Categories
Featured

Natural Cures for Allergies

[amazon_link asins=’B005TM1YIG,B008Y42WJG,B00I5PB54W,B01MR0PE3O,B015STM9QU,B01N6JP6VH,B01IGKS5KW,B000RWERZ0′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’91f2c66f-173d-11e7-b98f-b9564c7ab2b6′]

4 Drug-free options for seasonal allergies:-….CLICK & SEE

Drug-free antidotes are nothing to sneeze at, especially if you’re susceptible to side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth from popular OTC allergy pills. Below, some promising alternatives that can help get you through the remaining weeks of hay-fever season symptom free.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Like many OTC meds, this perennial shrub is believed to block histamines. Studies show it can work as well as Zyrtec or Allegra at relieving allergy symptoms—with less drowsiness. A common brand is Petadolex; take as directed. Make sure the label specifies that pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed; they’ve been linked to side effects.

Nasal irrigation
The sinus cavities are rinsed with lukewarm saline water. Decades’ worth of clinical tests have found that washing allergens out of the nose is safe, effective, inexpensive, and free of side effects. Ceramic Neti pots, a plastic squeeze bottle such as SinuCleanse ($11), or sprays like ENTsol ($18) all work well. Use warm, distilled water and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt per 1 cup for the Neti pot.

Spirulina….CLICK & SEE
A type of blue-green algae supplement, it’s rich in beta-carotene, protein, and chlorophyll. A University of California, Davis, study found that 2 g of spirulina daily for 12 weeks eased allergies better than did a placebo. Earthrise Farms (earthrise.com) grows much of the spirulina in the United States; recommended daily doses cost less than $1.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
This flowering plant isn’t soft to the touch, but the powdered form has been helpful for centuries. A handful of promising studies since 1990 show it eases allergies, though results vary. Try up to 9 g of pills daily, suggests Roberta Lee, M.D., medical director at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City.

You may also click to  learn more

Sources:msn.health & fitness

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Categories
Featured

An Abundance of Remedies but Little Relief

CLICK & SEE

Allergies are a worldwide problem. Skin testing is sometimes helpful as part of a treatment plan.

In Brief:

*Despite dozens of over-the-counter and prescription remedies, millions of allergy sufferers seek better relief.

*Allergies are often overlooked by doctors and patients but can lead to serious health problems, including asthma in children.

*Rush immunotherapy regimens offer a fast response — and hold out hope for long-term relief — but require close monitoring.

*Under-the-tongue remedies offer an alternative for the needle shy but aren’t yet F.D.A.-approved.

*With more than 35 over-the-counter remedies and 28 prescription medications crowding the market, you’d think it would be easy for hay fever sufferers to find relief.

Think again.

Most of the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer the runny noses, raw and itchy eyes, clogged sinuses and hammering headaches of allergic rhinitis, as hay fever is medically known, aren’t getting the relief they seek. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than half say they’re “very interested” in finding a new medication. One in four reports “constantly trying different medications to find one that works for me.”

Why is it so hard to find an effective treatment?

One problem, experts say, is that allergic rhinitis isn’t taken seriously enough, by doctors or allergy sufferers. “Allergic rhinitis is typically a doorknob complaint,” said Dr. Bradley Marple, professor of otolaryngology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. “Patients wait until they’re almost out the door before they say, ’Oh, and by the way, my allergies have been acting up.’” Too many doctors quickly write a prescription or recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine but fail to follow up to see if it worked.

Four out of five allergy sufferers never even make it to the doctor’s office, relying instead on over-the-counter remedies, according to the A.A.F.A. survey. “Unfortunately, that usually means there’s no treatment plan in place,” said Dr. Marple. “A patient may try one antihistamine and if it doesn’t work try another, when what they really need is a decongestant, or a drug that targets another part of the allergic reaction, or a corticosteroid nasal spray.”

That’s too bad, and not only because it means needless suffering. Allergies can lead to sleep problems and set sufferers up for more serious respiratory problems. Children with allergic rhinitis are three times more likely than their non-sniffling counterparts to develop asthma. Kids and adults alike are more likely to develop sinus and ear infections, especially if their allergies go untreated.

The strongest argument for taking allergies seriously comes from results of an ongoing experiment called the Preventive Allergy Treatment Study in Denmark. Seven years after completing a course of allergy shots aimed at quieting an overcharged immune response to harmless substances such as pollen, children in the study were more than four times less likely to develop asthma.

“Those results are really remarkable,” said Dr. Harold Nelson, an allergist at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Along with other evidence, he explained, they show that immunotherapy doesn’t just alleviate symptoms but actually changes the immune system of people with allergies, restoring it to normal.

Unfortunately, few studies have been done to compare one course of allergy treatment with another. Instead, physicians must rely not on evidence-based research but what’s referred to as “expert opinion.” And as Dr. Marple said, “experts can disagree.”

Still, a consensus on the basic plan of attack is emerging.

For mild to moderate allergic rhinitis, over-the-counter remedies are a reasonable first step. Decongestants work by constricting tiny blood vessels and shrinking swollen and inflamed tissue in the lining of the sinuses. Antihistamines block one of the biochemical steps of the allergic process.

If over-the-counter medicines don’t work, it’s time to talk to a doctor or allergist. Many prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays, which suppress the allergic process at the heart of the problem.

Typically, immunotherapy is the last resort. The treatment involves identifying the specific culprit that’s causing the problem through a series of skin tests or, in some cases, a blood test. Tiny doses of allergen are then injected under the skin in a weekly series of allergy shots to desensitize the immune system.

Some doctors now offer an accelerated protocol called rush or cluster immunotherapy, in which patients receive several shots a day, spaced half an hour apart. “Instead of the six to eight months it usually takes with standard immunotherapy, we can get to maintenance levels in four weeks,” said Dr. Nelson. Because this rush procedure can lead to serious immune reactions, including shock, it must be closely monitored. A ragweed vaccine given over six weeks is also currently in testing.

For the needle-shy, another advance is making immunotherapy more attractive: the use of allergens that dissolve under the tongue. Although widely used in Europe, sublingual allergens haven’t yet won F.D.A. approval in the United States. Allergists are free to prescribe them, but insurance companies won’t cover the cost. Another drawback is that sublingual allergens are only about half as effective as injections in desensitizing the immune system. But patients can take them at home, rather than having to make an office visit for each treatment – an important advantage.

For his part, Dr. Nelson thinks more patients should consider immunotherapy, especially those with severe and persistent allergic rhinitis. “Medications work only as long as you keep taking them,” he said. “Immunotherapy is the only treatment we have that alters the immune system, restoring the same response to allergens like ragweed that we see in normal nonallergic people.”

Unlike pills and nasal sprays, in other words, immunotherapy holds out the possibility of something far better: a cure.

Sources:The New York Times: June 10 ’08

Zemanta Pixie
Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Allergic Rhinitis

[amazon_link asins=’B000M4W2E6,B00WDYH9KU,B00G9G16A2,B01N58P7DB,B00W80NUIE,B071ZH9PCT,B071W8R62N,B017C00RQC,B00MU5F8UU’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ab521d36-78d2-11e7-8483-15f2dbffe64c’]

Allergic rhinitis is a condition in which the membrane lining the nose and the throat is inflamed. it affects people who experience an allergic reaction after they inhale specific airborne substances (allergens). allergic rhinitis may occur only during the spring and summer, in which case it is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever, or it may be perennial and occur all year around. allergic rhinitis is more common in people who also have other allergic rhinitis, such as asthma.Allergies are due to an overactive immune system and are universally recognized as an inappropriate immune system response that is out of proportion to the offending allergen.

click & see the pictures

Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes, caused by airborne particles of dust, dander, or plant pollens in people who are allergic to these substances.The symptoms of both forms of allergic rhinitis usually appear soon after contact with the allergen but tend to be more severe in hay fever. they include:
· frequent sneezing.
· blocked, runny nose.
· itchy, red, watery eyes.
.Coughing
.Headache
.Itching nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
.Runny nose
.Problems with smell
.Sneezing
.Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
.Tearing eyes
.Sore throat
.Wheezing

some people may develop a headache. if the lining of the nose is severely inflamed, nosebleeds may occur.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually due to grass, tree, flower, or wheat pollens; it occurs mostly in the spring and summer when pollen counts are high. the most common allergens that provoke perennial allergic rhinitis include house dust and dust mites, animal fur and dander, feathers, and mold spores.

Allergies are caused by an over-sensitive immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. Allergy symptoms occurs when the immune system reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause an immune response.

When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen such as pollen or dust, antibodies are produced. When the antibodies are stimulated by pollen and dust, histamine and other chemicals are released. This causes itching, swelling, and mucus production. Symptoms vary from person to person. Very sensitive individuals can experience hives or other rashes.

Hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen. A similar reaction occurs with allergy to mold, animal dander, dust, and similar inhaled allergens.

The pollens that cause hay fever vary from person to person and from region to region. Large, visible pollens are seldom responsible for hay fever. Tiny, hard to see pollens more often cause hay fever. Examples of plants commonly responsible for hay fever include:

Trees (deciduous and evergreen)
Grasses
Ragweed
The amount of pollen in the air can play a role in whether hay fever symptoms develop. Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to have increased amounts of pollen in the air than cool, damp, rainy days when most pollen is washed to the ground.

Some disorders may be associated with allergies. These include eczema and asthma.

Allergies are common. Your genes and environmental may make you more prone to allergies.

Signs and tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your history of symptoms is important in diagnosing allergic rhinitis, including whether the symptoms vary according to time of day or the season, exposure to pets or other allergens, and diet changes.

Allergy testing may reveal the specific allergens the person is reacting to. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing. This may include scratch, patch, or other tests.

If your doctor determines you cannot undergo skin testing, the RAST blood test may help determine which allergens you are sensitive to.

What might be done?
Your doctor will probably recognize allergic rhinitis from your symptoms, particularly if you are able to identify the substance that triggers a reaction. a skin prick test may be performed in order to identify the allergen that causes the allergic rhinitis. in some cases, the allergen cannot be found.

if you can avoid the allergens that affect you, your symptoms will subside. many antiallergy drugs are available over-the-counter or by prescription. for example, allergies can be blocked by nasal sprays that contain cromolyn sodium. alternatively, corticosteroids are effective for hay fever but may take a few days to work. nasal sprays containing decongestants can relieve symptoms but should not be used regularly. oral antihistamines are often combined with decongestants to relieve inflammation and itching. eyedrops may help relieve eye symptoms. rarely, if symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid.

the most specific treatment for allergic rhinitis is immunotherapy, in which you are injected with gradually increasing doses of allergen with the aim of desensitizing the immune system. this treatment, which typically takes as long as 3-4 years, is not always successful.
Modern Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce allergy symptoms caused by the inflammation of affected tissues.
The best “treatment” is to avoid what causes your allergic symptoms in the first place. It may be impossible to completely avoid all allergens to which you are sensitive, but you can often take steps to reduce exposure.

Medication options include the following:
Short-acting antihistamines can relieve mild to moderate symptoms, but can cause drowsiness. Many may be bought without a prescription. A pediatrician should be consulted before using these medicines in children, as they may affect learning. Loratadine (Claritin) is now available over the counter. It does not tend to cause drowsiness or affect learning in children.
Longer-acting antihistamines are available by prescription. They cause less drowsiness and can work just as well. They usually do not interfere with learning. These medications include fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Nasal corticosteroid sprays work very well for people with symptoms not relieved by antihistamines alone. These prescription medications include fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and triamcinolone (Nasacort).
Azelastine (Astelin) is a new, nasal antihistamine that is used to treat allergic rhinitis.
Decongestants may also be helpful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion, but they should not be used for long periods.
Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray (Nasalcrom) for treating hay fever. Eye drop versions of cromolyn sodium and antihistamines are available for itchy, bloodshot eyes.
The leukotriene inhibitor Singulair is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
The most appropriate medication depends on the type and severity of symptoms. Specific illnesses that are caused by allergies (such as asthma and eczema) may require other treatments.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are occasionally recommended if the allergen cannot be avoided and if symptoms are hard to control. This includes regular injections of the allergen, given in increasing doses (each dose is slightly larger than the previous dose) that may help the body adjust to the antigen.

Expected (prognosis)
Most symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be readily treated.
In some cases (particularly children), people may outgrow an allergy as the immune system becomes less sensitive to the allergen. However, as a general rule, once a substance causes allergies for an individual, it can continue to affect the person over the long term.

More severe cases of allergic rhinitis require immunotherapy (allergy shots) or removal of tissue in the nose or sinuses.
Complications
Drowsiness and other side effects of antihistamines
Side effects of other medications
Sinusitis
Nasal polyps
Disruption of lifestyle (usually not severe)

Prevention
Symptoms can sometimes be prevented by avoiding known allergens. During the pollen season, people with hay fever should remain indoors in an air-conditioned atmosphere whenever possible:

Most trees produce pollen in the spring.
Grasses usually produce pollen during the late spring and summer.
Ragweed and other late-blooming plants produce pollen during late summer and early autumn.
For people who are sensitive to certain indoor allergens, dust mite covers for mattresses and pillowcases are recommended, as well as avoiding culprit pets or other triggers.

Click for more knowledge on Allergic rhinitis
Ayurvedic Recommended medicine :Cephagraine
Recommended Therapy: Virechan , Nasya


Natural Alternative Treatment.Herbal Treatment .How to get rid of your hay fever virtually automatically

.Homeopathic Medicines & Treatment for HAY FEVER, Allergic Rhinitis
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Resources:
http://www.charak.com/therapypage.asp?id=4
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000813.htm

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Health Problems & Solutions

First aid In Fever

[amazon_link asins=’B0172N4F6C,B071RR8P66,B0000X070K,B0006GDB6I,1594774374,B001ANQVYU,B002M3PWYM,B013FWXKDS,B0196TLW84′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’2b76457c-7a6b-11e7-8e7b-ffa2f3420010′]

Fever is one of your body’s reactions to infection. What’s normal for you may be a little higher or lower than the average temperature of 98.6 F (37 C). That’s why it’s hard to say just what a fever is. But a “significant” fever is usually defined as an oral or ear temperature of 102 F or a rectal temperature of 103 F. For very young children and infants, however, even slightly elevated temperatures may indicate a serious infection. In newborns, a subnormal temperature   rather than a fever   also may be a sign of serious illness.

Don’t treat fevers below 101 F with any medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. If you have a fever of 101 F or higher, your doctor may suggest taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Adults may also use aspirin. But don’t give aspirin to children. It may trigger a rare, but potentially fatal, disorder known as   Reye’s syndrome.

How to take a temperature
You can choose from several types of thermometers. Today most have digital readouts. Some take the temperature quickly from the ear canal and can be especially useful for young children and older adults. Other thermometers can be used rectally, orally or under the arm. If you use a digital thermometer, be sure to read the instructions, so you know what the beeps mean and when to read the thermometer. Under normal circumstances, temperatures tend to be highest around 4 p.m. and lowest around 4 a.m.

Because of the potential for mercury exposure or ingestion, glass mercury thermometers have been phased out and are no longer recommended.

Rectally (for infants)
To take your child’s temperature rectally:

* Place a dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the bulb.
* Lay your child on his or her stomach.
* Carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum.
* Hold the bulb and child still for three minutes. To avoid injury, don’t let go of the thermometer while it’s inside your child.
* Remove and read the temperature as recommended by the manufacturer.
* A rectal temperature reading is generally 1 degree F higher than an oral reading.

Orally
To take your temperature orally:

* Place the bulb under your tongue.
* Close your mouth for the recommended amount of time, usually three minutes.
* If you’re using a nondigital thermometer, remove it from your mouth and rotate it slowly until you can read the temperature accurately.

Under the arm (axillary)
Although it’s not the most accurate way to take a temperature, you can also use an oral thermometer for an armpit reading:

* Place the thermometer under your arm with your arm down.
* Hold your arms across your chest.
* Wait five minutes or as recommended by your thermometer’s manufacturer. Then remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
* An axillary reading is generally 1 degree F less than an oral reading

Get medical help for a fever in these cases:

* If a baby is younger than 2 months of age and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher. Even if your baby doesn’t have other signs or symptoms, call your doctor just to be safe.
* If a baby is older than 2 months of age and has a temperature of 102 F or higher.
* If a newborn has a lower-than-normal temperature — less than 95 F rectally.
* If a child younger than age 2 has a fever for longer than one day, or a child age 2 or older has a fever for longer than three days. If your child has a fever after being left in a very hot car, seek medical care immediately.
* If an adult has a temperature of more than 104 F or has had a fever for more than three days.

Call your doctor immediately if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:

* A severe headache
* Severe swelling of the throat
* Unusual skin rash
* Unusual eye sensitivity to bright light
* A stiff neck and pain when the head is bent forward
* Mental confusion
* Persistent vomiting
* Difficulty breathing or chest pain
* Extreme listlessness or irritability
* Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
* Any other unexplained symptoms

Source:MayoClinic.Com

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Allergies

[amazon_link asins=’B00G9E1GYA,B012NZQD28,0399166246,B00YWHX2JI,B007D4R4ZK,140194941X’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’36a64b9e-c6f3-11e7-b4c6-9da602d1f11d’]

Symptoms

Red, itchy, or puffy eyes, sometimes with allergic shiners — dark circles around the eyes.
Sneezing.
Swollen nasal passages.
Runny nose with a clear discharge.
Irritated throat.
Fatigue

What It Is

Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for the nasal symptoms caused by allergies to a variety of airborne particles. The condition can be an occasional inconvenience or a problem so severe that it interferes with almost every aspect of daily life. If you notice symptoms in warm weather, you may have seasonal allergies, commonly called hay fever, triggered by tree or grass pollen in spring and by ragweed in the fall. If you have symptoms year-round — called perennial allergies — the most likely culprits are mites in household dust, mold, or animal dander. You may be allergic to one or more of these irritants. For either type of allergy, the symptoms are the same. People with allergic rhinitis may have a decreased resistance to colds, flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory illnesses.

click & see the pictures

What Causes It

When bacteria, viruses, or other substances enter the body, the immune system sets out to destroy those that can cause illness, but ignores such harmless particles as pollen. In some individuals, however, the immune system can’t tell the difference between threatening and benign material. As a result, innocuous particles can trigger the release of a naturally occurring substance called histamine and other inflammatory compounds in the area where the irritant entered the body — the nose, throat, or eyes.
No one knows why the immune system overreacts this way, but some experts think that poor nutrition and pollutants in the air may weaken the system. Allergic rhinitis also runs in some families.

How Supplements Can Help

For seasonal allergies, take all supplements in the list below from early spring through the first frost. In place of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, try quercetin. Whereas drugs simply block the effect of histamine, this flavonoid inhibits its release — without any side effects. Combining it with the herb nettle can combat sneezing, itching, and swollen nasal passages.
Vitamin A and vitamin C support the immune system; vitamin C, the main antioxidant in the cells of the respiratory passages, may also have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. The B vitamin pantothenic acid may reduce nasal congestion. You may want to take these three nutrients during allergy season, even if you opt for traditional drugs for specific symptom relief.

And, for severe cases of hay fever, ephedra (Ma huang) may be useful because it opens the respiratory passages. You can use ephedra with quercetin and nettle, but not with prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants.

What Else You Can Do

Stay indoors with the windows closed when pollen counts are high. Use an air-conditioner even in the car and clean the filter regularly.
Eliminate carpets and use furniture slipcovers that can be washed. Encase mattresses and pillows in allergy-proof covers and wash bedding weekly in very hot water. Dust mites collect in these areas.
Clean damp areas to prevent the growth of mold.
Certain herbs are natural antihistamines. Try sipping teas made from anise, ginger, or peppermint singly or in combination. Ginger and peppermint also have a decongestant effect. Drink up to four cups a day as needed to reduce symptoms.
Wash bedding in very hot water (130?F) to kill the dust mites that accumulate and trigger allergic reactions or add eucalyptus oil to a warm-water wash. Mix 2 ounces oil with 1 ounce liquid dishwashing detergent (otherwise the oil will separate from the water). In the washer presoak the bedding in this mixture for half an hour; then put in your usual laundry detergent and run the laundry cycle as you normally do.

Supplement Recommendations:-

1. Quercetin:-Dosage: 500 mg twice a day.
Comments: Use 20 minutes before meals; often sold with vitamin C.

2.Nettle:- Dosage: 250 mg 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Comments: Standardized to contain at least 1% plant silica.

3.Vitamin A:-Dosage: 10,000 IU a day.
Comments: Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should not exceed 5,000 IU a day.

4.Vitamin C:-Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Reduce dose if diarrhea develops.

5.Pantothenic Acid:- Dosage: 500 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Take with meals.

6.Ephedra:- Dosage: 130 mg standardized extract 3 times a day.
Comments: May cause insomnia.

Ayurvedic treatment may sometimes cure Allergy permanently.

Homeremedies are helpful for curing several Allergies.

Homeopathic sometimes plays a good role in curing Allergy.
Help taken from: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Enhanced by Zemanta
css.php