Are Allergies Controlling You? 5 Steps To Relief

If you are allergic to tree, grass or weed pollen, the beginning of spring, summer or fall can feel like the beginning of the end. But that doesn't have to be true. Here are 5 things you can do right now that will get you on the road to relief.

Close The Windows---This may seem contrary to what people usually say about letting in fresh air. But if you are allergic, letting in the air while pollination is happening can be disastrous.

Instead, close the windows in your home and your car, and circulate the air rather than exchanging it. Some spores will still get in on hair, packages, pets, and through doors as you come and go, but the amount will be far less than if you leave windows open.

Have The Ducts Cleaned---Heating and air conditioning ducts can collect all kinds of particles which can get blown into your home or office when you cut on the heat or air conditioning.

Not only can they be a collecting place for dust, and other particles, but with the right conditions mold can grow inside as well. Investing in having the ducts cleaned will be well worth the health problems that you may be able to avoid.

Vacuum With A HEPA---Vacuuming and cleaning surfaces with a damp cloth or mop are far better than sweeping. These methods minimize the amount of particles that go back into the air.

However, the best type of vacuum (HEPA) is one with a filter that can minimize the particles that get blown back into your air.

Encase Bedding With Dust Mite Covers---The protein in dust mite excrement is one of the most potent indoor allergens known. And unfortunately, mites are common to indoor spaces regardless of how clean you keep your home.

The best way to reduce their population is to prevent them from hiding in the dark, moist bedding and feeding on dead skin flakes in your bed.

These relatively inexpensive covers keep them out of mattresses and pillows. And since they are killed by sunlight, this is a very effective and natural way to control the problem.

Fewer mites can often make it easier for you to sleep. A good night's sleep gives your body a chance to rest and be ready to handle exposure to seasonal stuff more easily.

Filter The Air---The right air cleaner can be your ace in the home. Even after taking all of the precautions mentioned above, there are always going to be irritants in indoor air unless you take proactive steps to keep the levels low.

A high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) air cleaner is one of the safest and most effective filters to have working for you. In order to be designated as such, it has to have shown that it can remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates that are .3 microns or greater in size.

Having a cleaner with this type of technology working for you around the clock can really make your indoor space a haven, and let you start enjoying life, regardless of what's blooming outside.

Take back control of your life despite your allergies by reducing your exposure to triggers. Filtering your air 24 hours a day with HEPA filtration can help you do just that. See the Allergy Machine Air Purifier from PurerAir.com now at http://purerair.com/allergy_machine.html

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Pregnant And Allergies - Definitely No Fun

While having to deal with allergies for anyone is uncomfortable, having allergies while being pregnant can make you feel truly miserable. While many medications have been used with no harm to the baby, no medication should be considered completely safe from side effects and opting out while during the pregnancy is completely understandable. But having difficulty breathing and not getting a lot of sleep because of allergies, while not good for the mother isn't good for the baby either. So, how can a mom keep her baby safe while controlling the misery of allergies?

Any mom looking for options in managing allergies during pregnancy will be happy to discover there are plenty of choices in both avoidance and control.

Avoidance of Allergens - Whenever it's possible, avoiding to take medicines during pregnancy is preferred. In allergy maintenance, this is best done by avoiding triggers as much as possible. Take steps like these to help reduce your allergic reactions:

• Using barriers like dust mite covers on pillows, mattresses, and covers protect from one of the most common household allergens.
• Air purifiers using HEPA filters help manage indoor allergens.
• Water filters are effective in reducing the effects of chlorine, another very common allergen.
• Having HEPA or water based filters on the out ports of vacuum and steam cleaners are a good way to reduce the dust disturbance and removing it in a room during cleaning activities.
• Consult air quality reports before planning outdoor activities. Limit outdoor exposure during times when your triggers are at their highest.

Control of Allergies During Pregnancy - Unfortunately, it's virtually impossible to avoid all allergens so finding ways to manage the effects is a necessary alternative. Here are some great options in finding allergy relief:

• Check with your doctor to see what medications are safe to take while pregnant.
• Consider dietary changes. Eating vegetables high in vitamins C and E help the body fight the damage caused by free-radicals, Omega-3 helps reduce inflammation, and reducing your intake of dairy can reduce mucus.
• To increase blood flow and to thin mucus, eat more spicy foods.
• Eating raw local honey introduces your body to the area's pollen and may lessen the impact of airborne pollen.
• Natural remedies such as Stinging Nettles, Goldenseal Root, and White Pine treat different symptoms effectively.

Being pregnant and having allergies doesn't have to mean you'll have to be totally miserable this allergy season. Following a few simple tips in avoidance and managing symptoms effectively will make sure that there is nothing left to do but enjoy the pregnancy.

Felix Poppell's wife wanted to find natural allergy relief during pregnancy to help alleviate her symptoms. Get through this tough season with allergy relief from Pharmaca.

Original article

Children's Allergies: From Fear-Filled to Healthy Immunity

Whether it is seasonal allergy and/or food allergy, these forms of hyper-sensitivities indicate an imbalance within your child's body. Common allergic reactions include hay fever, hives, eczema, aversion to food, asthma attacks and to a growing number of medications, such as antibiotics, penicillin, and aspirin.

On a physical level, an allergy is considered a disorder of the immune system and can be digestive and respiratory related. Your child experiences a hyper reaction to a foreign substance that is otherwise considered safe.

Allergies can be potentially dangerous, especially in children. It then becomes vital to address immediately with a safe and gentle protocol. Most allergies begin in-utero, so moms it is important to examine your own diet, emotional health and response to stress, especially if you are breastfeeding, as these potential factors may have contributed to your child's allergies.

Key areas to explore when implementing preventive measures and addressing your child's allergy symptoms include:
Refrain from introducing too much food too soon to your child. His or her body needs time to develop a relationship with each food; too much may be too taxing on the body.

Proper mastication of food - teach your child to chew food, until it is soft and mushy. This prevents her stomach from attempting to break down big pieces of food, which may lead to indigestion.

Choose organic produce that is free of pesticides. Prolonged exposure to pesticides can cause a build up of toxins in the body, which in turn slows down the body's ability to naturally process environmental and food elements.

Choose conscious eating - decrease and/or eliminate microwave, prepackaged, and high sugar food from your child's diet as they too can increase toxic load within the body. The body innately gravitates to fresh foods, any preparation outside of that requires your child's body to work extra hard to process. The food that is unprocessed or undigested stays in your child's body as waste. Read labels/ask for ingredients when purchasing store bought food as most contains sugar, dairy, and nuts, which children tend to be sensitive to.

Teach your child to respond with a peaceful and a calm attitude when facing his life experiences and to openly and appropriately express his emotions. On an emotional level, an allergy may indicate fearful thoughts your child is holding onto about life and the world and he overreacts or becomes hypersensitive when he perceives an attack, hence the definition of an allergy.

Most, if not all conventional medicine products for allergies come with a list of potential adverse effects that are counterproductive to addressing the issue long-term and often creating new health challenges. Consider natural and alternative wellness options to strengthen your child's immune and digestive system. The stomach rules every aspect of health and approximately 60% of the immune system is located within the stomach/gut. Incorporate the right digestive enzymes into your child's conscious eating lifestyle, along with immune-boosting essential oils, and the appropriate amount of distilled water everyday. If your child weighs 50 pounds, 25 ounces of water everyday is the best fit for his body.

As soon as you notice a food or environmental intolerance in your child, respond right away. Your early response is the key to preventing the onset of life-altering allergies.

I own and operate a complementary and alternative medicine practice that specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, baby, and children health. A Certified Aromatherapist and Licensed Natural Health Care Practitioner and Educator, I provide Aromatherapy, consultations in a variety of natural health therapies, and proprietary health products to empower and optimize your health and life experiences. I am based in Northern New Jersey and also available to consult with you over the telephone. To inquire about my services and products, as well as to schedule appointments and order products, you may email me at NicoleATucker@aol.com or call my business mobile at (201) 926 - 9757. Learn more about me on my website - http://site.mawebcenters.com/wholecreations.

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Mold Allergies - What You Can Do To Stop This Pesky Condition

Nearly everyone experiences some form of allergy including mold allergies. An allergy is simply an intolerance to a certain environmental or ingested product, such as pollen, dogs, peanuts or lotions. Allergies can cause many symptoms. These range from minor irritation of the affected area up to anaphylactic shock that can lead to death. Most often people with what they term "seasonal" allergies experience their symptoms during particular parts of the year, such as the spring or fall. If you experience the symptoms of allergies throughout the year, and they get worse when in certain indoor environments, you may not have seasonal allergies at all. Rather, you may be experiencing mold allergies.

What are Mold Allergies? Most people are exposed to mold throughout the day, every day. Tiny spores released by the fungus can be in the air you breathe, or you may accidentally eat food that has mold on it. For the most part, such small exposures will have no negative effect. For people with mold allergies, however, being exposed to too much mold, whether through breathing it or ingesting it, can cause unpleasant, and even dangerous, symptoms. An allergy to mold is like any other allergy, and should be recognized and dealt with as quickly as possible to prevent miserable symptoms and damage to health.

What are the Symptoms?

Mold allergy symptoms are similar to reactions to other allergens. They include itchy eyes, sneezing, a rash, difficulty breathing and headaches. If these symptoms are chronic, or get progressively worse when you are in particular environments, it is likely that your home, or another location that you frequent, has high levels of unseen mold. This mold may be in the walls or air circulation system. During certain times of the year, particularly warm months, there tends to be an abundance of mold spores in the air. This can cause you to experience your allergy symptoms with the same frequency as those who are allergic to pollen or grass.

How Can Mold Allergies be Prevented and Treated? Preventing the growth of mold in your home, or treating growth that has already occurred, is critical to the management of your allergy symptoms. One way to do this is to monitor and control the humidity level in your home. Using moisture-absorbers and dehumidifiers help to keep the air dry and cool which will inhibit mold growth. If mold is already growing, air purifiers can help remove the spores from the air, and cleaning products can help to kill the mold and remove it. Some types of mold are extremely dangerous and grow deep in walls or other areas that you cannot easily reach. When this happens you should consult professional cleaners to protect your home and your health.

How Can Mold Allergies be Treated?

Mold allergies can be very unpleasant. If you find that you have a mold allergy, there are measures you can take to limit your exposure and ease your symptoms.

Keep your home, particularly your basement, bathroom and laundry areas, as cool and dry as possible.Do not keep perishable food for more than 2 days after they are opened.Refrigerate opened food promptly.Do not smell foods that you think may be bad. This can cause you to inhale the spores.Use over-the-counter allergy medications to ease your symptoms

As you can see, while mold allergies are a serious problem, there are common sense steps you can take to combat them today!

Read more about Mold Allergies at Mildew vs. Mold blog. E.M. August is a vigilant enemy of mold and mildew everywhere.

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Allergies Making You Miserable? Seek Help From an Allergist

Allergic reactions are not limited to pollen from outdoors or pet dander indoors. Many people suffer from allergies to foods, medications, and other aspects of their environments. You should seek help from an allergist if you know or suspect that you have an allergy and are unable to control the reactions or obtain relief. An allergist is a special type of doctor that has the training and experience to diagnose and treat allergy related illnesses. There are several types of tests that he can perform to help gain information about your body and how it reacts to allergens.

If you suffer from allergic reactions but are unable to pinpoint the source, your doctor may perform a skin test to help with a diagnosis. During a skin test, your skin is pricked by a very small needle containing possible allergens (one allergen per needle). If your skin reacts with a welt, then there is a good chance that you are allergic to that allergen. For instance, your doctor may prick your skin with allergens such as dust mites, milk, peanuts and eggs. If you react to any of these, your skin will show it by swelling slightly (about the size of a mosquito bite) and itching. This allows the allergist to better assist you in coming up with a plan to avoid the allergen and treat reactions.

Some allergies affect lung (pulmonary) function and breathing. You may have asthma or asthma-like symptoms that are triggered by allergens. Tests are available that will allow your allergist to create a plan to alleviate your symptoms and get you on a path to better health.

One thing to remember about allergies is that often the best plan of attack is the process of elimination. If tests are not definitive, you may need to keep trying until you find the culprit. While not the most streamlined method of diagnosis, it is likely the only way to find out what plagues your body. It is important to explicitly follow the instructions of your allergist to get the best results possible. He will work to help you as much as possible, but you have to be a willing and active participant in the process.

In some cases, it can be a bit difficult to get an appointment with this type of doctor. Since all insurance plans vary, you need to find out whether or not you need a referral. Once you can schedule the appointment, be sure to let the receptionist know how acute your symptoms are. Patients that are in acute distress are sometimes given a priority appointment to alleviate their symptoms. It never hurts to call and see if there is anything available sooner rather than later.

Working with an allergy specialist takes time and patience, but most patients agree that the results are worth it. If you suffer from allergies, this may be your best course of action as it certainly beats continuous suffering.

Original article

Is It Possible to Prevent Allergies?

Prevent Different Allergies Using Different Methods

Know simple methods to prevent various types of allergies

Allergies are a malfunction of the immune system where innocuous pollen, mold, food or dust is treated as a threat. Allergic reactions involve the antibody called IgE, which has the ability to communicate through cells found in the lining of the intestines, skin, nose and stomach to induce reactions. The reactions are induced by the release of chemicals, including histamines.

This is one reason why allergy medications typically contain antihistamines. Unfortunately, some medications have unwelcome side-effects like drowsiness, while others fail to work at all. Such medications also tend to target hay fever, while food allergies are a different matter.

The best strategy for preventing allergic reactions is to avoid the allergen. This is simpler to imagine when dealing with foods allergies, where once the troublesome ingredient has been identified a person can try not to eat it. A comprehensive knowledge of what is in food helps greatly, which is part of the thrust behind accurate ingredient listing for processed foods.

Other allergens pose different problems. Pets, pollen, mold and dust mites are four reaction causers that are complicated to avoid.

Though not having pets in your home is the best avoidance strategy, this may not be possible for various reasons. There are ways to minimize the allergens that accumulate and the likelihood of a reaction.

1. Keeping pets in areas that are not carpeted or upholstered, and out of bedrooms.

2. Wearing gloves and a dust mask if you expect to be near a rodent or small animal.

3. Washing your hands and cleaning your clothes after handling animals.

4. Avoiding soiled litter boxes or cages.

5. Frequent dusting.

Pollen is impossible to avoid at certain times of year, but there are ways to minimize exposure.

1. Do not venture outdoors between 5-10 AM. The best time, early or late, is after a heavy rain as pollen levels will be lower.

2. Keep home and car windows closed. Avoid the use of attic fans for cooling purposes, if possible. Air conditioners are fine.

3. Use a dryer for drying clothes instead of hanging them outside, or hang them inside if there is a suitable space to do so.

4. If allergic to grass, have someone else cut it or wear a mask while cutting it. In either case, keep grass short. It may also work to use ground covers that produce little pollen such as dichondra.

5. If allergic to some types of trees, the trees most suitable to be planted on your property (least likely to be allergenic) are dogwood, crape myrtle, fig, palm, fir, redwood, redbud, pear and plum. Maple, elm, cottonwood and ash are some trees which are suitable if they are female cultivars.

Molds can be more difficult to avoid because they grow indoors and outdoors, but there are ways to reduce the amount of it in your home or yard.

1. Keeping inside temperatures cool and relative humidity below 50%. A dehumidifier can help to reduce moisture. Venting bathrooms and clothes dryers to the outside can also help keep moisture low.

2. Leaving windows open in the home or car when first activating an air conditioning system, to let mold spores disperse.

3. Checking ductwork, faucets and pipes for leaks.

4. Clearing the yard of decaying leaves or other organic debris. If you must do this yourself, wear a mask and gloves and avoid doing this on a hot or humid day.

Dust mites, microscopic things that feed on flakes of dead skin from humans or pets, will always be present in a home. The following suggestions can help you reduce the number of mites, somewhat alleviating dust mite allergies.

1. Encasing your pillows and mattress in special dust-proof covers.

2. Washing all bedding once a week in hot water to kill mites, or freezing bedding if it is not supposed to be washed.

3. Using synthetic materials for bedding.

4. Removing carpets in favor of bare floors, or using a special HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner to trap allergens removed from the carpet. A mask is recommended while vacuuming.

5. Dusting with a damp rag. A dry rag would only stir up allergens.

The humidity tips listed for mold work equally well for dust mites.

One way currently used to decrease allergic problems is immunotherapy. Patients are injected with progressively larger doses of allergens to gradually reduce allergies. This vaccination method is the closest thing to a cure for allergies, and has been proven through studies to work. It requires a long-term commitment.

Alternative treatments exist. They include homeopathy, naturopathy, herbal medicine, applied kinesiology and traditional Chinese medicine. Hundreds of rigorous studies by the Mayo clinic failed to show any beneficial effect to these methods, compared to a placebo.

Did you find this article informative? If yes, you can subscribe to Shivraj Ghorpade's blog http://www.problemsolvingarticles.com/category/medical-condition/ through RSS feed or through Email by just typing your email address. You will receive many such informative articles in your email box.

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Food Allergies in Kids: Be His Advocate

I always wanted to be a mom. Finally at age 26 our first born son arrived in our life. STOP THE BUS! It was NO fun at all. From birth he was the fussiest baby I had ever been around. We would run a vacuum for 45 mins. to help soothe him (so the old wives tale goes). Nothing worked. I stopped eating dairy while I was nursing. Then we put him on soy formula. The poor kid was miserable and mom and dad were right there with him. At this rate, we were NOT going to have more children. The pediatrician thought everything was "normal". He was "colic". Sorry, I am not doctor but I had been around enough kids to know this wasn't just a fussy baby. By age 2 he had had C. Diff and we couldn't get rid of it. C. Diff is not typical in children. We were starting to see outbursts of rage, not typical tantrums. His Ear, Nose and Throat doctor would not allergy test him until he was 5. That's when I decided I was his only advocate in this world. I couldn't rely on what the pediatrician and E.N.T. thought was best for him which was to stay on soy milk and come to terms with his behavior. So many kids are diagnosed as autistic and I thought we were headed down that road. (I used to think Jenny McCarthy was a quack with her gluten free hysterics but I would soon totally agree with her.)

In my job I deal with several medical offices. On this one particular day I was spilling my guts to one of the nurses and she felt one of their doctors would be willing to see our child. After our first meeting this doctor knew that I was a very concerned mom and agreed to move forward with allergy testing at age 2 1/2. On December 31, 2008 our son was tested for IGE (food allergies) and IGG (food sensitivities) through a very simple blood draw.

What did I expect the result to be? "Yes, we have found your son to be very allergic to dairy." What was the result? When we saw our doctor for the follow up our 2 1/2 year old had pretty extreme sensitivities (IGG) to DAIRY, WHEAT, SOY and EGGS. His sensitivity to dairy was actually the casin protein. His allergy to wheat was the gluten protein. Wow, was I floored, overwhelmed and incredibly angry at all the doctors who didn't want to believe this first time mom! Immediately we removed all of the above from his diet. This was so hard and extremely overwhelming. Over the weeks and months to come we figured it out. We found great resources in our local Whole Foods stores, Meijer grocery and even Kroger. Almost immediately we saw a dramatic change in our child.

Over the next 3 years of his life we remained off dairy, soy, wheat and eggs. His breakfast consisted of gluten free, dairy free waffles or pancakes, some corn based dry cereal and of course Rice Dream Vanilla Rice Milk. Bread was definitely the hardest product to substitute. Many brands try very hard but bread just cannot be reproduced with rice flour, tapioca flour, etc. without being dense and hard. We used lots of corn and rice pasta. We found Daiya shredded cheese to be our best alternative for him. We bought So So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt and we were all set to go. I found myself crying about how incredibly different this child was (normal) with the diet his body required. What if I hadn't been an advocate for him? What if I hadn't fought? What if we had listened to the first doctor and never pursued the testing until age 5?

This past summer at age 5 1/2, 3 years into his new diet, we suddenly saw some changes in his behavior and tantrums that were not age appropriate for a 5 1/2 year old. Again, we went back to our doctor and requested to be retested. It was done on the spot at our request. Again, SHOCKER for mom! Our son's allergies had really changed. There is a difference between sensitivities and true food allergies. He had always just been sensitive to foods. (Although not to down play sensitivities, they can be extremely hard to live with.) The new test results showed that we had crossed the line from sensitivities to true food allergies. He was now truly allergic to corn. Well, why not? His whole diet for 3 years straight was full of corn. All of our wheat substitutes were corn products. HOWEVER the best news was to learn from this 2nd round of testing that after 3 years of eliminating certain foods at age 5 1/2 he was no longer allergic to dairy or wheat.

So now at almost age 6, we are off all corn. Which to most seems very overwhelming but when I encourage parents I say that all the effort of finding the right foods, products, extra money that is spend on groceries, is SO worth having a HAPPY, HEALTHY child. Right? So we are off corn. We have slowly reintroduced wheat and he seems to be doing well. We have introduced milk products but not pure milk. He still drinks Rice milk and he is still off all eggs.

The point behind all of this is that you have to be an advocate for your children. You might not be educated in the medical field BUT you know your children better than anyone else. No one else is going to stand up for, defend or love your kid like you will. Keep searching for doctors until you find one who listens and respects you as a parent. Talk with other parents about their struggles and experiences. I hope someday my child understands how much I love him and how his life is different because of the fight I put up for him.

Original article

Effective Allergy Solutions - 5 Ways To Effectively Manage Airborne Allergies

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 number 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.

Get help removing indoor airborne allergens from your air with the air purifier from PurerAir.com at http://purerair.com/allergy_machine.html

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What Triggers Your Allergies? The Big 3 Indoor Allergens To Avoid

If you have airborne allergies, chances are something in the indoor air is causing you to sneeze, cough, become congested, and generally feel poorly. And if you're like most people it's probably a combination of triggers that send your body into overdrive. Here are 5 potent allergens to avoid.

Pet Dander---I've got this under control you might think particularly if you don't have pets. Over 60 million homes have warm-blooded pets that shed dander. And just because you don't happen to be one of them, doesn't mean you don't have dander.

Dander is sticky stuff so if you work with someone or your children go to school with others who have pets; you've got some of it in your home. It sticks to clothes, book bags, and hair and is easily transferred on contact.

Once they are in your home, shaking out clothes or putting them on the bed or with other clothes simply spreads the allergen. If your daily routine brings you in constant contact, its easy to understand how the amounts in your home will increase even though you don't have a pet.

If you do have a pet such as a cat, dog, bird, ferret, bunny or other warm fuzzy friend the production of these dead skin flakes will continue all through your pet's life. So being able to effectively keep the levels low can help lessen the frequency and intensity of allergy and asthma flare-ups.

Dust Mites---Dust mites feed on dead skin cells. They don't really care about the source. Human or pet dander is acceptable.. Their favorite room in the house is the bedroom, and more specifically your bed. They thrive in moist, warm, and dark places which make your bed or your pet's bedding a haven for increasing their population.

It is the protein in their feces (that they drop everywhere) that is such a potent trigger. Being able to minimize their numbers can prevent them from causing respiratory issues and from exacerbating existing ones.

Dust---This is an accumulation of fine particles from many sources. What it contains is slightly different in each home. Taking a piece of it and putting it under a microscopic can tell you volumes about what's in it.

Generally it has fine pieces of textiles from clothing, upholstery, rugs and other fabrics. It also usually contains tiny pieces of paper from magazines, mail, and paper products. Body parts from insects, pet and human hair, small pieces of feces from mites and other insects as well as bug body parts can add to this collection.

Unfortunately these allergens are a permanent fact of indoor living. Making sure that the levels remain consistently low can stabilize your health and provide relief from symptoms that can range from annoying to debilitating. The best way to manage allergies is to avoid the trigger. And the best pro-active yet non-invasive way to do that is to filter the continually. This will decrease the allergens and can increase quality of life for good.

Let the Allergy Machine Air Purifier from PurerAir.com remove airbone allergens continually from your air 24 hours every day.  See it now at http://purerair.com/allergy_machine.html

Original article

Can Food Allergies Be The Cause Of Your Depression?

Millions of patients in the U.S. alone are on all sorts of medications for depression and anxiety. If you are such a person, have you ever thought of being tested for food allergies?

The question arises because although it has long been recognized in the scientific literature that food allergy can impact moods, mental states, and so on - hardly ever does a doctor prescribe a food allergy test for someone suffering from depression.

If your doctor has not done so, it may be advantageous for you to arrange one for yourself. Reputable food allergy tests can be found at many places online and they are not that expensive.

One of the earliest studies showing the relationship between food allergies and mood states was performed by Dr. Joseph Egger in the mid 1980's. The study took place at the University of Munich in Germany and involved thirty patients who had a history of anxiety and depression. The test was a double blind, placebo controlled test so that no patient was sure of what they were being given to eat at various times.

The patients were first tested for allergies. Once the test began, they were given either small quantities of foods that they were allergic to or placebos. But they never knew what they were being given. The outcome of the test was eye-opening to say the least.

The clear result showed that the allergens alone were able to induce feelings of depression and anxiety. And even though most of the foods that the people in the study were allergic to where wheat, milk, sugar, and eggs - the result would no doubt be similar to those who are allergic to other foods. The common term coined for these types of allergies are brain allergies.

Other studies since then have shown that many people are allergic to many of the preservatives that are put into modern processed foods. It doesn't take much of a leap to notice the startling increases in the number of people suffering from all sorts of mental problems to make the link between these problems and the food choices that we make.

In reality, even though it is easy to find out, very few people today have any idea of what foods they are allergic to. And, if you are suffering from any type of mental problems, your doctor or psychiatrist should ultimately be the person whom you listen to. But, you have to take some responsibility for your health as well. And a start would be to at least pinpoint your own food allergies to determine if going on an allergy free diet could also improve your mental health.

For more articles on skin health, hayfever relief and acne scar treatment, please visit our web site.

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Natural Allergy Relief - Squashing Allergies and Their Symptoms

Allergies: Cough, Cough, Sneeze, Sneeze, Ohh what a relief!! NOT........

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.

From one allergy sufferer to another, please don't forget to become a part of our mailing list. We will also be sending out future promotions to those listed. Just click on any of our surrounding all natural allergy products links to take that first leap of faith towards feeling like a better you!

Also if you haven't already, please get a copy of our FREE REPORT on healing for Cold, Flu and and more. Purchase one of our many products for your holistic needs and don't forget to sign our mailing list for future promotions. Visit us at http://www.thehealingfactor.com/

Original article

Avoiding Scent Allergies

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.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more on scent allergies and how you can avoid them.

Original article

Allergies and Asthma, See What You're Missing

Allergies can be as simple as the cough I get during pollen season or as severe as being life threatening from medication, peanut, or insect allergies. Fields of rag weed create clouds of pollen spores in the spring time, these clouds soon find their way into towns or cities. Children and adults like myself who have no resistance built up because we have not been in contact with rag weed in 10 to 12 months, this goes on for days and the cars turn green from the pollen. We begin to get congested and cough, our eyes get runny. As we continue to breath in the spores we develop anti bodies that attach to the mast cells in our nasal passage, these anti bodies interlock with the pollen spores and create an explosion destroying the spores and damaging the nasal passage. This is what causes us to sneeze.

The allergens that cause the most trouble are mold spores, animal dander, dust mites, pollen, biting insects or bee stings also foods, peanuts, and medications. The most dangerous are bees, peanuts, and medications, these can kill you if not treated quickly. The cause of allergies has not been discovered yet, it is not hereditary but does seem to run in families.

Then there is asthma, this is caused by breathing in allergens but is different from allergies. Some people develop asthma from having allergies, some get asthma and never have allergies, while others never get either.

Some symptoms of allergies are itchy eyes, nose, and throat, coughing and a congestion, sneezing and a runny nose, even watery eyes. Asthma symptoms are similar but not the same as allergies, they consist of trouble breathing and wheezing, coughing and breathlessness, and a tight feeling in your chest. The most severe of allergies causes anaphylactic shock, this comes on quickly, has many symptoms, and is life threatening. Treatment for anaphylactic shock is a fast injection of epinephrine to constrict the blood vessels, open the airway,and raise the blood pressure. Followed by an injection of antihistamines and/or steroids.

Diagnosing what your allergic to is getting a complete medical history and conducting allergy testing. I had this done when I was 7, it was two rows of eight injections on the inside of each arm,

the ones that swell up, get painful and red are what your allergic to. There is a patch test that works but it is mostly for skin allergies, also a blood test but it only works for allergens that enter or effect the blood stream.

Treatment of allergies for me consisted of shots for 7 years during the worst part of my allergies, I was amazed that what I was allergic to was in the shots. That's how they work, by forcing our bodies to boost our immune system. Other then the shots all you can do is treat the symptoms to be comfortable. There were also things I had to do, like stay away from animals and enclose the mattress in plastic. I had no curtains or rugs in my room because they just stored dust mites.

I had no food or medication allergies so that was not a concern but I was supposed to wear a mask when the pollen was bad, I prefered to stay in the house with the air conditioner on. It worked better, the mask was somewhat ineffective, the eyes also put allergens into the body. Thats why they water and itch.

Asthma treatment consists of two groups of medications, breathing and anti-inflammatory, they are administered by inhaler and pills.

The fall can also be a difficult time for allergies, the windows are closed and the dust accumulates. The dry heat starts blowing and the congestion starts again. Air fresheners, chemicals, and aerosol

can also get your allergies started. Take notice to what you are allergic to and try to avoid it, that is the best treatment.

Researched at FitIron.com Your Fitness Connection
Most of this article was from my own experience and I don't get to write about myself much

Original article

Ask The Experts! Talking About Allergies Again!

I know I have talked about it before, but regular carpet and upholstery cleaning is an important part of managing and controlling those allergies! Allergens like pollen or pet dander are not mysterious evil forces; they are simply contaminants that can be controlled within a household environment. Regular vacuuming can be effective for reducing the exposure to these contaminants for those who suffer from minor allergies. For those like some of my own family members, managing allergens in the household environment simply requires action that is a bit more aggressive.

My recommendations include:

1. Make sure you have a properly fitted electrostatic filter in your furnace. (Those paper filters only catch about 15% of the airborne contaminants blowing through your HVAC system, and all the air in your home travels through that filter 3 to 4 times every hour!).

2. Vacuum your carpets twice each week, and your upholstered furniture once each week with a HEPA filtered vacuum. Perhaps this sounds like common sense, but I cannot over emphasize the importance regular vacuuming. Like it or not, everything that is blowing around outside is finding its way inside our homes. Regular vacuuming is our first line defense that costs nothing but a few moments of our time.

3. Consider quarterly carpet cleaning. Unlike those rental machines, our technicians use powerful truck mounted equipment that produces very high pressure, and extremely powerful suction, not to mention water above 200 degrees at the jets. What that all means to you is cleaning power far and above that which you can do on your own. If done properly and professionally, you simply cannot over clean a carpet, and for allergy sufferers, that regular cleaning will have you breathing easier.

4. Have your air ducts cleaned. All those contaminants have a safe home inside your air ducts unless we go in after them. All the other protections are going to be less effective if the air in your home is constantly travelling through contaminated duct work. Air duct cleaning not only removes pollen and pet dander, but household dust, dust mites and their waste, bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and a host of other irritants. Those ducts are a dark, damp, climate controlled space where contaminants thrive. So call the experts for a very special, thorough Spring cleaning.

Members of my own family are allergy sufferers, and we do these things because we care about how they feel. Some things are out of our hands, but I want to make every effort to remove allergens and contaminants in our home, providing the cleanest, healthiest environment possible.

If you have questions about creating and maintaining your own healthy home, we are here to help. Give us a call at 402-573-0400, or find us on the web at http://www.cleaningomaha.com/

Scot Morris is owner and president of Specialists Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in Omaha. He provides top quality carpet and upholstery cleaning services to customers in the Omaha metro area, that are always 100% guaranteed. Mr. Morris is an expert in the cleaning industry, and is dedicated to providing services and education that help people maintain healthy homes.

Original article

Can You Take Bee Pollen for Allergies?

It's unbelievable but there are thousands of people who take bee pollen for allergies and are feeling better already. Pollen has been contested as a health supplement for many years, but those who use it and are successful far outweigh the numbers of those who use it and have no success with it.

While many have formed an opinion about it, the evidence leads us to believe that pollen is helpful for those who have nasal allergy symptoms and other allergies too.

Why Pollen is Good for Allergy Sufferers

Sure there are plenty of questions that need to be answered regarding pollen, but how hard can it be to research and get those answers?

The challenge is that not enough people know what is actually in pollen that helps reduce allergy symptoms but allergies can be reduced if not altogether improved by using pollen that is gathered by bees.

For starters, we know that pollen contains vitamin A, C, and E which are all antioxidants. These antioxidants are known to not only repair damaged cells, but they help to generate new healthy cells as well. This means that the immune is system is getting a boost and is able to ward off bacteria of all kinds to keep the body healthy.

Studies in Japan

Due to the "buzz" about pollen, some research was done in Japan in 2009 with pollen to see what would happen when given to mice.

The end result was nothing short of amazing, proving that mast cells were reduced when given pollen on a regular basis. These mast cells produce histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing.

When the mice were given pollen consistently, the allergy symptoms were dramatically reduced, and yet more evidence is there to show that pollen is helpful in reducing mast in order to provide relief to those who have allergies.

The Journal of Allergy

Did you know that the Journal of Allergy has also reported positively on the use of pollen for allergy patients?

Allergy patients that have tried pollen have experienced a 75% improvement in their allergy symptoms when they took pollen in oral form. Those patients who also were asthmatics noticed quite an improvement with their condition as well. There is plenty of evidence that points in the direction that pollen is effective in helping allergy sufferers get relief, and while it doesn't claim to provide 100% relief, these patients are in fact getting relief and living easier lives as a result.

There are plenty of people out there who suffer from allergies, and the worst part is that there are foods that can irritate these allergies as well as things in our environment that can bring about these symptoms too.

Using all of these helpful tips combined will bring about a winning combination for those who need allergy relief, but wish to do it without using medication on a regular basis.

Visit my guide on bee pollen allergies to learn more.

Health, Fitness and Wellness Expert Lang Know uses his experience with bee pollen supplements to help others who want to learn more about this natural wonderful supplement.

Now, he's revealing his top secrets to improving health with bee pollen, so you too can benefit from an increase in energy, and live longer. Go to http://www.bee-pollen-diet-pills.com/ and let Lang show you step-by-step, how bee pollen can help improve your health!

Original article

When Asthma, Allergies, Pneumonia Keep Reoccurring Every Winter, Should That Be?

It's winter and parents begin worrying when the first asthma attack occurs and you hear the nightly wheezing that keeps your child awake. Back in the recesses of your mind, you ask yourself, should this be? No, but what do you do about it? Asthma, allergies, and other respiratory diseases can occur and actually be caused by mold exposure. Not recently this scenario occurred. I went to see a friend. She was giving her daughter a nebulizer treatment because she wheezes at night. My friend had a"Flovent" a preventative inhaler sitting on the counter to keep her asthma in check. Every winter this family has the same respiratory problems: asthma, colds, flu and pneumonia with the last condition quite serious. Doctors treat the asthma, pneumonia but not much is done to prevent the problems in the first place. There is something wrong with house and the air in it.

Two years ago that same friend's finished basement flooded after a 5 day heavy rain. The basement was carpeted, with furniture and boxes of toys. There are several rooms that are used for storage and are kept closed; a musty smell was apparent when opening the door. Some things were tossed; other prized should be pitched but porous possessions were kept. The prized stuffed animal had to go but it was kept. Anything porous and wet needed thrown away. The basement was never fully cleaned; but the floors and the flooded part of the basement were. When one says "fully cleaned", it means all surfaces wiped down with a mild detergent, a hepa vacuum used on all surfaces and a dehumidifier for basement running. A dehumidifier was installed which was a step in the right direction. Another thing to consider,how did the water get in? What type of mold is still in the basement could only be found by testing by a reputable lab. This house is 1 of over half the homes and buildings that have water intrusion and mold according to the ( NIOSH )(National Institute for Safety and Health)

The correlation between asthma, allergies and other respiratory infections to mold has been established. Many asthma patients react to mold. Mold is not easy for allergists to test. To discover mold allergy exists, it often requires subjecting a patient to several doses of mold before a reaction occurs. However, while some patients show an allergy to mold, they react to the allergy shot. Not everyone has mold allergies but can have a genetic defect that causes the body not to clear neurotoxins when exposed top mold which are able to effect every system in the body according to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker.This condition is a "Biotoxic Reaction to Mold". This reaction causes asthma, airway restrictive disease and other respiratory ailments among a whole host of conditions.. Common sense can prevail. If you get sick in a damp building, you are reacting to mold. Asthma can continue to worsen when constantly exposed to offending agents like mold. Many parents keep their houses very hot which is an also an offending factor in asthmatic lungs: hot, dry air.

Asthma can also be triggered by strong scents like perfumed laundry detergent or air fresheners. The whole house needs to have cool,fresh air void of chemicals. Parents need to be the one that realize that the lungs of asthmatics are quite sensitive. Asthmatics must have a mold air purifier constantly running in their bedroom and through the house.There are many benefits to using mold air purifiers including getting killing mold, bacteria, germs and viruses and eliminating chemicals from the air. Use a hepa vacuum to properly clean surfaces of contaminants and not release contaminants back into the air as regular vacuums do.

Folks need to start thinking about how healthy is the air inside my house? Some simple things to do to help with mold, indoor air pollution and organic contaminants:

Let sun shine in as often as you can. Mold loves dark and does not grow in sunlight.Leave bathroom door open after a shower. If possible, crack the window.Do not shut any doors in the basement because it creates an area for mold to grow.Place mold air purifiers throughout the house and run them year-round.Dehumidify your basement with dehumidifier for basement.Purchase a hepa vacuum; empty it outside.Instead of air fresheners which add to indoor air pollution and trigger asthma attacks, buy a small air purifier for the bathroom and actually clean the air.Since carpeting has over 120 chemicals ( including formaldehyde), pitch it and go with hardwood flooring. The underlayment for carpeting wears down and disintegrates gathering dirt and mold spores.Buy the least amount of cleaning chemicals as possible.If harsh chemicals including paints, hobby products, sealants etc are applied, open the window and have the asthmatic stay somewhere else for a few days.Wear more clothing in the winter and keep it cool.Make sure you have your heating system serviced and the ducts cleaned. Heating systems can blow mold everywhere.Spray the shower down with straight vinegar. It will smell for a bit but kills mold.Be a minimalist. Throw out or give away things that are not necessary. The less you own, the less chemicals in the air.Make sure the humidity level in any room is below 50%, chemical off- gassing occurs as humidity rises.Do not smoke around children and especially in a closed up car. Do not smoke in the house. Smoking is certainly correlated with respiratory diseases including second-hand smoke on young developing. lungs. Change the way you think and: Live healthy....Be Happy!

Author: Judy Kojadinovich
http://www.stopmoldcold.com/
Improving the air quality is very important to any person that suffers from respiratory problems like asthma. In addition to sunlight and outside air, we recommend that you purchase mold air purifiers, dehumidifier for basement and a hepa vacuum. I carry the top brands in the industry most with free shipping. Please click on the link above which takes you to my website and see for yourself. 100% secure. Live healthy..be happy.

Original article

3 Simple Ideas for Curing Allergies

The Big Question: Is your allergy the problem or is it a symptom of the problem?
In this article we investigate the idea that allergies are actually due to other fundamental, very basic imbalances in the body and the idea that fixing these imbalances could cure your allergies.

If you suffer from allergies then here are 3 simple ideas that you can consider, they are all completely natural, very easy to do and virtually free.

1. Not drinking enough clean pure water
The human body is made up of nearly 60% water and we all know that we need water to stay alive. But not many physicians talk about what happens when the body's most precious commodity is depleted. The late Dr Batmanghelidj spent many years researching and promoting the effects of water as a cure for some of the world's most common diseases.

In his book the "Water Cure" he discusses which illnesses are caused by dehydration and how drugs such as antihistamines can actually make the problem worse. He specifically talks about the relationship between dehydration and asthma like symptoms. As we breathe we breathe out carbon dioxide, oxygen, a little bit of nitrogen and water. As the body gets dehydrated it will automatically start to try to diminish the amount of water leaving the body. One way it does this is by constricting the holes in the lungs through which the water escapes and tightens the bronchials, which can result in the feeling of tight chest and diminished breathing that we associate with asthma.

He further goes on to talk about the dangers of many of our modern beverages such as softdrinks and packet juices, and how these products severely deplete the body of water. As we age our perception of thirst also starts to diminish so by the time you feel thirsty you could actually be already considerably dehydrated. Dr Batmanghelidj suggests that the best way to test for dehydration is to pay attention to the colour of your urine. It should be colorless, when it turns yellow, you are slightly dehydrated and when it turns orange you are severely dehydrated and your body would be suffering from this.

So to avoid this drink more water, not cordial, not tea, not coffee. But plain old, clear, natural water.

Whether you believe water can heal or not, I do think that it's important to make sure your body gets enough water to help it cleanse toxins and function properly.

Sadly with the passing of Dr Batmanghelidj the watercure.com website is no longer functioning but you can find significant amounts of his work published in medical journals and scattered throughout the web. Have a look on Amazon for a copy of his book Your Body's Many Cries for Water.

2. Too much salt from processed foods and not enough high quality natural salt
We read everywhere that salt is bad for us, but what if I were to tell you that good salt is actually essential for the human body to function properly. This is what a lot of people don't understand.

So what is good salt and what is bad salt?

Bad salt is table salt, it's the salt you buy from the supermarket that is chemically manufactured and it's the salt that is contained in almost every single processed product on the market.

Good salt is natural salt from the sea, like celtic sea salt. It contains all of the essential minerals that the human body needs for proper cell nutrition.

You often think of salty foods and automatically feel thirsty. This is what happens when you eat bad salt, because your body immediately tries to flush it from your system which then starts to dehydrate the body. However good salt contains Potassium which the cells of the body require to actually absorb water. If you don't have enough potassium in your diet then it doesn't matter how much water your drink but your cells will never be able to absorb it.

The good news is you can easily fix this and don't even have to give up on the salt, just try and cut down on processed foods and swap your table salt for sea salt.

3. Low stomach acid levels
With the modern day consumption of alcohol, coffee, processed foods and antacids we have gradually depleted the levels of acid present the stomach.

When you chew your body starts to prepare itself for food. Initially enzymes in the saliva start to break down the food and the stomach starts to produce Hydrochloric Acid. If we produce enough stomach acid then the food will be properly broken down to then move through to the intestine where all of the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids are absorbed into the body. These are all of the things that keep us healthy, boost your immune system, give you energy and make you feel good.

If the food isn't broken down by the stomach acid enough then it will pass into the intestine in big lumps mostly undigested and all of the goodness will not be able to pass through the intestinal membrane to where it is needed most.

The best way to make sure your stomach acid levels stay on the right track is to have a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon every morning, or even better a glass of water with a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar. This can take a while to get used to so start with small amounts and work your way up.

If you suffer from hives or similar allergies check out Hives Treatment Guide for more great information on the best hives and angioedema treatments.

For more information on taking Antihistamines for hives read this interesting article that explains everything you need to know.

Original article

I Don't Have Food Allergies - Do I?

Most people have food allergies and are not aware that they do. Why? Because the common conception of food allergy is that your throat closes up and you have to rush to the hospital after eating something you are allergic to. There are many different forms of food allergy, some doctors refer to the less severe reactions as food sensitivities or intolerances rather than allergies. What's the difference? Your immune system produces five different types of antibodies - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.

IgE Antibodies

IgE antibodies are responsible for the more severe, potentially life threatening allergic reactions like what we associate with peanut allergies. Most people who have these are aware that they have them because the reaction is so immediate and severe. The type of symptoms people can experience with an IgE mediated food allergy reaction are lips tingling, itching in the mouth, throat tightening or closing, difficulty breathing, hives and full blown anaphylactic reaction, usually fairly immediately after exposure to the food allergen. Medical doctors test for IgE related allergies by a skin prick test. IgE antibodies tend to hang out in the skin, so a skin prick is a viable means of testing of this type of antibody.

IgA Antibodies

Celiac disease is an IgA related food allergy to gluten or gliadin a protein similar to gluten. Both are proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. Oats are often contaminated with gluten from being processed in the same facilities as gluten containing grains. Common symptoms of celiac disease include: anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bloating, and irritability. Celiac disease can have severe consequences if sufferers are not following a gluten free diet, so thorough testing for celiac disease is vital. Testing should include blood tests for tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysial antibodies, IgG and IgA antibodies to gluten/gliadin.

IgG Antibodies

IgG antibodies to foods are extremely common. In testing several hundred patients, only three of them haven't had any IgG antibodies to foods. The rest have had multiple food intolerances, usually 8-12 and were not aware they had any food allergies. However, once all of the food allergies were known, and these foods were excluded simultaneously, people will usually notice dramatic improvement. The type of symptoms people experience with IgG food allergies are skin rashes like acne, eczema and psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, mucous in the stool, rectal itching, rectal leaking, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sinus congestion or recurring sinusitis, vaginal irritation not related to yeast, environmental allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or lupus. IgG antibodies tend to be located in the blood stream, so the best means of detecting IgG food allergies is a simple blood test.

IgM and IgD antibodies are not generally tested for food sensitivities.

Dr. Pamela Frank, ND maintains a busy, diverse naturopathic practice with a special interest in women's health and fertility. Pamela was twice voted "Best Naturopath in Toronto" by the readers of NOW magazine. She has been the clinic director at Forces of Nature in Toronto ON for the past 12 years and is a member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Pamela can be reached at Forces of Nature at 416.481.0222 or by email at PFrankND@ForcesofNature.ca

For more information visit http://www.forcesofnature.ca/ or http://www.naturopathtoronto.ca/

Original article

Allergies Vs Sinus Infection - Do I Have Allergies or a Sinus Infection?

Nasal symptoms affect millions of Americans all the time. But is it allergies or sinus infection? What's the difference? How does it matter?

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is an allergic response to pollen or other microscopic particles or organisms. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

Itchy, watery eyesCongestionSneezingRunny nose

Colds or flu may cause some of these same symptoms, but are usually accompanied by fever, sore throat, and body aches. Colds typically last about seven days, then go away. But with allergies, symptoms last longer. And allergy symptoms occur in a predictable pattern: The symptoms of allergies tend to be present when pollen counts are high, and go away when they are lower.

Sinus Infection

Sinus infection (sinusitis) is inflammation of one or more of the sinus cavities in the skull. Sinuses have small openings into the nasal cavity and are normally just filled with air, but when they become blocked and filled with fluid, they become a breeding ground for germs that cause an infection. These can include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Based on the length of time symptoms are present, sinusitis is classified as acute, chronic, or recurrent

Acute Sinusitis

In acute sinusitis, the primary symptoms last about 7-28 days and include:

Facial pain/pressureNasal stuffinessNasal dischargeLoss of smellCough/congestion

Additional symptoms may include:

FeverBad breathFatigueTeeth pain

A health care professional will make a diagnosis of acute sinusitis when a person has two or more symptoms and/or thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge. Treatment for allergies is usually symptomatic. These include medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids. Antibiotics are not needed. Non-medicinal remedies such as nasal irrigation has been proven helpful as well.

Chronic Sinusitis

People with chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms for 8 weeks or more:

Facial congestion/fullnessA nasal obstruction/blockagePus in the nasal cavityFeverNasal discharge/discolored postnasal drainage

Additional symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include:

HeadachesBad breathFatigueTeeth pain

A physician may treat sinusitis with symptomatic medication or antibiotics in severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics has lead physicians to be more reserved in prescribing antibiotics. Nasal irrigation has been proven effective, as well, in helping to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and maintain nasal health.

One Condition May Lead to Another

It is not uncommon for allergies to lead to sinusitis. Nasal allergies cause swelling of the lining of the nasal passages, which can lead to a blocked sinus. Sinus infection can then develop because of the blockage.

Nasal allergies and sinusitis affect the body in different ways and are treated differently, so it is important to know the difference.

Kevin Deremer owns and writes articles for http://www.sinus-and-allergy.com/ where you can find all-natural, clinically proven products for sinus and allergy relief.

Original article

Homeopathic Remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food allergies or sensitivities are a group of signs and symptoms that denote adverse immunologic reactions to food. Nowadays thanks to coloring agents, preservatives, pesticides, and newer food storage techniques food allergies and sensitivities have become a very common phenomenon. The manifestation of food allergies or sensitivities are specific and highly individualized depending on age, sex, the quantum of exposure to a specific allergen.

If a person is allergic to some food, the manifestation of allergic reaction starts once the food enters the mouth. The mouth starts itching and once the food enters the stomach, abdominal dysfunctions starts and the person starts experiencing vomiting, stomachache, cramps and diarrhea. Severe gastroenteritis where there is vomiting and diarrhea cause a drop in blood pressure. On skin the manifestations are to dermatitis or hives with severe itching, red welts with heat and irritation and occasional swelling. The respiratory manifestations might vary from a slight difficulty in breathing to severe wheeze. The manifestation differs from persons to person.

Homeopathic remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Homeopathy has an excellent remedy for treating food allergies and sensitivities. As the treatment for these problems require a very individual approach, homeopathy treats food allergies by the use of simple remedies.

However, food sensitivity demands treatment that is specific to a particular problem, a specific allergen and a specific manifestations.

Some of the remedies for food allergies and sensitivities are:

Arsenicum Album: This is the remedy to think of first in any case of food related gastric upsets.This remedy is indicated when the patient is down, severely dehydrated with frequent passing of "White, rice watery liquid stools", where there is thirst for small quantities of cold water and there is physical and mental restlessness with anxiety.

Aloes Socrotina: Pain around the navel region. Sense of fullness and distension of the abdomen and a feeling that there is a constant need to evacuate the bowels. Burning sensation with the loss of power of the sphincter's of the rectum with the passage of lumpy, mucus stained undigested stool.

Calcarea Carbonica: The indications that ask for the use of this remedy are fatigue, anxiety sometimes with claustrophobia or fear of heights, lack of stamina, chillness, etc. The other common symptoms are developing digestive problem and heart burn after eating milk or wheat products, dizziness, swollen lymph nodes and tonsils, back pain, shortness of breath from exertion and strong craving for sour liquids.

Carbo Vegetabilis: It is an effective remedy for people who show indications of weakness, faintness, chillness, and indigestion due to reactions to food allergens. Such patients may also experience difficulty in breathing, strong desire for fresh air, frequent need to burp, bloating and flatulence.

Gelsemium: Patients who develop symptoms of chillness, weakness, trembling, muscle pain, droopiness in eyes due to allergy reactions ask for this remedy. They may also suffer in the back of the head and muscles of the neck and feel ill and weak.

When you are allergic to some food, your body responds to this food. Sometimes your immune system may react to even good food. Food allergies are not an ailment which needs to be cured but it is a manifestation of basic imbalance of the body.

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