The Top 5 Natural Allergy Cures

Medicine Saved My Life, But Herbs and Environmental Changes Cured Me Of Allergies

I love modern medicine. It saved my life many times when I had asthma. So I?m not here to knock medicine. I just believe (from my own experience) that despite incredible breakthroughs and heroics in medicine sometimes they simply fail to look for the cause. Such was my experience on my path of curing allergies and asthma from my body.

I was amazed that my doctors had no interest in finding out, or even hearing about what I had done to get rid of asthma. And I don't believe their disinterest was because it would threaten their occupation. I just think their training and conditioning was not about looking for a cure, but only in treatment.

Searching

At age 18 I gave up on the drugs and shots. I still took the drugs as needed, and used an inhaler when needed, but I quit seeing my allergist. I decided to see what Chirporactors and Nutritionists could possibly offer. This led to reading books on nutrition, and I tried all the following:

Herbs, cell salts, vitamins, minerals, apple cider vinegar, raw goats milk, protomorphogens (from animal parts), and a host of other things I took. That was in the day when Health Food stores were for wierdos.

After many failed herb, vitamin, and natural experiments While I felt healthier the allergies and asthma were still a part of my life. I decided to accelerate my search.

The following approach worked for me:

5 Steps To Getting Rid of Allergies

The way I rid myself of asthma and allergies involved 5 things:

#1 A clean Liver - The liver, when toxic, can overproduce histamines, causing a hyper-sensitive and over-reactive immune response. There are Liver herbs, and some juices, which can detox the liver of the toxins and additional histamines

#2 A clean diet - Keeping inflammation down by reducing sugars, starches and refined foods keeps the body from over-reacting to allergens and immune system threats.

#3 Avoidance - Avoiding Cats, Dogs, and Allergens while I took the oethr 4 steps also allowed my immunity to rebuild itself.

#4 A clean bedroom - allergy resistant sheets, pillowcases, and keeping my room free of dust mites, mold, and bacteria. This way my immune system would rest at night instead of working all night against the environment. By the way it's the dust mites excrement, not the dust mites themselves, that cause the allergic reactions when inhaled. Change your pillow to a synthetic (mites don't like it) and buy a new one every 9-12 months.

#5 A clean environment -By far the easiest step this meant finding an air purifier, one that kills viruses and bacteria (with UV), absorbs pollen (HEPA), picks up pollution (ion) and can kill mold and mildew (timed ozone is best) to allow the immune system to recover each night, reducing allergic responses.

Not really that tough when you take the steps above. Once your body and immunity is rebalanced you might find as I did that I was able to eat as I wish, withouitb any allergic response.

Mark Richardson is an author, and former Health Practitioner who researches cutting edge health products. His Video Website http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=markedwr2003 features FREE Video demonstrations on the newest in air purifier technology.

Dealing With A Mold Allergy

Mold allergy is not nearly as common as you might have thought considering there are thousands of different molds. But out of those thousands about a dozen can cause an allergic reaction.

Molds and fungi grow in all kinds of environments and they really do nicely inside. Outside molds don?t really have a season that causes trouble. If you have asthma that is a result of a mold allergy the best thing you can do it so avoid the mold spores. Of course completely avoiding them is pretty difficult, especially air borne molds. Thankfully there are asthma medications that work well.

Wondering what the symptoms are for a mold allergy? They are the same as any other respiratory allergy. Sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, postnasal drip, watery eyes, itchy eyes, itchy nose and throat, sinusitis, and skin rash and for some it causes asthma which has shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

A mold allergy is caused when you come into contact with the mold spores and your body thinks they are a foreign invader so it develops an antibody to fight it. Even after the exposure is over you body will continue to produce antibodies so they will remember this invader the next time contact occurs. The reaction causes your body to release histamines which are what cause your eyes to water and your nose to run.

Toxic black mold is the mold allergy that made the news awhile back because it caused serious lung disease and caused hundreds of homes to be condemned as unfit to live in. Black mold is not a medical term but rather the slang it was dubbed at the time. This greenish black mold develops after serious water damage has occurred and although it has been directly linked to severe mold allergy the scientists still haven?t been able to determine why.

The treatment for a mold allergy is the same as with any other allergy. There are several different types of medications both over the counter, prescription, and natural supplements that can help.

For an asthma type mold allergy inhaled corticosteroids can be used if you have symptoms more than twice a week your doctor will likely put you on a corticosteroid medication.

For some the mold allergy results in an instant asthma attach when exposed. Bronchodilators are quick to act bring relief from asthma attack symptoms almost instantly.

Antihistamines are used when the immune system over reacts to the mold allergy producing histamines. Histamines cause watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and other symptoms. Claritin and Allegra are two common antihistamines that are used.

When a mold allergy causes mucus and sinus problems then using a decongestant can bring relief from those symptoms. Common decongestions include Claritin-D and Allegra-D with the D standing for decongestion. Often an antihistamine and decongestion are combined to get the best relief.

There are also nasal sprays, immunotherapy which is a series of shots, and natural supplements that can help boost the immune system and bring your body into balance. Some can even relieve your histamine symptoms.

If you have a mold allergy it is important to deal with the mold itself whenever possible and then choose the correct treatment for your situation. It always pays to try natural options first before restoring to chemical solutions.

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

Allergy Drops - Another Treatment Option For Allergies

Allergies can interfere with even the most commonplace of daily events; for those who suffer from allergies, even leaving their house during certain times of year can prove nearly impossible. For sufferers, finding effective, long-lasting allergy relief can mean a significant difference in their life. And while many have found great success with oral medications and allergy shots, there is an alternative treatment option that comes with its own benefits ? allergy drops.

Allergies are the result of the body?s immune system malfunctioning. When the body is introduced to something that it considers a threat, it reacts accordingly in an effort to rid the body of the toxin. With allergies, the immune system reacts to otherwise benign substances as if they are a threat ? pollen, cat dander, nuts, or any other number of elements. To fight what it considers to be trespassers, the immune system releases the chemical histamine that results in the common symptoms of allergies ? runny nose, congestion, coughing, wheezing, watery and itchy eyes, etc. In many cases, avoiding the allergy trigger or combating the symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medication can make a world of difference for the allergy sufferer. But for those who suffer more intense symptoms or are exposed to their allergens on a daily basis, allergy shots have been the effective treatment of choice. But research has shown that allergy drops can be just as effective ? and far more convenient ? than allergy shots.

Allergy shots are often given once a week and must be injected in a doctor?s office. Further, there is time associated with this visit as the patient is often injected with extremely diluted allergens. The patient must then wait ? often at least thirty minutes ? before being able to leave the doctor?s office as the doctor must first ensure that the patient is not having any negative reactions. This inconvenience of visiting the doctor - and the discomfort of the injection itself - often causes patients to shy away from pursuing the treatment.

With allergy drops there are no painful injections ? simply a drop put under the tongue. This procedure is something that the patient can do themselves at home; doctor visits are reduced to just a few times a year in order for the doctor to follow the progress of the patient. For children who suffer from allergies, the allergy drops can be enormously beneficial allowing them to receive the necessary treatment without having to get a shot once a week.

Allergy drops are but one alternative to the management of allergies on an ongoing basis. For allergy sufferers, they can make a world of difference in keeping symptoms at bay and maximizing comfort levels.

For easy to understand, in depth information about allergy drops visit our ezGuide 2 Allergy.

Allergy Treatment - Allergy Medicine Relief - Herbal

Having healthy environment keeps you away from allergy. The environment which is filled with the dust is the dominant factor for allergy. By keeping the home surroundings clean we can prevent the allergy as it is one of the basic thing which we can do to be away from it.

There are number of allergies like food allergy, skin allergy, indoor allergy, outdoor allergy, chemical allergy, common allergy, canine allergy, seasonal allergy, drug allergy, hay fever, eye allergy, nasal allergy and many more.

As allergy can happen through allopathic medications also many prefer natural medications as they act as adrenal support and review the best vitamins, mineral and herbs for fighting allergies. The natural allergy relief can be a powerful method of strengthening the immune system as it has the power of minimizing the allergy symptoms and obtaining relief. It has also proven to be quick, reliable and very effective.

The natural remedies are many and they are easily available without any prescription. But it is a urge need to have precautions by the consultation of the doctor before taking the alternative medicines.

Some of the primary symptoms of allergy are coughing, sneezing, wheezing, runny nose and many. These can be prevented by home medicines also. Like having garlic and onion in food keeps you a bit away from allergy. Quercitin is also one of the remedy for keeping away allergy. It is also needed that you should have a little observations on the food you intake. That is should not take the food which may keep you again stick on to allergies like wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, and others. This should be remembered that consuming the same food may lead you to allergy if it is consumed frequently.

There should be little observation in the living environment also as it may also be one of the reason for allergy. The place where we are living and working should be away from dust. Should keep the carpet and the bed clean without dust on it. Should be away with the animals who have fur skin which is also one of the causes for allergy. Should try to use the air filters and dehumidifiers which may keep you away from the dust and tiny particles.

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Bee Pollen and Allergy

Bee pollen and allergy are a well-discussed package and are synonymous with aiding in the treatment of allergies. In much the same way as an allergy shot helps for the allergy sufferer, bee pollen and allergy work in the same vein. By introducing the allergen in small amounts it better prepares the body for the next time it is introduced. This causes the body to stop producing, or to slow down production of the histamine that causes the allergic reaction.

Bee pollen and allergy works by desensitization as stated above, it is like how a vaccine may work. By allowing the allergen to be shown to the body, it causes the body to produce antibodies that will cancel out the effects of the offensive substance next time it is introduced into the body. It can also strengthen the respiratory system by providing protein that can aid the body build a natural defense and build a shield against future allergic reactions. That is how bee pollen and allergy work.

Studies of Bee Pollen and Allergy

Bee pollen and allergy have been tested in many clinical tests as well as individual company based tests and analysis. In one study a doctor by the name of Dr. Leo Conway, M.D. treated a number of his patients who suffered from allergies with bee pollen. Of these patients, it is imperative to note that none of the allergy sufferers were allergic to bee pollen however, some were allergic to flower pollen and other pollens.

The patients that came from various backgrounds and held various lifestyles all displayed the same results. Those patients conclusively showed that no matter where they lived and regardless of their diets, they remained free from allergy symptoms.

It is important to note that while some patients with asthma have historically benefited from bee pollen and allergy therapy, it is wise to note that bee pollen does contain some allergens, which may worsen asthma.

Always consult a medical professional before starting any vitamin or nutrient regime and no exception should be made when beginning a suitable bee therapy program.

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Cat Allergy

If we were smart we would avoid things that we are allergic to but who said most of us were smart or sane when it comes to our pets. For most cat lovers there is no way they are going to part with their beloved pet because of a cat allergy.

That means you?ll need to learn to manage your cats and your cat allergy symptoms. Although you might not rid yourself of your cat allergy you should be able to make your symptoms manageable.

In case you have forgotten we?ll give you a little reminder about the allergens and the fact that they are airborne so when you breathe them in you can have a cat allergy reaction. There is a high rate of contamination and recontamination.

1. No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Okay no monkey?s here but there will be no more cats sleeping on your bed. This might be the hardest habit to break but it?s a small price to pay to wake up clear headed in the morning and without your cat allergy bothering you.

2. No Trespassing

The bedroom has to become a cat free zone and this will reduce the allergens to almost zero. Don?t give into your cats. They?ll find somewhere else they love to curl up and you?ll find yourself suffering a lot less with your cat allergy.

3. Give Me An H..E..P?A

HEPA air filters do a great job of cleaning the air in your home and because cat dander is so difficult to pick up this is a smart way to be effective and help your cat allergy.

4. HEPA Vacuum

Vacuuming just became that much more important. You need to invest in a HEPA vacuum cleaner and you need to vacuum walls, carpets, furniture, and just about anything else that lives in the house other than Grandma?s fine china. You need to do it at least twice a week to reduce your cat allergy.

5. Steam Clean

Using a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home will kill the proteins in the dander. This has been scientifically proven. What that means is for under a hundred dollars you can rid your home of everything and you?ll find your cat allergy is forgotten.

6. Wash Em Now!

Always wash your hands right after handling your cat and make sure you do not rub your eyes at any time even after you?ve washed your hands. Your cat allergies will be better.

7. Heat It Up!

Wash all your bedding in water that is 140 degrees and do this twice a month to eliminate dust mites and cat allergens.

8. Bath Your Cat

Yes we know that this task could easily be worse than your cat allergy but you simply have to do it at least once a month and more often if you can.

What?s most important to realize when you suffer from a cat allergy is that you do not have to get rid of your cat. Your cat is a family member and getting rid of your cat is like getting rid of one of your children. You can have your cat and your cat allergy too.

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

Allergy Shots As A Potential Eczema Control

Can you believe that an estimated one third of all Americans suffer from allergies in one form or another? Allergies today are the most common cause for chronic nasal congestion in children. Furthermore, for some people who suffer from both allergies and eczema, allergy shots are an effective way to manage their eczema flare-ups. A general practitioner will often provide a referral to an allergist for a patient with eczema. An allergist is a doctor who is trained in helping pinpoint the source of a patient?s allergy and then in helping the person treat the symptoms, thereby reducing the frequency of flare-ups.

How does it work? Allergy shots are a form of allergy and asthma treatment in which increasing, controlled doses of an allergen are injected into a patient over a period of time. The goal in using allergy shots is to increase a patient?s natural ability to tolerate a particular allergen, while simultaneously, decreasing the symptoms that result from an allergic reaction.

Allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy, are similar to a vaccination. They serve to increase the ability of the immune system to work properly. The stronger the immune system is, the easier time it will have blocking an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when the body mistakes a common, harmless substance for an invader. When the body is exposed to the invader, it undertakes a series of chemical reactions as protection. As long as the person administering them is a trained professional, allergy shots can be both effective as well as safe and can be successfully used on children as young as four or five years of age.

Of course, this is not without debate. Some people believe in the effectiveness of allergy shots in the control of eczema while others are less impressed with the results. Research into allergy shots as treatment for eczema has shown that in some cases they can cause worsening of the symptoms. However, allergy shots have been found to be beneficial in treating other problems such as allergic rhinitis also known as hay fever, the symptoms of which are a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes; breathing problems relating to asthma and symptoms accompanying an insect sting allergy. So each individual case must be considered before treatment is begun.

Allergy shots contain a purified form of the suspected allergen. Customarily, the shots are given to a sufferer throughout the year, over a five-year span of time. The allergy shot dosage begins small and then increases gradually over the first four to six months, little by little. After that time the dosage levels off to what is called a maintenance dose. This amount is then administered to the patient for up to a period of three years.

It is necessary to go for your allergy shots once or twice weekly at the start of treatment. The dose begins slower, gradually increasing to allow the immune system to become accustomed to it as well as to allow it time to begin to build an immunity to the substance. This is often called the buildup phase. Once this is reached, the aforementioned maintenance dose is administered and then the frequency shots begins to decline. It goes from a weekly shot, to bi-weekly, and then, in many cases, to a monthly shot.

Allergy shots have been found be more effective on some allergens than others. For example, they are most effective on inhaled allergens such as pet fur, dust, pollens, and mold. That may offer explanation as to why hay fever and asthma would respond better to allergy shots than eczema. The particular changes that the body undergoes with eczema may not respond as well to treatment. Only further research will answer those questions.

Linda Williams is a writer for several popular web-based magazines, on medicine and remedies and home remedies topics.

Acupuncture With a Modern Twist

Acupuncture is thought of as an ancient Chinese practice and rightly so. Recent trends have resulted in a new modern twist on this ancient practice.

Modern technology is impacting virtually every area of our life and so it is no surprise to learn that it has reached the ancient practice of acupuncture. Laser acupuncture is a relatively new addition to this timeless healing art. A concentrated light beam can penetrate into the skin for a certain distance without burning or harming the skin. This allows the beam to stimulate certain acupuncture body points. This stimulation is not exactly the same as the stimulation of a needle, but it does trigger reactions in the points.

The practice is still considered to be in an investigational type of treatment, and in that status no claims of cures are permitted in the United States. The procedure is not being viewed as a replacement for the use of needles in acupuncture treatments. The idea is that the lasers will be used as just one of the tools in the overall regime of treatment offered by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The other tools such as herbal concoctions, acupressure, moxibustion, and advice on lifestyle choices will continue to be applied in a complete treatment package.

Currently, this new approach is limited by the strength of the beam itself. The normal range used is between 5 and 500 mW of power. When the level goes over 500, there is a possibility of burning the skin. This power level limits the depth of the beam and therefore its ability to stimulate the acupuncture point.

The process is so new and is being used in a practice that has taken centuries of study and trial and error to perfect. It is not unexpected that much experimentation and clinical studies are being done to attempt to understand the benefits and limitations of this modern twist on acupuncture. The beams can also be used only in certain areas. For example, points on the foot can be stimulated except for the points on the heel. The beam of light can not attain enough depth here to stimulate the point.

This new form of acupuncture is a technical change in the practice of acupuncture that will take some time to completely understand. Its use does say something about attitude of professional acupuncturists. While many view acupuncture as a foreign and very culturally different type of activity, the idea of a new approach shows that acupuncture is actually very much like any other body of knowledge. It is constantly seeking to improve. The great body of knowledge that is contained in the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine has always been growing and evolving.

Get more acupuncture information at AlternativeHealthCompanies.com.

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

Allergy Treatment Begins At Home - Living A Healthy Lifestyle

It is spring time, which is good news to many, but not to all. Yes, the sun is out, it is warming up, and the birds are all around us, singing happily to pass the day away, but all is not well for those who suffer from allergic reactions.

If you are an allergy sufferer, spring can be a miserable time of wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and constant discomfort, unless you have the proper allergy treatment. The type of allergy treatment that is right for you depends on a number of factors that your doctor should discuss with you, but many of them take several weeks, to months to work, so you shouldn't delay. You've got to start treating your allergic reactions today.

The most common allergy treatment is the antihistamine. Recently, claritin which is one of the most common antihistamines and used to be available only by prescription, has become available over the counter to treat allergies.

For many people, this proves to be such an effective allergy treatment that it proves to be all that they need to treat their conditions, but for many more, this is not the case. There are a variety of nasal allergy treatments which can relieve swelling and discomfort in the nose and sinuses, but many of these have side effects. If you suffer from bad allergic reactions, you should consider a more complete allergy treatment.

What I recommend is to take several steps, instead of looking for the cure-all allergy treatment. The first thing to do is to make sure that your house is clean. Clean out the refrigerator and check it for mold. Same goes for the bathroom, and any other room which may harbor dirt, dust, or fungus. Remember that the most effective allergy treatment is to prevent the inhalation of allergens in the first place, and that means dusting, washing, vacuuming and sweeping every single day of the week.

Of course, this isn't the whole allergy treatment. In addition to cleaning up, you should get a nice HEPA air filter to clean up the air in your rooms, particularly the one you sleep in. This will remove all of the dirt and allergens from the air. Your allergy treatment will probably also include the use of an antihistamine, as well as a decongestant. Finally, you might have to get more severe medication as an allergy treatment. Shots can do wonders to minimize allergic reactions.
John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, skin care as well as other related information.

Pollen Allergy and Food Sensitivity: The Oral Allergy Syndrome and Food Intolerance

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a well-recognized but little known condition. It is characterized by a burning sensation or mouth pain and swelling when you eat specific foods that cross react to pollens to which you are allergic. Interestingly, the specific foods causing this reaction are well established to cross react with certain trees, grass, or weed pollens, house dust mite or latex. There are common groups of foods that cluster with certain nasal allergies. For example, ragweed allergy commonly causes an oral or gut reaction after eating melons or bananas but usually not other foods. Birch tree pollen is commonly associated with reactions to numerous foods as is latex allergy. The explanation for these reactions include similarities in protein structures as well as some chemicals in the foods.

Though this reaction is well documented in the allergy literature it is not commonly recognized or diagnosed by most doctors including some allergy specialists and many stomach specialists. Various allergy web sites include lists of the common foods associated with certain pollens, dust mite or latex. However, a comprehensive list that is easy to read or interpret can be difficult to find. Also, the names of some pollens or the common links between a group of pollens and a group of foods can be confusing.

In its classic form OAS should be easy to recognize. After eating a food associated with a pollen to which you are allergic you experience near immediate burning sensation in your mouth or throat with or without swelling. However, it is commonly recognized that frequently in medicine, symptoms do not occur in the ?classic? or typical manner in a specific person. Worded another way doctors are taught "patients don't read the textbooks". Therefore, you may experience variations of the reaction such as throat swelling or tightening, burning when swallowing, a lump in the throat or a sense of swallowing difficulty but not make the connection to what you ate or what is happening to you.

You or your doctor may misinterpret your symptoms. Frequently people just assume it happened because they were having a choking spell on food that was poorly chewed, swallowed too fast, or eaten or drank while too hot or cold. Commonly, it is assumed that an esophageal (swallowing tube) disorder, especially acid reflux with a hiatal hernia is the cause. Acid reflux can cause an esophageal constriction called a stricture or ring that can result in a food sticking sensation, but this is usually associated with heartburn symptoms or food getting stuck which then prompts an upper endoscopy or scope exam. Other times, especially if occurring in an elderly person, a neurological condition like stroke or Parkinson?s disease is blamed. Sometimes doctors decide that your symptoms are due to a nervous reaction or neurosis that historically was called as globus hystericus. The hystericus portion of the term is usually dropped these days to the shorter term globus or globus sensation especially since it is not proven it is due to a psychiatric problem. However, globus may be the diagnosis arrived at if your complaint is that you feel a lump in your throat and an ?evaluation? appears to turn up nothing even if OAS was not considered or excluded.

An unusual condition that has been more recently recognized in the field of gastroenterology (diseases of the stomach and intestines) that may be related to or a variant of OAS is called eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) or allergic esophagitis. It was first described in the pediatric population but is now known to occur in adults. Classically described in teenage boys and young men who presented with food sticking episodes without heartburn or acid reflux symptoms, it is associated with a strange appearance of the esophagus on endoscopy (lighted scope exam of the upper gastrointestinal tract). What the doctor doing the scope sees is that the esophagus resembles a cat?s esophagus. That is it looks like it has rings (cats have cartilage rings in their esophagus, we do not) and this is referred to as "ringed esophagus" or felinization of the esophagus. On biopsy of such a ringed or felinized appearing esophagus (that is also often narrowed resulting in food sticking) microscopic signs of allergy are noted. The lining shows numerous eosinophils, a reddish pink appearing white blood cell, characteristic of allergic conditions. These eosinophils release chemicals like histamine that trigger swelling, pain, and damage to tissue.

Food allergies are commonly found to present in EE though sometimes the search for a food allergy by traditional skin tests or IgE blood tests is negative. Treatment is avoidance of known food allergens and swallowed nasal steroids sprays that are designed for use in the nose for nasal allergies. Though not specifically proven yet, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) may be a variant of OAS.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic or allergic colitis also exist and can be diagnosed by biopsies of the stomach, small intestine and colon respectively. Allergic colitis is typically seen in infants who have a cow?s milk protein allergy. It presents as colic type abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bloody diarrhea in an infant on cow?s milk formula or sometimes in breast-fed infants whose mom is drinking a lot of cow?s milk.

Allergic gastroenteritis occurs in any age group presenting typically as abdominal pain, with or without intestinal blockage or perforation; diarrhea; anemia; weight loss; and microscopic bleeding in the intestinal tract also known as occult blood in the stool. Such bleeding is detectable only by special stool chemical tests known as fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) or stool guaiac testing.

At least some people with food intolerance that does not make sense on limited diet diary information, blood tests, biopsies, or allergy testing, may have a form of OAS. In other words, the presence of known pollen or latex allergies may be predisposing to reactions to foods known to cross react with allergies noted in OAS. However, instead of classic oral allergy syndrome symptoms other stomach and intestinal symptoms or even non-gastrointestinal symptoms may result.

Support of this concept can be found in detailed screening of individuals for food intolerance. Those with known pollen or latex allergies, any known food allergies or intolerance including gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and casein intolerance, are asked to complete a series of symptom assessments and severity rating scales followed by a strict elimination diet. This is followed up by re-assessment of response of symptoms while re-introducing foods one at a time while monitoring for recurrence.

This type of analysis is the basis for the Neopaleo Specific Diet. In the near future online symptom assessments and screening for food intolerance along with dietary recommendations specific to individuals will be available at www.thefooddoc.com. An online diet symptom diary will also be available. A simplified table illustrating the common foods that may cross-react with the broad categories of pollen allergens and latex allergy is available. Food intolerances are more commonly being recognized as a common cause of illness and symptoms. Individualized specific diet recommendations and elimination diet trials may be more helpful in discovering any possible links to what you are eating and how you feel.

Dr. Scot Lewey is a physician who is trained and board certified in the specialty of gastroenterology (diseases of the digestive tract) and has a growing practice focused in the area of food intolerances, especially gluten and cow's milk protein. He is a published researcher and author and founder of an educational website http://www.thefooddoc.com helping people with food intolerances.

Allergies - Allergy Shots

In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots? Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to. If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given. One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work? Well, in theory it's actually very simple. Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you. When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen. These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself. Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens. After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms. This relief should last for a very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots. They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever. They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies. In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms. Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots. Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take allergy shots. Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots. Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have. This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test. After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week. After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month. This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens.

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them. If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies
 

What is Milk Allergy?

Milk allergy is the immune system's response to cow's milk. Cow's milk is one of the most frequent food allergens because of one or more of the proteins that it contains.

There are lots of proteins in cow's milk that cause allergic reactions. Whey and Casein are it's two components. The curd that forms when milk is left to sour is called Casein. The watery part that is left when the curd is removed is called whey.

Eighty percent of cow's milk is made up of Casein. It is also the most important allergen found in cheese. The harder the cheese the more casein it has.

The other 20% is made up of whey. It is composed of two main allergenic proteins, namely alpha lactalbumin and beta lactaglobulin.

Milk allergy usually starts in infancy. There are studies that show that two to three percent of infants have milk allergy but most outgrow it within the first few years. By the age of four, sixty percent of milk allergic infants out grow their milk allergy another eight percent outgrow it by the age of six, but there are those who never outgrow it.

Though a lot become milk allegry sufferes as infants, cow's milk allergy can be acquired later in life.

Symptoms

Milk allergy symptoms can be seen on the skin or felt in the digestive system or respiratory system.

Milk allergy causes skin reactions that can be an itchy red rash, hives, eczema, allergic "shiners" (black eyes), and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face or throat.

Digestive system reactions of milk allergy sufferers might be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or abdominal cramps.

Respiratory system reactions of those with milk allergy are runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing, or even anaphylactic shock.

Some people can have a reddish ear love or a hazy look in their eyes. Another symptom that can be had from milk allergy is bedwetting, inattentiveness, and lethargy.

Avoidance is the key with allergies. That means not drinking milk. Someone that has milk allergy has to be very careful in what products to buy. They have to read the product labels and see what milk proteins that are contained within. Milk maybe the hidden allergen in a lot of processed meats like hotdogs, pepperoni, salami, sausage and bologna. There are also some non-dairy products that contain casein.

There are some other milk products that can be substituted for cow's milk. milk allergy sufferes find this useful when baking and cooking food. The type of milk substitute depends on the food that it will be used for.

Rice milk is good for drinking and cereal. It can be used for baking or as a thickening agent and is perfect for those with milk allergy.

Some recipes you can have broth, juice or water as a substitute for cow?s milk.

In some cases a person with milk allegry can use goat's milk or soy milk. However, these types of milk are also allergenic and the person allergic to cow's milk will often be allergic to goat's milk as well.

Having milk allergy does not mean that you can bypass the calcium requirement in your nutrition. The recommended daily allowance of a person depends on the age. Good sources of calcium aside from milk are green vegetables, fish with soft edible bones, and seafood.

Calcium cannot be absorbed without vitamin D, which comes from eggs, liver and sunlight. That means to maintain a healthy lifestyle even with a milk allergy, one has to take vitamin supplements to complete their dietary balance.

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about milk allergy, please go to: Milk Allergy or go to: Allergy Answers or to: All About Allergies

Review Of Austin Hepa Allergy Machine

Different people buy air purifiers for different reasons. Yes the primary reason would always be to breathe healthier air, but some might need a device which will protect him from aggravating his asthma situation while others might buy it to protect themselves from contaminated diseases. There are those who are severely allergic and they also can benefit from having an air purifier.

Manufacturers have identified this need based buying pattern and are now positioning their models to address particular needs. While some claim complete defense against bacterial threats there are others which are dedicated to clean those impurities which might aggravate someone?s allergic reactions. The Austin HEPA Allergy Machine, as its name suggest is built to tackle the problem of allergens.

The impurities in air against which the Austin HEPA Allergy Machine is particularly effective are allergens, odors and smoke. The purifier is built to handle large areas and is effective over an area of 1500 sq. ft. This would mean that a single unit would be good enough to handle the air of an entire floor, if the house is not particularly spread out.

The Austin HEPA Allergy Machine uses military carbon cloth for its filter. This helps to keep the device light and portable. It also comes with wheels so you can just push it around the room you need it to be in. this portability is a definite plus for the Austin HEPA Allergy Machine.

If your main source of problem is non-smoke related allergens, then Austin HEPA Allergy Machine is a perfect solution for you. Its pre-filters are washable, or if you want you can vacuum them also to save yourself trouble. The main HEPA filter comes with a 5 year pro-rated manufacturer?s warranty. For your initial purchase you will get the filters included with the unit. The HEPA and the carbon cloth filter technology allows the Austin HEPA Allergy Machine to be quite successful in its job of controlling odors, mold spores, pollen pet dander, light tobacco smoke and dust mites.

The device comes with three fan speeds to allow you adjust the speed as per your requirement. Since the HEPA filter needs to be replaced only after 2-5 years, the cost of maintenance goes down significantly and you can actually budget for the filters over a considerable period of time.

With an all-steel design and powder-coated paint that does not give off gas the Austin HEPA Allergy Machine is also great to look at.
Jason Uvios writes about on Review of Austin HEPA Allergy Machine to visit :- air ozonator systems, air purity and furnace air filters

New Allergy Treatment vs. Medical Treatment For Allergies

Most often the summer is the time for the pollen count to increase which will increase the suffering for most allergy sufferers. For years people have been looking for effective treatment options for the allergies that they have. This has been a big problem for a lot of people and sadly there is not much that modern medicine is doing for it.

There are several medical practices, like medications on the market for treatment but many of these have horrible side effects. This is the biggest complaint that most people have when it comes to the medicine that is used to treat allergies. Overall the side effects are known to be worse than the allergy is to begin with. This is the reason why many people will not seek treatment for their allergies.

In many cases the symptoms that they have for the allergies are nothing more than bothersome to say the least. The most common are runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. These symptoms can continue until the end of the pollen season or they may come and go as time moves on. Whether or not the symptoms are relieved is not the real issue. The adverse effects that the allergies have on the person?s body are the main issue. People start to find that they are not able to sleep or they are sleeping too much. This is also the main side effect that most of the allergy treatment medications have. They will cause the person to fall asleep at the wrong time which can mean a danger to the person and others around them.

Thankfully there are some new things that have come on the market to treat the many allergies that people have. The new treatments are considered to be better for people because they are all natural and therefore they do not have any side effects. If you have the natural cures or treatments you are more likely to have some relief without all the problems that come with the more accepted and modern medications.

In the area of treatments you will find that the natural treatments are a bit more expensive but they are also known to be far more effective for most of the people that use them. There are problems in most areas with this because of the fact that most of the natural health related treatments are not regulated by the government. So the medical community believes that there is nothing to stop the people from scamming those that are looking to find treatment.

For those that suffer with the seasonal allergies there is also the fact that you can avoid the high pollen areas, such as fields and forests, during the time of the year where it could irritate the allergy. This may be difficult for some who happen to enjoy the outdoors but you should give it serious consideration if you do not want the side effects that come with the medications on the market.

More from this author at: science-mag.com

Guide To Allergy Symptom

In this brief article, we will define an allergy symptom and discuss some specific systems and what they mean to you as an allergy sufferer. An allergy symptom is any symptom associated with allergies such as a running nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy skin, and more. We will go into some detail about where a symptom comes from and why they appear as well as a brief discussion about how to cure those symptoms if time permits.

What are some of the symptoms?

Some of the most common allergy symptoms occur for the seasonal allergies such as hay fever and include the itchy watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing aspects of allergenic symptoms. Other cases of allergies feature more serious symptoms that can be more harmful and troublesome such as absentmindedness, dizziness, trouble swallowing, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, vertigo, vomiting, and other serious cases of health issues that may spring from how the body deals with the allergen itself.

Airborne allergies are, however, the most common form of allergies and tend to feature the most common form of an allergy symptom as well. Most of these symptoms are related to the sinuses as the hay fever and other allergies like hay fever tend to affect those systems of the body. Sneezing, a clogged and runny nose, itchiness in the eyes and throat, coughing, postnasal drip, and swollen eyes (a symptom called "conjunctivitis") are all parts of the airborne allergy symptom repertoire.

Why do these symptoms occur?

Most times, the allergic reaction is coupled with a portion of the allergen. In other words, if the allergen is known for entering the lungs it will likely attack portions of the body related to the lungs and to breathing. An airborne allergy, thus, will likely attach itself to the breathing apparatus and my cause coughing or the nose to run because of the way it affects the system directly. There are other reasons for this that scientists studying allergy immunology are aware of, but the basics of most allergies are that they are "system attackers" in general.

How are the symptoms cured?

An allergy symptom can be cured in a number of ways depending on the actual system it affects and how drastically the body is affected. Many people can simply take, for example, an antihistamine for a hay fever type allergy and go about their day while others simply will not respond to the antihistamine. It is essentially a matter of the biological makeup of the allergy sufferer in terms of how they react to certain medications and how much medication is needed to cure the allergy symptom.

Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on allergy symptom, allergy test and allergy testing.

Allergy skin tests as a method of diagnosing allergy in children

Similarly like in the case of adults, skin tests can be performed in children of any age, but we know from experience that the skin of a child up to the 3rd year is very sensitive and reacts strongly to allergens, often in such a way that makes it difficult to make correct diagnosis.

One of the most common allergen upsetting small children and infants is the food (ingested allergene). It affects the child’s skin more seriously than inhaled allergens. It may lead to an incorrect readings of tests performed in small children. The skin tests carried out on older children are much more reliable. A positive skin reaction occurs if a person is allergic to a particular allergen and if the mast cells of the skin contain the appropriate IgE antibody to this substance. During the skin tests, the mast cells of the skin undergo a process of degranulation in which histamine is released. It is the histamine which causes skin changes such as erythema or bumps. The mast cells of a child’s skin contain smaller amount of antibodies and this may be the reason why we cannot observe a stronger reaction to the allergen.

Skin tests performed in an allergic child may turned out to be negative, when the child is administered antihistamines. Different medicines can also slightly influence the results of the tests. That is why it is necessary to know what medicines has been administered to the child by the child before scheduling the skin tests.

The following medicines should not be taken by the patient during the period preceding the skin tests:

* first-generation antihistamines (Clemastine, Fenergan, Diphergan, Hydroxyzinum) – for 3-4 days
* cetirizine (Zyrtec) - for 3-4 weeks
* loratadin (Claritine) - for 2-3 weeks
* astemizol (Hismanal) – for 4-6.weeks
* ketotifen (Zaditen, Pozitan) – for 2 weeks,

There are three main types of skin tests:

* puncture, scratch test ("prick test", percutaneous).
* intradermal test (intracutaneous),
* patch test (epicutaneous)

Patch tests are performed by a dermatologists if a contact allergy is suspected or other reactions typical to occupational allergy. The results can be obtained in 48 or 72 hours. Children are diagnosed using scratch tests. Such tests are considerably easy to perform and correlate well to the specific IgE antibodies in serum and to the appropriate inhaled provocative test under the influence of the same allergen. Skin reaction can be observed in 5-10 minutes after placing the allergen onto the surface of the skin.The test is carried out by placing a small amount of the suspected allergy-provoking substance on the skin. Next, the skin is gently scratched through a small drop of the allergen. The scratched place should not bleed. The results of the test can be collected in 15-20 minutes or even earlier if the blisters extend rapidly and form protrusions, which indicates an occurrence of pseudopodia.

The best place to perform a skin test is the inner part of the forearm or one’s back. Children should be diagnosed by performing the tests on their forearm unless there are no visible skin changes. The skin tests can be considered to be done correctly if a positive control test (1 per cent solution of histamine) and a negative control test are carried out. The last one uses saline extra phenol added to the suspension of allergens as a preservative. If the results of the positive control are negative, the tests cannot be regarded reliable. In such a case, the reaction of the skin is inhibited by antihistamine medicines.

Such tests should be repeated after some time, having carefully examined the methods of the child’s treatment within the last period of time. Sometimes, the reaction with the solution of sodium chloride can turn out to be positive. It may happen if the reagent has been contaminated or the child displays some symptoms of dermographism.

The extent of the reaction is determined by measuring the diameter of the blister using a special transparent scale. This is the most accurate testing method. A control histamine testing will produce a 5-7mm blister. In order to confirm a positive result of the test, the diameter of the allergene-provoked blister should not be smaller than 3mm. All tests carried out without positive and negative control testing are unreliable. Another method of determining the results of tests is marking the examined places with (+) or (-). If the diameter of the blister is at least 5mm, the histamine test result is marked with a triple pluses +++. In this method, which is not recommended, the smallest positive place is labelled with ++, which corresponds to a blister allergic reaction of 3mm. The blisters usually disappear after several minutes or after an hour. In some cases, after 4-6 hours, a delayed reaction may occur.

During intradermal tests, a small amount (0,05-0,1 ml) of a special allergen solution is injected into the skin. The readings should be made after 15-20 minutes. This test is more painful and it produces more false positive results.

Skin tests, which are the basic methods of diagnosing allergies, cannot be carried out on patients suffering from severe allergic reactions (e.g. an allergic shock resulted from a contact with allergen mentioned in the case history). In such situations, a safe method of diagnosis consists in isolating characteristic IgE in the blood. In some very rare cases, during performing the skin tests an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen may occur. Although such reactions are usually harmless, it is necessary for an allergist to have an anti-shock medical kit at hand in order to help the patient if necessary.

Radoslaw Pilarski is a PhD candidate working on anticancer properties of Uncaria tomentosa at PAS, Poland. mLingua Worldwide Translations, Ltd. provides professional language translations.

Discover Allergy Cures That Can Help You

Allergies are a very common disorder that can bring misery and discomfort to one?s daily life. People who suffer from this affliction constantly seek out different allergy cures to ease their symptoms. Firstly one should try and determine the actual cause of symptoms in order to properly treat any allergy problems.

Common causes are pet dander, dust, mold, as well as outdoor elements like pollen. Once you determine the cause behind your symptoms, finding a possible allergy cures to try becomes easier. While there are some over the counter medications that can be quite helpful others find respite after a visit to a specialist. Or there are some who don?t find relief at all.

Homeopathy is a viable option especially for those who don?t seem to find any reprieve from commonly used allergy cures. Adopting an all-natural approach to medicine and health, Homeopathy is a subject matter of some argument and controversy. While some argue that homeopathy is a hoax and that no allergy cures can be possibly found through natural elements. Others affirm that they have experienced instantaneous relief from their symptoms through homeopathic remedies.

Allergies include symptoms such as congestion, headaches and colds. An allergy symptom can develop into a more severe condition like bronchitis and pneumonia. For all those who experience symptoms in particular the more severe condition on a daily basis, finding the right allergy cure is essential to health and general well-being.

The medical community makes use of traditional methods regularly in order to address various allergy symptoms. This includes painful shots, medications that can leave the patient both groggy and miserable or even surgery in severe cases.

Traditional methods of treating allergy symptoms are quite disheartening to many people who want to discover an allergy cure that doesn?t include medication or taking shots.
Surgery offers relief to many, though not everyone may really want to do it.

Homeopathy methods suggest that the allergy cures lie in the substances that cause the allergic reactions in the first place. These substances are diluted and administered to the body in little doses. Thus this enables the body to form the proper antibodies to protect against the abrasive substances effectively without producing an allergic reaction.

The whole process is fairly similar to getting a vaccine. When we get a vaccination shot, we are actually injecting the virus or threatening substance into our systems. The weakened substances are introduced to our systems in small doses that can be fought off by our immune systems. As soon as our bodies shows signs that they can fight the virus, we are immune. Homeopathy follows the general logic we use behind vaccines hence it is probably well worth a try!

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, fitness and other related information.

How To Treat An Allergy-Triggered Cough

It?s springtime; the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming?and you?re stuck inside, coughing and sneezing and hiding from the substances that trigger your allergic reactions. Having a cough or cold is bad at any times ? having cold-type symptoms every year at the same times is even worse. There are various ways to treat an allergy cough and help you get back to enjoying life outdoors.

There are various substances that can cause an allergy-triggered cough. The most obvious one is pollen, which plagues thousands of people across the country. Others include animal dandruff, dust, and mold. Before you run out and buy a cough suppressant so that you can have a rest from coughing, it?s good to remember that coughing is your body?s way of clearing the respiratory tract and lungs. It may not be in the best interest of your health to stop the cough immediately. There are packaged drinks that can be bought at a drug store that contain calming ingredients like honey or chamomile which can help to control your cough without suppressing it altogether.

If you have been suffering from a cough for over a week, and you believe it is allergy-related, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor can diagnose what is causing your cough, and can also prescribe what would be the best treatment. He or she can choose from a variety of products that are already available, or can write you a prescription. Your doctor may advise that you take a cough syrup that helps to calm the throat but also allows you to continue coughing to clear your lungs.

Once you have been diagnosed with an allergy, you now have a weapon you can use against the substances that cause your allergic reaction ? knowledge. If you know what triggers a reaction, you can avoid it, or, in the case of an allergen like pollen, you can take allergy medication before stepping outside. Especially when you have a cough, one of the best steps you can take is to rest. If you have to work, take a nap when you come home. Give your body not only the medication, but the time it needs to recover and get you feeling healthy again.

Learn more about allergic cough treatments at http://www.asthma-allergies.org/allergies/Allergy-Cough-And-Its-Remedy.php