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Archive for September, 2009

Allergy Medication And Other Treatment Options

09 Sep



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

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

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

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

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

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

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

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

 
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Alcohol Allergy – Discover the Symptoms of an Allergy to Alcohol

08 Sep



An alcohol allergy is one of the most uncommon allergies that can occur, they are also hard to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to the effects of a hangover. People who suffer from alcohol allergies are actually allergic to one of the ingredients in the beverage. In this article we take a closer look at this allergy.

Most people who suffer from this type of allergy are allergic to one of the ingredients, some of the common allergens in alcohol include wheat and sulfur dioxide which is a preservative used to increase the shelf life of the beverage. When these ingredients are consumed an allergic reaction can occur.

The symptoms of an allergic reaction to alcohol include head ache, vomiting, nausea stomach pain, stuffy nose, itchy skin, stomach cramps and heart burn to name but a few. These symptoms can occur almost instantly or within hours of alcohol being consumed. As you can see some of these symptoms that occur are similar to having a hangover, for example head aches and nausea, this is why many people who have an alcohol allergy are actually oblivious to the fact.

If you are one of the few people who suffer from an alcohol allergy you may want to stop drinking alcohol full stop, this way you are guaranteed never to suffer from an allergic reaction to alcohol again. However for most people this is a difficult thing to do, alcohol plays a big part in social activities in the western world and some people find it too difficult to avoid it. The other option is to continue drinking alcohol and just live with the symptoms that occur. Some people are only affected by certain alcoholic drinks, for example they may suffer an allergic reaction to beer, but they may be fine when they drink vodka, so you may want to try different alcoholic beverages to see which ones do not have any effect on you, and once you find a few stick with them.

If you do have an alcohol allergy, but you still want to drink alcohol it is advisable that you do not drink too much, it is wise to just have one or two drinks because drinking too much may make the symptoms of this allergy more severe.

At the time of writing there are no treatments available for alcohol allergies, but if you do suffer an allergic reaction you can help yourself by doing the things that you would do if you were suffering from a hangover. One of the most helpful things you can do is drink a lot of water, this will help to eliminate stomach cramps and nausea. You should also avoid drinking tea or coffee because they contain caffeine which can make the symptoms worse, and you should avoid smoking because the nicotine in cigarettes can also make the symptoms worse.

Alcohol allergies can be an inconvenience but following the steps in this article can make them easier to deal with.

 
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Sleep Aides – The Pros and Cons

07 Sep



Sleep aides are prescription medications that promote sleep also known as hypnotics. Hypnotics are the most effective sleep aids available. If you suffer from insomnia, the medication prescribed will depend on your diagnosis, medical condition, use of alcohol or other drugs and age.

You may wonder why sleep aides are needed. Well, lifestyle is behind many sleep disorders. Excessive work, poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, or drugs and alcohol abuse are usually the problem. No wonder with so many people leading stressful lives sleep disorders continue to rise. With that rise, the market for sleep aides like LunaSom PM, Ambien, Lunesta and Rozerem continue to soar as well.

Cons

Worldwide we are playing a dangerous game by consuming more of these drugs each year. That is not to say that sleeping pills are not beneficial in some cases. However, you should be aware of the following:

* Sleeping pills reduce brain cell activity; thereby, affecting short term memory

* After several weeks of use, sleeping pills begin to lose their intensity, which leads many to up the dosage

* Sleeping aides treat only the symptoms of insomnia and do nothing to fight the source of sleeplessness

Pros

When you use sleeping pills they relax the body, allow you to get to sleep and then keep you in the deeper stages of sleep. Most people wake up feeling invigorated and refreshed.

The Bottom Line

How you feel and perform during the day is directly related to how much sleep you get the night before. If sleepiness gets in the way of your daily activities, more sleep each night will improve the quality of your daylight hours. In addition, insufficient sleep is associated with a number of diseases and conditions-such as diabetes, obesity, and depression. Not getting enough sleep is linked with the onset of these diseases and also may complicate their management and outcome.

People with only mild insomnia problems may be relying too heavily on pills and not trying to address their sleep problems with non-drug measures. The bottom line is this, whether it’s a simple change in lifestyle that you need to make, or talk to your doctor about sleep aides available or other natural remedies – you just need to decide to today not to have another sleepless night.

 
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Pain Relief for Arthritis Sufferers

07 Sep



Arthritis is a painful disease affecting millions of adults and children, world-wide. Over 100 different disorders can be classified as arthritis. In fact, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are a leading cause of disability. Conventional forms of treatment for arthritis may consists of steroids, painkillers and sometimes a change in diet. However, new research has indicated that a special type of honey called “Manuka Honey” is effective in treating arthritis as a natural form of pain relief from joint and muscle stiffness. These studies have shown that patients experienced a reduction in their pain levels when treated with Manuka Honey.

The reason why Manuka Honey is effective in treating arthritis is because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. In forms of Arthritis that are more tissue than bone related, Manuka Honey can reduce inflammation, providing a natural form of pain relief. Anything that is applied to the skin is absorbed into the body. Manuka Honey has a way of diffusing deep into the skin, getting to the effected area. The result is a natural anti-inflammatory action which combines with the body’s defense and support systems, improving circulation and nutrients to the joints while removing waste and preventing infections.

The natural anti-inflammatory agents found in Manuka Honey are glucosamine and hondroitin sulphate, which stimulate the body’s manufacturing of cartilage components necessary for joint repair and assist in the reduction of pain and inflammation. Frank Buonanotte, the CEO of Honeymark International, which is a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent says that their Pain Relief Cream is effective on back, neck and shoulder pain as well as providing relief for pains associated with arthritis and sprains. “Manuka Honey is gaining it’s well-deserved recognition within the medical community as a viable alternative to traditional forms of medicine,” Says Buonanotte. “Manuka Honey is a natural and organic ingredient that has no known side effects and is highly effective in treating a variety of different health conditions in addition to arthritis.”

 
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Arthritis – The Signs and Symptoms

06 Sep



In order to ensure effective treatment of arthritis, it is extremely important to seek early medical help. This is only possible if you take special care of the warning signs and symptoms of this disease.

Early symptoms of arthritis can be extremely vague and confusing. However, these are very important to recognize as early as possible.

A) Here are some of the early symptoms of arthritis

a) Stiffness and/or pain in joints

b) Redness and/or warmth around the affected area

c) Tenderness in and/or around the affected area

d) Difficulty in moving

e) Limited range of motion in one or more joints

There are different types of arthritis that a patient can be attacked with. Hence, it becomes very important to know about the symptoms of all the major types of arthritis. This basic knowledge will help you to detect the presence of the disease at an early stage and to start the treatment as early as possible.

B) Here is a list of the major types of arthritis and their symptoms:

a) Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory in nature. One may experience a lot of stiffness in the joints. Mainly the joints are affected by this condition. However, one can also expect certain systemic effects. The symptoms include the following

1. Morning stiffness

2. Extreme fatigue

3. Rheumatoid nodules

4. Symmetrical joint involvement

5. Involvement of small bones of hands and feet

6. Pain

7. Inflammation

b) Osteoarthritis Arthritis symptoms

Also known as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis arthritis is a condition that can turn low- grade inflammation in to severe joint pains. This is usually caused by wearing of cartilages in the joints

1. Pain around joints

2. Inflammation

3. Trouble in moving

c) Gout Arthritis symptoms

This is a condition where uric acid tends to get build up in the blood. Crystals of uric acid is formed in joints and several other places.

1. Severe sudden attacks

2. Toe pain

3. Joint pain

d) Ankylosing Spondylitis arthritis symptoms

It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the spine. This can result in fused vertebrae and rigid spine.

e) Juvenile arthritis symptoms

A common form of arthritis, it tends to come up as an inflammatory and painful condition.

f) Psoriatic arthritis symptoms

This is a chronic skin disease.

1. Inflammation of bone and other joint tissues

2. Affects whole body

g) Systematic lupus Erythematrous Symptoms

This form of arthritis involves skin, muscles joint and even internal organs.

h) Septic Arthritis

It is a type of dangerous invasion of the joint space by an infectious agent that results in arthritis. The etiology can be mycobacterial, baceberial or viral or even fungal.

There are several other forms of arthritis. However, you need to seek medical attention as soon as you spot some of the common symptoms of arthritis:

- Swelling, Redness, Joint stiffness, Warmth, Tenderness of joint and/or Inflammation of joint.

 
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Understanding The Avian Bird Flu Virus And A Look Into Its History

03 Sep



Avian bird flu, a viral disease, also termed as bird flu, avian influenza, type A flu or genus. This flu is a kind of influenza hosted by birds but can affect other animals and particularly humans also. The virus in general is the influenza virus ‘A’ but is a bit different every time the flu breaks out, because of the evolutionary changes it keeps undergoing. New viruses keep getting formed because of genetic mutation and are named using a H number and an N number, which denote different pathogenic profiles. Some of those ones which for sure affect human populace and did so in the past are, H1N1 (Spanish flu, 1918-19) H2N2 (Asian flu, 1957-58), H3N2 (Hong Kong flu, 1968-69), etc. Some of those identified are extinct now because of the constant mutations taking place in the structure of the virus which self destructs its capabilities to infect humans anymore. Also new viruses have come up and currently the major pandemic (epidemic over a wide geographical area) threat is from H5N1 virus.

It was first discovered in Italy in 1878 and was even called fowl plague because of the enormity of its effect in chicken livestock. It was however only in 1955 when avian flu was confirmed to be caused by influenza A viruses. Wild fowl is the natural carrier of the virus, though it is not affected by the virus and is only a transmitter to birds, pigs, horses, etc. The bodies (intestines to be more specific) of gulls, waterfowls and shorebirds are said to be “natural reservoirs” of the disease. Their bodies have long adapted to the problem and have developed internal antibodies to combat the virus. The adaptation, however, does not extend to other species. Hence domestic birds are the most affected and other animals and humans are only marginally affected, in numbers. The bird flu virus causes two forms of influenzas, namely, a low pathogenic form which shows only nominal symptoms and a high pathogenic form which affects internal organs and might prove 100% fatal in 48 hours.

The disease is contagious and spreads through air and in manure. The transmission occurs from air, contaminated water, equipments especially those used in animal farms, clothing, etc. At high temperatures the virus gets destroyed, like in prolonged summers, cooking, steaming, fires, etc. but survives for long periods in cold weather. The bird flu virus starts showing its effects in 3 to 5 days, and can be fatal if highly pathogenic. Hundreds and millions of birds get killed every year, since the most commonly practiced way of eliminating the virus is to slaughter the infected animals.

It has a long history of affecting human population in epidemic form. Those subtypes which infect humans are called human influenza virus. The only known ones are H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2, with H5N1 having a potential threat. The symptoms shown in humans are same as those from other influenza, namely, fever, cough, muscle fatigue, conjunctivitis and sometimes breathing problems and fatal pneumonia. Detection of the avian bird flu virus in the human body can be done using general influenza virus tests, but this might be unreliable. The most reliable test till date is microneutralization but is a complicated test and can be performed only in highly professional laboratories. Normal antiviral drugs work against the human influenza virus but other specific drugs for specific new viruses are being developed.

As far as humans are concerned, the bird flu virus has substantial risk of an influenza epidemic in near future. A primary concern is the rapid spreading of the virus (infecting domesticated birds) between continents with migrating birds. Short term strategies are to kill the animals, vaccinating poultry, stop human travelling to and from the affected region, whereas a long term solution would be vaccination and hygienic lifestyles.

 
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Insomnia – How to Fall Asleep Faster and Stay Asleep Longer

01 Sep



W.C. Fields advised that “the best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.” That’s humorous but not helpful.

The truth is, when you cannot fall asleep, whether its due to a physical ailment, stress, or a sleep disorder of one kind or another, laughing is the last thing you’re going to do. As to how to achieve “the sleep of your dreams,” the solutions vary with the causes. Those caused by physical problems may require medicinal or surgical solutions, while those caused by stress or distractions may have solutions more natural in nature.

As an example of a physical ailment, sleep apnea may be caused by a physical obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea), by a problem within your brain (central sleep apnea), or by a combination of the two (mixed or complex sleep apnea). Remedies may include changing your sleeping position, surgery, or medications. Medications may be of a prescription nature or may be obtained over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.

If your difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is caused by distractions – common with those who work non-traditional shifts – you may need to sound proof your sleeping area, install really thick shades, and turn off the bedroom phone.

Stress is far-and-away the most common cause of insomnia. Fortunately, when you are sleepless because of stress and worries, it is often possible to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer without resorting to medications or surgery. If stress is keeping you awake, you may want to investigate one or more of the following natural sleep aids:
Acupuncture and Acupressure, both of which derive from ancient Chinese healing techniques. Aromatherapy, which utilizes “essential oils” to comfort and heal. Aromatic herbs may be placed in your sleeping area — perhaps even within your pillowcase — to induce a feeling of relaxation that leads to stress-free sleep. Biofeedback or Hypnosis, both of which are ways in which you can learn how to train your body to relax and accept the balms of sleep. Massage by your sleep partner, a family member, or even yourself for those parts of your body you can readily reach is one way to reduce stress and encourage your body to drift off naturally. Meditation can be practiced both at bedtime and throughout the day as a means of steering stress into more healthful channels. Yoga trains and encourages your body, mind, and spirit to work together for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This is something which you can learn in a relatively short period of time and then practice for the rest of your life.

Whatever the underlying cause of your sleep disorders, it is always a mistake simply to ignore them and just hope that they’ll go away. If your problem sleeping is so severe that it’s causing dangerous daytime weariness or falling asleep at your tasks, you need to seek immediate resolution of the problem. Your first step, if this is your situation, should be asking your doctor to help determine whether there is an underlying physical malady, or if you may find a solution through stress-reduction remedies.

 
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