Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Understanding the Candida Albacans Allergy Connection

What is the correlation between someone?s allergies and the change of getting a candida infection? Or in other words, is there a candida albacans allergy connection? And if so, what can be done about it.

Candida is a common form of yeast that populates the gut, and the most common form of candida is candida albacans. Candida albacans has two different forms, the relatively benign yeast form, and the more insidious fungal form.

The friendly bacteria in the gut normally keeps candida albacans in check and reduce the risk of it multiplying and sticking to the walls of the intestines. This also keeps them from evolving into their fungal form, which is the form that causes the candida symptoms in the body.

The fungal form of candia albicans has tentacles that it uses to pierce the wall of the gut, which can cause what is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome or infections. In this form is also releases spores, which can get into the blood stream and spread to other organs of the body.

If a person is allergic to a certain food, then they often suffer from bloating, swelling, gas, stomach pains, diarrhea or constipation and one or multiple skin complaints and rashes. In fact the symptoms can sometimes be quite similar to those of a candida overgrowth initially.

An allergic reaction can allow a number of opportunities for the candida albacans to overgrow. Normally, the good bacteria in the gut will keep the candida in check, but if there is an allergic reaction the friendly bacteria may not work as effectively. Allergies can also cause an imbalance in the gut flora, which may give the candida the chance its been waiting for to multiply.

Also, when you have an allergic reaction, the immune system works harder to remove the toxins from the body. This may therefore allow the candida infection to spread as the immune system is spread too thin and can?t tackle everything.

If the foods that you have a reaction to are eaten infrequently it is unlikely to effect the levels of candida in the body, except if you have an acute reaction to the food.

However, if the foods that you are allergic to form a common part of your diet, then you may be adding additional unnecessary stress to your digestive and immune system, giving the candida an opportunity to grow.

Interestingly, sometimes a person does not know if they are allergic to a specific food or food group. And this is where a few strategies may help.

Most commonly, the food groups that people are allergic to are Yeast and diary products, so these would be a good place to start.

Grab yourself a diary and keep track of the foods you eat over the coming days and next time you eat something that contains either of these food groups be aware how you body feels. Is there any bloating or gas or stomach pain or any other symptom out of the ordinary?

Then do the same with meals that do not contain any of these food groups and make the same observation.

This exercise can be carried out with all food groups, and you will over time recognize which foods are the ones that cause adverse reaction and you can eliminate these from your diet.

Another way to find out if your are allergic to a particular food or food group is to visit a nutritionist. They can conduct an allergy test, which will very quickly identify any foods that you are allergic too.

Another tactic that has been used successfully is to start on an anti-candida diet. This diet will eliminate, or restrict a number of food groups that are generally the ones that cause an allergic reaction.

The beauty of this approach is that you are combating the allergy as well as the candida infection.

Continue reading to find out how to join my free newsletter and discover natural methods to relieve candida and diet tips for getting started on an anti-candida diet.

Unfortunately, if you continue to eat foods that cause an allergic you may end up suffering reoccurring yeast infections. So, understanding the Candida Albacans allergy link and changing your diet accordingly is a step that can allow you to take back control of your health.

Grab your free copy of Jane Symms' brand new Candida & Yeast Infection Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about the candida albacans allergy link and natural treatment options for chronic yeast infection.

Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Want To Effectively Handle A Food Allergy?

Having any kind of food allergy can certainly crimp eating habits, but for most, it's something that is just dealt with without too many problems, especially when the allergy is developed at an early age.

A food allergy or any kind of food intolerance can be mild or severe, and many people are allergic to foods and don't even realize it. Mild symptoms like an upset stomach or heartburn is common after eating particular kinds of food, but most people don't equate such as an allergy. However, there's a difference between a food allergy and food intolerance, and the public in general should know what that is.

The body has an unusual response to an allergy that is caused by the body's immune system and comes with specific and sometimes extremely uncomfortable symptoms that occur within minutes of eating sensitive foods and include hives and rashes. A reaction may also induce asthma and weakness or lightheadedness, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock.

Excessive swelling in body tissues, including the larynx, which can cut off oxygen supply, causes this condition, and while most people don't suffer such severe reactions, many people allergic to nuts, especially peanut butter or shellfish can develop these symptoms. The sudden drop in blood pressure can be deadly.

Additional common symptoms also include itching and difficulty swallowing. Nausea, and on occasion, vomiting results, along with abdominal pain.

Food intolerance is not quite the same as a food allergy and is caused not by the immune system, but by other body systems. Symptoms of food intolerance may be gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and stomach cramps. Many babies and young children are allergic to milk and soy products that can lead to colic and poor growth. Almost twenty percent of infantile colic, or chronic crying at night, may be due to those babies allergic to milk or soy products found in most powdered baby formulas.

The most common culprits in adults are shellfish, such as shrimp, crab and lobster, and nuts that grow on trees, like walnuts and acorns. Other foods like fish and some meat are also common allergy sources. Nuts, especially peanuts are to be blamed for more severe allergic reactions in many patients.

If you think you may be suffering from any type of food allergy, first try to limit your intake of such foods and see if that helps relieve symptoms. If you're not sure what is causing allergic symptoms, a visit to your doctor will more than likely initiate a series of skin-prick or scratch tests which will introduce particular food allergens in minute quantities into your skin to watch for local reactions.

While having a food allergy may at times put a damper on eating habits, millions of people around the world suffer from one sort of or another and lead perfectly happy, normal lives. Once you know what you're allergic to, just avoiding such foods may relieve symptoms of food allergy, and nothing more is necessary or required.

For more information on allergies try visiting http://www.theallergyeffect.com - a website that specializes in providing allergy related tips, advice and resources to including information on food allergy.

Labels: , , ,

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Your Allergy Testing Map

It is helpful to know about your allergy testing options before you go to the doctor. The type of allergy testing depends on what you suspect you are allergic to and the severity of your reaction. Some tests work better than others depending on your case. Your allergy testing map ends at 3 different destinations.

The 3 type of tests are:

*Scratch Tests
*Elimination Diets
*Blood Tests

Scratch tests are the most common form of allergy testing conducted today. The results can be seen as quickly as twenty minutes. The actual test is conducted by placing a small amount of the suspected allergen onto the surface of the skin, usually along the spine or on the upper arm. The patient is then scratched or pricked on the same area allowing some of the substance to penetrate the skin. The area is then observed to see whether the patient has an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness or itching. This method of allergy testing is quick and can cover quite a range of possible allergens. That is why it is particularly good when you don't know what your allergies are. The test works well for insect bites, airborne allergens like pollen and food allergies as well.

Specific food allergies can be tested by using a different form of allergy testing that puts a patient on an elimination diet. For a period of several weeks the range of foods suspected of causing the allergy are eliminated from the patients diet. Then each food is then reintroduced individually to see whether the allergy symptoms come back. Of course, this method of allergy testing is better for mild food allergies. If you get severe allergic reactions bordering on anaphylactic shock then you should skip this test and the scratch tests and immediately go to your next option.

The last form of allergy testing on our list is a RAST(radioallergosorbent test) which most people just classify as a blood test. Blood is drawn from the patient and is then sent to a lab for testing. The blood is examined for the presence of immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies. The presence of these antibodies indicates whether the body's immune system is causing the body to have an allergic reaction. Elevated levels of these IgE's can tell your doctor whether you are allergic to certain types of allergens. This type of allergy testing has been known to not be as precise or accurate as other methods.

The last type of test that is provocation or challenge tests. This is where a doctor exposes you directly to what you think you are allergic to so that your reaction can be monitored. This can be very dangerous so definitely don't try this at home. Your reaction may be more severe than you think. This type of allergy testing is of course not that common.

In conclusion you should be prepared when you go in for your testing. The doctor will ask you for a thorough medical history and depending on the testing involved may ask you to stop taking any sort of medicine you have been taking to treat the symptoms of your allergies. This will make the allergy testing more effective.
Marilyn Franklin is a writer for AllergyFiles.com where you can also find information on allergy medicine.

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, March 14, 2008

Do You Understand What Allergy Asthma Means?

If you have both allergies and asthma you suffer from allergy asthma but you do you really understand what it means? Both of these have the ability to make you feel miserable. You might be surprised to find out that allergy induced asthma is actually the most common type of asthma in North America.

60% of all those that suffer from allergy asthma. If you are wondering what the link is it really isn?t that complex. Allergies trigger the asthma and the allergies can be caused by a host of tings such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander which trigger an allergic reaction. But instead of runny eyes and nose, or maybe hives the airway becomes inflamed and the swollen airways cause an asthma attack.

The reason that allergies and asthma often merge into allergy asthma is that the lining of the nose and the airways are very similar when they become inflamed all caused by the IgE antibodies which cause all kinds of reactions within the body right from the tight airways to the itchy skin, runny nose, and watery eyes.

In some cases treating the allergy reduces the number of asthma attacks. Allergy shots that desensitize the person are one method of aiding in reducing allergies. You might also consider a more natural approach which would include detoxifying the body and building the immune system.

Preventing an asthma outbreak or allergy outbreak are treated much the same using corticosteroids to reduce inflammation which can help both asthma and allergies. Eve the corticosteroid creams can be used to reduce skin inflammation. And corticosteroids are used in the inhalers which reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes. So you can see corticosteroids can help with allergy asthma but there are different medications that are more beneficial for each. A different method of treatment is used when a full asthma attack is under way.

A family history of allergies puts you at the highest risk for developing allergy asthma. If you have allergies you have a 75% greater chance of developing asthma or hay fever. Although allergy asthma is by far the most common type it is not the only type.

Asthma triggers can be a variety of things ? cold air, tobacco smoke, dogs or cats, exercise, fumes from paint, dust, and even laughing. When a person that suffers from asthma is anxious they are more likely to have an attack. Some may suffer an asthma attack if they take aspirin or other types of pain medication. The list is long. What?s known for certain is that asthma and allergy asthma are growing at an alarming rate.

Allergy asthma is growing at an alarming rate and it?s hitting children at a younger and younger age. No longer are these problems that adults face. It?s time we start to try to reduce the occurrences.

If you suffer from allergy asthma there are many things you can do to reduce the occurrence. Start by taking good care of yourself and using supplements designed to improve your immune system and reduce your allergies. Now that you understand what allergy asthma means.

Get all the latest information about Allergies from the only true source at http://www.1allergyinformation.com Be sure to check out our Allergy Asthma pages

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, March 7, 2008

Dealing With A Cat Allergy

You are suspecting that you just might be allergic to your cat but there is no way that Fluffy is going to be moving out of your house. What to do? Dealing with a cat allergy can be accomplished with a little diligence.

Finding out you are allergic to your cat can be heart breaking. There are a variety of symptoms that can occur such as sneezing, itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sinus infection, headache, and a host of other mild to moderate symptoms that if you are determined enough you can likely find some relief from and still keep Fluffy. But there are also situations that are severe and even life threatening which means you will have to find your cat a new home. Lets assume your cat allergy is one you can live with. So what to do?

Let?s first have a look at some of the other symptoms that can be related to a cat allergy. The list is long ? besides the symptoms already mentions other symptoms include eye infections, redness, swelling, itching, post nasal drip, hives, rashes, itchy skin, plugged or poping ears, hoarseness, and coughing. There may also be shortness of breath, wheezing, reoccurring bronchitis which increases during tasks such as grooming or cleaning the litter box.

They may also increase when vacuuming or dusting which stirs up the dander. And often overlooked is that the allergy is actually not with the cat but with the perfumes used in cat products such as the litter. The cat allergy is caused buy allergens commonly the sebum produced by your cat. So it?s not the actual cat hair that causes the allergy but rather a protein that is in the dander and the tiny particles are easily moved around.

So how do you deal with a cat allergy? There are several things you can try. HEPA filters are a great place to start. HEPA filters situated in each room of your home as well as a vacuum with a HEPA filter will certainly help reduce the allergens.

Having your cat neutered or spayed can help your cat allergy because it reduces the sebum level that is produced. Replace carpets with flooring can make a big difference because carpet traps not only cat dander but dust mites, and a host of other allergy causing things.

Bathe your cat regularly and cover your pillows and mattress with tight casings that can help. We spend half of our life sleeping so it makes sense to also keep the cat out of the bedroom. And of course you can also have the allergy shots that are designed to desensitize you.

But wait! There are some natural remedies for dealing with a cat allergy and some are very effective. Seek out the help of a naturopath or do some research online. You can find several products that might be beneficial.

First of all it is a well known fact that allergies including your cat allergy are a result of an immune system that is misfiring, so building your immune system and doing natural things to help bring your body into balance can also be very helpful.

Don?t ignore the simple fixes when you are dealing with a cat allergy. Do it right and Fluffy will spend the rest of her days with you in a life of luxury!

Get all the latest information about Allergies from the only true source at http://www.1allergyinformation.com Be sure to check out our cat allergy pages.

Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Coping With An Asthma Allergy

The number of people being diagnosed with asthma is steadily increasing. This condition is quite bad because there is no idea when a trigger can cause an attack to happen. When you experience your first asthma attack, you might start to panic, or be considerably frightened thinking you were going to die. This is especially scary when whatever you do you cannot catch your breath.

As a result of this asthma allergy, the person suffering from it must be placed on certain types of medication in order to improve the level of airflow and air exchange coming into and out of the lungs. The simplest medication for coping with an asthma allergy is bronchodilators, which expand the airways to exchange more air.

It is important for you as an individual suffering for an asthma allergy to find the best ways to cope with this condition. What everyone experiences will not be the same for everyone, as the symptoms for each person will have its own variation.

Therefore, coping mechanisms need to be established early on to deal with the various allergies that will be encountered. One way of trying to positively cope with asthma is to make an appointment to have allergy tests taken, as a way of discovering what your possible allergens might be. If knowing beforehand that you have an asthma allergy to pollen, then you can safely prepare for the pollen during the season when it appears. In this way you will be better able to cope with your asthma allergy.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma.

Labels: , ,

Monday, January 7, 2008

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Allergy And Asthma?

There are over fifty million Americans who suffer from allergies each year. The range of severity varies from allergies that threaten your life to seasonal ones like hay fever that may be combated with drugs purchased at the pharmacy. If allergies are seriously affecting your life, make sure you go to your doctor for a thorough check up and allergy testing.

An allergic reaction occurs when the body responds to a substance such as mold, pollen or dust which are normally deemed harmless. The immune system releases antibodies that may attack different parts of the body. It can go for the nose, the sinuses, the throat, the stomach or lungs. This attack causes symptoms such as stuffiness and itching and sneezing in the nose, and irritations in other areas such as the mouth and ears.

You may end up with tingling, red, watering eyes or conjunctivitis. Your skin can become dry and red and irritated or welts may appear. For example, asthma is an allergic reaction and the result of an attack is coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

There are many materials that may cause an allergic reaction but the ones that affect most allergy sufferers readily, are easily found like cockroaches and their feces; bee stings or other insect bites (which can be deadly); household cleaning products and any other industrial cleaners; foodstuffs such as peanut butter (which can also be fatal); and feathers, if you have a bird or if you sleep with a feather pillow.

Allergies affect all types of people no matter what sex, race or age. It can run in families. They tend to affect the youth more but a person who has had an allergy before may suffer an onslaught, years after it disappears. The allergies can gradually form through changes in the environment; through diet and stress; hormonal changes or even perfume.

The tests of a possible allergy are fairly simple. The first is a blood test, where the specific allergy is measured in relation to the level of antibodies. The other test is a patch test where, a small patch of skin is infected with a known allergy. If a rash or welt appears, then it is considered evidence of a reaction.

The treatment depends on your medical history, your age and your health. It also depends on how bad your case is, your tolerance level and your own personal preferences. Sometimes, it may just be a matter of keeping your home dust and mold free.

For food allergies, obviously, the diet must be considered. You must have an awareness of which food items affect you. There are some treatments, for example lactose intolerant people can get over the counter drugs that reduce the symptoms and allow them to eat milk products without worry.

But food allergies such as a reaction to peanuts can be fatal and must be avoided. Every meal eaten must be checked for peanuts or peanut oil. Most foodstuffs put warnings on their wrappers.

Allergies are inconvenient fact in many people?s lives but it can be managed if they are tested and have the information to avoid a reaction.
Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at Wellness Digest and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Alternative Health Advisor.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,