Saturday, August 3, 2013

Cat Allergy


Have you every been around a cat and started sneezing, eyes started itching or have had nasal congestion. These are some of the symptoms you may experience if you are allergic to a cat. Like most allergies, the condition is usually not life threatening but will cause some degree of discomfort.

Cat allergy in humans is a reaction to one of five allergens. The most common is glycoprotein (Fel d 1) produced by the sebaceous glands and found in the skin and saliva. The sebaceous glands produce oily matter to lubricate the skin and hair of animals. The protein is not known to provide any function but can cause a reaction in humans. It is a sticky substance and will cling to clothing and human hair. The symptoms humans can experience are red, itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing, feet swell,chronic sore throat and/or scratchy throat, coughing, wheezing, or itchy skin. The symptoms can be minimized by limited exposure, frequent hand washing, frequent vacuuming of rugs, drapes and upholstery and limiting the animal to certain parts of a house. Use or air filters and bathing and brushing a cat will also reduce the amount of allergens. Although these actions may not be 100% successful, they can make the condition tolerable.

Allergies are cumulative. If a human already suffers from allergies, this condition will only add to his or her misery. Some humans will become immune to the allergy over time. Humans with asthma or eczema need to be very careful if they experience a reaction.

Hay fever medication and over the counter antihistamines have negative effects on the allergy. Allergy shots can provide relief. Some companies have claimed to have produced a hypoallergenic breed to reduce the allergy but the results have been mixed. Breeds such as the Russian Blue and Siberian have been claimed to be naturally hypoallergenic. The LaPerm, Sphynx, Devon Rex and Cornish Rex which have less layers of hair have been known to produce a milder reaction in humans. It has also been found that females shed lower amounts of allergen then males. Neutered males shed lower amounts of allergen than a tom. Short hair is a better alternative than long hair.

Most owners who are susceptible to a the allergy will live with the discomfort and enjoy the pet. The owners will use sprays on the fur and incorporate the actions mentioned above. They will try different over the counter remedies to alleviate the symptoms. Like any allergy, there is no cure but there are many ways to minimize the discomfort before you have to give your pet away.

Pet Allergies: Is Your Pet's Licking and Scratching Driving You Nuts?


Unlike people, our pets rarely sneeze or show signs similar to hay fever. Instead, our pets are itchy and they will do anything to relieve that sensation. It is important to remember that external parasites or even food allergies can cause very similar symptoms. Your veterinarian must help you distinguish between flea bite allergies, food allergies or atopy.

When allergies occur, the skin produces more sebum, which is an oily material that causes a musty odor. Once the itching and scratching are controlled, the odor and seborrhea also clear up. Skin odor may also be caused by a skin or ear infection, which may require antibiotic treatment in addition to the allergy treatment.

Many pets benefit from frequent bathing with special hypoallergenic shampoos. Research shows that some allergens are absorbed through the skin; frequent bathing may help reduce the amount of allergen that the patient absorbs. Some of the special shampoos incorporate omega fatty acids, which may be absorbed through the skin and help reduce the itching.

In order to determine the exact cause of your pet's itching, allergy tests will be required. Approximately 80% of allergy diagnoses can be confirmed by allergy testing. There are two primary methods of allergy testing. The traditional allergy test is called intra-dermal allergy testing and consists of injecting a tiny amount of allergen into the skin. If the body produces a response to the allergen, the body is said to be allergic to that substance. A more recently developed allergy test involves taking a blood sample, and is called IgE allergy testing. The blood is evaluated for the presence of IgE antibodies against specific food allergens. If it contains a high number of these IgE antibodies, an allergy to that allergen is presumed to exist. Your veterinarian will discuss the best type of testing for your pet's condition.

Once the diagnosis has been made, it may be possible to desensitize the pet to the offending allergens. This involves the use of specific allergen injections that will be formulated for your pet according to the results of the allergy tests. The theory behind hyposensitization or "allergy shots" is that the controlled injections of increasing amounts of the offending allergens will "reprogram" the pet's immune system and lessen its hypersensitivity. For most pets, these "allergy injections" result in significantly reduced itching.

General symptoms that require a visit to your veterinarian:


  • Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin

  • Increased scratching

  • Itchy, runny eyes

  • Itchy back or base of tail (most commonly flea allergy)

  • Itchy ears and ear infections

  • Sneezing

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Snoring caused by an inflamed throat

  • Paw chewing/swollen paws

  • Constant licking

  • Discolored hair

Dogs with chronic skin infections or allergies should be tested for hypothyroidism. If your pet has hypothyroidism, desensitization therapy and anti-inflammatory medications will often fail to help your pet unless the hypothyroid condition is also treated.

The Dangerous Common Cold Medicine - Part 1


The Common Cold - Part 1

Runny nose, stuffy head, congestion, sore throat, hay fever, asthma attack - the annoying symptoms of a cold war waging closer to home. To varying degrees, all people are forced to combat the dreaded cold and its violent relatives. Although it has long been said that there is no cure for the common cold, sufferers seem willing to try anything to breathe easy again, collectively spending billions of dollars each year on cold-related medicines, cough suppressants, antihistamines, asthma drugs and antibiotics. Despite controversial data regarding the efficacy of these drugs, people casually consume them, only to discover that drugs' harmful side effects are a heavy price to pay for temporary freedom.

Cold and Allergy Medicines

Because a cold is caused by a virus, it cannot be cured by medication. Cold medicines may help suppress symptoms, but the cold virus continues to roam inside the body. Notwithstanding this fact, potentially harmful cold medicines abide in most household medicine cabinets. Beside their questionable ability to offer relief, cold medicines may contain drugs such as triprolidine, pseudoephedrine, guanifenesin, phenylpropanolomine and pheynylephrine. Many cold medicines combine several of these chemicals into one tablet, giving the false impression that more is better, when in actuality, they merely increase the risk of unwanted side effects. The damaging results of these drugs may include high blood pressure (especially dangerous for people with heart disease, diabetes or thyroid disease), confusion, nervousness, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating, decreased sweating and worsening of glaucoma.

Unaware of these side effects, many people also mistakenly use cold medicines to regularly treat allergies. Nasal sprays containing ingredients such as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or other antihistamines may prove harmful to sufferers of allergies. Using these ingredients may lead to rebound congestion, increased nasal stuffiness and permanent damage to the membranes lining the nose.

Cough Suppressants

Just as a runny nose promotes beneficial drainage, a fact ignored by many, a cough can also be a productive way to naturally remove harmful material. Although a dry or painful cough may be a sign of a more serious condition, most coughs should not be suppressed. Adverse effects of cough suppressants such as hydrocodone, dextromethorphan and phenyltoloxamine include skin rash, dizziness, nausea, nasal congestion, constipation, dry mouth, difficulty urinating, blurred vision and headache.

The combination of iodinated glycerol and codeine, commonly promoted as a cough suppressant, should especially be avoided. An unpublished study performed under the direction of the National Toxology Program (Department of Human Services) found that Iodinated glycerol may cause illnesses as severe as cancer. In general, coughs are most effectively combated by clear liquids, which help thin mucus and promote effortless breathing.

Antihistamines

Ironically, some drugs prolong cold symptoms and antihistamines are a prime example of drugs people wrongly assume can effectively treat any illness. Antihistamines can actually make a cold or cough worse by thickening nasal secretions and drying mucous membranes. They can also cause serious side effects including confusion, short-term memory loss, disorientation, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating, enlarge prostate, increased body temperature, unusual bleeding, ringing in the ears, stomach upset and worsening of glaucoma.

The antihistmine hydroxyzine, used to treat itching and hives, may also cause restlessness, seizures, trembling or shakiness. Another antihistamine, diphenhydramine, may cause unusually fast heartbeat, increased sensitivity to the sun, unusual bleeding, sore throat, nervousness, restlessness, irritability and ringing in the ears.

Adverse cardiovascular effects are extremely rare, but patients using the antihistamine astemizole have reportedly experienced cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmias and even death as a result of the drug.

Sinus Infection Treatment - What to Expect From Your Doctor


You should never attempt sinus infection treatment at home without first consulting your doctor.

Through the creative efforts of highly persuasive and expensive lobbyists and in their scramble for profits, the pharmaceutical giants have somehow managed to get FDA approval on several questionable OTC (over the counter) sinus medications... a number of which have dangerous, if not life-threatening side effects.

For example:


  • Mixing decongestants with other drugs with similar side effects may cause life-threatening complications.

  • Whereas OTC decongestant nasal sprays bring fast relief, they unfortunately have a rebound effect. If used incorrectly, your body could develop drug resistance. If this happens, you will need more frequent applications in order to achieve the same clarity of breathing. This could lead to drug dependence requiring a difficult and expensive withdrawal program.

  • Although OTC oral decongestants are slower to take effect and are a little safer to use, they eventually deliver the same rebound effect as described above.

  • If you have a history of cardiac disease or high blood pressure, taking OTC oral decongestants could be life threatening. Also, if you happen to have an enlarged prostate, using them would make it virtually impossible for you to urinate.

  • Even though Phenylpropanolamine has been withdrawn because of its dangers, some OTC oral decongestants still contain this ingredient.

  • OTC antihistamines cause more harm than good, because they dry out nasal cavities and mucous deposits. This leads to further sinus blockage because of mucosal thickening followed by the build-up of dry, flaky mucous.

  • If you suffer from frequent acid indigestion, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: (NSAID's), such as aspirin, Motrin, Advil and Alieve, could lead to more frequent attacks. .

The following advice is worth repeating:

Do not attempt at-home sinus infection treatment by taking OTC medication without your doctor's approval.

Your doctor will be able to offer advice on the most effective combination of OTC medications for you. He will also advise you on correct dosages, together with the safest way to use nasal sprays and oral decongestants.

Alternatively, s/he can prescribe replacements that avoid the above complications altogether.

Medical Treatment

Your doctor's first priority during sinus infection treatment is to eliminate infection. Unfortunately if a virus causes it, there's very little he can do, other that to treat the symptoms and allow the disease to run its course.


  1. If bacteria caused the infection, he may use a synthetic penicillin to fight the infection. However, if you are allergic to penicillin, he may resort to a sulfur-based antibiotic, which usually takes longer than artificial penicillin to become effective.

    Treatment with either of these will typically last from fourteen to twenty-one days and should be supported by selective home remedies for sinus congestion.

  2. If there is poor response to the antibiotic regimen, your doctor may recommend a course of intranasal steroids.

    These work well and they focus directly on the nose without affecting the rest of the body. However, they are expensive.

  3. If the sinus attack were caused by an allergy, in order to reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes, he would typically use a prescription antihistamine that doesn't promote dryness.

  4. If you have fungal sinusitis, his core treatment would be anti fungal therapy.

  5. If you are a GERD sufferer of if you experience frequent bouts of heartburn, your doctor may restrict your painkiller regimen to the use of Tylenol. (see the topic under 'Acid Reflux Remedies at: http://www.home-remedy-site.com/

If your symptoms respond poorly to antibiotics and/or steroids, and your supporting home remedies have little effect, your doctor would probably refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.

This is a highly qualified physician specializing in rhinology (sinus infection treatment).

Do you Need Surgery?

Before attempting specialized sinus infection treatment, the ENT's mission would be to first identify the root cause of the infection by performing one or more of the following:


  • Nasopharyngoscopic examination.

    A nasopharyngoscope is a thin, flexible fiberoptic instrument that is used to examine the insides of the osteomeatal complex (OMC) - The OMC is the series of tubes connecting the nasal passage to the sinus cavities.

  • CT scans, possibly followed up by an MRI examination.

  • Lastly, if he needs to identify the specific microorganism causing the problem, he may drain a small amount of puss directly from the infected sinus for pathological analysis. This is an invasive test that is rarely used.

After a thorough investigation, the ENT would make his recommendations.

A specialized course of antibiotics may be called for.

On the other hand, if the CT scans reveled obstructive mucosal disease... and/or the nasopharyngoscopic examination revealed anatomical anomalies such as a deviated nasal septum (crooked nasal passage), and/or growth of obstructive nasal polyps, he would probably recommend non-invasive endoscopic surgery.

During surgery, the ENT would carry out a sinus drainage procedure by opening the OMC. At the same time he would straighten the crooked septum if necessary, and remove any obstructive polyps in order to improve airflow through the nasal passages.

Patients usually respond favorably to sinus surgery, however, in the case of chronic sufferers, periodic antibiotics or the continued use of a nasal steroidal spray may be necessary.

The Real Dangers Of Advair


Most of the articles I write on drug dangers are from extensive research. Well, this is one of those rare articles where I am speaking from personal experience as well as research. The dangers of Advair are quite real. This drug for asthma almost killed me. The statistics for related deaths are staggering. This article, along with explaining what Advair is and what it is used for, will also explain why it's so dangerous. Hopefully, reading this will alert you to the possible dangers and help you to make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to use this drug for your allergies or asthma related breathing problems.

Advair is the brand name for the prescription drug salmeterol/fluticasone, which comes in the form of an inhalation disk. This drug is not a quick acting inhaler for asthma attacks. It is used as a long term treatment for asthma and related breathing problems. It is also used as a long term treatment for various lung diseases.

The way Advair works is technically very simple. It decreases the swelling which is the major cause of most breathing problems and relaxes the surrounding muscles of the air passages. It is important to understand that Advair does not work right away, and may take days or even weeks to show significant improvement.

Aside from the common minor side effects most associated with taking Advair, such as sore throat, headache, rapid heartbeat, nervousness and dry mouth, Advair can be fatal. Personally, when I was having severe allergy problems, my doctor put me on Advair to help my breathing. Long story short, I had a serious reaction and was rushed to emergency with severe difficulty breathing. Advair related deaths, in clinical controlled studies, were 13 in about 13,000. While one tenth of a percent may seem small, the dangers are still quite real. Aside from the dangers of Advair reacting with other medications, such as MAO inhibitors, Advair, even by itself, can be fatal.

The biggest problem with taking a drug like Advair is that most people won't know they're allergic to the active ingredients until it's too late, kind of like finding out you're allergic to peanuts by eating one. This is why it is my opinion that this drug is too dangerous to be prescribed so easily. In my own case, tests should have been conducted to see if there was a real potential for serious reaction. Certainly with today's technology, this has to be possible. But we live in a world of prescribe first and revive the patient second.

Normally, I leave my personal feelings out of my reviews, but because of my personal experience with Advair, you need to be warned of the very real dangers of this drug.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

How to Stop Post Nasal Drip


Treating post nasal drip usually involves identifying the allergens causing it and avoiding them altogether. An allergen is a substance or an antigen (a protein molecule) that can cause an abnormal hypersensitive reaction in your body. Some known allergens are mold, pollen, cat and dog dander, dust mites, house dust, and unfortunately some of your favorite foods.

Your best treatment option to stop post-nasal drip is to avoid contact with these allergens. The big problem besides avoiding them however, is identifying which of these allergens are causing your post nasal drip problem. Your doctor can help you by looking at your medical history which gives details of any possible exposure to any of the known allergens or irritants, both at work and at home. While your detailed medical history can be an important tool to identify the causes, it may still fail to reveal the right allergic trigger. If this is your case, then you may have to see an allergy specialist or immunologist who will perform skin tests to identify the particular allergen that has been causing you problems.

Some simple tricks to help you avoid allergens include installing air purifiers or humidifier, cleaning or changing heating and air conditioning filters, using synthetic materials or cotton in beddings and pillows, using a pollen mask while cleaning around the house or mowing the grass in your garden, getting rid of house plants, keeping your windows close when pollens abound, and frequent bathing of your pets to eliminate dander. You can also take medications to treat your post-nasal drip such as steroid nasal sprays, oral steroids, antihistamines, decongestant sprays, and oral decongestants. You can also take medications for thinning the mucus and allergy shots. Combinations of these medications have also been developed. Such combinations include an antihistamine and a decongestant, and others like mucus thinner and anti-cough medicines. These combinations are designed to work together so you can get the most benefits.

Friday, August 2, 2013

What Every Dog Owner Needs To Know About Dog Vaccination


There are many questions about dog vaccines. Does your dog need yearly vaccines? What are the real risks of vaccination? What is a safe, advised vaccine protocol for my dog? Are there alternate options to conventional dog vaccines? In this article I will give you an understanding of what vaccines are, including the reasons for vaccination. I will highlight the new canine vaccine recommendations, along with the risks associated with vaccines. You will see some of the vaccine alternatives, along with my suggested vaccine protocol. Whether you choose to vaccinate your dog or not can have serious health implications; I urge you to completely read the article, discuss it with your veterinarian, and make an informed decision.

Vaccinations work by stimulating the immune system. The positive effect is to protect against infectious disease. When vaccines are given, they incite the immune system to produce something called 'humoral immunity'. Humoral immunity is essentially disease protection that is mediated or controlled by antibodies. If the body has had a previous encounter with a pathogen, the body makes 'Opposite Invaders' to circulate in body fluids. The 'Opposite Invaders' are called antibodies. These molecules attach to or otherwise disable invaders and prevent them from doing harm to the body.

The conventional approach in the past was to get annual 'booster shots', in the belief that vaccines only provided immunity for approximately one year, and that revaccination was required in order to boost or maintain a dog's immunity. This was the advised protocol of veterinary associations for decades, and most veterinarians followed that protocol. Fortunately times have changed, and now recent American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines advise that all core vaccines are recommended every 3 years, with the 1 year Rabies being the exception. They have also stated that distemper virus, parovovirus, and adenovirus vaccine immunity lasts for at least 5 years; AAHA though still suggests that your dog is given the vaccine more frequently than the length of immunity. They advise giving 3 boosters prior to 16 weeks, vaccines at 1 year, then every 3 years thereafter. In many cases individual States or Provinces require rabies vaccine to be given prior to 16 weeks, boosted at 1 year, then every year thereafter.

Vaccines have a number of risks, and the AAHA report states that: "Vaccine adverse effects (AE's) are underreported in veterinary medicine." There are short term side effects which can last for up to 3 days, such as appetite loss, injection site pain, lethargy, unwillingness to walk/run, and fever. More serious sudden side effects include: vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of skin, seizuring, breathing difficulty and collapse. Then there are the immune related diseases, including immune mediated hemolytic anemia, immune mediated skin disease, vaccine induced skin cancer, skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, and neurological conditions, to name a few. The reasoning behind this is that when a vaccine is injected, the immune system becomes 'over-taxed' and responds inappropriately. It may turn and attack itself, as in the event of an autoimmune disease, or even attack the site of the injection. We see the evidence clearly in cats with the incidence of injection site sarcomas, or with dogs, the worsening of inhalant allergies after vaccination. The list of potential problems is exhaustive.

More dog owners are now making the decision on whether or not to re-vaccinate their dog by checking their dog's immunity level with antibody titers. These titers have become more standardized, and when measured at a particular level, will give a good indication if your dog has enough antibodies to be protected against canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus and rabies. Antibody titers are a great way to see if your dog is in need of revaccination following the puppy vaccine boosters.

The chief alternatives to vaccines are called homeopathic nosodes. A nosode is thought to carry a mirror image or reflection of the disease, or in other words the 'molecular imprint' of it. When the nosode is administered, it sensitizes the immune system and helps it prepare the body for the defense against that same disease, without actually being exposed to the full strength of the living disease. Nosodes are considered completely safe, with no side effects, but their effectiveness is questionable. Some dog owners report that they seem to offer some protection by reducing the severity of illness if your dog is exposed to these infectious viruses.

The vaccine regimen I suggest is based in my own research and experience in veterinary practice. Puppies only need a series of two vaccine boosters, one at 8 weeks then repeated at 12 weeks. I find the most critical time to prevent infectious disease is at this young age. In small puppies, I prefer to wait until 12 weeks. The traditional third booster in puppies is not necessary. If possible, delay giving the rabies vaccine until 6 months. Puppies should only be vaccinated for parvovirus (MLV - modified live vaccine) and Distemper (MLV). Only give bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines if going to a kennel or puppy class. Give rabies vaccine (KILLED) at 6 months.

I do not recommend vaccinations for corona virus, leptospirosis, lyme or giardia vaccines for dogs. The currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars (viruses) causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today, so it is generally not a useful vaccine.

My current advice is to give booster vaccines at 1 year, then every 3 years until the age of 10. With the new research showing longer duration of immunity (5-7 years), you may not need to be re-vaccinating your dog for 5-7 years after the 1 year booster. Most of the infectious diseases are transmitted when dogs are young; the most important vaccines are the two boosters for puppies and the one year booster. Discuss this with your veterinarian prior to vaccinating your dog.

This issue of dog vaccination is fraught with controversy and an array of conflicting opinions. There are real benefits of vaccines, but also risks, from short term lethargy, to more serious disease such as autoimmune disorders. Fortunately organizations such as AAHA are now suggesting longer intervals between vaccines, but the number, and frequency of vaccines is still up for debate. Consider my suggested vaccine protocol, and learn as much as possible about vaccines and diseases in your area. Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they. It is your responsibility to make this decision for your dog. The best road to good health is feeding a diet rich in fresh foods, raw meats for the carnivores, fatty acid supplements, adequate exercise, lots of positive human interaction and avoiding disease.

Irritable Male Syndrome


As men advance towards middle age, they undergo some hormonal changes. Though these changes are not as dramatic as women undergo during menopause, the effects can be felt sharply over the years. Men begin losing testosterone at about 10%  a decade after the age of 30 and by the time they reach 40, they can feel the effects. This decline is often an underlying reason behind Irritable Male Syndrome. In other words, men become highly irritable and experience mood swings due to low testosterone levels.

This decline in testosterone not only affects their moods and state of mind but is also responsible for loss of lean muscle, weight gain, decline in libido and erectile dysfunction, decline in bone density and strength etc. There is hardly any part of the body that is left untouched as a result of dipping testosterone levels.

Though there are methods such as testosterone replacement therapy wherein it is injected through shots, it is not considered to be a very safe proposition since it can lead to various sort of complications and side effects. Testosterone replacement therapy can even lead to testicular cancer.

Nonetheless, there are methods that can help enhance your testosterone levels naturally through simple changes in your diet and lifestyle. Your diet should comprise of adequate proteins, moderate amount of fats and essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and restricted in carbohydrates.

Moreover, intense physical workouts in the gym are also known to increase your testosterone levels. Reducing stress also plays a very crucial role in enhancing testosterone production. Just like the above factors, adequate sleep is important to keep your testosterone at an optimum level, Lack of sleep increases stress and leads to the production of stress hormone or Cortisol which inhibits and diminishes production. Over and above, there are some natural supplements that can help boost your testosterone levels and elevate mood.

Check out more on Irritable Male Syndrome and how to overcome it naturally.

Ways on How to Treat Allergy Induced Asthma Naturally


Getting allergies is bad, having asthma is worse and having allergy induced asthma is a total nightmare, since this type of asthma is mostly triggered by anything and everything that you can possibly think of. Contrary to popular belief allergic asthma is not only caused by spores, animal dander, pollen and the other things that you find floating in the air. It can also be caused by cold weather, hot weather, the artificial flavorings that you find in most foods nowadays, and up to the cleaning agents that you might be using when "supposedly" eliminating your other allergens.

So as said earlier, it's a nightmare to have this kind of asthma. The worse part is that more and more people are being diagnosed with this type of asthma because of adverse changes in the climate and worsening case of pollution. Allergy induced asthma can prevent you from participating in activities that you might enjoy, also limiting your capacity for school, work and mostly everything else.

But not everything is at a loss, due to the advancements being made in the field of conventional and alternative medicine; there are many methods and treatments that can come to your aid when trying to achieve relief from your condition. Here are a few examples:

Environmental Control: More in terms of your control rather than your doctors as it does not depend on any medication whatsoever. This will only involve a single procedure called Allergy Testing, where doctors will try to see your reaction of common allergens by putting small patches of it on your skin. This will allow you to see what your particular allergens. Armed with this knowledge it is then up to you on what your action plans are about these allergens. Environmental control involves making certain changes in the way that you live, changes in your home and even in what you eat. Limiting your exposure to allergens will allow your immune system that much needed recovery time, thereby strengthening your immunity to any unavoidable exposure in the future.

Alternative medications: there are many alternative medications that will help you deal with your condition while strengthening your body and immune system making you less prone to attacks caused by allergic reactions. Licorice, ginger, ginkgo biloba for example have been used by many people in the past to help with asthma and have observed vast improvements in their general health and control of the condition. Preparations are simple, effective, can work well along with conventional medication and not to mention cheap.

Immunotherapy: or aptly called allergy shots. Is the process of making your body less sensitive to your triggers by exposing you to very small amounts over a period of time? Results may tend to vary and although there have been some reports that this methods works, some divisions of conventional medicine still regard immunotherapy as inconclusive when it comes to the treatment of allergy induced asthma in general.

There are other methods that you can choose from when you want to get relief from your condition, try to ask your doctor about the other techniques and what might work well for you.

Allergies - Allergy Shots


In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots? Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to. If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given. One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work? Well, in theory it's actually very simple. Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you. When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen. These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself. Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens. After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms. This relief should last for a very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots. They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever. They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies. In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms. Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots. Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take allergy shots. Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots. Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have. This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test. After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week. After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month. This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens.

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them. If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Are They Caused by the Epstein Barr Virus?


Millions of Americans suffer with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, most of them women. Autoimmune diseases like these can be difficult to diagnose because of the variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms and lack of scientific testing methods. In fact, whether or not you have one or both of these overlapping syndromes yourself, you probably know at least one or two people with these conditions. Statistically, more than one in fifty people have them!

For both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, the prime age for diagnosis... particularly in women... is 25 to 45 years old, although it's diagnosed in both sexes, and all age and socio-economic groups. Fibromyalgia symptoms include painful points on the body, tenderness in tendons and muscles, extreme fatigue, mental "fog" and memory problems, insomnia, anxiety and depression, and dozens of other conditions that can vary widely from one individual to another. Chronic fatigue syndrome also known as CFS,is identified by debilitating fatigue that lasts for six months or longer. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that between 4 and 10 people in 100,000 have chronic fatigue syndrome.

Because fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have only been widely recognized as real medical problems in the last couple of decades and cannot be scientifically proved, some physicians still refer patients with these bizarre symptoms to psychiatrists instead of rheumatologists or other physical-medicine specialists. However, all the disbelief and uncertainty about these illnesses may be about to change for the better.

We may be on the verge of revolutionizing the treatment and prevention of some types of autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, according to US News - Health and the CDC. A Florida otolaryngologist, Doctor Daniel C. Dantini who also suffers with fibromyalgia, has authored a book detailing the use of antiviral drugs as a means of overcoming these debilitating illnesses. Doctor Dantini says that he believes that fibromyalgia is triggered by physical or psychological stress, but that the underlying cause may be viral... And many private researchers and the CDC scientists agree.

In fact, one upcoming theory is that a combination of viruses is responsible for both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes. Suspected viruses include Epstein Barr (which causes mononucleosis), parvovirus, herpesvirus 6, or cytomegalovirus. Even hepatitis and Lyme disease are being considered since any chronic infection may give rise to these types of symptoms.

Famciclovir and valacyclovir represent breakthroughs in antiviral drugs which may be used in the treatment of chronic infections like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Although the drugs themselves can cause allergic symptoms in patients who are infected with active viruses, Doctor Dantini has stated that the allergies respond to treatment with nutritional, controlled diets or allergy shots, or a combination of both..

If you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome and would like to consider this type of antiviral treatment, you should confer with your physician and follow-up with your insurance company regarding coverage, since this is a new treatment under consideration by the Food and Drug Administration.

To learn more about how you can overcome the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome without drugs or needles, click the link below.

Find out how to survive fibromyalgia!

By Carol Ryland

Dog and Pet Allergies - Dirty Little Secrets Revealed and Simplified


Atopy and food pet allergies are among the top reasons why pet parents take their furry companions to see the vet. Allergies and their symptoms are usually first seen between 6 months and 4 years of age and as late as 6 or 7. These symptoms are the result of the all-important immune system being hyper-sensitive and over-reacting to allergens or antigens to which it's exposed.

The symptoms

The common observed reactions to these foreign substance irritants is the itching of the skin (pruritis), mostly affecting the face, paws, lower legs, armpits (axillae), and groin. Less common but not unusual is sneezing and maybe wheezing along with possible eye (ocular) and/or nasal discharge when the respiratory system is affected; diarrhea and/or vomiting when the G.I.T. (gastrointestinal tract) is involved.

Watching your pet being uncomfortable is very distressing, and finding the exact cause of the symptoms can be described as real detective work for you in concert with your vet. Itching that is subtle at the beginning and gradually worsens is more often associated with atopy, food allergy, bacterial or yeast infection, and seborrhea.

Symptoms that seem to come and go with the seasonal changes are a good indicator for being atopy; however, 70% to 80% of dogs with atopy will demonstrate continual, year-round symptoms. Scratching, licking the feet, chewing, and red irritated skin are all symptoms of atopy.

The Detective Figure-it-Out Stage

The veterinarian might suggest a hypoallergenic or homemade diet for weeks to months to see if there is any improvement in the symptoms; this will help rule out allergies associated with food that are responsible for roughly 10% of allergies diagnosed in pets, and will help narrow the possibilities pointing to atopy (the canine equivalent of hay fever affecting around 10% of dogs). However, 10% of dogs with atopy can also have food allergy, and up to 80% of the dogs that are diagnosed with food allergy also have atopy. This explains the high rate of failure that exists when treating food allergies with diet alone.

Dogs with food allergies react to one or more ingredients in their diet. Common culprits are milk, fish, wheat, whey, corn, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, soy, and, one of the biggest offenders, preservatives. Many animals have also shown to be allergic to lamb as well, once thought to be a hypo-allergenic food.

What Else Can It Be?

Besides the flea bite allergy which, as with scabies or drug hypersensitivity, typically begins suddenly and rapidly gets worse (one single bite can cause a reaction for five to seven days), atopy is by far the most common cause of allergies in dogs.

A dog with an allergic skin rash can develop further problems by scratching or licking the area, creating an opportunity for secondary bacterial skin infections (pyoderma), ringworm, and fungal infection such as yeast (Malassezia) that also itches.

Then What?

Conventional prednisone treatments can work to suppress symptoms and bring relief in 12-24 hours from the time of injection. Prednisone may also be given orally and may be medically necessary for some suffering dogs dealing with flare-ups. Prednisone is not without risk for long term treatment. Steroids may become less effective over long term use and can possibly cause complete immune system suppression and weakening, liver damage and diabetes.

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine alone and, depending on the severity, along with steroids to lessen the amount of steroids used, can be implemented for relief. It is also accepted that the omega fatty acids along with any treatment can have a significant affect on improvement by reducing inflammation that may lead to skin sores. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids do not treat the allergy; they just offer relief from the uncomfortable conditions created by the symptoms.

However, be aware that there are holistic allergy care solutions that can deal with the problem at its root cause that work extremely well and can often alleviate symptoms or, even better, heal the problem without the risk of serious side effects a good percentage of the time. That information will be given at the end with a warning.

When to Test

Allergy testing leading to treatment should be considered when your pet is suffering from apparent allergies that occur for more than four months out of the year, and it does not respond to traditional treatment, after a complete diagnostic workup is performed. This is necessary for ruling out other potential causes of skin problems such as fleas, mites, bacterial, fungal and yeast infections as well as hypothyroidism.

The Blood Test

A customized solution starts with a blood test that checks for antigen-induced antibodies in the dog's blood. A blood sample is taken and sent to a lab where it is screened for a reaction to a broad range of allergens that are common to the geographical area where the dog lives to establish a positive diagnosis for a few contact allergies and those allergens that are breathed in (inhalant dermatitis) such as ants, dust mites, mite feces, mosquitoes, cockroaches, moths, dust, pollen, grass, mold, human dander, wool, feathers, and tobacco. Allergy testing is rarely done to diagnose food allergies.

There are two standard and very similar blood tests that are used. The first is called a RAST test (radioallergosorbent), and the other is called an ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).  Most veterinarians seem to prefer the ELISA test for more accurate results.

The ELISA test maybe more preferred over the RAST. However, neither is a perfect diagnostic tool without possible problems. Since both tests were originally developed for humans, there can be a lot of false positives, meaning allergens maybe identified that are not. Because of those possible limitations some veterinarians and especially those specializing in dermatology and allergies may prefer when possible to perform a third type of test that offers the most reliable results, called intradermal skin testing.

Intradermal testing does require sedation with an area on the dog's side to be shaved, exposing the skin, and it is best to be performed during the season when the allergies are at their worst. For the test to show accurate results, the dog must not have been treated with steroids or antihistamines for several weeks to months before the test. A small amount of antigen is then injected into the dog's skin and is then observed for a resulting reaction that must be evaluated by a trained eye.

There are circumstances where even the preferred intradermal skin testing would not be appropriate and the ELISA or RAST would be the best option. This would be the case where the dog is very young, and where a long period without corticosteroids or antihistamines cannot be sustained, to name a few.

Avoidance is the best method of control even with allergy shots; it is best to avoid the allergen altogether. Molds can be reduced by using a dehumidifier. Dusts and pollens can be controlled with an air cleaner with a HEPA filter. Air conditioning can reduce significant amounts of airborne allergens because windows are closed.

An Effective Weapon and Strategy to Fight Back

When an allergy to a specific substance can be established as the irritant, an appropriate immunotherapy serum is customized for that specific dog, and treatment can begin by receiving immunotherapy (hypo-sensitization injections) over a period of weeks, months, and even up to a year until the dog or cat develops immunity to the agents. Hypo-sensitization has shown good results in reducing the symptoms of allergies in many dogs. An occasional booster may have to be given during periods when the allergens are at peak periods and break-thorough of the desensitizing occurs.

Some allergens may be absorbed through the skin and frequent bathing will assist in lowering or eliminating the amount of allergen exposure by also minimizing the amount of antigen on the fur and skin. Using hypoallergenic shampoos strictly formulated for dogs that contain eucalyptus and aloe vera can help relieve the itching that your dog experiences until the skin heals. Note that shampoos for humans are not appropriate for animals because their bodies' PH chemistry is different.

Please do not be one of those people who is responsible for your pet's health and well- being and not put forth the effort or necessary expense to bring relief by solving the problem. If the frequent baths will help, you would want someone to do it for YOU. If food supplements might help because of therapeutic ingredients, such as bovine colostum and omega fatty acids, that are an added expense, you owe it to your pet as its responsible guardian. Whatever it takes, recognize that it is the responsibility of pet guardianship.

WARNING: Unless You Want a Natural Solution with Huge Success, Don't Read

Depending upon the severity of the allergies and the vitality of the animal, herbs and natural remedies do work; dosages may need to be adjusted and fine-tuned to the individual situation. Keep in mind, you will find many "alternative" treatments, holistic treatments and herbal treatments being advertised as the latest and greatest but be careful about what you believe. However, there are good holistic possibilities that will help you treat the symptoms while avoiding conventional pharmaceuticals along with their negative side effects.

What Has Shown Not to Work:

Aspirin, High doses of vitamin E and C, Doxycycline, Dilantin, Tetracycline, Zinc Methoinoine and many holistic treatments (but not all).

A Most Promising Way to Go with a Tremendous Record of Success

Here's what you can be doing RIGHT NOW to help your dog fight allergies, arthritis, vomiting, diarrhea, old age and disease... You would be wise to take advantage of this supplement, designed by a veterinarian named Dr. Jones to be the "be all, end all" solution for pet owners who truly want the best for their animals. See the difference in 30 days or less, guaranteed.

Dr. Jones' supplement contains every single ESSENTIAL vitamin and mineral that is most often lacking in commercial canine diets... along with a HUGE number of KEY ADDITIONS for Joint Health, Intestinal Support, and Immune System Strengthening, which is key to dealing with allergies.

It is a Powerful Natural Weapon in the Allergy War

Included, you should know, is nature's powerful gift -- "PRP" (praline-rich polypeptide).

"PRP from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland. It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate symptomatology of both allergies and autoimmune diseases. PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and autoimmune disease." -- Dr. Zoltan Rona, The American Journal of Natural Medicine, March 1998.

A Supplement Solution that is Benefit-Rich with Clinically Proven Ingredients.

PRP is one of the main components of colostrum that is responsible for eliminating or improving the symptoms of allergies. It can stimulate an under-active system into dealing with disease-causing organisms and it can also suppress an over-active system which results from autoimmune disorders and allergic reactions. In addition to allergies, the colostrum ingredient also helps with Asthma, Cancer, Chronic Infections, Conjunctivitis, Dental Problems, Most Viral Infections, Immune Suppression, Skin Parasites, Respiratory Ailments, Stomatitis, and Urogenital Problems.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Food Allergies - Is Your English Bulldog in Danger?


Is your English Bulldog suffering from a food allergy? How can you tell? How do you help him if he develops one? It is very important to know the answers to these questions to make sure your dog stays healthy. As a good mother or father knows, the health of your pet is vital to his and your happiness. Sometimes, however, it is hard to know when an allergy is affecting your beloved animal. Luckily, you will find some tips here to help you out.

Symptoms
There are a lot of ways you can tell if Rufus is allergic to something in his food. You just have to pay attention and notice it. Many of the signs are apparent in his skin and fur. If he seems to be scratching all the time with no sign of fleas, losing patches of hair, or developing dandruff type flakes, then you may be dealing with a food allergy. Another sure sign that Rufus' food is not agreeing with his body is an increase in bowel movements. If he is eating the normal amount of food but goes to the bathroom more often, it means that the food he is eating is not being processed through his body. This means that he isn't getting the nutrients he needs and will invariably become ill.

What can I do?
If you think that Rufus has become allergic to something in the food you normally feed him, now is the time to try another type of food. To find the right food for him, you have to figure out what is in his original food that he is allergic to. This will probably mean a lot of trips to the store, a lot of different dog foods, and a lot of extra time and energy. Thank goodness you know that Rufus is worth all the fuss! As you try each different type of dog food, you will have to give it around a month to know for sure if the allergy has made its way out of Rufus' system. Make sure that you are strict and feed him only the food you are testing. That way you know he is not getting something he is allergic to in a treat or off your floor. You can try several different types of hypoallergenic dog food, which may make it easier to gauge Rufus' reactions.

Hypoallergenic Food
This can really be a good choice for your dog, whether he has developed an allergy or not. Hypoallergenic dog food is made only with products that are natural for your dog to eat. A lot of the additives and fillers that people put into dog food these days are things that Rufus' body just can't digest. That will increase his chances of developing an allergy to something in the food. Hypoallergenic food is made with only the things that Rufus needs and are healthy for him. There is always a chance, however, that he may have become allergic to a typical ingredient that is not bad for him, but that his body just does not like. This may take some trial and error with various brands of foods to determine if this particular ingredient isn't present in more than one brand.

A food allergy can be really dangerous for your dog if you either ignore it or fail to respond in a timely manner. Once the original symptoms begin showing, do something about it as soon as possible. Kidney and liver function can be affected if your dog continues to be fed food he is allergic to. At minimum Rufus can get very ill, require IV antibiotics and a long hospital stay. However if ignored, he could die. Rufus is an important member of your pack and you would do anything for him, wouldn't you? You wouldn't continue feeding your daughter strawberries if you found out she was allergic to them, right? Rufus deserves the same love and respect.

As you can see, with a watchful eye, tuning into obvious changes in Rufus' behavior and health, a minor food allergy doesn't have to turn into something major. If caught early, Rufus, with a change in diet, can live a very long and happy life.

Common Ear Disorders in Dogs


Is you dog constantly scratching at its ears, shaking its head or rubbing its head against the furniture?

If so! Chances are your poor dog has a common ear disorder that can be promptly taken care of.

Ear infections are common in dogs and can cause everything from painful constant scratching to "stinky ears."

There are several things that can cause these problems such as allergies, parasites, bacteria, microorganisms, heredity disorders and foreign objects.

Many of the "long eared" dogs are prone to many types of infection such as the Cocker Spaniel and the Basset Hound. Hairy eared dogs such as poodles and schnauzers are prone to ear wax build up and other ear problems.

These dogs are known to have what is called heredity disorders and need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis in order to prevent serious problems.

Some dogs have allergy problems and this can cause the ears to itch and become inflamed. If your dog has a tendency toward allergies either from its food or pollen in the air and you notice an ear problem beginning, contact your vet at once.

Common ear problems such as ear mites (actually more common in cats than dogs) can be treated with over-the-counter products or a prescribed product from your vet.

If you are unfamiliar with ear mites, they are a parasite, hard to see by the human eye, but leave dark brown debris in the ear that resembles coffee grounds. Ear mites cause severe itching in the ear.

If your dog spends a great deal of time outdoors and has the opportunity to run through weeds and thick brush. Be on the lookout for things like "foxtails" which can cling to the fur, get between your dog's toes and get into the ear canal.

If your dog gets some foreign debris in its ear and it is not lying on the surface of the ear and can easily be removed with tweezers, do not take a chance and try to remove it yourself.

Doing this may cause more harm than good and create a serious problem for your dog and a big vet bill for you.
Foxtails are extremely dangerous in the ear as they are thorny and if all of it is not removed can create an infection.

Due to the unique L-shape of a dog's ear (a vertical canal meets a horizontal canal and goes into the eardrum) dogs can suffer from moisture problems. Poor ear drainage and changes in the humidity can cause bacteria and microorganisms to inflame the outer ear canal. Your vet can prescribe eardrops to solve these problems.

So what can you do to help prevent some of these problems?

Check your dog's ears every time you bathe or brush your dog. A healthy ear is pink in color and should not smell or have any kind of build up in it.

A cotton ballsoaked in an ear cleaning solution and rubbed around the inner ear is a good way to clean out dirt, clean only as far as you can see into the ear. DO NOT probe deep into the ear canal either with the cotton ball or a Q-Tip.

Poking further than you can see is only asking for trouble as you may be packing earwax into the ear canal or pushing other debris into it. Leave the probing to your vet.

There are liquid ear cleaners in the market place that you can purchase. Pour into the ear until it fills up, gently rub the ear to break up any dirt or debris and then let your dog shake its head to get rid of the fluid. Do this for both ears and then give your pet a well-deserved treat.

By keeping a constant check on your dog's ears and doing some maintenance yourself you can reduce the chances of possible infection and save your dog from a painful experience.

How Can Reishi Mushrooms Benefit You?


It's not a big secret that mushrooms have been known to be very good for you. Reishi mushrooms are one of the top three medicinal mushrooms that has been used for centuries in ancient Asian cultures. The great thing about the Reishi mushroom is the balance it gives to both your body and mind.

This ancient ingredient has been used to help treat many ailments such as liver disorders, bad circulation and for cardiovascular health. Though, the most common use for the Reishi mushroom is for people suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems. One study has shown that over two thousand people suffering from extreme bronchitis used these Reishi mushrooms in a cough syrup and almost all patients were feeling better within two weeks of this treatment.

This component has also shown that it can help improve hepatitis patients and reduce hypertension. One study testifies that nearly 92% of 355 study patients suffering from hepatitis showed improvement in their overall health. Though it helps treat many ailments, liver disease is the longest standing traditional utilization. Many chemotherapy patients have used Reishi mushrooms and noticed less intense side effects, such as fatigue, hair and appetite loss.

Studies today have found that the Reishi mushroom has anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. There is a protein found in these mushrooms called Ling Zhi-8, meaning spirit plant, which is found to help reduce the risk of transplant rejections, and fight cancerous tumors.

The Reishi mushroom is not only known for helping to heal the body but is extremely beneficial for your mind and spirit as well. Users of this ingredient has experienced elevated moods, and have felt more spiritually balanced everyday that it's used. Traditionally the mushroom is said to transform the individual into a more spiritual being. Peace of mind and balance is only one cup of coffee away.

Many people believe that if you habitually consume coffee, it ages you. Nobody wants to look into the mirror and see an older, coffee-drinking version of themselves. Reishi mushrooms have been shown to improve skin tone, reduce the amount of acne, fine lines and age spots! Picture you getting back that healthy glow just by drinking something you enjoy everyday.

No matter what you are going through these mushrooms can definitely make you feel more balanced and healthier everyday you are exposed to it. There are many ways to use these mushrooms including, syrups, soups, tablets and even injection. Now you don't necessarily have to put a needle in your arm or eat mushroom soup just feel the good effects from these Reishi mushrooms.

All you have to do is drink one cup of coffee everyday to feel these benefits. Yes, I really just said coffee, something that most of us drink every single day. It's just as good as any gourmet coffee without the high-risk side effects, but instead with added healing properties. Our healthy coffee has been grown and processed organically with Reishi mushrooms without the dangerous pesticides used for most coffee beans.

How To Stop Eczema Itching Once and For All


There are many forms of eczema treatment depending on the type it is. For instance, atopic eczema which affects children the most is caused by itchy burning skin. Things that contribute to atopic eczema are mold, food allergies, pollen, soaps, bath and body products, and other environmental factors.

Most people who end up needing treatment has a family history of eczema. The disease can often come and go, but a person can choose an eczema treatment that will help them either keep it under control or keep it from coming back.

Since the 70s, more than 13% of the population in the United States as been born with atopic eczema, and the skin condition has been on the rise ever since. Although there are a great deal of things that can encourage such a skin condition, most cases have been blamed on environmental factors. It is has also been noted that individuals can experience the symptoms as early as infancy, in which eczema treatment should be sought after immediately.

Eczema can start on one area of the skin, becoming red with a burning sensation. Once an individual begins to scratch, it begins to spread and develop open wounds. Further scratching makes it much worse, causing larger skin wounds, therefore never healing properly.

Eczema treatment can start right in the comfort of your home. This means there are things that you can do at home to treat this skin disease, such as keeping the skin moist. Use lotions twice a day, but make sure they don't have fragrances, alcohol, and other irritable additives in them. Avoid scratching the skin. Instead use a cold pack to relieve itching. If it is a child who is experiencing this skin rash, then be sure to keep their nails cut short.

As a part of your eczema treatment, you may also want to avoid any type of foods that will trigger symptoms and make the condition much worse. These foods include dairy products, eggs, and peanuts. If you or your child need further eczema treatment, your doctor may prescribe a cream or ointment. They may also give you allergy shots, steroids, or topical treatments for eczema if the condition gets worse. There are many types of treatment available, so be sure to converse with your doctor, and inform him/her about the right one for you.

Practical Allergy Remedies


Spring season is a wonderful season, trees grow their colorful leaves, flowers bloom, etc. It is a season that would make us all go out of the house and enjoy outdoor activities. However, spring can also be cruel to those who often suffer from hay fever. There are over 36 million Americans with hay fever or allergic rhinitis right now; this is roughly 74% of the United State's population. I you often find yourself sniffling, itchy-eyed and sneezing during spring, then you might just be allergic of some sort.

Treating allergies nowadays has been made easy by various medications; one can opt for traditional over the counter drugs like antihistamines and other prescribed meds or natural herbal products for a side-effect free relief.

This article will teach you some medications you can do to yourself without the hassles of annoying side-effects.

Sublingual Immunotherapy
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a faster relief is to use the thing that ails you. This is the concept of sublingual immunotherapy, prescription-only drops which are extracted from the plants you are allergic to are used to boost your immune system against its kind of allergy. In just abut 6 weeks; this kind of therapy will drastically decrease the amount of drugs you need to take for your allergy by up to 42%.
Prescription
Take the drops everyday for 3 to 5 years, the same as allergy shots. This medication is self-administered, thus it can save you significant amount of money from dozens of doctor visits.

Stinging Nettle
This plant contains histamine, the same chemical our body makes during allergic reactions. Thus, this chemical from this plant will help your body have more tolerance against the allergy. Stinging nettle significantly improves the symptoms of allergies by up to 64%.
Prescription
Two capsules every 3 to 4 hours during allergy season like spring.

Local Honey
Honey has pollens, eating this will help your system get used to the allergens. Plus, that honey that comes straight from the bee hives contains enzymes that can cure inflammation and also has antibiotic properties which will help you boost your immune system.
Prescription
Sweeten your tea with honey or chew honeycomb.

All You Need To Know About Allergy Shots


When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoidance of the trigger is not easy or possible, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy or "allergy shots". This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, 80 to 90 percent of patients have less allergy symptoms, and in many cases their allergies have completely resolved. Allergy shots can be given for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (nose and eyes), allergic asthma and insect sting allergies.

Are allergy shots experimental therapies?

No. Allergy shots have been given for nearly 100 years and are FDA approved therapies. Numerous well-designed medical studies show the efficacy of allergy shots.

And allergy shots do not contain steroids, which can have adverse long-term side effects.

How do allergy shots work?

Unlike allergy medicines, which act only to "cover up" allergic symptoms or prevent them temporarily, allergy shots fix the underlying problem of allergies. This occurs because the body treats the injection much like a vaccine, resulting in the production of infection-fighting antibodies against the pollen, dust, mold or pet dander. The body then stops producing as much allergic antibodies against the triggers, and therefore won't have as much, or any, allergic response when exposed to the allergens. These changes can last for many years even after stopping allergy shots. Recent studies show that allergy shots can also prevent people from developing new allergies, and reduce the risk of developing asthma in children with nasal allergies.

How are allergy shots given?

The method of immunotherapy consists of starting at a small dose that will not cause an allergic reaction, with slowly advancing the dosage until the person becomes tolerant to large amounts of the extract. These injections are initially given once to twice a week until a maintenance, or constant dose, is achieved. This usually takes approximately 3 to 6 months. Once the maintenance dosage is reached, the allergic symptoms are largely resolved in most patients. Thereafter, the injections are given every two to four weeks.

How long must I take allergy shots?

Therapy is continued for 3 to 5 years total, after which the patient continues to get benefit for another 5 to 10 years or longer, even after the shots are stopped. If the shots are stopped prior to a total of 3 years, the allergic symptoms typically return more quickly.

What are the risks of allergy shots?

The risks of immunotherapy consist of the possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction to the allergy shot. Most allergic reactions consist of mild to moderate swelling and itching at the site of the injection. These reactions occur frequently, but rarely require any change in treatment. A large swelling may require an adjustment of the immunotherapy dosage or a change in the frequency and amount of the shots.

Less commonly patients experience whole-body allergic reactions, sometimes called "anaphylaxis". Most of these reactions are mild and consist of itching of the skin, hives, or runny nose. Others are more severe and can present as cough, chest tightness, wheezing, throat tightness, shock and rarely can be life-threatening.

For this reason, it is normally required that patients remain in the physician's office for 20 to 30 minutes after the injection since most reactions occur during this time. These reactions are typically easily reversed with medicines such as injectable epinephrine and anti-histamines.

Should I take allergy shots?

Obviously, this is a question that only you and your doctor can answer. There are many reasons to consider allergy shots:

- Medicines don't work: Many patients go to the allergist because they still have symptoms despite having tried numerous allergy medications, with little to no relief of their symptoms. Sometimes allergy shots are the only therapy left for these patients.

- Go for the cure: Other patients like the idea of a "cure", and opt for allergy shots for that reason. Remember, immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergies that fixes the underlying problem of the immune system, much like a vaccine.

- Don't like medicines: Some patients experience severe side effects from medications, or don't like taking medications on a daily basis - the idea of a "once a month shot" is a better option for them.

- Cost of medicines: Medications can be expensive, and since allergy symptoms typically return soon after medications are stopped, patients may require medications for many, many years. Allergy shots can alleviate much of the need for medications and can be a significant cost savings measure in the long run.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Allergy - Honey Can Cure Your Pollen Allergies For Good!


Every year, new allergy medicines are on the market with more hour relief for allergy symptoms. Of course, they will give you stronger side effects.

Moreover, all over-the-counter and prescription medicines for allergies are for masking symptoms only without addressing the root cause, so you need them every season. I heard a friend said his best season is winter, because only in winter he can be pollen allergies free. During other seasons of every year, allergy medicines make his life miserable.

I heard a remedy to cure pollen allergies.

1. Get a bottle of local honey from farmer market or local stores (not from supermarket).

2. Chop a whole lemon to small pieces and mix the lemon pieces into the honey. And then keep the lemon honey in refrigerate for a week.

3. Eat 1 or 3 spoons of honey with lemon pieces every morning on an empty stomach for several months. Do it for several seasons.

Remember that only local honey works, since only local honey contains local pollens, which make you allergy. Supermarket honey is harvested from honey farms, where only one kind of flowers is planted to feed bees.

A friend of mine tried it and it worked for him. Also, I posted this remedy in another site. A lady commented that she used it about 20 years ago, and she has enjoyed pollen allergies free for many-many-many years. She had miserable pollen allergies twice a year before. She said it worked her.

Scientifically, I think it makes sense. Since doctors use allergy shots to treat severe pollen allergy, the shots only contain tiny quantities of pollens. With slowly exposure to pollens over time, your body will get used to them and stop reacting with allergy symptoms.

Local honey contains local pollens. And the lemon changes the honey to acid, for unknown reason, which enhances the curing power of local honey.

Now matter what the principle is, it has no side effects, it is easy to do it and it is a cure for pollen allergies.

Why Do I Have Sinusitis and Postnasal Drip and Jane Doesn't


Are you the one with the honking nose that drives people to sit far far away from you? Is the cost of Kleenex hurting your bottom line?

You and Jane are almost identical. You both went to the same school, ate the same bad foods, and grew up in similar households. You both loved dogs and slept with them. You even exchanged shoes and cosmetics. Jane has seldom had a cold. She says the only time she saw a doctor was for the baby shots. Why is there such a difference?

Turns out that Jane was breast fed according to the old world way of continuing at least to when the teeth are out. Your mother probably had to work and bottle fed you very early. Also, your mother was more modern and started feeding you table foods too early; foods started too early can cause allergy. Plus, your mother had the best health insurance and, early on took you to Dr Jones, who, to be on the safe side, prescribed the latest antibiotic at almost every visit. Jane's mother was a believer in tea, lemon and honey and bed rest.

What we know today is that too much antibiotic for children can alter the normal immune response; instead of the good white cells and immune globulins, we get an allergic type of reaction- even asthma!

We found this out when, before the fall of the Berlin wall, the West German kids got antibiotics with every sniffle; the East German kids did not. The West German kids got the asthma.

But what can you do today? Your nose is raw, stuffed, runny and you can feel this thick glop going down your throat. You worry about your breath too. The answer is your nasal cilia.

In the healthy nose there are millions of tiny cilia, which act like paddles. These paddles propel bacteria, pollen and dirt out of the nose to the back of the throat. There they are swallowed and dissolved in the stomach acid. The persons who don't have chronic sinusitis have cilia that move with precision, in rhythm, to move the bacteria out. If they don't, you may get a sinus infection because the bacteria remain in place and multiply.

Once upon a time, there was a list of products that slow or impair or stop nasal cilia movement. Unfortunately many products can impair normal cilia movement including diesel exhaust and perfumed lipstick.

Today there is a new chemical being produced almost every day that can affect your cilia. If you are using a new product and it causes excessive sneezing and coughing, it probably is affecting your nasal function.

Unfortunately, although companies are required to test their new product for toxicity- if it will kill you- they don't test for effect on nasal and chest cilia. This is why you need to be sure your cilia are at full speed and effectiveness.

Once your cilia are impaired, your nose burns, you sneeze, your nasal airway is congested, and you lose sleep. Then you start getting thick yellow discharge and eventually there is sinus pain. These are signs of impaired cilia. The sooner you get them back to moving to remove bacteria, pollen and dust, the fewer changes will take place in your sinus cavities. Humming, tea, and pulsatile nasal/sinus irrigation are used to restore the important nasal cilia.

What exactly does pulsatile irrigation do? Pulsing saline at a frequency that maximizes cilia movement is a common approach. As the nose is irrigated with saline - in one nostril and out the other, that frequency of the pulse wave "harmonizes" and vibrates the nasal tissue to restore good movement. For example, the Hydro Pulse is "tuned" to maximize cilia movement. The pulsing action acts to physically remove bacteria and pollen too. The massage action moves out stale lymphatic products and brings in fresh blood, which is therapeutic too. For any illness, relaxation is beneficial. The pleasant pulse wave is relaxing for many persons and helps them relax for better healing. However caution is needed. The directions on the irrigators state a stream less than one inch high. But there are machines that project with extreme force; these can harm the nose. The high pressure can force infected material from the nose into the ear. The high pressure "beats the cilia" instead of gently waves them back to normal speed. Again, the stream should be adjusted so it is less than one inch high. Anything higher is too much.

Remember Jane who didn't get postnasal drip? She probably has normal intestinal good bacteria that help manufacture the immune products because she didn't take excess antibiotics. For you, taking yogurt and probiotics is important for raising your immunity.

Other factors are good sleep. Try to set your sleep clock so that you have a complex set of steps: brush hair, brush teeth, warm bath, oil the face, etc. The more steps to wind you down and look forward to sleep, the more your sleep clock is set. Go to bed with a teddy bear? Absolutely, if you travel a lot, that can help you sleep in different time zones. I prescribe this for men too!

Although your nasal problem may be due to allergy, checking the pollen calendar can tell you if your sneezing is coming due to the oak trees in bloom. Then you may want to use pulsatile irrigation to remove pollen, and the IgE in your nose that combines with the pollen to plug up your nose. In the later stages of acute allergy, your nasal cilia are impaired and need to be restored.

Remember your grandmother kept telling you to drink tea, lemon and honey, as well as chicken soup? Today's scientist have found that these both contain chemicals that can restore cilia movement and help your immunity!

I hope this discourse into you vs Jane will help. You are not alone in having sinus problems. Fortunately you can be as free of sinus and postnasal drip as Jane is.

The Benefits of Steam Cleaning Your Carpet


There are many advantages to steaming your carpet. Some are fairly evident including the removal of dirt and unsightly stains. Even so, there are additional positive aspects than just those on the "surface".

I am an allergy sufferer. I happen to be taking allergy shots on and off over the past Thirty years. Together with the assistance of my allergy physician, I'm able to maintain my domestic pets. I just need to make sure that the dust mites are out of the carpet by merely steam cleaning my carpet normally.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "Carpet is an ideal home for allergy triggers including dust mites, mold and pet dander." While they will encourage swapping the flooring surface to something besides carpet, such as wood, vinyl fabric or linoleum tile, sometimes we simply cannot make it happen. Not only will it cost a tremendous amount to get rid of the carpet and change it out with a totally different surface, I reside in a condo, and removing the carpet just isn't an alternative. I needed an effective way to make perfectly sure that some of those triggers are contained, granted my own predicament. A means to confirm that these triggers are out of the house is to steam clean your carpet.

Think about it; somebody in your house enters in out of the weather, it is a dewy morning or they walk through the sprinklers on their way inside. They track that water on to your carpet. Typically, it's the padding underneath the carpet or down deep in the nap within the carpet. In a write-up labeled Carpet Asthma and Allergies- Myth or Reality "According to Michael A. Berry, Ph.D., persistent and excessive amounts of moisture which contribute to mold and bacterial growth are almost always major contributors to indoor bio-pollutant contamination." Bio-pollutants are something that can manifest outdoor or indoor which might trigger allergies which "include pollen, animals, dander, house dust mites, mold, and cockroaches." This info is located in a fascinating study in which it analyzes the affect of carpets on allergies. Dr. Berry took samples of carpets and hardwood and exposed these to moist areas to monitor the rate of mold growth on these surfaces. "After 8 weeks of exposure, there seemed to be no induction of mold progression on any one of the cleansed (old or new) carpet samples." "Dr. Berry states that "the main conclusion of his research is that clean carpet does not support mold growth even at prolonged and elevated temperature and humidity levels. It is a conclusion for this project that for any material Dirt + Water (High Humidity) = Mold Growth. The obvious management solution for mold indoors is to keep all carpet materials dry or at least clean."

Investigation sustains we continue to keep our carpets nice and clean, but which strategy do we make use of? Steam cleaning your carpet is generally the best practice to ensure you get your carpet clean. Having said that, a "normal" non commercial carpet cleaner doesn't utilize vapor. It utilizes hot water and recommended formula (cleaning agent) to kill the pet dander, mildew and dust mites. At this time there are several different types of residential carpet cleaners but more importantly, you'll find types of solutions based on your circumstances. For example, there's higher traffic solution, pet aroma and dander solution and allergy solution. It is vital to purchase the one that you think that will likely be most beneficial with regards to your given circumstance.

It is also very important that you dry the area completely to prevent mold growth after you clean. If you are moving furniture to clean the carpet underneath, be sure that you dry the area completely before moving your furniture back. You can use the carpet cleaner to suck up any additional water, and then place a small fan in the area. This will help ensure that your floor dries completely.

Understanding Childhood Allergies


For centuries parents have fretted over their children's childhood allergies. From peanuts to milk, there are a great many allergies that can plague a child in their early years. Even though most childhood allergies fade over time, usually disappearing altogether by the time the child reaches puberty, there are still many years in which parents must be overly cautious about what their children come into contact with.

If you are worried that your son or daughter may be suffering from childhood allergies, but aren't sure if your child's symptoms fit the bill, read on to see a list of the most common childhood allergies and signs of how to recognize them.

By far the most dangerous of all childhood allergies, an allergy to peanuts usually appears the very first time a child is given anything that may contain peanuts, or peanut byproducts. The most common reaction to peanuts if an allergy is present are: swelling of the mouth, especially the lips and tongue; hives; and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis, which is where the throat swells and the child stops breathing.

Anytime you believe your child may be having a reaction caused by childhood allergies, it is absolutely vital that you take him or her to the emergency room as soon as possible. This is especially true if your child may have an allergy to peanuts, due to the possible severity of symptoms.

The most common of all childhood allergies is milk. Most children who are to be allergic to milk will develop this allergy while still infants. Signs of a milk allergy include hives and stomach aches, but generally nothing as fatal as anaphylaxis. Other common childhood allergies include products that contain soy, apples, juice or sauce, wheat and gluten, wool, pet dander and dust.

Childhood allergies can also develop into asthma and asthma like symptoms. It is especially important to get your child to a doctor if he or she begins having trouble breathing caused by childhood allergies. Generally, this symptom can be controlled through the use of an inhaled steroid; but may require steroid shots if very severe.

Many children suffering from childhood allergies must take regular allergy shots to control the symptoms. You can help to prevent this from becoming necessary by making certain that you take your child to his or her pediatrician at the first sign of childhood allergies. Any reaction to any food that previously has not bothered a child should be investigated by their pediatrician.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with allergies in children such as lactase, butterbur, flavonoids, folic acid, Glucosamine, magnesium and M.S.M.

Lactase Enzyme makes milk products more readily digestible. This is used for lactose intolerance and not allergies to milk.

Butterbur is a common herbal extract that is highly effective asthma therapy. As far back as the 17th century, butterbur was used to treat cough, asthma, and skin wounds.

Flavonoids are the brightly colored pigments found in most fruits and vegetables. When consumed, they have antioxidant properties and have been associated with improved lung junction.

Folic Acid is a member of the B-complex family. Folic Acid participates in coenzyme reaction that is needed for cell growth and new cell formation.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from bronchitis symptoms.

Magnesium has been employed in the treatment of acute asthma, but its use has not become universal, nor has it been studied for the treatment of chronic asthma. Manganese has been found deficient in bronchial biopsies of asthmatic patients, indication manganese replenishment could aid in the treatment of asthma.

M.S.M maintains the development of the body's protein by forming flexible disulfide bonds between certain amino acids and in maintaining the strength of connective tissue. This allows water and nutrients to flow freely into cells and allows toxins to flow freely out of the cells. M.S.M increases athletic stamina and helps eliminate muscle soreness. M.S.M is a natural supplement that is getting a lot of attention due to its role in tissue healing at the cellular level. It is a natural organic sulfur that comes from rain fall and is found naturally in the human body.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

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

Zyrtec


Active Ingredient: Centrizine

Common Brand Name(s): Zyrtec

Zyrtec is mainly used to treat symptoms of allergies like sneezing, runny nose, itching, tearing and redness of eyes and hives. Zyrtec works as an antihistamine by blocking actions of naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body.

What is Zyrtec used for?

o Zyrtec is used as an antigistamine which blocks the actions of the naturally produced acids in the body. Zyrtec has comparatively lesser side effects than other antihistamines.

o Zyrtec is mainly used to treat allergic ailments such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, tearing and redness of eyes, and hives.

o Apart from the above uses, Zyrtec may be used for some other purposes.

How Do I Use Zyrtec?

o You must follow doctor's direction for use of Zyrtec. If you have any doubt about use of Zyrtec you must consult your doctor, nurse or a pharmacist. They will be able to guide you the correct way of using Zyrtec.

o Take Zyrtec with adequate quantity of water.

o You can take Zyrtec before meals.

o You should chew the chewable tablets thoroughly, if taking chewable tablets.

o If you are taking Zyrtec in liquid form, use measuring spoon, cup or dropper to ensure correct in take of medicine.

o You can take Zyrtec with or without food.

How should I Store Zyrtec?

You can store Zyrtec at normal room temperature. However, you must ensure that the storing place is free from moisture and away from the heat.

What are the possible Side Effects?

o There are no serious side effects of Zyrtec as such. However, if you experience any allergic reaction like breathing difficulty, closing of throat, swollen lips, tongue, face or hives, stop taking Zyrtec and visit your doctor for immediate medical attention.

o If you experience other side effects which are less serious don't stop use of Zyrtec. However you must consult your doctor if you develop symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, and headache or mouth dryness.

o You may notice any other unusual side effects other than those enlisted here. In such case you must consult your doctor who will provide required medical treatment.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

You can take the missed dose immediately after you remember it. However you must keep in mind the time of your next dose. If there is sufficient time gap you can take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dose is nearing then skip the missed dose and take the regular scheduled dose in time. Never double your dose to make up for missed dose.

If you are using Zyrtec on as required basis, take the missed dose if it is need, but you must maintain the prescribed gap before you take next dose.

What should I do if I overdose?

If you suspect the overdose or develop unusual symptoms, you must consult your doctor for immediate medical attention. Exact symptoms of Zyrtec overdose are not known. However Drowsiness is considered as one of the symptoms.

Is Zyrtec Safe?

If you are suffering from liver disorders, you may not be able to use Zyrtec. Your doctor may make dose adjustment to suit you and closely monitor effects of the dose.

If you have allergic reaction to Zyrtec or medicines like Atarax and Vistaril, you must consult your doctor before taking Zyrtec.

There are no proven results available regarding effects of Zyrtec on the unborn baby. However, you must consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

There are no proven results to confirm that Zyrtec passes into breast milk and it may affect the nursing baby. You must consult your doctor before using Zyrtec, if you are breast feeding your baby.

Your doctor may prescribe you lower dose of Zyrtec if you are over 65 years of age. Aged people are likely to experience side effects of Zyrtec.

Zyrtec may cause drowsiness. If you experience this side effect, avoid driving, operating machinery and other hazardous activities.

If you are taking Zyrtec, avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness.

You must tell your doctor that you are taking Zyrtec, before your doctor prescribes you other medicines. Do not use other allergy medicines or cough; Cold medicine without consulting doctor, if you are taking Zyrtec.

Medicines like antidepressants, sedatives, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants and other antihistamines increase drowsiness or dizziness when taken with Zyrtec. Consult your doctor on use of these medicines when you are taking Zyrtec.

How does Zyrtec interact with other medicines?

If you are taking any of the following medicines, you must inform your doctor regarding this before using Zyrtec. You may require dose adjustment and close monitoring, if you are taking these medicines.

o Antidepressants

o Sedatives

o Medicines for treating anxiety like diazepam, alprazolam, Iorazepam, Restoril, Librium etc.

o Pain relievers

o Muscle relaxants

o Other antihistamines

Never take other allergy or antihistamine medicines without consulting your doctor.

Some other drugs, other than those listed above may have interaction with Zyrtec. You must consult your doctor even before using vitamins, minerals and herbal products.

What other information should I know?

o You should continue use of Zyrtec as per your doctor's advice till you get complete relief.

o Chew the chewable tablet thoroughly and use measuring spoon, cup or dropper for taking Zyrtec in liquid form.

o Take your Zyrtec on scheduled time and period as directed by your doctor.

o You must consult your doctor if you experience any unusual occurrence of side effect.

Heartburn and Celiac Disease: Gluten Sensitivity as a Reversible Cause of Gastroesophageal Reflux


One of the symptoms many people experience frequently and most people have had sometime in their adult life is heartburn. The medical term for this is pyrosis, from the Greek word pyro meaning fire or heat. Heartburn is the classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or reflux. Most people have heard of these terms now because you can't sit through an hour of television these days without seeing at least one commercial if not several advertising antacids like tums or acid blockers like Pepcid AC and Nexium. Most people are not aware that heartburn is a common symptom of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

Celiac disease, which is a severe intolerance to gluten (the major storage protein in wheat and similar proteins in barley and rye resulting in intestinal damage) is estimated to affect 1 in 133 people in the U.S. and approximately 1/100 worldwide. Most of these people are undiagnosed. Many are being treated for reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gas-bloat dyspepsia, lactose intolerance, or just suffering ill health unaware that a gluten free diet (GFD) might relieve their symptoms if not improve them significantly.

Dyspepsia is a medical term for stomach upset, indigestion or gas-bloat abdominal discomfort. This commonly occurs in celiac disease. Stomach contractions have been shown to be impaired in celiac disease contributing to the bloating sensation. This is confirmed by diagnostic studies revealing poor stomach emptying. Delayed stomach emptying is frequently accompanied by low pressures in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the esophagus or swallowing tube. The LES is supposed to be a barrier to regurgitation of stomach contents up into the esophagus. When stomach juice that is acidic refluxes into the esophagus a burning pain is typically felt in the chest that is described by most people as heartburn.

When acid frequently regurgitates up into the esophagus a burn of the lining occurs that is termed esophagitis or reflux esophagitis and defines gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Celiac disease patients have been shown to have a high prevalence of GERD and reflux esophagitis. Treatment with a gluten free diet has been shown to decrease the rate of relapse of GERD symptoms. In clinical practice, many of us have observed that a gluten free diet results in marked improvement of heartburn symptoms in not just celiac disease but in many people.

As a practicing gastroenterologist, (www.thefooddoc.com) I have had patients referred to me for reflux symptoms including several who were being considered for possible surgery for GERD. Upon discovery of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity and institution of GFD they have had improvement or resolution of symptoms. Personally, I experienced frequent enough heartburn that I was taking a daily acid blocker. When I discovered that though I had symptoms of gluten sensitivity and was DQ2 positive I had negative blood tests but elevated fecal gliadin IgA and tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies, I initiated a GFD. My heartburn went away and I stopped taking a daily acid blocker. Now I only have heartburn rarely, usually with obvious dietary indiscretions like too much coffee, chocolate or wine.

My friend and colleague, Dr. Rodney Ford, who practices pediatric gastroenterology in New Zealand, has communicated to me his similar experience with children. Since expanding gluten free diet to those children he suspects of gluten sensitivity, not just those in whom celiac disease is confirmed by traditional or classic strict diagnostic criteria, he has noted a marked decrease in the number of children with GER. He states it has been many years since he has had to refer a child for surgery for reflux.

There have been concerns about clinical significance of known acid suppressive therapy impairment of digestion though so far the worries about the increased risk for cancer seen in lab rats have been unfounded. Recently, an increase risk of community-acquired pneumonia attributed to loss of acid reduction of bacteria in the stomach was found in patients with chronic lung disease or with other risk factors. There also is the on going debate about the high costs of the newer, more effective acid blocking drugs as well as their potential side effects. Some also raise concerns of an increased risk of food intolerance or allergy while on acid suppression. These issues and the risks of undiagnosed celiac disease not withstanding should give one pause to the idea of chronic acid suppressive therapy without investigating the possibility of undiagnosed celiac or gluten sensitivity with a trial of GFD.

Copyright 2006 The Food Doc, LLC. http://www.thefooddoc.com

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Low Cost Health Insurance Options Are Overlooked


Let's stick with the concept that something is better than nothing. Low cost health insurance alternatives are the only solution to millions of people right now. If you're uninsured you either don't have a job, don't have enough money to pay for an expensive plan or you don't have good enough health for a standard plan. Which category are you in?

This article is dedicated to a couple of overlooked health care options that millions of uninsured Americans can afford yet they don't have. Spreading awareness about these options is vital in helping improve our health care crisis.

The negative affects of not having health insurance are very straight forward. You end up with medical collections that ruin your credit and tax payers cover your bill. This is one of the reasons health care costs keep going up as the insured are now under more strain to help compensate for all the uninsured. Finding a low cost health insurance alternative that actually is within your financial budget can save you from adding to this problem.

There are two plans cheaper than short term health insurance that stick out and remain ready and waiting for you to jump on. The great thing about these plans is you don't have to worry about being turned down. Anyone under 64yrs of age can enroll. If you've already checked for a short term plan and can't afford the premium then this is your solution. One of these two low cost health insurance options will be within your reach.

Your first option is a form of supplemental health care. A fixed indemnity plan pays you a fixed amount of cash when qualified medical services are needed. The coverage is very broad and for many individuals a fixed indemnity plan is all they will ever need. Only a major, life changing health condition would be enough to outweigh the protection of these plans. A fixed indemnity plan is one of the most valuable dollar for dollar health care options available today.

The plan provides network discounts like an HMO, so you save money on your medical needs. Most insurers give you a card that you use like a credit card when you need a medical service. Fixed indemnity plans are low cost health insurance plans simply because you pay the monthly premium and don't have to worry about a deductible or co-insurance costs. There is a set cash amount credited you for each service you receive. For example, a visit to your doctor would bring you a $50 credit. If you needed a name brand drug prescribed while you're there, you would receive a $25 credit for the prescription.

The plan also covers allergy shots and immunizations, outpatient medical events, surgery, anesthesia, ground and air ambulance, emergency room or urgent care and inpatient hospital confinement. The primary insured on the plan also receives a built in life insurance policy to cover final expenses. If you're stuck in the hospital, you'll receive $2,000 a day for illnesses and $4,000 a day for injuries. As you can see, there is plenty of value in these plans, but how much do they cost you might wonder?

The cost of your premium for a fixed indemnity plan is based strictly on your age, but can also be affected by where you live. Pre-existing conditions are not covered under these plans so you're not penalized for any health conditions including smoking. In most cases, the premiums are slightly higher than short term premiums...usually between $20-$50, depending on the deductible and co-insurance you might choose for a short term plan. As stated though, you avoid the cost of deductibles and co-insurance with a fixed indemnity plan.

For a base example, a 35 yr old male would pay $120 a month. This same male with an equal aged spouse and one child would run a monthly premium of $330, a slight discount for family pricing. By way of comparison, you could easily pay $330 just for yourself without factoring in the rest of your family or deductibles and co-insurance using a traditional health insurance plan.

We highly recommend Assurant Health's "Health Access" fixed indemnity plan. It's a very mainstreamed, popular choice used by many large scale companies like Wells Fargo for their employees. This is a tremendously underused health care plan that millions of uninsured people need to start considering as soon as possible.

The other option is a simple health discount plan. This is by far the cheapest route and for good reason. Health discount plans are not insurance, so technically it really isn't low cost health insurance. Regardless, it remains at tremendous value when utilized.

You receive discounts on services you select that cover your entire family. There are three choices you can choose to receive discounts for and we will again use Assurant's Discount Plan for this example. You can pick any combination or all of the discount options to customize your plan.

The first option is the medical discount plan which saves you up to 40% on physician and hospital services, prescriptions, dental and eye care. This option costs $20 a month. The dental and vision plan provides discounts on a broader range of services including eyeglasses and vitamins for $10 a month. There is also a prescription discount plan for $8 a month that covers additional drug, hearing and nutritional care.

Combining all three plans together provides substantial discounts for your family for about $38 a month. This is as cheap as health care plans get. The sad fact is that there a countless uninsured families who could easily afford the $38 a month for a discount plan like this and they go without. If you can afford to combine both of these low cost health insurance options together we strongly suggest you do.

Having a fixed indemnity plan with a health discount plan on top of it makes sense. You'll maximize your protection and still be paying far less than you would with any standard health insurance plan. It all comes down to understanding your health care options and being proactive.

You'll need to check to see if your state will allow you to enroll in either their "Health Access" fixed indemnity plan or the Health Discount Plan as coverage isn't available in every state.

These plans need to be utilized on a much greater level if America's health care problem is going to start improving. Now that you've read this page, spread awareness!