Coping With A Cat Allergy

July 3rd, 2009

Most people love to own cats and dogs, but unfortunately, many people are also allergic to such animals. If you think that you’ve suddenly developed a cat allergy, make sure you do your homework before blaming symptoms on your four-legged, furry friend.

The only way you can find out for sure if you’re suffering from a cat allergy, whether it’s longhaired or shorthaired, is to take a specific test given by your physician. While at the doctor’s office, your physician will also ask you a number of questions such as your family history, your past history of allergies and how long you’ve been feeling particular symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, sneezing, among other more serious complaints.

Then, the physician will more than likely perform what’s called a skin-prick test or an intracutaneous test. These two tests will determine whether you are suffering from a cat allergy. The first involves pricking the skin with a needle dipped in allergen extract, while injecting a small amount of the allergen extract just beneath the skin surface completes the second. If skin shows signs of reddening or swelling, it’s likely that you’re allergic to cats, or whatever other allergen the doctor is testing you for.

After you’ve been diagnosed with a cat allergy, it’s important to figure out what it is about the cat that makes you allergic. Is it the fur, urine, or their saliva? Most people who are allergic to cats are allergic to their saliva, but keeping licking tongues away from your face or hands won’t do the trick. Because a cat grooms its fur every day with its tongue, deposits of its saliva coat their fur, which when dry, leaves the dry, invisible allergens behind.

Not only do these allergens stick to the cat’s fur, they also become airborne as the cat moves throughout the house, floating through the air to land on carpeting, furniture, clothes and every other exposed surface. About the only way to prevent suffering from a cat allergy at this point is to find your cat another home, but for some this is a drastic, and unacceptable decision. If you own a beloved cat that you suddenly develop an allergy to, stock up on allergy relief medications, if possible, and try to keep the cat isolated to one or two rooms of the house, but most especially out of your bedroom and off of your bed. Giving your cat a weekly bath may also relieve symptoms, though your cat may not like that very much.

Even when a cat is given away however, the allergen may remain in the household for months. When suffering from a cat allergy, and you’ve decided to give away your pet, make sure that someone shampoos carpets and furniture that can hold onto the cat allergens. A cat allergy doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your cat, though it may be the best solution, especially among older people, and while not easy, a cat allergy isn’t easy to live with either.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/coping-with-a-cat-allergy-136980.html

Category: Allergy
4 Comments »

Living With A Gluten Allergy

June 29th, 2009

If suddenly you find yourself suffering from a gluten allergy you are not alone. It’s important to learn to live with a gluten allergy and the best way to do that is to understand the allergy.

With a gluten allergy your immune system will respond to the gluten which is found in a variety of foods that have the proteins found in cereal grains. The difference between a wheat allergy and a gluten allergy is Celiac a disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Not everyone but a majority of people that suffer from a gluten allergy will develop Celiac which targets the gastrointestinal tract. In fact it wasn’t until recently when it was determined that Celiac was caused by a gluten allergy. Prior there had been no connection made.

A person suffering from a gluten allergy must ensure that they have a gluten free diet. When diagnosed with Celiac disease one must ensure that their diet is gluten free to ensure that the problems associated with Celiac are avoided.

When a gluten allergy turns into Celiac disease the biggest problem is that it does not just affect the gastrointestinal tract, it also affect the brain causing brain dysfunction, inflammation of the lungs, and arthritis.

The classic symptoms that accompanies a gluten allergy that has become Celiac is diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, weight loss, iron deficiency, and malnutrition as a result of not absorbing the nutrient. And that’s just the beginning of what this dreadful disease can do.

For example a gluten allergy can actually affect the tissue causing eczema, skin rashes and itching, and it can even cause hives. It can also cause respiratory problems including asthma and it can cause

Arthritis will develop in about 45% of those suffering from a gluten allergy that do nothing about it and about 15% in those that change to a gluten free diet. Those with Celiac see an increased risk of esophagus, pharynx, and small intestinal cancer. Fibroid lung disease is also seen at a much higher rate than in those that do not have Celiac or a gluten allergy.

Recently studies have shown that a gluten allergy is often combined with a dairy allergy. If you know you have a gluten problem it’s a good idea to replace dairy products with soy products or some other alternative.

Be sure to include natural supplements in your diet when suffering from a gluten allergy. There are several things they can do for you. They can replace the nutrients you are missing because of a diet that is gluten free and they can help restore the body to health and build the immune system back up to a healthy state.

With a gluten allergy you want gluten free diet will have no wheat, barley, rye in any form. The best diets are made up of foods that are good for you and also foods that taste good. Try to make the changes so as not be depressed by a long list of what you can’t eat. You gluten free diet should be comprehensive.

A gluten allergy can be a tough diagnosis to hear but once you know what’s wrong it’s much easier to start making yourself feel better.

Steve Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/living-with-a-gluten-allergy-133679.html

Category: Allergy
4 Comments »

Can Potty Training Puppies Cause Allergies?

June 26th, 2009

Many things can and do cause allergies and potty training puppies may very well be one of them. However, it may also be an allergy to dogs. When a new puppy is introduced to a household, it brings all sorts of potential irritants.

It’s estimated that over ten million Americans (pet owners and non-pet owners) suffer with some sort of an allergy to a pet. These allergies result in itching, rashes, coughing, and sneezing every time a dog is near.

There’s a great article at Pet University all about this. Click here to read it.

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Category: Allergy
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Can An Eco Friendly Yoga Mat Cause An Allergic Reaction?

May 25th, 2009

Yes, an eco friendly yoga mat can cause an allergic reaction.  It all depends what the mat is made of.  Different people are allergic to different things.  While one mat may be perfectly fine, another may include an element that will affect you even if there’s just a small amount in the mat.  As with foods and other products, you should read the label to find out what your mat is made of.  There a good opinion piece about toxic yoga mats here.

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Category: Uncategorized
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If you're an asthmatic, how can you tell the difference between an asthma attack and a panic attack?

May 17th, 2009

I've had asthma for approximately 14 years but it's gradually getting worse as I get older and my attacks are more frequent. I've been put on additional preventative medicine but have always wondered about the difference between asthma and anxiety/panic attacks. I'm not sure if I experience the latter because my asthma does scare me on occasion. Is it normal to get scared during an attack? How can you tell if it's just a little fear or full blown anxiety?

Things I have been experiencing lately are: wheezy cough, chest soreness and aches, breathlessness, and feeling as if weights are sitting on my chest. Sometimes I feel achey and weak all over. At times, I get frustrated when my asthma is out of control because it's hard to breathe but I do not hyperventilate or experience a racing heart. I just have difficulty getting a breath and I become really achey, especially after I take my rescue inhaler.

What am I experiencing and is it typical for an asthma attack or panic attack?

I think you're experiencing asthma attacks. I have asthma and anxiety and I don't know.. I guess I just "know" the difference when it happens. An asthma attack is like.. no matter WHAT you do, you can breathe in or out without feeling like someone's choking the life out of you until you puff your inhaler. An anxiety attack is more… well.. i can feel it coming on. My body starts shaking a little, my mouth goes dry, and I hyperventilate. When it comes to actual breathing, I can better control my breathing during an anxiety attack as opposed to an asthma attack.

This is probably one of the best questions I've read so far. You should ask a doctor about it though. These are just my experiences. Great question =)

Category: Asthma
7 Comments »

What are the different types of asthma how many different types are there?

May 17th, 2009

I have Bronchoal Asthma. My doctor said it is not like other asthma. He also said it was the worst form of asthma. I really don't use any breathing devices much anymre and I very rarly feel breathless

two types bronchial asthma & cardiac asthma. In ur case it is an hypersensitive reaction, the basophill bursts & realease a chemical & it constricts the broncii thus u feel breathless

Category: Asthma
2 Comments »

What is the best exercise to improve my asthma and cardiac fitness?

May 17th, 2009

I have had asthma since I was 2 years old, and suffer from exercise induced asthma as well as weather and food affected. Running is the worst for inducing asthma in me.

If I want to improve my asthma and my cardiac fitness, what is the best exercise for me to do?

light exercise and light swimming. because it is gentle and help develope your cardiac tissue. Donr over do it because the stress can make you drown or fall on a track. I have faults too because i have torn muscles in my knees. take time and do things very slow and you can do fun things , but please be careful. Also eat quality protein and fruit juice. Dont over do icant do it all. You can still be fit and healthy

Category: Asthma
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Coping With A Dog Allergy

May 3rd, 2009

Recent studies show that 15% to 20% of the population is allergies to either their dog or cat. But for 25% of those people they choose to continue to keep pets and suffer through the allergies. In fact studies show even when told by their doctor to give up their dog only one out of five choose to do so while the rest live with their dog allergy.

When surveyed many of those suffering from a dog allergy felt that their companionship their pet provided far outweighed the allergy itself. For those that choose this route learning to manage their allergy is very important.

The biggest mistake made is to blame the fur when actually the allergy is caused by the protein that is secreted by the oil glands and then shed with their dander which is microscopic particles of skin, hair, and fur. Since animals continuously shed this dander is always present and a person can develop a dog allergy when the immune system mistakes this allergen as the enemy.

These allergens can be transmitted through the air or they can be transmitted through touch. When the allergens land on your nose, eyes, or are inhaled into the lungs the allergy symptoms begin. Contact with your skin can cause hives. For most a dog allergy is an annoyance but for some it can life threatening causing severe asthma attacks that block the air ways. The severity will vary from one person to another.

Just as severity can vary from person to person so can how long it takes for the symptoms to occur. They can develop instantly upon exposure or they can take hours to develop.

Another big misconception is that there is such a thing as a non-allergenic dog breed. For example many believe that dogs with fur that is tightly woven such as poodles have no shedding so therefore there is no allergen dander but this is not true. You can still have a dog allergy

What is true when it comes to a dog allergy there are some dog breeds that seem to both some people less. Size often has a lot to do with because the smaller the dog the less dander that is likely to be released. For example a large breed such as a Shepherd would have a lot more dander than a toy breed like the poodle.

Sensitive people are actually more likely to have a cat allergy than a dog allergy. When a person is allergic to animals they can even suffer when the animal is not present because the allergens or dander still reside in the house. And it does take more than a vacuum to clear a house of the dander.

For pet lovers who discover suddenly they have developed a dog allergy it can be devastating and giving up a beloved pet is simply not an option.

One method of reducing allergens and then perhaps the dog allergy is to groom your pets often. It’s bet if you can do this outside or in a room that has no carpeting, and a hepa air purifier. Wear a dust mask while your grooming. You need to wash your hands after handling

Placing hepa air purifiers throughout your house can reduce the amount of dander. Bathing your pet once a week will reduce allergens by more than 80% and if you suffer from a dog allergy this can be the difference between suffering and not suffering. That said some breeds don’t do well with bathing that often so watch for symptoms of dry skin and reduce bathing accordingly.

A dog allergy doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you and your dog. It may take you a while to determine the best way to manage your allergy but when you do both you and your best friend will be very happy.

Ramone Stevenson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/coping-with-a-dog-allergy-132251.html

Category: Allergy
4 Comments »

Is There A Way To Find Ease With Asthma And How To Control It

April 14th, 2009

When asthma strikes, most asthmatics will turned to conventional asthma medication which can be administer quite easily and treated. It can come in the form of inhalers, this form of treatment is really finding some ease with asthma. At least, it can minimise that trigger until the patients get the most suitable help.

You can take a dose of the medication any time you feel the asthma coming on and there are also other inhalers out there that can be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once at night which helps to prevent any attacks from happening.

However, with triggers taking place in life that bring asthma on sometimes the asthma medication has to be a stronger type of dose to help you relax.

Is There A Need To Suffer While Finding Ease With Asthma

You do deserve to breathe and have ease with asthma, and not being able to breathe is not a nice feeling to have but there is no need to suffer with this disease because knowing what causes the disease to pop up is half the battle.

Once you can find the trigger points, you can either avoid them, or you can control the situation with the asthma medication. This will help to keep your life more normal. You can enjoy life to the fullest even with something that can be life threatening and find the utimate ease with asthma. You just have to make sure you take your asthma medication regularly.

What Does It Mean To Your Life While Finding How To Ease With Asthma

Having the right and effective asthma medication could mean a matter of life or death. So make sure you get to your doctor if you have any problems with wheezing, coughing or catching your breath, particularly when you are exercising or have just finished exercising.

If you step out into the cold air, and you experience hard time breathing, chances are good you could have asthma. You will need to make an appointment to see the doctor to find out if you do have this lung disease. Once it is determined, your doctor will help you by writing a prescription for asthma medication, thus ease with asthma gradually.

Are You Allow To Suffer or Destined To Ease With Asthma

Every asthmatics, including yourself are not destined to suffer with asthma because it is a very treatable disease. Once you know you have it, you have taken care of half of the battle and the other half consists of living right and trying to stay away from the trigger areas.

Some trigger areas are not avoidable though because you can’t stop the pollen in the air or the temperature outside.

At those times, your asthma medication will be very important to you. You won’t want to leave your home once you have your asthma medication without it. Don’t suffer anymore and make sure you get the asthma medication that you need as soon as possible!

Remember, you are not destiny to suffer from this dreadful disease as most asthma medication can free yourself from asthma attacks thus able to ease with asthma. However. you should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that although they are taking proper and effective asthma medications, but without a proper asthma recovery system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope no matter how much knowledge you have with regards to the medications.

Apply this knowledge in your medication together with an effective step-by-step blueprint - enjoy your life once again.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/is-there-a-way-to-find-ease-with-asthma-and-how-to-control-it-86880.html

Category: Asthma
5 Comments »

How To Cure Asthma Fast In 5 Easy Steps

April 1st, 2009

With more than 15 million asthmatics in the USA, finding the most effective and right asthma remedy for someone who lives daily with the effects of asthma is like a Crusader finding the Holy Grail.

Are You Finding The Right Thing On How To Cure Asthma Fast?

The most important and prevalent thing on the mind of an asthma sufferer is finding a remedy for the ailment. Finding how to cure asthma fast that you truly deserve is not as easy as just going to the doctor and taking what he gives you unfortunately an asthma remedy is not that simple.

The proper way in finding how to cure asthma fast is to be more involved and multifaceted than that. It takes more than just pill popping to solve the problem of asthma; it takes an adjustment of one’s lifestyle. These easy 5 steps are designed to give you a direction and a guide to finding how to cure asthma fast that you definitely works for you.

Step 1: Respect Your Asthma

Are you respecting your body? Many people who have asthma refuse to respect it enough to alter their lifestyle which is dangerous and irresponsible. If you have asthma, accept that you have it and that you will have to make adjustments because of it.

Step 2: Be Consistent

Once you have decided on what to do and what not to do in an effort to control the symptoms of asthma, stick to those decisions. If you decide to stop swimming, don’t join the swimming team. If you need to give up running, don’t register for a marathon. Be consistent and stick to the decisions that you have made.

Step 3: Be Practical and Positive

Just because you have asthma does not mean that you have to give up all activity and sit on the couch for the rest of your life. Keep a good attitude on how to cure asthma fast and you will be able to rationally think about the situation and what is the best way to handle it. Getting irritable and irrational will only compound your problems.

Step 4: Get Help From Experts on How To Cure Asthma Fast

Never try to find an appropriate asthma remedy on your own. Finding the right how to cure asthma fast remedy is best done with the help of a licensed professional. Uncle so-and-so or cousin this-and-that may be great people, but they are not asthma experts. Ask someone who is an expert to help you make the right decisions.

Step 5: Be Accepting

Accept the fact that you have asthma, that you can’t get rid of asthma, that you can manage asthma, and that you can be happy and normal with asthma. Don’t let the asthma blow itself out of proportion. Accepting the fact that you have asthma will help you be able to find the best asthma remedy.

These steps are a simple way to combat the effects of asthma. There is an asthma remedy that is right for you, all you have to do is follow these steps and find it.

Even though you may know the 5 easy steps on how to cure asthma fast that designed to give you a asthma-free lifestyle. With all the information available of no use, action is power when applying knowledge which will then free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though there may be many strategies and technqiues around to asthma remedy around in order to have an asthma free life. Without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying these facts and tips together with a system - enjoy your life once again.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-cure-asthma-fast-in-5-easy-steps-87630.html

Category: Asthma
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