salt Lamps

2011-09-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

Salt lamps are natural ionizers; they purify the air in a room by charging the room with heavily negative ions. This process is purification is the same as houseplants, rain and sea air. The salt derives from the dried ocean beds from Poland, Iran and the Himalayas.

Crystal salt is pure and unrefined containing large amounts of trace minerals. The crystals are typically red, orange or pink in color. Lamps are either crystals in a cut or polished form, or in a rough and natural state. Each piece of crystal is indented and fitted with a candle holder or a bulb.

There are several Benefits of an emotional and health nature; however, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Placing the lamps near your workstation or your computer, assists in reducing electromagnetic field (EMF) effects emitted electronic devices such as computer monitors. The energy emitted from EMF's is associated with increased tiredness and a lack of concentration. It is also linked to headaches, depression and a weak immune system.

Negative ions assist in improving overall health, and they are said to rid the air from dust, bacteria, allergens, smoke and other baneful particles.

One of the many benefits is to place a lamp in an area of the home such as a family room or passageway, since they produce tranquil and calming effects. Salt Lamps are also beneficial in a therapeutic environment such as a massage room as they are said to help with relaxation. You can also use a salt lamp for meditation, as they assist in taking the mind into a deeper and more tranquil state.

The principles of feng shui state that energy is affected by placing objects within a particular area. If you live with your partner, place a salt lamp in the right rear corner of your home, this will assist in improving your relationship.

Salt lamps are natural relaxation tools made from thousand years' old salt. They are made from various colored salt rock crystals like violet, orange and white that have stripes, colors and textures. These lamps emit healthy amounts of negative ions when heated, and it is these negative ions that are responsible for the many salt lamp benefits.

1. These negative ions are produced when a heated candle interacts with the salt crystals, and help clean the air while improving focus and healing. This is why salt lamps make great night lamps that promote sound sleep through the clean and healthy atmosphere it creates in the room.

2. They are also great for use in the workplace as they help improve concentration while reducing stress and fatigue. Besides these direct health benefits, if placed in a workplace, they help at reducing the radiation omitted by office equipment, especially from computer monitors.

3. They are effective in relieving the effects of artificial lights. They are popular in hospital and clinical environments like waiting rooms as they help create a sense of calm and comfort in the room it is placed and thus reduces stress.

4. They are also useful in bars, clubs, casinos, coffee shops and basically any public place where there is lots of smoking and cigarette smoke as they help reduce the residue of lingering smoke. In fact, not only do these lamps emit healthy negative ions, they also absorb the positive ions that cigarette smoke creates.

5. Another addition in salt lamp benefits is it's use in color therapy or chromotherapy where the light's soothing effect helps calm down people with neurotic or insomnia disorders. They also help allergy sufferers as it keeps the air around them clean, safe and naturally ionized.

3 Reasons You Should Try a Gluten-Free Diet

2011-09-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Gluten is a substance that is found in several grains, most commonly in wheat, that can wreak havoc on the digestive system and be at the root of many health issues. Even symptoms that you think may have nothing to do with a food allergy can be caused by an intolerance to gluten. Researchers are finding that people may be placed on a spectrum of gluten intolerance: those who are very tolerant at one end, and those who have celiac disease at the other.

How Do You Know if You're Gluten Intolerant?

Not everyone who has a gluten intolerance will test positive for celiac disease. If you have certain health problems that you just can't seem to get rid of, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a mood disorder, or persistent skin irritation, a gluten-free diet may be the answer you are looking for. A good way to determine intolerance is to try removing all gluten-containing products from your diet for three to four weeks. If your symptoms subside when it is removed, you may have your answer.

There are a variety of health issues that can surface as a result of gluten intolerance. Digestive problems, undiagnosed symptoms, and other issues that occur even after testing negative for celiac disease are a few signs that a change in diet may be in order.

You Have Leaky Gut or Other Digestive Problems

Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestine has been damaged to the point where toxins and food can pass through and enter into the bloodstream. This not only causes digestive problems, but also compromises your immune system, making you susceptible to whatever is going around.

Gluten attaches to the lining of the intestine, which causes it to tear. Healthy bacteria, also called probiotics, are destroyed and nutrient-absorbing villi are damaged. If you have gluten sensitivities, you may even have symptoms of malnutrition because your body is unable to absorb vital nutrients as a result of this injury.

You Can't Seem to Get Rid of Your Symptoms

The damage that is done to your intestinal lining can lead to a host of health problems. From irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to fibromyalgia, gluten can be the root cause of a wide range of issues.

People who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance may also have a lack of energy, problems with mood swings and depression, or itchy rashes.

You Tested Negative for Celiac Disease, But Your Symptoms Persist

In order to test for celiac disease, two types of antibodies are measured from blood samples. These "anti-gluten" antibodies help determine the presence of the disease.

There are several reasons why a person may test negative for celiac yet still have the disease, or some level of gluten intolerance. Some people are genetically deficient in these antibodies. Also, since the antibodies are viewed under a microscope to determine the presence of the disease, human error also comes into play. Certain test kits are more accurate than others, and some may produce a false negative result. If the person who is being tested hasn't recently eaten gluten, the anti-gluten antibodies will be reduced.

Some people say that a gluten-free diet is just a fad, but many doctors are discovering that gluten sensitivity is a real problem for a large portion of the population. Grains have been consumed for many years, but today's grains have been hybridized and engineered to be more prolific and pest-resistant, resulting in new compounds that have the potential to be quite damaging to human beings. An elimination diet, one in which you remove all gluten from every source for a period of several weeks to a month, should help you to determine if your persistent symptoms are due to a gluten intolerance.

Sinus Infections, Symptoms and Treatments

2011-09-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Sinus infections can be painful enough to interfere with your daily activities, but the treatment options can be quite effective. Sinus infections can lead to a sore throat as a result of post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip is generally the worst at night when you are lying down. Mucous from your sinuses collect in your throat causing irritation, coughing and redness. Sinus infections and the symptoms that go along with it also may interfere with a good night's sleep.

Sinus infections generally start as a common cold, leaving one feeling tired and achy. Sinus infections not only cause nasal pain but can affect the head and throat. Sinus infections have a lot of very unpleasant symptoms. Allergic rhinitis symptoms may include an itchy and runny nose, sneezing, itching in the ears, itchy eyes, and sore or itchy throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually caused by pollen in the air and has similar symptoms. Infected sinus cavities can also cause severe headaches.

Treatment of sinus infections is an individual approach depending on your symptoms and their severity.

The main thing is to try to prevent your sinus passageways from getting blocked. One technique is to irrigate your nose and sinuses with a squeeze bottle filled with salt water or use a Neti pot. A neti pot is a small plastic pot that resembles a teapot. It can be purchased at most pharmacies. It usually comes with a powder or premixed saline like solution for irrigation. This nasal wash is known to clear your nose of pollutants such as mold, dust, dander, etc. It also reduces the swelling in your nasal passages that may have become inflamed. Over the counter medications can be effective in relieving some of the symptoms.

Surgery should only be an option if conventional treatments fail or if there is a nasal obstruction that medications or treatments cannot improve. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is recommended for certain types of sinus diseases. A chronic cough manifests itself as a cough that will not go away and may be an indication of another issue such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, heavy cigarette smoking, Acid Reflux, or a post nasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung diseases.

In conclusion you should see your doctor or a medical professional and discuss your problem before trying anything mentioned in this article. Use guides like this one to discuss your options with your doctor, not as a substitute for proper medical care.

Natural Allergy Relief - Squashing Allergies and Their Symptoms

2011-08-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

Having allergies can be one of the most annoying conditions you can have the pleasure of being blessed with. Your head is clogged or nose is running a marathon, your eyes are watery or itchy and you have been blessed so many times you would think God himself had heard you sneezing. It makes your day miserable and most medications you can take will only make you sleepy.

Allergies can be caused from almost anything, mold, dust, pollen from trees or flowers, animal fur, insect bites, household chemicals and more to list the most common. The excess of mucus can be caused by a poor diet and even stress can bring allergies on. To get rid of allergies naturally with no side effects, we suggest some of the following remedies and then changing your diet for continued prevention.

For relief of your allergies you can go to any local health food or herbal store and pick up these herbs. You should pick the one that fits you best and if you don't see improvement within three days discontinue and re-evaluate your symptoms and back to the drawing board. Use the remedy that best fits your symptoms. Again, only choose one remedy for three days before trying another. Stop taking remedy as soon as you experience relief.

    * Allium Cepa- If you have burning, watery eyes and a runny nose. Your symptoms feel better outside in the open air.
    * Euphrasia- Can be taken if you're experiencing burning teary, red eyes. You can also use Eye-Bright, 5 drops ratio to ½ ounce saline for your irritated eyes. Apply twice daily.
    * Sabadilla- Take this if you suffer from repeated "ah choo's" i.e. sneezes and runny nose.
    * Histaminum- Are you experiencing normal allergy symptoms which have a sudden onset? This helps!!!
    * Natrum Muriaticum- Take this if you sneeze at the sun and get re-occurring cold sores. Craving salt might also be a concern for you.
    * Silica- Can be used when upper respiratory problems develop into an infection, do you feel irritable and tired??? Silica screams "USE ME!"
    * Nux Vomica- You may wake up sneezing and crave stimulants such as tobacco or sweets.
    * Arsenicum Album- You will have burning eyes and constant runny nose causing red and sore irritation under the nose. You are sensitive and have many allergies.
    * Lycopodium- For people with only one-sided nasal congestion and throat issues. If you are in this category, you might also experience bloating after meals.
    * Pulsatilla- Do your allergies get worse in warm conditions or have a lot of congestion at night. This one is definitely for you...
    * Stinging nettles - For Hay Fever.

I would also suggest taking 1,000 mg of Vitamin C which is a natural anti-histamine, three to five times daily. If this gives you diarrhea you can decrease the dosage or try taking Quercitin. Also, Butterbur has been studied and found to be better than Allegra and comparable to Zyrtec. In the evening, take a hot bath with Chamomile or Lavender to induce sweat and clean out toxins.

Now that you have gotten rid of the symptoms of your allergy, try some of these dietary changes to prevent further episodes.

We Recommend:

    * Increase your whole grains. This is something we should all be doing anyway.
    * Increase you intake of fresh vegetables and fruits to help with detoxification. You might try a 3 day vegetable juice fast for best results.
    * Cold pressed oils and raw seeds and nuts.
    * You will need to increase your lean protein such as seafood and tofu.
    * Drink all the water you can. This will cut mucus secretions.
    * Take flaxseed or flaxseed oil to reduce inflammation, 2 tablespoons every day.

We do not recommend:

    * Dairy products, fried foods or processed foods, refined flours, chocolate and eggs. Dairy only makes mucus secretions thicker.
    * Cut down on fats and oils and trans-fatty acids.

We also have many products in the surrounding areas of this page; please click on any of these remedies for reoccurring symptoms and relief remedies.

The Common Allergy Symptoms

2011-08-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Do you think you may have had an allergic reaction? If you are reading this, I can safely assume that you think you may and that you are looking to affirm your suspicion. Some people think if they can diagnose themselves there is no need to seek medical intervention or for medical attention. Granted at times the symptoms are mild enough to treat yourself but sometimes they are too severe to even contemplate self medication, self preservation should predominantly prompt immediate medical attention.

So how do we determine you are allergic to something? We look at the common allergy symptoms to establish whether a simple lifestyle change will suffice or if an appointment to your general practitioner is in order. According to most medics, most common symptoms of allergies are mild and average on a scale measuring severity. These symptoms include a feeling of tightness in the chest, burning as well as scratchy eyes and a skin rash. In some cases, allergy sufferers experience an itchy feeling all over the body and a little difficulty breathing.

Most people just go to their local pharmacist who can recommend the best allergy medications particularly if it is common allergy symptoms regardless of the trigger. If you do find the trigger, good for you, you can then fight the allergy with over the counter supplements or as a home remedy, squeeze a lime into a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey. Drink it once a day for a couple of months and do so before breakfast.

Severe allergic reactions are not as common as the ordinary allergy symptoms. So when the common symptoms of an allergy, which you have diagnosed and decided to self treat, seem to be escalating and when the assault on the chest becomes more aggressively congested then medical attention should immediately be sought. Food allergies are said to be more severe as far as allergic reactions go. Severe meaning throwing up, swelling, struggling to breath, diarrhea, cramping, wooziness and eventually you black out.

If medical intervention is not sought then that black out could unfortunately be permanent. The severity must never be underestimated because that mistake could be fatal.

It is easy to want to be your own doctor sometimes you can be, there are plenty of home remedies available and most allergies work themselves out your system over a very uncomfortable period of time. Sometimes though when you know you have tried everything with no lessening of your symptoms then you have to listen to your body and your gut telling you something is just not right especially if those feelings are soon accompanied by stronger symptoms.