Know more about food allergies

By: mannu mittal

An allergy can be described as a malfunction of the immune system, an exaggerated response to certain substances. Your body mistakenly believes that something it has touched, smelled or eaten is harmful to it and your body releases massive amounts of chemicals, such as histamine to protect itself. s sIt is believed that 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies.

These allergies are as varied as food itself is. Some people suffer from an allergy to one food, some to many. The most common food allergies are generally eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Symptoms of food allergies are varied and range from a tingling of the mouth to swelling of the tongue and throat to difficulty breathing to hives, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and in some instances death. There are ways to help you or your loved one manage your food allergies. First seek the help of an allergist. Your allergist will perform a patch test to determine the exact cause of allergic reactions.

This will be the guideline you use as you develop a diet based around your food allergies. As with other types of allergies there is no cure for a food allergy. Some children do grow out of some food allergies as they age although allergies to peanuts, fish, shellfish and nuts are often considered lifetime allergies. You or your loved one must simply avoid the food that causes the allergy. This can be difficult, especially when eating out in a restaurant. Depending on the severity of allergy, even slight cross contamination of food products can cause reactions. Food labeling is a very important component of avoiding foods that trigger allergies.

Since 2000 the FDA has been presenting information on allergy risks and labeling requirements to manufacturers. They seek to have manufacturers change some labels to be easier to read, using plain language like "milk" on a label instead of "caseinate". In the case of a milk or egg allergy there are alternatives that can be used when cooking or baking. There are many online sites dedicated to supplying information, education and support to those with food allergies.

Source:http://www.freearticledirectory.co.uk/index.php?page=article&article_id=32249

Dealing With Pet Allergies

By: A. Wilmot


It is Winter time again, a time of the year when pets and humans are very vulnerable to each other. As this is obviously the chilliest time of the year, animals are much more likely to be cooped up inside the house with us. All of the windows and doors are closed to the world and the heat is blasting around the clock.

These are exactly the conditions which make our winter homes playgrounds for certain allergens. Our pets are extremely vulnerable to the dust in the carpet, the mold inside the walls of your old house and other pets. But warm moist times of the year are high allergy times as well. Allergies are simply the most common conditions affecting cats and according to Kansas.

State University, 15% of dogs suffer from common allergies like pollen and house dust. An allergic reaction is the work of an overactive immune system. It is when an animal responds abnormally to a seemingly everyday substance such as grass or general food ingredients.

Of the different kinds of allergies, contact allergies are the least common in cats and dogs. An Example of a contact allergen is a flea collar. Grass and various kinds of bedding such as wool are also examples. An Inhalant Allergy is the most common allergy for cats and is also prevalent in dogs.

This particular kind of allergy is caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to environmental substances. A Flea Allergy is the single most common dog allergy but is also common cats. The normal dog or cat suffers only somewhat minor irritation in lieu of a flea bite with minimal itching.

A food allergy is also somehat common in pets. Cats often become allergic to their most common protein such as tuna. Dogs can be allergic to proteins like chicken and beef. When it comes to allergies, like most things it's a matter of controlling, not curing. Once an animal's body becomes hypersensitive to certain things, it is then eternally vulnerable to those things.

Regarding treatment of allergies, the most common treatments are topical products like shampoos or antihistamines. There are also certain supplements that you can give to your pets to help support
the insides of their bodies, which to an extent determine the condition of the outside. For additional Information visit
Dog Supplements from Life's Abundance for help with your dog

About the Author

A. Wilmot is a writer/researcher. For more info. go to http://www.premium-cat-food.com/

Source:http://www.freearticledirectory.co.uk/index.php?page=article&article_id=196

Acne Skin Care For You

By: Kirsten Hawkins


A high percentage of individuals have been tormented by skin problems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, blackheads and acne. These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or an early stage in life where people tend to be most socially insecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also be psychological. It can drain an individual's self-esteem and confidence. Some individuals may continue experiencing acne related skin infections decades later and it may eventually diminish during early adulthood for most people. There is now way of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fully disappear. Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among the most common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is a result of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands and its buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of the body like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.

Acne can be irritating for most people since it can almost be unpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exact causes of this skin disease are not known and there have been no guaranteed measure in averting it. Diet, hereditary reasons, vitamin deficiency and stress are among the factors that have been closely attributed to acne infections. Still, it is best to find a good acne skin care regimen to ease and control its growth. An average person can make use of typical acne skin care methods. For severe forms of acne, consulting dermatologists is advisable in finding ways to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.

Perhaps the best acne skin care regimen is to regularly wash your skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser and warm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirt and pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing your skin can only worsen your acne problems. Too much scrubbing can aggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes. Popping pimples can make the blemishes to spread up causing more infection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause more skin irritation. Using astringents are only advisable for oily skin. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skin care. Washing hair, especially long ones, can help remove excess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.

Proper acne skin care also involves shaving and using the right razor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor is important when you have acne. Before applying the shaving cream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap and water. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cuts and rupturing pimples. Many acne skin care products and medicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure to the sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can make your skin drier.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods. Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acne infection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper acne skin care is important especially for younger individuals since blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore the body's vitality easily.

About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Source:http://www.freearticledirectory.co.uk/index.php?page=article&article_id=19959

Causes And Symptoms of Sore Throat

By Kevin Pederson

Having an ice-cream or having something cold can make your throat sound real bad and sometimes real cranky. This is the general feeling we have about sore throats. The reasons on how they are caused can sometimes be very different from the obvious. This can be treated, by the knowing what sore throat is all about and how to treat it. Very common and known reason for having a throat infection is due to attack of bacteria. Bacteria which can be caused by many of the common illness such as common cold, fever, flu and other disease which affects your throat indirectly.

The other known problems due to which you can suffer sore throat are due to smoking, polluted air, consumption of alcohol and any other allergies you are suffering from. This causes lot of pain and be very uncomfortable to the patient. Sore throat problem can be easily treated and some can be a relentless pain in your neck.

Some may feel a dry scratchy and painful feeling while talking or swallowing food. These are some of the known signs of having a sore throat. Even though with so many problems it cannot be termed as a disease, but a condition or a symptom of another illness.

Sometimes the sore throat problems can be easily treated and may not even require the presence of the doctor. But, if things do not look good with your throat, it has to be checked with the doctor and a thorough test has to be done before jumping into conclusions. It is being noticed that children are the main victims of having a sore throat.
With different illness you will have different symptoms of having a sore throat. When you are suffering from cold, influenza and mononucleosis they show some of these very common signs and symptoms of having a sore throat. This is a combined list of all the symptoms affecting you when attacked by these illnesses -Continuous sneezing -Cough -Watery eyes -Headache -Slight Fever -Scratchy throat -Dry cough -Body aches -Loss of appetite -Inflammation of liver

With an itching and discomforting throat you can get some relief by following these home remedy treatments -Eat garlic on a regular basis; it is one of the most common things to have when you have a sore throat -Gargle with warm salt water several times a day -A simple tonic which can be made at home to give relief from your sore throat. A mixture of lemon juice and little honey in a glass of hot water serves up as a good sore throat reliever -Increase your liquid intake -Cut a slice of lemon and then dip it in a mixture of salt and black pepper. Then warm this lemon and then keep licking this lemon till there is no juice left in lime. -Having figs and beetroot is also good -Leafs of Basil or even juice of the same is very good for sore throat

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/246/Kevin-Pederson

Kevin Pederson

Kevin Pederson, webmaster for sites like http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com provides treatments for common illnesses and diseases.

Some Interesting Common Cold Statistics

By Patsy Hamilton

The causes of common cold symptoms are well known. Viruses enter and infect the lining of the nose causing sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, etc. Over the years, many products have been advertised as a cure for common cold symptoms, but currently there is no medical or scientific evidence supporting the validity of these claims. Many products may provide relief of symptoms, but, at least for now, the "cure" is simply a matter of time. Symptoms typically last for less than a week.

Hundreds of different viruses are believed to be causes of common cold symptoms. Rhino viruses, corona viruses, adenoviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, syncytial virus, enteroviruses and influenza A and B viruses, as well as parainfluenza viruses can all cause common cold symptoms.

In order to find an actual cure for common cold symptoms, it would be necessary to find an anti-viral that would effectively kill all of these viruses. And probably by the time the anti-viral took effect, symptoms would have ended anyway. This could make you think that the anti-viral worked. The short life span of common cold viruses makes many so-called cures appear to be effective, when in fact the cold simply "ran its course".

The search for a cure for common cold symptoms is not a new thing. Although the Aztecs had no idea what the causes of common cold were, they devised a treatment which contained chili pepper, honey and tobacco. Egyptian hieroglyphs representing cold and cough symptoms have been found and Hippocrates described the symptoms in the 5th century B.C.

In the 18th century, a book by John Wesley stated that exposure to cold weather or getting a chill were causes of common cold and this is a myth that many people still believe to this day. There is no medical evidence which even remotely suggests that getting too cold will cause a "cold". According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, dryness of the nasal passages caused by cold weather could make the nose more susceptible to infection, but it is more likely that the causes of common cold during the winter months is related to people spending more time indoors where viruses are spread more easily.

A cure for common cold, which has made the news recently is zinc. Zinc lozenges and nasal gels containing zinc are recommended by some, but not by others. Zinc is a mineral essential to proper immune system function, as well as vision, growth and metabolism. Zinc lozenges, which are sometimes recommended as a cure for common cold symptoms are only effective about 50% of the time and then only reduce duration of cold symptoms by a few days. The zinc nasal gel may have caused the loss of the sense of smell in some people. A lawsuit was filed by people holding this belief and the suit was settled out of court, with the manufacturers admitting no fault.

High doses of zinc, used for extended periods of time may lead to anemia. The amount used in dietary supplements and some immune system boosters is the correct dosage for daily use and may help prevent colds, when used on a regular basis. Recent evidence has shown that asthmatics, who suffer from more colds than the average person, produce less anti-viral proteins that would normally fight the cold viruses, further supporting the belief that a poorly functioning immune system are causes of common cold symptoms that are severe, long lasting and lead to complications.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/472/Patsy-Hamilton

Patsy Hamilton

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about type II diabetes, a subject of personal interest. Read more at http://www.diabetes-type-two-info-guide.com.

The Best Headache Treatment Tips For You

By Javier Fuller

The best treatment to your headache is to understand your headache!

The reasons may not be far to seek! Some types of headaches may come and go! No medication is necessary for them. Just control your diet, drink lots of water and you would be alright after sometime! The heavy load of oily stuff that you ate in yesterday's late night party, could be one of the reasons! In that case, give stomach some time and some chance to unload the extra burden! In the hope to get instant relief, if you stuff it with pain killers and antibiotics, you might get relief, but in the long run, some other ailment will take hold of you, and you will have to suffer the side effects!

Only, when the headache persists over a period of days, and when you feel internally that something is definitely wrong with your system, consult your doctor. He will be, it is sincerely hoped, able to identify the root cause of your headache, on the basis of your feedback.

Some home remedies work miraculous way in the area of headache. It is now the known fact that the pressures of the modern competitive, and materialistic civilization, is the cause of many a tensions and headaches. Tension, stress and headache are comrades in arm!

Grandma's treasury is full of traditional medicines for your headache! If there is no grandma in your house, there must be one in the neighborhood! Before visiting the doctor, taking her advice, may be both time-saving and money-saving! And the valuable advice, when it works to your advantage, will definitely be a heritage property. You will likely to pass on the benefit of advice to others!

Take a small, clean towel and dip it in white vinegar. Wrap the towel around your head, close your eyes and relax. You should be a changed man after about half an hour. Make a paste by pounding the dry ginger. Apply the paste on your forehead. Slight burning sensation notwithstanding, it is likely to send your headache packing. Onion is known to be a miracle-cure for headache. Let the tears overflow through your eyes, anyway they were about to flow on account of the unbearable headache, and soon you will wonder where this headache has gone. The cost of the onion will not exceed the professional charges of the medical practitioner, whatever may be the market trend!

And finally, give headache a chance, it came unannounced, most likely it will depart unannounced! Without your treating it, rather ill-treating it!

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/445/Javier-Fuller

Javier Fuller

Javier Fuller writes for http://www.about-disability.com.

How to Prevent Headaches ?

By Javier Fuller


"Prevention is better than cure." But the attack of headache is so sudden and violent, where is the time to prevent it?

Headache arrives unnoticed and ultimately departs and you forget everything, the causes of its arrival! You have never tried to analyze, why you are repeatedly having the bouts of headache. Preventing headache is not one of the items in your agenda.

You have to do certain things, follow certain regimen to get rid of yourself the headache problems. You just treat the pain, without going to its root causes. You believe you are an active, bright person. That was so, till 9.00 a.m. this morning and you were making brisk preparations to go to your office duty. Suddenly, you are confronted with a nagging, throbbing headache, which would not let you do anything! What can be done, except applying for a day's leave? But, that has not solved the problem throughout the day, you suffer and suffer more. Will it be alright by tomorrow?

For the time being, you have solved the problem by taking antibiotics, but by evening again, it has resurfaced! This has happened to you a number of times in the past.
So, now you have to budget your time, according to your revised plans to live a head-ache free life!

From where do you start? Do proper exercise at a fixed time of the day. Try your best to live a tension-free life. Avoid stress. What causes the headache? Try to identify the factors. Is it food, alcohol or oversleeping? Yes, sleeping many times cures and at times causes headache. Taking pain killers so often, your body's natural ability to fight the diseases may vanish if you test it with painkillers. Painkillers are not faithful health agents! They also suppress the pain, without affording it a permanent cure. And when the pain resurfaces, it will arrive with double force!

Herbal products and supplements have been proved to be effective in preventing headaches. Learn relaxation therapy from an expert yoga teacher. Some of the techniques those are bound to be helpful for you to prevent headaches are visualization, meditation, deep breathing exercises and many more. Daily practice of such techniques is a must.

Preventing headache is not a course of medicines, it is a discipline!

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/445/Javier-Fuller

Javier Fuller

Javier Fuller writes for http://www.about-disability.com.