I never thought that diet pills can have substances that may cause allergic reactions, hence it will not be good for people who has allergy. Some of the contents that can cause allergic reactions are: amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, methamphetamine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, terbutaline, or other appetite suppressants. Therefore, people who have allergy and want to take diet pills are suggested to consult their condition to physician so they can choose the best diet pills for them. Everyone will have different body reactions to diet pills, thus end result will be different from one person to other person. So, it’s always wise to do some research, e.g. by reading diet pill reviews to learn how they can get the most advantage out of diet pills and get the result that they want. The source for this information is available in the internet, magazines, newspaper, medical clinics, etc. By learning more, you will find diet pills that work and safe for your allergy condition.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Diet pills and allergy
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Learn About Allergies and The Relationship To Food
by Charles Amith
Allergies are the hypersensitive response of the body to foreign substances. These foreign substances are called antigens, which stimulate the body to produce antibodies, whose normal function is to combat antigens by destroying them or otherwise making them harmless. In allergic individuals, for poorly understood reasons, the body's antibody defense mechanism goes awry and injures the body instead of protecting it.
The most familiar allergies are hay fever and asthma, which are caused by a wide variety of inhaled pollens, dusts, and other agents. However, food can also be a cause of allergic reactions.
Food does not often cause allergic reactions. Food allergies are more common in infants than in older children and adults, probably because the infant's immature digestive tract permits more ready absorption of offending food molecules.
Manifestations of food allergies in adults are usually of the immediate kind, including hives, angioderma, eczema, gastrointestinal disorders, and general systemic reactions of the anaphylactic type. Systemic reactions occur quickly after eating.
They are most frequently caused by legumes, nuts, seafoods (especially shellfish), and berries, but carbohydrates, fats, food additives, and contamination by drugs may be implicated.
In infants and children, eczema is the prominent manifestation, and the most frequent causative agents include milk, wheat, eggs, fish, and soybean products.
Food allergies are diagnosed on the basis of the patient's allergic history together with trial eliminations of suspected foods from the patient's diet. Skin tests and tests for antibodies in serum are less significant, because the hypersensitive reaction may be provoked by the breakdown of products of the food resulting from digestion, and not by the food itself.
The management of food allergy is based mainly on the avoidance of the offending foods. An antihistamine taken before a meal may be helpful if a food to which one is allergic is to be eaten. Food allergies in children tend to lessen or disappear with age, but the anaphylactic types manifested in adults do not usually improve over time.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Allergy Cough And Its Remedy
Allergy cough is part of the allergy season that comes on the wings of every spring and then some more in the fall. If you are one of those allergy victims you must have experienced the horrible never-ending allergy cough that leaves you gasping for your breath. Cough is the most common allergy symptom for which people seek desperate medical attention and remedies.
What triggers this nasty allergy cough?
The usual seasonal allergy agents such as pollen, mold, animal dander, food products, dust and some medications can be one of the factors. The body induces a cough to clean itself from allergens and airways secretions.
Causes of allergy cough are:
* Viral infection of the upper respiratory tract
* Nasal and sinus allergy
* Esophageal problems (i.e. GERD) and/or stomach problems
* Environmental irritants
Thursday, June 5, 2008
3 Steps To Managing Skin Allergies
By: David Kane
An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.
Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ- your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.
The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.
Read more ..........
Monday, March 3, 2008
Fighting Allergens On The Home Front
By: Wade Gibson
While asthma and allergies are nothing to sneeze at, there could be good news for the families of the 8.9 million American children currently diagnosed with asthma and the millions more who suffer from allergies. They may all be able to breathe easier by fighting dirt and dander at home. Here are hints on how:
• Wash bedding regularly in hot water.
• Avoid feather pillows.
• Put a dust mite cover on your child's mattress and pillows.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom and wash furry pets often.
• Replace heat and air-conditioning filters monthly.
• Use an exhaust fan when cooking.
• Keep curtains and blinds dust free.
• Defeat dust and dangerous allergens with a total filtration system vacuum cleaner.
Read more ...................
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A Guide To Allergies
About Allergy
By Ken Marlborough
Allergy is a condition in which the body tends to react due to hypersensitivity to some substance such as food, drugs, drinks, pollution, flowers, and others. An allergen could be anything under the sun that might cause a reaction in one’s body if the body disagrees with that substance. Even a common thing such as sunlight and air might cause sever reactions in some if the skin is susceptible to allergies due to the same.
People suffering from food allergies are many. Although most of these individuals do not have very severe reactions, some might find instant severe reaction to some foods. Some of the allergic reactions are caused due to seafood, regular food such as rice, soy, wheat, nuts, flowers, sunlight, metals and many such items.
Certain allergic reactions that are caused can be given temporary treatment to sooth the itchiness and provide some relief to the patient. However, most allergies have no permanent cure and the individuals suffering from these will need to avoid coming in contact with certain items that might cause reactions.
Itchiness and irritation along with blotches are caused in most reactions. Body lotions can sometimes soothe these although severe ones need to be treated with immediate effect. Drug reactions must be immediately taken care of as they can turn out to be quite severe with delay and might even result in death of the patient if an alternative to stop the reaction is not immediately administered to the patient.
People suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma, sinusitis can use inhalers for temporary relief. Such individuals need to have the medicine on hand at all times in anticipation of an attack due to some reason or other. Other preventive medicines must be taken without fail for avoiding the attacks at inappropriate moments. Antihistamines and decongestants also help with respiratory problems.
Allergies tests must be taken to fist diagnose the problem. Although most of them do not have a temporary cure, allergy shots, supplements and other medication would help in stopping the attacks when least expected. Most allergy medication causes drowsiness and can impair driving. It is usually suggested to rest when on medication because of this. Allergy shots also help a great deal in the long run as they can reduce the chances of attacks drastically if proper care is taken.
Seasonal allergies are most common in children and even in a few percentages of adults. Taking a few precautions at the initial time of seasonal change can help a great deal in avoiding such allergies. Although spring is the most beautiful season, all that pollen in the air might result in respiratory and skin allergies. Children’s immunity system must be strong to be able to encounter these changes in the weather. Vitamins, particular the vitamin C can help a lot avoid respiratory allergies.
One important thing to consider before getting a prescription filled is to find weather the patient can take that medication without further allergy because of that medication, as many are allergic to sulfur and other ingredient in the medication composition.
Read more..............
3 Steps To Managing Skin Allergies
skin allergies
By: David Kane
An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.
Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ- your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.
The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.
A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.
Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.
The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.
Managing your skin's condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation.
When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.
Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.
After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.
To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself.
Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.
Read more....................
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Allergy: Who is at risk and why?
Allergies can develop at any age, possibly even in the womb. They commonly occur in children but may give rise to symptoms for the first time in adulthood. Asthma may persist in adults while nasal allergies tend to decline in old age.
Why, you may ask, are some people "sensitive" to certain allergens while most are not? Why do allergic persons produce more IgE than those who are non-allergic? The major distinguishing factor appears to be heredity. For some time, it has been known that allergic conditions tend to cluster in families. Your own risk of developing allergies is related to your parents' allergy history. If neither parent is allergic, the chance that you will have allergies is about 15%. If one parent is allergic, your risk increases to 30% and if both are allergic, your risk is greater than 60%.
Although you may inherit the tendency to develop allergies, you may never actually have symptoms. You also do not necessarily inherit the same allergies or the same diseases as your parents. It is unclear what determines which substances will trigger a reaction in an allergic person. Additionally, which diseases might develop or how severe the symptoms might be is unknown.
Another major piece of the allergy puzzle is the environment. It is clear that you must have a genetic tendency and be exposed to an allergen in order to develop an allergy. Additionally, the more intense and repetitive the exposure to an allergen and the earlier in life it occurs, the more likely it is that an allergy will develop.
There are other important influences that may conspire to cause allergic conditions. Some of these include smoking, pollution, infection, and hormones.
Read More......Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Inhalent sensitivities - Part 2
allergens
Part 2
Animals
The allergic effect of dogs is due to their dander (material from the fur and skin); in cats the saliva is the problem. Birds’ feathers can cause problems directly, or due to mites living in the feathers. No allergic person should allow their pets access to the whole house, and especially not the bedroom. Restrict them to one area and keep it clean. Filter vacuum cleaners and good air filters will help keep the load down, as will regular washing of dogs (and some cats will also tolerate being washed). High temperature steam cleaning is effective in removing the ‘reservoir’ of allergen in the carpets.
Chemicals
Some chemicals are known to cause allergy-type problems directly – in other words, you start to react to them just like foods and inhaled allergens. The reactions are often quite rapid and fairly severe because chemicals are absorbed into the body much more quickly than foods etc. However any chemical that we inhale or ingest has to be eliminated from the body through our detoxification pathways; these often fail to function adequately in people with immune system problems. The same detox pathways that get rid of chemicals also have to deal with breakdown products from reactions to foods etc. These pathways use vitamins, minerals and proteins to work; the more you react, the harder the pathways work, and the more vitamins and minerals they use. At the same time, people who are allergic to foods tend not to absorb vitamins and minerals from their diet very well. If you become deficient in vitamins and minerals then the detox pathways can’t work effectively, allowing chemicals to build up in the system. Therefore even low levels of chemicals, which would not affect a ‘normal’ person, affect many allergic people.
Reducing the load of chemicals to which we are exposed each day is therefore an important aspect to consider. Not only should you try and avoid chemicals to which you react, but you also need to reduce as far as possible the use of all chemicals in the home, in order to relieve the load on the immune system and detox pathways. So, ideally, everyone in the house needs to do the following:
- DON’T SMOKE or allow smoking in the house; if someone in your house just won’t give up, ask them to only smoke in one room and get a good air filter in there.
- Don’t use perfume or hairspray.
- Switch to un-perfumed deodorants; use sticks/roll-on’s, not sprays (or ideally, nothing)
- Use fragrance free shampoo and conditioner.
- Use a ‘cleaner’ toothpaste, ie homeopathic, herbal, baking soda (patient only).
- Don’t use air fresheners, carpet powder cleaners, scented vacuum bags.
- Use oxygen bleaches, not chlorine bleach. Borax can be put down toilet bowls, and for soaking clothes.
- Cut down on the use of strong smelling disinfectants. Most people use disinfectants when they only need to clean with soap and water. When a disinfectant is needed use a non-taint, safer type such as Dettox.
- Switch to an un-perfumed soap powder of the ‘sensitive skin’ type and don’t use fabric conditioners at all.
- Cut down on the use of furniture polishes and spray cleaners; use pump sprays or tins rather than aerosols (or ideally just damp-dust).
- Half-used tins of paint, brush cleaner etc. should not be kept under the sink. Eventually the paint dries out in the tin – where does the solvent go? into the air in your house!
In summary, everyone in the house needs to stop using any chemical that is not necessary. Where products do still need to be used, they should be fragrance-free, non-aerosol versions.
Source: http://www.allergyuk.org
Inhalent sensitivities - Part 1
This group includes pollens, moulds, animal dander and housedust mites.
Housedust Mites are probably the most important inhaled allergen; reducing exposure to them is the most fundamental aspect of allergen avoidance. They are found in large numbers in most houses in the UK; they require a food source (shed skin scales), warmth, and humidity to survive.
Skin scales are found in abundance in bedding, soft furnishings and carpets. Each night we warm up our beds as we sleep, shed skin and provide moisture through perspiration and breathing (roughly a pint per person per night); therefore high levels of mites are found in bedclothes, mattresses and pillows. Each mite passes very small faecal pellets (about 30 microns); these are extremely dry as the housedust mite needs to conserve as much moisture as possible. These pellets fragment easily into particles, which become airborne very easily, and remain airborne for many hours. They are of a size that our defences find most difficult to keep out of our airways, and they are therefore easily inhaled. As they land on the surface of the airways they set up an immune response; because they will act as a repeated stimulus to the immune system, in the susceptible patient allergy may well develop.
Housedust mite exposure should be reduced even if you do not think it is a particular problem – almost every allergic patient is allergic to them, and this puts a constant ‘load’ on the immune system.
There are several ways of approaching the control of housedust mite exposure:-
- The most important area to tackle is the bed. Wash bedding regularly. Mites in bedclothes will be killed if you can hot wash them (60oC and above). Although normal cool washing does not kill mites, it does wash out the allergic component of the pellets that causes the problem, and it will be some time before the levels rise again. Pillows are supposed to be washable but in practice it can be difficult getting them dry, and mattresses can’t be washed at all. Therefore pillows and mattresses hold high levels of mites and every night their pellets are breathed in as we sleep. They should be covered with a special ‘allergy’ breathable barrier cover if possible. The duvet should also be covered in the same way unless it is washable and is regularly washed. Mattresses on slatted bases, which allow good air circulation, are an advantage if possible.
- Kill them with high temperature steam cleaning of carpets, mattresses etc (high-temp steam leaves things dry rather than wet); or by freezing (e.g. pillows, soft toys).
- Increase ventilation to lower humidity (i.e. have windows open as much as possible). One of the reasons for the increase in housedust mite problems in recent decades is poor ventilation leading to higher humidity, which encourages mite growth. Reducing humidity levels kill mites, and as it also controls mould growth and reduces indoor air pollution (often worse than outdoor pollution).
- The best option is a good air filter (and a dehumidifier if the house is particularly damp). There are many air filters on the market that will trap larger particles such as whole pollen grains and mite pellets, but fragmented pellets and pollens, and some mould spores, are of a size (up to one micron) which most easily get through our defences. Up to 95% of the airborne particles in a room will be of this size, and they are also the most difficult particles for an air filter to remove. Filters, which are specifically designed to remove these most difficult particles, are called HEPA filters, and these are the best ones to buy.
- Filter vacuum cleaners – the small size of the most troublesome particles means that they pass straight through the coarse filter and dust bag of a normal cleaner and are blown around the room (thus many dust allergic people are worse after vacuuming). Simple measures include getting someone else to vacuum, opening windows wide during vacuuming, and not doing it so often – damp dust instead (but not with a cloth that is too wet, or humidity will rise). Ideally an old vacuum cleaner should be replaced with one that is designed to effectively trap even the sub-micron particles which cause the problems. There are a range of options, from expensive but very effective purpose built machines, through to standard models fitted with special microfilters, to filter material which can be added to your existing vacuum cleaner if you can’t afford a new one. Whichever type you choose, you should be sure that the filter vacuum effectively removes particles down to half-a-micron or so. A more powerful machine will suck up more dust and therefore steadily reduce the ‘reservoir’ of housedust mite left in furnishings.
Pollens and Moulds
Grass pollen is commonly considered; tree and weed pollens are often ignored but as each has it’s own season ranging from January (Hazel) to October (Dandelion). Air filters are effective indoors (pollens are relatively large particles, although fragments are obviously much smaller). Filter vacuum cleaners will trap pollens.
Mould spores are usually ignored but are potent allergens – very few allergic patients are not mould sensitive. Different moulds spore at different seasons, so mould sensitivity (as with pollens) can lead to year long symptoms, usually worse in spring and particularly autumn, in damp weather, when raining or snowing, and in gardens, around compost heaps, and when cutting grass. Measures to reduce humidity, increase ventilation, and good air filters will help tackle mould sensitivity, as may avoiding ‘mouldy’ foods such as blue cheeses, mushrooms and yeasts.
If you have a damp house, particularly where mould is visible on walls and windowsills, it is important to determine the cause and tackle it (either structural faults, or condensation due to inadequate heating or poor ventilation)
Source: http://www.allergyuk.org
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Indoor Allergens - Top Tips
If you are suffering from an allergy to house dust mite, pets or moulds have a look at our top tips that could help ease some of your symptoms.
- Allergic reactions to house dust mite cause sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, tight chest and skin rashes, avoidance measures are key as part of a management programme.
- House dust mites make happy bedfellows, did you know, it is estimated that 2 million house dust mites live in a double bed. By using anti-allergy bedding covers that have been scientifically tested, you can significantly reduce contact with the allergen.
- Using duvets and pillows that contain material in which house dust mites cannot live can play a major part in avoidance.
- The house dust mite thrives in a warm moist environment. An electric blanket containing anti-allergy material will not only keep your bed warm, but house dust mites will not thrive in a nice dry bed.
- Padded headboards attract and hold dust, vacuum them regularly or opt for a wooden one.
- Indoor air quality is often as much as 20 times more polluted than the air outside. Common allergens are house dust mite, mould spores, pet dander, and pollen, and chemical pollutants are pesticides from timber treatments, tobacco smoke and chemicals from household cleaning products.
- Keep your home well ventilated by opening windows and by slightly lowering the temperature of the central heating you can greatly improve the air quality and reduce indoor allergens.
- Air conditioning is becoming increasingly popular but it is important to remember that these systems must be properly maintained otherwise mould can become established in the system and will be spread around the building by the very action of the air conditioning system itself.
- House dust mites can survive at quite low temperatures and up to over 34C, but they need moisture to survive which is why our UK humid climate is so good. Almost all temperatures in our homes offer the ideal environment for house dust mites to live in but you can make your home difficult for them to survive by reducing humidity and taking the following steps: air your bed everyday by hanging your duvet or blankets over a chair, open windows and close doors on all steamy rooms like the bathroom and kitchen.
- To further reduce house dust mites and their allergen, vacuum carpets everyday and curtains, and fabric three-piece suites three times a week with a vacuum cleaner that has a Hepa filter.
- When replacing your three piece suite try to replace it with a leather or vinyl covered suite.
- It is quite fashionable nowadays to use cotton throws over fabric suites. These can be washed at least monthly on a 60-degree wash to kill any allergens gathered in the throw or you could use anti-allergy bedding that can be adapted to make covers encasing the suite.
- Soft toys are a favourite place for house dust mites to live in. By removing all but a favourite soft toy from the bedroom at night, you will lessen the house dust mites in your child’s room and bed. Every month, all soft toys should be either placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours and washed (in a pillow case) to remove the dead mites and their allergic droppings or washed at a temperature of 60C.
- Pollen can live in the carpet for three months, vacuum regularly with a cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
- Cat allergy is very common. Cat allergen is very light and sticky and stays around for months even after the cat is no longer around. Cat allergen sticks to carpeting, furnishings and walls, causing a problem for sufferers, regular washing down of walls and paintwork will help keep allergens down.
- Steam cleaning can make a great impact using a product that has been scientifically tested to ascertain its efficiency in removing allergens. Vacuuming the carpet after steam cleaning will completely remove dead mites and allergen.
- Regularly check and clean bathrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms are ideal breeding grounds for moulds to grow, as are windowsills, check these areas regularly. Rather than using chemical cleaners to remove mould try white vinegar or borax for cleaning, as this will remove the mould without increasing the chemical pollution within the home.
- Regularly check fruit in the fruit basket removing any aging fruit as this will be a target for mould.
- Indoor houseplants are another source of moulds. Place pea-shingle on top of the soil and this will stop mould spores from settling.
- Always use an electrostatic duster or damp dust, as this will stop dust particles becoming air-borne. Dust particles can remain airborne for several hours irritating the nose, eyes and chest.
Source: http://www.allergyuk.org
Sunday, April 29, 2007
What does an allergy mean?
allergy information
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily
contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Austrian pediatrician Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity that was beneficial and to the harmful hypersensitivity as "allergy." The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos," meaning work or action. Allergy roughly refers to an "altered reaction." The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of children who were given repeated shots of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy was proposed to explain this unexpected "changed reactivity."
Allergy FactRead More......
- It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions.
- The cost of allergies in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.
- Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects about 35 million Americans, 6 million of whom are children.
- Asthma affects 15 million Americans, 5 million of whom are children.
- The number of cases of asthma has doubled over the last 20 years.
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