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Archive for December, 2009

Your Carpet And Allergies — Do You Know What Your Carpet Harbors?

23 Dec

A carpet and allergies are like best friends. Your carpet soaks up anything that touches it and won’t release it until it is thoroughly washed. You wouldn’t wear a T-shirt for a year but carpet is fibrous material just like your clothes. the link between your carpet and allergies is indisputable — but it is made better or worse depending on how old the carpet is, how thick it is and its quality (some poor carpets shed more easily). Of course, if you clean it more, it should contain less allergens also!

Clean the Carpet and Allergies Will Stay Away

The best way to keep allergies away is to regularly clean your carpets. Carpets harbor mold, dust mites and pollen. Make sure you vacuum your carpet regularly which will keep these allergens to a minimum. Clean up spills quickly because, apart from possible stains, mold can result from this. This is especially a problem in humid parts of the world lacking adequate ventilation. If you do the above you will have a more visually clean carpet and allergies will be reduced. You should also do a good shampoo once a year — either by a product that you can use with a vacuum or hire a special carpet cleaning vacuum that runs moving water through the carpet as you move.

New Carpets and Allergies

Despite not holding the usual airborne allergens that latch onto carpets, a brand new carpet can also cause allergic reactions. During manufacture of the carpet, various chemicals are used that some people are allergic to. The best way to limit these outbreaks is to air the carpet well once it is installed by ventilating the room well. Unfortunately, this usually cannot be done before installation because carpets are rolled up for storage.

Most people are aware that there is a strong correlation between a carpet and allergies arising from it, but by following the above advice of keeping your carpet clean, you or your family need not suffer any more.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Get Rid of Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms

22 Dec



By Definition, when your immune system doesn’t function properly and leads to a hypersensitive reaction because of a substance which is otherwise non-malignant then you are suffering from allergy. The Dust mite is the main cause of many allergies. Surprisingly, you can find dust mite allergy symptoms in around 10 percent of the US population. Also, around 90 percent of asthma sufferers are found to have an allergy to this little critter.

As the dust mite is found in almost all houses, it can be a challenging task to overcome the condition or symptoms that it causes. These symptoms are usually similar to asthma, hay fever, or pollen allergies. A running nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and sneezing frequently are some of the symptoms of a dust mite allergy. It is quite possible that your symptoms may get worse when you are cleaning your house, vacuuming or changing the bed sheet, as this is when you are most likely to disturb this microscopic bug. In a few serious cases, the noticeable symptoms may be labored breathing and wheezing.

The components contained in the dust attack respiratory passages and this is what causes these asthma or hay fever like symptoms. Also, these symptoms can lead to skin conditions like eczema, which is an itchy skin inflammation. Pollen and dust are primary causes of symptoms being intensified. There are also particles that float in the sunlight beam which include dust and other waste. It is these particles that invoke the reaction of the dust mite allergy. A humid and warm environment also makes it easier for these particles to survive in your home.

So what can you do? You can use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to keep a check on the moist and warm environment in your home. This should help alleviate symptoms. But remember to use a filter system on your air conditioner as dust mites may enter your home through air conditioners too. In order to have a safe and clean environment devoid of any allergy symptoms, you may also use chemicals to kill both the active and inactive allergens of dust mites. Benzyl benzoate and tannic acid are the most widely used chemicals in this regard.

If you do opt for chemicals be careful to avoid over-use as this in itself can cause respiratory problems. There are also many spread powders, sprays and cleaning products that are helpful to control allergy symptoms. So basically the only real way to get rid of dust mite allergy symptoms, is to be thorough in the cleaning of your home and ensure a safe dust-free environment. So, what are you waiting for? Clean up your home and ensure the safety of your family from dust mites today!

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Excessive Sweating in Children

21 Dec



Excessive sweating in children can be due to many causes. Children tend to sweat profusely so profuse sweating is not necessarily cause for alarm. Usually, safe holistic treatments can be used to decrease discomfort. However, if your gut tells you there is a real problem, listen to your gut. In that case, before exploring holistic treatments, every possible medical reason should be explored.

There are a few medical reasons that infants and young children may have excessive sweating. One shouldn’t rush to diagnose any of the possible conditions, but if excessive sweating exists, then one should check for other symptoms of disease.

Diabetes

One of the symptoms of diabetes is excessive sweating. One should look at other symptoms such as excessive thirst and frequent urination before considering the possibility of diabetes.

Congestive Heart Failure

If excessive sweating occurs whenever an infant is feeding, then congestive heart failure may be a possibility. Other symptoms such as fast respiratory rate and a frequent cough would accompany the sweating.

Hyperthyroidism

Frequent sweating in children may also be due to Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Hyperthyroidism can easily be ruled out with a simple urine test.

Once the above medical conditions have been ruled out, it is now time to seek holistic approaches. Any long-term condition that cannot or should not be remedied by medical or surgical procedures should be a candidate for more holistic remedies. Check with your doctor before beginning any holistic program.

One holistic remedy includes taking 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey first thing in the morning. This remedy works for some people.

 
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Do You Have Painful Arthritis? A Guide to Eating Out

21 Dec



I’m sure you will agree that it’s very challenging to get a healthful meal when you go out to eat or are travelling. This is especially true for those who have painful arthritis who need to make changes in their lifestyle or diet to manage their condition. This is mainly the reason why millions of people are now looking into healthier, alternative forms of treatment, primarily Ayurveda. Ayurveda encourages holistic nutrition and an arthritis-friendly diet to help alleviate pain and slow down the disease’s progression. Natural and holistic remedies include the use of herbs, homeopathic remedies, supplements and exercises like yoga.

If you are suffering from painful arthritis but would love to eat out, don’t get anxious. You have many options out there; you just have to know what to look for and where to look! Here’s an outline that will serve as a useful guide when eating out:

1. Steer clear of fast food restaurants as they all use a lot of unnecessary salt, sugar (think French fries), hydrogenated oils and fats.

2. Ethnic restaurants featuring Eastern cuisine are often great choices, especially the lunch buffet you find at many Indian, Thai, Chinese and Japanese entries. They tend to use smaller portions of meat and fish; more vegetables and anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger, turmeric and garlic; and as shorter cooking times.

3. Be sure to ask if the restaurant uses MSG (monosodium glutamate), a taste-enhancing chemical that can lead to headaches and other allergic reactions.

4. Keep in mind that some Chinese dishes made with extra sugar and other Indian and Thai specialties made with cream and/or coconut sauces can be highly caloric.

5. Look for menu items featuring steamed vegetables, sautéed fish, and other items that are likely to be lower in calories.

6. Remember that being overweight is a contributing cause of arthritis and arthritis pain, so anything you can do to reduce calories while eating more healthful meals will help you avoid the problems associated with arthritis.

7. You can also choose one of the takeout dishes below. These are based on the takeout menus from either ethnic and other restaurants available in most cities:
Chicken with broccoli Sauteed shrimp with ginger and garlic Bean curd with black mushrooms and garlic sauce Sauteed mustard greens, snow peas, zucchini, eggplant or green beans Tandoori salmon with raita (cucumbers in plain yogurt) Sashimi (sushi without the rice) served with radish, wasabi and pickled ginger Thai hot and sour soup with shrimp Guacamole Curried egg salad on a bed of dark green lettuce

I bet you’re feeling hungry by now! These are only examples of delicious dishes that can help fight painful arthritis. Just imagine being able to manage your condition while still making healthy choices!

 
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Arthritis Gout Pain – Hope For Relief on the Horizon?

19 Dec



Arthritis gout pain is terribly excruciating to its sufferers. While gout is a form of arthritis, it seems to mainly target the big toe, although it can also affect other joints in the body. If you have any experience with arthritis pain, you will understand just how bad the pain from gout will feel.

To people who suffer from this awful affliction, there is some hope on the horizon. If you have already been prescribed medication by your doctor for this pain, of course you should continue to take it as long as it helps you. However, arthritis gout pain seems to be helped by simply eating cherries and pineapples. Several studies have been done about this, and the results have been quite favorable. So if you are a fan of these two fruits, this would be happy news for you.

Don’t despair if you are not so fond of cherries and/or pineapples. There are other natural ways to relieve this horrific pain. It has been discovered that adding ginger to your food can aid in treating your gout symptoms. As a gout “attack” can be brought on in part by a build up of excess fluid, celery is recommended. As this vegetable is known to have diuretic properties, snacking on celery sticks throughout the day can bring some much needed relief.

So if you have arthritis gout pain, you have several options: snack on celery, have a fruit salad of pineapples and cherries, and/or take Ibuprofen or whatever your doctor has you taking. Before long, you should be experiencing some tremendous relief from your misery.

 
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Using the Best Skin Peel at Home

19 Dec



In the past, the best skin peel was only available from a dermatologist or salon. This is no longer true. You can now have the benefits of a medical grade facial peel in the comfort of your own home. The most effective peels on the market contain Tricholoracetic Acid (TCA). TCA is a non toxic chemical that has been used for over 30 years and is considered completely safe. It is one of the deeper peels, used to rejuvenate the skin and improve the condition of the skin.

TCA peels successfully treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, wrinkles, blotchy skin, blackheads, discoloration from sun exposure, age spots, acne scarring, excessive oil and dull complexion. The pores of your skin are unblocked, revealing clearer skin. Your complexion will be smoother with improved texture. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened after treatment. The skin is tightened for a younger appearance.

Esthetician’s Choice is the best skin peel and is now available for home use.

Before Treatment:

Talk to your doctor if you are taking prescription medications. Accutane is one medication that should not be used after a peel. Talk to your doctor and stop taking the medication before having a peel. You should avoid using other exfoliation products in the week before you use a home TCA peel. Also, avoid tanning either outside or in a tanning bed.

Directions for a Home Peel:

Esthetician’s Choice can be used in two strengths. Use the product full strength for a deeper peel to improve bad acne, wrinkling or skin discoloration. The product can be diluted for a gentler, surface peeling. Follow the included directions for diluting the product. The peel can be used once a month for very damaged skin. It’s important to wait at least four weeks between treatments to allow the skin time to heal completely.

Apply the product with a cotton swab. The peel should be left on the skin for about two to four minutes. Rinse well with slightly cool water to remove the product. Don’t rub or use a washcloth. Most people will feel a slight tingling sensation when it is applied. You should feel little or no discomfort after it is rinsed away. If you do experience slight irritation, apply icy water or ice to soothe the skin.

Immediately after treatment, you will notice a slight red color to the skin, like mild sunburn. This fades in a day or so and the skin continues to peel for the next few days. Once peeled, clearer, firmer skin is revealed. Taking good care of your skin after the peel will result in better, faster healing.

After the Peel:

o Gently wash the skin with a very mild cleanser in the days after. Use only your hands and not a washcloth or a scrubber, which can cause irritation.

o Keep the skin moist with an oil free moisturizing project.

o Don’t use any other exfoliation products for at least a week after the peel.

o Avoid sun exposure and tanning. This can cause discoloration. If you go outside, wear a good sunblock with an SPF of at least 30.

o Don’t use make up for at least a week. After this time, use high quality, natural make up that won’t clog the skin. Look for oil free products to avoid clogging the pores again. Natural products or mineral make up is best.

o Avoid harsh prescription ointments and medications such as Accutane. These can cause scarring and discoloration.

o Taking good care of yourself speeds the healing process. You will look better and feel better.

o Drink plenty of water to flush the skin and replenish the moisture in your body.

o Get enough sleep. At least eight hours each night. This is important for healing and is good for the complexion.

o Eat healthy foods and take vitamins. Good nutrition is important for your skin and your overall health.

o Practice good skin care to keep your complexion clear and soft. Use natural products that are made for your skin type.

o Prayer, reading the Bible and meditating on Scripture helps reduce stress, which aids in healing. Prayer has been proven in studies to increase healing in all areas of the body.

Esthetician’s Choice is the best skin peel for home use. The results are guaranteed and can be seen right away. Some products take a month or more to show results, but with this product you will see improvement after just one use. You can repeat the procedure every four weeks, if needed. Visit http://www.bestskinpeel.com to learn more and order this amazing product.

 
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Posted in aids & hiv

 

Flu Vaccine – Do You Really Need It?

19 Dec



Many people think that flu is nothing more than a cold gone real bad. That is not the truth because unlike common cold, flu is a very serious illness.

In fact, there are some groups of people for whom flu can prove to be fatal. Physicians have confirmed that in recent times the number of flu cases being detected in clinics has gone up. In the face of this it has become clear that flu vaccination is a good thing and should be administered as early as possible.

For example, people over the age of 30 are able to move around and do not suffer much if they are administered the flu vaccine. This is in sharp contrast to younger people (over 30) who do not receive a vaccination and suffer from body pains, high fever, and are often bed ridden for more than a week. The worst part of flu is that you are unable to eat properly thus compounding your weakness.

Without flu vaccination, the patients are likely to feel very bad not only physically but emotional and mentally as well. This condition can last for up to two weeks leaving behind a much-weakened individual. It should be noted that during follow-up these patients were quick to ask as to when they could get their flu shot because no one would want to go through that nightmare experience again.

Seasonal flu can be a very devastating time for someone in good condition. For the elderly or the infirmed, flu can even cause death. There are several categories of people that need to be vaccinated against flu.

These include people in the health care industry, anyone over 50 years of age, children between 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women, and anyone who is residing long-term in a nursing home or other healthcare facility.

Children between 6 months and 18 years of age that are on aspirin therapy also need flu vaccine. Anyone suffering from a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and so on should also be vaccinated. Anyone suffering from immune system disorders or respiratory disorders also needs flu vaccine. The same applies to anyone living with any of the above category of individuals.

Note that the flu vaccine is not a guarantee that you will never catch flu. What the vaccine will do is to lower the problems that arise once you catch it. Flu patients tend to be bedridden and can lose on work time for weeks.

The vaccine can cut down this time to a couple of days. If you are afraid of needles then you can get the nasal spray form of the flu vaccine. A flu vaccine can lower the chances of getting flu by as much as 92%.

Do not use a flu vaccine on yourself if you have had a bad reaction to the same shot or spray earlier, if you have an allergy to eggs, or if you have had Guillain-Barre syndrome in the 6 weeks since your last flu shot.

 
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Getting Rid Of Sinus Pain

18 Dec



If unfortunately you have become the victim sinus then its very important that you keep track of all the changes taking place in your body. I am suggesting you this so that you could get rid of sinus pain easily. If you experience the pain reducing day by day its a good sign. But if the pain persists for long hours and for more than three four days its essential to visit a doctor to get rid of sinus pain. Otherwise you will experience some bad time.

What medications can be taken for getting rid of sinus pain? One is strictly recommended that one should not try to get medications on self prescription for sinus pain. Unless you know the cause you cannot treat it with any sort of medicine. The doctor makes proper diagnosis with X ray, MRI or other methods to find out what exactly has happened to your sinus area. Once the cause is confirmed medicines are given accordingly.

Medications of getting rid of sinus include decongestants. There are many decongestants which are prescribed to reduce the pain and inflammation like xylometazoline, oxymetazoline and others. But they are given for a limited period only. If you become dependent on such drugs it becomes quite difficult for you treat your sinus. Next to relieve you from pain, congestion and other discomfort nasal steroid sprays like beclomethasone, fluticasone, mometasone, flunisolide and others are used. This medications are prescribed along with antibiotics. Because if the bacteria which cause infection and the subsequent pain retains in your sinus cavity the above said medications cannot help you getting rid of sinus pain permanently.

Besides that sometimes some doctors may also prescribe corticosteroids if the inflammation is too severe and pain is very pinching. You doctor will also ask you to take care of your diet a little for some days. You have to give up dairy products, milk, cheese and others for a few days till your inflammation and congestion are completely cured. You can take carrot juice for a week or so everyday morning along with spinach and beet to help your immune system grow stronger and help in getting rid of sinus pain.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

This Flu Season, Don’t Mess Around with Strep Throat

17 Dec



Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) Group A bacteria. You see it more in children than in adults, but adults do get it sometimes. This flu season may turn out to be one of the worst seasons for strep throat.

With strep throat, you’ll see a fever and sore throat pain, usually with a headache (but not always) and sometimes a stomach ache. There might be swollen, tender glands in the neck, or sores around the nose. You might also see a loss in appetite and tired looking eyes.

Scarlet fever is actually strep combined with a rash, and there is also the sore throat along with some general symptoms, such as fatigue, and a red rash and skin blotches on the body (that feel like a rough sandpaper). If left untreated for one to two weeks, it can turn into rheumatic fever.

We normally encourage natural cures, such as oil of oregano, orange juice, vitamin C, colloidal silver, pau d’ arco, garlic, and other types of natural cures you can find at the health food store. However, this flu season I did some checking around and found that (according to the opinion of my source) this latest strep is more severe and can hit a person really quickly… and that antibiotics are necessary in this instance.

This week my son got a sore throat one night. We just thought it was a cold… although his tongue was white and had a texture like a strawberry. We got him taking vitamin C and garlic caps. The next day his eyes looked really tired, he was lethargic and he had bumps on his chest and stomach. We thought the bumps were from laying directly on the carpet (that’s what it looked like).

We decided to take him to the doctor and the doctor swabbed his throat and the results came back as strep and his rash was scarlet fever. Just the mention of scarlet fever made us cringe, then the doctor said it just means a combination of strep throat and rash. My son is allergic to penicillin, so the doctor prescribed Erythromycin. My son took his first dose and within about 6 hours, most of the rash was gone and he was feeling lots better.

I heard it’s common for the strep symptoms to be relieved very quickly when first taking the antibiotics, although it’s very important to finish the entire course of antibiotics that the doctor prescribes. If the doctor wants you to take the antibiotics for 10 days, even if you feel better after a day or two, don’t stop the antibiotics. Keep taking them, and finish them according to the doctor’s instructions.

Although we like to recommend the natural cures, this is the one season that if a person gets these strep symptoms they should see the doctor soon. If antibiotics are recommended, get them and take them all. You’ll get very fast relief with antibiotics even as soon as a half day, and you’ll minimize the risk of scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.

Copyright 2005. This information is not to meant replace medical advice. If you feel sick or have other related symptoms, see your doctor or other medical professional.

 
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Posted in flu

 

Understanding Allergy Sinus Relief

14 Dec



Getting allergy sinus relief begins with understanding sinus problems. A lot of sinus victims confuse its symptoms with cold and for a good reason, they are quite similar – itchy watery eyes, runny nose – this may translate into a serious sinus infection, sinus allergies or even worse a combination of both.

What are sinuses? Sinuses are four hollow spaces also known as para-nasal sinuses. Their individual names and location is: frontal – Over the eyes next to the brow area; sphenoids – Upper region of the nose; ethmoids – Behind the bridge of the nose; maxillary – Inside each check bone.

The tissue lining in the sinuses secrets a fluid called mucus. The mucus keeps the sinuses moist and helps clean away dirt when you inhale and exhale. When this tissue gets inflamed increases mucus discharge. They swell up with time and air cannot circulate as normal. This in turn creates pressure in the head giving you headache known as sinus headache.

What are the common symptoms of sinus allergy? Sinus allergy may produce a range of symptoms, some of which are: pain in the forehead, caused by the frontal sinus; pain in the ear, neck and the top of the head, caused by sphenoid sinus; pain in the upper jaw and teeth, caused by maxillary sinus; pain around the eyes with swelling, caused by ethmoid sinus.

You may also experience fever, fatigue, and body ache. Sinuses draining at the back of the throat can give you a sore throat also cough may be present which will worsen during the night. At this point, one will do anything for allergy sinus relief.

To get allergy sinus relief you have to first and foremost unblock your sinuses or nasal passages. Over the counter decongestants are usually very efficient. If you have chronic sinus allergies the doctor may prescribe something more specific, such as a steroid nasal spray; using the spray daily will help get you allergy sinus relief.

Another very important factor in dealing with allergy sinus relief is to keep your doctor informed so he can recognize your condition and treat you with the right medication. This will not only get you allergy sinus relief but your doctor will work with you to prevent any outbreaks.

One should also get informed on everything there is to know about allergy sinus relief and prevention. Preventing is better then a cure; it will save you a lot of pain and suffering that is for sure.

 
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