Tag: Allergies

How to Cure Asian Flush

18 August, 2010 (18:23) | Allergies | By: Health news

Asian flush is an annoying disorder that I carried with me for years before I found a solution that worked for me. This is a short article designed to give you everything you need to know how to cure Asian flush.

It is hard enough as an adolescent trying to meet people at nightclubs and bars as it is these days – but for an unlucky portion of the Asian demographic it is made even more difficult by the unfortunate fact that they turn bright red in the face after drinking alcohol – aka Asian flush.

It should come as no surprise to any of us that alcohol is and, for as long as I can remember, always has been an integral part of the social dynamic in most cultures around the world. This ’social lubricator’ as they call it simply makes it easier to relax, unwind, and reduce inhibitions to a point where one is more capable of feeling free in their own skin – no wonder its so popular!

Now, imagine that you can’t participate in this wonderful social tradition. Imagine that whenever you have even the smallest amount of alcohol your face turns bright red, swells and even sometimes starts to itch and break our into hives. Not only is this extremely uncomfortable, but it also makes the unfortunate Asian flush sufferer appear much less attractive to the outside observer.

So what do you do? Drink and suffer the consequences? Or not drink at all and watch as the people around you have the time of their life and instead you can’t help but to feel a little bit left out and wondering what it would be like if you too could enjoy the same buzz as everyone else? Or is there a third option?

If you are an Asian flush sufferer like myself, you would probably be interested to hear about anything you could do to prevent the nasty reaction from occurring whenever you drank alcohol. Luckily, there are actually a variety of things you can do to prevent your Asian flush reaction without having to resort to buying pills over the internet will probably just cost you a lot of money and do nothing to fix the reaction.

Firstly, it is necessary to understand that the Asian flush reaction occurs as a result of an enzyme deficiency. This enzyme that Asian flush sufferers lack is usually responsible for breaking down a by-product produced during the metabolism of alcohol. This by-product is unfortunately toxic, and therefore when not adequately broken down, results in a variety of toxic reactions such as a red face, headache, nausea, itching, etc.

With this in mind, it is therefore logical that the amount of alcohol we put into our systems will be directly proportional to the severity of the Asian flush reaction. Why? Because, you are introducing more of the toxic by-product into your system and your enzyme deficient body is unable to break it down fast enough to avoid a toxic reaction.

Therefore, we need to be in tune with our bodies and able to recognize the first signs of the Asian flush reaction coming on. Usually, this is first noticed by sufferers as a slight numbness in the cheeks, and change in breathing, or a subtle warm flush of the cheeks. When you feel this, stop drinking and don’t take another sip of alcohol for at least another 30 minutes or until you feel the initial symptoms subside.

Another method commonly used by females with Asian glow is to pre-apply green tinted makeup around the glow-affected areas before going out drinking. This will offset a lot of the redness, but will do little to stop the unattractive swelling that normally accompanies the redness.

If you would like to find out how to cure all the unpleasant symptoms of your Asian flush so that you can start drinking alcohol with a 100% confidence that you will not turn red in the face or experience any swelling, headaches, nausea, itching, or any other unpleasant Asian flush symptom, then you will need a full step-by-step program designed to eliminate all the symptoms of Asian flush each and every time you drink alcohol.

Spring Allergy Cures

3 May, 2010 (21:17) | Allergies | By: Health news

Spring allergies are due to the pollen coming out from trees during the pollinating season, usually from January to April, which is springtime. Most of the trees that bring spring allergies include olive, elm, hickory, birch, oak, poplar, maple, walnut, and cypress. These pollens can be carried by the wind to a distant area and the density is highest between 5AM to 10AM. Spring allergy cures could not be done instantly, but there are certain ways to avoid getting them or to boost resistance against them.

  • Symptoms
  • Spring allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes are actually the result of the battle between the antibodies (body’s protection against unwanted organisms) and allergens (the main component that triggers different forms of allergies). When the pollen infiltrates the body by mixing with the air we breathe, the immune system mistakenly sees it as a form of bacteria or virus, thus releasing the antibodies. The situation leads to the release of histamines into the blood, triggering different symptoms of allergies, and thus how spring allergies are developed.

  • Risks
  • Spring allergies can sometimes lead to asthma, a condition in which the air passages narrow, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. It is a good thing there are precautions that can be done to prevent or relieve the symptoms of spring allergies.

  • Home Remedies:
  • Always keep the doors and windows of the home closed especially during the period when the density of pollens in the air is at peak (5AM to 10AM). Using air conditioning system to keep outdoor air from entering is one thing to do to avoid getting spring allergies.
    Limit outdoor activities during springtime especially early in the morning. This is the time when the probability of being affected with spring allergies is the greatest. Moving the scheduled task from the morning to the afternoon would be a great solution.
    Make it a habit to keep the windows of the car up when travelling. You may not want to let the dust, mold, and pollens to enter, since they are the primary cause of spring allergies.
    In the event that you are unable to avoid getting spring allergies, using over-the-counter antihistamines is the best choice of getting instant relief. These drugs are effective spring allergy cures of a scratchy throat, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. In choosing antihistamines, go for the ones that don’t cause drowsiness. Older generation antihistamines are known to have side effects that cause sleepiness, therefore more recent formulations are recommended.

    Milk Allergies

    26 April, 2010 (17:12) | Allergies | By: Health news

    Millions of people in the country are lactose intolerant or have digestive problems when they drink milk. If you child is one of these people, by simply heating the milk before she drinks it, she may be able to drink it without having the normal lactose intolerance problems.

    This data is originating from a recent report in the Allergy and Clinical Immunology publication. As reported in the research article, when normal milk was heated and provided to kids who had cow milk allergies, three of four of them no longer exhibited allergy symptoms. Under normal situations, when a milk allergy sensitive child drinks milk, his antibodies go into action to attack the milk proteins. This is what causes the allergy symptoms. The theory is that when milk is treated past a specified temperature, the heat destroys the milk proteins that normally trigger the allergy symptoms.

    Next the researchers had to test this theory. And they did so by slowly introducing the way the gave the heated milk to the kids. They started by giving the heated milk to the children indirectly through other food products. For example, they would heat milk, and then add the heated milk to various recipes such as muffins, pancakes, and others. If the children had no reaction from eating foods containing heated milk, they then had them drink the heated milk directly. As theorized, most of the participants had no reaction to the heated milk.

    Up to now, if a lactose intolerant person wanted to drink milk, they did have choices. These choices usually came down to one of the following four options:

  • They could do what many people do and simply avoid milk products altogether.
  • They could drink milk and simply suffer the consequences of bloating, cramps, upset stomach, diarrhea, and so on.
  • They could orally take food enzymes that enable them to pre-digest the milk proteins.
  • They could purchase the more expensive milk that have milk enzymes added to them.
  • We should, of course, mention that there are many people in the health field who think that humans have no business drinking milk from a cow. And, what they suggest is that if you really desire the taste of a milk like product that you try one of the many milk substitutes in the stores such as soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and so on. But for those that want cow’s milk, the study could provide them with new food options.

    Up to this point, its long been thought that if a person was allergic to milk, it didn’t matter whether the milk was cold, warm, hot, or whatever. At the very least the study forces researchers to rethink some of their earliest assumptions about milk allergies and how to handle them.

    And, even though this particular milk study was relatively tiny, consisting of just a hundred children, if larger follow up studies are done and reflect the same results, an entire new class of products could hit the market targeted at the millions of people who love to drink milk but are lactose intolerant.

    But that could be only the tip of the iceberg. This study could also lead to entirely new ways of managing and controlling lactose intolerance in both adults and children.

    Cat Allergies

    7 April, 2010 (19:42) | Allergies | By: Health news

    Animal protection organizations and Zoo’s receive many numbers of cats because the owner’s of cats or some of their family members fall allergic to cats. The following are considered as cat allergy symptoms watery eyes, itchy eyes, wheezing and running nose. Many people do not understand that these allergies can be controlled by cleaning the home regularly and bathing the cat daily.

    Why This Allergy Happens?

    Dander is the major cause of cat allergies. Danders are nothing but cat’s dead skin. But the major belief is that the cat’s hair causes all allergies, which are not true. The allergies are due to the reaction from a protein called Fel D1.

    Smoking, dust, insects and infection from other animals can also cause symptoms similar to cat allergies. Whereas in some cases a person would have got allergic to something like dust in home but the cats will be blamed for this.

    The ways you can prevent these allergies

    The following things will help you to reduce the allergies.

  • Antihistamines will help in reduction of cat allergies
  • Consuming allergy shots will reduce these symptoms by to 65%, whereas it only
    works 20% on dog allergies.
  • Regularly wash your hands after touching the cat.
  • Keep you hour free of dust and clean your home on regular basis
  • Make the cats to sleep in a different room
  • Make sure that your bedrooms doors are properly shut.This will prevent the allergies
    from entering into beds and clothes
  • Clean your carpet regularly
  • Use air filter
  • Replace your vacuum filters at regular intervals.
  • If you cats sits on the furniture regularly then use slipcovers.
  • Shop for mattress covers and pillowcases that are allergy proof.
  • You vacuum should have a HEPA filter. Many vacuum cleaners does not remove Fel D1
    protein,if it’s spreaded in the clothes and beds.
  • Mop your home often
  • The bed used by should be washed often in hot water.
  • Ceiling fans should cleaned at regular intervals. Because these ceiling fans will spread the
    cat hairs and dusts all over the home
  • Common Food Allergies

    29 March, 2010 (17:06) | Allergies | By: Health news

    A recent Angus Reid national survey commissioned by the peanut bureau reveals there is a lot of confusion about the prevalence and causes of severe allergies. They are new allergen free products on store shelves, differences in government policies and bans on certain foods in schools and public areas. Researchers say there is a definite need for public education.

    It is important for people to understand food allergies so that they can respond appropriately. The only way that you can manage food allergies is to correctly identify the food responsible and to avoid it. An allergy is a very specific response to the immune system and there can be many causes for adverse reactions to foods. Just because the food does not agree with you, does not mean you are allergic to it.

    There is a lot of confusion about the number of people who suffer from food allergies. Research shows that two percent of the adult population have been diagnosed with the problem. There are nine main food allergens these are peanuts, milk, tree nuts, sesame seeds, soy, wheat, eggs, fish and sulphates which are preservatives.

    You can not take the possibility of a reaction to these foods lightly. However over reaction, false assumptions and self diagnosis can lead to problems. It is important for the person who is allergic to understand the causes and management of their allergy.

    Individuals living with a food allergy need to read and understand food labels and to know where their allergen maybe found. If you are living with or think you have one you should seek the advice of a qualified allergist.

    Proven Ways to Reduce an Allergic Reaction to Allergies

    22 March, 2010 (09:36) | Allergies | By: Health news

    There are hundreds of thousands of people in the world, which suffer from allergies. Common allergies are pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander. However, there are many proven ways to reduce an allergic reaction to these allergies. Let us look at pollen first. During allergy season, many people keep their windows closed.

    The pollen from flowers outside can fly in the window and land on clothes and in a person’s hair. Pollen causes a person to sneeze, if they are allergic to pollen. One way to prevent pollen from entering your home, during the allergy season is to always keep your windows closed and use your air conditioner if it gets hot in your house.

    Your air condition has a filter inside it that will in fact purify the air before blowing it out into your home. However, if you are still sneezing you may need to check your air conditioners filter because it may be dirty.

    Dust mites lay eggs in high pile carpet, therefore, in order to get rid of the dust mites. You could vacuum your carpets weekly. On the other hand, you could simply replace your carpets with low pile carpet, and that will help to reduce dust mites as well.

    In addition, dust mites can take over an entire bedroom and the only way to get rid of the dust mites in the bedroom. Would be to wash pillowcases, sheets and blankets in hot water, which is 130 degrees F. On the other hand, you could simply vacuum the mattresses down weekly. Using this method will greatly reduce an allergic reaction to dust mites.

    Dust is one of the main causes of an allergic reaction of any kind, dust accumulates all over your house and there is only one simply way to get rid of dust particles in your home. You must dust your home on weekly bases in order to reduce the dust accumulation. Moreover, if there is any mold in your bathroom or kitchen, then that needs to be, removed with baking soda if the mold is on hard surfaces. Many homeowners use scrubbing bubbles on their counter tops, and toilets.

    In addition, wipe down shower curtains with towels, then wash all used towels and mop bathroom floors weekly. Moreover, if you leave leftovers in the refrigerator be, sure to check them periodically for any type of mold. Therefore, if you notice mold forming on any food products of any kind, they need to be, thrown away immediately.

    Allergies and Genetics

    19 March, 2010 (19:02) | Allergies | By: admin

    Allergy is the body’s hypersensitive reaction to any external allergen and its symptoms may vary in intensity among various individuals. While some people might not even notice these symptoms; for others, the reactions of the immune system are so severe that it may even threaten their life or give rise to many complications. What causes this difference in allergy symptoms intensity is genetics.

    This means that the individual is more susceptible to a hyperactive reaction or response to allergens. Allergens are mostly harmless substances that may be safe for others but quite detrimental to the person who is allergic. If your parents suffered from some allergies then it is quite likely that the children will develop allergies or have greater tendencies to do so.

    Even though genetics plays a major role in allergies, there are still many ways and lifestyle habits that can be adopted in order to enhance the body’s immune system.

    Whether the condition runs in your family or was directly inherited from your parents, the need to develop a healthy and strong immune system in order to combat the numerous symptoms remains crucial.

    Depending on your allergies, and their severity, there are a multitude of treatment plans that can be adopted and made use of. Your doctor might even prescribe you individualized treatment plans so as to specifically target a particular allergic reaction while also considering the patient’s overall health condition, his or her age and medical and family history.

    It is however, mandatory to remember that not all allergies are curable. In actual fact, allergies are mostly treated rather than cured. Infants and children with allergies however, might develop a healthy immune system with time which helps cure these allergies naturally.

    The best treatment plan for allergies whether genetic or otherwise, is prevention. If you have a family history of allergy to particular allergens, like dust mites, pollens etc. then it is highly recommended that you avoid exposure to these substances. Make it a habit to wear a mask before stepping out of the house or going to excessively windy and dusty places. Moreover, get rid of any carpets in your house. As carpets tend to trap dust particles and other minute substances, they are a complete disaster for those with a family history of allergic reactions.

    It is already known that an individual’s chance of developing allergic reactions is aggravated both by genetics and by environmental conditions. As different genes interact, the resulting combinations may either result in positive and sometimes even negative effects. Allergies are one of such negative reactions which may not be passed down in exactly the same manner or response to the exact allergen but the tendency is most likely to be passed and the body may respond to some other allergens negatively.

    Pollen Allergies

    12 March, 2010 (22:00) | Allergies | By: Health news

    Many people suffer from sensitivity to various types of pollen and need to find the right treatments for their pollen allergies that will provide them with relief. The constant congestion, headache, itchy nose and eyes or trouble breathing can make life hard. Although many children tend to grow out of their problems with allergies, most adults seem to retain their allergies. New studies have shown that many herbalists, naturopathic doctors and natural healers believe that it is possible to actually get rid of allergies through alternative treatments, although there are also many traditional ways to treat pollen allergies as well.

    The obvious first step is to get tested to make sure that your allergies are actually pollen allergies. The next step is to avoid those things that cause your allergies, but that is easier said than done. Adjusting your environment can make a big difference in the severity of your allergies. For instance, as part of your treatment for pollen allergies, hire someone else to mow the grass and keep your yard in shape so you are not subjecting yourself firsthand to the pollen that causes your allergies. Your doctor will probably prescribe allergy medicine, which you should take daily per the given instructions. If you know you are likely to be around pollen, take your medicine in advance to help prevent or lessen the symptoms.

    Your doctor may also prescribe an allergy shot treatment therapy, which entails getting a shot with a low dose of the allergen which desensitizes you a little more each time you are exposed to it. There is generally a good success rate with allergy shot treatments for pollen allergies. Alternative treatments can also be options you can explore, such as chiropractic or acupuncture. Other alternative treatments include honey therapy, where you eat small amounts of local honey, which may contain some of the local pollens, or vitamin or herbal supplements that boost the immune system.

    Vitamin C treatment or use of antioxidants to boost the immune system to fight allergic reactions are also used by many who suffer with pollen allergies. Many people feel that saline sinus rinses have a high success rate as they flush the bacteria and irritants from the nasal cavities. However, you should be very careful with these home remedies. Knowing for sure what you are really allergic to is the key to getting help. Visit a licensed professional who can generally pinpoint the problem. You should consult your doctor before starting any program for treatment of pollen allergies in order to avoid possible side affects.

    Treatment of Allergies

    10 March, 2010 (23:28) | Allergies | By: admin

    Allergies cause various disorders including eczema, asthma, psoriasis, hay fever and many other common disorders. You can identify your allergy symptoms quickly, if you can find the allergens you’re allergic to. Way of living really banks on how faster you are able to diagnose, since the faster you diagnose the sooner you take action to remove the foreign invaders.

    Here are a couple of tactics to cut back and treat your common allergies:

  • The first and foremost thing will be to remove potential allergens from your home. Avoid owning pets if you’re allergic to animals. When you can’t live without your beloved pet, make a trip to the vet to propose treatment options that reduce pet dander.
  • Secondly, ensure that you clean your house frequently. Remove dust employing a tool that cleans dust and never one that simply pushes it around. Clean the floor using a wet cloth to get rid of dust that aren’t often removed while sweeping or dusting. There are special products that can be purchased, that eradicates dust from the house. For instance: Vacuums for removing dust and air filters to eliminate dust and help avoid recurring.
  • If possible invest money in a good air filter. Try getting one that covers the whole house if possible, as this may eliminate most familiar irritants from your home. It’s possible to create an environment where it is possible to become almost allergy free. While it’s expensive, you’ll find the investment in a whole-house air filter worthwhile, even though you don’t have any “known” or diagnosed allergies.
  • Make an effort to wash your bed coverings and pillows in warm water once in a week. Dispose of the pillows that are more than one-year old to cut back dust mites. It does not mean they do not exist, just because you don’t see them.
  • If you are living in a damp or moist area, look out for molds which might be growing in your home. A dehumidifier may be all that is needed to reduce the mold and mildew that can grow in your living room.
  • Keep the windows closed during spring or fall season to avoid pollen from drifting indoors. You will find gardens or forests which might be plagued with allergy producing plants and flowers. Try to avoid walking through or visiting such areas.
  • Always use polyester pillows instead of using feather filled pillows despite the fact that they are more comfortable. Down and feathers are prone to trigger allergic reactions than synthetic products.
  • Wooden flooring or bamboo floors are more advisable than wall-to-wall carpeting for people having severe allergies. Wall to wall carpeting can attract dust, pollen, dander and also contain substances that pollute the environment naturally.
  • The real key to treating allergies is identifying the allergen and that it’s an allergy and not sensitivity or other common reasons. Once identified it’s an allergy seeking medical help to cure and prevent the same in future is very important. Leaving an allergic condition untreated could be fatal at times. Proper care and prevention are the keys to a healthy and allergy free life.

    Food Intolerance Symptoms

    9 March, 2010 (00:51) | Allergies | By: Health news

    Food intolerance symptoms can be many and varied depending on your level of intolerance, type of food intolerance and general health.

    On a personal level, I suffered from food intolerance symptoms and then had to assist one of my own children who had major food problems due to leaky gut syndrome.

    My son was only two and a half when I realized that something was not right due to his behavior and toileting issues. The good news is that we did find a solution and he is now able to eat nearly any food we give him. He still suffers from some wheat problems but we tend to use Kamut or Egyptian Gold flour based products. This seems to fair even better than Spelt flour.

    If you think you may be suffering from food problems then take a look at this list.

    Some symptoms include:
    • Asthma
    • Head aches
    • Tiredness / lethargy
    • Skin rashes
    • Heart Palpitations
    • Speech problems
    • Bed wetting
    • Unable to concentrate
    • Ear infections
    • Ear aches
    • ADD
    • ADHD
    • Irritable bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • Irritable
    • Moody
    • Oppositional defiance
    • Stubborn
    • Silly noises
    • hyperactive
    • General feeling of being unwell.

    This list is by no means exhaustive. Food reactions can be brought on within an hour or can show up a couple of days later and this can depend on your level of food intolerance, how much you have eaten of those things that are causing your food intolerance symptoms and your lifestyle.

    Many food problems are a result of naturally occurring chemicals in foods. To explain further, food is composed of many naturally occurring compounds. Three that can cause major problems for some people are Salicylates, Amines and MSG – Mono Sodium Glutamate. Everyone has a threshold and your level of food intolerance is based partly on that threshold. To give you an example, I had a problem with amines for a while. So, if I ate something high in amine such as grapes and then continued to eat other foods high in amine content, I would start to experience food intolerance symptoms. Some people will have a higher threshold with amines and salicylates so would not experience the same reaction as someone with a lower threshold.

    Food problems are the body’s way of telling you it needs healing. Conducting a food elimination diet is a good way to recognize where your food problems stem from, among other steps you can take. There are a number of great resources that we have identified and used that can assist with recovering from food problems.

    Allergies

    6 March, 2010 (22:21) | Allergies | By: admin

    Allergies are nothing more than our immune system kicking into high gear. It is one of our body’s methods for fighting against incoming “foreign” offenders. So when one of the allergens hit, our defense mechanisms reacts to take care of it. Allergy might be brought on by several types of irritants which range from pollen to dust. Only a few commonly cause allergic symptoms.

    For example, consider pollen. A natural substance produced by budding plants, flowers and trees. For some it appears to be a heart-warming sight, on the other hand for others it causes unwelcome symptoms, which include:

    1. Redness, Itching or Watery eyes
    2. Sneezing
    3. Persistent Running Nose
    4. Sinus Congestion
    5. Respiratory problems including Asthma or Wheezing
    6. Coughing
    7. Hives
    8. Hay fever
    9. Nausea, or Vomiting

    At times allergies causes life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

    Anaphylaxis: It is the most severe reaction, a person can have when exposed to substances they are allergic to. A typical anaphylaxis response is so serious, that it even may result in death. If you are unaware of it, you might be putting your life under risk! It’s better to learn what anaphylaxis is and how to address it.

    Anaphylaxis -Tough word, tough symptoms. It is a severe reaction to a common allergen.

    This reaction may go along with throat constriction, swelling, and an inability to swallow or breathe and shock.
    Normally it affects only a small percentage of the population that is consistently re-exposed to allergens. They are highly sensitive. Some other symptoms may include heart palpitations, low blood pressure and fluid in the lungs.

    Some allergens are more likely to produce this type of reaction than others, including:It is one of the most severe reaction, a person can have when exposed to substances they’re allergic to. A typical anaphylaxis response is so serious, that it even may lead to death. If you’re unaware of it, you might be putting yourself under risk! It’s better to understand what anaphylaxis is and how to handle it.

    Some allergens are more likely to produce this reaction than others, including:

    1. Stings or bites from insects.
      Consumption of certain foods, including shellfish or peanuts.
      Use of medications including antibiotics or sulfa drugs in some patients.
      Exposure to latex, and
      Specific vaccines, which includes those that contain egg proteins.

    Unless and until you’re taking a substance, (like a medication) you cannot realize that you’re hypersensitive to it. But the good thing is that, if you might take proper treatment and care, the symptoms of anaphylactic reaction could be reversed.

    Many hospitals offer patients epinephrine and other medications, that will reduce inflammation. Knowing you’re super sensitive to a particular allergen, your physician may prescribe an “at-home” care kit which might include a pre-loaded dose of epinephrineyou can use in the event you are subjected to a known allergen and initiate an anti-anaphylactic reaction.
    Using this home kit will stabilize you long enough to seek emergency care. Knowing you’re prone to having this severe reaction, you should wear a medical alert bracelet or inform those you deal with of your condition, to take proper precautions to shield yourself.

    In case you use a home kit, you should still seek the care of your physician immediately following exposure, as symptoms often return even with treatment a few hours after your initial reaction.

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