Regular Symptoms of Yeast Allergy

Among the most frequently occurring symptoms of Yeast Allergy are eczema, skin rashes, fatigue, headaches, trouble with focusing on activities, and occasionally a poor appetite.

It is usually difficult to observe these symptoms and associate the with yeast allergy, since they are often found as symptoms of several other diseases and conditions, which will often be the target of blame and treatment. For instance, if you slept poorly during the night or had a stressful day you would be likely to have a headache, experience fatigue and have an altered appetite. Because of this, it is essential to closely watch the symptoms you experience and record them in an attempt to locate and treat a potential yeast allergy.

Prevention and Treatment of Yeast Allergies

Due to the limited knowledge about Yeast Allergy, there are not many forms of treatment or prevention available. As a matter of fact, the most frequently used kind of treatment is a drastic change in diet in which yeast is omitted from the foods you eat in order to lower the body's yeast levels. While yeast is a natural growth in the body, and something beyond our control, our only chance of influencing the body's yeast levels is by limiting the intake of foods containing yeast.

Useful Tips of Managing Yeast Allergy

Women are more susceptible to Yeast Allergy than men, and overgrowth commonly occurs in the vagina, and is treated with oral and local medications. Yeast infection can be brought about by a woman's existing allergies to milk and other such food. Particularly in vaginal yeast infections, yeast allergies can be extremely painful and last for long periods of time if not treated immediately and aggressively.

Monitoring what foods you eat and knowing what the symptoms of Yeast Allergy are will aide you in identifying an allergic reaction, and enable you to seek treatment and relief.

Luckily, through the advances of modern medicine, allergists are able to run several different types of tests to determine what kinds of allergies people have, what the triggers for those allergies are, and how severe a person's bodily reactions are to those allergens. With all of these different tools in the allergist's arsenal, proper diagnoses of allergies are possible.

Allergies might sound like a mundane subject, but some can be potentially fatal. Insect stings, peanuts, and certain medications have been known to cause very extreme responses in those that are allergic to them. Allergies can cause such symptoms as skin rash, headache, hives, heartburn, reduced concentration, asthma, breathing problems, and rectal itching.

Treatment Options

When the proper diagnosis has been made by the allergist, treatment can begin. One option that the doctor may choose for treatment is allergy injections. These allergy shots, a small amount of the substance an individual is allergic to is introduced into the bloodstream, slowly building up a natural resistance over time. This form of treatment can help with allergies to animals, plants, and irritants in the environment. This form of treatment is called immunotherapy, and can only be administered by a doctor.

However, there are other forms of treatment that can help. On your own, antihistamines and decongestants have been approved by the FDA and are available for over-the-counter purchase, although not always as effective as prescription medications. If your allergy doctor prescribes treatment to be taken on your own in the form of oral or topical medications that can be applied to rashes, be sure to follow the physician or pharmacist's directions carefully. You can also work to prevent future allergic reactions. Consider using an air filtration system in your home's air-conditioner, or in your room. These filters are cost-effective, and provide a great deal of relief from allergy symptoms.

Treating Your Environment

There are several small allergy triggers that may be invisible to the naked eye that make their home in your bedroom. Regularly clean your house, including vacuuming and dusting, as well as routinely bathing and brushing pets and keeping them out of the bedroom.

Kids with EIA Can Easily Exercise

A venture of the National Institutes of Health, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program believe that kids with asthma can stay active at regular levels, even while exercising and engaging in other physical activities. Consult your child's pediatrician about learning what normal activity means for your child. The continuing process of managing asthma also requires keeping up to date on your child's condition (what he or she is able to do now with safety), and goals to strive for (what your child will be able to accomplish when asthma is controlled). When your child starts managing his or her asthma better, he or she will be able to engage in rigorous physical activity without the fear of asthma symptoms.

Is It a Good Idea?

Asthma specialists desire for kids with EIA to continue being active. Basically, an active body is a healthy body, and some of the effects of not staying active, such as being overweight, have the potential to worsen asthma symptoms in the long run. A 1998 study done by the Michigan State University's Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies at observed the effects of exercising in young adults who had chronic pulmonary disease (such as asthma). The researchers found that the mental benefits of regular activity were just as important as the physical. The subjects experienced a raised self-esteem, more feelings of competency, and generally feeling normal, to name a few of the psychological aspects of exercising.

Lowering the Risk of Exercising Triggering an Asthma Episode

Treatment for prevention of asthma symptoms could include the use of a short-acting inhaler prior to exercising, taking long-term prescription medication for asthma management, staying away from specific types of exercising or sporting environments, or learning how to warm-up properly. Your job as the parent of a child with asthma is to learn about the different treatment methods from your doctor, and pass on the information to your child. The most difficult task you may face is letting your kid go. Part of growing up for a child involves taking a larger role in treating their asthma and managing it correctly.

Let the Coaches Know

Teachers and coaches might be a little hesitant when letting your kid take part in physical activity or sports games and practices, and you may have to convince them to let your child participate. Kids who have asthma can emotionally down-trodden when they are unnecessarily exempted from sports and exercise. Sway coaches with stories like the 73 athletes who represented the U.S. at the 1996 Olympics with their inhalers by their sides. There is no limit to your child's potential, asthma or no.

Activity Benchmarks

Asthma management can be achieved by keeping an eye on how your body deals with exercise. If your asthma management plan is effective, normal activities should be possible without any symptoms. But what is considered normal for your body? Whether you're a professional athlete or you sit in front of the TV all day, you should consult your physician about what normal activity means for you. This is known as your activity benchmark, a measurement of your success at managing the symptoms of asthma.

If you're in peak physical condition, you will have a relatively higher activity benchmark compared to others. If you keep your asthma under control, your morning exercise routines should not be a problem. An asthma episode shouldn't be triggered, whatever your normal daily activities may entail. If they do prove to be a problem, consult your healthcare provider about changing your personal Teen Asthma management plan.

In order to prevent triggering an asthma episode, you can use your activity benchmark to determine the limits to which your body can be pushed. If you want to try out for the hockey team, but haven't been very physically active, don't try to jumpstart things by starting with an intense practice. Your body just won't be able to adjust to the sudden increase in exercise. Training is still an option, but ask your physician about how much your body can take. Find out what you can do to keep asthma symptoms out of your exercise.

Your Training Environment

Exercise isn't the only thing that can be affected by your environment. How you are able to perform routine daily activities is also influenced by your surroundings. If the climate is overly dry or cold, merely buying groceries or rushing to get to class on time can be difficult for your lungs.

Keep a close eye on your body's reaction to physical activity when the environment is less than perfect. Take a break if you're not breathing well. When possible, breathe through the nose. It's an ideal air-conditioner, humidifying and warming the cold air on its way to your lungs. Stay hydrated, particularly when exercising. A typical person requires six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water every day. While exercising, drink water in small sips all throughout your workout.

However, if stress is harmful, relaxation is beneficial. Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of relaxation on the body and mind. According to the National Institutes of Health, methods that relieve stress assist the treatment of high blood pressure and heart disease, and can improve the conditions of premenstrual syndrome, infertility, and cancer.

Here are some breathing techniques that can quickly reduce stress. Each method uses a different variation on breathing to encourage deep breathing. These exercises can be performed anywhere and time you feel stress, such as during rush hour, at home, or at the office.

Pure Breathing

Long periods of time leaning forward while driving or working at a desk can cause your breathing muscles to contract, lowering the volume of air that fills your lungs. This exercise encourages proper posture to better your breathing. You will feel more energetic as more oxygen finds its way into your blood.

• Comfortably stand or sit upright.
• Breathing deeply, trapping the air in your lungs, counting to five.

Pretend you're drinking through a straw, pursing your lips. Blow out the air in quick bursts through your lips, using short, strong puffs.

• Continue doing this until all the air is out of your lungs.
• Repeat the whole process three times.

Time to Relax

Are your friends constantly telling you not to rush, and relax? Have you put off using your vacation time because the timing is never right? Benefiting from stress relief techniques doesn't require a waiting period. For this breathing exercise, you just need thirty seconds of free time, and a timepiece with a second hand.

• Comfortably sit upright.
• Let the watch rest in your palm.
• Closely study the face of the watch, in particular the second hand.

Then focus on breathing, syncing your breathing with the passing seconds. Inhale for two seconds, and exhale for two seconds.

• Repeat this process for half a minute.
]]> http://allergy-guide.com/symptoms-of-allergy/stress_and_breathing/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_disorder_symptoms/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_disorder_symptoms/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:02:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_disorder_symptoms/ People that snore are usually the last ones to find out. A sleeping partner might have to softly nudge you, or playful joking in the morning will let you know that you've become one of the millions of people in the U.S. that snore every night. However, occasionally not knowing or hearing the problem could be harmful. Snoring can just be a sign of natural aging, but it can also be an indication of a sleep disorder.

When trying to diagnose a sleep disorder, healthcare providers often find themselves at the mercy of symptom reports. Normally, you don't recall or are asleep when the most frequent symptoms, such as snoring, occur. However, you are able to keep a journal of the most basic patterns of sleep, such as what time you go to bed every night, and your waking symptoms, like experiencing great fatigue. These are all things you are able to monitor. A physical examination, thorough medical history, and your sleep journal will help the doctor determine if a sleep study is needed to for diagnosis.

If the development of your sleep disorder is gradual over a long period of time, you might get accustomed to functioning on less sleep. You might not even notice your serious symptoms. And even if you do recognize them, you may not know that they are associated with sleep. Write your symptoms down, and you and your physician will have a better understanding of how you sleep.

Family Members and Sleeping Partners

A sleeping partner or family member might be a regular observer of your Sleep disorder Symptoms. As a matter of fact, several sleep specialists consider sleeping partners' observations to be a critical part of diagnosis. These are some things for family members and sleeping partners to keep an eye out for, according to the National Sleep Foundation:

Loud, regular snoring. Sleep apnea episodes are often noticeably ended by gasping for breath and snoring. Pay especially close attention to the noise and sequence of your partner's snoring. It is usually normal to snore at a constant pace, but sleep apnea is usually characterized by sudden, noisy outbursts.

Making noises or mumbling while sleeping. Talking while sleeping is a typical sign of sleeping at the lightest stage, the least restorative. Having your sleep constantly interrupted prevents you from getting to the best parts of the sleep cycle, and can affect how you function while awake.

Tossing and turning. Those who suffer from nocturnal asthma or sleep apnea tend to jerk around when their bodies aren't getting enough oxygen. However, these movements are usually too short to recall after waking up in the morning.

Coughing, wheezing, and other such symptoms of asthma. Like sleep apnea, individuals suffering from nocturnal asthma don't remember experiencing an episode while sleeping.

Do you suspect that you may have a sleep disorder, but sleep alone? Besides undergoing a full sleep study, ask someone in your family to monitor your sleep. A single night could uncover habits that will help your doctor correctly diagnose your sleep disorder.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_disorder_symptoms/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_apnea1/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_apnea1/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:59:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_apnea1/ Sleeping Problems Associated with Aging

People in the U.S. aren't getting as much sleep as they used to, and it usually isn't because of the long workdays. The population of America is growing older. Baby boomers might start noticing differences in their sleeping patterns as they age. They may experience problems such as difficulty getting to sleep at night, problems sleeping at night, or waking up in the early hours of the morning, or Sleep Apnea. A study conducted by the National Institute on Aging found that more than 50% of people in the U.S. over the age of 65 claimed to suffer from one or more chronic sleep conditions.

The Sleep-Wake Cycle

If you haven't yet reached 65, it's not likely that you concern yourself with how you sleep and wake up. The cycle by which people sleep and wake is referred to as your circadian rhythm. When you're tired, you go to bed, and wake up feeling new and fresh. However if you're around 65 and older, the internal clock that used to dictate your sleep-wake cycle might not be functioning the way it did a few years ago due to various sleep problems such as sleep apnea. Several individuals undergo a large change in their circadian rhythms as they grow older, gradually going to bed later and waking up earlier.

As a matter of fact, waking up early in the morning is a frequent problem for seniors. While it might seem like a good idea to get up at 6:30 and start on the housework, randomly waking up at 4:30 can cut into the amount of sleep needed to function properly during the day. The problem is not easily solved by going to bed later. The body will still assume that it's time to wake up while the majority of the rest of the population is still sleeping. The best method of managing this condition is by being regular and consistent in how you sleep, going to bed as you normally would.

However, actually falling asleep if you're in your 70's can be a task in itself. If an evening shot of caffeine through coffee, tea, or soda, or even a glass of wine at dinner kept you awake when you tried to go to sleep, the effects will be even greater now that you've aged. Even the limited amounts of caffeine found in chocolate can interrupt sleep. Rather than allowing you to catch up on lost sleep, an afternoon nap can actually make going to sleep harder by making you less tired when the time comes around.

Sleeping Disorders

Other changes can occur when you grow older, besides the changes in circadian rhythm, which have the ability to lower the quality of your night's sleep. When you age, your throat muscles lose their previous tone and can sag and obstruct your airways, bringing about breathing problems such as snoring and sleep apnea. The chance that you can develop a case of sleep apnea, in which you stop breathing for a period of more than ten seconds while sleeping, goes up dramatically after you turn 50.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/sleep_apnea1/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/pollen_allergy_symptoms/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/pollen_allergy_symptoms/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:49:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/pollen_allergy_symptoms/ Springtime brings with it a new sun, fresh grass, and beautiful, bright flowers opening up to the warmth. For around one in ten Americans, it also means it's time to load up on over-the-counter antihistamines for spring allergy symptom treatment, like itchy and water eyes, runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and all-around discomfort.

Pollen, the tiny grain products from trees, weeds, and grasses is usually to blame. Depending on the plants they come from, pollens can travel on the wind, or by hitching a ride on insects. Pollens that have to travel by insect are typically too heavy to become airborne, so they are not often a problem for allergies.

On the contrary, pollens that ride the wind are much lighter. Most of the time, they don't get where they are trying to, sadly. Rather, they find their way into throats and noses of millions of allergy sufferers. People who are sensitive to breathing in pollens often find themselves with an allergic reaction known as hay fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 26.1 million people in the U.S. experience the symptoms of hay fever every year.

Even though hay fever is usually considered a seasonal allergy problem, the actual "season" in which hay fever occurs might vary depending on the location and climate. Every plant has a unique pollinating period that changes slightly every year. For instance, those allergic to the pollens from grasses might be afflicted by hay fever in the late spring-early summer period, while people who are vulnerable to ragweed allergies (the most common allergen) regularly experience symptoms in late fall. Some unfortunate and very sensitive individuals experience hay fever all year, and have symptoms whose severities depend on the pollen counts in the air.

If you have pollen allergies, stay up-to-date on local pollen counts. Pollen counts are measurements of the levels of pollen in the outside air during the day. However, just staying inside on high pollen count days will not completely save you from pollen. The small grains of pollen can hitch a ride on your clothing, slip through open windows, and nestled in the fur of your pets. Getting completely rid of pollen in your environment is impossible, but you can limit your contact with pollen. The American Medical Association recommends these tips:

Stay inside as long as you can on high pollen count days, particularly during the hours of 5 in the morning and 10 in the morning, when quickly increasing temperatures tell plants to begin pollinating.

Try not to work in the yard during pollen season. Try to find someone in your family or a neighbor who isn't allergic to pollen to do the yard work.

If you have to mow the grass, tend to the garden, or rake the leaves, use a particle mask and goggles to keep from making your eyes itch and water.

Just because you have pollen allergies doesn't mean that spring and symptoms like sneezing are related. Find out what your pollen triggers are. Steer clear of being outdoors when and where you will likely come into contact with high pollen counts. Consult your physician for the best method of treating allergy symptoms when they happen.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/pollen_allergy_symptoms/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/animal-allergy/pet_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/animal-allergy/pet_allergies/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:45:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/animal-allergy/pet_allergies/ The best defense against allergies is avoidance when possible, but when that trigger is a beloved pet, most people rule out avoiding allergies as a choice. More than 40% of people allergic to animals refuse to find new homes for their pets, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and other studies have shown a higher percentage than that. However, by following the necessary steps to limit your contact with pet allergens, you should might be able to easily live with your pets, even if you have allergies or asthma.

Clean Air

Pet dander (flakes of shed skin from your animal) is the most troublesome when it is airborne. A good way to reduce levels of airborne allergens such as dander is to install a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in your house.

Pet dander can also burrow into upholstered furniture, drapes, and carpets for weeks and months at a time. You can further control pet dander by keeping your pets away from these "clingy" items. If you can, keep your animal outdoors. This will cut down on the vacuuming and cleaning you'll need to do. Keep your pet out of the bedroom. This is where you spend the longest parts of the day, and thus the most of your breathing. If you can't put your pet outside, keep them off of carpeted areas. However, this will not eliminate pet dander altogether. Dander from cats, for example, can cling to your clothing and other fabric materials, and be transferred throughout the house.

Managing Your Pet's Dander

Most allergy doctors suggest brushing your pet regularly to lower the level of dander in the house. However, before you start brushing your dog or cat, keep in mind that dander already present on your pet can be sent airborne by brushing, where they are the most irritating. To reduce airborne dander, regularly brush your pet, but do this task outdoors. If you have Pet Allergies, make sure to wear a particle mask, or find someone else to do the job for you.

Bathing your pet once a week is also an effective method of dander control. Like brushing, wear a dust mask, or get someone without allergies to do it. Wash your pets with a medicated shampoo that will keep your pet's skin hydrated. Ask your vet for help finding the best product. Between baths, use a dander-sealing product to keep those small dander particles from getting into the air.

Clean Cages and Tanks

Cats and dogs aren't the only animals that can produce animal allergens. Several individuals find that they are allergic to rabbit, guinea pig, and hamster urine. When they dry out, secretions from animals can break down and become airborne particles. Birds regularly shed their feathers, which might contain pollens, molds, and dust mites. Mold can form in the seemingly clean fish tank. Frequently clean fish tanks and cages while wearing gloves and a particle mask and lower your contact with unsuspecting pet allergens.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/animal-allergy/pet_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nebulizer_treatments/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nebulizer_treatments/#comments Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:24:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nebulizer_treatments/ As a parent of an infant or toddler, you are responsible for administering asthma medication to your children if they are not old enough to take the medication themselves. Usually, this means knowing how to properly operate a nebulizer, a machine that dilutes the particles of certain medicines so that they can be absorbed into the airways. The aerosol mixture is then administered through a face mask or mouthpiece.

It is possible that you have witnessed a nebulizer being used in a hospital. However, request a demonstration by a medical professional before using a nebulizer at home. After you've seen the technique demonstrated, try using one under the supervision of someone from your healthcare provider's staff. New models of nebulizers can often lower the amount of time required to finish treatment, when measured up against older models, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, a great benefit to parents with toddlers and infants. Based on the actual model, treatment can last from 5-20 minutes.

Hints for Treating with a Nebulizer

Can you keep your active child still for a 5-20 minute treatment? Try this tips provided by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI).

• Even the latest models of compressors and nebulizers can be fairly loud. If your child is bothered by the noise of the vacuum, he or she might also be annoyed by a nebulizer. Consult your physician about getting a longer tube, so that the child doesn't have to sit so close to the machine while it's running. Placing a folded towel under the machine can also reduce noise.
• Some children don't like the face mask. Try giving him or her a fun toy that he or she can play with while receiving treatment, distracting the child from the uncomfortable mask. If this doesn't work, consult your doctor about using a "hand mask," a technique that uses a cupped hand rather than a mask.
• When you first start using the nebulizer, keep up the physical contact between you and your child to make the treatments more relaxing. If your healthcare provider approves, cuddle the baby in your lap while administering treatment. If the physician suggests a stroller or baby seat, continue contact with an arm or foot rub.
• If the child's persistent wiggling becomes a problem, read from a special book kept for treatments. You may also want to offer a reward for behaving well, such as a special outing or toy.
• Your baby will imitate your relaxed and natural-looking behavior. Keep in mind that babies are less nervous when their parents are relaxed, as their faith in their parents cancels out their apprehensions about a strange situation.
]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nebulizer_treatments/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nasal_allergy_relief/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nasal_allergy_relief/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:08:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nasal_allergy_relief/ Consumers in America are able to choose from a wide variety of over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that relieve stress, anxiety, nasal allergies, and difficulties with sleeping. However, there is another option that's free of charge. Research has proven that breathing techniques can influence your stress levels, sleeping patterns, and the balance of your emotions and mentality. Weak breathing habits can cause these conditions to become more severe, while breathing deeply can make them better. Research published in Respiration, a medical journal, techniques that facilitate breathing deeply can lower high blood pressure and relax anxiety in individual with asthma or nasal allergies. Here are some breathing methods that can help with basic health, headache relief, and relaxation.

Overall Health through Belly Breathing

This technique focuses on your patterns of breathing, and promotes "belly breathing," meaning breathing from the diaphragm (the flat muscle between the abdomen and the lungs). Breathing this way makes the highest level of oxygen exchange possible. Oxygen exchange is the process by which fresh air containing oxygen is brought into the body when you inhale, and waste products such as carbon dioxide are removed through exhaling. Belly breathing can make depression, anxiety, nasal allergies, fatigue, and muscle tension less of a problem.

• Lay comfortably on your back, with your palms facing upward, eyes closed.

Focus on breathing. Which part of your body moves in sync with your breathing? Put your hand on the spot that seems to move the most while breathing.

If that spot is the stomach, you're using your diaphragm to breathe. Keep breathing deeply, concentrating on each time you inhale and exhale, and repeat this process 25 times.

If that spot is the chest, focus on those muscles. If you experience a tightness or rigidness in your chest muscles, concentrate on relaxing them increasingly each time you breathe.

Gradually work toward breathing from the diaphragm. Touch your stomach with both hands. Attempt to breathe so that your hand rises when you inhale and falls when you exhale. Softly press your stomach with your hands when exhaling. Use your abdomen muscles to push your hands up when inhaling.

• Repeat this process 25 times.

Breathing Naturally to Relax

During the day, do you regularly feel tired or drowsy? This could be an indication of your body's lack of oxygen. Over time, low levels of oxygen in the blood might add to stress , nasal allergies, and irritability. As a matter of fact, yawning or sighing is how your body relieves tension, causing you to breathe deeply in order to raise the level of oxygen in the blood. Here is an exercise that makes use of the natural cues given by your body to encourage relaxation.

• Comfortably stand or sit in an upright position.

Sigh deeply, and clearly audible. Sigh as loudly as you want while the air is pushed from your lungs.

• Don't concentrate on inhaling. Let the air fill your lungs naturally and slowly.

Repeat this process 12 times, or enough times to feel completely relaxed. After doing this only a few times, you should notice the muscles in your chest, upper back, and neck feeling heavy and relaxed.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-medications/nasal_allergy_relief/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/mold_allergy1/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/mold_allergy1/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:47:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/mold_allergy1/ In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd brought with it mud-filled living rooms and flooded basements to the residents along the Carolina coast. But for some unfortunate people, the storm also brought chest congestion, breathing problems, and sneezing. The stagnant water in the dank, wet homes made the perfect environment for mold to flourish, a frequent allergen. A bulletin was issued by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) to the residents of North Carolina, stating that mold spore counts were extremely high, and could last until December of the same year.

However, a hurricane isn't necessary to have problems with mold. Each day, millions or spores invisible to the naked eye are produced by mildews and molds. Similar to pollen, mold spores are transferred by the wind, which means they float through the air, travelling on the wind. If you have asthma or allergies, inhaling these tiny mold spores could trigger your symptoms. On the contrary, you want to breath, but it is breathing that is the cause of your allergy problems.

Mold can grow outdoors and inside, basically anywhere there is sufficient oxygen, moisture, and a certain mix of chemicals. There is mold in even the most cleanly of homes. Molds especially love making their homes in bathrooms (particularly the shower, basements, refrigerators, waste bins, and laundry rooms. Your favorite rare flower and other such houseplants can house mold, as well. Mold is commonly found outdoors in places that are humid and shady, such as rotting logs, compost heaps, and raked piles of leaves. Mold spores might also cling to weeds and grasses. In many regions of the U.S., molds are especially abundant during late fall.

What actions can you take to reduce mold outdoors? Stay away from the places they typically thrive in. Wear a dust mask while you tend to your garden or mow the lawn, so the mold spores are not inhaled. Molds can cling to your skin or clothes and find their way indoors, so make sure you take off any work clothes and wipe your shoes off when you go back inside. Shower and shampoo at once.

Indoors, fight mold growth by cutting down on places that are dark and humid. Seem like a difficult task? You can do a lot more than you think. Good air circulation is crucial to lower mold growth in the home. Stale, moist air can encourage mold growth.

You don't need a hurricane to motivate you into fighting the mold in your house. Stopping asthma and the symptoms of allergies before they occur can be achieved by preventing the occurrence of household triggers like mold. If you start regularly controlling your environment, your house will be a refuge for breathing well and general health.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/mold_allergy1/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/managing_asthma/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/managing_asthma/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:19:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/managing_asthma/ Do you know what a peak flow meter is? It is a tool used to measure the amount of air you can exhale, telling how efficiently you breathe. In discussing asthma with your family, you should be a kind of living peak flow meter, routinely updating your family on the progress of your symptoms. If this task seems challenging, it is. However, it is crucial to communicate to your family so that they know what you're experiencing. Quality communication also guarantees that you get all the help you require.

Here are some guidelines for using the peak flow method for telling your family about asthma:

Green Zone

In the green zone, you are managing your asthma and you feel good. Now is when you tell your doctor and you family that your personal asthma management plan is doing its job, and to see if you can try out for the basketball team. Your family will be more confident in letting you explore your opportunities if they know you're managing your asthma correctly. Keep in mind that when you manage your asthma correctly, you are capable of anything your friends are. If needed, have your physician write out some guidelines for being physically active, so you can convince your family to let you be as active as you want.

Yellow Zone

Yellow, just like traffic signals, means caution. You have some trouble breathing, and the chances of experiencing an asthma episode are greater. Let you family know when you're in the yellow zone, so they will be on the lookout for an asthma emergency. If you had planned on going swimming with some friends, tell you family that you're not going because you have a greater chance of having an asthma episode. Your parents will appreciate your responsibility in controlling your asthma by yourself. Parents and other guardians will applaud you for making a smart choice, and won't be as concerned when you head off with your friends the next time.

Red Zone

Being in the red zone means you're in danger. Being in the red zone shouldn't be a regular occurrence. If it is, you might need to consult your physician about altering your personal asthma management plan. If you don't yet have an asthma action plan, request one from your doctor. Asthma action plans provide detailed directions for getting through an asthma episode. These plans will let you know what peak level means you should seek emergency medical care.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/managing_asthma/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_with_asthma/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_with_asthma/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:09:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_with_asthma/ If your child has asthma, and episodes are sometimes triggered by exercising, attempting to decide about letting your kid try out for the baseball team can be scary. Is baseball dangerous? Are there enough adults supervising? Will the coach be able to notice an asthma emergency? Is my kid at risk?

These are some typical worries of parents whose kids suffer from exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Remember that most other parents have like-minded concerns about their children's well-being. These worries might remind you of the first day your child entered preschool. You should be comforted by the fact that kids suffering from asthma can safely exercise if their asthma is being treated properly. Let your child's pediatrician know about your worries. Talk about the effectiveness of your kid's asthma management plan. Your physician will let you know if rigorous sports will be a threat to your child's health. Probably, the pediatrician might suggest prescription medication treatments to take before physical activity.

Certain Sports are Easier on Asthma than Others

Cold-weather sports, such as ice hockey, have a greater chance of triggering an EIA episode than warm-weather sports, like baseball. As a matter of fact, any rigorous sport played on a low temperature day can provoke asthma symptoms. Try to suggest indoor sports, such as martial arts or basketball, to your kid.

Sports that require quick bursts of energy have less of a chance of causing an asthma episode than ones that involve long, continuing activity. Try to influence your child into choosing a sport that involves a lot of down time, such as gymnastics or baseball. Due to the humidity and moisture of the environment, swimming remains one of the best choices for people who have asthma. Good lung function is promoted by the breathing techniques taught to swimmers, as well as the humid climate around pools.

Four Ways to Play it Safe

1. Medication Treatments: Your kid's pediatrician might order a short-acting inhaler prescription for use right before games and practices, and/or a once-a-day long-term asthma controller or anti-inflammatory medication. Regardless of what treatment is prescribed, ensure that your kid knows how and when to use the medication.

2. Warming-up: The symptoms of EIA can be greatly limited by merely warming up gradually before any physical activity. Kids should begin with a 5-10 minute warm-up session, and then exercise lightly for 10-15 minutes.

3. Hydration: Research conducted at the University of Buffalo has shown that being dehydrated can make EIA symptoms more severe. Before and during each hour of practice, your kid needs an eight ounce glass of water.

4. Give coaches and teachers a copy of your kid's asthma action plan. Make sure to go over the early indicators of a possible asthma episode with the coach. Kids may disregard warning signs in an effort to finish a game or get an extra goal.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_with_asthma/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_asthma_emergency/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_asthma_emergency/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:49:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_asthma_emergency/ Your first concern as a parent of a kid with asthma is to keep him or her healthy and safe. You try and ensure your kid understands his or her personal asthma management and action plan. You clean your home, ridding the air of possible episode triggers. You make sure that your child is correctly using medication. But all this hasn't eased the fear of a violent, potentially fatal status asthmaticus episode.

Nobody can convince you to not worry. What you should be able to do is identify an asthma emergency, and know what to do to protect your child during an episode.

Common signs of an Asthma Emergency

Your kid's pediatrician will outline specific early warning signs for your child in his or her personal asthma action plan. Usually, asthma action plans for older children are made using peak flow readings, which monitor how well your kid's lungs function. Identifying these indicators and knowing how to read peak flow zones will help you and your child if an asthma episode is impending. However, you might want to a list that also outlines the physical signs of a possible violent asthma episode.

According to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (a part of the National Institutes of Health), all of the following symptoms indicate a potential asthma emergency. If you recognize any one of theme, contact your doctor immediately. It might be a good idea to stick this list on the refrigerator or a bulletin board, and give a copy to anyone that might look after your kid. If the person watching your child notices any of these signs and can't get a hold of you right away, they should dial 911 at once.

First Actions to Take in an Asthma Emergency

Check your kid's asthma action plan created by your healthcare provider. The plan will give detailed instructions for responding to certain symptoms that occur. It will also have more thorough directions for multiple groups of symptoms and signs (or multiple peak flow zones). For instance, a plan might be based on traffic lights, with each level of asthma symptom severity corresponding to a traffic light color, with green being the least bad symptoms and red being the worst. Every zone should provide the proper medication or action necessary.

If your doctor hasn't yet made an asthma action plan for your kid, contact your doctor for one. Make sure that copies are given to your kid's school, coaches, babysitters, daycare providers, a neighbor, and the parent of your kid's best friend. When the people who look after your child's safety have a written plan of action, complete with warning signs and treatment methods, you cn rest a little easier.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/kids_asthma_emergency/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/irritants_allergens/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/irritants_allergens/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:53:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/irritants_allergens/ There are three methods of managing allergies suggested by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): staying away from the Irritants and allergens that can trigger symptoms, using prescribed medication for the treatment of symptoms, and asking your physician about allergy shots. However, you will not be able to avoid irritant and allergen triggers unless you know what they are. This can be done by keeping a trigger journal or testing for allergies.

Frequent Irritants and Allergens

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the most regular Irritants and allergens are:

Dust mites, and dust mite waste products: These are tiny bugs and their waste, invisible to the human eye, regular to all homes.

Pollen: very small grains of the reproductive material of plants.

Mold spores: fungi (like mold and mildew) seeds used for reproduction.

Animal irritants and allergens: bodily output from animals, including tiny bits of pets' dead, shed skin (dander), saliva, and urine.

Viruses: submicroscopic agents that cause infection.

Smoke from tobacco and other sources: can be from firsthand and secondhand (passive) smoke.

Air pollution: such as chemicals in the air, particularly ozone.

Airborne vapors and chemicals: such as paint, household cleaners, fragrances, and varnish.

Discovering Your Triggers

Allergy tests can be used to test for the most frequent protein-based irritants and allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, mold, and dust mites. However, you can only be tested for a certain amount of irritants. For instance, an article published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reported that 35.9 million people have some form of pollen allergy. However, not every form of pollen can be found through modern allergy tests. Because of this, you can test your body for the regular allergenic pollens, such as ragweed, but there will be some pollen types that you just can't be tested for.

Keeping an allergy journal might help in targeting the specific irritants and allergens that provoke symptoms. By keeping a watchful eye, you can monitor your contact with irritants and allergens and the symptoms you experience. You will work with your doctor to comb your journal for clues as to what irritants and allergens you are allergic to. Eventually, you will have enough information to be able to steer clear of triggers and raise the quality of life for your body.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/irritants_allergens/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/inhaler_spacer/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/inhaler_spacer/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:05:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/inhaler_spacer/ The older your child gets, the more responsibility he or she will have when it comes to taking medication. Gradually, your child will move from receiving his or her medicine from you to taking it by him or herself. Realistically, this means changing from a nebulizer to a metered dose inhaler (MDI).

MDIs deliver an already-mixed solution of aerosol medicine through a facemask or mouthpiece. It doesn't run on electricity, so it can be used anywhere or anytime. There is no real maintenance or medicine preparation involved. However, effective usage depends on proper technique, such as the correct angle and how the child inhales the medicine.

According to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP, a venture of the National Institutes of Health), a spacing device should be used with an MDI when operated by children. Spacers, also known as holding chambers, retain aerosol medicine when the child isn't inhaling. When there is something wrong with the techniques used in administering MDIs, which is common, spacers can ensure that more medicine is absorbed in the lungs.

When should a child start using an MDI with a spacer? It depends on the child's health and capabilities. Occasionally, doctors will approve MDI and spacer usage when children are in the three to five year age range, when they start wanting to do things for themselves. However, there are other doctors that suggest waiting until at least age six.

When the time comes to graduate to an MDI with a spacer, ask your child's pediatrician to show you how to use the inhaler correctly. Both you and your child should attempt to use the MDI while a staff member from your healthcare provider's office observes and offers advice. It is recommended by the NAEPP that children show their doctors how they use their inhalers and spacers at each visit.

Is the MDI Working?

The best way to tell if the inhaler and space are doing their jobs is by monitoring the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms, particularly if your child hasn't started using a peak flow meter. Keeping track of MDI and spacer effectiveness is an element of controlling childhood asthma. If the device doesn't seem to be working, consult the pediatrician. He or she might want to see if the child is using the device properly, and correct any problems, or suggest another method of delivery.

The most important goal is that your child is able to feel the full effects of the asthma medication. Don't be discouraged if you switch back and forth between a nebulizer and MDI and spacer. In time, the majority of children can use the inhaler by themselves.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/inhaler_spacer/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/household_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/household_allergies/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:39:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/household_allergies/ What will you find in anti-freeze, pesticide, paint thinner, disinfectant, and bleach? Each of these items found in any household contain chemicals and substances that can irritate your nose, eyes, lungs, and throat. If you suffer from respiratory allergies or asthma, inhaling the powerful fragrances and fumes emitted by household items such as these can provoke and possibly worsen symptoms. Getting rid of all of these out of your household probably won't happen, but there are steps you can take to be safer when using them. Here are some tips provided by the Environmental Protection Agency to help ensure that household chemicals are not a problem:
• When using household items with allergic chemicals, make sure the area is well-ventilated if it is indoors. When working in the garage, keep the air fresh by leaving the door open.
• Keep your lungs and skin safe by always wearing face masks or protective gloves. Disposable gloves are often made with latex, and if latex is an allergen for you, use non-latex or nylon gloves.
• Stay away from aerosol products when you can. It is very easily to breathe in the mist produced by the spray and might irritate your lungs.
• When using household products, read the labels and follow any instructions closely. Products that can be dangerous have labels that warn against overexposure to limit contact with toxins.
• Unless approved by the label, never combine household products. The mixture could be harmful, such as mixing chlorine bleach and ammonia, which can create poisonous gases harmful to lungs.

When not in use, ensure that your household chemicals are stored correctly:

• Seal all containers and place them somewhere that children can't reach them. Products such as paint, paint thinner, and gasoline can evaporate, so keep these products in a part of the garage that is well-ventilated.
• Don't buy more than what you need. You may keep gasoline around during the summer to mow the lawn, but don't bother storing up during the winter.
• Get rid of unneeded or expired chemicals appropriately. If you have dangerous chemicals that you need to throw away, learn what days your local community or government sponsors collection days where you life. It's against the law to throw chemicals away in ordinary trash bins.
• Store any household chemical in its primary container, or at least label any alternate containers correctly. Putting anti-freeze in your windshield wiper fluid container can be disastrous, not only for your car, but for your allergies or asthma as well.

With a full wealth of knowledge, and careful handling, normal household products should never present a health problem to you. Keep in mind that several of the household products you buy can be replaced by non-toxic alternatives.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/household_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/home_asthma/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/home_asthma/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:27:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/home_asthma/ Typical homes are filled with triggers for asthma, but solving the problem of fighting off irritants and allergens that trigger asthma symptoms is easier than you may realize. The first step is to clean your home so that you limit your contact with regular asthma triggers. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program believe that doing this is essential to a working asthma management plan. Neglecting this approach and your asthma symptoms have a worse chance of getting better, and could potentially get worse. Use these guidelines to help you start.

Dust Mite Management

Use air-sealed anti-allergen cover encasements on all of your comforters, mattresses, and pillows.

Launder throw pillows, stuffed animals, drapes, and blankets once a week in water at least 130degrees F in temperature.

Get rid of fabric items that can't be cleaned, such as area rugs, particularly in the bedroom.

If you can, swap out wall-to-wall carpeting for linoleum or hardwood floors, particularly in the bedroom. Vacuuming once a day will help if this can't be done.

Try not to use down or feather-filled pillows and comforters.

Dust and vacuum frequently. Use a filter collection bag in you r vacuum, or think about purchasing a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaner.

When cleaning, wear a dust mask to keep out airborne particles.

Pollen in the Home

When pollen season is at its worst, make sure the windows and doors are shut.

If it's windy and dry outside, or if it's early in the day, pollen counts will be high, so stay inside.

Wear a dust mask while working in the garden or in the yard.

Dry your laundry in a laundry drier, not outdoors.

Mold and Mildew in the Home

• A home humidity level of around 50% is ideal for the best lung function, and still dry enough that mold growth is not encouraged.
• Molds can grow in plant soil, so limit the number of plants you have in your home.
• Remove upholstered furniture and rugs that smell old.

Get someone else to rake up the leaves. Mold spores hiding in the soil and under fallen leaves can be kicked up by raking.

If you're the climate you live in is hot, use the air-conditioner, but remember to regularly change the filter, or think about purchasing anti-allergen filters for floor and wall registers.

Allergens from Pets

Wash your animal once a week, or take it to a pet cleaner. Think about using anti-dander sprays or shampoos.

If your asthma is triggered by pet dander, a definite fix for the problem is finding a good, new home for your pet. Granted, this may not always be possible. If it isn't make sure to keep your pets off of your bed, and make sure they stay in parts of the house without carpeting, and limit their time indoors.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/home_asthma/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergies/#comments Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:28:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergies/ Do you consider your home a health refuge? Or is it a haven for allergens that trigger asthma and allergies? Any routine activity that you might do in your home during the course of the day, such as cleaning, running the air-conditioner, or cooking, can stir up allergens, particularly in new, airtight homes. These are some tips provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on how to deal with the most common sources of allergy-causing pollutants in the home.

Lead-Based Paints

If the home you're currently living in was built prior to 1978, have it inspected for lead-based paint, particularly if there are children living there. Lead exposure during childhood can potentially cause hearing loss, poor growth, and learning disabilities. While most people tend to think of drinking contaminated water from lead pipes and eating lead paint chips when they envision lead poisoning, inhaling dust from peeling and chipping lead paint is also a frequent source of lead exposure.

Radon

When uranium in soil and rocks begins to decay, a radioactive gas is emitted known as radon. If radon has not collected into a large cloud, it cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled, but it is able to find its way indoors through sewer openings, wall and floor joints, and cracks in the basement. The radon proceeds to further decay in your home, and eventually the gas erodes into particles small enough to attach to dust, that can then be inhaled. There is always a trace amount of radon in the air anywhere you go, but indoors, the concentration is often higher, mainly due to a lack of circulating air.

In some rare instances, a high level of radon in the air of the home can be a serious risk to your family's health. Being exposed to radon for a long period of time can raise the chance of lung disease, as well as cancer. Ventilating the air correctly can lower the levels of radon in the home. If your home has a basement, the EPA suggests that you monitor the level of radon in your home. You might want to put a radon detector in your basement, a common part of the home for radon to build up. You can also use single-use testing kits, which can be found at many hardware stores.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced by tobacco smoke, car exhaust, gas appliances and incinerators, and furnaces. Similar to radon, it has no color, odor, or taste, but it is very toxic. You can safeguard your family by installing CO detectors in the home. Inspect your gas heating system once a year. Monitor the venting on any appliances that run on gas, such as clothes dryers and water heaters.

Household Chemicals

Allergies and asthma can easily be triggered by cleaners and household chemicals. Use and store these items in rooms that are well-ventilated. Do not combine chemicals, as poisonous fumes can be created when mixing the wrong set of chemicals. Make sure all labels of potentially hazardous products are read thoroughly. Usually, the labels will provide safety information and proper usage directions. If you use an insecticide or pesticide in the house, open doors and windows to air out the home.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergen/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergen/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:06:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergen/ "All the houses in this new neighborhood are made with the best weather stripping and insulation. Open doors and windows are the only way your heated air will escape your house. You'll save a ton of money on utilities here…" Quite the sales pitch.

However, this real estate agent probably failed to add that the energy-efficient homes being built these days could worsen your allergy symptoms. Certain allergen triggers flourish indoors. Unless you take an active role in ridding your home of irritants and allergens, and keeping them out, these triggers will stay trapped in your brand new, air-tight home. These are some helpful hints for ridding your home's air of the four main trigger allergens – pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal dander:

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that flourish and breed in upholstered furniture, carpets, bedding, and drapes. They live by the millions in the places you spend the most time in the home. Every time you stroll across the carpet, lay down to sleep, or sit on the fabric couch, dust mite waste products are kicked up into the air. Getting rid of dust mites completely is impossible, but they can be managed:

Rid your home of carpeting, decorative pillows, drapes, and throws, replacing them with alternative products that can be machine washed. Clean these items once a week in water at least 130degrees F.

Cover your box springs and mattress in anti-allergen encasements. These covers will trap dust mite waste products in, protecting your mouth and nose from the allergens.

Sweep, mop, dust, and vacuum your home once a week, and wear a particle mask while doing this, or find someone less sensitive to allergens do clean.

Pollen

Whenever a window or door is opened, the small grains of grass, weed, and tree reproductive material will find its way into your home. They can also cling to your skin and clothing, as well as your pet's fur, and make their way inside.

Mildew and Mold

Regular mildews and molds create millions of spores that can only be seen through a microscope. These allergens thrive in dank closest and basements, behind wallpaper, in potting soil, in bathrooms, in and behind refrigerators, and in air-conditioners.

Animal Dander

While you undoubtedly love your house pet, it could be going to town on your allergies. If locating a new home for you animal isn't possible, and most of the time it's not, try these ideas for limiting your exposure to allergens:

• Don't let your pet in your bedroom, and particularly off the bed. If you can, restrict your pet to the parts of the home without carpet.

Every one or two weeks, give your pet a bath to get rid of excess dander. When bathing or grooming your animal, wear a particle mask.

• Wash your animal's sleeping pad frequently in hot water.
• Once a week, mop and vacuum to lower the amount of dander in the air.
• After playing with your pet, make sure to wash your hands.

In regards to reducing the amount of allergens in your home, a healthy home often means a clean home. Give every member of the household a job to do toward limiting allergens. A lot can be accomplished with a little effort.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/home_allergen/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hepa_vacuums/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hepa_vacuums/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:23:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hepa_vacuums/ The Problem

If you have carpeting, then you're walking on an army of invisible dust mite and pollen spores allergens. Even though simple walking over these allergens can fling them into the air, the ride they're really looking for comes where you may not expect: the exhaust from your vacuum cleaner.

Rational thought would mean that your vacuum cleaner would rid your carpet and home of airborne allergens. However, most allergens can be seen by neither you nor your vacuum cleaner. This is because these allergens are microscopic and slip right through normal vacuum cleaner exhaust and back into your house's air.

Because vacuuming has presented such a problem with controlling airborne allergens that it is recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology that you replace carpeting with wood or linoleum floors. If this isn't possible, what do you do?

Central Vacuuming: The Top Pick

You're lucky if your house is already outfitted with central vacuuming. This form of vacuuming system pulls particles and dust through ducts in the wall, carrying them through pipes and finally expelled outdoors through a valve located in the outside wall. A study done by Danish researchers at the National University Hospital in Copenhagen found that central vacuuming systems allow a much lower amount of allergens to be released into the air than normal vacuum cleaners. However, it can be very expensive to install a central vacuuming system in a house that doesn't already have one. This makes the next best option a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum.

HEPA Vacuums: Recommended by Allergists, Clinically Tested

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the leading authority on the treatment of allergies and asthma, now recommends HEPA vacuum cleaners due to their proven effectiveness at not allowing tiny particles to escape.

In 1999, a study conducted at the University of Virginia Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, showed that the amount of allergens that snuck through HEPA vacuum cleaners was in fact lower than typical vacuum cleaners. Although, it was agreed upon that more research was required. The only allergen that was tested was cat dander, and in the controlled environment of a cleaned room, far from the normal home setting. The data was sufficient for supporting manufacturer claims for limiting allergen exposure.

In 1998, French researchers studied vacuum cleaners in real-world settings at the University of Strasbourg Hospital. The study covered standard, HEPA, HEPA-water, and foam fabric filtered vacuums. In all, a total of five separate vacuum cleaners were tried out in an apartment that housed cats. The amount of airborne dander put out by the HEPA and the HEPA-water vacuum cleaners was far less when compared to the standard and foam filter vacuums.

Microfilter Dust Bags: The Next in Line

While they are better than the normal factory dust bag, microfilter dust bags are not the best choice if you're trying to limit the amount of airborne allergens emitted by a vacuum cleaner. The consistency in effectiveness is unpredictable based on the company that makes the bags. The 1999 Charlottesville research studied single, two, and three-ply microfiltration dust bags, and compared them to HEPA vacuum cleaners. The single-ply bags did not work well with any brand of vacuum cleaner, and results from the two-ply bags were irregular. The three-ply bags were the most efficient.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hepa_vacuums/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy1/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy1/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:18:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy1/ Parents need to see little more than the raw, red nose of a child to motivate them to care for their child with hay fever. The essential initial step is to follow the doctor's advice to avoid allergens and irritants and taking the proper medications. The next step is making sure your child is comforted in the midst of pollen season.

Teaching Your Child to Blow Their Nose

A child's nose may run because of a pollen allergy, but the rawness, redness, and general discomfort comes from the constant scratching and rubbing. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) reports that the constant flow of mucus, known as nasal discharge, caused by a runny nose can irritate a child's upper lip and nostrils. Rubbing the irritated skin will only make the problem worse.

Relieving the Symptoms of Hay Fever Allergy by Bathing

While children will kick up pollen when playing outdoors, they can carry the pollen in on their clothes and bodies when they come inside. Taking a bath will rid them of these allergens, and keep the house clean of pollen. According to the AAAAI, lowering the amount of pollen contact with a child is essential to controlling hay fever allergies.

If the child is agitated, a warm bath will usually calm the child down, and the humidity from the bath can soothe the symptoms of Hay Fever Allergy. If you child does not normally play while taking a bath, offer some bath toys to make the bath more fun. Instead of just the normal toy boats, offer small bottles and containers that can be used for pouring and measuring. If the child is old enough to keep form sticking everything in his or her mouth, marbles can be fun to roll around. Spray bottles are fun, but make sure the shower curtain is closed. Stay away from bubble baths. The popping bubbles send soap into the air, and can irritate the sinuses.

Let the Children Know Hay Fever Will Go Away

As adults, we are aware that pollen season doesn't last all year. However, children must be constantly reminded of this. While the child's sense of time is still developing, pollen season can seem to be eternal. Tell your kids that hay fever won't last forever, unless that child also suffers from perennial allergies (such as a year-long allergy to dust mites). Be sure that you don't promise to a child that the symptoms of hay fever will stop on a certain date. You could plan for an excursion for when the symptoms stop, or study the trigger plant's pollinating season if the child is old enough to understand. Merely thinking about the day the misery of the Hay Fever Allergy ends can lift a child's spirits.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy1/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:11:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy/ Complementary Care

When hay fever season rolls around, you may be driven in search of relief from symptoms. What can you do? Symptoms that occur due to being exposed to triggers such as pollen can be eased by certain medications, but decongestants and antihistamines may produce side effects that make functioning during the day difficult. In the spirit of adventure and relief from side effects, there are some who are trying complementary care. These techniques include treatment, therapy, and products not used in Western medicine, and can be administered alongside your normal treatment methods.

Has medical research supported the claims by people that say these new treatments help? Usually, the answer is no. Scientific studies have not proven that complementary care helps with the symptoms of hay fever allergies. Most treatments of this type are safe, so long as you use them in conjunction with normal allergy treatments, such as managing your environment. Consult your doctor before trying out complementary care treatments. Inquire about how possible complications with your allergy medications, and the safety of the treatments.

Mucus Problems

Mucus is an uncomfortable subject. Pollens and other irritants can become lodged in mucus, getting it out of your congested nasal passages can help reduce the effects of post-nasal drip. A good way of doing this is by employing a nasal wash, according to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Salt water solution is used to clear out the nasal passages. Because the treatment puts new fluids into your nose, consult a physician about proper usage. The same effect can be achieved by taking a hot shower. The water vapors and steam help to dislodge the mucus from your nasal passages.

Sinus Headache Relief

Many Eastern techniques for relieving sinus headaches don't involve drugs or medications. Congested sinuses can be motivated to drain out with a massage, and headaches can be soothed with acupressure. A sinus mask, depending on whether it is hot or cold, can help with headaches or mucus drainage. These masks contain either a dry grain, such as buckwheat, or a liquid mixture. You can heat the mask up in a microwave, or freeze it in your refrigerator's freezer. It may feel odd to lie back with one of these masks laid across your face. Just be calm and let the mask do its job. This technique is safe and un-intruding, and can provide natural relief from Hay Fever Allergy symptoms.

Herbal Remedies

While herbal treatments can be used as decongestants, be cautious. Remember that nature produces toxic and poisonous plants as well as those good for the body. Herbs can cause allergic reactions by mixing with Hay Fever Allergy medications you may be taking. The government, for instance the Food and Drug Administration, does not regulate the potency of herbs. Consult your physician before dabbling in herbal remedies for your hay fever symptoms.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/hay_fever_allergy/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/gardening_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/gardening_allergies/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:30:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/gardening_allergies/ Gardens have long been regarded as places of beauty and rest. The art of gardening has been a pastime or many thousands of years. However, if you're among the millions who suffer from pollen allergies, working in your garden can be a far cry from the peaceful sanctuary you seek. Rather than an afternoon breathing in fresh air, you're subjecting your body to symptoms like coughing, itching eyes, upper airway congestion, and sneezing.

Does this mean that you can never again enjoy the peacefulness of gardening, simply because you have allergies? Of course not. However, compared to your neighbors and friends who don't have allergies, you'll need to make some changes. Here are some gardening tips that won't provoke allergy symptoms, provided by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas:

Think of Your Allergies When Creating Your Garden

If you're in the first stages of creating your garden, keep your allergies in mind when deciding what plants you want to include:

Decorate your garden with flowers that emit the lowest amounts of pollen. It's a lucky coincidence that some the prettiest and most colorful flowers, such as daffodils, tulips, and roses, are easy on the allergies. These flowers produce heavy pollens that have to be transported by insects rather than through the air.

The most problematic plants are those whose pollen must be carried by the wind. Such plants include the pollinating grasses orchard, Bermuda, and timothy grass. Problem trees include walnut, maple, sycamore, hickory, ash, birch, elm, olive, and oak. Ragweed is the worst weed for allergy symptoms.

Don't populate your garden with flowers and plants that have a strong fragrance. If you do, make sure they are away from windows. When you're already experiencing allergy symptoms, powerful odors can act as irritants and worsen symptoms.

The Rights and Wrongs of Gardening

Think about any allergy triggers that could provoke symptoms outdoors. Taking the necessary preventive measures might keep you from experiencing irritating symptoms:

There are more allergy threats than just pollen in your garden. Allergic reactions can also be caused by mold hiding in mulched grass and compost heaps. If these triggers prove to be a problem for you, try and get another member of the family to take care of the compost work.

Keep track of the pollen forecast for your area. This pollen count can change with the weather, and are typically lower on days with rain, clouds, or without wind. But keep in mind that molds might flourish on these days.

If you find relief from allergy symptoms through the use of over-the-counter antihistamines, take one dose at least 30 minutes before tending to your garden.

If you're an early riser, try to tend to your garden in the afternoon or evening. Levels of pollen are the highest early in the morning until around 10 A.M., when increasing temperatures let the plants know when to pollinate.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/gardening_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/food_allergy_symptoms/ http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/food_allergy_symptoms/#comments Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:36:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/food_allergy_symptoms/ The most frequently occurring food allergen is peanuts, an allergy found in only around 1.1% of people in the U.S., according to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. While 1.1% may not seem like much, but in the America's population that equals almost three million people – excluding all other food allergies. Some other common food allergens are seafood, soy, egg, wheat and milk. Several other foods are known to cause allergy symptoms also.

Although frequently confused, food allergy and food intolerance are two different conditions. Although it might be irritating, food intolerance is somewhat similar to the symptoms of gastrointestinal food allergies, such as indigestion. However, food intolerance very seldom affects the immune system, and is almost never fatal.

Just as with allergies with medications and insect stings, a severe allergic reaction to a food can be deadly. Harsh symptoms happen so fast and are so apparent that they are not often mistaken for mere indigestion. It is most likely that you have already seen your doctor if you've had a close call food allergy reaction. On the contrary, if you've experienced less of a response from your Food Allergy Symptoms, you may not have noticed it.

If the symptoms aren't serious, why be concerned? Similar to insect stings, each exposure can potentially make following allergic reactions to food worse. The combined effect of these symptoms will accumulate gradually. For example, a reaction to a peanut allergy may have only given you a case of indigestion, but the next time could spell a trip to the emergency room.

Regular Symptoms of Food Allergies

If you recognize any of these symptoms after consuming foods normally related to allergies, you could be allergic:

Symptoms on the skin, including redness, hives, spots, welts, or eczema (scaly, flaky, dry areas of the skin)

Symptoms in the digestion system, such as blistering, itchiness, swelling, canker sores, or redness inside the mouth or around the lip area, raised levels of salivation, swollen throat or tongue, serious indigestion or heartburn, cramping or pain in the stomach, nausea (with or without vomiting, and diarrhea

• Pulmonary symptoms, like chest tightness, wheezing, or being short of breath

Anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal allergic reaction involving the whole body, only treated safely with emergency medical help at once

If You Think You Are Allergic to a Food…

If you've experienced the symptoms of food allergies, start with removing the potential allergic food from your normal diet before you visit the physician. Other ailments, such as food poisoning, can result in symptoms identical to the ones produced by food allergies, so the physician will try and eliminate other possible triggers. Your doctor may ask you to record what you eat in a journal, including what you eat at each meal and how you react to it. He or she might arrange for some allergy testing to determine if the most frequent food allergens are to blame for your symptoms.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/allergy-guides/food_allergy_symptoms/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/diagnosing_sleep_disorders/ http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/diagnosing_sleep_disorders/#comments Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:28:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/diagnosing_sleep_disorders/ If you sit down to watch television or read the paper, do you often pass out as soon as you're comfortable? Plenty of people doze after a hard day, but if this is a regular occurrence, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.

The National Institutes reports that it generally takes people around 10 to 15 minutes to fall asleep. Passing out after five minutes could be a sign of chronic sleep deprivation. If you suspect that you have a sleeping disorder, consult your physician about being diagnosed so treatment can begin.

Testing for Sleep Disorders

In order to find a diagnosis, your physician might conduct a sleep study called polysomnography, done at an overnight sleep lab. Everything that happens to you while sleeping is monitored and recorded.

During sleep, your eye movement, brain activity, heart rate, muscle tension, pattern of breath, and blood oxygenation are observed and recorded by special lab devices. This study could also entail an MLST, or Multiple Sleep Latency Test. This test gives you multiple chances to doze off during the day, times when you'd regularly be up. The MSLT gauges how tired you are during the day by measuring the time it takes for you to fall asleep at different times. It can also aide doctors in eliminating other sleeping disorders from the diagnosis that aren't sleep apnea.

Is a Sleep Study Necessary for Diagnosis?

Your doctor will study your symptoms closely to determine whether you need a sleep study or not for diagnosis. To ensure your physician makes the best decision, keep a journal of all your symptoms and sleep habits. Judging from you physical exam, medical history, and symptom journal, your healthcare provider will determine if a sleep study is necessary.

The journal you keep with details about your symptoms lets your doctor know more about your sleeping patterns. Sleep disorders, such as nocturnal asthma and sleep apnea, disrupt your regular sleeping patterns, causing your behavior during the day could show severe tiredness. Having been cheated out of a good night's sleep, you may feel sleepy, irritable, have weak hand-eye coordination, and have problems with memory. If operating without enough sleep is normal for you, you might not recognize these symptoms as problematic. Record these symptoms, and you and your healthcare provider will better know how you sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation has stated that a higher chance of heart attack, angina, and stroke are associated with sleep apnea, so diagnosing your sleep disorders with a sleep study can be very beneficial if you suffer from severe heart issues.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/apnea-and-allergy/diagnosing_sleep_disorders/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/deodorant_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/deodorant_allergies/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:08:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/deodorant_allergies/ As long as human bodies continue to produce sweat, they will rely on deodorants to suppress the unwanted smells produced by the body. Deodorants achieve this goal by absorbing or eliminating foul odors made by the body. These products are made with disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide and chlorine compounds that rid the body of odors created by microorganisms. Often deodorants will contain different fragrances and perfumes to hide offensive smells with one of their own. These are usually made with plant and flower extracts.

Most people can't live without deodorants of some kind, but unfortunately, deodorants also have the ability to cause allergic reactions in certain people that use them. The deodorant might contain chemicals and substances that can cause allergic reactions on the skin of a person allergic to them. The trace amounts of certain plants might also unexpectedly trigger an allergic response from someone who thinks they are avoiding the plant they are allergic to.

The fragrances and perfumes used in deodorants might also cause allergies to flare up when breathed in by the person wearing the deodorant, or by someone smelling another person's deodorant accidentally.

Symptoms of Deodorant Allergies

Some of the symptoms that can signal an allergy to a certain deodorant can include a runny or irritated nose and mouth, and itchy, watery eyes. These can be caused by the fragrances in the deodorant. Headaches, sneezing, and vomiting are also symptoms that might be caused by Deodorant Allergies. Itching, redness, and swelling might also occur if a person's skin is allergic to the deodorant.

Treating Deodorant Allergies

As with any type of allergy, avoidance is the best form of defense. If you know that you are allergic to a certain chemical, substance, or plant, check the label on the deodorant package for the list of ingredients, and stay away from any deodorant that contains these substances. Before purchasing a certain deodorant, take the cap off if possible and smell the deodorant. If you begin to experience in allergic symptoms, such as water eyes or a runny nose, don't buy that brand. If you experience any allergic symptoms that you suspect may be caused by your deodorant, consult your physician about testing for those allergies. If need be, your doctor will be able to prescribe a medication for you if you are not able to find an allergen-free deodorant.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/deodorant_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma2/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma2/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:23:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma2/ Do you suspect that your child may have asthma? Any parent whose child has suffered an ear infection knows that it can be difficult to evaluate a child's symptoms. You don't know what your child is experiencing, and if they are not yet old enough to talk, diagnosing the problem is even harder. However, it can be done.

Your role is to search for hints that could indicate a problem with breathing, record that information, and give it to a pediatrician. If you think your child may be experiencing the symptoms of asthma, set up a visit to the doctor. Meanwhile, begin recording the information of the symptoms, including times, dates, and the actual symptoms that you recognize. Your observation journal and record of symptoms and be the basis for your child's medical history, a critical tool used by the physician to see if the occurrences require further testing.

Wheezing: The Most Regular Indication of Childhood Asthma

A venture of the National Institutes of Health, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program has found that the best sign of childhood asthma is a high-frequency whistling sound heard when a child breaths. However, there are several infections that can occur in a child's airways that can make this sound. A foreign object obstructing the airways, such as a swallowed coin, can also produce a wheezing sound. When the wheezing is associated with asthma, the sound is normally produced when the child breathes out. Monitor the movement of your child's chest and attempt to determine whether or not the wheezing occurs while the child exhales. If it does, and occurs alongside other indications of asthma, your pediatrician could suspect childhood asthma.

Chronic Cough

The NAEPP reports that a persistent cough that worsens at night is the second most common indication of childhood asthma. If you observe your child being woken up by coughing at least two times monthly, and the coughing appears to not be associated with a flu or cold, it could be asthma.

Chest Tightness and Shortness of Breath

When an asthma episode occurs, the muscles around the airway, called bronchial tubes, swell and tighten, constricting the airflow in and out of the lungs. Consequently, breathing becomes quicker, shallower, and more difficult. How can you tell if a child is experiencing shortness of breath? When speaking, the child may not be able to complete a sentence in a single breath. You could also notice your child leaning over trying to breathe. The child might cease playing or continuing in a favorite activity, opting rather to take a break.

When is it Asthma and Not Something Else?

Unfortunately, it's impossible to know for sure. This makes visiting a pediatrician all the more essential. However, you cannot put a price on the value of a symptoms journal. Even though physical examinations and medical tests are helpful, a child's medical history, aided by your symptoms journal, is the most important tool a doctor has when diagnosing childhood asthma, according to the NAEPP.

If you suspect asthma symptoms in your child, call your physician to find out more, and begin recording your child's symptoms in a journal. Childhood asthma can be controlled with success, but it must be initially diagnosed, and your role in monitoring your child is beyond value.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma2/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma/ http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:34:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma/ Contact your doctor if you suspect that your child may have asthma symptoms, particularly frequent instances of wheezing or coughing. Your healthcare provider might set up a diagnostic exam in order to determine if asthma is the cause of your child's symptoms.

What to Expect

How your child is diagnosed is dependent on his or her age. A venture of the National Institutes of Health, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has found that Childhood Asthma can be diagnosed incorrectly as pneumonia, bronchitis, or bronchiolitis, if the child is less than five years old. Treatment for childhood asthma cannot start before a child is officially diagnosed, and the NAEPP has reported that because of this, several of these children are not properly treated for asthma.

Childhood asthma diagnostic exams for those less than five years old entail a physical examination, accompanied by a thorough medical history. This exam will target the chest, skin, and upper respiratory tract. Because of their age, children will often not be able to undergo a spirometry test, which gauges the function of the airways. Instead, other tests might be administered, such as allergy tests, nasal exams, x-rays of the chest, or other medical tests.

Children older than five years old will undergo a diagnostic exam much like those given to adults. In addition to the physical exam and medical history, these children will probably be given a spirometry test. The other medical tests, such as the chest x-ray, nasal exams, and allergy tests may also be performed.

You doctor may ask you to observe your child's peak flow over the course of a week or longer. Peak flow refers to the greatest volume of air that your child is able to exhale. Record the results in a journal when your child exhales into the peak flow meter. The pediatrician will show you how to operate the device, and instruct when to use it.

Medical History of a Child with Asthma

You are the only person who can supply the all-too important information of your child's asthma symptom history to the pediatrician, according to the NAEPP. The physician is depending on the information you supply to make a diagnosis. Whenever you detect symptoms, write them down, along with any potential contact with asthma triggers. The NAEPP suggests the following indicators of Childhood Asthma:

Repeating incidences of wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, or coughing

Contact with allergy triggers or exercise that cause more severe symptoms

Recurring symptoms at night

The occurrence of other disease associated with allergies, such as skin allergy or hay fever

Family member who have suffered from allergic disease in the past

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/children-allergies/childhood_asthma/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/chemical_allergies/ http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/chemical_allergies/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:22:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/chemical_allergies/ Is Your Home a Healthy One?

Before you answer this question, picture your house's utility closet, or under the kitchen sink. You might see some old sponges or washcloths, a container of cleaner or dish soap, and maybe some insecticide. If you drive a car, you'll probably have a jug of antifreeze or a few quarts of oil next to a spare can of gas. The chances are that your home is like most people's, and is filled with household chemicals that are toxic and potentially allergic.

Several of these normal items are made with chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, alcohol, lye, and formaldehyde. Contact with these chemicals can provoke allergy symptoms such as irritating your nose, throat, eyes, and potentially causing headaches. If you suffer from respiratory allergies or asthma, inhaling the powerful odors and fumes emitted by these items can provoke allergic reactions or make symptoms worse. Here some of the more common household products that can be potentially harmful, according to the Environmental Protection Agency:

• Fluids for vehicles
• Household cleaning products and disinfectants
• Varnishes and polishes
• Pesticides and insecticides
• Paint and paint thinners
• Chemicals used in purifying swimming pool water
• Certain beauty products like hair sprays and aerosol deodorants

Buying or having these products doesn't mean that now you need a toxic chemicals compound in the backyard just to store them. If you practice responsible usage and storage, these items can be used to your benefit without putting your health in harm's way. The National Safety Council/Environmental Health Center recommends that consumers:

Closely read through product labels. Products that contain possibly dangerous chemicals are labeled with warnings aimed at limiting your contact with the toxins.

• Store and use the products as instructed by the labels.

When using chemicals, make sure you are outside, or at least a well-ventilated workspace. Keep the door open, if you decide to work in the garage.

Safeguard your skin and airways by wearing a face mask and gloves. Keep in mind that many disposable gloves are made with latex, and if you're allergic to latex, you may want to use nylon or non-latex gloves.

Stay away from aerosol items. The light mists of these products are easy to breathe in and agitate the lungs.

• Make sure you know all the laws regarding the disposal of toxic chemicals.

It might be worth your time to look into other options for normal household items. Some products are nontoxic, and others at least have lower levels of toxic substances. Products such as these will be labeled as "nontoxic" or “biodegradable.”

Household chemical products are always helpful and convenient (imagine trying to clean old grease stains with just water and elbow grease), but the can also be harmful. Slow down and read through labels, following any and all directions for use. You and your family can breathe in a deep sign of relief.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/chemical-allergies/chemical_allergies/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_yoga/ http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_yoga/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:08:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_yoga/ Tired of the conventional techniques for breathing better? Look to the sunrise in the East. An established method of breathing in India, Yoga has found its place in America, becoming as frequent in health clubs as aerobics classes. Increasing amounts of Americans are looking into complementary care. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, around two out of five people have tried some kind of complementary care, and many focus on breathing as a way to a healthier life. Better breathing techniques could even help control asthma symptoms. These are some reasons why celebrities and everyday folks are trying yoga.

Eastern Breathing Fundamentals

The core of Eastern medicine maintains that our essential energy, our life force (known as qi (pronounced CHEE) in China and, prana in India), is the basis for health and internal balance. Breathing supports this life force. When your vital energy is flowing constantly and unobstructed, you are healthy. If this force is blocked, it stifles and collects, giving disease a chance to take hold. In Eastern medicine, by bettering your breathing techniques, you uphold the regular flow of internal energy. Correctly breathing lowers stress, makes your organs perform better, and provides a general sense of well-being.

Breathing is Yoga's Cornerstone

Yoga may have only recently found its way into Western culture, but its techniques have been in use in India for over 5,000 years. Yoga translates into "union," and those who practice yoga, also known as yogis, sought to develop a unity with Brahman, an Indian deity. Yoga practitioners in the West tend to focus more on real-life goals, such as mental clarity, physical fitness, stress management, and basic well-being. Today, yoga also entails meditation, breathing exercises (called pranayama), and physical poses (called asanas).

When using yoga for its spiritual purposes, yogis would initially focus on controlling their breathing, also known as pranayama breathing. Co-owner of a yoga studio in San Francisco, Yoga Heaven, Benson O.M. Scott says that “Breathing is the essence of yoga. Our life force exists all around us. We can help draw this energy into the body through proper breathing.”

Gradually, yogis invented different poses, known as asanas, to aide their breathing techniques. Asanas are made to help arrange the spine to allow the lungs the full potential of expansion. “Asanas keep the spine and body healthy in order for the life force to properly flow throughout the body,” says Scott. As a matter of fact, he believes breathing correctly to be a vital as clean water for good health and life in general.

Complementary Care and Yoga

Yoga can do more than relieve stress. Proper breathing techniques coupled with physical poses have the ability to have a positive effect on medical conditions, such as asthma. For instance, The medical journal Allergy Asthma Proceedings published a study in 1998 which reported that being involved in a yoga program for 16 weeks, asthma sufferers found that they were increasingly relaxed and optimistic about their health issues. Researchers observed that using asanas helped breathing and relaxed the muscles in the chest, and that pranayama breathing encouraged breathing deeper and raised the level of lung capacity, helping with asthma symptoms.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_yoga/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/asthma_pollution/ http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/asthma_pollution/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:27:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/asthma_pollution/ Living in the city means you're surrounded by excitement, action, and plenty of opportunities. However, if you're among the millions of the people in the U.S. that have allergies or asthma, living in this urban jungle can also entail breathing problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of individuals with asthma is more than twice as high as it was in 1980, and the most common centers for asthma cases are in the cities, particularly among children and African Americans.

Air Pollutants

If you suffer from allergies and asthma, a large problem of living in an urban area is the smog, the dreary cloud filled with pollutants that hangs over most cities, particularly during the summertime. Smog is especially hurtful for those who have lung and heart conditions, pregnant women, seniors, and young children. Some of the effects of pollution are:

• Irritated nose, eyes, lungs, and throat
• Wheezing and lack of breath
• Increased vulnerability to infections

These are some tips for lowering your contact with smog and other air pollutants found in urban areas provided by the American Lung Association:

• If your breathing difficulties are severe, avoid going outside regularly, and stay in a cool place with good air-circulation.
• Exercise with caution. Rigorous physical activity outside raises the amount of outdoor air you breathe. Do your exercising early in the day, while smog and pollution levels are low. If you can, conduct your workout somewhere not close to traffic, where the air pollution is the heaviest. When the local government announces a smog alert day, think about working out indoors at a nearby gym.
• Stay away from areas of frequent traffic, particularly if you're walking or running. Speeding vehicles can kick up and emit pollutants such as dirt, particles from car exhaust systems, plant particles, and dust from tires. If you can, travel during off-peak times. If you're on the roads at rush hour, make sure your windows are rolled up and you have the air-conditioner on.

Air Pollutants Indoors

Staying inside while outdoor is full of pollutants can be helpful, sometimes. Regardless of the age and technology of your home, you can still come across indoor irritants and allergens. Usually, new buildings have constructed more airtight, meaning less air circulation. People living in older homes or buildings have a better chance of suffering from allergy-triggering cockroaches and molds. Particularly for those with allergies and asthma, these factors can make breathing in the city difficult.

As a matter of fact, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases believe that contact with allergens from cockroaches is a major factor in the rise of asthma cases all over the world. Cockroach exposure also has the ability to worsen the symptoms of asthma.

Living in the city means redefining health concerns and considerations. However, having allergies and asthma doesn't have to force you to live in one place or another. With proper management and foresight, the air pollution of urban areas doesn't have to compromise your health.

]]> http://allergy-guide.com/environmental-allergy/asthma_pollution/feed/ http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_emergencies1/ http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_emergencies1/#comments Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:43:00 +0000 admin http://allergy-guide.com/treatments-for-allergy/asthma_emergencies1/ In 1995, nearly two million people in the U.S. were forced to find immediate medical help for emergency asthma episodes. A large number of those people were diagnosed as having status asthmaticus, which is a violent, potentially fatal Asthma Emergencies, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. This usually occurs when asthma goes undiagnosed or untreated. However, any person that suffers from asthma could go through status asthmaticus. Even if your asthma is classified as mild intermittent or severe persistent, the right combination of circumstances is all that is needed for a dangerous episode.

Remember the story of the straw that finally broke the camel's back? Little by little, the load of straw on the back of the camel grew, until finally the camel collapsed under the weight. When a certain set of triggers comes into contact with your airways, a point is reached where the body can't handle