Ganaderia At Set

Archive for the ‘Allergy’ Category

In my search for a natural allergy treatment I asked: “Will an Air Purifiers or Air Cleaners really help?”

Air Purifier Sales Soar As Allergy Victims Increase

In a Nationwide health survey 54% of American’s aged 6- 59 were allergic to at least 1 of 10 allergens. That’s 5x higher than surveys from 1976-1980.
Allergies were the #1 reason people looked for a purifier, with childhood asthma (up 60% over the last 10 years) a close second .

As a result air purifier sales were over $400 million dollars in 2006.

How To Prevent Allergy Attacks

According to clean environment expert Dr. Robert Masto: ” Allergy sheets, vacuuming, and an air purifier to reduce airborne pollen, dust, mites, mold, and chemicals – can reduce the load on the immune system. This allows the immune system to rest which can often reduce allergic reactions. It is not a cure, but a step in the right direction”

The Top 8 Air Purifier Technologies Recommended For Allergy Prevention


In Order of Effectiveness:


1. HEPA – for animal dander, pollen, dust. A must for allergies – HEPA filters operate like a screen, capturing large airborne particles. Air Purifiers without HEPA (heavily promoted as needing “no- replacement filters”) are not effective for reducing allergens.




2. UV – kills mildew, mold, viruses, bacteria etc. Even if not allergic to these Immune system stress is a reason anyone allergic should include UV in their allergy plan..




3. TiO2 -enhances UV about 1,000%.




4. Washable Pre-Filter -captures hair and saves the life of the HEPA filter. .




5. Activated Carbon – for chemicals and odors. Especially helpful for chemically sensitive people. .




6. Timed Ozone – kills mold, mildew, odor. Ozone is nature’s method of cleaning the air. Use a low dose in the room a few hours before bed. (Use timed ozone, and at low levels as high levels can irritate the lungs).




7. Negative Ion – Captures some toxins and pollutants. Only mildly effective at allergens, dust, or pollen.




8. Photo Catalytic – similar to ion it attracts and capture toxins .



6 Money-Saving Tips When Buying An Allergy Air Purifier


o Ask for square footage and ‘Room Cycles” .Room Cycles means how many times it clears all the air in the room. Look for 4 or more per hour (most manufacturers don’t tell you)
o Avoid the infomercial units – they’re generally over-priced with fewer technologies for allergies


o Find an air purifier whose replacement filters are under $30 before you buy (anything more is a ripoff)


o A Multi-stage air purifier is preferable, as many things impact the immune system affecting the allergic response


o Ionic air purifiers alone are not adequate.


o HEPA filters offer the best purification of allergens.



Conclusion

My allergy air purifier was just one of 3 things I did to cure myself of allergies. Even after you cure your allergies consider an air purifier as a way to prevent the return of allergies and a way to maintain better health.

Many Blessings To Your Health,

Allergy season is now in full swing, and people everywhere are looking for tips to get rid of allergies. One of the first things you should do if you suspect allergies, is to go have an allergy test done. This test is usually done at either your primary care physician’s office, or at the office of an Allergy and Immunology doctor. The test is usually performed by a nurse or medical assistant and the results are interpreted by the doctor. After this test is complete, you will have a better idea of what is triggering your symptoms. Then you can take steps to prevent allergy symptoms, and ultimately, learn how to get rid of your allergies!

This article will discuss five of the most common allergies and tips on how to get rid of them. First you may ask, what is an allergy? Basically, an allergy is an unnatural immune reaction to a normally benign substance (whether plants, animals, insects or food) that your body thinks is harmful. These substances are called allergens. When you come into contact with an allergen, your body releases a chemical called histamine into the bloodstream, (in hopes of destroying what it thinks of as an invader) which causes inflammation. This is called an allergic reaction. Sometimes, an allergic reaction is so severe, it can become fatal. What are some of the most common allergies? They include substances such as:

1 Pollen
2 Mold
3 Pets/animal hair
4 Latex
5 Food

Of all common offenders, pollen is the number one allergen in the United States, and is the most common allergy during seasonal allergy months. Pollen comes from a multitude of plants, herbs, trees and flowers, and spreads like wildfire through the air. The most prevalent time for pollen is during the spring and summer, when most plants bloom to life. Plants release pollen on into the autumn season, and while winter is usually a time for pollen-allergy sufferers to breathe a sigh of relief, there are still some plants that release pollen even in the dead of winter.

Mold is pesky little fungi that loves to grow in warm, moist, dark places. Mold releases spores into the air, and when mold is touched or the spores are inhaled, they cause inflammation in the airways and bring on an allergic reaction. It is important to have your house routinely checked for mold, especially if you live in a humid climate. The longer a mold problem persists, the harder it is to eradicate.

An allergy to animal hair is a very common, yet unfortunate, allergy to have. The most common cause of an allergy to animal hair is the proteins that coat the hair. Those oils/proteins are there to protect the animal’s coat of hair and keep it shiny. Unfortunately, those shiny coats trigger respiratory allergies in many people, which can be very sad for animal lovers. Sometimes, animal hair allergies are so severe that the afflicted person, sadly, cannot keep a pet.

Latex allergy is another quite common, yet often times severe, allergy. The protein contained in the latex rubber is the offender here, and usually leads to an immediate, sometimes very severe allergic reaction. For those who work in the healthcare field, and those who require frequent doctor visits, this allergy can be problematic, since many healthcare items contain latex. Fortunately, more and more medical manufacturers are coming out with latex-free gloves and other latex-free equipment.

Last on this list of the top five most common allergies, but certainly not least, are food allergies. Food allergy can, at times, be the most problematic allergy of all. This is because nowadays, in this age of food additives and preservatives, there are many hidden ingredients in processed and pre-prepared foods. The most common food allergies are nuts, shellfish, wheat and milk/dairy products. When a food allergy sufferer eats an allergy-causing food, their bodies release histamine into the bloodstream, causing inflammation which can be severe. This reaction can be anywhere from diarrhea and stomach cramps to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the airway to close or swell shut.

Now that you know some of the most common allergies, and you know that getting tested to identify your allergies is the first step, it’s time to talk about how to get rid of your allergies. Many (but not all) modern doctors believe that adults won’t be able to totally get rid of their allergies. Children tend to grow out of their allergies, but most adults retain their allergies for life. Don’t groan just yet – keeping positive is a huge step in dealing with your allergies. Contrary to popular belief, there is hope – yes, you can get rid of your allergies! Some more good news is that many naturopathic doctors, herbalists, and natural healers believe that you can indeed get rid of allergies.

The next step to getting rid of your allergies is to avoid the things that give you allergic reactions. That sounds fairly simple, but it can be complicated when it involves allergens such as food. Modifying your environment can go a long way to getting rid of allergies. Keep an allergy diary and write about your reactions – this will help you learn what to avoid. If you have mold in your house, make sure it is cleaned out and totally eradicated by specialists that deal specifically with getting rid of mold. If you are allergic to your household pets, don’t fret. Do some research into allergy-friendly pets that you can own – yes, there are allergy-friendly animals out there. There are even allergy-friendly dogs such as the short-haired Chihuahua. If you are allergic to pollen, make sure to have someone help you keep your grass mowed and your yard in tip-top shape, and take your prescribed allergy medicine daily. If latex is what gets your allergic response going, be sure to alert any new doctors to this allergy, and carefully read labels on household and cosmetic supplies to make sure they are latex-free. Food allergies can be the trickiest, but if you become an avid-label reader and carry allergy medicine (including an Epi-Pen for serious reactions) with you that should go a long way to helping you avoid the offending substances. Do a diet of elimination – meaning, eliminate all the problem foods from your diet for a period of time (usually around 6 weeks) and then slowly introduce them back in, one at a time. Many times, elimination diets have huge success rates, even to the point that the previous allergy-causing foods no longer cause problems!

Next on the list is treatment. Take your prescribed allergy medicine every day. If you know you are going to come into contact with any allergens, take your medicine beforehand to lessen or even prevent symptoms. Talk to your doctor about getting what is called allergy shots. These shots contain very small amounts of the substances to which you are allergic, so as to desensitize you. The theory is, which each shot, you become less and less allergic to that particular substance. The good thing is, many people have a huge success rate with allergy shots. Another option is alternative treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture sessions.

A lot of allergy sufferers swear by acupuncture to alleviate their allergies. Other alternative treatments would be vitamin, antioxidant and herbal supplements that boost the immune system, stabilize cells, and repair damage. Examples of these would be vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, Quercetin, green tea, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Saline sinus rinses also have a high success rate, since they flush out irritants and bacteria. Speaking of flushing out irritants – a good intestinal cleanse has worked wonders for many food allergy sufferers.

Remember to always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, doing any kind of cleanse, or starting any kind of alternative therapy for your allergies. Though you may want to, you can’t diagnose yourself. Allergy sufferers need to be under the care of a physician. Don’t fret or get discouraged, though! No matter what the naysayers say, there are options and you can get rid of allergies. Allergies don’t have to last forever – and when you follow the tips outlined in this article, you can kiss your allergies goodbye.

If you have Cheese Allergy and we discount any possibility of this allergy being related to an allergy to milk, then you more than likely have what is call a Food Intolerance instead of an allergy. During the fermenting process the milk products are separated into Curds and Whey. Most of the proteins responsible for the allergy reactions are in the Whey byproduct produced and the Curd portion will normally have very little or none of the proteins.

Histamines sometimes occur naturally in foods and when ingested can mimic an allergic reaction. Fermented foods such as cheese, and sauerkraut contain histamine, especially Blue cheese, Roquefort, and Parmesan.

The human body contains an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase that is responsible for the metabolizing of histamines. When the histamine-metabolizing enzyme Diamine Oxidase is saturated and the enzyme cannot metabolize any more of the histamine ingested then an allergic like reaction can occur.

Symptoms are usually dose related and the amount of histamines ingested determines the severity of the symptoms. Symptom includes cramping, flushing of the skin, headache, heart palpitations and hypo tension. Symptoms are not usually life-threatening.

Another problem with eating cheese is that mold can grow on cheese. This mold can be closely related to penicillin. Penicillin allergies are usually associated with the penicillin injections but for anyone suffering from an extreme allergy to penicillin should avoid ingesting any.

If you suffer from mold allergies or if you are allergic to mold spores then mold growing on cheese can also be a problem. Never take a chance with your life. Be sure the cheese you eat is fresh and mold is not growing on it. Discard any cheese that has any type of discoloration on it that may indicate mold is growing it.

No mater what type of allergy you are suffering from their is a good chance that you can find relief from the allergy symptoms. Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Quercitin, and Bromellain.

Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercetin. Take 100 mg twice daily.

If you are Allergic To Cheese then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Breathing is basic to life, and allergies are an awful intrusion on the easy, regular, deep breathing we all need to stay active and healthy. Fortunately, there are many ways to breathe easier despite nasal allergies without expensive, sedating allergy drugs.

Here are my top 5

1. Use steroid nasal sprays sparingly if at all. Yes, they really work, but the have serious side effects.

Beconase AQ (beclomethasone), Flonase (fluticasone), Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone), Nasarel (flunisolie), Nasonex (mometasone), and Rhinocort Aqua (budesonide) supposedly offer the benefits of steroids for controlling allergies without the risks, namely, high blood pressure, stunted growth in children, osteoporosis in older adults, and a very long list of other potential complications.

The problem with these nose sprays is, other than the fact that they are very expensive, is that in rare instances they can cause nasal perforation (a whole between the nostrils), and more commonly they induce the very burning, irritation, sore throat, headache, nosebleed, and dry sinuses they are supposed to prevent.

2. Get your antihistamines from foods rather than the pharmacy.

Instead of pharmaceutical antihistamines like Benadryl (diphyenhydramine), Dimetapp and Dimetane (brompheniramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Allegra (frexofenadine), Clarniex (desloratadine), or Zyrtec (certirizine), consider their natural alternatives.

Quercitin, a plant compound you can get from grapefruit or from eating an apple with the peel, is chemically similar to NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium); in fact, the active ingredient in NasalCrom was first found in bishop’s weed, an herb that is rich in quercitin. British studies have found that eating just one apple a week lowers the frequency of allergies.

You can also get some allergy relief from vitamin C, but it wears off quickly. It’s better to get 3-4 doses of 500 mg or even less throughout the day than to get one dose of 1,000-2,000 mg all at once.

3. Stop nasal allergies at their source.

If you got poison ivy every week, would it make sense to get a six months prescription for prednisone or maybe to stay out of the poison ivy? The same principle applies to ongoing nasal allergies at home. It doesn’t make sense to take medication constantly if you can stop allergies at their source. HEPA filters can remove mold and dust mites and nearly all pollen and cat dander. Even better, combine a HEPA filter with a dehumidifier. The combination greatly reduces mold spore counts.

4. And if you can’t afford to stop allergies at the source with an expensive HEPA filter, try an inexpensive HEPA filter.

The drawback to HEPA filtration is that you probably can’t install it yourself, and it’s expensive. Your next best method for cleaning the air you breathe indoors is an electronic air filter. You don’t need an ozone generator, because ozone is damaging to the lungs. And if you can’t afford either a HEPA filter or an electronic air cleaner, consider a do-it-yourself air filter such as 3M’s Filtrete for around $25 US. You can fit these into your existing air return system in place of any old-fashioned filter that may now be in use.

5. Don’t just clean your air, clean your floors (and especially your carpets).

Cleaning the air is only half the battle. You also need to clean your floors with a vacuum cleaner. What you want to avoid in choosing your vacuum cleaner is getting that sucks up dust through one end and sends out in the exhaust through the other. Vacuums with their own, smaller HEPA filters are much more expensive but go a long way toward cleaning up the air in your home.

Swimming in public pools is a popular activity during the hot months of summer. An allergy to chlorine can really put a damper on things. It’s important to understand the symptoms so you can tell if it’s a treatable allergy or something more serious.

There are five major symptoms to look for that can be caused when exposed to chlorinated pools. These symptoms generally show up either while you’re swimming or right after you get out of the water.

1. Respiratory Problems – The following breathing-related symptoms can be similar to an asthma attack and may be more severe in an indoor pool where the chlorine is constantly being breathed in.

o The sensation of not getting enough air
o A tight feeling in the chest
o Not being able to take a deep breath

2. Irritation of the Eyes – This is eye irritation that is more severe than the normal reaction experienced by most people who swim in chlorinated pools.

o Redness
o Itching
o Stinging
o Swollen eyes

3. Dry Skin – If the dryness is severe enough, it can lead to:

o Pain
o Scratching
o Peeling skin

4. Rashes – When the clothes you wear are exposed to chlorine, for example the bathing suit being worn while in the pool, a rash that resembles the skin condition eczema can affect the entire area where the clothing touches. Leaving that clothing on too long can cause the rash to spread.

5. Itching – Chlorine is an irritant and can cause severe itching. Showering after swimming to wash the chlorine off the skin should take care of the problem.

Sinus blockage or an infection is a very common disease. There are people who suffer from a chronic infection due to the allergies or inherited deformities. Most people however get them less often and can treat sinus infections by using simple home remedies.

Common symptoms of sinusitis are: ear fullness, nose blockade, weariness, low fever, heavy feeling in head coupled with headache and heavy feeling in the face. Sinus is a balloon kind of a formation in head and can get blocked with mucus, cleaning and rinsing your nose gently and daily, and washing hands properly can prevent it from developing into a serious infection. A great way to both cure and prevent this problem is to irrigate your nose with the salt water.

Taking prescribed antihistamines or nasal spray can help you clear and prevent the nose blockages. However one should not use over the counter medications for more than 3 days because it can cause additional irritation of mucus membrane. Always consult your doctor before taking any prescription or otc drugs. Warm compress can be applied to ease the sinus congestion and pain. A hot water bath, inhaling steam and warm face packs can do wonder for this disease. But in doing all these remember not to use too hot water and burn your face.

Drinking plenty of fluids can help you clear your sinus blockage and end the pain. Avoid dairy products such as milk and soft cheese because it can further aggravate the situation. The doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. Antibiotics must be taken exactly as recommended by your doctor have since discontinuing them would make the infection immune to the drug.