Archive for October, 2008

Oct 31

Are You Allergic To Dogs?



Humans in general are not allergic to animals; however, some with hypersensitive immune system can become allergic to animals. Since most of us have cats or dogs in our homes, any allergy due to animals is most likely to be caused by a dog, or a cat.

Causes of dog allergies

People can be allergic to dog’s dander, saliva, or urine. As most dogs urinate at outside places, the most common causes of allergies due to dog is saliva, or dander. Dander is the dead skin shed by dog. Many times, pollen that gets stuck to the coat of dogs can also cause allergies to pollen sensitive people.

Types of dog allergies caused

Allergy causing proteins (allergens) from dogs can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, running nose, coughing, and shortness of breath, wheezing, and serious asthma attack. Skin problems like, red skin rashes. You might experience headaches, or fatigue. If hands from dogs are directly touched to eyes, then it may also cause itchy and watery eyes. Different people may experience one or more type of these symptoms.

Some times, you may mistakenly consider an allergy to be caused by the dog. It is therefore important that you verify that the source of allergy. To do this, the simplest way is to keep the dog two to three months away from home. During this time, clean your home properly. Wash all the walls, floors, and steam clean the carpets. Clean all the furniture, and door and window covers. Allow air to pass through the house, so that the allergens that might be suspended in the air get removed. Cleaning the house of allergens might take more than three months. During this time, check the allergy symptoms. After 3 to 4 months, if you need bring the dog in the house, and compare the symptoms. This will give you an idea whether the allergy is due to pet or something else.

Prevention from dog allergies

1. Allergy from dogs is mostly caused by dander, and so controlling dander can help reducing the possibility of allergies from dogs. Here are few steps that can be taken so that allergy risks can be minimized

2. Bath your dog once or twice every week. It is better to have the dog accustomed to bath since young age, as the dog will later resist. It is better give the dog-medicated bath, or you can use a dog shampoo.

3. Take a proper bathe after bathing the dog, or cleaning dog cloths, beds, and other dog stuff.

4. Do not allow dogs to enter the bedrooms, and in no case allow them to get over the bed.

5. Spray anti-allergen powder at all the places where the dog lives.

6. At times when there is no pollen outside (some people are allergic to pollen), open the doors, and windows, to that the air passes through the house.

7. Put a sheet on the furniture, and car seat before allowing the dog to sit on them. Leather sheets are best.

9. Use HEPA room air cleaners, as they are best for people suffering from asthma, and other dog allergies.

10. Finally, provide your dog good multivitamin, and fatty acid diet. This will keep the dog free of diseases. Every body loves a good-looking healthy dog.

0
comments

Posted in Allergy

Oct 29

Sinus Infections – Types, Causes and Diagnosis



Sinus infection (commonly called sinusitis) is the inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose. It is one of the common conditions that an affect people throughout their lives, and studies also show that majority of people with chronic colds lasting longer than two weeks actually have a sinus infection.

The most common causes of sinus infections are allergies and colds or anything that interferes with the airflow into the sinuses and the drainage of mucous out of the sinuses (passages of the nose). In most cold cases, the nasal mucous membrane becomes inflamed, swollen or irritated. The entire lining of the nose and sinuses covered with a thin coat of mucus that is sticky and collects airborne particles. Tiny hair-like fibers that line the sinuses and respiratory passages (called cilia), sweep away the debris that has been collected by the mucous out of the respiratory passages and sinuses. Therefore, anything that interferes with, or impairs the function of the cilia or the drainage of mucus can trigger a sinus infection.

When mucous membrane becomes inflamed, swollen or irritated, the mucus glands secretes even more mucous. Normally, mucus drains easily through the sinus openings, but once the membranes becomes irritated and inflamed, the mucus cannot drain out easily and are infected, that is, the stagnated mucous provides a perfect environment for bacteria, and in some cases, fungus, to grow in the sinus cavities. Cold viruses also shut down the cilia, causing the mucous in the nose to stagnate. Tissue irritants such as smoke or dry air from heaters and furnaces during cold winter months, or cold air or frigid temperatures which can further irritate and injure the cilia, all contribute to sinus infections.

Some people with sinus infection have structural problems. They usually have a deviated nasal septum that hinders proper drainage. They are called nasal polyps which are growths that look similar to grapes, and cause sinus infections by obstructing the nasal passage.

Sinus infections are classified into two categories. The first category is based on the time and span of the infection while the second category is based on the type of inflammation. In the first category, we have acute, sub acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis is usually triggered by a cold in which the symptoms last longer than two weeks (but less than 30 days duration). The symptoms are yellow or green nasal drainage, a fever, cough, post nasal drip, headache, facial pressure, especially around the cheek or eyes or forehead,pain in the upper molars and swelling of the face. Some people experience loss of sense of smell. There is a high possibility that you have sinus infection if pain occurs after tapping your cheek bone, the area around the bridge of your nose or your forehead just over the eye brows.

Chronic sinusitis usually produces fewer symptoms than acute sinusitis but the symptoms last longer than three months. The symptoms include nasal congestion, post nasal drainage, sore throat, cough, and low grade fever, decrease sense of taste and smell and constant cold symptoms such as a constant runny nose. This symptom usually interferes with sleep.

Sub acute infection is usually over one month but less than three months. Sub acute and chronic forms of sinus infection usually are the result of incomplete treatment of the acute type.

The second category of classification, based on the type of inflammation, is infectious and noninfectious. Infectious sinusitis is usually caused by uncomplicated virus infection while the noninfectious sinusitis is caused by irritants and allergic conditions. In allergic sinusitis, the common symptoms are itchy eyes and sneezing.

Most cases of sinusitis infection are usually diagnosed and treated based on clinical findings and physical examination. Some high technology procedures such as X-rays, or the more sensitive (though expensive) CT scan and MRI are also performed. A procedure known as rhinoscopy- directly looking at the back of nasal passages with a small flexible fiber optic tube may also be used to check for obstruction of nasal passages and opening either by swelling or growths. The very rare procedure culture of the nasal passages can also be performed.

0
comments

Posted in Allergy

Oct 27

Diet Rich Variety Foods



Nutritionist, Samantha Heller, MS., RD, of New York University, reports that many people have bought into misconceptions and half-truths by reading food labels and assuming that their choices of nutrition is correct; only to find that they are making fewer healthier food choices. For example, seven-grain bread is a healthy choice, only if it reads whole grain. Therefore it may not be the healthiest choice.

Eating a can of vegetable soup is not as healthy as eating a plate of vegetables. A can of soup does not have many vegetables and the nutrition was lost in processing.

Do not substitute juice, for whole fruit, which has a concentrated sugar source and does not have the same nutrient level as fruit.

When possible, eat fresh organic, raw unprocessed foods. It is better for the body and only takes vitamins to supplement the diet, not replace it. Taking too many vitamins could sabotage your health.

Vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals work together to keep the body balanced. Taking concentrated doses of vitamins will cause it to be unbalanced.

Take multivitamins daily, do not take individual vitamins with out nutritionist guidance; although sometimes vitamins are used to address a specific medical condition such as the B vitamin to lower cholesterol or reduce the risk of heart disease. Generally, more than the recommend daily allowance is needed. This is all the more reason to contact your health care provider for such on taking.

*Phytochemical, a naturally occurring plant substance. Some phytochemicals have been shown in research to protect against disease.

The diet alone does not produce sufficient nutrients; therefore supplements are needed to elevate the nutritional level of essential nutrients. A good multivitamin is so very important because some individual vitamins and minerals do not work alone well.

Vitamin D is needed for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, vitamin C may hinder the absorption of ginseng and should be taken two hours before or after the C vitamin and if you have hypertension do not take at all. Also Zinc hinders the absorption of copper.

Because vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients are imperative to good health, eat all types of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. The dark green leafy vegetable has different food values than the yellow and orange vegetables in fact each group has its own unique value and they are all packed with powerful antioxidant and disease fighting compounds.

A healthy diet is by far the best protective source against sickness and disease. Because of the antioxidants, nutrients, and phytochemicals that are found in plant food. Always choose plant food over supplements, choose a broad range of colors, do not lock into just one food group and get the different mixture of phytochemical and nutrients that are beneficial to the whole body.

It is the variety of fruits and vegetables that packs the phytochemicals. Researchers have not found all the phytochemicals in plant food. And it is not understood how the fruits and vegetables boost your health. However research shows diets rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes helps to keep the body cells healthy and repairs damage from toxins and slow down the growth of cancer cells.

So pick your foods wisely, read labels, when a supplements is needed take a multivitamin, and when changing your medical regimen or adding vitamins to your regimen always consult your health care provider.

0
comments

Posted in Dietary

« Older Entries