Saturday, August 17, 2013

Adverse Reactions to Medications


Reactions to medication are extremely common. In fact, 15-30% of all hospitalized patients will experience an unintended reaction as a result of medications. However, true allergic reactions to medications only occur in about 1 of 10 of all adverse drug reactions.

Classification of Reactions to Medications

Before we can discuss the huge topical of medication allergy, we need to group reactions to drugs into one of 2 categories:

- Reactions which are common and predictable in any person. This would include expected side effects from medications, interactions between 2 medications that the person is taking, and reactions from using too much of the medication (overdose). This group represents the majority of all reactions to medications.

- Reactions which are unpredictable, and only occur in certain people. These reactions can include an unexpected side effect, medication intolerance, allergic reactions and other non-allergic immunologic reactions.

Allergy to Common Medications

People can experience allergic reactions to just about any medication, although some are more common than others. Here is a list of the most common medication allergies (or non-allergies, in some cases):

1. Penicillin (and all related antibiotics). About 1 in every 10 people reports a history of an "allergic reaction" to penicillin. It turns out that much less than 10% of those who think they are allergic to penicillin actually are. However, people with a true allergy to penicillin could have life-threatening anaphylaxis as a result, it is important to tell your doctor about your past reaction to the medication. Skin testing to penicillin can help determine if the past reaction was a true allergy or some other side effect.

2. Cephalosporins (and all related antibiotics). Severe reactions to cephalosporins are much less common than with penicillins. However, there is a small chance that someone with a true penicillin allergy could also react to cephalosporins, since the drugs are related. An allergist may be able to help determine if these antibiotics are safe for you.

3. Sulfonamides (including antibiotics, oral diabetes medications and some water pill diuretics). It is unclear whether these reactions are truly allergic or due to another immunologic process. There is no reliable test available to determine is a person is allergic to this class of medications.

4. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. This class of medications can cause allergic and non-allergic flares of hives/swelling, worsen asthma, and result in anaphylaxis. There is no reliable test available for most people with reactions to these medications.

5. IV Contrast Dye. This reaction is non-allergic but can result in anaphylaxis because the high concentration of the dye causes mast cells to release their contents, which mimics an allergic reaction. While there is no test available for reactions to IV contrast, most patients can take the dye safely by taking oral steroids and anti-histamines hours before the contrast is given. The contrast is usually given in a less concentrated form to these patients. Let your doctor know if you've had a past reaction to IV contrast before receiving it again.

6. Local Anesthetics. True allergic reactions to local anesthetics (novocaine, lidocaine) are extremely rare, and usually due to other ingredients in the medication, such as preservatives or epinephrine (present in the local anesthetic to make the medication last longer once it's injected). An allergist can perform testing to various local anesthetics and find one that works for almost everybody.

7. General Anesthesia. Some medications used during surgery are very common causes of true allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. If you think you experienced an allergic reaction during or shortly after surgery, an allergist may be able to help determine the cause.

8. Anti-Seizure Medications. Many medications used for treatment of epilepsy can cause non-allergic reactions as a result of certain enzyme deficiencies in the person taking the medication. Symptoms can include a rash, fever, body aches and hepatitis. There is no test available for this type of reaction.

Management of Adverse Reactions to Medications

1. Avoidance/Removal of the suspect medication. Most often, if a medication is causing a person to have an unpleasant reaction, the medication is stopped. Usually this is all that is needed to resolve the problem.

2. Treatment of any allergic or non-allergic symptoms. If the reaction is severe, such as anaphylaxis, or in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, emergency treatment may be required.

3. Consideration of testing by an allergist. An allergist may be able to help determine what medication caused the reaction and if there is testing that can be accomplished.

4. Determination of a need for current or replacement medication. If the person still has an infection, for example, another antibiotic may be required. A physician can determine a safe alternative medication in this instance.

5. Consideration of desensitization. In some unique cases, a very specific medication is needed. In most forms of true medication allergy, a person can be desensitized to the medication by giving very small amounts initially (orally or intravenously) with increasing doses over many hours. This is usually done in a hospital given the chance of life-threatening anaphylaxis, and should only be done under the supervision of an allergist.

How to Become a Medical Test Subject


Being a medical test subject is an interesting way to earn extra money while helping researchers develop new potentially lifesaving medications. If you've ever wanted an interesting hobby that actually pays you to spend a few days lying around in bed watching TV and playing video games, then you may want to become a medical test subject.

Testing takes place in hospitals all around the country and test subjects can make thousands of dollars for staying overnight for a weekend, or for making a few regularly scheduled doctors visits. Here's how to do it:

Identify your test group type: There are medical tests available for just about everyone, from weight-loss medicines, to blood thinners. Many studies are available for healthy participants as well. If you currently suffer from any ailments you will want to start your search looking for new treatments for those.

Search for related studies: Do a simple Google or Bing search to find test facilities in your area. Use terms like "medical test subjects" or "drug research subjects." Be sure to check out your local yellow pages and online classifieds like craigslist or backpage.

Narrow your search: Once you have found a few companies look through their index for studies you may qualify for.

If you have a specific illness or disability you may want to look for studies that deal with it first. If you are healthy look for "healthy" studies which will place you in a control group to test the side-effects of various new medicines.

Apply for a study: Once you have found a few studies that interest you, follow the companies application protocols to sign up for the study. In most cases the facility running the test will call you back within a few days and give you a phone interview. If you pass that you'll be asked to come in for a screening to determine your eligibility.

Before your interview: If you are applying for a "healthy" study, make sure that you really are healthy. Many studies will disqualify you if you smoke, do drugs, or use alcohol. In most cases they give you a couple of weeks to get any disqualifying substances out of your system.

Ace your Phone Interview: The first step to a good phone interview is honesty. During the interview, the researcher will ask you a variety of questions about your medical history and will talk to you about their privacy policy. If you have chosen a study that you should qualify for you will most likely breeze through this part and get scheduled for a screening.

Pass your screening: At this point the researches want to make sure that you are fully qualified for their test, so they will run a variety of screens on you. Tests may include urine samples, blood draws, EKG s etc. During your screening they will also explain the details of the specific study you are applying to and will have you sign papers stating that you understand the rules of the study and the risks.

Wait: Once you have gone to your screening, they will tell you if the study is open or if you are on a waiting list. If you are in the study, you will be sent home to wait and see if you pass your screens. If you did pass, then you will be told where to go for the study, and any other rules about your specific test protocol.

Congratulations! You have now become a medical test subject. Make friends with your fellow "lab rats" and enjoy your mini-vacation!

Outsmarting Pet Allergies


Many of my patients are pet lovers. In fact, the pet population in the United States is over 100 million! And not only is it fun to have a pet, medical studies show that people who have pets have lower blood pressure, less depression, and actually live longer than those who don't. But sometimes having a pet can mean putting up with their dander, those flaky dots of skin that are shed everywhere. If you're one of the millions of people with pet allergies, your pet's dander can start you sneezing with watery eyes and a stuffy nose, or worse.

According to the American Asthma and Allergy Foundation, from 15 to 30% of people with pet allergies are allergic to cats, dogs, and birds, with cat allergies being twice as common as dog or bird allergies. If you find you have an allergy to your cat, dog, or bird, take heart. You likely don't need to get rid of your pet; you just need to know how to manage your physical reactions to them.

A small amount of people have severe allergies to certain pets and for these people it would be prudent not to be around these types of animals. However, like most of my patients, the majority of people have mild to moderate pet allergies that can be easily managed by some simple housekeeping, pet grooming, and personal health measures that can keep your pet a close companion.

What Are You Reacting To?

I'd like to explain to you a little about your reaction to certain pets. Cats and dogs are the most likely pet for you to be allergic to, with cats topping the list. Bird allergies are not as common in humans, but those that have them may also be allergic to eggs. So, I'll focus here on cats and dogs and the particular allergens they carry.

Cats and dogs shed dander, or dead skin, similar to how humans shed dandruff. This dander contains harmless proteins which are the allergens that sensitive people react to. This dander gets sticky from fluids your pet secretes and hangs onto their fur. When your pet sheds, this sticky dander collects throughout your home on everything including you. These proteins are also in your pet's saliva and urine. So when your dog says hello with one of his face licking kisses, or you clean out your cat's litter box, you're exposed to these proteins.

Your reactions to pet dander can range from mild to severe depending on how sensitive you are. Mild or minor reactions may be slow to show up and might include sneezing or a light rash.

Moderate reactions are more likely to appear more quickly, and can include:

oSwelling, itching, redness, of the moist membranes of the eyes and nose
oInflammation, or redness, burning/tearing of the eyes
oNasal stuffiness, post nasal drip

A severe reaction to pet dander might include the following:

oIntense rash on the face, neck and chest
oCoughing, and/or closing throat sensation
oAsthma attack - characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing, especially with cat sensitivity.

Diagnosing a Pet Allergy

If you find yourself reacting to your pet with any of the above symptoms, especially the severe ones, it would be a good idea to see a doctor in the specialty of Allergy and Immunology. These doctors specialize in the treatment of allergies. Diagnosis of a pet allergy is determined by:

oMedical history - asks about yourself, your pet, your reaction.
oA blood test panel where a RAST (radioallergosorbent test) is used to evaluate the degree of allergens in your blood.

Keep in mind that it may be necessary to remove your pet from your home for a while and then reintroduce it. You need to be sure that your symptoms are coming from your pet and not some other trigger like dust or mold in your home, or outdoor pollens.

What Can You Do?

If you are severely allergic to pet dander so that contact causes you to have an asthma attack, you will need to stay away from pets with fur or feathers. Pets like a snake, fish, or turtle would be a better choice for you.

If you are only mildly to moderately sensitive to pet dander, here are some things you can do to help you live more comfortably with your pet:

oKeep a clean pet. Brush/comb them every day to minimize shedding. Wipe them down every week with a special solution soaked "pet wipe" towel found in pet stores that removes about 90% of their dander. Give your dog or cat a regular bath at least once a month, maybe twice a month, depending on your level of sensitivity. Dogs usually like tub baths and some even like to come in the shower along with you. Cat baths may take a few times before they really get used to it. A kitchen sink with a hose sprayer attachment makes it easier for you to handle them. Letting them rest their front paws up on the counter with their back legs in the sink gives them a sense of security. Use specially formulated shampoo for cat or dog. Or, take them to a groomer.

oKeep a clean home. You will need to spend a little more time cleaning your house. Invest in pet hair removal brushes to keep fur from accumulating on furniture. Clean litter boxes of waste every day. Use a clumping litter that is 98% dust free. Once a month empty it completely and wash it down with hot water and bleach. Keep the floor around the litter box free of litter and wash floor around it frequently with a bleach solution. Keep your pets in their own beds to minimize your reactions to them. A machine washable cover on their beds helps cut down dander spread. If your cat or dog gets up on your bed, launder your blankets frequently. Install a HEPA filter air cleaner on your furnace and air conditioner and run for several hours a day. Its better to not have carpet with pets and/or allergies, but if you must, clean them regularly with steam. Launder throw rugs frequently.

oFortify Yourself. Some people may need prescription anti-allergy medicine or shots to help tame their symptoms. Taking adequate levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 can help minimize allergic reactions by boosting your immune system. Antioxidants like Vitamin E and A have been helpful in reducing allergic reactions. Proteolytic enzymes, like bromelain, are supplements that break down proteins in food and can help to further breakdown the proteins in pet dander allergens. Agents like quercetin, a bioflavonoid, blocks histamine response (but should not be taken by pregnant women). NAET (Nambutripad's allergy elimination technique), is a fairly new alternative approach to eliminating allergies developed by an acupuncturist, Dr. Devi Nambutripad, and involves either acupuncture or acupressure.

Having a pet allergy may cause you to rethink your relationship with certain pets and whether you can, or want to, share your life and living space with them. However, if you do decide you can have a pet in your life, you will need to put a little extra time into the care and keeping of your pet and yourself. But, that extra effort will pay off with health benefits of one of the most enjoyable, mutually beneficial, relationships you can engage in between you and your loving pet.

Preparing for Cedar Fever by Understanding the Symptoms


Every year, allergy sufferers throughout the country breathe a collective sigh of relief as the winter cold begins to set in. The winter months bring a reprieve from the bombardment of pollen that lasts from March through September all around the US. However, if you happen to live in Central Texas, or other parts of the Midwest, the relief is short-lived as Cedar fever soon comes out in full force!

Cedar fever tends to cause even more pain that the typical spring and fall allergy seasons. This is because cedar pollinates during the winter months, and many people regularly misidentify the real cause of their suffering as being a common winter cold. Most newcomers to Central Texas cities such as Austin, Dallas, or San Antonio tend to make this mistake during their first cedar season. Eventually they catch on as the locals can constantly be heard talking about the pain that the cedar pollen is inflicting on their senses.

As we mentioned, the symptoms of cedar fever are often misidentified as a common cold, which leads sufferers to wait even long until seeking treatment. Therefore, understanding the symptoms are going to make your search for a treatment much easier.

Cedar Fever Symptoms

  • Runny Nose

  • Stuffy Nose

  • Itchy Eyes

  • Sneezing

  • Lasts many weeks, up to 6 or longer

Cold Symptoms

  • Although the symptoms of a cold are going to be very similar, they differ in a few key ways. Use these differences to help determine what you are actually suffering from.

  • Colds tend to last less than 2 weeks, anything longer is likely allergies.

  • Colds cause headaches, and other aches and pains.

  • In rare instances, colds can cause a fever, whereas allergies never will.

Cedar Fever Treatment

Once you've identified that your allergy symptoms are in fact cedar fever, and not something else, then you can focus on treating them in a number of different ways. Because cedar fever is a pollen allergy, it can be treated the same way as other types of seasonal allergies, such as antihistamines, allergy shots, or immunotherapy.

However, the number one recommended treatment is avoidance. By avoiding the pollen, you can prevent your symptoms from occurring altogether. Avoidance means staying indoors when pollen levels are high, and running an air purifier when indoors both at home or work.

However, this is not always practical, so antihistamines are helpful to have on hand during the peak cedar pollen months of January and February.

For additional information on allergy treatment methods for including a comprehensive list of allergen avoidance techniques, see our Hay Fever Relief website listed below.

Is Your Cat Ill? Signs to Watch Out For


As a caring cat owner, you will get to know your cat pretty well. As a result, you should be able to spot when things aren't quite right. In order to keep her as healthy as possible, you will need to keep a look out for signs of possible illness. These may not always be immediately apparent, as cats tend to hide signs of illness or injury as they feel vulnerable exposing weakness. This is why so many sick or injured cats find somewhere private and hide away.

As a rule of thumb, book a vets appointment if you are in any doubt. Don't ignore symptoms and hope that they will go away, as many symptoms could indicate a potentially life threatening problem, which if caught early could be easily treated. Also note that the symptoms your cat displays could indicate a number of possible illnesses, so it can be very difficult to try to diagnose this yourself.

Some of the main symptoms to watch out for are;
Loss of appetite; cats' appetites do tend to vary from day to day, but if her appetite remains poor over a few days, this could indicate a problem. If your cat is always thirsty, this could indicate kidney problems or even diabetes.

Diarrhea; especially if this lasts for more than a few days.

Constipation or difficulty urinating. This is easier to spot if she uses an indoor litter box. Is she spending longer in there than usual without passing feces/ urine? She may also cry in pain whilst trying to pass stools or urine. A change in toilet habits or going to the toilet in inappropriate places could also indicate a problem.

Blood in stools or urine; consult your vet straight away if you see this.

Vomiting; some cats, particularly long haired cats, will vomit up hair balls, which can easily be identified by the twisted knots of hair in the vomit. This could be reduced by regular grooming and possibly a cod liver oil supplement. Any prolonged or excessive vomiting should be a cause for concern.

Scratching; excessive ear scratching could indicate ear mites. General scratching could indicate an allergy to flea bites, or a skin condition. Check your cats coat regularly for signs of flea droppings, rashes or bald patches.

Discharge from nose, ears or eyes.

Check your cats teeth and gums regularly; if the gums are very pink and she has bad breath, this may indicate a condition such as Gingivitis.

Excessive sneezing. It is natural for cats, like us, to sneeze every so often if something has irritated the nasal passages, but excessive sneezing can indicate a problem such as cat flu.

Finally, monitor your cats behavior as a change in this can indicate a problem. She may become withdrawn or lethargic and listless; my cat tends to hide under the bed if she is not feeling well. She may no longer show an interest in being petted. Look for signs of pain or discomfort when you pet or handle her.

If symptoms persist for longer than a day or so, book a vets appointment. For more severe symptoms such as pain, discomfort or blood in stools/ urine, make this a priority. If you are not sure whether symptoms indicate a problem or not, you could always call your vet for advice.

For peace of mind, you should consider getting your cat inoculated against potentially fatal diseases, and keep up to date with her yearly shots. If you intend to board her, most kennels insist on seeing an up to date inoculation certificate.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Pain in the Butt. How to Deal with Hemorrhoids?


This is very sensitive area of your body. Too private. Nobody likes when something is wrong over there. However it happens.

Hemorrhoids occur practically in everyone. Though hemorrhoids cause problems in 1 out of 25 people. Mostly those are people between 45 and 65 years of age.

You find a blood on toilet tissue. Bright red blood. Ok, now what? You do not know why you bleed. It could be rectal cancer by the way. It could be hemorrhoids.

So? What are the hemorrhoids?

They look like cushions. They contain blood vessels, some muscle and elastic fibers. People often call them piles.

Not everything over there is a hemorrhoid. There could be other problems. Fissure, abscess, fistula, pruritus (itching), condylomata (sort of hanging skin caused by viral infection), viral and bacterial skin infections can happen in that, so sensitive area.

It is worth to talk to your doctor.

How would a scenario of hemorrhoids look?

A 46-year-old female presents with complaints on rectal discomfort, occasional bright red blood on toilet tissue and prolapsing tissue in of anal area. This is probably internal hemorrhoid.

Another scenario brings a patient who complains on severe rectal pain and prolapsed tissue.
The severe pain happens in external hemorrhoids. The pain follows thrombosis (thrombosis is the blood clot in your blood vessels).

There are four degrees of internal hemorrhoids.

It may be interesting for you to know because first, second and sometime third degree can be treated by banding only. Fourth degree and sometime third degree requires surgery.

Do not forget non-hemorrhoid causes of symptoms.
To check with your doctor is worthwhile because there could be other problems, including cancer or anal fissure. (By the way for anal fissure medical treatment alone may heal it in 90% of cases).

How are hemorrhoids treated?

Well first you need to understand how do hemorrhoids happen. Several reasons lead to hemorrhoids:

Constipation and extra straining

Chronic Diarrhea and loose stools

Long sitting or standing

Weight lifting

Obesity

Pregnancy and childbirth

Inherited tendency to hemorrhoids.

So, avoid all this and you are free.

Obviously this list of reasons is too wide.

The list of measures is wide too.

Increase the fiber in your diet.

Eat more cereals, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc

Psyllium and methylcellulose are supplemental types of fiber.

Exercise, avoid long standing or sitting, don't strain, keep the anal area clean.

Increase liquids in your diet.

Use stool softeners, stool-bulking agents (not a tasty ones, but what can you do).

Treat diarrhea with anti-motility drugs and fiber.

Not every of these methods are proved scientifically. Nonetheless they are included in the standard recommendations for hemorrhoids treatment.

To treat itching or discomfort you may use suppositories, ointments, creams, and gels. You may find that all in your local pharmacy.

These products contain protectant and anesthetics (pain relievers). Local anesthetics numb the area and decrease burning and itching.

Remember that local anesthetics may cause allergy.

Analgesics (menthol, camphor) relieve pain and itching as well

Vasoconstrictors reduce swelling in the perianal area. Though they may have side effects. Better discuss with your doctor.

Protectants (kaolin, cocoa butter, lanolin, mineral oil, starch, zinc oxide or calamine, glycerin, etc) create a physical barrier to prevent contact of stool and the skin. This reduces irritation, itching, and burning.

Similarly, some agents - astringents - dry the skin. That helps to relieve burning, itching, and pain as well.

To kill or at least suppress bacteria and other organisms use antiseptics. Boric acid, phenol, resorcinol and many others can be used. Again better to discuss with your doctor or at least pharmacist. Many of these drugs are sold over-the-counter.

Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids decrease inflammation and relieve itching, but may cause skin damage. They should be used for few days only.

Sitz bath may also help in relieving the symptoms.

When those methods fail your doctor may perform one of the following:

Sclerotherapy (causes scarring of the hemorrhoid).

Rubber band ligation. The rubber band cut off blood supply and hemorrhoid heals with scarring.

Side effects of any of the treatment may be infection of fat and other tissues surrounding the anal canal, especially if patient has diabetes cancer, AIDS.

Another option - electrotherapy and infrared photocoagulation. Works the same way, cause scarring of the tissue.
Cryotherapy uses cold to cause inflammation and scarring. Practically the same, though more time consuming.

Let say your medical treatment fails. What do you do then?
Well, you go to surgeon and treat it surgically.

Operations are done in less than 10% of patients. Though it depends.

Surgical procedures include Dilation. It is when surgeon stretches your anal sphincter.

Ligation. Often a Doppler probe helps to measures blood flow and finds the individual artery.

The doctor ties off the artery.

Sphincterotomy. It is when sphincter is partially cut. Whole idea is to reduce the pressure.

Hemorrhoidectomy. Hemorrhoidectomy makes sense for patients with third- or fourth-degree hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids are cut out.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Stapler cuts off the ring of expanded hemorrhoidal tissue.

There are different considerations why to do this and not that type of treatment. And vice versa.

There are complications (pain, difficulty urinating, bleeding several days after surgery, scarring, infection, stool incontinence). Complications happen relatively rare, but they are still there.
Better talk to you surgeon.

I hope you be OK.

You were not alone.

It looks like Napoleon Bonaparte, Carter, Hemingway, Tennyson, Lewis Carroll also were suffering from hemorrhoids.

Do You Have Allergies? - 7 Important Things To Know About Getting Relief


If you suffer with allergies, it's important to know how to manage them since there is no cure. Here are 7 pieces of information that will help you minimize the effect allergies have in your life.

Acupuncture Is An Option---This is fairly new on the radar for allergies in the Western world, but this tradition has been practiced in Asia and other Eastern civilizations for thousands of years.

Incredibly small needles are used to puncture the skin at various control centers of the body to stimulate lung, liver and other organs to improve health and desensitize the body's reaction to triggers that often induce symptoms and flare-ups.

This is not a quick fix (not very much in life is), and has not been proven to work for everyone. But it's certainly worth looking into because some insurance companies are now willing to cover the cost.

Consult your physician first. Do a little research online about anyone you are considering for the procedure. And make sure that the acupuncturist is certified by your state board of health.

Allergy Shots Can Work---This is a process where you are injected with tiny amounts of allergens. If your skin reacts it's a pretty good indication that more of that allergen would cause discomfort and symptoms.

Once your triggers are identified, those allergens are injected in increasing doses over a long period of time in hopes of decreasing your body's reaction to them. This takes years sometimes, but the results can be satisfying, particularly if your allergies are severe.

Avoiding The Trigger Still Works---This is still the most effective yet non-invasive way to deal with this condition. Stay informed about the air quality in your area. Stay indoors during peak seasons, and during the times of day that the spore count is heaviest---usually early morning and late evenings.

Medicine Is Available---Fortunately, there are numerous medications available, both over-the-counter and prescribed, that can alleviate acute symptoms. These occur once histamines have been released into the body and often present as sneezing, coughing, and watering eyes. All of these are an attempt by the body to flush what it perceives as a harmful substance from the body.

There is also medication that works to minimize the body's reaction to allergens by reducing the production of histamines. A board-certified allergist should become one of your best friends.

Masks Are Affordable---Sometimes it's the wrong time to be outdoors, but you either have to go or want to go. When those days happen, wear a mask that can help filter the particulates.

These are fairly inexpensive and are available in a wide variety of colors and a price range that varies greatly depending on features. You can also find them in many drug stores.

Lifestyle---Anything you can do to strengthen the immune system will help. Eating foods that are high in antioxidants and magnesium have proven to be beneficial to many. At least 8 ounces of yogurt daily has been shown to help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms for some.

Exercising daily and/or being active as well as getting the proper amount of sleep can drastically improve not only physical well-being but your emotional health as well.

Filtration Is Essential---Controlling the number of airborne irritants in your air can only be done with continuous filtration. It is most effectively done with a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter that can remove particles as small as.3 microns in size.

This means it is able to continually eliminate pollen, and mildew spores as well as indoor triggers such as dust, dust mites, and pet dander.

Tiny Pollen Grains Can Cause Pollen Allergy


Summer, spring and fall are the seasons where pollen allergy is very common. In these seasons, trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen grains. These grains travel through the air to fertilize plants. However, some of the pollen grains did not reach the plants. Instead, they enter the nose and throat of the humans. In this situation, they trigger the immune system and resulted to the formation of allergic reaction.

Plants produced pollen grains. It is used for plant reproduction. Reproduction in plants can happen in two different ways. Some plants use pollen grain to fertilize its own flower. Others undergo cross-pollination. Cross pollination happens when the pollen grain is transferred from one flower to another. Insects, through feeding, contribute to the transfer of pollen grains. Some plants do not rely on insects for pollen grain transfer. Instead, they use wind for pollen grain transport. However, pollen grains that are released by weeds, grasses, and tress are the most common cause of pollen allergy. They make grains that are dry, light, and tiny which can be easily dragged by wind.

Pollen allergy causes a person to experience different kinds of discomfort. Because pollen grains are usually inhaled, it usually affects the respiratory tract. It makes the person experience sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy throat, and watery eyes.

Also, this kind of allergy aggravates asthma. It can also lead to sinus and ear infection especially in children. Though symptoms of this kind of allergy are the same with colds, a physician can still differentiate the two. Aside from the symptoms mentioned above, colds have hoarseness, fever, sore throat, and thick nasal discharge. Also, the symptoms are only present during specific seasons. Therefore, if the allergy is present throughout the year, it is definitely not pollen allergy.

There are two tests done by the physician to identify if someone is having pollen allergy. These are the blood test and the skin test. Skin test is done by putting allergen into the patient's skin. If there is a reaction happens. No doubt, the patient has allergy. Blood test is done to look for the presence of a specific protein in the blood. This protein is the IgE. The IgE antibody is produced by the body if there is an allergic reaction or an infection.

Once the cause is identified, one can make moves to avoid and treat the condition. The following are ways to lessen your pollen's exposure:

繚 Keep the doors and windows closed.

繚 Do not use fan and windows to cool your home throughout pollen season. Instead, use your air-conditions.

繚 Do not dry your bedding and clothing outdoors.

繚 Consider to have vacation. Choose a place where the amount of pollen is minimal.

繚 If you are planning to plant trees, select trees that do not cause allergies.

繚 Take medications

繚 Avoid having contact with things that cause allergic symptoms.

繚 Some doctors will offer to have their patient an allergy shots.

Though pollen allergy is the most common type of allergy and causes too much discomfort to a person, it is still easily managed. With proper education about it, anyone can avoid to have this.

Seasonal Allergy


It's that time of year again: the days are getting longer, the flowers are blooming, and we can trade our winter coats for light jackets. Most of us consider the arrival of Spring a cause for celebration, but if you're one of the fifty million people suffering from seasonal allergies, you probably aren't jumping for joy.

One of the most frustrating things about seasonal allergies is determining the cause. Is it pollen? Is it climate, temperature, or atmospheric change? Is it gluten, which seems to be to blame for so many disorders today? Everyone wants to know why there are experiencing the watery eyes, runny nose, headaches, itchy skin, stuffiness, or congestion every Spring. These symptoms are collectively known as allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

There are several causes for these allergies, and some of them may surprise you:

Infection

Heredity

Malabsorption disorders

Hormonal deficiencies

Post Trauma

Radiation stress

Emotional event

Vaccination additives

Weak immune system

Over-exposure to allergens

Candida

Chemicals such as GMOs, food additives, and pesticides

Whatever causes an individual to become sensitive to pollen, the question remains, what can be done about it? While a pollen allergy, by itself, is usually easy to eliminate, allergic rhinitis typically encompasses allergic reactions to several environmental triggers, such as mold, trees and some foods, that may require more extensive treatment.

There are a few different ways to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever, the most common of which is to take medicines such as Claritin or Zyrtec. In the past, a physician had to prescribe these medications; however, these days they are available over-the-counter. If you are satisfied with managing your symptoms, these meds can help; however, I strongly suggest that before taking them you research their side effects.

If symptoms are severe, most allergists will recommend shots once a week for one to two years, followed by maintenance injections once a month for two to three years. This is the guideline procedure set forth by the American Academy of Family Physicians. But what, you may be wondering, are in these allergy shots? Allergy shots contain small amounts of the things that you are allergic to, or allergens. The dose of allergens starts very low and is slowly increased over the course of the treatment. If this method sounds counterintuitive to you, you're not alone. After all, if a patient were allergic to cockroaches, would you suggest injecting them with little bits cockroach?

The latest approach to environmental allergies is sublingual drops. First, a scratch test is done to establish what the person is allergic to, whether it's trees, grasses, molds, and pollens. Then he or she is given liquid drops to take daily for approximately one year. This reduces office visits, but the success rate is not clear. It is also expensive, and therefore best suited to patients with very good medical coverage.

Another method-and my personal preference--is natural allergy elimination. This safe, very gentle technique reprograms the body in about four months, with no side-effects. I like it because, unlike the other treatments, it gets to the root cause, rather just managing symptoms, and it has been clinically proven to work.

In my practice, I have seen patients whose allergies are triggered by a wide range of allergens. Sometimes the hay fever is initiated by a virus; sometimes it's triggered after the patient moves to an area with a higher concentration of pollen than they are used to. Still other patients are experiencing a malfunction of their autonomic nervous system that affects their tolerance to pollen. I have been successful eliminating seasonal allergies--or hay fever--for my patients, regardless of the underlying cause. Like with any ailment, there were a few individuals who were not completely cured because I could not identify an underlying genetic component. However, I do have a 90% success rate in eliminating hay fever. One of my patients had been receiving allergy shots for twenty-five years, with little relief. Yet in just three office visits, I was able to eliminate her symptoms by treating her emotionally. Of course, everyone is different and the approach has to be individualized. I also can determine very quickly if a case is beyond my ability.

There are currently 10,000 holistic practitioners that utilize natural allergy elimination techniques. Over the past decade, they have helped several hundred thousand patients completely cure their seasonal allergies. Are you sick of dreading Spring? Find a good and experienced holistic practitioner!

Allergy Effects on the Liver and Colon


The Liver:

The liver is the largest gland in the body. Amongst other things, it is a detoxifying agent and a blood reservoir. It breaks down waste matter in the blood and manufactures blood proteins; converting sugar and carbohydrates into glycogen, which it then stores for the manufacture of glucose when needed. It collects vitamins and minerals from food and stores them for future use. The liver also manufactures bile, which is stored in the gall bladder, and released, when necessary, into the duodenum to aid in the digestion of fats.

During digestion, bile flows from the gall bladder and liver into the small intestine, thus helping to keep it alkaline and aiding the pancreatic enzymes to digest fats more easily. Eventually the bile fluids circulate back to the liver, from the colon, carrying toxins with them. These must be neutralized by the liver and, finally, eliminated by the kidneys.

The allergic reaction creates turmoil in the body when antibodies and antigens react, causing mast cells to break up and histamine to be released in large quantities. These adverse chemical reactions result in the body becoming overloaded with toxins which eventually find their way to the colon for elimination. Unfortunately, the constipation, which is so often present in allergy conditions, causes these toxins to remain in the colon. This results in the bile fluids continuously overloading the liver with recirculated toxins from the colon and eventually, the liver may become incapable of coping fully with its detoxifying duties. When this happens, the liver degenerates, the system becomes poisoned and the individual, who has never been well because of masked allergies, now becomes seriously ill.

The effects, therefore, of allergies, particularly several masked allergies, on the liver, over a period of time, can be extremely serious and cause further severe illness.

The colon:

The colon is the main part of the large intestine and consists of the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid colon. It is a muscular tube which carries food residue (chyme) from the cecum (the first part of the large intestine) to the rectum (the last part). The first half of the colon, from the cecum to the middle of the transverse colon, is responsible for the creation of wavelike motions known as peristaltic waves, which push the contents of the colon to the rectum for eventual evacuation.

Besides the formation of peristaltic waves, the first half of the colon also extracts from the chyme, any available nutritional material, including water, that the small intestine was unable to collect. For this purpose, it mulches the chyme and transfers liquid and nutrients through its walls into the bloodstream. This is done through the blood vessels lining the walls of the colon, which then transfer the nutrients back to the liver for processing.

Constipation, which often accompanies food allergies, causes the accumulation of fecal matter in the colon which proceeds to putrify and ferment. Combine this with the additional wastes caused by the body's continuing allergic responses, and an overloaded toxic situation occurs in the colon, with devastating effects. The colon is faced with the extraction of remaining nutrients from fermenting, toxin-laden rubbish. As a result, polluted nutrients pass back into the bloodstream to aggravate further the allergy condition.

Are Yearly Flu Shots Beneficial Or Bogus?


Every year around this time, everyone from public officials to health journalists start talking about flu shots. It seems that flu shots are recommended for just about everyone these days, but are they truly beneficial? The Centers for Disease Control and other respected health organizations are strong proponents of flu shots, but conflicting opinions exist among researchers. I've looked at the evidence in order to present you with a balanced view of the issue.

What a Flu Shot Does

There are actually two forms of flu vaccinations-the traditional shot and a nasal spray. The shot contains dead flu viruses, which encourage your body to produce the antibodies to ward off live viruses that you may come in contact with. The nasal spray contains weak flu viruses, which prompts an immune response throughout your body. You will not actually get the flu, but may it be possible to pass the virus onto others. Pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems are encouraged to get the flu shot, but are not eligible for the spray.

The reason yearly flu shots are required is that different strains of the flu virus become dominant each flu season. Your vaccine from last year may be ineffective against the strains of flu virus currently circulating. Scientists determine which strains are strongest for a given year and formulate the flu vaccine accordingly.

The Conventional Wisdom

The Centers for Disease Control affirms that yearly vaccinations are the best way to prevent contracting a virus. According to their data, the vaccine is effective 70 to 90 percent of the time for healthy people younger than 65. These can be less effective in older people because they tend to produce fewer antibodies in response to the vaccine.

Still, getting the flu shot is better than not getting it, according to recommendations from the Mayo Clinic. For older adults who don't live in a nursing home (where viruses can be easily passed among residents), the vaccination is estimated to be 30 to 70 percent effective at preventing flu-related hospitalizations. What's also very important to note is that it prevents complications from flu, such as pneumonia, which is a major hazard to older people.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people aged 6 months to 19 years, and 50 and over. It is recommended for anyone with a chronic condition or a weakened immune system. Because of the prevalence of viruses in nursing homes, residents are encouraged to get the flu vaccine. Pregnant women and health care workers are also encouraged to do so.

You should not get a flu shot if you've had these conditions in the past; prior allergic reaction to vaccines, an allergy to eggs; experienced Guillaim-Barre, an autoimmune syndrome, or who have a fever (It's best to wait until a fever subsides).

Contrary Arguments

Perhaps the strongest argument against flu shots is that they may not prevent you from contracting flu. Italian researchers reviewed 71 studies on the efficacy of the vaccine and found it to be only 45 percent effective at preventing flu, hospitalizations and flu-related deaths. It is difficult to develop a highly effective vaccine year after year due to the constant adaptations of the virus. Some years' vaccines have better success rates than others.

One argument is that getting yearly flu shots makes the immune system less able to fight a strain of the virus that may not be covered by the vaccine. However, even some skeptics agree that flu shots are valuable for staving off complications in elderly people who are stricken with the flu. Evidence also points to benefits of vaccinating children who are often the most likely to spread viruses to older people in their household.

Ultimately, the decision to get a flu shot or not is up to you. Weigh your individual health needs and do not hesitate to discuss the question with your doctor. As with so many questions in life, the answer is neither black nor white-I hope my straightforward analysis can help you navigate the grey area.

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

Mold Allergy Shots Effects to the Candida Symptoms


A friend has started mold allergy shots for a couple weeks and realizes that after receiving the shots for the first couple of hours, her candida symptoms get a lot worse. But, now after taking 2 shots a week, she kind of feels better. Sweets and yeasts still bother her, but not that much anymore. She was allergic to Alternaria, Phoma, Epicoccum and a couple of other molds that she can't remember. She is starting to believe that the whole candida syndrome is actually the side effect of a mold allergy, from her improvements.

Another friend just had her first set of shots last week, which are 3 on Wednesday and one on Friday. The ones on Wednesday were for molds and candida and she didn't feel too bad after them. The one on Friday is for a certain type of fungus that is related to the candida. She doesn't know what it is but it has been on both of her big toes for years. That one made her feels really sick and she is hoping it will get better as time goes by.

They didn't give her a personal copy of what she was allergic to, though I know those were tested on her. They tested 13 single molds and fungi (including Candida), plus one mix of 12 molds combined. She didn't react to several of them, but she had been treated for molds before by another doctor, so she is sure that is why. I think her worst reaction was to the Candida, it was definitely the most painful over the 48 hour delayed reaction time period.

She has discovered each allergist does things a little different. The one she goes to tests 5 different strengths of each allergen on one day, with 10 minutes between strength. They measure the size of the reaction at the end of the 10 minutes, then move on to the next strength. After that, they have you wait 48 hours and then return to the office to check for delayed reactions as many allergens will cause a secondary reaction hours or days later. Then, they do one more to check for a final, immediate reaction on anything you didn't have a delayed reaction to over the 48 hours.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Managing Fall Allergies - 7 Ways To Minimize The Disruption Symptoms Can Cause


Unfortunately, nothing can prevent allergies in the fall or any other time of the year. However, following these 7 strategies has proven to drastically reduce your exposure to allergens which in turn can reduce the symptoms and the disruption they cause.

Stop Air Exchange---This means keep doors and windows closed and use air conditioning or heating to keep the inside temperature comfortable. Not being able to open the windows when the weather would otherwise allow may cost a little more, but is well worth it in terms of the allergens to which you are not exposed.

Try to park your car in a place where pollen cannot accumulate on it. And keep windows and the vent for outside air closed in the car as well.

Give Up Yard Work---This is one of the best things you can do during the time when the allergens you are sensitive to are at their peak. Mowing can send grass pollen flying, and raking leaves can send mold spores into the air. Delegate the mowing and leaf raking to someone else, and stay inside for several hours after the yard work is done to literally let the dust settle and the air clear. If you love gardening, it may be very possible to continue enjoying your work in the garden once the fall allergens are gone.

Wear A Mask---It can be difficult to resist being outside once the leaves begin to turn and the weather is gorgeous. For those times when you just have to be outside, wear a mask that can help filter the spores and other triggers that can make your life miserable.

Explore Medical Options---A good allergist is an invaluable resource. Find one. There are a number of preventative drugs that can help your body have less of a reaction. There are also allergy shots that can be given over a period of time to desensitize your body to the offending trigger(s). And you should always carry fast acting medication that you can take to prevent symptoms from escalating.

Leave Plants Outside---Get rid of or at least limit the number of house plants. They can often be a place for mold to grow particularly if the soil is kept moist.

Plan Outside Time Carefully---Dry windy days typically have the most spores in the air. Since they weigh so little, they can and do travel for miles from their place of origin. So the best plan is to plan indoor activities for those days. You can find a daily pollen count for your area online as well as air quality alerts. Tuning in to local news and TV stations in your area is an excellent way to stay in-the-know about allergens that are likely to be in the air.

Filter Indoor Air---Since the best way to manage allergies is still to avoid the trigger, filtering indoor air with an air cleaner that has a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter is an effective way to keep allergen levels low indoors.

And even though Ragweed, mildew, and mold spores may be at the top of the list, continually filtering the air in your home will also take out other allergens such as dust, dust mites, and pet dander that often work in conjunction with seasonal triggers to cause problems.

What Your Doctors Never Told You About Your Chronic Hives


If your like the thousands and thousands of people who suffer with Chronic Urticaria on a daily basis, you will have probably spent many hours visiting your doctor or dermatologist.

Unfortunately conventional medical professionals have few options at there disposal to treat your condition. Treatments for chronic urticaria are usually based on conventional practices such as drug therapies and on the training gained. As a result, any alternative solutions to Chronic Urticaria are usually frowned up on.

The reality is most medical professionals have very little idea of how urticaria can be successfully treated, more often than not your doctor will be unlikely to prescribe anything but the usual antihistamine or cortisone drug therapies.

This is true because most medical professionals believe that nothing exists beyond the conventional treatments, especially when it comes to the treatment of Chronic Urticaria (hives) and many other idiopathic chronic condition.

As a result of widespread ignorance, knowingly or unknowingly, doctors can actually deprive patients of a sustainable cure for their reoccurring condition. After suffering with chronic urticaria for many years I know only to well of the constant disappointment these poor treatments actually provide.

Its true the benefits of other alternatives can offer many people a real chance of successfully ridding themselves of chronic urticaria.

Lets take a look at what your doctor probably never told you about your Chronic Urticaria:

If your anything like me you will have seen your doctor more than a few times and I'm willing to bet that you were offered either Antihistamines or a cortisone jab, depending on the severity of your condition?. You probably won't be to surprised to know that these two options are considered the most effective and probably the only treatment for Chronic Urticaria by most medical professionals.

The problem is yes in the short term these drugs may help, Antihistamines for example works because it blocks the release of histamine into the derma, while this is great it is also short lived and in my experience offers only temporary relief which can lead to dependency.

Through more and more use the effectiveness of antihistamine will diminish, so unfortunately as soon as the effects of the antihistamine subsides the symptoms of urticaria will inevitably return, the same is true even if you've been taking the medication for years.

Steroids, often prescribed for chronic skin disorders may help in the short term relief of urticaria however long term use of steroids pose a risk of serious side effects which can cause irreversible damage to ones body.

Your doctor may have prescribed a Cortisone injection to relieve your urticaria symptoms? Cortisone injections are not offered to frequently in the UK, however from experience of having a full blown attack while on holiday in Greece I found that cortisone is often the first port of call, while I was grateful at the time I do think being able to receive cortisone injections so easily might be dangerous

Cortisone will suppress urticaria and works amazingly fast and effectively in not just chronic urticaria but also for other autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Unfortunately your doctor will probably not tell you that you will need more and more cortisone just to attain the same level of relief.

Use of increasing doses of cortisone over a period of time can even make chronic urticaria more resistant to medication. And in some cases actually make the condition worse.

Symptomatic relief of your chronic urticaria may seem like a good idea at the time and if your a sufferer it's not hard to understand why, living with an ongoing idiopathic skin condition is uncomfortable, restricting and embarrassing.

Living with urticaria on a daily basis can cause your stress levels to rise, it can also open the doors to depression, both of which are also considered major triggering factors in themselves.

Very few doctors will inform you of the connection between stress and chronic urticaria. Even if they do, not many doctors will offer any suitable help apart from perhaps prescribing antidepressants.

It is very easy for anyone to comment negatively on treatments they have no training or belief in which is probably why alternative therapies get very little or no press coverage & if we're honest we all know that the major drug companies have a valid interest in keeping you dangling there taking more and more of there expensive and often damaging symptomatic drugs.

For a realistic chance of permanent relief of your chronic urticaria the only viable solution is to tackle the underlying conditions which cause your body to become hypersensitive to your environment, food and additives.

Fight Allergies in a Natural Way - 15 Tips


Following are the 15 most recommended ways to fight allergies in a natural way. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before to taking up any medicine or natural remedy for allergies.

1. Avoid outdoors when pollen level is high. Check allergy forecast on websites like pollen.com and avoiding outdoors when level is above 9 points, that site is also very good to find good allergy information and equipment.

2. Eat natural Anti-histamine foods: Onions, garlic, Citrus fruits like lemon and oranges contain natural antihistamines. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also known to help. You should definitely consider increasing these foods in your diet.

3. Nasal Rinse : A very effective way to rinse of all the pollen struck in your nasal passages. This will also drain out some bacteria too. There are quite a few available with PH balancing salt to mix with filtered/boiled home water so there is no water irritation while doing the rinse. You should consider doing nasal rinse twice a day.

4. Air Purifiers : This is the MOST effective anti-allergy device for many people. Especially when at home in the evenings and night, helps to get you a good night sleep. Some filters have an additional 'ionic' feature which many people like me prefer not to use. These HEPA compatible filters take out most of the pollen from air around you. Dehumidifiers can be used to lessen mold which is another cause of allergies.

5. Local honey : It is recommended that you start eating about 1-2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts. Bees are known to collect pollen from local plants. Therefore honey is known to have some low levels of pollen, and taking it before the season helps your body to get use to some pollen level in advance before the full blown season strikes.

6. Pollen free home: Please clean your carpets, bed sheets, floors and curtains, say at least once in a week. Get a Hepa certified vacuum cleaner so the air coming out from your vacuum cleaner does not dump the pollen back in the air of your home. You can find these under $100 in most retail outlets.

7. Hot liquids are helpful to get relief from congestion; Green tea works well and also has antioxidants. Please be careful while handling the hot liquids. Marshmallow Root is also a good decongestant. Taking light steam also relieves congestion.

8. Light exercise: Congestion and running nose can often lead to a weaker respiratory system. Light exercise like brisk walking or indoor exercise cycle can give power to your lungs. But be practical, do not over stress yourself.

9. Smart Planning: Usually pollen counts are low after rain. If your local forecast says that its going to rain in next 1-2 days, then prefer doing your pending work after that. But if necessary to work in garden or cut grass then use a pollen mask.

10. What are allergic to: Check with your doctor if they can do a detailed allergy check for you to find what type of pollens you are exactly allergic to. For example if you are allergic to grass pollen, you know lawn mowing is not the best thing to do yourself and hiring a gardener may be a better choice.

11. Pets: If you have any pets at home, its a good idea to give them regular bath too.

12. Avoiding foods: Avoid any foods you know that you are allergic to and may trigger allergies.

13. Evening Shower: When you come home in the evening, take a warm shower and wash your hair. Hair's can hold lot of pollen while you were out.

14. Window filter: Keep doors and windows closed most of the time (or little open); consider buying anti pollen window filter screen. Basically a screen you can put on the window which allows the air to pass through but keeps the pollen out.

15. Overall Cleanliness: Wash your eyes and hands regularly with water. Not only it will drain away those pollens but also some give relief to your eyes.

Quite a few people prefer taking anti-allergic medicines and flu shots, not always by choice but sometimes natural approaches are not enough.

Allergy - Is Your Dachshund Suffering From It?


Allergy may not be included in the list of top diseases that could affect a Dachshund, but that doesn't mean that your Dachshund can't possibly acquire this health problem. Dogs, just like humans can suffer from trouble caused by allergies. As dog owner, it is important that you are well aware of this problem in order for you to identify if your Dachshund is really suffering from it.

Below are the different kinds of allergy.

Atopy - Atopy is also known as allergic inhalant dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. These airborne disease is usually caused by environmental factors such as dust mites, molds, house dust, human dander and feathers or pollen from grasses, trees and weeds. Symptoms of atopy include itching resulting to frequent scratching and biting on the feet, muzzle or face, armpits, groins and ears. Worst cases of atopy may be characterized by redness, hair loss, crusts and scaling, ear problems and skin infection. This disease is diagnosed through physical examination. The vet will need to find out your Dachshund's history of symptoms and have to differentiate it from other skin diseases such as food hypersensitivity, flea allergy dermatitis or contact dermatitis. There is lots of known treatment for this disease. The highly recommended treatment is to avoid the allergens as much as possible. Medication includes antihistamines, corticosteroids and immunotherapy or allergy shots. Medicated shampoo or diet rich in Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are as well recommended.

Flea Allergy - Flea allergy or flea allergy dermatitis is an allergy caused by flea saliva passed into the dog's skin when it bites. Not all dogs can acquire flea allergy with a single bite but dogs with flea allergy will quickly experience the symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling. Symptoms of flea allergy are scratching, loss of hair, crusts and erosions of the skin and pimple-like bumps. In some severe cases, thickened skin with darkened areas will develop. Red, oozing and very painful sores are also present in this kind of allergy. This problem is best prevented through eliminating the fleas in the environment. It is important to keep your surroundings clean to make sure that fleas are completely removed. The market is offering wide selection of commercial products used to kill fleas. Just read the label carefully as to the proper usage of the product, or it is better to ask your vet for suggestions.

Horse Allergy Treatment and Prevention


Just like humans, horses can have a number of different types of allergies. The most common types of horse allergies are respiratory and skin. Respiratory allergies are also known as 'heaves' and are often similar to asthma in people.

A horse can be allergic to things in the air (e.g. pollen, dust, mold, spores), certain foods or nutritional supplements, or insect bites. Normally, allergies develop over time with exposure. For example, a horse may not have an allergy to straw but if exposed to moldy straw over a long period of time may develop an allergy to straw mold.

Symptoms

Just as people can have many different allergic symptoms (itchy eyes or skin, bumps or rashes, difficulty breathing), horses can have a variety of symptoms as well. Common symptoms in horses include:


  • Coughing or difficulty breathing

  • Reduced energy, especially during exercise

  • Nasal discharge

  • Watery eyes

  • Skin bumps

  • Itchy skin. The horse can be seen rubbing itself on the ground or against objects, or its hair may be worn away where it has been rubbing.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose an allergy, as each of these symptoms can have other causes, aside from allergies. For example, a throat infection could cause coughing, or a lung infection could result in breathing difficulty and reduced energy. Diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that there can be a delayed reaction between exposure and a visible reaction. For example, symptoms of skin allergies (e.g. bumps) may appear 12 hours after exposure to the allergen (the substance the horse is allergic to). Consequently, one may need veterinary assistance to determine if the symptoms are due to an allergy or some other cause. In some cases (particularly in the case of skin allergies) the veterinarian may take a tissue sample for analysis to determine if the problem is allergic and if so to help identify the cause.

Treatment and Control

The treatment of horses for allergies is similar to the treatment for people. The preferred treatment is avoidance. On exposure, there are a number of treatments (e.g. anti-histamines or corticosteroids) to reduce the symptoms and make the horse more comfortable. There are also a number of desensitizing treatments.

Alternatively, if the symptoms are not severe, one can separate the horse from the allergen and allow it to recover normally. If the horse is allergic to something in the stable (e.g. dust, fungus, mold) one can let it out to pasture until it has had time to recover and one has had time to clean the stable. Alternatively, if the problem is in the pasture (some plant), one can place the horse in a stable until it recovers.

Depending on what the horse is allergic to, some common solutions are:



  • Hay dust. Try soaking the hay in water or find a supplier of less dusty hay. If this doesn't work, you may need to switch to an alternative food, such as pelleted hay.


  • Straw dust. Try lightly spraying the straw with water, to damp down the dust.


  • Dust. Keep the stable clean. If necessary, lightly sprinkle with water to damp down the dust.


  • Bedding. If the horse is allergic to its bedding, you can try another type of bedding. You may also want to consider rubber mats instead of bedding.


  • Insects. One can keep the horse in the stable when the insects are active (e.g. during the day) and let it out when they are inactive (e.g. at night). One can also use insect repellents or fly sheets to keep the insects off.


  • Mold or Fungus. This are normally associated with poor quality hay, feed or bedding. Do not buy any products with mold or fungus. Keep these products in a dry and well ventilated area, without sitting on a cold floor, so they do not develop mold or fungus. If you find any product which does have mold/fungus, do not use it but dispose of it instead.


  • Plants. If your horses are allergic to certain plants in the pasture, these should be reduced or eliminated. Be careful of using herbicides for this purpose as that can result in laminitis.

Note that in the case of watered hay or straw, one must ensure that the hay and straw is changed daily so that it does not have time to develop mold or fungus. 

Cleaning a stable tends to disturb dust, mold, fungus and other potential allergens. Consequently, one should always remove a horse from the stable while it is being cleaned and for some time afterwards (until things have had time to settle again).

Normally, a well ventilated stable will have fewer allergens than a poorly ventilated one. However, in the case of a dust allergy, increasing ventilation may make the situation worse (at least in the short term) as increased wind through the stable may stir up dust. 

All About Bee Pollen Benefits


Nearly everyone knows about honey, but not everyone knows about bee pollen benefits. What are the benefits of bee pollen?

* Potent antioxidants

* Prevents allergies

* Heals prostate problems

* Boosts men's sex life

* Makes exercise easy 198 characters

Let all-natural bee pollen benefits enhance your health. Make bee pollen an amino acid rich addition to your family's healing tools.

What Are the Health Benefits of Bee Pollen?

Who could know the health benefits of bee pollen better than a bee? When bees help themselves to nectar so they can make honey, they coat their legs with pollen. This bee pollen is collected for the colony's principal protein food when they return to the hive.

One of the most important bee pollen facts is that it is rich in antioxidants.

The antioxidants in bee pollen are compounds chemists call flavonoids. Bee pollen packs the punch of myricetin, quercetin, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid. You don't need to remember their names, but take a look at what they can do for you.

Myricetin helps white blood cells soak up the "bad" LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine-the right kind of pollen can be beneficial for your allergies! Rutin is best known as the remedy for varicose veins. Rutin protects veins throughout the body and may help prevent cancer as well. Your body uses trans-cinnamic acid to make its own antibiotics, and this potent nutrient also powers the detoxifying processes of the liver.

Another key bee pollen fact is that it is a source of complete nutrition. Bee pollen is richer in protein than any flesh-based food. Gram for gram, bee pollen supplements contain more amino acids than fish, beef, or eggs.

What else is in bee pollen? This nutritional supplement contains:

* Enzymes

* Coenzymes

* 18 amino acids

* DNA and RNA

* Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K

* Folic acid

* Niacin

* Pantothenic acid

* Choline

* Inositol

* Iron

* And Zinc

One of the most interesting bee pollen facts is that the whole of the pollen is greater than its nutritional parts. Insect scientists conducted an experiment in which they took away bee pollen and replaced it with a synthetic mix. This "bee chow" contained every known nutrient in their food.

First the bees first failed to thrive. Then they failed to survive. Nothing artificial can substitute for natural bee pollen.

Bees add some "unknown extra" of their own to bee pollen. This may be the reason bee pollen is so useful in treating a variety of human health conditions.

Sneeze no more!

Bee pollen products treat allergies. Doctors have prescribed pollen for over a hundred years. Bee pollen injections desensitize pollen sufferers. Allergists use "allergy shots" to stop hay fever, hives, rashes, and asthma.

Doctors developed this method at St. Mary's Hospital in London about 1903. In the original method, the nurse gives an injection of pollen and water once a week for several months. The first injection may be 1 part pollen in 100,000 parts of water. The last injection may be 1 part pollen in 10 parts of water.

These potentially painful shots teach the immune system not to respond to pollen. They reduce the immune system's power. They keep it from becoming "hypersensitive" to harmless plants.

But when bee pollen is taken as a nutritional supplement rather than as an injection, the allergies still go away. The difference is the immune system is stronger, not weaker.

Dr. Lee Conway of Denver, Colorado in the USA treats his allergy patients with bee pollen. All his patients who take bee pollen every day remain free from all allergy symptoms. They don't get new allergies when they move to new places. They stay allergy-free.

"Half the Pain, Twice the Pleasure."

That's how a German publication for physicians described bee pollen benefits for men with prostate problems. Over 20 scientific studies have found that bee pollen supports men's sexual health.

How? Chronic prostate problems result from the accumulation of free radicals of oxygen in the seminal fluid. Free radicals of oxygen cause a "burn" at the cellular level. Bee pollen puts out the fire.

The benefit of sexual activity without burning, dribbling, swollen sensation is clear. But what about bee pollen and male fertility?

The most comprehensive research in this area comes from China. Researchers first found that chronic prostate inflammation and male infertility both result from the accumulation of free radicals of oxygen. They then set about finding which product stops the production of free radicals.

Their answer? Bee pollen. The very best relief for infectious prostate inflammation was a combination of conventional medication and bee pollen. Bee pollen all by itself was 80 percent as effective as antibiotics. Bee pollen was free of side effects. It cost a lot less.

The key bee pollen benefit was to increase fertility. Sperm swam faster and lasted longer. They were more motile and viable.

How did bee pollen accomplish this? The answer is zinc. Bee pollen delivers a unique combination of zinc and antioxidants. It maximizes the effectiveness of this mineral for men's sexual health.

Bee Pollen is for Women Too

Twenty years ago American researchers discovered that bee pollen might treat women's cancers. Their government sponsors quickly covered up their findings. Doctors in Austria heard about them anyway.

Dr. Peter Hernuss and his team set out to help twenty-five women suffering from inoperable uterine cancer. They couldn't remove the cancer, so the doctors gave the women chemotherapy. Half the women also received bee pollen. Even under the worst possible medical conditions, bee pollen benefits were clear.

The fortunate women who took bee pollen with their food quickly acquired an immune system boost. Their labs showed:

* Increased antibody production

* More red blood cells

* More hemoglobin

* And a higher concentration of cancer-fighting natural killer (NK) cells.

Taking bee pollen with food lessened the terrible nausea that goes along with chemotherapy. Simply put, the complete nutrition in bee pollen prevented starvation. Bee pollen prevented the loss of muscle tissue.

Bee pollen benefits even included keeping hair loss to a minimum. Without bee pollen, there was no comparable benefit.

How Do You Use Bee Pollen?

Take two bee pollen tablets once or twice daily with meals, or as recommended by your health care professional. Scientists have found that bee pollen retains its antioxidant potency for up to three years during storage under household conditions.

Caution: Bee pollen side effects are very rare, but they are possible in sensitive individuals. There has been one case in which a person who had severe reactions to mold had a severe reaction to bee pollen This product had been improperly stored in heat and damp. It contained mold.

Bee pollen is not recommended for women who are or who may become pregnant. Discontinue and consult with your healthcare provider if you experience adverse reactions. Bee pollen reactions are unheard of in comprehensive supplements of which bee pollen is only one part.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Asthma - Causes and Cures


Asthma is the disease of the lungs that cause difficulty in breathing and other symptoms. Some symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing. Asthma is caused by inflammation of lungs that make the air ways shrink and in some cases to close completely. The good news is that asthma is a manageable disease and if you have followed the proper information you have nothing to worry.

What causes Asthma

Asthma can be triggered by allergies to things such as dust, pollen, pet animals. You should try to eliminate the attack as finding the cause of the attack is the first step towards controlling this condition.

What you must avoid


  • Cold air in winter months. Protect your nose and throat areas in winter months

  • Excessively dry air

  • Pollen in spring and fall season can irritate air ways leading to breathing difficulty

  • Smoke and dust of any kind

  • Pets in the house can also cause allergies

  • Flu or cold can trigger an attack


Treatments and risks for people with Asthma

Asthma can result in respiratory disorders or problems in breathing accompanied by pain and discomfort. Loss of consciousness from attacks can occur increasing health risks. The two most common treatment options are quick relief medications and long term medications. Medicine for quick relief can stop an asthma attack in minutes. Beta-agonists are largely preferred as they offer a quick remedy but you must carry your medicine all the time to help prevent an attack. Long term medications include inhaled corticosteroids which open the breathing airways and reduce swelling. These medications can also be in the form of steroid tablets or liquid form. You can also use bronchodilators. Leukotriene modifiers can also offer a remedy for mild asthma. Antihistamines are also prescribed for the treatment of asthma. In vary severe cases allergy shots are given. Don't eat foods that trigger an attack, some people are allergic to sulphites in food.

Other natural cures for Asthma

You should try breathing slowly. Drinking tea and water regularly helps in treating asthma to a certain extent. Keep bedding and pillows free of dust by washing in warm water often. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner to keep your home as clean as possible. You should get your allergy tested and see if desensitization shots can help cure the allergy. Avoid smoky places and quit smoking if you do so. Use an air filter if you have to drive or pass through polluted places. Increase your vitamin C intake. Mild exercises like walking or cycling will help improve the cardiovascular stamina. Swimming can also be a very good option in treating asthma. You should avoid sugar addiction, compulsive eating etc. Anxiety triggers asthma and should be avoided. A good emotional management plan will work better in treating anxiety ridden asthma condition. A sense of well being and living in the present are also suggested eliminating asthma.

Preparing for Cedar Fever by Understanding the Symptoms


Every year, allergy sufferers throughout the country breathe a collective sigh of relief as the winter cold begins to set in. The winter months bring a reprieve from the bombardment of pollen that lasts from March through September all around the US. However, if you happen to live in Central Texas, or other parts of the Midwest, the relief is short-lived as Cedar fever soon comes out in full force!

Cedar fever tends to cause even more pain that the typical spring and fall allergy seasons. This is because cedar pollinates during the winter months, and many people regularly misidentify the real cause of their suffering as being a common winter cold. Most newcomers to Central Texas cities such as Austin, Dallas, or San Antonio tend to make this mistake during their first cedar season. Eventually they catch on as the locals can constantly be heard talking about the pain that the cedar pollen is inflicting on their senses.

As we mentioned, the symptoms of cedar fever are often misidentified as a common cold, which leads sufferers to wait even long until seeking treatment. Therefore, understanding the symptoms are going to make your search for a treatment much easier.

Cedar Fever Symptoms

  • Runny Nose

  • Stuffy Nose

  • Itchy Eyes

  • Sneezing

  • Lasts many weeks, up to 6 or longer

Cold Symptoms

  • Although the symptoms of a cold are going to be very similar, they differ in a few key ways. Use these differences to help determine what you are actually suffering from.

  • Colds tend to last less than 2 weeks, anything longer is likely allergies.

  • Colds cause headaches, and other aches and pains.

  • In rare instances, colds can cause a fever, whereas allergies never will.

Cedar Fever Treatment

Once you've identified that your allergy symptoms are in fact cedar fever, and not something else, then you can focus on treating them in a number of different ways. Because cedar fever is a pollen allergy, it can be treated the same way as other types of seasonal allergies, such as antihistamines, allergy shots, or immunotherapy.

However, the number one recommended treatment is avoidance. By avoiding the pollen, you can prevent your symptoms from occurring altogether. Avoidance means staying indoors when pollen levels are high, and running an air purifier when indoors both at home or work.

However, this is not always practical, so antihistamines are helpful to have on hand during the peak cedar pollen months of January and February.

For additional information on allergy treatment methods for including a comprehensive list of allergen avoidance techniques, see our Hay Fever Relief website listed below.

Go Green With Eco-Balls


Obviously, technology has made our life very simple and what once supposed to be a laborious process is no more a headache with the invention of washing machines. Washing machine tops the list of home appliances. Nowadays, you can't see a home without this smart gadget. It has become one of the essential appliances to make the work simple and interesting rather than a lackluster process.

One has to see other factors involved in the washing process. The machine alone cannot carry out the cleaning process; the key ingredient that carries out the cleaning process is the detergent. Normally, detergents may be alkaline or acidic. Technology has not left this mechanism too. The recent introduction of Eco-Balls seems to be the perfect alternative for the chemical detergent. As the whole world is changing green and environment- friendly, these Eco-Balls appear to be the ultimate solution for an eco-friendly way in washing machines.

These Eco-balls are said to perform the cleaning work without the intervention of fabric softeners and detergents.

What are Eco-Balls?

Eco-Balls are something with a size smaller than a cricket ball. They have small pores along with multiple spikes and come in attractive colors. They basically work on the principle of ionic cleaning. They consist of some pebbles which are capable of raising the pH level of the water. This ultimately gives negative charge to the water molecules. As dirt and stain are made up of positive ions, they clog with the negatively charged water molecules. This mechanism ensures that these ions reach every part of the clothes. Conventional washing powders pollute the water as well as the environment. But, these are in no way an environmental hazard.

How to use the Eco-Balls?

There is no big intricate mechanism involved in handling these balls. Follow these simple steps.


  • Load the machine with your laundry.

  • Introduce 3 Eco-Balls on the top of the load

  • If there is any stain, use the stain remover provided along with the Eco-balls

  • Fix the desired temperature. Make sure it does not exceed 60ºC

  • Never put the Eco-balls in tumble dryer

  • After the washing cycle, remove the balls and leave out to dry.


What's special about Eco-Balls?

Eco-Balls, unlike conventional detergents, do not contain harmful chemicals. They are believed to wash the clothes without the additional need of fabric softeners and conditioners. They do not harm your clothes; they are devoid of harmful boosters and fillers. They also prevent your clothes from discoloration. They also prevent the oxidation caused by the water with chlorine. They are absolutely harmless and those who are allergic towards detergents can use these Eco-Balls without fear. The drained out water does not pollute the environment as there is no toxic chemicals or harsh detergents present in the Eco-Balls. They also act as anti-bacterial agents that have lethal effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In addition, it can be used for all type of washing machines.

Advantages of using Eco-Balls:


  • Reusability of the balls up to1000 wash cycles.

  • Cheap washing cost - Approx £3 per wash

  • 100% allergy free

  • Safe to your clothes

  • No harmful fillers and boosters

  • No toxic chemicals

  • Have anti-bacterial effect

Eco-Balls are definitely an alternative for the conventional detergents. This will be a revolution in the near future. As every thing is going green in the present scenario, the regular and routine washing which normally pollutes the surrounding certainly needs a change. So, why not we shift to the Eco-Balls? Now Eco-Balls are hot-shots in the UK market. Many manufactures suggest Eco-Balls for a safe operation. So, it's never too late. Next time when you buy your detergent, give a try for Eco-Balls.

Are Allergy Shots Effective?


Itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing are all common symptoms which a vast majority of us experience as allergy symptoms at specific times throughout the year. Many individuals do everything in their power to avoid allergies including changing their diets, staying indoors or taking vitamin supplements. These may contribute to fighting allergies, but there is another effective way to do so. Immunotherapy or allergy shots are gaining popularity. Getting an allergy shot can be scary for some people, so we thought it would be best to fully explain allergy shots and address some common concerns.

How Do They Work?

Allergy shots contain a small amount of the substance which you are allergic to. If you are allergic to pollen, a small amount of pollen would be added to the shot. The amount is small enough so that it does not cause you to suffering from allergy symptoms, but enough so that you body gets used to fighting the allergen. Therefore, the next time your body comes in contact with that substance, it will be familiar with fighting it off and you will most likely not suffer from allergies.

Are Allergy Shots Safe For Everyone?

Although most people will have positive results from allergy shots, they are not right for everyone. Allergy shots are not recommended for individuals suffering from severe heart problems, asthma or other respiratory problems. Also, children under the age of 5 should not be exposed to allergy shots for safety reasons.

What Is The Procedure?

Once you have decided that you would like to get allergy shots, you will receive a shot 1 or 2 times a week for about 6 months. Afterwards, your maintenance shots will require you to get one shot a month, year round for about 3-5 years. Once you have received allergy shots on a regular basis for a couple years, you can discuss it with your doctor and they may tell you its okay to stop getting them at that point.

What Are The Side Effects?

Although allergy shots are effective for many individuals in eliminating allergy symptoms, certain individuals may experience some harmful side effects. Some people may experience feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected, others may feel light-headed or nauseated. For this reason, doctors are required to keep patients in their office for at least 20 minutes after receiving each shot in order to ensure the patient's safety.

Some people swear by allergy shots while others criticize the effects or claim they don't work effectively. If you are considering receiving immunotherapy, contact your doctor to discuss. Your doctor will give you more insight in order for you to determine if this is something you really want to do.

Hidden Allergies May Be the Culprit in Your Sinusitis Dizziness Problem


Does sinusitis dizziness really exist?

Are the dizziness and sinus problems both just symptoms of the actual underlying cause?

Detecting the underlying cause of dizziness can perplex physician and patient alike. Often medications treat symptoms, but not the underlying cause of the sinus problems. A little detective work may reveal the cause so you can deal with it.

That culprit might just be hidden allergens that float around in the air.

Sinusitis brought on by spring or fall allergy symptoms like increased nasal mucous and itchy eyes are easily recognized. But airborne allergens that hang around all year cause such chronic sinusitis symptoms that it's hard to pin point them as the culprit without doing a lot of detective work.

The year round allergens include dust (which are actually mites that live in our skin), animal dander (especially if you have indoor animals) and some molds (like ones living in the dirt of your house plants).

When assaulted by the air-born allergens, your sinuses go to work trying to filter them out which leads to allergic reactions in your sinus tissues accompanied by pain and pressure.

The same scenario may take place in your inner ear as well where the swelling results in the type of dizziness called vertigo where you feel like either you or the room is spinning. That can results in the sinusitis dizziness allergy connection.

If the allergic reaction occurs in your middle ear, you may feel more of the light headed or faintness type of symptoms associated with the term dizziness.

Whatever your symptoms, mainly what you want is relief.

You can institute some helpful measures on your own.

1. Purify your indoor air

Install an especially efficient air filter in your central air conditioning unit.
At the minimum place a room purifier in your bedroom and run it while you sleep.

2. Move your pets outdoors and clean up your house really well.

As a pet lover myself I realize banning them from the house can be heart wrenching. So at least keep your bedroom as a pet free area so you're not inhaling animal dander all night.

3. If dust allergies are the culprit:

Keep the house cleaned regularly.
Use vacuum cleaners with really good filters.
Put dust proof covers on your pillows and mattress.

An allergist can then advise you on the environmental cleanup required. This doctor may order blood tests for allergies that may be very helpful. Once you know what you're allergic to, then you can work more diligently to decrease that allergen in your environment.

However, total avoidance of an airborne allergen is quite difficult. Therefore, allergy skin testing and allergy shots to desensitize you to the offending substance can give you more long lasting and satisfying relief.

Alternative health practitioners also utilize other allergy desensitizing measures that are very effective. Consider looking for one in your area. Chiropractors, naturopaths and some physicians use these effective alternative techniques.

Once those hidden allergens are revealed you're on the way to losing that sinusitis dizziness allergy connection.

Ways to Avoid Ragweed Allergy Symptoms


Anyone who has a sensitivity towards pollen is suffering from allergic reaction. Soon after inhaling, you may notice the development of ragweed allergy symptoms. There are around seventeen varieties of the ragweed plant.

Ragweed pollens start to circulate in the air from these plants. This circulation continues until ragweed plants are killed by frost somewhere during the later phase of fall. Ragweed plants are commonly found in almost all parts of the US.

In people who are sensitive to ragweed, their immune system overreacts as they come in contact with the pollens.

As this happens, it causes asthma and allergy symptoms. Some of these symptoms caused by ragweed allergy are sneezing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy throat, itchy nose and coughing. Also, people who have severe allergies may have symptoms like chronic sinusitis, trouble sleeping, asthma attacks and headaches.

You may take a few precautions to avoid these symptoms if you are allergic to ragweed pollens. It is better to avoid foods that may cause ragweed allergies such as bananas, honey and chamomile tea. They can contain pollen. Cucumbers, zucchini and sunflower seeds should also be avoided. Your symptoms may become intensified if you have these foods in ragweed season. The ragweed season usually begins in August and extends up to October.

Also, it is better not to stay in areas where ragweed plants are in the vicinity. These weeds are normally found in rural areas as pollens may get carried away easily in the vacant fields. Having a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the air conditioner will also help to reduce pollens in the air.

Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroidsare are the best medications that you can take to reduce the intensity of these symptoms. However, medicines do not work for everyone. So, if your symptoms seem to be uncontrollable, you may approach your doctor and seek advice if you can take immunotherapy or allergy shots.

Symptoms of ragweed allergy can cause a person to feel very weak and fatigued. Exercising regularly and eating healthy helps a great deal to make sure that your immune system works efficiently and is able to resist such allergies.

As the ragweed season begins around August, doctors also suggest that people with sensitivity towards pollens should start taking precautions, medication and other treatments at least a few weeks before the season begins.

Hence, people who experience ragweed allergy symptoms can avoid the discomfort caused by these symptoms only if they are careful and strictly take note of their doctor's advice.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Hay Fever Treatment


Like all allergies, the best way to cope with hay fever is to always avoid the things that seem to known to generate a response. Clearly, this certainly isn't always practical, but minimizing one's exposure needs to be the basis for good approach. You will find about as many different ways to treat hay fever as there are people that are affected by it. These particular solutions are categorized in 3 major categories: medication, homeopathic solutions (home remedies) and other treatment options.

Medication

As a response to the allergens, the body releases Histamine, which causes the symptoms of Hay fever. Due to this, the quickest way to receive respite might be with an anti-histamine of some type. Anti-histamines combat the effect of histamine and give relief from hay fever symptoms. But nevertheless, you shouldn't wait until you feel symptoms of hay fever to take an anti-histamine. The reason for this is that when you are beginning to experience allergic reactions, your immune system has already released the histamine and the harm is done. All an anti-histamine has the potential to do now is stop the release of extra histamine. Because of this, anti-histamines are a considerably more helpful remedy for hay fever if used on a regular basis during the allergy season. Such treatments can be employed to minimize and treat allergic rhinitis problems.

Anti-histamines can be found in many types such as pills, inhalers, nebulizers, and even eye-drops. Both over the counter as well as prescription, several well known manufacturers are Clarityn, Benadryl, Zyrtec, Piriteze, Loratadine, Cetirizine, and also Piriton. Similarly, many brands offer acceptable varieties of these items for little ones.

To cope with additional symptoms like nasal congestion and irritation, a decongestant can usually supply relief. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can be obtained over the counter in both tablet or liquid form. Another kind of decongestant that has been shown effective are nasal sprays. These are designed to prevent and treat symptoms of Hay fever. Brands such as Afrin and Allerclear are some of the better known nasal sprays available. A clear nose can make you feel better at once. Beware of overusing these items though. Nasal Sprays can have negative side affects like insomnia, higher blood pressure and an elevated heart-rate. Whats more, nasal sprays can actually complicate matters if used too often, creating a rebound effect. When used appropriately these decongestants can help immensely.

As you can see, allergy and hay fever medication can be found over the counter in numerous forms, plus for more difficult cases prescription strength versions are accessible and effective.

Home Remedies

For modest cases, hay fever may be dealt with sufficiently using simple home remedies along with allergy-proofing your home. However, even for people with severe cases these methods ought to prove invaluable for controlling the effects of allergy symptoms. There are a number of home remedies which have been found useful in controlling the effects of hay fever. Here are a few of them:


  • Gargling warm salt water might help a sore throat

  • Herbs like Ginger (can help strengthen the immune system) along with Garlic (a natural decongestant)

  • Using lip balm around your nostrils

  • Keeping all things in your house clean - especially dusting and washing the floor coverings often

  • Have the windows and doors closed and use the A/C during hay fever season.

Other Solutions

In addition to medications and home remedies there are still some alternative treatment practices which have produced results. Allergy shots, or immunotherapy has a great success rate and also might be more or less a cure after a long duration of treatment. This method works by incrementally exposing your immune system to the allergen and therefore successively lessening your reaction to it. Some people have also had success by a number of herbal remedies and supplements, while other people even claim that such things as hypnosis and acupuncture have helped.

It is incredibly difficult to prevent hay fever as airborne plant pollen and spores induce it. Nevertheless treatment options exist to make it easier to control and treat your symptoms. Knowledge of precisely what provokes your allergies and getting a treatment plan set up beforehand will help curtail the consequences they have on your life.