What An Allergy Specialist Can Do For You

Sneezing itching, redness, and puffiness are all common allergy symptoms in individuals. These symptoms as well as others are all signs of allergies. People can be allergic to anything from foods, to plants, to insects to chemicals among other things. Sometimes reactions can be so bad that it is hard to enjoy your daily life. Not everyone has their reactions under control. But today you will learn how an allergy specialist can diagnose and discover the right treatments for each individual. Nobody should have to suffer in misery when there are solutions available. No matter how severe a reaction is, it can be avoided by having the proper treatment.

An allergic reaction is basically an unusual response from the immune system to a regular substance. When an individual comes into contact with certain elements, their body responds by discharging chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. Some allergies are more serious than others. It just depends on the person and their particular allergens. People develop certain antibodies, or proteins, against some elements. When allergens are exposed to these proteins, this is when symptoms are triggered. This could be anything from itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat or whatever the symptom.

You may not have known that such a thing as an allergy specialist even existed. There is a great need for those who treat patients with allergic issues. Reactions range from many things such as sneezing to swelling. Most people learn exactly what they are allergic to. As a result they may spend tons of money on over the counter medicines to try and help the problems they have. And sometimes these medicines are found ineffective. But believe it or not there is a treatment out there that can help each person's individual issues. This can only be discovered by the help of a professional.

Sometimes patients make appointments with their primary care physicians to try and get solutions for these allergic reactions. But oftentimes these doctors cannot solve the problems. They are unsure of the causes. This is when the patient should consult an allergy specialist. All it takes is a simple appointment. Some examples of allergies are really quite obvious. For instance there are millions of people who get sneezing and runny noses when pollen becomes thick. Others are allergic to certain foods. There are people who break out or may experience swelling of the tongue or throat after having seafood. Others experience swelling and discomfort after insect stings or bites. These are all scenarios you may have heard of or either experienced yourself! They are actually quite common. But the right professional can help you to discover how to not have these issues at all. There are medications that are guaranteed to combat reactions by protecting the body.

You may live in an area where there are allergens, or triggers, all around you. This doesn't have to stop you from living your life. You may have reactions to your own pets! Count on an allergy specialist to figure out how you can get some relief in your own home, or wherever it may be that's causing the issue. Help is available!

A Fairfield OH allergy specialist can help if you are having trouble living you ife due to reactions. Take a look here: http://www.drchaitent.com.

By A Aaronson

Article source : What An Allergy Specialist Can Do For You

Natural Home Remedies Asthma

Causes of Symptoms: Asthma is a disorder of the respiratory system characterized by severe paroxysms of difficult breathing. The onset of an attack is sudden, though the patient starts feeling uneasy, drowsy and irritable a little before the difficulty of breathing starts. Respiration becomes difficult and the breath comes with a wheezing and sometimes whistling sound. The general belief is that asthma is a chronic disease and that once gotten continues to dog its victim till the day he dies.

In fact, asthma is caused by excess of phlegm and the inability of the body to expel it. If the patient gives up foods which tend to increase the phlegm, e.g., rice, flour passed through a sieve, sugar, lentils, milk and curds, he can find relief. He should be put on foods, which discourages phlegm, such as green vegetables, fruits, and the like. That would tend to reduce the amount of phlegm present in the body and the disease will leave him. Unfortunately, under the false impression that asthma being a weakening diseases, the patients are fed on high protein diets like meat, fish, milk and milk products and fats and that makes their condition worse.

Treatment: An asthma patient must select foods, which help contain the amount of phlegm in the body. For breakfast he should take food like orange, tomato, papaya, guava, mango and rose apple and vegetables like carrots. His dinner and lunch should consist of boiled vegetables. His bath is recommended in the morning and evening to perk up his digestive powers. Taking a walk is also recommended, if jogging is beyond the capacity o the patient.

Asthma, particularly when its attack is severe, tends to destroy the appetite of the patient. He should not be forced to eat. He should keep fasting till the attack is over. The only thing he should take is a cup of warm water every two hours. An enema taken at that time would be doubly beneficial. If this regimen is followed, the attack will not last for more than 36 hours and its virulence in case of a recurrence would be very much less.

An asthma patient should regularly fast one a week and takes an enema the morning after the fast to clear his bowels. If he is unable to fast regularly, he must not hesitate to stop eating the moment the attack comes. A fortnight after the treatment has been started the patient can take cow's unboiled milk or curd with a breakfast of fruit. The sufferers from this disease should be extremely careful in his eating habits. He must never overeat. The amount of food taken at one time should be so measured that he must feel extremely hungry at the time of the next meal. A salt-free diet would be the best.

At the onset of the attack, soaking of the feet in the warm water can relieve the agony to a large extent. A chest pack can also help, even though on application it may seem to aggravate the attach. The pack applied in the afternoon and immediately before sleep would do wonders. The main aim of natural treatment of asthma should be to augment the vital force of the body with the help of proper diet and a natural living in which clean water and sunshine play an important part.

Article source : Natural Home Remedies Asthma

Tomato Allergy: The Symptoms

Tomato allergy does exist and, for people that suffers because of it, it can be quite obnoxious and the outcome really bad. Such people feel certain symptoms of tomato allergy when they come in contact with food containing tomato, like a sandwich or a slice of pizza. Among the symptoms, feeling the lips tingle or the chest constricting are well known.

There are two different types of reactions to food that may be considered too similar to differentiate: food intolerance and food allergy. The first can lead to the appearance of certain symptoms, but it is not life threatening and, even if the symptoms are hard to bear, they are not as bad as in an allergy. Real tomato allergy causes a histamine reaction to a substance existing in the skin or the juice of the vegetable.

A thing that you can do is to write down under which circumstances you feel the symptoms for the first times. Usually, tomato allergy appears immediately after the food containing tomato is eaten. You can provide your physician a lot of information, so they can identify if you suffer from a real allergy or just food intolerance.

Among the symptoms determined by tomato allergy are a swollen mouth, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficult breathing and skin rash. You should know that you can experience these symptoms not only when you eat tomatoes, but even when your skin gets into contact with the raw fruit. On the other hand, other people with tomato allergy can even eat ketchup or tomato juice, if the product is processed.

Tomato allergy usually does not come only by itself. As the tomato is part of the Deadly Nightshade family, as well as the potato, the eggplant and the tobacco, it is to be expected that you can develop bad reactions to these plants, too.

In order to discover whether you really have a tomato allergy or not, you can ask for an appointment with an allergist, so you can run some tests. The doctor will ask for a blood test and an allergen test. The later consists of some food proteins to be injected into your back, so the doctor can see very fast whether your skin develops particular symptoms in that area. The result of the blood test will show if you experience an increase of IgE allergy antibody in your blood.

The best way to counterattack the symptoms of tomato allergies is to stay away from them, if you notice that you develop some reactions immediately after you eat tomatoes, or foods containing traces of tomatoes. You should know that allergies worsen after each ingestion of the food causing them, so it is best to take action right away.

Also, at the first signs of allergy, like difficulty in breathing or a swollen neck, you should call for the doctor, to avoid getting into anaphylactic shock.

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Article Source : Tomato Allergy: The Symptoms
Author : Eric T

Allergy Symptoms

You known you're allergic when you react to certain substances you've been exposed to before. For instance, you may have eaten shellfish before but the next time you eat foods containing shellfish, you develop rashes.

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to things that don't normally cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens and your body's overreaction to them are what causes allergy symptoms.

Common Allergy Symptoms


* Runny nose
* Watery eyes
* Itchy nose, eyes, and roof of mouth
* Sneezing
* Stuffy nose
* Pressure in the nose and cheeks
* Ear fullness and popping
* Dark circles under the eyes
* Hives

What Causes these Allergy Symptoms?

No one really knows why someone develops allergy. Studies have shown that allergy may be hereditary or genetic. Others say that allergy is just something that develops over time and disappears, also over time. But one thing is certain, there are certain specific factors found in the environment that can trigger the body to develop allergy symptoms.

The most common allergen is pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Allergy symptoms caused by these allergens often occur in the spring (late April and May) and may also occur late in the summer (late May to mid-July). Ragweed allergens may also cause allergy symptoms in the fall (late August to the first frost).

In direct contrast to pollen, which is airborne, molds are contracted by contact through the skin. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles, and leaf litter. Allergy symptoms caused by molds become worse during humid and rainy weather.

Another common type of allergen is animal dander. These are proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets, such as cats and dogs. You can develop allergy symptoms from handling an animal or from coming into contact with house dust, containing dander.

Various more allergens are contained in dust. One of them is dust mites, which are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. These mites live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust, and coming into contact with them may result in allergy symptoms.

How to Control Allergy Symptoms?

Unless you live in a vacuum, it is extremely difficult to avoid allergens all together. But with a little management and control, you can reduce the occurrence of allergy symptoms caused by these allergens.

Keeping clean is always the first step in controlling allergy symptoms. Before bedtime, it is advisable to shower or bathe to wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and skin. You can also reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently cleaning those places where mold often accumulates.

Avoid going outside the home during dry, windy days. Keep windows and doors shut, and use an air conditioner at home and in your car. This is one way to keep yourself from developing allergy symptoms caused by pollen and other airborne allergens.

by: Ian Tse

Article Source : Allergy Symptoms

Alternative Options for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Here in northern California, allergies are a significant health problem leading to fatigue, sick days from work and school, and secondary infections. Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to seasonal airborne allergens. It affects about 7 percent of the population of North America and is a risk factor for 88 percent of asthma patients. We have some excellent prescription medications for treating this, and there are many over-the-counter medications available also. However, BEWARE of the sedating effects of those nonprescription medications!!! Recent studies have shown that an individual on a therapeutic dose of diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a more dangerous driver than one who is legally drunk on alcohol.

Fortunately, there are also some effective alternative therapies for allergic rhinitis.

Remember: no matter what method you use to treat your allergies, nasal rinsing to clear the mucus membranes of trapped allergens is essential. It only takes about 30 seconds, doesn't hurt a bit when done correctly, and makes all the difference. I recommend Nasopure®, a product developed by Dr. Hana Solomon, a pediatrician who has put together in one simple kit all you need for successful nasal rinsing. There is an excellent article about this on the Nasopure website (www.nasopure.com). If you are regularly using your Nasopure®, and still having difficulties, you can try some of the following remedies without significant side effects.

Vitamin and mineral supplements:

* Vitamin A - 10,000 IU/day

* Vitamin B6 - 50-100 mg/day

* Vitamin B5 - 50-75 mg/day

* Vitamin C - 1,000 mg/day in 3 divided doses

* Vitamin E - 400 IU/day

* Zinc - 20-30 mg/day

In addition some herbs and nutrients can help:

Quercetin has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects if you take it 250mg two or three times a day.

Freeze-dried stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis at a dosage of 300mg twice a day.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also called fish oil, can help asthma patients with allergies by stabilizing the airways. They come in capsules and the total dose of the combination should be 2-4 g/day.

Acupuncture has given many patients significant relief. The Chinese medicine paradigm is very different than Western medicine, so I can not explain the mechanism of action. But I know that it is effective!

See your doctor about allergy symptoms if you are unable to manage them on your own - the nonsedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays available today are excellent in treating this significant health problem!

by: Stacey M Kerr MD

Article Source : Alternative Options for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Gluten Allergy, Celiac Disease and Weight Loss

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness month. One of the conditions associated in some people with IBS is Gluten allergy. It is a highly under-diagnosed condition, therefore worth spreading public awareness about it. Gluten is a Protein, which can be found in Wheat, Barley, and Rye. The disease associated with gluten intolerance or allergy is called Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine that affects some people with genetic predisposition. The inflammationi damages the mucosa of the small intestine, which results in a lot of the symptoms and deficiencies associated with gluten allergy. About a third of Caucasians are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, but not all of them get Celiac disease. Usually avoidance and exclusion of Gluten resolves symptoms of Celiac disease.

Women are twice as likely to be affected and diagnosed with Celiac disease than men. Some autoimmune conditions like Type-1 Diabetesi, Sjogern's disease, lupus, thyroid disease and some adrenal diseases (Addison's disease) are also associated with Celiac disease. People who have Down's syndrome also have a high chance of having Celiac disease.

People classically are present with symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, lactose intolerance, frequent constipation, severe abdominal pain and obstruction, vomiting, and infertility. Chronic gluten intolerance results in osteoporosisi and iron deficiency anemia mainly due to poor absorption of minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Vitamin D, and iron from the gut. However, unless gluten is excluded, taking vitamins or minerals won't result in reversing the disease or brittle bones.

Gluten Allergy can be diagnosed through blood tests, endoscopy with biopsy of the duodenal mucosa, and genetic testing. However, if you're already on a gluten free diet, genetic testing is the only test, which will show Gluten allergy.

If you have celiac disease, lifelong avoidance of gluten is strongly recommended. Also you need to have your levels of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, B12, folic acid, zinc and copper checked frequently. There are a lot of support groups for people with Celiac disease and gluten allergy as well as a general public awareness and availability of Gluten free products in a lot of mainstream supermarkets. Visiting a dietitian and/or a physician who has expertise dealing with people with Celiac disease is also highly effective.

If you have any of the symptoms above, please make an appointment to get tested for Gluten sensitivity. If you are not on a Gluten free diet, Celiac disease can be diagnosed through a blood test.

If you are suffering from the symptoms above and find yourself eating less, but still not losing the weight we have 9 tips and suggestions for you.
Here are some Tips to help you out:

1. Get enough Sleep at night.

Sleeping about 5-6 hours per night is necessary to make sure that your metabolism won't slow down due to hormonal imbalance. Also when you are sleepy you crave more food especially sugary ones.

2. Count the protein intake per meal.

Eating salad doesn't give you enough calories, so you will get hungry soon. Or if you stuck up your plate with blue cheese and candied walnut you probably will have as much calorie as a burger with fries.

Make sure to have a 3-4 oz. of lean protein with each meal to prevent your craving for sugar and carbohydrate. Protein digestion will help your body to use the energy and burn some fat.

3. Too much exercise is not the answer.

No.In order to lose one pound of fat you need to burn 3500 calorie which can be very time consuming and ineffective, so we should focus on having a daily regimen of 75% good nutrition and 25% exercise to lose weight properly.

4. Refrain from Eating a lot of high-calorie health nuts?

Just because something is healthy it doesn't mean that you can eat a lot of it. Changing from white bread to whole wheat, Butter to Olive oil, chips to nuts are good, but portion control is important since these are all high-calorie substitutes.

5. Do not eat too early in the evening.

It's good to eat less food in the evening, but if a person eat at 6pm, and go to bed at 11pm they might have to be careful about the calorie intake after dinner. The body might crave food after 3-4 hours. So no matter how late you eat your dinner try to have less than 30% of your calorie intake after 7pm.

6. Eat snacks in between your meals.

To keep your metabolism at its peak you have to take something every 3to 4 hours.

7. Keep a food diary.

Study shows that most of the people who keep diary about their daily food intake will lose weight faster, since they're more aware of what they put in their body.

8. Eat a full, protein rich Breakfast.

Study shows that people who eat breakfast have a healthier weight. When you skip breakfast your body goes to starvation mode, and as a result your metabolism slows down.

9. Put the apron on, and start cooking in your own kitchen.

Restaurant meals have a lot of hidden calories; try to eat half of your order if you must have eat out; otherwise try healthy simple recipe's at home where you can reduce the amount of hidden calories from your meal.

Panthea Shafipour is a general practioner for Wellesley Medical in Los Angeles, CA. We also have nutritionists, nutrition consultants and physicians at our weight loss clinic.

Article by : Panthea Shafipour, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Panthea_Shafipour

Clobber Your Allergies - The Natural Way

50 million Americans are suffering from allergies right now and they're just as desperate for relief as you are.

You could turn to allergy medications like antihistamines to ease your symptoms. But they come with side effects. Drowsiness is the most common, but these lesser-known side effects may surprise you.

Vanishing sex drive: Any allergy medicine that has a depressive effect like antihistamines - can make you lose that lovin' feelin
Increased appetite: Antihistamines stimulate your appetite, so you eat more and gain weight

Depression: The sedative in some allergy drugs with antihistamines can make existing depression worse or aggravate underlying depression

Anxiety: Pseudoephedrine has an effect similar to drinking several cups of coffee. It could give you heart palpitations insomnia and anxiety

Altered taste and smell: The preservatives and fragrances added to some allergy nasal sprays might cause your favorite foods to lose their flavor, and

Fuzzy thinking: Antihistamines that cause drowsiness can also make you feel sluggish less mentally sharp than usual and impair your ability to drive.

Fortunately, you don't have to rely on allergy medication to get relief. Researchers have found that all-natural alternatives can help your allergies often without the troubling side effects

Quercetin
This bioflavonoid has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. It stabilizes your cell membranes, preventing them from spilling their pro-inflammatory histamine into your surrounding blood and tissue. And if the histamine is not released, your allergy symptoms never occur in the first place.

Studies like the one done at Chung-Ang University in Korea in 2008 show that quercetin is a safe and effective way to decrease symptom-causing histamine and works as well as many allergy drugs.

It's important to note here that quercetin alone is barely soluble in water, so it doesn't absorb well in your body. However, you can improve its absorption by taking quercetin with bromelain, a natural protein-digesting enzyme derived from pineapples.

Butterbur
Butterbur leaf extract has been traditionally used to treat asthma and bronchitis, but researchers are finding that it also works wonders to help hay fever.

In a study done in Romanshorn, Switzerland, 580 patients were given butterbur to treat their allergies and their symptoms improved a whopping 90%!

Another study of 125 people found that butterbur extract was as effective as Zyrtec at treating allergy symptoms.

Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle has been used for centuries to treat a number of conditions including hay fever. In a study done by the Herbal Science Group, stinging nettle extract prevented several key inflammatory causes of seasonal allergies. It appears to work as an anti-inflammatory and has the ability to reduce histamine in your body  giving you allergy relief.

Grape Seed Extract
This potent antioxidant packs quite a punch. When it comes to pure, immune-boosting power, grape seed extract is 50 times stronger than Vitamin E and 20 times stronger than Vitamin C!

It's actually the proanthocyanidins in the grape seed extract that help ease your allergy symptoms. They inhibit the enzymes that produce histamines and help keep your allergy symptoms from rearing their ugly heads.

Vitamin C
High doses of vitamin C 1,000 mg or greater can help tame allergic reactions.

One study done by the researchers at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn found that people who took 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day for three days had significant reductions in blood levels of histamine.

Because vitamin C is not a histamine receptor blocker, it's not fast-attacking relief. What it does, though, is help prevent or lessen allergy symptoms over the long term.

Hot, Spicy Foods
You can find allergy relief in your kitchen by whipping up spicy dishes the hotter, the better. Hot, spicy foods thin mucous secretions, which in turn can clear your nasal passages and help you breathe easier during allergy season.

The most beneficial spices are: cayenne pepper, hot ginger, fenugreek, onion and garlic.

So check with your doctor before taking natural supplements for your allergies. For more information and the full article, visit http://www.newsblarg.com/node/1366.