Identifying Dog Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

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Sinus Infections, Symptoms and Treatments

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you would like more articles like this one please visit WholeHealthMethods.com

Frank

About the Author - Frank C. Fallo

I am in charge of Network Systems and workflow development at a 250 bed hospital in Scranton Pennsylvania. I have diverse interests which include music, science, health, and art. I am a musician and play my guitar whenever I can. I enjoy nature and the outdoors and am an avid fisherman. I am married and have two adult sons. If you would like more Health and Wellness resources please visit my website at http://wholehealthmethods.com/

(c) Copyright - Frank C. Fallo All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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A Guide to the Management of Cat Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

The patients that display cat allergy symptoms may not even be aware of the underlying issues. It is heartbreaking to tell your children that they cannot keep their favorite pet. However that might be part of the course of cat allergy treatments that are required.

For some people the cold never seems to end. If you are in this situation you may want to consider the possibility whether you could be suffering from early cat allergy symptoms. Sometimes you may be offered the option of using a hypoallergenic cat but some owners feel that this is not a good replacement for the real thing.
Reactive cat allergy treatments: It is better to deal with the problems before they arise rather than concentrating on a firefighting strategy. For example you should take antihistamines as a pre-emptive measure against a reaction in case you are exposed to pets. By conservative estimates up to 10% of the US population suffers from some form of pet allergy. Further cat allergenic reactions are 200% higher than those originating from dogs. Rather than reacting to the fur, most people are affected by dander and bodily excretions such as saliva or urine.
Protein reactions: The element that will trigger the reaction is a protein. Therefore isolating it and avoiding it then you are likely to survive some of the worst effects. Essentially the immune system will mistake an otherwise harmless substance for a viral or bacterial infection. It reactions by attacking and this causes the skin to erupt or all the other signs. Therefore the allergy treatments for cats have to concentrate on the possibility of reducing the body reaction or removing the offending particle altogether.
Indirect causes: It has been found that even if you are not necessarily allergic to cats, they may trigger other reactions. The breeding of hypoallergenic cats such as the hairless sphinx has been effect but some people prefer to take antihistamines as a solution to the problem. You should try as much as possible not to hug cats. The use of repellents has been controversial because some pet owners feel that it tends to do harm to the animals in question.

Although the cat allergy symptoms may be mild at the beginning, you could see an escalation if you do not get treatment at the earliest opportunity. Moreover you have to plan ahead if you hope to travel in areas where the pets are found.

The article has been written by an expert of cat allergy symptoms and cat allergy treatments.

Original article

Live Healthier With Natural Allergies Treatments

Suffering from allergies is never an easy condition. The environment exposes a person to a lot of allergens that triggers an allergic reaction. It varies from one person to another. Thus, if you're one of the many who have this condition, it becomes necessary to find the appropriate allergies treatments.

Physicians usually prescribe conventional allergies treatments using drugs such as decongestant or antihistamines. Decongestant is used to treat problems relating to mucus, whereas, antihistamine treat symptoms such as wheezing, rashes and runny nose. Then, there's also cortisone, a type of steroid, used to treat rash outbreaks due to allergies. Patients take these pharmaceutical allergies treatments regularly, most of the time in a regular basis. However, continuous use leads to toxin build-up in the body. The liver, that cleanses our body, is unable to handle too much waste thereby damaging it.

To help prevent this from happening, people have turned to natural allergies treatments as an alternative cure. These have been around far longer than pharmaceuticals and cost less too. These kinds of allergies remedies are plain, natural, yet a sure fire way to remedy allergies without breaking the bank or having unwanted side effects.

First, when you have already found out your allergy triggers, it's best to follow the doctor's advice by avoiding them. However, it also pays off to strengthen your immune system to help boost your resistance against allergies. Treatments would be discipline and determination. These are needed to stop unhealthy lifestyles such as drinking too much alcohol, smoking and staying up late during nighttime. It is also a good advice to include vegetables and colourful fruits in your diet as well as exercising regularly.

Second, allergies come with the effect of pain. Acupuncture or acupressure, as one of the allergies remedy, can help relieve this. Practitioners of this method stimulate specific points on the skin by using pressure or force in acupressure and using needles in acupuncture. Through this, the body's flow of energy optimizes thus regaining balance of wellness in the body.

Third, you can add organic and natural foods in your diet as an allergies remedy. Homemade brewed teas composed of herbs like grapefruit and lemon, fenugreek seeds and stinging nettles greatly help in preventing as well as alleviating your allergies. Stinging nettles are actually used as an ingredient in allergies treatments.

Fourth, it is one of the proven preventive allergies treatments to decongest by flushing sinuses. Some may scoff or ignore this method but studies have shown that flushing thins out mucus secretions as well as decreasing pain, congestion, pressure and avoid the need for prescription drugs.

Having allergies is a lifetime condition. Aside from allergies treatments, remember that you will need a complete overhaul of your habits. You also need to constantly update your knowledge regarding your condition. Prevention still remains to be the simplest yet best form of allergies treatments. Why wait for you allergies to worsen when you can avoid them from happening.

Not having any luck with your allergies? Visit this site to see all the best options for natural remedies for allergies and homeopathic remedies for allergies.

Original article

Identifying Soy Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

There have been some stereotypes that are associated with the known soy allergy symptoms and treatments. However you should be aware of the potential dangers that you face as a sufferer and the remedies that you can turn to.

Ordinarily the soy allergy symptoms will be triggered by the consumption of or proximity to soybeans. These are legumes which are related to kidney, navy, string, pinto and black beans. The class also includes chickpeas, carob, lentils, garbanzo, peanuts, licorice and chichi beans. All these food items can potentially turn into allergens if they are not handled well. You may be allergic to more than one legume within the class and therefore investigations are required in order to ascertain where you stand.

The patient profiles: Infants are particularly susceptible to soy allergy symptoms. It has been discovered that the average age where manifestations begin to show is at 3 months. They will be able to outgrow the condition by the time they achieve 24 months. It is very rare for adults to suffer from the allergy and if that is the case then it is unlikely that they will be able to outgrow it.
Their symptoms: You will normally develop a series of skin conditions including eczema and acne. Swelling is common and is accompanied by nasal congestion. In the worst case scenario the patient may suffer from anaphylaxis. This is where it is imperative that a clinician is involved in order to arrest the situation in time. Asthma is a common indicator. However some people suffer from fever blisters and canker sores on a repeated basis. It is possible to develop certain gastrointestinal complications such as diarrhea.
Assessing the patient: The severity of the reaction will determine the soy allergy treatments that you use. For example if they have conjunctivitis or pink eye then you will need to use drops. Shortness of breath should be addressed by opening up the air passages and making the person comfortable. They should take some antihistamines to reduce the internal inflammation. Other symptoms may include chronic fatigue, fatigue and fever. They may develop itching, hay fever, low blood pressure and hives if you do not implement the treatment programs quickly enough.

The avoidance strategy is the favorite response but it has its detractors. You cannot expect to keep away from foods that are part of your staple diet. These are rich but inexpensive sources of protein. A balanced diet has to be achieved through the use of supplementary ingredients. For example you may have to take more meat to compensate for the shortfall in protein.

The rarity of soy allergy symptoms in adults should not prevent you from considering it as one of the conditions that may be affecting you or your child. The author of this article is a regular blogger of soy allergy treatments blog.

Original article

Hay Fever - The Best Treatments for an Allergy Free Life

Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis afflicts sufferers with a variety of symptoms, such as:

· Itchy, runny & / or blocked nose

· Itchy, watery, red eyes

· Sneezing

· Itchy throat

· Less commonly; headache, face pain, sweats, loss of smell, asthma symptoms (breathless, wheezing)

Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen, the commonest coming from grasses and weeds which causes symptoms during spring & summer. Tree pollens can also affect many people, but tend to do so earlier in the year, generally from March till May. If symptoms persist in the winter months then other causes of allergy maybe to blame, such as fungal spores, house dust mites and animal & pet dander from fur.

Symptoms are caused by the body's immune system reacting to pollen, cells in the lining of the nose & on the surface of the eyes release histamine when exposed to an allergen which causes inflammation & irritation. Hay fever affects about 20% of the population and often starts in childhood and re-occurs each year for several years before improving or disappearing completely. People that suffer from hay fever are also often prone to asthma & eczema; these so called "atopic" conditions also tend to run in families.

Simple measures to reduce exposure to pollen can help ease symptoms, but avoiding pollen completely is virtually impossible. The following actions may help when the pollen count is high (50+):

· Stay indoors as much as possible with the doors & windows closed

· Keep car windows & air vents closed, consider fitting pollen filters.

· Wear wrap around sunglasses

· Avoid cutting grass & large grassy areas as much as possible

· Shower & wash your hair often to remove pollen

Treatment:

Hay fever is treated mainly with anti-histamine tablets, nasal sprays (anti-histamine or steroid) & eye drops. For optimal control, treatment should begin BEFORE the hay fever season starts and continue until the pollen season ends.

Anti-histamine tablets are classified into 1st generation (e.g. Chlorpheniramine - PIRITON?) which commonly cause drowsiness & also need to be taken several times a day.

2nd generation anti-histamines (e.g. Loratidine - CLARITYN? & Cetirizine - ZIRTEK?) generally do not cause drowsiness and are only taken once per day. Loratidine is considered the least likely to make you feel sleepy or to interact with alcohol. Both these drugs can occasionally cause dizziness and should be avoided during pregnancy & breastfeeding. These drugs can ease all symptoms of hay fever with the exception of a blocked nose, if this symptom is troublesome the use of a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine can be tried or alternative anti-histamines prescribed; Fexofenadine or Desloratidine. Anti-histamines taken orally tend to act in about 30 minutes, but for faster relief Acrivastine - BENEDRYL? can be used which offers relief within 15 minutes, but requires frequent doses every 8 hours.

Steroid nasal sprays (Beclometasone - BECONASE? & Fluticasone - FLIXONASE?) are very effective at relieving nasal & eye symptoms. They are used once or twice daily in each nostril and can take between 5 & 20 days to provide a full effect. Anti-histamine nasal sprays (e.g. Azelastine - RHINOLAST?) offer fast relief of nasal symptoms, but do not help affected eyes and are generally less effective than steroids. Cromoglycate nasal sprays (RYNACROM?) offer another alternative, but these also need to be used regularly and can take up to 2 weeks to reach full effect. They are more often used in children. Ipratropium bromide nasal sprays (ATROVENT?) are particularly effective in stopping very watery nasal discharges, but have no effect on other nasal or eye symptoms.

Eye symptoms can be rapidly relieved by anti-histamine eye drops (e.g. Antazoline - OTRIVINE ANTISTIN?) or alternatively use drops with the anti-allergy ingredient Sodium Cromoglycate (CLARITYN? or OPTREX? allergy drops) however these need to be used regularly and can take several days to reach full effectiveness.

Successful relief of hay fever is often only achieved with the use of several products and may require treatment with anti-histamine tablets, a nasal spray & eye drops combined, starting a few weeks before the season begins.

Michael Lord BPharm(hons)

Pharmacist for 25 years & health journalist

http://www.healthandbeautyabroad.com/

Original article

Natural Treatments for Hay Fever

Allergies are caused by your immune system attacking something that isn't actually harmful to your body, but for some reason your body thinks it is. Basically, your immune system is in place to protect you from harmful things like bacteria, toxins and viral infections, but in the case of allergies your body mistakes something harmless like pollen as a threat to your body.

Allergies can be environmental allergies, where people have an immune response to particles in the air such as tree pollen, pet dander, dust, grasses, or mold. Another type of allergy can be allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, wheat, or peanuts.

Having allergies often involves a genetic component, as having a close relative with allergies makes it much more likely that you will suffer from allergies as well. There are no known causes of hay fever. However there are factors that are correlated with allergies, such as fatigue, poor digestion, insomnia, stress, and low immunity.

Allergic responses are caused by the release of histamines and symptoms are similar to having the cold or flu, involving itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fatigue and cough. They can also involve the skin, causing itching and rash. These symptoms are due to the body trying to flush out the allergen which it sees as a threat.

Since allergies are caused by the release of histamines, drugs for allergies are aimed at blocking the activity of histames. Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra and Benadryl are the most common over the counter medications for allergies, and the drugs they contain are all histamine blockers which help reduce the immune response caused by allergens. There are also prescription drugs like Flonase which contain inhaled steroids used to reduce inflammation. These drugs will give the most immediate relief from allergies, however many people want to avoid taking medication long term for reasons like side effects and cost, and there are some things you can do help get rid of your allergies in a natural way.

Natural Treatments for Allergies

By far the simplest and yet one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms is to drink plenty of water. Water helps keep the lining of your respiratory system fluid and reduces your sensitivity to airborne allergens. In addition, being dehydrated causes your body to release more histamines than normal, so staying hydrated by drinking water will help prevent this.

If you suffer from allergies, you have probably noticed that when you are feeling burned out, your allergies are worse. So, getting adequate sleep can be of great benefit in reducing allergies. When your body is exhausted, there is a tendency for your immune system to get hypersensitive to your surroundings as a way to defend a body which it sees as already weak. With enough sleep, your body is healthier and more prepared to take on the stresses of the day, so your immune system relaxes as it sees less need to protect you. Also, overextending yourself and your energy due to excess stress can have the same effect, where your body becomes exhausted and your immune system goes overboard in trying to protect you.

There are herbal medicines which act in a similar way to allergy medication by stabilizing the immune cells that produce histamine. Quercitin and stinging nettle are two commonly used herbs. In addition, because fatigue and a weak immune system are correlated with allergies, a natural adaptogen or immune strengthener can help improve your allergy symptoms as well as your energy levels. Astragalus, rhodiola, and ashwaghanda are some herbal medicines that reduce stress and help strengthen the body's immune system and the organs involved in energy production.

The Mind-Body Connection in Allergies

The mind-body connection in allergies is an interesting one to consider, and one not usually discussed when dealing with allergies. If you imagine your immune system as the defense system of your body, and the immune cells as the soldiers employed to defend you, it follows that an allergic reaction is when those soldiers become overly defensive and start attacking things that don't really pose a threat to you.

If you are suffering from allergies, it is sometimes helpful to look at whether you may be feeling too protective of yourself, and hence getting overly defensive. Protecting yourself is a natural inclination, however this natural protective instinct can sometimes get out of hand and rather than provide a benefit to you, actually end up being harmful and keep you from living your life more fully. If you notice you are spending a lot of energy trying to prevent bad things from happening, getting anxious over not being able to control certain aspects of life, this may be a component that leaves you more susceptible to allergies. Dealing with these fears can help you learn to trust that you are capable of taking care of yourself when hardships or attacks do occur, leaving your defense mechanism - hence, your immune system - more stable and less hypersensitive. Try and relax - life won't deal out anything that you aren't able to handle.

Allergies, while usually not a severe health problem, can still make life much more difficult. For people who suffer from chronic allergies it may be necessary to take medication to reduce your symptoms, but in the long run working towards treating your allergies in a natural way will help reduce your need to take drugs and improve the health of your immune system and your body.

Dr. Petersen is a naturopathic doctor living in San Diego, CA.
For more articles, news, and natural health tips visit http://www.thenaturalhealthspot.com/

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