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Posts Tagged ‘Allergies’

Grass Pollen Allergy Treatment

January 26th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Grass allergy is one of the more usual type of allergies which affects persons having its histories during the spring and summer seasons. The grass allergies are related to hay fever as indications and causes are the same.

If you have a grass allergy, you should learn and understand how to live with this allergy so that you could enjoy being outdoors or sitting in your garden. It’s about quality of life.

Symptoms of the allergic reaction
Allergy take place when your body’s immune system over reacts to a substance that it condiders as a potential health danger.

The most typical indication of a grass allergy is sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose, what is also called rhinitis. Rhinitis is a condition in which the lining of the nose, back of the mouth and throat is inflamed. The allergic rhinitis is a very common illness that many individuals suffer as a consequence of pollen, dust or other airborne particles.

This rhinitis is caused by an increase in histamine, and this is normally caused by airborne allergens.

Further, many people with a grass allergy also suffer from other types of allergies.

Grass – an allergen
Grass pollen was detected for the first time as probable trigger of periodic hay fever in late 19th century. There are more than one thousand varieties of grass but only a few causes an allergic reaction which could make it difficult to diagnos a grass sensitivity without proper examination.

Grass-like plants are among the most flexible life forms on our planet. Plants having grass-like structures have existed for millions of years. Unluckily, for some of us this makes it pretty hard to avoid exposure to this type of pollen.

Treatments
Essentially there are three kinds of treatments available. The first one is pretty obvious – if you have an airborne allergy to grass, you might try staying away from the grasses that promote your rhinitis. This is often much easier said than done, but you should at least go inside when your neighbor cuts the lawn

The second kind of treatment include medication taken on a regular basis, and among the most effective treatments for hay fever are nasal sprays (antihistaminic and/or cortisone) and antihistaminic tablets. If taken regularly, these medications help you to relieve the allergic reactions caused by the hay fever. This treatment can improve your quality of life considerably.

The third treatment is immunotherapy, a remedy which treats the underlying cause of the allergic reaction. Immunotherapy starts with subcutaneous injections of a small amount of grass allergen, slowly increasing the dose until your body starts to tolerate exposure without producing an allergic response. This is a treatment that can take years to conclude, but the benefits are long lasting.

Anaphylaxis symptoms and sings

January 11th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Although I have a daughter with severe food allergies, I am not a doctor and this article is not medical advice.

The definition of anaphylaxis in the simplest form is some kind of harmful reaction to a food, an insect sting, or exposure to other types of allergens. Anaphylactic reactions often “sneak up” without notice, but understanding the signs and symptoms can teach you to recognize the “red flags” before they become a bigger problem.

Anaphylaxis is a whole body reaction, where after being exposed to an allergen, the body becomes sensitized to that allergen. When that allergen is re-introduced into the body, the body produces histamines to fight it. It is during this reaction that the bodies’ outside signals show what is happening on the inside.

An anaphylactic reaction could begin with tingling sensations, itching anywhere on the body, hives, wheezing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, swelling of the throat, coughing with increased intensity, diarrhea, a drop in blood pressure, nausea, swelling of the mouth and lips, watery or puffy eyes, or difficulty swallowing. It could also include skin redness and irritation, splotchy skin, confusion, anxiety, light-headedness, nasal congestion, and slurred speech.

Anaphylactic symptoms may be mild with only itching, or severe in combination with difficulty breathing, hives, and other symptoms. The symptoms can begin within seconds of a food being ingested, or show up two hours later. They can appear and disappear quickly, then come back several hours after the incident.

In some circumstances, anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated properly and with quick action.

Children may not be able to tell adults what the specific allergy or reaction may be, and precious time can be wasted if adults do not immediately understand that the child is having a reaction to something.

Children may describe these allergic reactions as the food being spicy (when it is not), the tongue being hot, their mouth feeling funny, or like something is poking or itching their tongue. They could also say it feels like a frog is in their throat, their lips feel tight, like there are bugs in there, or complain that their throat feels thick. Or, simple observations of other signs will tell you.

If at any point you notice any of these signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis or see your child having an anaphylactic reaction, follow your doctor’s instructions on handling the situation. When in doubt, call 911 and take your child to the Emergency Room.

Pollen Allergy

November 6th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

Allergies are something that affects millions of people on a daily basis. Pollen allergies in particular affect nearly 1 in 7 people. Pollens are the small male cells that are produced in flowering plants. These plants product pollens are a part of their reproductive system. Many different kinds of plants and trees use pollination for reproduction. Most of the pollen that is released travel through the air. This can often land in people’s eyes or mouth causing a pollen allergy.

Different symptoms that some pollen creates are stuffy noses, itchy watery eyes, sore throats, and often headaches. The time of year will usually dictate exactly how much pollen is released into the air. Also the amount of wind and temperature also has an effect on pollen production and release. The amount of pollen that is in the air on any given day is called a pollen count.

Usually the worst months for pollen in the air are between October through the end of March. This will depend on the region and climate that the different trees and plants are located. Someone living in the tropics will have a different experience that someone who lives in the north. There are a variety of different plants and grasses that release pollen at various time of the year.

Some of the ways to reduce pollen allergies are to ensure that you shower after you come inside. Because pollen can stick to your clothes and skin, it is important that you wash it off after you have gone outside. Avoiding being outside when it is dry and windy is also another great idea for reducing your pollen allergy outbreaks.

If you suffer from Pollen Allergies you should ensure that you find the right treatment. Doing a comprehensive search for the right Allergy Treatment is important to ensure that you get the relief you need.

Categories: Allergies Tags: ,

The Most Common Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

November 3rd, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

Gluten intolerance symptoms, be they mild or severe, affect just under a sixth of the US population. Gluten, found in wheat, rye and barley, is a type of protein which some individuals cannot tolerate in their system. In extreme cases, people may suffer from what is known as celiac disease, where body’s immune system undergoes a severe allergic reaction to the presence of gluten. Most people with an intolerance of gluten suffer from much milder symptoms. Either way, whenever the body reacts negatively to a particular food, especially one which can make up a significant part of one’s diet, there is always the possibility of a degree of malnutrition coming into the picture.

Gluten intolerance symptoms are not always easy to pinpoint. They cover a fairly broad range, and the symptoms themselves can often come from other causes. Gluten intolerance therefore, can at times be quite difficult to correctly diagnose. A person suffering from a chronic iron deficiency, chronic fatigue, or a gastrointestinal infection will exhibit many of the same symptoms experienced by the person allergic to foods containing gluten. One way to test for this intolerance, is to test for certain antibodies which will be present if a patient ingests food containing gluten, and does not have a tolerance for the protein. The presence of the antibodies help to isolate gluten intolerance as the cause of whatever symptoms are being experienced.

To the extent the immune system is involved, common symptoms include unexplained changes in weight over time. This can either be weight loss or weight gain. The patient may suffer from gastrointestinal problems, including fat in the stools. This is due to the fact that the body is not processing foods containing gluten properly. As food is not being processed efficiently, chronic fatigue, periods of exhaustion, headaches, and bouts of depression may occur. These symptoms can in turn lead to behavioral changes, such as irritability. Some symptoms are the direct result of gluten intolerance, while others are secondary, with other gluten intolerance symptoms being a root cause. More severe symptoms are aching joints, skin disorders, such as outbreaks of eczema, and cramping. Effects on women can include irregularity in the menstrual cycle and infertility. This intolerance symptoms even include incidences of miscarriage.

It’s important to have tests taken for gluten intolerance if any of these symptoms are present, even when they are mild in nature. Even a mild case of gluten intolerance is an indicator that the body is not properly processing all the food being eaten, and nutritional problems can therefore arise. Food intolerance can lead to other problems over a period of time, including cancer and diabetes. If gluten intolerance symptoms are diagnosed early on, many potentially more serious health problems may be avoided, or at least more effectively treated. You should be able to make a transition to a gluten free diet or a diet better fitted to your individual needs without too much of a problem.