Archive for July, 2009
July 11th, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
Nasal allergy is a quite common illness that everybody can have it. It is caused by the exposure of the individual to the various types of allergens such as pollen, fungus, mold, dust mites, certain foods, latex, animal dander, volatile chemicals and others. When allergens were inhaled into the nasal cavity, it penetrated mucosal membrane and came to contact with blood serum. Individual with Immunoglobulin-A antibody deficiency will easily let the allergens penetrate mucosal barrier because deficiency of Immunoglobulin-A antibody increases the mucosal permeability. Macrophages are the first type of cells that will come in contact with the allergen particles and after processing the allergens; it will pass information about the invasion of the allergen particles into the body to B-lymphocyte cells (one type of the white blood cell). This will stimulate B-lymphocyte cells and cause them start to multiply and transform into plasma cells. Stimulation of the B-lymphocyte is controlled by T-lymphocyte cell (the other type of white blood cell). The plasma cells that have been formed will produce IgE antibodies, which after that bind with the mast cells and basophil cells around nose and cause itching and hypersensitive. Subsequently, histamine chemical will be released from the mast cells when the mast cells started degranulating
What we know that why an individualâs nose easily becomes allergy is due to the deficiency of Immunoglobulin-A antibody, which is one of our defense components in our body. Its function is scavenging of exogenous material, which is coming in contact to the mucosal membrane. Apart from this, T-lymphocyte cells, which are developed in bone marrow, work as helper and suppressor to the secretion of immunoglobulin by the B-lymphocyte cells. Malfunction or deficiency of these cells will cause over secretion of immunoglobulin-E antibodies. This may exacerbate the nasal allergy illness. All this malfunction and deficiency may due to the genetic disorder inheriting from our parent. However, it may also cause by our irregular lifestyle, unhealthy eating habit and environmental factor such as not enough sleep, eat too much fried food, smoking, alcoholic, exposure to hazardous chemicals and so on. Infection with certain virus such as HIV or utilized certain steroid or chemotherapy medicines may also cause this problem. In other words, deterioration of the body immune system will make nasal allergy illness become more critical. Due to this, in order that one can relieve from the nasal allergy torturing, he or she must have a strong immune system to defend the foreign substances that will enter into their body.
Deterioration of immune system mostly due to the attack by the free radicals that have formed in our body. Free radical is a very reactive molecule and has a strong tendency to oxidize lipid, protein and DNA in our body. Everyday, a lot of free radicals are produced in our body. Although our body itself can generate antioxidant to protect ourselves, it is still not enough. That’s why, we are all aging. Free radicals that have been generated in our body can weaken our body immune system by attacking to the white blood cells. Changing the DNA in a white blood cell is the most crucial point because it causes irreversible mutation of the cell. Due to this, white blood cells can not function properly and become malfunctioned. When this happening, nasal allergy illness will emerge in our body. To protect our body from radical and maintain our body immune system, we need to take enough antioxidant supplements to neutralize the excessive free radicals that have been produced in our body everyday.
Vitamin C is the most common antioxidant that can relief nasal allergy symptom. But the doses that we need to take to stop the nasal allergy are around five to eight gram. This is quite a large amount and it may cause stomach and intestinal upset. To prevent this, we should use ascorbate form of vitamin C. Until now, there is no solid evidence to show how vitamin C can stop the nasal allergy reaction. But scientists figured out that it may due to its antioxidant capabilities, which prevent cell damage. Research had been carried out in the department of obsterics at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn to study vitamin C and histamine levels in the blood of 400 people. They found out that, people with high levels of vitamin C in their blood have lower histamine levels. When 1000mg vitamin C supplement was given daily to those with low levels of vitamin C and high levels of histamine, their hay fever improved remarkably within three days. [Journal Nutrition, April, 1980]. When large amount of vitamin C is taken, just make sure you take calcium supplement. This is because; vitamin C in the blood will bind with the calcium in the bone and attract them out into the blood. This calcium will be discarded from the body through urination. This is because vitamin C is an organic acid that can dissolve mineral in bone. To avoid this, we should take calcium ascorbate, which is a mineral form of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is very soluble in water. Therefore, high levels of vitamin C in the blood may not be easily achieved. This is because vitamin C easily excretes from the body through urination. More frequent you urinating; less vitamin C can be retained in your body. Therefore, although we take a lot of vitamin C, the actual amount retaining in the body in very little. You may relief the nasal allergy for a while and if you want to continually remain relief from nasal allergy, you may need to continually take vitamin C. This situation can be seen after we have taken the vitamin C. The urine that we excrete after one hour taking the vitamin C is yellowish color. The color is due to the presence of the vitamin C in the urine. The following urine may still yellowish. After the urine no longer shows any yellowish color; that means the vitamin C levels in the blood has gone down already. Due to this, a lot of vitamin C has been wasted. To save cost, we need to take citrus bioflavonoids and pantothenic acid. Both of them are vitamin B complex substances. Citrus bioflavonoids alter the bodyâs metabolism of vitamin C and raising the concentration of vitamin C in certain tissue [American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August, 1979]. Whereas, pantothenic acid can help our body absorbs vitamin C more easily.
Apart from vitamin C and B, the second supplement that can boost our immune system is zinc. Zinc is a transitional metal that is indispensable in our body. Biochemical functions in our body that involves zinc are protein synthesis, spermatogenesis, platelet reactivity and the main one is maintaining cellular immunity. Apart from these, zinc also can prevent certain type of cancer. Zinc deficiency mostly due to malnutrition, alcoholism, malabsorption, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal disease, extensive burns, use of chelating agents and genetic disorders. Our meats that contains high amount of zinc are chicken and beef. People who try to avoid red meat due to its high cholesterol have the higher possibility not enough zinc in their body. Zinc deficiency can cause growth retardation, male testerone deficiency, delayed wound healing, bullous dermatitis, diarrhea and intercurrent infection. Zinc can inhibit replication of several viruses such as herpes simplex virus, foot and mouth disease virus, poliovirus and rhinovirus. Zinc is very effective to treat common cold because it prevents rhinovirus (cold virus) from binding to the tissue surface and stabilizes the cell membranes. Subsequently, it is also inhibiting prostaglandin metabolism and inducing production of interferon gamma, which is a natural chemical that help body to fight infections. Study that had been published in the Annals Internal Medicine in 1996 showed that if an individual starts taking zinc gluconate glycine within 24 hours onset of the common cold symptoms, it can significantly reduced the illness duration.
The third supplement that has antioxidant function is virgin coconut oil. The difference between ordinary coconut oil and virgin coconut oil is that the later is extracted by wet process directly from the coconut milk or meat under a control temperature usually is 50 oC, whereas; coconut oil is obtained from the copra by dry process, which involves high temperature or sunlight exposure for several days. Due to the exposure to sunlight and application of high temperature, most of the minor components such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and polyphenols will be destroyed. This is because all these components are unstable in high temperature. Sunlight can destroy there components because sunlight contains a few percent of UV light, which is a high energy wave that can break the chemical bonding in an organic substance. Recently, study had been carried out in University Kerala in India to determine the effectiveness of the virgin coconut oil as antioxidant enzymes in male rat [Food Chemistry, 2006]. They found out that virgin coconut oil has more effect as an antioxidant and prevents peroxidation of lipids compared to the groundnut oil and copra oil. Study also had been carried in the same University to determine the beneficial effect of the virgin coconut oil to lipid components in male rat [Clinical Biochemistry, 37, 2004]. The finding that they got is that virgin coconut oil can reduce the levels of lipid in serum and tissues. Besides, it also can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased high-density lipoprotein in the blood. This effect may due to its high polyphenol content.
Finally, what we know immunoglobulin-A (IgA) antibodies are the main antibodies that can prevent allergens from entering our body through nasal mucosal membrane. Therefore, nasal allergy and sinus infection can be prevented by increasing this antibody level in our body. Nutrients that can boost this antibody level in our body are monounsaturated oleic acids and vitamin A. Monounsaturated oleic acids can be found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut or filbert oil (or the whole nuts), green and ripe olives, and almonds. Whereas, vitamin A can be found in cod liver oil, pumpkin, cooked carrots, sweet potatoes/yams, squash and other yellow or orange vegetable
Alexander Chong
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/supplements-for-nasal-allergy-and-sinus-infection-patients-91000.html
July 8th, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
Diagnosing your allergy can be challenging. Allergies affect many people worldwide. If you have never had an allergy you can’t imaging the toll it can take on the quality of your life. It can affect your productivity at work and at home. It can affect a child’s ability to concentrate and therefore learn. Many people don’t want to admit they have an allergy particularly when they’ve tried over the counter treatments and they haven’t worked. The good news is that an allergist can help you but only if you help them identify what is causing your allergy.
What is an allergic reaction?
Many times the reaction itself can point an allergist to the cause. Allergies occur when the immune system recognizes a non-harmful substance as harmful and causes your body to react. When the body comes in contact with the perceived harmful substance, the body will produce a large number of antibodies. These antibodies will cause the body to release chemicals. The most known chemical is histamine that results in itching, increased nasal secretions, swelling and tightening of the airways. The symptoms that you feel as a result include coughing, watery eyes, runny nose,and possibly hives. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment. It is caused when the swelling and the tightening of the airways cause severe difficulty breathing as well as dizziness.
There are many types of allergies. Allergic reactions can be caused by airborne substances like pollen that cause hay fever. Depending on the allergen (the substance that causes your allergic reaction), hay fever can be seasonal or year-round. Another allergen also associated with asthma are dust mites, which live in dust and other fibers in things like bedding and rugs. Pet dander is another frequent cause of allergy symptoms, as is mold, latex and some types of foods (food intolerance). In my mind a chocolate allergy can be the most tragic.
If you are lucky you will have an allergy to one or two allergens. Unfortunately some of us will be allergic to a wide range of sources. If your parents have allergies you will be predisposed to having them. Ironically though they may not be to the same things. Asthma and eczema sufferers also seem to be more likely to get allergies.
How can you treat these allergies?
Luckily there are many treatments available today. These can include antihistamines, decongestants or nasal sprays that can provide you with some relief of your symptoms. If these typically over the counter treatments don’t work you can try immunotherapy (desensitization), allergy shots as well as the new allergy drops can help you manage and sometimes cure your symptoms. Your allergist can decide what your best course of action should be because it all depends on what you are allergic to.because it all depends on what you are allergic to.
Marilyn Franklin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/allergy-diagnosis-help-130027.html
July 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
I have been having allergies to corn and tested positive on my allergy test. I also tested positive for grass. I am now having allergy symptoms when I eat oat meal and any other products that contain oats.
What other foods may be related to corn? I already have a 4 page list of corn and corn byproducts so I am looking for other foods in the corn/grass family.
Thanks for your help!
Hi. I suggest you visit the Yahoo Groups "foodallergynetwork". THere are a few ppl on there who are allergic to corn (I think one of them is named Donnie, I’m not sure.) but just join and post a message about needing info and they’ll be glad to help you. I am gluten free, not corn free so I can’t help you to much myself!
Best of luck, Amy
July 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Asthma |
My girlfriend may need to get a nebulizer to treat her asthma. We are having trouble finding an average cost for the medicine used with one. I realize that there different medicines that can be used, but what is the average cost we can expect for the medicine?
The actualy nebulizer is pretty pricy…from 100 to 300 hundred dollars and the actualy medicine itself actually is pretty cheep, about 55 dollars but it comes with 50 vial tubes and only one is needed in each treatment.
THen again you need to see what your insurance covers because with our insurance the machine cost $50 and the medicine $22.
Good Luck, hope you can find your answer!
July 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
My boyfriend seems to have allergies all year long but he hates Benedryll because it makes him feel like he’s high and sleep. Lately he’s been having them really bad because of the warm weather with all the pollen in the air plus our cats are shedding and he’s allergic to cats. We didn’t know he was allergic until we got them and we’re not getting rid of them now. He’s is eventually going to go to a doctor about it but for now what is the best allergy medication? Claritin? Zyrtec? What?
Claritin is weaker than Zyrtec but less likely to cause drowsiness.
Zyrtec is about as strong as Benadryl and less likely to cause drowsiness than Benadryl, but it does make some ppl drowsy.
If Claritin is too weak and Zyrtec makes you drowsy, you will have to reduce your exposure or suffer until you get a prescription. Nasalcrom is OTC and useful for some ppl, but only if its used 4 times daily so this medication does not make sense for ppl who have allergies for many months of the year. It prevents but does not reverse allergy so you have to use it for a few weeks before you feel the difference, unless you start it before the exposure.
In the meantime consider using a Neil-Med sinus rinse, a HEPA vacuum, washing the cats (or cleaning them with Aller-pet) frequently, keeping the cats out of the bedroom. If you keep the windows closed to keep out the pollen (usually a good idea in spring) you will also trap in the cat allergens, so only do that if you also use a good air filter in your bedroom (like the 3m filtrete or honeywell—never use an air filter that makes ozone, please).
sounds like your bf is a perfect candidate for allergy shots. they are scientific and really work.
July 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Asthma |
I have a short hair cat that I’ve had for 2 years now, and my father who has asthma says that we need to get rid of her because she’ll irritate his asthma. I love my cat, but of course my father comes first, but I need to confirm whether cats irritate asthma or not. What do you think / know about this?
Also, she has been peeing and pooping sometimes in random places (she is litter trained but she’s been bad ever since about a year ago) How can I fix this?
There is a lot of varying factors that could play into this. Some asthma patients have irritation and inflammation of the bronchi from different reasons. Usually, they have nothing to do with the cat. With cat allergies, it is usually an allergy to the cat’s saliva - you know, the human petting the cat after the cat has cleaned himself with his tongue. Then they touch their mouth and nose and face. Jus relax, don’t be silly about the cat. In all likelihood, there will be no problem relative to the cat bothering the asthma.
as far as the pooping problem - have you moved her stuff? is her food and water close to the litter box? Can she always get to her potty easily? If so, clean everything, put in new litter and put her in a secluded room for a few hours. During her seclusion, go in a visit with her, love her and pet her. Keep the littler box very clean. If you do this for a couple of days, then leave her out longer and longer, she should be solid on where she should do her business. Sometimes an illness or changes in routine can bring about a bit of a rebellion. I have a persian that if I miss cleaning the litter box, she will go poop on the dog blankets/beds. She will not use a dirty litter box. Just help her out, break it down for her, and she will understand. Cats are smart and clean and neat unless they are expressing a problem. We, as cat mommies, just have to learn to listen. goodluck
July 5th, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
Are you chained to your weekly allergy shot treatments? Typically shots need to be given once a week and require not only time but money as well. Allergy drops which have been used in Europe for some time are now being offered here in the United States. These drops are given at home and therefore can reduce the cost of doctor office visits even if you only have a copayment.
Allergy shots and allergy drops are both immunotherapy treatments allergists use for their patients. The “new” sublingual allergy drops(not to be confused with eye drop treatments) have the same goal of slowly making the sufferer immune to whatever allergen is causing their problems. This is sometimes referred to as desensitization.
Disadvantages of Allergy Shots
Allergy shots can be inconvenient because they require a weekly trip to the doctor’s office. Typically, shots consist of diluted versions of the allergen to which the patient reacts. The patient then has to wait approximately 30 minutes after the injections to make sure there is no adverse reaction before leaving the allergist’s office.
Allergy shots can be costly. Even if you don’t count the time lost out of work or school there is usually a cost associated with the office visit itself. Even if the shots are covered by your medical insurance typically there is a copayment with each visit. I know my copayment for an office visit is $15. If you have to go every week that adds up to a whopping $780 per year out of your pocket.
Advantages of Allergy Drops
Save time - the patient visits the doctor only two or three times a year versus as many as 52
Save Money - reduced patient visits equals reduced copayments
Much More Convenient - patient received the prescription at the office and places the drops under his or her tongue at home
Some patients have experienced adverse reactions to sublingual allergy drops. The risk is similar to that of taking allergy shots but you can see that most people would think that the advantages far outweigh the risk of having to deal with a reaction on their own. Typically you would seek medical treatment immediately.
Many allergists will begin a patient’s treatment using both shots and allergy drops and if the drops show a reduction in symptoms similar or better than the shots the allergist will most likely suggest that the patient move to just the drops. Given the convenience of this course of treatment it has been shown that more people will take the drops on a regular basis in comparison to the injections.
Treatments get better every day, rumor has it that allergy pills are around the corner that will treat more than the symptoms of allergies but will act as replacements for the allergy drops and allergy shots that exist for immunotherapy therapy treatments that exist today. Though immunotherapy does not work for everyone if it does the effects can seem miraculous.
Marilyn Franklin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/allergy-drops-provide-freedom-129131.html
July 3rd, 2009 -- Posted in Allergy |
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
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