Sunday, March 30, 2008

Allergy Diagnosis Help

Diagnosing your allergy can be challenging. Allergies affect many people worldwide. If you have never had an allergy you can't imaging the toll it can take on the quality of your life. It can affect your productivity at work and at home. It can affect a child's ability to concentrate and therefore learn. Many people don't want to admit they have an allergy particularly when they've tried over the counter treatments and they haven't worked. The good news is that an allergist can help you but only if you help them identify what is causing your allergy.

What is an allergic reaction?

Many times the reaction itself can point an allergist to the cause. Allergies occur when the immune system recognizes a non-harmful substance as harmful and causes your body to react. When the body comes in contact with the perceived harmful substance, the body will produce a large number of antibodies. These antibodies will cause the body to release chemicals. The most known chemical is histamine that results in itching, increased nasal secretions, swelling and tightening of the airways. The symptoms that you feel as a result include coughing, watery eyes, runny nose,and possibly hives. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment. It is caused when the swelling and the tightening of the airways cause severe difficulty breathing as well as dizziness.

There are many types of allergies. Allergic reactions can be caused by airborne substances like pollen that cause hay fever. Depending on the allergen (the substance that causes your allergic reaction), hay fever can be seasonal or year-round. Another allergen also associated with asthma are dust mites, which live in dust and other fibers in things like bedding and rugs. Pet dander is another frequent cause of allergy symptoms, as is mold, latex and some types of foods (food intolerance). In my mind a chocolate allergy can be the most tragic.

If you are lucky you will have an allergy to one or two allergens. Unfortunately some of us will be allergic to a wide range of sources. If your parents have allergies you will be predisposed to having them. Ironically though they may not be to the same things. Asthma and eczema sufferers also seem to be more likely to get allergies.

How can you treat these allergies?

Luckily there are many treatments available today. These can include antihistamines, decongestants or nasal sprays that can provide you with some relief of your symptoms. If these typically over the counter treatments don't work you can try immunotherapy (desensitization), allergy shots as well as the new allergy drops can help you manage and sometimes cure your symptoms. Your allergist can decide what your best course of action should be because it all depends on what you are allergic to.because it all depends on what you are allergic to.

Rebecca Knight is a writer for www.allergyfiles.com where you can find more information on all types of allergy symptoms

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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Effective Allergy Relief

Your nose is running, your eyes are itchy and watery and you just want to crawl out of your skin. What you wouldn?t do for effective allergy relief.

There are many different types of allergies and just as many different types of allergy relief products some more effective than others. You?ve probably tried a few over the years and probably had mixed results.

The big problem is not only finding effective allergy relief but also not going broke in the process. It?s not unusual to get soaked a $20 bill for maybe a dozen antihistamine time release pills. That?s expensive.!

You might be surprised to discover that your allergies are because you are actually suffering from food allergies with gluten sensitivity being the most common. We understand if you find it hard to make the leap from grains to allergies but natural medicine has scientifically documented and clinically proven that gluten sensitivity is responsible for many problems other than allergies ? IBS, Fibromyalgia, Child hood ear infections which are so commonly treated with antibiotics and tubes, sinusitis, migraines, Celiac disease, arthritis, and asthma.

Another underlying reason for allergies is an immune system that is misfiring and you might be surprised to discover that the number one reason that your immune system is not up to par is toxicity in the body. A good detoxification program and a good immune boosting program and you might be surprised to see your allergies disappear.

According to NIAID one in ten Americans suffers from hay fever and is search of effective allergy relief. The numbers are climbing and the seriousness of the allergies are also climbing. In fact more and more children are being faced with life threatening allergies such as the peanut allergy that is plaguing the country. In fact according to JACI and AAAAI in just five years from 1997 to 2002 it has doubled.

Stop and think back 20 years, heck 10 years what do you recall about peanut allergies? Didn?t hear about them much did you? Ever wondered why? Is it because we are using peanuts in everything which is over stimulating the body?s reaction? Is it because our bodies have become so toxic? It?s not just peanuts but the effective allergy relief for peanuts is generally an EPI Pen after all this is a serious allergy.

These days all of seem to suffer from some type of allergy that we are seeking effective allergy relief for. It seems everything causes allergies these days and I do mean everything ? trees, weeds, grasses, pollens, dust, pets, dander, dust mites, foods, gluten, chemicals found in cleaning products, bleach, and well the list could go on and on.

So instead of looking for an effective allergy relief you might want to delve a little deeper and try to figure out what?s changed so much in such a short period of time. Let?s see the trees, grasses, even the dust mites are probably the same as they were a decade ago but what has changed a lot is our exposure to toxins and when our body itself needs to be detoxified we can begin to develop allergies to just about anything.

So besides looking for a temporary effective allergy relief maybe the time has come to dig deeper and find out just what is going on.

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

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Difference between A Migraine And An Allergy Headache

Often people find it difficult to distinguish between an allergy headache and a migraine.There may be chances of Allergy headache if someone complains of headache after eating or drinking something. If the headache is accompanied with swelling, hives or breathing problems too then these symptoms confirm Allergy headache. These types allergies can be fatal if not handled properly a doctor should be consulted immediately. If a person suffers from headache pain, but have no other symptoms, then he can try to get relief by applying a cold pack on his forehead. When this is accompanied with proper rest he should feel much better after a short period of time. However, if he feels that the cold pack is of little use, then he should stop using it and allow the pain to settle down. A painkiller such as acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, ibuprofen or aspirin may prove to be helpful here.

Allergy Headaches Due To Weather Someone may also get an allergy headache from the changes in seasons as well.symptoms effectively make an allergy headache discernible from a migraine. The symptoms of migraine are an intense headache that is located in one particular area of your head. Usually it is accompanied by nausea and it may even cause you to vomit. Sometimes person having migraine may even become sensitive to touch on his arms and scalp. A migraine may last for several hours or days. If someone suffer from migraines, discussion with a doctor and proper medication may prove helpful. On the other hand, an allergy headache is usually triggered by person's allergies or a change in the air pressure. Therefore, if he notices that headache is seasonal or occurs due to weather change, then there might be a possibility of Allergy headache. Person having Allergy headache can simply treat this common type of headache by taking an over-the-counter allergy pain reliever medication. This helps the pressure inside your sinuses to equalize with the air around it. These medications prove very helpful in treating all seasonal allergy symptoms as well. If you want to know more about then please visit to headache cause

Richard Romando is an expert of giving information about Anxiety Attack Causes and Depression Pill

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Well, Here's a List of the Common Allergy and Bronchial Asthma Drugs

Anyone who has read most of my articles on the subject of asthma would easily garner that I tend to favor the more natural and non-conventional approach in regards to dealing with the respiratory disorder.

However, I am aware that many people may not necessarily be ready or prepared to fore-go so-called asthma drugs for alternative asthma treatment options, most people might still want information on allergy and bronchial asthma drugs options.

This may be based on the fact that being as though some recent studies have shown that when you give allergy shots to children with allergies, not only do their allergy symptoms improve, they are also less likely to develop asthma and also, since many cases of asthma are triggered by allergies, it makes sense that if you control the allergies, you will have fewer asthma attacks, so for those who choose more of a conventional approach for asthma treatment, perhaps there may be a link between allergy and bronchial asthma drugs after all.

That said I'll list the common allergy and bronchial asthma drugs choices most people use:

1. Accolate

2. Singulair

3. Claratyne / Claratin

4. Telfast / Allegra

5. Telfast D / Allegra D

6. Telfast 120

7. Zyrtec

8. Becloforte / Beclovent

9. Qvar Inhaler

10. Pulmicort

11. Flixotide / Flovent

12. Ventolin

13. Volmax

14. Serevent Inhaler

15. Atrovent

16. Combivent

17. Advair Diskus

18. Rhinolast / Astelin

19. Nasonex

20. Tilade

Talk about an exhausting list of allergy and bronchial asthma drugs choices!

Well, now, that I've paid homage to the medical fraternity by presenting their options for controlling respiratory disorders, allow me to present some simple tips and alternatives to these common allergy and bronchial asthma drugs that you could use preferably exclusively, or in conjunction with the ones above

1. Avoid excessive temperature changes.

2. Ensure dust mites are reduced as much as possible in your home

3. Use a humidifier along with a heater in the cold seasons.

4. Keep fresh air circulating as much as possible in the home.

5. Keep the bed clean - put dust proof covers with zippers on the mattress and pillow. Wash bed sheets and blankets in hot water.

6. Do not let pets in the bedroom.

7. Do not smoke.

8. Maintain good ventilation / Light.

9. Close the windows when the air outside is full of exhaust from cars, pollution from factories.

10. Air out the house before the patient with asthma returns e.g. sweep, vacuum, paint, spray for insects, are of strong cleaners, cook strong smelling foods.

Also, do keep in mind that it is advised that you avoid Mucus-Forming foods such as Animal flesh and products, Most Grains, Junk and Processed Foods and even some so-called health-food products like Soy, Yeast, Bragg?s Liquid Aminos and Vinegar.

Replace these items with Fruits, Leafy and Root Vegetables and if desired less harmful whole grains like Brown rice, Quinoa, Amaranth and Millet occasionally.

Furthermore, proper food combination and the abstinence from drinking liquids of any kind with your meals is suggested as these will see to it that the diaphragm is not constricted by a clogged up digestive tract consequently making breathing much freer and smoother.

In addition, make the effort to avoid the use of microwaves, conventionally grown produce and polluted tap water for your optimal health.

So, there you have it, both sides and methods of controlling asthma.

Well?here's to freer breathing!

Aje

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Natural Asthma Treatment Blog today for more information on asthma and allergy medication

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

How to Deal with Skin Allergy

Allergy

Allergy is body hypersensitivity to some substance. Our body can react by breathing system allergy (rhinitis and asthma), intestine allergy (diarrhea) and skin allergy. Skin allergy may occur in the form of mild skin redness until dermatitis, which can appear in many places.

Skin Allergy Identification

When you suddenly get the red spots and suspect an allergy, question your self these:

-Do the red spot appear in a broad part of your body (at your arms and legs) or just in a small part (at your palm hand)?

-What unusual food or even drug and food supplement have you taken?

-Do you change your detergent?

Small part of itchy redness in your palm may indicate that you have a skin contact allergy. Avoid touching the suspected substance. Broad skin redness may be suspected as caused by food allergy-something that goes with the blood flow.

Skin Allergy Treatment

Corticosteroid combined with antihistamines cream or ointment can be used to relieve skin redness. Dermatologist may prescribe a mixture cream contains anti histamines, anti redness, and itchy reducer. Some topical corticosteriods used for allergy treatment are betamethasone, clobetasol, clobetasone,

desonide, desoxymethasone, dexamethasone, difluocortolone, flumethasone and fluocinolone.

There is also natural herbs contained cream for allergy relieving. Some herbs have anti histamine factor in their extract. You can use natural herbs to relieve allergy. Check the label before buying some natural herbs base allergy treatment to find any drug substance inserted in it. A natural herbs treatment should not use any drug substances otherwise they are called allergy drug.

Skin Allergy Alerts

Put a greater consideration in your skin allergy and consult your doctor if:

-Any topical treatment did not work out. No allergy symptoms like skin redness and itchy feeling are reduced.

-You have another severe allergy symptoms like breath difficulty, faster heartbeat, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Those symptoms are leading to serious allergy that cause anaphylactic shock and should be treated soon by a medical doctor.

Further Steps to avoid Skin Allergy

-Take an allergy test to know what substances you are allergic to. It is called a patch test. Doctor will give some allergy suspected substances on your skin and see which one cause you allergy. It is not a painful test but useful to prevent from contact skin allergy.

-Always remember what you are allergic to and avoid things that can cause allergy.

-Prepare an allergy cream as a first aid. At least the cream will prevent from scratching your allergic skin.

Ally Wied
Pharmacist
http://www.overallergy.com

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Consider The Five Important Allergy Relief Measures

With each season, come new flowery blooms and blossoms. While most people enjoy these seasonal changes, this can be detrimental for allergy sufferers. The summer heat can increase the growth of certain allergy triggers, which will increase allergic reactions. Knowing what steps to take to get allergy relief, will help you enjoy each season and what come with them.

With these simple tips on what to do for allergies, you can get through each season with some much needed allergy relief.

* Limit your outdoor exposure during the peak allergen hours, such as morning hours to mid-afternoon. These times can be hard on people with allergies and cause wheezing, sneezing and itchy eyes, more so than other times of the day.

* When gardening or cleaning the house, be sure to put on a mask that will help filter out the dust particles and pollen.

* Keeping the windows closed will help reduce the amount of allergens in the house. Be sure to keep the A/C running inside when you can. The air conditioner offers a bit of allergy relief as well as it filters the air in the house, reducing pollutants.

* If you are a person who spends a lot of time outdoors then a nightly bath will provide allergy relief as it will help to wash pollen and pollutant off of the body and out of the hair. This will help you get a good nights rest. * You can help the onset of an allergy attack by taking the proper allergy relief medications prior to going outdoors. It is far better to ward off the allergic reactions rather than trying to settle them down.

You will want to keep your allergy medication handy at all times, or if you have no prescription you will want to keep some form of over the counter antihistamines on hand at all times to get immediate allergy relief.

These types of medications can help with the initial sneezing, watery eyes and itching. You might want to try a decongestant for a stuffy nose. You will want to stay away from such items as the over the counter nasal sprays for instant relief as they can be addicting.

Corticosteroid nose sprays can be very helpful in the long run as they help control symptoms and you only have to use them once a day. Keep in mind that, steroids for allergies are not the same as the steroids used by many sports minded people.

No matter what precautions one takes to avoid an allergic reaction, you still can have an attack from time to time, after all no one is safe from everything. The over the counter medications only offer short term allergy relief and it may be necessary at times to seek the help of a professional allergist.

Going to see an allergist can help you in many ways as they offer a variety of treatments for allergy suffers that are not available as over the counter treatments. Allergists can help you get long lasting allergy relief and they can also help you build your immune system to lower your reactions.

Allergists offer allergy injections that have proved to be the best medical treatment available. There is a new approach to the injections called rush immunotherapy, this has been proven to show amazing results. In this type of injection treatment, the shots are given over a shorter period of time, making this type of treatment good for people who have life threatening allergies.

These types of allergies may include severe allergic asthma or severe allergies to insects such as bee stings. Rush immunotherapy is also good for people who will be traveling, but as with any injection therapy this must be done in a doctor's office or a clinic.

By following some preventive measures and remedial measures, you will get the allergy relief needed to be active and enjoy the seasons as you were meant to.

Summary:

Summer brings with it many sort of allergies. With each season, come new flowery blooms and blossoms. While most people enjoy these seasonal changes, this can be detrimental for allergy sufferers. Knowing what steps to take for your allergic reactions, will help you enjoy each season and what come with them.
Visit {a rel="nofollow" href= http://www.allergyreliefvault.com/resources/allergy-relief-let-nature-help-you-heal.html}Allergy Relief Vault Now!
 

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Sunday, February 3, 2008

Dust Mite Allergy - How To Minimise Exposure

If you suffer from asthma or similar breathing difficulties you will undoubtedly be very sensitive to the quality of the air around you. Whilst you cannot personally do much to influence the quality of the air outside your home, inside is a very different matter.

Household dust is largely made up of dead skin particles shed by we humans and our pets, all of which make a tasty feast for the dust mite. It is the dust mite?s function in life to chomp his way through this debris and prevent us from drowning in our own filth.

This beastly little chap is too small to be seen with the naked eye ? he along with 5,000 of his minute friends could comfortably sit on the head of a pin, and they congregate wherever there is food for them. The most hospitable places in our homes are in our beds, upholstery and carpets as all of these harbour dust.

Whilst we largely live in harmony with dust mites, inevitably, as with all animals, what goes in one end comes out again the other end, albeit in a different form. It is the excretia of the dust mite that creates allergies in some of us.

If you have difficulty breathing at night, or frequently wake up with that ?bunged up? feeling, your bedding is undoubtedly in need of a spring clean. So put a fresh filter in your vacuum cleaner and get to work on your mattress and when you?ve thoroughly vacuumed the top, turn it over and do the other side as well. If you have a box spring base you will also need to vacuum that . Do the same with your pillows, but if they are more than a few years old, replace them with new ones. Dry clean blankets and/or duvets or, if they?re washable put them on a minimum of 60oC cycle (anything less and the little blighters will survive!).

For most of us this exercise, carried out approximately twice a year, will make enough of a difference to return us to rested sleep filled nights. However, for those who are hypersensitive, suffering from asthma and/or hay fever, more drastic measures may be necessary to keep household dust to a minimum.

On a regular basis (at least twice a week) it will be necessary to

? damp wipe all surfaces to remove the dust, (rather than push it around to resettle somewhere else), ? vacuum, rather than sweep, all floors. ? keep your bedroom and bedding well aired - dust mites thrive in high humidity

It?s also a good idea to:

? vacuum upholstery with the same thoroughness you used on your mattress
? use zippered plastic covers for your mattress and pillows to prevent dust penetration
? keep pets out of the bedroom, regularly wash their bedding on a hot cycle and frequently vacuum the areas where they predominantly live
? remove carpets and replace with hard flooring.

Unfortunately it is impossible to eliminate dust mites from our homes, but the above measures should make living with them more comfortable.

The author has for the last 13 years run a domestic cleaning agency www.selclene.co.uk providing regular cleaners to private homes in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. In response to the increasing demand for spring cleans, pre and post house move cleans etc she has started another cleaning business www.rainbowcleaners.co.uk

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Friday, January 18, 2008

Hypnotherapy for Allergy: Hypnosis to Heal Allergies & Immune System Disorders

Americans today are suffering from a serious pandemic of diseases associated with dysfunction of the immune system. The most publicized of these diseases and the most lethal is AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. While this illness shows many unusual features for an infectious disease, it can nevertheless be understood as a viral sexually transmitted infection. Far more common, though not as lethal, are a host of other immune system related conditions which are not communicable and appear to lack any specific microbial cause. These include asthma, food and pollen allergies, mold, dust and chemical allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, type one diabetes, and a host of other conditions including chronic arterial inflammation, which is considered a more important causative factor in heart attacks and strokes than cholesterol.

While the symptoms of these conditions vary enormously, all of these conditions have one thing in common: all are the results of the immune system targeting the wrong enemy. Instead of confining their vicious attack (inflammation) to the dangerous microorganisms that truly endanger our lives, the white blood cells and cellular battle chemicals of the immune system exhaust us in a futile assault either upon harmless pollens or food proteins, or on the very cells of our own bodies. Read the list again of these conditions.

Notice that all of them are growing rapidly in western civilization. All may be regarded as pandemic. Is there anyone among my readers who has not suffered from one or more of these conditions? And in the next three articles, I will explain the surprising, little known, yet scientifically proven sources common to modern society that are the cause of these pandemic diseases. Furthermore I will demonstrate how the technology of hypnotherapy can help defeat this growing pandemic and restore our immune system to its proper function. Given the emerging dangers of real pathogens, such as bird flu, TB, and other drug resistant organisms that could readily overwhelm billions in this crowded, fast moving world, our immune system must be prepared for the real battles that lie ahead!

These articles do not attempt to spell out the complete etiology (symptoms and signs) of this wide variety of diseases, or to summarize the wide variety of treatments available through medical science. While the hypnotic approaches defined in these articles have good success with many clients, there are none that can be guaranteed successful for all clients. They are no substitute for proper medical treatment, when called for. These methods are at best a powerful adjunct to medical treatment, dietary changes, and a proper program of exercise, rest, and healthy relationships and lifestyle.

This first article in our series will focus on answering the big question about these disease processes. Why is it happening to US? We live in a society in which most people are well fed and live in a comfortable and prosperous world, in which most of the great diseases of the past have been defeated. So why are so many of us being assaulted by our own immune system? Some researchers blame this very condition of safety for the new pandemic, suggesting that in the absence of real microbial enemies, a "bored" immune system decides to mount any old campaign to justify its existence. While this model may have some merit I know the answer is a bit more complex.

For starters, my research indicates that our increasing alienation from the natural world, trapped inside four walls that would have driven our tribal ancestors crazy, breathing a host of strange chemicals, and eating foods transformed in subtle ways by agribusiness and its combination of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and genetic engineering, are a primary reason that our bodies don?t feel safe at a cellular level.

Only concerted action against these destructive lifestyles and business interests can change these ugly circumstances, action which may be essential for the survival of our species. While such action is critical, it is not the subject of these articles. Rather, I will show in this article how we can use hypnotic techniques to stop the body from overreacting to these environmental toxins in an allergic reaction. For example, while all agree that the poisons in a bee sting are dangerous, a person who is stung usually finds it a brief nuisance, while the allergic individual may die within minutes as a result of the body's largely unconscious reaction to this poison. I will show in the second article how hypnotic techniques can teach the client's immune system to react much less aggressively to any of these toxins in our environment, or our diet.

A second factor that affects the immune system in this way is the pressures of stress in our mainly sedentary lives. In the old days - during most of the last million years of the evolution of our species, stress was as common as it is today. But most stressors demanded physical action from us. Starving? Chase down some animals. Chased by a saber-tooth? Fight or run. Now these same stress-created hormones which prepare us so well to move our bodies for fight or flight arrive in circumstances in which NO physical response is available. It seems only natural that under these circumstances, the cells of the body would eventually start a battle against any enemy they can find. In our third article, we will learn how hypnosis can relieve these reactions, and help us create a life that is more capable of dealing with stress.

A third factor that affects these reactions is a lack of infant bonding to mother's biochemical immune system programming. This chemical programming is contained in the colostrom that is the essential formula for informing the new born infant?s rapidly developing immune system with the innate wisdom of mother's own immune system. Mother's colostrum conveys her body's knowledge to her newborn infant of what environmental chemical signatures are harmless and which ones require the immune system to be alerted to a microbial invader. It was this essential communication through mother's breast that prepared British immigrant's children to survive the smallpox epidemics that ravaged Indian tribes in the early years of the settlement of America, sometimes killing nearly everyone in many tribes. These Indian mothers had no exposure to the virus prior to the epidemic's arrival, thus no way to resist the disease themselves or to communicate resistance to their infants.

Alas, with the widespread use of infant formula as an "acceptable" and convenient substitute for the breast (due to propaganda funded by the pharmaceutical industry, according to no less an authority on infant care than Dr. Spock) we have all become guinea pigs in a vast pharmaceutical experiment that has deprived us of this essential programming, and left us all at risk for immune deficiency diseases. The long term solution to this problem is also largely political and educational. But that is too late for adults living today with this terrible loss. Yet here too hypnotherapy has answers. Our fourth article will spell out how hypnotic techniques can be used to inform the immune system of this important distinction between biochemical friend and foe by accessing the mother archetype within the client's subconscious mind, and using that archetype in very specific ways to restore the body's sense of biochemical safety.

Between them, these articles outline a new and potentially powerful collection of resources which show promise to stop this growing pandemic in its tracks, with treatments that have none of the expense or side effects characteristic of so many modern drug oriented approaches, and increasing the effectiveness exponentially of the drugs we may need to take on our doctor's advice. This is the revolution in treatment that could relieve the suffering of millions. Keep reading.

The techniques I describe included in four articles for working with allergies and immune disorders are complex and, in my opinion, not particularly useful for amateurs. Many health professionals choose to refer clients only to medical doctors or licensed psychologists who practice hypnosis. This is a mistake, since most licensed practitioners do not have the advanced skills in hypnosis needed for the kind of work I am describing.

Allergy 4 part series available in full online at: http://alchemyinstitute.com/Allergies-Immune-System/ About Alchemy Institute of Hypnosis: America's oldest spiritually oriented hypnotherapy training program has trained over 2000 hypnotherapists since 1983. The Alchemy Institute is approved by the state of California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPVE) and American Council of Hypnotists Examiners. Our website offers an extensive library on hypnotherapy. http://www.alchemyinstitute.com/ Alchemy Institute Founder David Quigley now offers home hypnotherapy in special hypnosis by phone sessions call the Alchemy office at 1-800-950-4984 to inquire.

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Mold Allergy And What To Do

25 million Americans suffer from allergic reactions to molds, most of them don't even realize they have a mold allergy; that when they are sneezing and sniffling the cause is molds.

Mold spore allergy is common as mold can be found almost everywhere, and all molds reproduce by spores, and send the spore airborne, which causes allergic reactions in many individuals.

Airborne mold spores can cause you to be ill and eventually destroy your health. Many people are unaware that they are breathing mold spores until they are very sick.

As stated, molds produce airborne toxins - these can cause serious breathing difficulties, memory and hearing loss, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and bleeding in the lungs. Yes, it can be that bad.

So it is important to find out where you might have mold in your home and at work by doing a mold test. Molds can be found wherever there is moisture, oxygen, warmth and something to feed on. Warmth and high humidity stimulate mold growth, so mold allergy tends to be most prevalent during the hot, humid summer months.

One of the easiest ways to find out if you have mold in your home is to order a mold test kit online. Look around a little for tests that will test for many molds, or ones that will test for black mold specifically.

A mold test kit is also a great way to test for mold at work. If you find a high count, then go to your supervisor or boss with the information and ask them to do something about it as you have a mold allergy, and others are probably being affected as well.

Get to the bottom of your mold allergy. Now you want to look around for mold in your home. Start with a visual inspection for both mold and moisture around windows, sinks, and water lines.

If you kit shows that you have mold in your home, you may need to get to the bottom of your mold allergy by having a mold inspector come to your home. An inspector will give you a much more thorough inspection that you would not be able to do for yourself.

The inspector will look at such things as:

Humidity of the indoor air, using a properly calibrated meter
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems
Moisture barriers for proper installation and condensation
All water-damaged areas, and locate the point of water intrusion

Mold allergy can make you seriously ill, so take steps soon to locate mold in your home and clear it.

Article By Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. Learn more tips about Allergy and Allergy Relief by visiting her site and getting the Health Tips Newsletter and other Health and Nutrition tips.

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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.

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