Psoriasis - Natural Treatment That Works

Of all of the skin problems people experience, psoriasis can be one of the most frustrating. It often starts with a terrible itchy scalp that keeps you awake nights...you try many skin products, only to find it can come right back with a vengeance. What starts out as being very itchy, turns into red bumps, then larger thicker 'plaques' of it, often with a white silvery scale. Needless to say, it can be quite embarrassing at work when you get an uncontrollable itch, or in public when you go swimming and people wonder if the red patches on your knees and elbows are contagious (it's not). It is especially hard on kids at school where they can be teased about it. In this article I will discuss a few new ways of understanding the problem and its causes, and some fundamental and effective naturopathic treatment strategies.

Skin Cell Growth
In normal skin, there is a balance of skin cells that form and skin cells that die - it takes about 28 days for skin cells to fully form. However, when the skin is damaged, there are more skin cells formed, which also draws more blood into the area causing redness and swelling (inflammation). Similarly, in psoriasis, this process also occurs, although the process of skin cell development is accelerated to take only 4 days, with thirty times more new skin cells. What causes this rapid piling up of skin cells in people with psoriasis?

Triggers and Causes of Psoriasis
About one-third of people with psoriasis have other family members with it as well. Despite the genetic predisposition, there must be a specific trigger to start the process. Recent research has found that the problem is not in the skin cells themselves, but is a reaction of the immune system. Some of the immune-related triggers of psoriasis include any infection, such as from strep throat, viruses, or yeast; physical injury (even a cut or scrape); pregnancy; an emotional crisis or stress; and medications (eg: lithium, blood pressure drugs). From a naturopathic perspective, we also know that our immunity is dramatically affected by nutritional deficiencies, a liver overwhelmed with toxins, and by what is happening in the digestive tract - with psoriasis what happens on the inside can have profound effects to the outside. Other factors that are associated with psoriasis include obesity, type 2 diabetes, alcohol consumption, smoking, and excessive animal fats in the diet. Most underlying factors tend to fall in four categories - nutrition, toxicity, digestion, and stress. In my experience, these are the basic components to address in all patients with psoriasis.

Conventional Treatment
The conventional treatment of the most common forms of psoriasis include topical skin treatments like coal tar, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin A and D ointments, and ultraviolet phototherapy. For moderate to severe cases, immunosuppressive medications may be used such as methotrexate or cyclosporine. Newer 'biological agents' have been developed that block specific parts of the immune system. Most of these treatments have significant adverse effects, and can be costly, it's no wonder that more psoriasis sufferers are looking to natural solutions.

Basic Naturopathic Treatment
From the naturopathic perspective, some of the important basics to ensure positive results are to improve the diet, detoxify, improve digestive health, and balance stress. Note that topical treatment can help, but full resolution will only come from the inside out. From the dietary perspective, it is fundamental to eliminate the foods that trigger the immune system. I recommend doing an elimination diet where suspect foods are cut out for 3 weeks to see if symptoms improve - common culprits are wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy. An alternative to this is a blood test checking for immune system antibodies to common foods. It is interesting to note that 16% of psoriasis sufferers have an immune reaction to the gluten protein found in grains (wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, oats, rye, triticale). For these people, eliminating gluten in the diet usually solves the psoriasis, amazing!

We are all biochemically unique, with slightly different nutritional needs. Some common nutritional deficiencies amongst people with psoriasis include vitamins A, D, E, B12 and folic acid; selenium, zinc, and omega-3 fats. Patients with widespread psoriasis were found to have very low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is not just for strong bones; it also helps control cell replication in the skin and even has antimicrobial effects there too. It's no wonder that there are much fewer cases of psoriasis in the tropics, where lots of sun allows the body to produce its own vitamin D. For us Canadians, I usually recommend 2000 I.U. of supplemental vitamin D3 per day, and more based on blood tests. I have also found that vitamin B12 injections have been helpful for my patients with psoriasis since it has immune antibody regulating benefits. Another essential nutrient for psoriasis patients is omega-3 fat. These are the 'good fats' and they help strengthen cell membranes and regulate immune functions. Numerous studies have shown the benefit of fish oils in helping reduce the skin thickness, itching, redness, and scaling of psoriasis. I recommend 5-10grams of fish or flax oil per day, or 3-5 servings of cold water fish each week.

Toxicity of various sorts can overwhelm the body - clogging up the liver and slowing down its detoxification processes. Ultimately, if the liver is backed up, then unprocessed toxins spill into the circulation, affecting the immune balance in the skin. Signs of toxicity include headaches, fatigue, aches, digestive problems, skin rashes, allergy symptoms, and being uncomfortable with scents such as perfumes and cleaning chemicals. Also realize that when we do not exercise regularly, we allow these toxins to just sit around, increasing the chance of triggering the skin's immune cells. Simple approaches to detoxification include an organic diet, 4-6 glasses of water and 25-35grams of fiber per day, and using liver-assisting herbs and spices such as milk thistle, dandelion, burdock, and turmeric. In regards to promoting effective skin circulation, I have found that my patients with psoriasis who used the far-infrared sauna received the best resolution of their psoriasis symptoms, since it penetrates the skin so well, drawing out the toxins.

Digestive factors are extremely important to investigate. Do you have imbalanced intestinal bacteria and yeast from antibiotics? Are you digesting well - any bloating, constipation, heartburn or excess gas? It is important to resolve these symptoms, and to ensure regular, daily, easy bowel movements. Consider if there is enough stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and healthy bacteria in the intestines. If you're not digesting and absorbing your food, then something else will! If there is poor protein digestion and absorption, then bacteria will digest this 'second helping' and overproduce their toxic byproducts which have been shown to actually increase skin cell growth.

Identifying and reducing your sources and perceptions of stress are crucial. Regular meditation, deep belly breathing, and other stress management techniques promote body-mind-immunity balance. By addressing the above factors, and putting it all together with consistency and patience, I have found that psoriasis can be resolved with a naturopathic approach.

Dog Food, Dog Food, Dog Food

So many dog food choices, so little time!

I was recently in a veterinarian's office and asked if I could give a treat to a beautiful Golden Retriever. His human said sure and asked what it was. I replied that it's a low-fat lamb and rice tidbit. He quickly pulled his dog back with an anxious response, "No, he's Vegan." I responded with "Oh, me too! What's his sign?"

I didn't actually say anything because I do understand that a lot of dogs have adopted many food allergies much like their human companions. Dogs are Carnivores. Their teeth, jaw, and digestion were originally "designed" for raw meat. My dogs definitely prefer it, but their enjoyment of it is usually prefaced with hearing me either say "leave it!" Or, "that's gross, hurry up and swallow!"

There are so many diet options - Vegan, Raw (which I do believe is the most natural), kibble and only kibble, kibble with raw, Vegetarian, Fish and Potato, Venison or other rare "seasonal" meats. When did this happen? When did dogs get so definitive about their food preferences and worse, have horrible allergies to food? It seems that there is also a level of subtle arrogance about what we feed Pooky. Our concern shouldn't be brand, but content and our dog's well-being.

Having had a dog with serious skin allergies, I do understand. We spent a year or more on expensive food trials. That didn't work. Finally, there were allergy shots and that didn't work. Prednisone and prednisone only worked. The allergy testing proved (much to her pleasure) that she was allergic to cats, mold, and dust! Welcome to my world! So, food was not the issue. You would think that the higher the price of the food, the greater the health. Not so.

We are all left with the responsibility of knowing our dogs and what works.

• Do they eliminate regularly? But, not excessively?


• Is their stool solid?


• Are they of a healthy weight - a light layer of tissue over the ribs and a nice chest pad?


• How are their teeth? Are they mostly free from plaque?


• Are they fed on a semi-consistent schedule?


• Do they have an excessive amount of gas? (you'll know this one for sure!)

I won't recommend a dog food. With six dogs, I admit mine get kibble. They love it and no one is wondering what someone else got that they didn't. It's of good quality, but probably not considered "top of the line." Be responsible for your dog's nutrition and health, but if they eat better than you, it might be time for an evaluation or you could just say "I'll have what they're having!"

Sometimes it's good to remember that maybe what your dog appreciates most is love and a full belly.

Allergies - Myth Buster

Seasonal allergies are caused by an immune system that treats a normal allergen (such as pollen or mold) as an infectious agent. Most people are not affected by these substances, but certain individuals have immune systems that mount a serious attack when exposed to these types of things.  Over 40 million Americans are affected by seasonal allergies and there are lots of misconceptions over the prevention and treatment of symptoms. Let's go over a few of the myths.

Myth #1 - Allergy shots are a miracle cure.

With the long-term use of allergy shots, an individual can become gradually desensitized to a specific allergen. However, allergy shots can be very inconvenient and are not effective on all individuals. Therefore, these treatments are typically used by people who have adverse reactions to allergy medications and/or cannot avoid their allergen. 

Myth #2 - There are no natural remedies for allergies

There is a new ingredient produced by Embria Health Sciences called EpiCor. EpiCor's immune-balancing properties are perfect for people with allergies. It works to "educate" the immune system by promoting the proper immune response when the body is being inappropriately attacked, as in the case with allergies. EpiCor is an all-natural nutritional dietary health supplement derived from yeast that helps support the immune system. It is a complex, nutrient-rich ingredient comprised of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. 

Myth #3 - If you use one brand of allergy medication you will build a resistance to it over time

This may have been the case in the past, but current medications do not have this problem. People may think it isn't working as effectively as before because medications only treat the symptoms and not the actual problem. So if there is an increase in the amount of allergens in the air, the medicine may not be as effective as it was in the past.  

Dog Allergy Testing - Tips on the Methods and Preparation

Dog allergy testing is performed as standard procedure before immunotherapy, or allergy shots are normally given. Being part of the diagnosis, the data gained from a canine blood test and skin scratch test will provide the basic information necessary to correctly diagnose that a condition of hypersensitivity does exists and will determine exactly which allergens are responsible. Thus, this testing makes it possible to conduct immunotherapy.

Dog allergy shots are given in order to inject a carefully created vaccine, each one is individually designed to bring about the desensitization of specific allergies that have been shown in testing to be the cause of the physical reactions to allergens.

Preparations

Before beginning any procedure, two things must be done.

First, all lingering skin infections must be cleared-up. These include flea, mite, yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. At times this may take several weeks to completely cure these conditions. Still, this is necessary to ensure that your pet's allergies are the problem-- and not the infections.

Secondly, if it has not occurred earlier, your pet will be placed on a diet of hypoallergenic food for a period of about three months prior to proceeding. This will be done in order to ensure your pet is not reacting to a food allergy, which is usually treated by identifying the problem food in question and eliminating it from the diet. Desensitization of a food allergen is usually not attempted except in cases of very special circumstances because of especially poor success rates.

The IDST

When all is ready, an Intradermal Skin Test (IDST), or allergy skin testing, is performed in order to confirm that: 1) the physical reactions are indeed caused by an allergen, and 2) to determine specifically which allergens are responsible.

In theory, the IDST is a very straight-forward procedure, yet at times it may become somewhat complex due to the incredibly huge range of possible allergens. Re-testing is sometimes performed to further understand the scope of the problem.

Whom to Select

At times a family veterinarian will conduct the canine blood test and skin test leading to desensitization therapy (dog allergy shots), and then the family vet may even provide the shots based him or herself. Let me say that there are some family vets that are competent in doing this, although most are not-- primarily because they lack the proper training and do not have enough experience, except for very simple cases.

That is why it is recommended that an animal with more than simple inhalant allergies be taken to a veterinary dermatologist. They are highly-trained specialist in the field of diseases of the skin. Going to a vet dermatologist from the beginning will often avoid wasted time and money. You will find most veterinary dermatologists will want to do their own dog allergy testing according to their own standards and specifications; and these will likely be different from those of the family vet. The simple fact is that veterinary dermatologists are far better suited to understanding and applying the fine art of specialty diagnosis.

One Last Thought

It should be kept in mind that dog allergy testing works best in the season when your pet's allergy symptoms are not present, in the non-itchy season. Though, inhalant allergies often begin as a seasonal hypersensitivity that will eventually progress to a year-round problem, so this may not be possible.

Beat Hay Fever With These Tested Methods

It is allergy time again. The pollen is in the air and the sniffing and sneezing has started. Once again millions of people, like you and I, begin looking for ways to deal with our allergies. Some people start stocking up on medicine. Some began allergy shots. Me, I try to prevent them.

There is no cure so the best we can do is to control our allergies. After trying allergy shots and taking more kinds of medicine than I can count, I found ways to prevent my allergies. This makes the most difference in how bad my allergies are.

I use the following 5 methods all the time. The more of these I do, the fewer problems I have with allergies. I also have reduced the amount of medicine I have to take. In fact, I rarely have to take medicine at all.

So here are the 5 steps I follow. I hope that you will also follow these steps.

1. Keep the doors and windows closed.

I try to minimize the amount of time my doors and windows are open. The pollen count is very high in the morning, so I'm sure to not open windows and doors at this time. I check the pollen count on TV. If it's very high, the windows stay closed. I can air my house out on another day.

2. Limit time outside

I enjoy my time outside as much as you do. I like to take walks with my family. However, when there is a lot of pollen in the air, we stay home. We play games and I consider it extra family time. I also know that it is impossible to never go outside. I mean we have to go to work and school.

3. Shower when you come inside

It is not possible to never go outside. In addition to school and work, the grass must be cut, the garden must be weeded, and the yard must be cleaned. After spending a long time outside, your clothing and hair will be covered in pollen. As soon as you go inside take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes. Try to spend as little time as possible walking around your house. The more time you walk around before showering, the more chance pollen has to get on your furniture and all around your house. You really should not go into your bedroom or sit on your bed.

4. Clean regularly

It should go without saying, and I hope that you already do this, but I'll say it anyway. Clean your house regularly. Every time you open a door or a window, go outside, or come back inside, pollen gets into your house. It settles on the floor, tables, and furniture. Normal traffic in your house causes it to get back into the air so you breathe it again. You need to get rid of it. Cleaning regularly will remove the pollen.

I try to vacuum my entire house everyday. If I am pressed for time, I just vacuum the bedrooms and the living room. I use a HEPA filter and I never change the bags inside the house.

I dust with a damp cloth. I never use a feather duster. A damp cloth will remove pollen. A feather duster will just send it into the air again. I try to dust one room a day. It takes me a little more than a week to dust every room.

I wash sheets, blankets, and curtains each week.

This takes a lot of time, but in my opinion it is time well spent. I have fewer allergic reactions to pollen. I enjoy my days and nights more.

5. Use an air purifier

The last thing I do is to use an air purifier. I only use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter will remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger from the air. Pollen is larger than this. An air cleaner will remove the pollen from all the air that passes through it. One thing to remember is that a HEPA filter can only remove particles from the air that passes through it so it needs a powerful fan. And a powerful fan is noisy.

I use a programmable purifier. I set it to run on high when I am not in the room and on low when I am in the room. It works well for me. I get a full night's sleep now and almost never take medicine.

There is no cure for hay fever. If you have it, you will have to find ways to manage it. You don't have to become a recluse to survive hay fever. Follow these five steps and you too, can reduce your hay fever symptoms.

Finding Lasting Solution to HIV/AIDS by Medicinal Treatment: Its History and Recent Developments

1. Introduction:
It is reported that India is the AIDS capital of the world and is retaining the number one position for the past several years, as per a joint report on the Global AIDS scenario by UNAIDS and WHO. Likewise it is reported by U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that every year about 50,000 U.S adults and adolescents are diagnosed with HIV infection.

Hence there is an imperative need for finding a lasting solution to totally eradicate this menace.

Attack on AIDS is three pronged as follows:

a) Social approach.
b) Psychological approach and
c) Clinical approach.

In all the pandemics, the above three approaches need attention. Especially in AIDS intervention, the three are inter-related and are equally important. The Indian Government, with the aid of International organisations like US AIDS is spending huge amount in AIDS awareness. Today in India, even a rickshaw puller is aware of the basic precautions like condom usage, blood tests like ELISA etc.

But medicinal applications belong to different category. Medicines should be administered only on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Yet, a social worker should be aware of the latest developments in medicinal treatment and vice-versa.

It is with that idea in mind, the undersigned author, though a psychological counsellor kept a close watch on developments in anti-HIV drugs. The article given below is coverage of AIDS drugs from 1987. The sources are from various medical bulletins, Press releases and discussions with medical practitioners in various seminars. Reference is given where ever possible. It is hoped that the readers will be benefited by knowing the latest developments in anti HIV drugs.

2. The Discovery in 1987:
The first weapon to fight against spread of HIV inside a human body was discovered in 1987. Its name is AOP-RANTES which inhibited HIV entry not only into lymphocytes but also into macrophages. They interfere with white blood cells which protect the body against viruses and bacteria. AOP-RANTES blocks HIV entry blood cells. (Based on a study by Glaxo Wellcome collaboration) Scientists believe that by attacking HIV in early stage, they can delay or stop progression to disease. That was a new approach targeting host cells i.e. CD4 (white blood cells) to prevent HIV entry.

This is the beginning of the new sophisticated fight against HIV. We shall see here below further advances starting from 1987 up-to-date with the latest developments in the medical History in man's fight against HIV/AIDS.

3. First Ten Years of Battle 1987-1997:

On 03.3.87, Retrovir, the first drug licensed for the treatment of HIV/AIDS was launched in the UK. Till then, doctors were powerless to fight against advancement of HIV to AIDS leading to death. In 1995, new data revealed that taking a combination of Retrovir with one of the most powerful drugs Epivir TM, (3TCTM, lamivudine), reduces the amount of HIV in the blood by 99% Since then, other studies have shown that addition of a third drug, a member of a new class of drugs called protease inhibitors which attack the virus in a different way, reduces the amount of virus even further to undetectable levels in some patients.

Since Retrovir was launched and in less time than it normally takes to bring just one drug from laboratory to the patient, another 8 drugs have been licensed to treat HIV and there are dozens of potential new drugs in the pipeline.

In 1997, Professor Joep Lange, Director, National AIDS Therapy Evaluation Centre at the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam declared that:

"Even if we cannot eradicate the virus, we will continue to develop treatment strategies that suppress the infection and prevent disease progression for longer and longer until HIV becomes a manageable non-life-threatening condition".

So this is the situation in 1997. ART on one side and progress in research on the other side marked the developments from 1987 to 1997

4. A New Combination of Drugs to Cure AIDS in 1999:

In a major development in the area of AIDS treatment Prof. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute for Allergy and infectious diseases in US announced a new combination of drugs that promised of a cure for AIDS. Prof Fauci, who is an internationally renowned AIDS expert, made the above announcement at the tenth International Conference on immunology.

The new combination held out the hope for a potential cure for the disease as it had been found to clear out the AIDS virus completely from the blood stream. Specifically, it was found to remove the virus from specific cells of the immune system (CD4 cells).

The new combination he announced was ART drugs, AZT (Azidothymidine) and an enzyme protease (three drug therapy), along with the inclusion another new drug by adding interluekins, a class of proteins secreted by immune cells completely eliminated the virus from CD$ cells that circulated in blood.

The new drug, though might be successful, it may not be of much use to developing countries, as the therapy would be costlier than the existing one, which itself was beyond the reach of most of them.

5. TRUVADA: the 21st Century Drug:

Truvada is known chemically as a fixed-dose, daily in-take combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Since 2004, it has been marketed as a treatment to those already affected with HIV. However, beginning 2010, clinical studies demonstrated that the drug could prevent people from contracting the infection. Truvada could be a preventive measure for high-risk individuals such as those with HIV positive partners provided the users counsel sexual health counsellors and use condoms.

A three year study showed that the daily in-take of Truvada reduced the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42%, who belong to high risk group.
A recent study in 2011 found that Truvada reduced infection by 75% in heterosexual couples in which one partner was infected.

A recent Press-Release by FDA informs that they have since given their first ever nod for this anti-HIV drug to the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. (Source: The Hindu-July 18, 2012)

6. CONCLUSION:

S brief and simple treatment of anti HIV drugs was given in the above paragraphs. Attending to the needs of HIV/Aids affected and infected people requires talents in various fields. A highly qualified doctor should have a bent of social service and also should be a psychologist. Likewise, a social worker should not only be a good psychologist, but also should have a fundamental knowledge of AIDS medication. Also a psychologist should have the knowledge of both social service and medicine.

That is with that idea that this article is submitted. Days are not far off when an ordinary person in India will talk of TRUVADA like a layman knows ELISA today.

Let all of us, who belong to various disciplines of knowledge join together to fight against this dreaded 20th century monster.

Help Living With A Cat And A Cat Allergy

Has your doctor diagnosed you with an allergy to cats? Do you own cats? Do you consider them your babies? Can you not live without them? Just because you have an allergy to cats, it doesn't mean you necessarily have to give them away. There are some things you can do to help you and your beloved feline live together despite your cat allergy.

First, most people who say they are allergic to cats are really not allergic to cats at all but instead to their saliva. Because cats groom themselves regularly, their fur is covered with this dried saliva, or dander as it is called.

Since cats also shed regularly, their fur, which is coated in dander, is left where ever they may go in your home. It may settle in the carpet, on couches and drapes. Every time you clean this fur and dander is stirred up in the air, making your allergy symptoms worse.

If you find discover you have a cat allergy, the best idea is to keep your cat outside. If this is not possible because the animal is declawed, there are a few things you can do to make your life less miserable because of allergies.

First, you might want to limit your cat's roaming to only one or two rooms of your house. After petting or playing with your feline, wash your hands thoroughly, especially before touching your face or nose. Also, never allow the cats to sleep in your bed with you.

Next, there are several ways you can help reduce the amount of cat dander that stays in your home. You might think about replacing cloth curtains or drapes with plastic or wooden blinds.

It will also help if you remove the carpet from your house and replace it with linoleum, hardwood or tile floors. These changes mean you can clean your home better and get rid of more cat dander. While these actions may be costly, they are worth the effort for those who really love their cats.

If you can't replace your carpets because you rent your home or apartment, there are still several ways to clean more cat dander out of the existing carpet. First, there are new vacuums with extra powerful suction made specifically for removing pet hair from carpet, rugs and upholstery. Certain air filters and air cleaners can also help to cut down on the amount of dander floating in your air.

Another suggestion is to try is bathing your cat, or having him bathed, on a weekly basis. Although your cat won't like this idea that much, the weekly bath may help to cut down on some of the dander on the fur. Another option is to have your cat shaved.

While this may sound strange, many veterinarians' offices offer this service for less than $50. Cats with less hair will understandably have less dander. An added bonus is that they will also shed less and have fewer hairballs.

Finally, you might consult with your doctor to see if he can suggest an allergy medication that might with your cat allergy. He may suggest allergy shots, a prescription strength allergy medication or even an over-the-counter allergy treatment. You and your doctor can work together to find the best solution for your particular cat allergy.

For those who love cats, finding out that they have a cat allergy may be the worst news they can receive. While it may seem the only option is to give away their beloved pet, there are some things they can try in order to get allergy relief, but still keep their cat.

Common Side Effects Of Antihistamines

As we're in the middle of the spring season and hay fever is running rampant, many allergy sufferers are running to their allergists and filling prescriptions for the most powerful antihistamines they can find. Well, it might surprise you to know that not only do these antihistamines have side effects but they also come with another fact of life that very few people are aware of; something that the drug companies don't want us to know. Well, this article is going to give you the straight facts on antihistamine side effects and that small little detail that your allergist failed to tell you about your favorite hay fever remedy.

For those who aren't quite sure how antihistamines work, it's actually a very simple process. Basically, when your body is affected by an outside substance, like pollen, it reacts to this substance by producing histamines. These histamines are the body's defense against these outside invaders. Unfortunately, in creating this defense, it also creates the symptoms that go with them, such as the watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and in extreme cases, shortness of breath and even asthma. What antihistamines do is reduce the effects of our body's defense mechanism.

Unfortunately, these antihistamines come with a price tag that goes way beyond the cost of the pills themselves. Common side effects of antihistamines are drowsiness, which is why you should never drive or operate heavy machinery when taking them, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness and upset stomach. Other side effects, which aren't as common are dry mouth, dry nose, irritability, difficulty urinating and blurred vision. In most cases, the side effects from antihistamines are barely noticeable. However, the real problem with taking these drugs is not so much from what they do to you, but from what they don't do.

Over time, as you continue to take a particular antihistamine, you may notice that the drug doesn't seem to be working as well as it used to. The reason is simple. Your body's immune system begins to build up tolerance to these drugs. Usually, within a period of about three months, the drug stops working completely. At the very least, its effectiveness is greatly reduced. That is why a knowledgeable allergist, who doesn't have his pockets filled by the drug companies, will tell you to rotate your antihistamines every three months. So for example, he might have you take Claritin, which contains loratadine, for three months and then have you switch to Benadryl, which contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride, for the next three months. Otherwise, you will find your allergy symptoms getting worse and worse.

This never ending battle against allergies, which is really a no win war with drugs, keeps the drug companies in business and makes them richer and richer. There are cures for allergies and they don't involve taking drugs. You can check out the details in my signature.

You don't have to put up with antihistamine side effects and ultimately lose the war against allergies.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

Bird Allergies - 5 Facts About Bird Allergies

With over 6 million pet lovers opening their homes to birds for a total of approximately 16 million birds, and considering over 50 million people in the U.S. alone suffer with allergies, it's not surprising that pet birds and allergies find themselves on a collision course. Here are some interesting facts about bird allergies that may help you or another bird lover who suffers from allergies.

It's not the dander it's what's in it.----Many believe that it is the dander, dust, and feathers that trigger allergic symptoms. The fact of the matter is that it is the protein in these particles that is the true allergen. Breathing these fine particles over a prolonged period of time can cause symptoms that range from mild to life threatening in severity.

Dried fecal material is bad news.-----Cleaning the cage daily reduces the amount of dried fecal particles that can be sent airborne due to daily activity by the bird and humans. It contains the same allergen that dander, and bird dust contain, all of which can carry viruses and bacteria airborne.

Most of these viruses have potential to affect birds more than humans, but there are diseases such as psittacosis that affect humans as well. Thorough and regularly cleaning seems a small price to maintain the health of both birds and humans.

Symptoms can change.-----There are some people who have been exposed to birds all their lives without problems. Then suddenly without warning they exhibit very definite signs of being allergic when in close contact with the bird. This is not totally unheard of, and should this happen, great care should be taken to avoid more serious health problems.

Wheezing can be a serious problem particularly if asthma is an existing condition. Shortness of breath and/or a constriction of the throat are all serious symptoms and medical attention should be sought immediately.

Normal development equals dander.----As long as you have your bird, there will be dander, dust, feathers, and fecal material. These are all a natural part of your bird's growth and development. So if your condition is so severe that you are unable to be around the bird, unless you undergo allergy shots to reduce your sensitivity to the allergen, you will need to limit your time with the bird.

These things can help reduce allergens.---One of the best ways to reduce the allergens that birds create is to filter the air. Try using a HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting vacuum that filters the air before sending it back into the room.

The same type of technology is available in air purifiers. By definition a cleaner that uses HEPA technology must be able to remove 99.97% of airborne allergens that are.3 microns or greater. This type of filter can easily remove bird dander, dust, dried fecal material and feathers from your air 24 hours a day in a cost effective way.

Do Common Ways To Prevent Asian Flush Really Work?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for alcohol flush reaction. One can only hope to prevent Asian flush. To do so, there are a few common as well as unorthodox methods. The reason you can't cure it is because it is not a disease, it is not an allergy, and it's not a temporary condition. It is something that you are born with and cannot be changed. It stems from the lack of or insufficient amount of the ALDH2 enzyme, responsible for breaking down the toxic chemical acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a byproduct of the metabolism of alcohol. In a simpler explanation, after you drink alcohol and your body begins to digest it, acetaldehyde (something like ethanol) is created. Usually, the enzyme ALDH2 takes care of it by further breaking it down into vinegar. Lacking this enzyme means that an excess of toxins are created, thus the uncomfortable symptoms associated with alcohol flush reaction such as red and puffy skin, hives, dizziness, and nausea come forth. To cure it, we would have to completely change the way our bodies digest alcohol, so for the time being there are only temporary ways to prevent Asian flush.

The most common way to prevent Asian flush is to take antacids before drinking. Among the various home remedies and trial-and-error methods, this seems to be the most reliable way to prevent Asian flush. However, that doesn't mean that it's guaranteed to work. There are many things to consider if choosing this method of prevention. Because this is not a standard way to prevent Asian flush, there is no official research or statistics available on how many and what strength of antacids to take. There is also very little information available on what the long-term effects may be. Some people who report success with antacids may favour one brand or another. Some may take as little as half a normal strength tablet or as much as four extra strength. Much of the success related to antacids is personal trials posted on internet forums - by no means an official cure.

There are several other way to prevent Asian flush, including eating carbohydrates before, taking glucose or fructose supplements, tonics or pills that can be purchased on the internet, splashing water on your face, and the list goes on. Most of these other methods seem to work only for a few individuals, and at a variable frequency of effectiveness.

One product perhaps comes close to actually curing, not just preventing Asian flush. The No Red Face Formula guarantees that their e-book, they can teach you certain techniques to control your alcohol flush reaction, and there are no pills, shots, supplements, or products to re-order. The information is copyrighted so it is difficult to speak about the effectiveness of their product, but they have a money back guarantee and 10,000 or more satisfied customers supporting them.

What Should You Do If You Are Allergic to Your Dog?

Do you have a dog, do you think that you may be experiencing some kind of allergic reaction as a result of your pet being around? If you are experiencing some kind of allergic problem then you are going to want some guidance. There is nothing worse than the feeling that you are allergic to the pet that you love so much.

The first thing before you take any action is to make sure that the problems that you are experiencing is in actual fact a pet allergy. In a lot of cases where a person believes that they are experiencing a pet allergy they are in actual fact just experiencing a common kind of problem such as the flu or the common cold. Those people who are experiencing the problems of pet allergies may experience problems such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, a skin rash or you may even have problem of breathing problems. If you are a person that is severely suffering as a result of the pet allergy and you have got confirmation from your local doctor that you are in actual fact suffering from a pet allergy then you are going to want to visit a healthcare consultant.

The first but the most hardest thing for most pet owners to stop the problems that you are experiencing from pet allergies is to remove the pet from the home. If you just can't fathom doing such a thing to your dog then you are going to have to start searching for a good home for the dog. One of the best options that you can do is to find friends or family that are willing to take the pet into their home. If you decide to keep the dog then there are many solutions that you could implement to relieve the pain that you are suffering from the allergies.

The best thing that you can do to relieve the suffering that you are experiencing is to keep your dog or dogs out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the place that you spend the most time in, and for that sole reason you do want to keep the dogs out so that you can get a peaceful nights sleep. If you do this successfully you will find that you can limit the problems that you are experiencing. It will also help you to get the peaceful nights sleep which is very important after a long day.

How To Avoid Sickness And Disease The Easy Way By Being Smart

I don't know about you but I hate being sick and catching disease and I've hardly gotten sick in the last 20 years. I think a lot of sickness and disease is spread by people who should be staying home in bed and treating their illness instead of going out and spreading germs to others in public places, work, public transportation, etc. Some of you probably won't approve of my methods and think I'm being a selfish, narrow minded snob. Well, at least I've been a healthy one!

I'm not a Doctor and what works for me, may not work for you, especially if you feel guilty for following any of my advice if you feel it compromises your personal integrity. The main secret I've found to minimizing sickness and disease can be summed up in one word - AVOIDANCE! This means trying to avoid being around or near sick people and potentially sick people as much as possible. How do I do this? Well a lot of you are not going to like my answers but they work for me:

1. Avoid using public toilets as much as possible, If you can't, always put paper underneath and get out as fast as you can. As a general rule, I try to use my own private toilet only and won't allow anyone in my bathroom. My girlfriend, friends or family can use the guest bathroom, I won't let them enter my bathroom at all.

2. If someone at work shows obvious signs of sickness, avoid them at all costs and try to make it known to your supervisor that he should ask this person to go home and come back to work when healthy. If you work right next to them, see if its possible to temporarily work at another desk. If someone says why, just say the sick worker is distracting you with their coughing, sneezing, etc. I'd also suggest if possible, you get your Office to hold a general meeting about how it is not productive for anyone to come to work sick as it will cause more sickness and loss of productivity, etc. People who come to work sick are not being heroes but carrier villains. Sick leave is there for a reason.

3. Here's where you are now going to call me a miserable excuse for a human being. I would avoid being around people who in all likelihood don't have health insurance and in my personal opinion are more susceptible to being sick, letting things fester and not taking care of themselves as well as they can. I personally think its a disgrace that the United States doesn't have Medical Insurance for everyone. I also would avoid eating at fast food places, cheap bars, etc., as I'm guessing patrons are more likely not to have health insurance as well.

4. If you have to ride public transportation, try to sit apart from everyone as much as possible.

5. If you're on a plane and the person either next to you, in your row, or behind you is coughing or sneezing or exhibiting any kinds of illness, don't be afraid of making an ass of yourself and asking the stewardess to change your seat. The last time I was really sick, I was on a 6 hour flight with no empty seats and the person sitting directly behind me, was coughing non-stop the whole flight. I caught something from him the next day and was sick for 3 weeks.

6. Try to avoid being near kids as much as possible as they're more likelier then adults in my opinion to be sick as they don't take care of themselves as well.

7. If you go to a Doctors Office try to either sit by yourself when waiting or just wait in the hallway and ask them to call you when the Doctor is ready because guess what, sick people wait in the doctors office and why should you get sick from them!

8. If you're married or if you have a girlfriend or boyfriend and your partner is sick, no matter how much they curse you out, try to sleep in a spare bedroom or on the couch. Take the bedroom sheets to the dry cleaner when they've recovered. Whatever you do, avoid all physical contact.

9. If you're at the Post Office or Supermarket waiting on line and someone on the line is coughing, sneezing, smelling of liquor or looking run down go to another line far away or wait till they leave the premises before going online again.

10. Try to always have a full nights sleep, as the less sleep you have, the more vulnerable you are to catching something.

11. Get a Flu Shot annually and try to get Booster Shots every 5 to 10 years as applicable.

12. Do not go out in the cold lightly dressed or out in the heat with too much on. Just because football fans get shown on TV bare chested in the middle of the Winter doesn't mean that you have to.

13. Try to avoid drinking and smoking as best you can and being around smokers.

14. Do not get intimate with someone you just met without at least having some gut feeling that they're not carrying any kind of STD or illness. Always take a hot shower after sex.

15. Get health insurance and seek medical help when you think its necessary so you don't let things go out of hand.

I can go on and on but these are the basics that jump at me. If you think I'm being ridiculous as well as being narrow minded by making stereotyped assumptions based on no factual statistics, just remember, stereotypes wouldn't exist in the first place, if there wasn't at least some basis of truth!

Seasonal Grass Allergy - What to Know

Spring and summer are peak times to develop a seasonal grass allergy. A grass or tree allergy is a common and prevalent allergy that affects people throughout the spring season and during the onset or ending of the summer season. Grass allergy is often directly linked to hay fever, because their symptoms and causes are somehow similar to each other. Seasonal allergies are fairly common in children age 5 and up: According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, about 10 to 15 percent of school-age children have seasonal allergies.

Symptoms of Season Grass Allergy

The common symptoms of grass allergy are sneezing, a runny nose, watering and itchy eyes. If these symptoms sound familiar, and they occur at the same time each year and last longer than a cold would, then you could be experiencing seasonal allergies. Monitor your health. If you tend to have few allergy symptoms on days that are rainy, cloudy, or windless, that may tell you something. Grass pollens don't move around much on those days. To be sure, schedule allergy testing by a physician. If the symptoms are severe or you experience or long-lasting allergy symptoms, medical testing is vital.

The decision about which individual allergens to test for is dictated firstly by the patients history, and taking into consideration his geographical location (particularly with respect to aero-allergens). Symptomatic medications for treating the eye and nose symptoms of allergy are generally available to grass allergy sufferers. Not everyone who has seasonal allergies needs allergy shots, but if your life is being impaired by seasonal allergies, you should discuss this with an allergist.

With a few preventative measures, and knowledge of how to handle allergic symptoms, you can make your life significantly easier. Histamine inflames the nose and airways, and the chemicals cause the well-known symptoms of hay fever: runny nose, watery eyes, and frequent sneezing to flush the allergen from the body.

Sources of Grass Allergens

Typical allergic symptoms caused by airborne allergens include sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion (allergic rhinitis or hay fever). Grass pollen allergens cross-react with food allergy proteins in tomato,lettuce, onion, celery, corn and sometimes carrots. There is a Chrysanthemum allergy that originates from flower pollen. The cousins of birch pollen allergens (apples, grapes, peaches, celery, apricots), produce severe itching in the throat and ears. The cypress pollen allergy can require identifying allergens and cross reactivity between divergent species, such as olive, ash, privet, and Russian olive tree pollen allergens.

Another form of seasonal grass allergy, is the combination of airborne particles of pollen mixed with mold. This tends to occur around rural areas and farms where the soil is plowed and molds become airborne with the dust of the land.

Conclusion

Antihistamines are usually prescribed to curtail grass allergy development among patients. The most effective treatment for tree or grass allergy is preventing the occurrence in the first place by avoiding exposure to outdoors or wearing a mask to prevent inhaling grass pollens.

Allergy Shots For Dogs - Done the Right Way

Allergy shots for dogs make it possible for our pets to escape the itchy discomfort of allergy symptoms completely and permanently. That's a wonderful thing, but it will not happen overnight.

When it comes to inhalant allergies (atopy in dogs) you must pick a vet that has substantial experience in curing this type of allergy, and not just the occasional try. Inhalant allergies in dogs are different than food allergies because the former are treatable with allergy shots, the latter are usually not.

So, when it comes to dog inhalant allergies, most family vets have limited experience in administering skin tests and what is more difficult, understanding the results and how they may inter-relate to blood tests and other parts of the diagnostic jigsaw puzzle. Inhalant allergy diagnosis is a true art form born from extensive experience and wide knowledge of this form of allergy. This is far out of the league of the average family vet.

Some family vets do have the experience and knowledge to do a very good job. So, you need to research a vet before approaching him or her for allergy shot therapy.

The wise family veterinarian know their strengths, and as a matter of course will immediately refer a dog with a moderate to serious inhalant allergy (atopy) to one of many veterinary dermatologists.

Veterinary dermatologists are trained in the fine points in understanding inhalant allergies and their associated canine blood test, allergy skin tests, diagnostic evaluation, and the all-important pet allergy shots. It is the vaccine in the shots that will make allergy desensitization a success or failure.

Especially in difficult cases, you need a 'top gun' to get top results. If you live in the country you may need to drive to the big city, or take the subway across town to a university animal hospital. It may not be convenient but it will be worthwhile.

Here are some basic guidelines:

With dog allergy shots, your dog will need a daily needle or shot, at least at first. It is far better if the owner can administer the shots rather than driving to the vet dermatologist every day. It is also less expensive. It is not difficult to give a needle to a dog, and you will be shown exactly how to do it correctly and safely.

You should keep in mind that it is common for dog immunotherapy to take 6 to 12 months. There is no way of knowing when or if the shots will eventually work, especially if the dog has multiple allergies. But with a 75% success rates (or partial success rates), the odds are in your favor.

Be prepared that 25% of the time dog immunotherapy does not work.

You should keep in mind that success is not always 100%. There are times when a dog will need to have a fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly booster shot to maintain the desensitization. This is no big deal.

Allergy shots for dogs are a golden opportunity cure or control an allergy in a firm manner. It is the preferred manner in dealing with inhalant allergies in dogs. Locate a good vet dermatologist and have it done the right way.

How to Treat Crohn's Disease and Allergies With a Little Known Powerful Antioxidant

Many people who have Crohn's also suffer from another autoimmune related condition, which are allergies. I have personally suffered from both conditions for most of my 59 years. Over that time, the only treatments available to me were either routine allergy shots or various antihistamines, either prescriptive or the over-the-counter.

Allergy shots were effective for a while, until the doses were increased to the point where a bad reaction was experienced, landing me in the emergency ward. This is a very logical result however, because you have to receive allergy shots in increasing doses with the very thing that you are allergic to in order to build up an immunity. The reaction was severe and scary enough to convince me that I could no longer continue the shots. In addition, it became increasing inconvenient to schedule the costly office visits around my work schedule, and dealing with the unpleasant side effects of a sore and itchy arm after each shot.

The antihistamine drugs prescribed to me were effective in controlling my allergy symptoms, but left me drousy and lethargic after taking them. Often it was hard to concentrate at work and difficult to resist the urge to fall asleep, both situations I could ill afford.

I have found the natural antioxidant OPC (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin), consisting of wine, grape seed extract and pine bark, to be surprisingly as effective as allergy shots and drugs but without the harsh side effects. Why, because of the way OPC handles the histamine problem characteristic in autoimmune diseases. When allergic reactions occur in the body, there is a release of inflammatory chemicals, namely histamine. It is the histamine that triggers the allergic symptoms; the runny nose, wheezing, watery and itchy eyes. Also with Crohn's Disease, it is the histamines that do damage to the body, causing inflammation, pain and other symptoms. The powerful antioxidant OPC significantly reduces the formation of histamine naturally, which means none of the side effects to contend with mentioned earlier.

Many people who have taken OPC products, often not only experience relief from allergies but report, feeling delightfully energetic at the same time. This is because of the high content of free radical scavenging properties found in OPC.

Allergy Testing and Your Child

If you are taking your child for allergy testing, it's common that you might want to know what to expect, especially if this is your first time. When you can prepare your child before the appointment, it will also help her to be more relaxed for the appointment and in the time before it. Children are often apprehensive when they don't know what to expect from an appointment.

Here are some steps to help you and your child become more comfortable with this process:

繚 Find out all of the details about the process first so that you can talk it over with your child. This will allow you to be prepared to answer any questions that might come up.

繚 Talk with the allergist about any medications your child should discontinue before the testing and how early you should discontinue.

The allergist that your child is seeing should provide you with preparation instructions as well as guidelines on what you can expect. It's important that you read over all of this and ask any questions before the appointment date if you have them. You can then help prepare your child for what she can expect in the appointment.

Allergy testing is not typically done on children under the age of four, with the exception of blood testing that is sometimes done to rule out some things. However, blood testing for allergies is not thorough and skin prick testing is usually done later.

Allergy skin testing today is very non invasive. Small plastic panels or pre-prepared allergens are pressed onto the skin of the back. The child will need to lie on her tummy with her back exposed for the testing. You will then wait 15 minutes before the tests are read for the results. This skin prick testing can determine common allergens such as trees, grass, weeds, animals, cockroaches, dust and more.

Your child may experience some itchiness or burning sensation at the site of the skin testing but otherwise, there are no symptoms except in rare cases where your child has a serious reaction to one of the allergens.

Once the testing is complete, your child's allergist will be able to give you results so that you know what she is allergic to. In addition to trying to avoid these triggers, such as bee stings or peanut butter, your child may also be set up for allergy shots that help maintain the symptoms of seasonal allergies and allergies to things in the air such as pollen or ragweed.

Why Do Spider Veins Sometimes Reappear Soon After Sclerotherapy Treatment?

Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a fluid (a sclerosant) directly into a diseased vessel in order to cause irreversible damage to the vessel, while avoiding damage to normal collateral vessels and surrounding tissues. After an injection, the damaged vessel becomes non-functional and gradually fades away. Though sclerotherapy has several applications, such as treatment of small hemorrhoids and esophageal varices, the single most widely used application of sclerotherapy is for reticular and spider vein treatment. Reticular veins are superficial veins that have a cyanotic hue and are 2-4 mm in diameter. Spider veins (telangiectasias); on the other hand, are very fine, red, blue or purple superficial veins commonly appearing as thin wiggly lines on the thighs, calves and ankles.

In principal, sclerotherapy can be an effective therapy for veins of any size; however, the larger the vein and closer to the deep venous system, the greater the likelihood of treatment failure or early recurrences. Sclerotherapy of veins larger than 5 mm in diameter often requires special techniques and high potency sclerosants in larger amounts and high concentration, increasing the risk for spasm and many other undesirable adverse effects. The reason is that larger veins contain more blood, dilute the injected sclerosant, and decrease its efficacy.

Currently, the only widespread application of sclerotherapy in the United States and other Developed countries is for reticular and spider vein treatment. Although these small veins may be surgically removed, sclerotherapy presents a rapid, effective, and cosmetically acceptable alternative that is particularly attractive to patients with extensive networks of small abnormal veins. Spider veins respond quickly to this treatment and results can be seen as early as three to six weeks. Larger veins take longer to respond. Contraindications to sclerotherapy are rare and include pregnancy and allergy to the sclerosing agents. The side effects of sclerotherapy are tolerable and temporary. Patients might experience itching, tenderness, skin bruising and redness at the injected area. Sclerotherapy not only offers the possibility of remarkably good cosmetic results, but also has been reported to yield an 85% reduction in symptoms of pain, burning, and fatigue associated with these veins. It should be mentioned that vein size alone does not predict the presence of symptoms. Veins causing symptoms may be as small as 1 mm in diameter, and larger bulging varicose veins may not cause any symptoms whatsoever.

Some patients are highly responsive to sclerotherapy injections and can be treated with weak sclerosants in only a 1-2 sessions, while others are highly resistant, and may require several sessions, stronger sclerosants and/or combination of treatment techniques including laser vein treatment. When a patient has had a poor response to initial series of treatments and the veins recur, or new veins start to appear soon after the treatment, the original diagnosis must always be called into question. Failed treatment often means that a hidden source of reflux was overlooked or the underlying cause for the appearance of the small veins was not identified with Ultrasound Duplex imaging. Reflux vein disease refers to an abnormal communication with the deep vein system allowing reverse flow from the deep vein system into superficial veins. Only when diagnostic tests fail to identify a large vessel as a source of reflux, superficial dilated veins are ascribed to localized valve failure. It should be noted that even the smallest veins have valves. It is only in the latter case that the treatment plan starts with sclerotherapy.

A renowned Los Angeles vein specialist says that he owes his very high sclerotherapy success rate to his treatment plan that starts with the identification of underlying sources of reflux, like the saphenous vein, incompetent perforator veins (veins that allow communication between the superficial venous system and deep venous system of the legs), or reticular vessels. According to the same Los Angeles vein specialist, reticular or spider vein treatment must be directed at the entire system, because if the point source of reflux is not ablated first, the superficial web will rapidly recur, because the larger veins serve as "feeder" veins for the smaller veins. You may read more about sclerotherapy and spider vein treatment by visiting the website of the reputable Los Angeles vein specialist.

Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy - Is Allergy Immunotherapy a Good Option? What to Consider

55% of Americans tested, test positive to one or more allergens; allergies rank 5th in the United States among the most common chronic diseases. More and more Americans are finding lasting relief from their allergy symptoms with the use of immunotherapy.

Allergies are caused by the body's immune system misclassifying harmless substances as potentially dangerous. When the body comes in contact with the allergen either by ingesting, inhaling or touching the skin, an allergic reaction occurs producing any number of symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing and skin irritations. Allergic reactions can range from barely noticeable to life threatening.

Pollens are the most common cause for allergy symptoms followed by Animal dander. Dust mites and insect bites are the next most common and mold rounds out the top 5 most common allergy triggers in the United States.

Determining a patient's allergies is not difficult; skin tests are the most common method of testing for allergies. Skin tests involve putting very small amounts of allergens on the skin; the body will respond to the allergens the individual is allergic to. With the results of the skin test, the allergist/immunologist can discuss treatment options available for the patient.

People with mild allergies may find that over the counter allergy medications are enough to deal with the symptoms. Individuals with more annoying cases may want to try prescription allergy medication or seek a more potentially permanent solution with immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Allergy shots work in a similar fashion as other immunizations; small amounts of the allergen are introduced to the body, the body over time gets used to the allergen and stops reacting to it. Allergy shots are administered over the course of a few months (in some cases years), but it's the only treatment currently available that has the potential to provide long term relief from allergies.

Risks involved in Allergy Immunotherapy are very rare but could include anaphylaxis which could be life threatening if not handled properly. Allergy shots should only be given at a facility equipped with the necessary staff and equipment to handle such a risk, should it arise.

A typical allergy shot regimen involves shots once or twice a week at first until the target dosage is reached which can take 3 - 6 months. Once the target dose is reached, the maintenance phase begins; shots are then administered once or twice a month. The maintenance phase generally lasts 3 - 5 years at which time some patients experience lasting remission while others may begin showing symptoms once treatment is discontinued.

Is allergy immunotherapy a good option? Several things to consider when deciding:

• The frequency and severity of the symptoms


• The effectiveness of medication


• The ability to avoid the allergens


• The desire to prevent long term use of medication


• The time commitment involved with immunotherapy


• Cost effectiveness

For someone dealing with allergy symptoms, the best place to start is with an allergy test. Once the allergen is identified, the person may find the allergen is avoidable; others may want to consider one of the other aforementioned options available.

Drinking Alcohol and The Asian Glow

Why do Asians' faces turn red when they drink alcohol? Well, I've done a bit of research into this while living in China and well, its simple as well as complicated. The majority of Asians experience this Asian glow, Asian flush, or alcohol red face because of the make-up of their bodies. That's the simple part. When it starts getting into ALDH2 deficiency, accumulation of acetaldehyde, enzymes, and whatnot it gets complicated. Wikipedia gets into detail, but if you're not a science major its tough to get around all the scientific jargon. Basically drinking alcohol causes the overproduction of some stuff and Asians are not able to get rid of it fast enough.

So were back at square one, what do Asians do when their face turns red from alcohol. What do they do about the Asian glow? That depends on where they live. For example, people in China just accept it as part of their live. Drinking alcohol, especially rice wine has a long history in china. Some of the most famous poets, intellectuals, and leaders wrote about drinking and being drunk for thousands of years. In recent decades beer and wine as well as western spirits have become popular among young people and ANY business deal wouldn't be complete without a massive drinking session. A red face, the Asian glow is just taken as it is because almost everyone experiences it.

For those Asians who have grown up in another country, such as the USA, there are a few options, but not many. In recent years it's been discovered that antacids can help with Asian glow. Antacids preventing Asian glow produces mixed results, with Pepcid and Zantac being the choice brands. This is kind of a trial and error approach to preventing Asian glow. I myself found these to work when I had one or two glasses but anything more and it only took the edge off the outward appearance of my Asian glow.

In the last year they've come out with a product called the No Red Face Formula that has worked miracles for me. I don't want this to turn out to be an advertising pitch, so I won't say too much about it. The site has all the usual "guaranteed to cure your Asian glow" stuff. It was really easy to use. There were no shots or pills. After I read their e-book and implemented the information they have written there my Asian glow was cured within two weeks. The price can seem a bit steep at first, but if you consider all the cash you would have to pay over time from antacids, pills or shots you're actually saving money.

Variation of Skin Color For Medical Examination

knowledge of the variation of the skin's color aids effective examination as well as makes you (the doctor) smart enough not to give wrong diagnosis. In general, color changes of significance include pallor, cyanosis, erythema, plethora, ecchymosis, petechiae and jaundice.

Pallor and cyanosis
The skin receives its pigmented color of yellow, brown, and black melanin and its shades of red or blue from the color of hemoglobin. Oxygenated hemoglobin in the superficial capillaries of the dermis gives a rosy, pink glow. Reduced (deoxygenated) hemoglobin reflects a bluish tone, through the skin, called cyanosis, which is evident when reduced hemoglobin levels reach 5mg/dl of blood or more, regardless of the total hemoglobin. In general, the darker the skin pigmentation is, the greater the amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin must be for cyanosis to be evident.

Pallor or paleness, is evident as a loss of the rosy glow in light-skinned individuals, an ashen-gray appearance in black-skinned children. And a more yellowish brown color in brown-skinned people. It may be a sign of anemia, chronic disease, edema, or shock. However, it may be a normal complexion characteristic or an indication of indoor living.

Pallor or cyanosis is most evident in the palpebral conjunctiva (lower eyelid), nail beds, earlobes (mainly for light-skinned children), lips, oral membranes, soles and palms. Pallor or cyanosis can be compared to the color change normally produced by blanching. For example, in non-pigmented nails, pressing down on the free edge of the nail on the index or middle finger of a child with good skin color produce marked blanching or whitening as compared to the return blood flow. In a child with pallor the difference in color change will be slight. The blanching color change can be observed in dark-skinned individuals by gently applying pressure to their lips or gums.

Erythema
Erythema, or redness of the skin, may be the result of increased temperature from climatic conditions, local inflammation, or infection. It may also appear as a sign of skin irritation, allergy, or other dermatoses. The degree of redness reflects the amount of increased blood flow to the area. The doctor notes any reddening and describes its location, size, presence or warmth, itching, type of distribution (diffuse, clearly circumscribed, parallel to a vein, and so on) and the presence of characteristic lesions, such as maculae, papules, or vesicles. Because erythema is much more difficult to assess in darkly pigmented individuals the doctor must rely heavily on careful palpating the area for the evidence of associated signs, such as warmth or skin lesions. Primary lesions appear on the non-damaged skin. Secondary lesions come out after primary ones.

Plethora
Plethora is also seen as redness of the skin but it is caused by increased numbers of red blood cells as a compensatory response to chronic hypoxia. Intense redness of the lips or cheeks is observed.

Ecchymosis and Petechiae
Ecchymosis and petehiae are caused by extravasation or hemorrhage of blood into the skin, the only difference between the two is in size. Ecchymoses are large, diffuse areas, usually black and blue in color, and are typically the result of accidental injuries in healthy, active children. Since ecchymotic areas can be indicative of systemic disorders or of child maltreatment. The doctor should always investigate the reported cause of the bruises, especially when they are located in suspicious areas, such as the back or buttocks, rather than on the knees, shins, elbows, or forearms.

Petechiae are small, distinct pinpoint hemorrhages 2mm or less in size, which can denote some type of blood disorder, such as decreased platelets in leukemia. Because of their size, ecchymoses are more readily observed than are petechiae, which may only be visible in the areas of very light-colored skin, such as the buttocks, abdomen, and inner surfaces of the arms or legs. They are usually invisible in heavily pigmented skin, except in the oral mucosa, the palpebral conjusctiva of the eyelids, and the bulbar conjunctiva covering the eyeball.

The doctor can distinguish the areas of the erythema from ecchymosis or petechiae by blanching the skin. Since erythema is the result of increased blood flow to the area, exerting pressure will momentarily empty the engorged vessels and produced by blood leaking into tissue spaces, blanching will not occur.

Effective examination of the skin color can be achieved if you put these few points into consideration.

Allergic Rhinitis - A Life-Altering Disease

Allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever", is quite possibly the most common disease experienced by the allergy sufferer. About 20% of the world's population has been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and approximately $5.3 billion are spent every year on the treatment of this disease. Allergic rhinitis is not fatal, but it does significantly decrease the quality of life to those who suffer from it.

Allergic rhinitis can be either seasonal or perennial. It is also believed to be hereditary, so an evaluation of family history of allergies may be performed, along with a physical examination during diagnosis.

Allergic rhinitis is basically the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages. This is where the "clogged" feeling comes from during an allergic reaction. It is caused by the release of histamines in the nose as a reaction to allergens. Some symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis are sneezing, a clear discharge from the nose, watery eyes, itching of the nose, throat and eyes, congestion, ear pressure, nose bleeds and fatigue. Other symptoms can occur, depending on the severity of the allergy.

Allergic rhinitis affects a large percentage of people all over the world. The onset of allergic rhinitis is usually experienced in childhood or early adolescence, but can be experienced at any time in life. In children, allergic rhinitis is more common in boys than in girls; however, it is not any more common in either gender in adulthood. Allergic rhinitis is not life threatening, but it can have a drastic negative affect on the quality of life. Other disorders, such as asthma and otitis media (ear infections). Sleep disorders, such as apnea and generalized fatigue also often accompany the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which can make life much less enjoyable for the allergy sufferer.

There are many factors that trigger the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. As previously stated, allergic rhinitis can be either perennial or seasonal. Dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroaches can cause these symptoms to persist year round. Grass and ragweed pollens are the most prevalent of the seasonal allergy triggers. Some plants require insects for pollination. These plants are not seasonal. Only plants that rely solely on airborne pollination trigger allergic reactions.

Allergic rhinitis can be fairly easily diagnosed by a physician. The physician may ask the patient about past family medical history before beginning a physical examination. A past history of allergies may indicate that the patient is at a higher risk for developing allergies. After that, the physician will perform a physical examination. Often, when an individual is suffering from allergic rhinitis, the lining of the nose will be pale and swollen. The whites of the eyes may be red and irritated and the eyelids may be swollen. Allergic shiners, or dark circles under the eyes are also indicators of allergies. A crease in the middle of the nose may also be present, which has been named the "allergic salute". This is caused by rubbing or pushing up from beneath the nose with the palm of the hand. Skin testing may be done to determine a positive diagnosis.

There are many products on the market that can be used to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. There is no cure for this disease, but if properly treated, the symptoms can be controlled. Antihistamines, nasal sprays and nasal decongestants are the most common treatment for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Other options are the allergy shots, which works by exposing the immune system to small doses of allergens. This strengthens the immune system and thus reduces the symptoms of that allergy. Usually this form of treatment is only used when nothing else has proven affective.

Hay Fever Allergy

Allergy is the most common illness in the world. It is characterized by the immune system's reaction to substances that are viewed by the body as potentially harmful. The body launches an attack on these substances which is manifested by the symptoms experienced in an allergy attack. There are many substances that can cause an allergic reaction. Among them are peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, dust, insect bites and pollen.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is usually characterized by an allergic reaction to pollen. The illness is named after the "haying season" when pollen grains in the air are in abundance. Since pollen carried by the wind is the more popular culprit, you should be aware of the most common plants releasing these pollen grains in the air. Trees including birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, horse chestnut, willow, poplar, plane, lime and olive cause hay fever. Among these, birch and olive pollen are the most dominant. On the other hand, grass pollen from rye and timothy are responsible for about 90% of the total hay fever cases.

Effects of hay fever vary form person to person. Some experience mild reactions while others suffer severe reactions. Symptoms of the illness include coughing, headache, itching nose, runny nose and sneezing. You might also experience impaired smelling functions and sensitivity to flavors. Your eyes will water from the irritation in your nose. Sore throat, wheezing and conjunctivitis are also common reactions.

Hay fever is usually diagnosed by determining the patient's history of symptoms. Your doctor will ask you the frequency of your symptoms, severity and onset. Changes in your diet, exposure to pets and allergens as well as weather conditions will all be considered in the evaluation for hay fever. Skin testing is also performed to determine specific sensitivity to particular allergens. Since cross-reactivity is normal, your doctor will naturally check you for reactions to cross-reacting substances.

To prevent hay fever, you should avoid being exposed to pollen. If you must go outdoors, try to wear a protective face mask for filtering pollen. You should also avoid going out during the early mornings and evenings when pollen levels are high. When drying your clothes, never put them outside where they can be exposed to pollen. The pollen will attach to the clothes you placed outside for longer than a moment and if you wear these clothes it's possible that you could have an allergic reaction. Another activity you should avoid is mowing your lawn. This activity will disperse pollen in the air, increasing your chances for a hay fever attack. Some doctors recommend putting little cream on the nostrils and around the eyes to prevent pollen from entering these areas.

There are currently several available medications for treating symptoms of hay fever. These include fast-acting antihistamines, short-acting antihistamines, longer-acting antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, corticosteroid nasal sprays, topical decongestants, cromolyn sodium, allergy shots and herbal remedies. Any of these medications can relieve symptoms of hay fever effectively. You should make sure that when taking these medications, you will not be driving or operating heavy machineries since drowsiness can be experienced when taking medication like antihistamines.

Keys To Allergy Elimination

If you suffer from allergies such as hay fever, no doubt you would like a way to achieve complete allergy elimination. This is especially true during hay fever season, when everything from dandelions to ragweed to high pollen levels can make you sneeze and sniffle, have red, itchy and watery eyes, and just in general be miserable.

If your allergies have been severe enough, you've probably tried antihistamines, as well as other drugs and perhaps even gotten allergy shots. In very severe cases, maybe you've even used steroids. Using allergy shots to desensitize you can work as well, but it might take years to actually see results and have your allergy symptoms lessen or disappear.

There are many allergy supplements that can help, including natural cures such as homeopathy and herbal remedies. Other methods such as acupuncture also work to provide at least temporary relief from allergies for many people. However, what if there was a way to have complete allergy elimination without allergy shots, without taking medications, and without having to go through just plain being miserable during allergy season? There is actually a way to do this, using what are called "energy medicine" techniques.

One of the most widely practiced of these natural methods is called NAET, or Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique. Dr. Nambudripad is an acupuncturist and chiropractor that lives in California. He accidentally discovered that if he stimulated specific acupressure medians while he exposed patients to allergens, he could in effect render patients allergy-free.

Dr. Nambudripad first developed his technique in the 1980s, and other similar techniques have since been developed that are more streamlined. However, Dr. Nambudripad's technique is still the most popular. In fact, one of the more streamlined versions of NAET, called Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique or ASERT, is very effective even for those who chronically suffer from allergies.

Best of all, with these techniques, results occur very quickly and work even for those who are skeptical. With seasonal allergies such as hay fever, symptoms can be severe for weeks or even months at a time. This means that for most allergy sufferers, they need relief now, not at some point in the future. Energy-based allergy elimination techniques work very quickly, within a day or two. Another benefit is that there are no side effects.

Some practitioners who use these methods say their effects are permanent. Although this may be true in some cases, allergies can redevelop, especially after someone has been ill or has had some kind of trauma. In these cases, the techniques may need to be redone to reestablish allergy elimination.

Regardless of skepticism, this type of allergy relief is very real and truly works. It's fast, effective and natural, without the expense or side effects of drug use. In addition, it does not take more than a day or two for allergy relief to occur, unlike some other methods such as homeopathy. It can also work not just for pollen or other airborne allergies, but for foods and skin contact allergies as well.

Hip Replacement in Young and Active Patients

More & more young & active patients world wide are in need of hip replacement surgery. In such cases, it is imperative to pay special attention to the technique to ensure a successful outcome & longevity of the operation. Traditionally a total hip replacement was performed in the older age group. Young patients with hip pain either had to endure pain or subject themselves to a total hip replacement with its inherent disadvantages of dislocation and life span of 10 to 15 years. Now, recent advances in bio- materials and techniques have made it possible for young patients to get a satisfactory & successful outcome after a hip arthroplasty. Definition of a young patient - The deciding factor is not necessarily the patient's age, but their activity level. Even many older patients like to play Tennis, Golf or participate in physical activity. This applies also to anyone who can be expected to live for a long time, is biologically (not chronologically) young and has good bone quality.

Today even septuagenarians meet these pre requisites. Surgeons have to re think their conventional strategy of putting in a total hip with a metal on poly bearing. Resurfacing also poses several un answered questions and cannot be considered as a panacea. Causes leading to hip pain in young patients- Avascular necrosis is the leading cause leading to hip arthritis followed by developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Perthes disease, slipped upper femoral epiphyses, sickle cell disease and post traumatic arthritis are other causes leading to the common outcome of secondary osteo-arthritis . In middle and older Caucasian patients, Primary osteoarthritis is the commonest cause of hip pain. Limitations of hip resurfacing Off late, hip resurfacing has been vigorously promoted on the internet as a possible & preferred treatment. However there are some inherent un answered problems with hip resurfacing. Elevated metal ion levels, metal allergy, metallosis are some of the side effects of metal on metal hip resurfacing. The long term impact of raised metal ion levels is unknown. Females in all age groups are high risk candidates because of the risk of fertility curbs in young & femoral neck fracture in the older.

However the attraction of a hip resurfacing drives many females to ignore these risks and choose a hip resurfacing. Dr.Venkatchalam discusses an alternate bone sparing safe approach in young & active patients. These approaches combine the advantages of a hip resurfacing and total hip replacement. Why do you prefer the short stem ? The various short stem prostheses like the Proxima hip & METHA combine the advantages of resurfacing & THR. On the acetabular side a full range of options is available to the surgeon.

The force transfer in the femur is more proximal and more biological. Lack of a distal stem component eliminates the incidence of thigh pain. In addition these implants open up the vast range of bio materials available. All bio-material combinations like metal on metal, metal on poly, ceramic on poly, ceramic on ceramic are possible. These promise excellent longevity. If a revision becomes necessary, then one can switch to a standard stem. Some of these models like the METHA hip make it possible for the surgeon to tailor the implant to the individual's anatomy. What other innovations can you use to ensure a proper implant positioning?

Navigation allows the surgeon to place the implant in the optimal position. What are the special considerations in Asian patients? Dysplasia and osteo necrosis constitute the most common indications for total hip replacement in India & Asia. Primary osteo-arthritis is rare. Moreover these patients are younger and more active. Their social and religious habits such as sitting with crossed legs dictate to the surgeon that he must use a prosthesis which provides a large range of movement. Risk of dislocation has to be reduced.

Anatomic differences also exist. All these variables require a special implant concept and very wear resistant materials with a large diameter. To summarize, treatment of hip arthritis in the young poses a challenge to surgeons and scientists. Hip resurfacing while offering a possible solution has some draw backs. Short stem prostheses with newer bio materials promise to overcome these deficiencies and offer a long lasting surgical outcome.

How to Handle Allergies

When I was young I never suffered from allergies, as many children do today. Unfortunately, however, I grew into my allergies as an adult. When I turned twenty I began to have signs of allergies. My first clue that I had allergies was being around cats. My eyes would be red and swollen. They would itch like crazy. As time went on I seemed to have more and more trouble with allergies and itchy eyes. Once the spring and summer months arrived I was constantly sneezing and still had trouble with my eyes. This was becoming unbearable! So after discussing this with my family and the family doctor, I was tested for allergies. I had to have the allergy test where they put all the needle pricks in your arms to test for different allergies, like pollen, grass, trees, cats and many more. After this test, I was told by the allergist that I was the most allergic person they had had all week! I had environmental allergies and was allergic to basically everything. So they put me on allergy shots. I had them about every week at first and then every two weeks for as long as I can remember. The shots actually did help.

I had heard over the years that pregnancy could help with allergies. I wanted a child terribly for years. During the summer after I married, at 37 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I had been off allergy shots for quite some time, as I was planning to have a child. Well, somewhat to my surprise my allergy symptoms became negligible. During the summer of my pregnancy I had practically no allergy symptoms, which was terrific as far as I was concerned. This continued during my pregnancy and throughout the first two years of my son's life. Unfortunately, the allergies started up again. I am hoping not to have to go back on allergy shots, however due to the fact that I want to try more natural methods of healing.

I have recently learned that low magnesium and vitamin A can cause itchy eyes and allergy type symptoms. I am taking supplements daily to help rectify this, without going back on allergy shots. I am taking a supplement that has a much higher rate of absorption in the body than regular supplements, which can crystallize in the small intestine and cause other problems.

I have also made my home completely free of harmful chemicals and use safer and healthier products for my family. These include safer cleaning products as well as household items. By using safer household products this helps to reduce allergens in the home. I don't have to breathe in the fumes, which make most people choke. I have found that my allergies have subsided overall due to a healthier and more environmentally friendly home. If you would like to find out how to make your home a safer place to live please feel free to contact me at Jann3b@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Jill Bernardi-Bromwich

Allergy Medication And Other Treatment Options

Being dependent on allergy medication can be difficult for anyone, as it would be great to just wake up without sneezing, itching and watery eyes, and general all around misery. It would probably also be nice to be able to go outdoors or smell some flowers without the same symptoms! But in truth we are very fortunate to live in a world where we have access to allergy medication so that we don't need to suffer these symptoms, but of course some other treatment options are advisable as well.

Remember how allergy medication works when choosing your treatment method. Allergies are a sign that you immune system is not working properly; when you come into contact with something that you're allergic to, your body responds the same way it does when fighting off an illness or germs. The immune system goes into overdrive and sends out what is called histamines, which react to the irritant. Antihistamines then stop this process and block these histamines so you don't have this reaction. An allergy medication then stops your body from the reaction that causes your sensitivity to an allergy; it doesn't cause your body to not be allergic anymore.

Most allergy medication is harmless and the process it creates is actually much healthier than suffering through allergy symptoms. Those histamines, since they are reacting to something that is not really a danger, become the irritant to a patient. Decongestants are different; long-term use can actually make symptoms worse and should not be used for chronic allergies. Some allergy medication is available as shots, and these usually help your body to adjust to its own reactions to allergies so that you no longer have the symptoms.

There are other options for those who don't want to use just allergy medication. Usually treating your symptoms can be done with natural options. If you have skin allergies, warm baths and showers can help to ease your symptoms. Natural skin creams with oils such as aloe, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, and other organic ingredients can work better than harsh chemicals in most skin lotions. Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. Aloe Vera is a naturally cooling gel and the botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.

For allergies of outdoor things such as pollen and ragweed, insulating the home with double-paned windows can help to keep these elements out of the house. Gargling with warm salt water can help to ease a closed throat. Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies' immune system. Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

Of course, if you've been prescribed allergy medication or have severe allergies, it's imperative that you take your meds and call emergency services if you have an allergy attack that keeps you from breathing. Allergies are very serious and can lead to anaphylactic shock and death, so it's important that you pay attention to any and all symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

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

Allergy Sufferer's Sweet Reward

Raw Remedies

Uh oh! Weepy eyes, itchy noses and that hacking cough, announce the beginning of allergy season! So, what do we do? We head to the local pharmacy to arm ourselves with our seasonal supply of Benadryl. Benadryl is a brand name used for several different allergy medicines that contain antihistamines.

How do anti-histamines work? Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, the chemical in our body that is responsible for letting us know we have come in contact with pollen or other allergens. When histamine is released, it binds to special sites called receptors on cells in our nose and throat, causing them to swell and leak fluid. This results in inflammation, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and other symptoms. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine by "coating" the receptors, which prevents binding. This, in turn, prevents nasal allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines sound quite harmless until you do a little research on the side effects of the drug. All drugs have side effects, and some are quiet deadly. According to WebMed Medical News, a new study shows that taking antihistamines may raise the risk of developing certain types of brain cancer. People who used the medications regularly were 86% more likely to develop low-grade brain tumors than people who didn't take the drugs.

So what is a more natural solution? Raw unprocessed honey! Honey contains bits and pieces of pollen and honey, and as an immune system booster, it is quite powerful. Let's say you are allergic to ragweed. The honeybees collect pollen from the plant species in your area and the pollen from ragweed is present in small amounts in the honey. When you eat the honey, it acts as an immune booster.

The effects are best when the honey is taken a little bit (a couple of teaspoons-full) a day for several months prior to the pollen season. Always use untreated, unheated honey that was collected closest to where you live; the closer the better, since it has more of the pollen you need. It may seem odd that straight exposure to pollen often triggers allergies, but exposure to pollen in the honey usually has the opposite effect. In honey the allergens are delivered in small, manageable doses and the effect over time is very much like undergoing a whole series of allergy immunology injections. The major difference is that the honey is a lot easier to take and it is certainly a lot less expensive. I am always surprised that this powerful health benefit of local honey is not more widely understood, as it is simple, easy, and often surprisingly effective.

Pharmaceutical companies have huge budgets and can fund studies, but with honey scientific research doesn't seem of high priority. I am not suggesting that local honey will replace allergists. But what I am saying is that since visits to allergists are expensive and the series of immunology shots, although generally very effective, are costly, it makes perfect sense to give the local honey a try first. Many times, as many others and I have seen firsthand, that local honey will take care of the problem, quickly, safely, and inexpensively.

So, instead of sneezing & wheezing your way through allergy season, taste the sweet goodness of honey instead!

How to Prevent Sinus Infection

For those susceptible to sinusitis these tips on how to prevent sinus infection will reduce the number and severity of your attacks, as well as discourage acute infections from becoming chronic.

Get your flu shots every year.

Should you develop cold symptoms, take medication to nip it in the bud.

Steer clear of people with colds because careful as they might be, their germs will pass onto you.

In fact germs surround you. Do you ever stop to think how many germs you inadvertently pick up from public places during the course of a day? From handrails of stairs, escalators, public transport, from shopping basket handles, from toilet floors when you put your handbag down, from elevator buttons. Limit their impact by washing your hands regularly with hot, soapy water, especially after being outside and before eating.

Fortify your immune system by reducing your stress levels and eating loads of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Dairy products thicken your mucous, so cut back on them.

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, do your best to avoid allergens. Stay indoors as much as possible. Close windows and if you are lucky enough to have air conditioning at home, make good use of it. It filters out the allergens and keeps temperatures steady.

To keep your environment from drying out excessively, use a humidifier. If dust mites and molds give you allergies too, humidity may be a problem. What then? I guess somewhere in the middle, not too dry and not too wet.

If necessary make use of decongestant nasal sprays and prescription antihistamines. Ask your doctor for non-sedating ones so you can still lead a normal life without nodding off.

Allergy shots or immunotherapy for up to 5 years reportedly stop allergy symptoms or reduce them drastically for years.

Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. This strengthens your immune defences and thins nasal secretions. Fluids include water, hot water with honey, herbal and regular tea. For those who imbibe, alcohol does not qualify as a fluid. In fact alcohol worsens your situation by causing swollen sinus membranes, with beer being the worst offender.

The changing pressure of air travel adds to your woes. If you have no choice but to fly, use decongestant drops or inhalers just before you take off to ensure open sinus passage ways.

Nasal sprays and inhaling steam keep your nasal passages moist.

When blowing your nose, do so gently to avoid causing damage to your sinuses.

Chronic sufferers should steer clear of cigar and cigarette smoke, strong smelling chemicals and similar environmental allergens.

If you are prone to sinusitis, swimming for a long time in chlorinated water aggravates your condition by irritating your sinuses.

Key to preventing sinusitis is clearing your nasal passages because stagnant mucous is the ideal breeding ground for an infection. Do so by irrigating your nasal passages daily.

This simple but extremely effective practice flushes out all irritants, allergens, viruses and bacteria from your sinuses before allergic reactions appear and before bacteria have to a chance to multiply and engulf your immune system.

It also helps when hanging out with anyone who has a cold -- irrigate when you can to minimise your chances of catching anything and it turning nasty.