Featured Allergy Info!

Understanding and Treating Allergies

Allergies affect more than twenty percent of the adults and children in the United States, which means that millions of people are affected each year. Allergies can affect people at different times of life, and during different seasons, depending on the source of the reaction. There are a number of different culprits that can cause an allergic reaction in people, including pollen, dust mites, mold and foods. If you think that you are suffering from allergies, you should make an appointment with your doctor to find out what you are allergic to and what your best options in treatment plans are.

Allergies are generally inherited, which means that if one or both of your parents suffer, you stand a good chance of having them also. The allergen can vary however, so you cannot assume that because your mother is allergic to dust, you will be also. You may instead develop a reaction to pollen or mold. The genetic link is simply in whether or not you are prone to developing an allergy. Another possible reason for developing a reaction to a particular substance is exposure to that substance when your immune system has been weakened. For example, many people can develop a reaction after a viral infection or during pregnancy.

What is an Allergy?

Allergies occur as a result of your body’s immune system reacting incorrectly to some sort of foreign substance. Your immune system will see pollen or mold as a harmful substance to your body and react accordingly. The end result can be sneezing, watery eyes, itching, hives, and even trouble breathing during more severe reactions. For many, the reaction will be mild and require little or no medical intervention. During an extreme allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, you may initially feel itching which will quickly progress to swelling, pain and vomiting. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical assistance.

Most allergies can be managed with the help of your doctor, by using antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. There are also lifestyle modifications that you can make to help reduce your exposure to your allergen, such as keeping pets out of the home or maintaining a dust-free environment. If your allergies begin to get in the way of your daily life, your doctor may also recommend immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, to “cure” your allergies and help you to have symptom-free days. The good news with allergies is that there are many options for managing them effectively. If you suspect that you are suffering from some type of reaction to a particular substance, talk to your doctor today about your choices in allergy treatment.

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July 21, 2008

What You Should Know About Dog Allergies

Like people, dogs are not exempt from allergies. Your cuddly and furry friend will seem to be irritated at almost anything when these allergies attack. Just as with humans, these allergies are very uncomfortable and will need an immediate remedy to have things under control. There are five most common types of allergy that your dog can have namely food, flea, bacteria, contact and inhalant allergy. Each type of allergy has a particular characteristic which your dog can exhibit as a result of the condition.Food allergy happens when your dog becomes sensitive to a particular food. Depending on your dog, food like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, or grains can trigger an allergy attack. You can tell that your dog is suffering from food allergy when you see him scratching or licking a certain part of his body. Other symptoms can also include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Because of the complexity involve in identifying the ingredient that triggered the allergy attack, it would be best if you cook special meals for your furry friend. Or you can try to give him food specially formulated for dogs found in your local […]

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July 6, 2008

Bee Pollen’s Healing Power

Bee pollen is the male seed of a flower blossom which are collected by the honey bees and mixed with the bees’ digestive enzymes. It’s a blend of sticky pollen granules that could contain up to five million pollen spores each. Super nutritious, these pollens contain almost all the nutrients required by the human body. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, beneficial fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids which are anti-viral, antibacterial and helpful in lowering cholesterol, stabilizing and strengthening capillaries.Fresh pollens contain a wide spectrum of amino acids which are the building blocks of protein needed to build every cell in the body, from blood cell to the cells in the skin, organs and bones. There are also numerous active enzymes present in fresh and unheated pollens. Eating foods that contain enzymes helps the body prevent and fight diseases such as cancer and arthritis and saves the body from having to make enzymes, a process that depletes energy. Applied to the skin, these pollens are also believed to be helpful in healing wounds and acne. Appreciated for years as an excellent weight control, bee pollen is low in calories and contains natural Phenylalanine which acts as appetite suppressant and […]

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

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