Asthma & Allergies - Carbon Monoxide - What You Do Not Know Could Kill You!

It is interesting that most people are very concerned about mold and allergies but totally forget about Carbon Monoxide. You cannot see it like you can mold. It does not irritate you skin or nose like a chlorine allergy. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer that needs to be targeted with importance by individuals with Asthma and Allergies.

Carbon Monoxide is produced by fuel burning appliances such as gas burning stoves that need to be vented to the outside. It is important to check the venting system on a regular basis to see if it has been clogged up. Recently, we inspected a home that had a serious exhaust leak in the laundry that was making the lady sick every time she did laundry and the hot water heater turned on in the room. The exhaust vent had a birds nest in it that was removed.

Another source of CO is your car in the garage or the gas powered hot water heater. Never start your car with the garage door closed. Some people start their car with the garage door closed before opening the door. This is not smart, due to things happening around you such as a distraction of a cell phone call that causes you to forget to open the door. In the meantime, CO is building up in the garage. Always open the door first, then start the car to back out immediately.

Recently, it was all over the news about a family that was in the hospital because they were running a generator in the home for electricity. The father lost his job and the electricity was turned off. Fortunately, the family survived with no consequences to their health. Never run a generator in your home because of the CO from the engine.

In conclusion, Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. At high concentrations, it can be fatal in a matter of minutes. You will not get a warning unless you have a CO Detector installed in your home. All homes should be equipped with a CO Detector. Individuals with Asthma or Allergies can be affected by CO.

If you have any questions, feel free to visit our website or give us a call.

Everything You Need to Know About the Goldendoodle!

Dogs today are very much a part of a family setting. They keep us entertained, put smiles on our faces, they are our children's best friends, they are there for us to talk to when we are lonely and have no one else! They love us unconditionally and bring an abundance of joy and love into a family. There is no question in my mind that since the beginning of time dogs have been know as mans best friend!

Goldendoodles are no exception. A golden doodle is a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. Breeders is Australia started breeding this cross in the mid 1980's and breeders in north America have been breeding them since the mid 1990's. They where first bred in Australia as guide dogs for people needing a larger, allergy friendly dog!

Goldendoodles are amazing, healthy, family dogs for so many reasons!

First of all the mix between a poodle and retriever gives the doodle a quality known as "hybrid vigor" (the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents) which means mix breed dogs are usually healthier and live longer then purebreds. This is because most genetic traits are recessive. Golden's and poodles don't have a lot of diseases in common so if both parents don't carry a particular trait for a certain disease the pups can't get it. This is the reason many mix breed dogs including the goldendoodle are healthier then purebreds. You still have to choose your breeder carefully and make sure they are performing all the required health testing, temperament testing and researching the lines thoroughly before they are breeding their dogs but in general mix breeds are genetically more sound!

Goldendoodles also possess many qualities of both the poodle and golden. Most goldendoodles are friendly, highly intelligent, goofy dogs who love to be part of the family. They love to swim, play fetch and interact with people. They are very social dogs and love to be active and have fun. I have donated dogs as therapy and service dogs and the doodle excels at this type of work! As a breeder I hear 100's of stories about how smart these dogs are and how they are at the top of their puppy class and how they are the best dogs my clients have every owned

Most doodles have a very low to non-shedding coat. This depends on the dog and what type of coat they have. There are 3 different coat types, wool (which is a tight curl and the most hypoallergenic), fleece (which is a wavy and usually still very low shedding and hypoallergenic) and hair (which is straighter and usually sheds the most). An experienced breeder can usually tell when the pups is 6-7 weeks old what type of coat it will have as an adult and the breeder will help you find the right puppy for your needs . Goldendoodles coat will continue to grow and can be between 3-8 inches if not clipped. A doodle requires regular brushing or they will mat and should go to the groomer for a clip every 4 months or so!

Goldendoodles also come in many colors and sizes depending on the poodle used. At our kennel we breed blonde, golden, apricot, red, black, silver and phantom doodles. We also have 3 different sizes, standards (any thing above 21" and 50lbs and up), mini's (13" to 20" and 25-49lbs) and tiny's (12" or less 10-24lbs).

Their life expectancy is usually about 12-15 years for the standards and 14-17 years for mini's.
Doodles also come in many different generations and depending on what you are looking for one generation may be better then another. F1's are a purebred golden mixed with a purebred poodle. This generation is usually the healthiest and posses the greatest amount of the "hybrid vigor" traits. F1b is a backcross and is a goldendoodle bred back to a poodle. These types of goldendoodles are usually best for people with severe allergies since the f1b usually has a curlier coat then an f1 (please note this isn't always the case and your breeder will be able to help you with this). F2 is a goldendoodle bred back to a goldendoodle. Pups in a litter of f2's tend to not sway as much in one direction or another. They seem to be a good mix between both the golden and the poodle (sometimes but not always in a f1 litter some pups will sway more towards a golden, some more towards a poodle and some will be between), f3 (f3 and higher is also known as multi generation) is and f2 golden doodle bred back to an f2 golden doodle and f4 is a f3 golden doodle bred back to an f3 golden doodle. The more you breed them back to one another the more you miss out on the hybrid vigor trait. A 7th generations (f7) goldendoodle is eligible for registration as a purebred (this hasn't been done as far as I know).

As I mentioned before goldendoodles are healthier then most purebred dogs but breeders should still be performing all the testing on the parents. It's better to wait for a good quality pup from a great breeder then to support careless breeders who are just out to breed as many pups as possible without caring about the breed as a whole.

If you buy your golden doodle puppy from an unrepeatable breeder you may end up with many health problems and expensive vet bills.

Tests required for Breeding of Golden Retrievers

1. Hips (HD) OFA or Pennhip or OVC
2. eyes (CERF) Required Yearly
3. Hearts......tested and certified by OFA
4. Elbows (OFA)

Tests required for the Breeding of Standard Poodles

1. Hips (HD) OFA or Pennhip or OVC
2. elbows OFA
3. Eyes (CERF) Required Yearly
4. Von Willebrands (vWd) (bleeding disorder) DNA or Blood screen
5. Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) Skin Disorder
* Thyroid malfunctions - Not Required but a highly recommended test for all breeding dogs.

Tests required for breeding of Miniature and Toy Poodles.

1. Hips for HD and Legg-Perves Disease OFA, Penn hip or OVC
2. Stifles for Luxating Patella's
3. Eyes (CERF) Required Yearly
4. Von Willebrands Disease (vWd) DNA or Blood screen
* Thyroid malfunctions - Not Required but a highly recommended test for all breeding dogs

I have given you a brief description of the doodle. If you have more questions about this breed you are more then welcome to visit my website. These dogs are becoming very popular and there is no question in my mind why this is. They are amazing with kids and can live in almost any type of environment. The best way to describe these amazing dogs are "Little people in fur coats"

Survivor Story - Raw Food Before and After

Prior to changing my lifestyle, I never would have imagined that I could have the tenacity to do so. I could not foresee my feeling satisfied with a diet that did not include all of my favorite foods: processed foods, cheese and desserts. But it was those very foods that were making me ill. When I was diagnosed with a potentially deadly degenerative disease, I knew it was time to make some changes.

I came to the realization that by modifying my lifestyle, I could have a profound influence on my long term health and survival. The first step I took was to have allergy testing performed. It was through these tests that I discovered allergies to dairy products and eggs. I realized that by removing these foods from my diet, I could not only improve my current diagnosis but also manage some chronic ailments that had plagued me for years - nasal congestion and headaches.

As soon as I eliminated dairy products and eggs from my diet, my nasal congestion resolved. As an added bonus, the frequency of my headaches dissipated by about 90%. Through my information gathering, I learned how detrimental processed foods can be to our health and the role that they have played in the epidemic numbers of heart disease, diabetes and cancer today. I knew that in order to regain my own good health, I needed to cut these out of my diet as well.

Among the eliminations I made were processed grains and refined sugars. I replaced these foods with more fresh, organic produce. I also incorporated raw nuts, whole grains and seeds into my regime. I was able to successfully shift my diet from almost no raw food to a daily intake of between 75% and 95% raw. And, I started to feel better.

The amazing thing was that while attempting to improve my health, I also started to shed excess weight. The goal was not weight loss, but it was certainly a welcomed side effect. The cooked foods that I prepare at this point in my recovery plan (which I now consider to be a life long lifestyle change) are made from scratch without meat, dairy or eggs.

Many of the raw foods that I consume are in the form of beverages. In the mornings several times each week I make a green smoothie that includes organic baby spinach, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana, mango and enough coconut water to blend. I also prepare freshly pressed vegetable juices several times each week. These are packed with nutrition and include an assortment of organic greens such as kale, celery, parsley, cucumber, swiss chard, collard green with green apple and carrot to sweeten. I also add a half of a fresh organic lemon in order to cut the pungent taste of the greens.

Keeping up this regime has enabled me to lose 50 pounds. I have regained my health and vitality and feel better and stronger than I have in years. That is my successful raw food before and after story!

Lip Augmentation - Facial Plastic Surgery Info

Unless you've got lips a la Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Beyonce Knowles, Monica Belluci, or, yes of course, Angelina Jolie, it's absolutely normal to long for some improvements on them. Although getting yours to become fuller & well-proportioned will not necessarily land you a role as the next Lara Croft, it will definitely make you look good and feel even better.

With fuller lips, not only will you look more attractive, you'll also look healthier and younger. Not that there are no celebrities who have thin lips, but it's undeniable that those who have fuller ones have that extra appeal. Also, the effects of gorgeous lipstick can be more pronounced. All things being equal, you know where bright colored lipstick are best applied on.

As we grow older, it's not only our skin that can develop wrinkles, but also our lips. Thus, to maintain that youthful look, you'll have to get rid of those fissures and crevices by filling them up from the inside. Cosmetic surgeons use injections and a selection of injectables to achieve this. Some of their favorites are: autologen, collagen, dermalogen, alloderm, radiance, and Gore-Tex implants.

Today's lip enhancement procedures involve injections using very narrow needles that can be targeted to specific regions of your lips. Thus, you may focus only on those areas that need augmentation. What you want is a well-proportioned pair, not a trout pout. In this regard, such injections are therefore not only for those with thin lips but also for those who have specific areas that need to be enhanced.

One of the most common lip injectable is collagen, having been in the market since the 1980's. The entire injection procedure can be very quick, typically lasting for only 10 minutes with very minimal discomforts, if ever. One of the reasons why the doctor can expedite the procedure is because  collagen lip injections already contain lidocaine, a kind of anesthetic. 

Best of all, the results are instantaneous. Immediately after the procedure, you can walk out of the clinic, with that new noticeable pout. 

There are a few things you might want to know about before seeing your cosmetic surgeon though. 
Because of the bovine collagen ingredient, some allergic reactions can occur. As such, be prudent enough to undergo allergy-testing before proceeding. Also, you might want to be aware that although the effects can last for many months, it won't be that way forever. You'll need to set appointments for follow-up treatments. 

Finally, don't expect to have an alluring pout right after the procedure. Yes, I know what I said, and I said 'noticeable', not alluring. At first, you'll have to contend with a tender and swollen lip or lips (depending on where you had the collagen injected). But after a few days, you'll finally have the pout you've always wanted.

Food Sensitivity Testing

Taken From a Health Talk Given Recently

I've been practicing alternative health care over the last twenty-five plus years and we do a lot of functional health care testing in our office to help people get well from chronic conditions that they have been suffering from. In a variety of conditions, we will rely on information from food sensitivity and food allergy testing as part of our protocol for helping these individuals get well. These difficulties with food sensitivities can be found in the most obvious situations such as reflux disorders, digestive disorders, colitis and irritable bowel as well as in other less obvious situations where people may have hidden allergies that they are really not aware of, and these may be undermining their immune system and their energy levels such as in adrenal fatigue syndromes and in other chronic health problems where people are worn down over a long period of time and progress to more degenerative processes that spiral-down their health.

There are three major ways of looking at food allergy outside of skin testing that I would like to address. Many people familiar with skin testing where many items are tested at once and this is a valid form of allergy testing and, in my opinion, should be reserved for those who have medically threatening conditions related to allergic responses where they may be at risk for anaphylaxis or closing up of the throat and disorders leading to compromise of the kidney and other grave medical conditions. Those are the kinds of patients that belong with a medical allergist. On the other hand, the vast majority of people with sensitivities and food allergies that are hidden from their awareness would likely be best served from the evaluation by a simple blood test, where your blood is drawn in the usual fashion and then reacted with, let's say, a hundred different foods, to see whether or not certain reactions occur to the blood indicating that there is a problem with that food.

So, in the area of food antibody testing, there is the classic IgE antibody assessment and the blood will be reacted with a number of foods and the laboratory will measure whether or not your blood has developed an antibody to the particular food substance and then measure how severe the antibody response is. The IgE food allergy assessment and IgE assessments in general, such as for other environmental elements like molds and trees, etc., that type of allergic response is more of an immediate response. Sometimes we call it an atopic response. An example would be the classic strawberry and hives reaction where you eat strawberries and some minutes later, you notice that you are developing hives. So these are the types of allergies that very often people would be well aware of and indeed, some authorities state that when somebody has an IgE allergy, that they are generally always aware of it. My experience has been different. There are actually many people who do have IgE allergies to foods and other inhalants and environmentals that are not aware of it, and so that is an important point to keep this in mind.

We do have testing for what we called "hidden allergies" and that would be IgG food allergies where a different type of antibody is produced by the food and this type of response can take anywhere from 72 hours up to a whole week to develop and so the impact on the body is delayed by the timing of the reaction in such a way that it is very hard to track. One cannot usually tell that the sweet potatoes that they were allergic to, that they had at dinner four days ago, is what is impacting their health and perhaps dragging down their energy levels at this point in time. So the finding of hidden food allergies can be a gold mine of value to the person who is suffering chronic health disorders in enabling them to get a hold of a list of foods that is pulling down their health quotient that they did not even know about, and that with that list, they are then equipped to eliminate those foods and avoid that "drag" on their physiology and help open up a new avenue towards healing and improved health.

The third area of food testing that I would like to talk about is leukocyte sensitivity testing and that is where we react your blood samples with the various foods that we are testing and we look to see what happens with the white blood cells. The white blood cells, the leukocytes swell in size, and they are rated as to a level of sensitivity; if they burst open they are considered severe reactions and these are rated for you. This is another form of testing in which we can detect foods that are offensive to your system, actually damaging your white blood cells which would signal alarm reactions in your body as it does in any form of allergic insult.

This alarm mechanism is then distressing to the rest of your system and your body has to deal with this. If you are compromised in one area and you are fighting this hidden allergy at the same time, you are left with less reserve. Solving food sensitivities and food allergies can follow a process to recovery in a variety of chronic health conditions especially fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic digestive problems, and often chronic headaches. There are many conditions in which this can be a very valuable tool.

Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, and other grains. (NB some people are able to tolerate oats)

Do you or your family have any of these problems?

* tired, exhausted, lethargic, lack of energy, weakness
* iron deficiency, anaemia
* diarrhoea or constipation, uncomfortable tummy, bloating and gas troubles
* gastric reflux or heartburn, nausea or vomiting
* unhappy with weight (over- or under- weight), not growing well, eating problems
* runny nose, sneezing and sinus problems, itchy and/or watery eyes
* asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
* osteoporosis, bone and joint pains
* dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin flushing, hives
* infertility
* headaches or migraine
* depression, mental health problems, mood swings, hyperactive, cranky
* disrupted sleep, insomnia, foggy thinking, poor concentration
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
* Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Aspergers

There are many causes of the problems in the list but all could be related to food sensitivity or intolerance in many individuals. If you have a lot of these symptoms it is quite likely that you would benefit from seeking a diagnosis or testing for food allergies. Often tests are affected if the allergen has already been removed from the diet - this is especially true for gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. A diagnosis of a food allergy or sensitivity should be sought before eliminating food groups from your diet.

It is important to note that you should seek advice from your medical practitioner/health provider/allergy specialist or a registered dietician before embarking on any 'new' or restricted diet. This is especially important with children as an unregulated diet that is too restrictive could result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies and lead to future problems with growth and development.

All of the problems in the list above have been linked with individuals who have an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the cause of coeliac disease, a serious and lifelong auto-immune condition (meaning that the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues). Coeliac disease is genetic so your risk is increased if you have family members who are sufferers.

In coeliac disease, the villi that line the gut are attacked and damaged leading to problems with absorption of essential nutrients. Symptoms vary from mild to serious and can include stomach pains, bloating, diarrhoea and nausea. Symptoms are often confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or stress. Recognizing and diagnosing coeliac disease can be a lengthy drawn out process and some people go years before finding a diagnosis and some people are simply never diagnosed and suffer with general ill health.

Food Sensitivity and ALCAT Test

Food allergy and food intolerance are adverse reactions that affect certain individuals when eating foods or food ingredients that most consumers can tolerate with no problem. Food allergies are abnormal immunological responses to a particular food or food component, usually a naturally occurring protein. Allergic reactions may occur even with the slightest amount. Food intolerances are adverse reactions that occur when the body has a physical reaction to food which does not cause immunological reaction.

Food sensitivity has a very wide range of symptoms. These include fatigue, lethargy, sleepiness after eating, drowsiness, poor concentration and memory, mental agitation, mood swings, compulsive eating, food cravings, cravings for sugar, carbohydrate, or starch, water retention, weight problems, mood swings, depression, restlessness, irritability, headaches, migraines, swollen and painful joints, muscle pain, stiffness, gas, bloating, flatulence, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, blurry eyes, spots in front of eyes, and sleep deprivation.

The ALCAT test is a food sensitivity test used to identify foods that can trigger harmful reactions to body. It can identify reactions to 350 foods, chemicals, and other substance associated with inflammation that are linked to different chronic health problems such as migraines, aching joints, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, eczema, hyperactivity/ADD, asthma and even obesity. This test uses electronic, state of the art, hematological instrumentation.

The blood is the common pathway of all mechanisms. ALCAT examines the blood directly for possible reactions. It observes the reaction of red blood cells and white blood cells when exposed to certain foods. Unlike other food allergy or food intolerance tests, there is no guesswork involved; only reliable and reproducible results.

ALCAT test has been scientifically proven to work effectively. One study showed that 98% of the subjects were reported to decrease in weight and/or improved muscle to fat ratio. Other beneficial effects were reported including improvement in skin, increased energy, elimination of migraines, reduced sugar cravings, better mood, and better sleep.

ALCAT test has been a successful tool in overcoming a number of food sensitivity symptoms. Hundreds and thousands of people around the world have already been helped by the ALCAT test in improving their health by successfully preventing the symptoms.

Most people who have an experience with ALCAT testing are satisfied with the results and are now enjoying living their lives in their best. If you know what food you need to avoid, then you are a step closer to a life free of symptoms and illnesses.

Are Pregnancy Tests Accurate?

Although most of the pregnancy tests make tall claims of being 9%-99% accurate it is a misleading fact. It is because the HCG level varies from woman to woman in the early stages of pregnancy and accurate result can be determined after a week of the period being due. The manufactures make tall claims because today's products are perceptive than yesterday's products.

Of all test, blood test is considered to be the most accurate, but here again if a woman has been on medication for infertility she could be misguided. Moreover the accuracy of pregnancy tests depends largely on the methodology and technique used in the lab.

Although at home pregnancy test claims 97%-99% accuracy, not following instructions given in the kit will maximize inaccuracy. If tests are tampered and done incorrectly it will obviously give inaccurate results. Excessive intake of fluid could dilute the level of hormone present in the urine, thus leading to inaccuracy too. At home pregnancy test may be accurate only after a week of missed period and not in the initial days.

Recent studies have revealed that of 18 products tested, first response early result -a brand was the most sensitive brand and detected pregnancy in 95% women. Clear blue came second in the sensitivity test study.

Blood test is even more effective than urine test as it can detect even lower level of hormone. Some of the things that affect accurate pregnancy test are: - fertility drugs, HCG containing medicines. But birth control pills, antibiotics and allergy medications don't affect the pregnancy test.

Thus accuracy in pregnancy tests also depends upon our personal choice and brand of products we decide to use and also on how cautious, hasty and perturbed one is. Sometimes people have the tendency to turn simple instructions into complicated ones, and thereby not doing the test efficiently. Improper testing, double checking also leads to inaccuracy and ambiguity.

Thus to accept the fact, you will find that a verity of pregnancy tests are available in the market. You can try any of those, but not all of those are accurate. The results from these tests may or may not be accurate. The accuracy of these tests depends on various factors. Not all tests are made keeping these factors in mind. Some of the tests lack in research background. Others lack in the accuracy of results they produce. Still, overall, these tests can be really helpful in making the judgment if a woman is pregnant or not. By making this judgment it becomes easier for the woman to decide to go to a doctor to discuss pregnancy with him or her. You need to be more careful about your health while you are pregnant. Thus it is important that you consult a doctor in this regard as soon as you can.

How to Protect Your Family's Health - Why and How to Use Microfiber

Please do not feed the dust bunnies... Remove them! Dust can be unhealthy for us and our family. Microfiber cloths along with green cleaning products have become a staple for anyone seeking a safe green clean.

Our objective in cleaning is to remove the dust. What is this dust? It is a mix and combination of soil, pollen, skin flakes, bacteria, dust mites, mold spores, microscopic particles, and fungus. All of these particles contribute to the spread of illness and can serve as a source for allergies and asthma attacks. Traditionally we dust with a variety of gadgets, including dust mops, feather dusters, disposable dusting cloths, lambswool, treated wipes, rags, and the good old used cotton t-shirt. Although some of these are fancier than others, they all do the same thing... move the dust around. We do not want to keep the stuff around, it only adversely impacts our health, so we need a new method or technology that will get rid of the dust.

Fortunately the high quality microfiber cloth is here. Coupled with the high efficacy of green cleaning products, these cloths is one the most significant breakthroughs for both the custodial and janitorial green cleaning businesses, as well as for natural green home cleaning.

Each microfiber has a system of hook like claws that will capture the dust and allergy producing particles common in homes and offices. The individual microfibers act like a scraper while they lift and trap the dust and moisture in the nooks and crannies of the individual fibers rather than just pushing the dust from one point to another as the traditional cotton fiber or feather does. At the end of a swipe with these cleaning cloths, the microfiber will actually store the dust within the cloth until it is washed.

Microfibers are synthetic fibers. Each strand is about 1/16th of the thickness of our hair. The best microfiber cloths for a safe and green clean are those that have the yarn split during the manufacturing process and are a blend of 80 percent Polyester (the scrubbing and cleaning fiber) and 20 percent Polyamide (the absorbing and quick drying fiber). Additionally the fiber absorbs six times its weight in water.

UC Davis Medical Center switched from conventional loop mops to microfiber mops in patient-care areas because they found that microfiber mops did a better job of penetrating surface pores and removing dust particles than conventional string mops. Testing showed, after a surface was cleaned with conventional tools, the bacteria culture was reduced by 30 percent, while with the microfiber materials testing found bacteria reduced by 99 percent.

After another set of tests by Royal Roads University showed the combination of microfiber cloths with green cleaning products were 99.94 percent effective in removing bacteria from smooth surfaces. This was compared to traditional cotton rags and mops used with Lysol or bleach. This combination was only 91.89 percent effective.

Since the microfiber is eliminating the dust by trapping it, a single cloth should not be used to clean an entire room. If the cloth begins to streak it is time to wash it. Frequently janitorial and custodial green cleaning services will also take advantage of the color coded cloths to align with different cleaning tasks and green cleaning products to avoid cross contamination.

Maintaining your microfiber cloths at their peak performance is easy as it only requires washing with a laundry detergent that is free of any chemical softening agents. Hot water is the best way to release the trapped dust. It is paramount that no form of fabric softener is used on the microfiber cloths. If you do, the fibers will become clogged up and the cloth will become ineffective. While you can machine dry the cloths, air drying works. If handled correctly a microfiber cloth will withstand over 500 washings!

Today, to protect your family's health, microfiber is required for a true green clean. Microfiber cloths used with green cleaning products will ensure you have a safe green clean in your home and business.

Genetics of Food Allergy and Intolerance

Can genetics explain if you are allergic to some pollens or foods?

White blood cell patterns determined genetically and designated as HLA DQ and DR genes have been identified with an increased risk of pollen, dust, latex, and food allergies. The intriguing part of this story is that there is an advantage to knowing your HLA DR and DQ type when evaluating your risk for pollen allergies and their associated food allergies or cross reactions.

Genetics of Food Reactions and Allergies

As I explain in more detail in my articles on the genetics of gluten sensitivity, we all have proteins on the surface of our cells that are genetically determined. These patterns are easily detectable by testing cells from blood or from the mouth obtained by a Q-tip type swab. Specific patterns have been associated with increased risk for autoimmune conditions, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

HLA DQ Genetics and Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity

HLA DQ2 is present in more than 90% of people who have celiac disease while HLADQ8 is present in most of the rest, though not all people with celiac have been found to have DQ2 and/or DQ8.

DQ and DR Genetic Patterns Associated with Food and Pollen Allergies or Sensitivities?

Now it appears certain DQ or DR patterns are associated with food and pollen allergies as well. As the Food Doc, I continue to search the literature for more information about genetic links to food allergy and intolerance. My search has led to me to a couple of interesting articles in the unusual area of oral allergy syndrome (OAS). The relationship between seasonal and perennial nasal allergies and food allergies is certainly well established but not generally known by most doctors or patients. It appears that some of us need to avoid eating certain foods if we have hay fever or allergies, especially during the hay fever season. This problem also appears to be inherited.

Research Documents Genetic Association With Certain Food and Pollen Allergies

Boehncke, et al. from the University of Frankfurt reported in 1998 that certain white blood cell types known HLA class II genotypes or HLA DQ and DR genetic patterns were found more frequently in people with certain pollen associated food allergies. HLA-DQB1*0301 is present in more people with grass pollen allergy. Those with HLA-DRB1*08, an inherited white blood cell protein pattern linked with a grass pollen allergy, have six times the increased risk of peanut allergy. Those who have inherited the HLA-DRB1*12 white blood cell pattern are 13 times higher at risk for carrot allergy.

Tree Pollen Allergy to Birch Tree Pollen Appears to be Worst

Birch pollen associated hazel nut allergy is linked to HLA-DRB1*01, DQA1*0101, and DQB1*0501. Hazel nut, almond, walnut and apple are the most common food allergies associated with birch tree pollen. Allergies to those foods are commonly associated with birch tree pollen in other studies.

Weed Allergies Also Associated With Food Reactions

In 2004, Wang et al. from China published that the inherited white blood cell type DQA1*0302 is found in more people with Artemisia pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, hay fever due to Mugwort or Sagebrush weeds. Mugwort allergy is associated with several food allergies including apple, celery, hazelnut, pistachio, lettuce, almond, peanut, and carrots.

Where to Get Genetic Testing

There are three commercial labs that I am aware of that offer full HLA DQ typing. They are Quest Laboratories, The Laboratory at Bonfils in Denver, and Enterolab. Bonfils runs the Enterolab genetic tests. Enterolab offers the test run on samples of cells obtained from a Q-tip swab of the mouth. The test can be obtained directly from Enterolab without a doctor's order though it is not covered by insurance. It however is very reasonable from a genetic testing standpoint at $149. Bonfils also does the DQ typing on cells obtained from blood samples sent to them from other labs.

The Future of Genetic Testing in Pollen and Food Allergies

In the future such testing should be very helpful in evaluating suspected food allergies, intolerance and pollen allergies. In the meantime those of us interested in this interesting story anxiously await more research findings in this exciting area. Dr. Fine, founder of Enterolab, has previously published the HLA DQ patterns associated with microscopic colitis. He has found that microscopic changes in the colon or large intestine are similar if not identical to what is seen in the small intestine in celiac disease. Several articles now document that a gluten free diet works in many people with microscopic, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. It also helps many with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

A finding of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the distal small intestine (terminal ileum) is associated with an increased incidence of celiac disease in the proximal small intestine. Now, adding to the intrigue, are these articles linking certain inherited white blood cell protein gene patterns to pollen allergy and food allergy cross reactions that are well recognized but rarely pursued clinically. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also called the "burning mouth syndrome", occurs in many people but frequently goes undiagnosed. Symptoms include burning, painful and/or itching sensation of mouth or throat with or without swelling that occurs almost immediately after eating certain foods. The foods causing these reactions are commonly associated with pollen, latex or dust allergies.

Unusual Association of Pollen Allergies and Mouth Burning or Food Reactions

This unusual association of tree, grass, and weed pollens, latex and house dust mite allergies to food reactions, though well documented in the medical literature, is not commonly recognized by doctors or patients. The OAS literature contains numerous reports of food allergy or intolerance reactions that are associated with specific pollen, dust, mold or latex allergies. One of the best examples is ragweed pollen allergy. It is associated with a higher risk of food allergy or intolerance to only a few foods. These include foods in the gourd family (cucumbers and melons) and bananas. On other the hand, Birch tree pollen allergy is associated with sensitivity to many foods. The list includes those foods in the Rosacea family (apples, pears), tree nut family (hazelnut, almond, walnut), potatoes, and carrots. Reactions include classic allergic reactions such as skin rashes (atopic dermatitis, hives), wheezing (asthma), runny nose (allergic rhinitis), as well as the burning mouth OAS symptoms and other food intolerance symptoms.

If You Suspect Food Allergy, Intolerance or Sensitivity Get Evaluated By an Expert

Individuals who suspect food allergy or intolerance are encouraged to review the food-pollen connection and undergo appropriate evaluations for food allergy, intolerance and sensitivity. Food sensitivity includes gluten sensitivity and cow's milk (casein) protein sensitivity. Food intolerance includes lactose intolerance. Food allergies are separate and distinct from either food sensitivity or food intolerance.

Consider Getting Genetic Testing or Asking Your Doctor to Test You

This new information about the link of white blood cell protein patterns, HLA DQ types, suggests that we should consider having genetic testing done. After an adequate evaluation,

Establish a Baseline Symptom Score and Start a Food Symptom Diet Diary

I encourage everyone to establish a baseline symptom score. A detailed food symptom diary before a trial of elimination diet is also extremely helpful. An elimination diet that excludes major food lectins (dairy, grain, legumes, and nightshades) and any foods from the pollen list that one is allergic is recommended before accepting diagnoses of IBS, fibromyalgia, unexplained neuropathy or headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Any symptoms not readily explained or improved with other diagnoses and treatment should be considered to be possibly due to a food reaction until proven otherwise.

Selected Bibliography

Boehncke, et al. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Apr;28 (4):434-41.

Fine KD et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Aug;95(8):1974-82.

Wang et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Feb; 130(2): 192-197.

Salicylate Elimination As An Alternative to Prescription Drugs for ADHD

An alternative to Ritalin that has helped many children is the Feingold diet, developed by Benjamin Feingold, MD. The theory of this diet is that a child can be sensitive or have intolerance towards salicylates and artificial additives. Salicylates are a natural chemical made by many plants and related to aspirin, a derivative of salicylic acid. Plants manufacture the salicylate acid as a protection in nature from insects, so even though salicylates originate in healthy foods, some children have trouble tolerating even small amounts. Also in the Feingold diet eliminating synthetic additives, dyes and chemicals common in processed foods has also helped many children.

It is estimated that as many as 25% of children might be sensitive to salicylates. They may be able to tolerate some foods that contain salicylates and not others mainly because the amount can vary tremendously even within the same food. If you are interested there are web sites available that list the various levels in a particular food. Some foods from the fruit family are apples, avocados, blueberries, dates, kiwi, peaches, raspberries, figs, grapes, plums, strawberries, cherries, grapefruit, and prunes. Vegetables like cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, eggplant, spinach, zucchini and broccoli. Also included are some cheeses, dry spices, tomato paste and sauces, vinegar, soy sauce, jams and jellies.

Salicylates are in many products, some more than others. Those related to children and adolescents and used in the home which children can be exposed to are acne products, bubble baths, cleaning products, detergents, essential oils, fabric conditioners, fragrances, gum, hair products, some herbal products, lotions, lozenges, medications, aspirin and NSAIDs, Pepto-Bismol, skin cleansers, soaps, sunscreens, and supplements derived from rose hips or bioflavonoids, toothpaste, topical creams and wart remover.

Other food sources that can cause problems related to food allergies are berries, buckwheat, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus fruits, coconut, corn, dairy products, egg whites, nuts, peas, peanut butter, pork, shellfish, soy, sugar, tomatoes, wheat and yeast.

Another alternative to Ritalin that has shown remarkable results are nutritional supplements. Children with ADHD have shown low or non-existent levels of certain nutrients such as magnesium and essential fatty acids. There are also homeopathic remedies available using formulas specifically designed for ADHD that many parents swear by and those studies have shown to work as well as drugs in some cases.

Ritalin alternatives should be a consideration because of the negative health issues that can result from most any prescription drug. Sometimes the best options may be a combination of therapies. Starting with a more healthful approach first; trying a diet, allergy testing or homoeopathic methods might be all that is needed. If your child is going to use a prescription medication or any remedy tell your doctor about all health problems before they take any drug.

The main concern before a treatment is chosen is to have a qualified clinician perform a comprehensive battery of tests. Choose you or your child's therapy with awareness, look at all your options before taking medications as it might not be the right one for your child. Just keep in mind that an alternative to Ritalin and other harsh medications are available.

Hives - They May Be A Warning Signal!

If you're like most of my patients, you've likely experienced an outbreak of hives at least once in your life. They are fairly common responses to something you came in contact with that you were either slightly, or badly, allergic to in food, medicine, or something in your environment like dust, pollen, weeds, and insect bite. They can affect anyone, young or old, and show no preference for race or gender. They can even be brought on by stress or excess perspiration!

They appear as raised red welts that resemble a mosquito bite, and can itch or burn. They usually show up in clusters of 2 or more and are a result of the body releasing histamine - a chemical agent your body produces when it comes in contact with something foreign and/or just doesn't like. Let me share some important information about hives as they may be an important warning signal to you!

Types of Hives

There are several types of hives that you should be aware of in case of an outbreak. They include:

•Acute urticaria - these are the hives that most people get most frequently. They are raised, little red bumps on the skin that itch. They are usually very short-lived in their outbreak, and may be due to some food (chocolate, eggs, nuts, fish, fresh berries, raw produce, milk) or drugs (ibuprofen, high blood pressure medication, pain killers like codeine), an insect bite, or some illness (like the flu).
•Chronic urticaria - this type of hives is longer lasting and can be accompanied by diarrhea, shortness of breath, and sore muscles. The exact cause of this type of hives is often unknown and can be a symptom of an underlying illness.
•Physical urticaria - these hives appear about 1 hour after physical stimulation to the skin from cold, heat, vibration or pressure, or rubbing against the area.
•Dermatographism - these hives form after some deliberate touching or scratching of the skin.

Treatments for Hives/Angioedema

When I have patients come in with an outbreak of hives, treatment with an antihistamine is the first order. Hives are usually harmless but indicate that the body is sensitive, and/or allergic, to something contacted. Some allergies on first presentation are mild with maybe just hives/itching as a symptom. If this initial presentation is ignored and left undiagnosed, you may come in contact with this agent again and have a much more severe second-time reaction, or even anaphylaxis, a severe, allergic reaction.

For example, a patient of mine had to undergo an x-ray of her kidneys in which they had to inject contrast dye. A few moments after receiving the contrast injection she started to develop hives on her face and arms. The radiologist stopped the test immediately and referred her to a dermatologist who tested her for contrast dye allergy. It was found that, indeed, she did have a severe allergy to the iodine in contrast dye that she was not aware that she had. In this way, hives are the body's warning signals that you may have anywhere from just an ordinary allergy to a life-threatening one!

Another patient broke out in hives on his face whenever he cleaned his house! Again, after allergy testing, it was shown that he had a mild/moderate reaction to dust mites (which many people do). Very important is to determine, if possible, the cause of the hives at the time they breakout, especially if you break out in a pattern. A detailed question and answer session between you and your doctor may be necessary to tease out the cause of your hives.

The best treatment for avoiding an outbreak of hives is to avoid contact with the source of the reaction in the future. However, like my patient with the dust mite allergy, it's not always possible to avoid the allergen, especially in public. So, usually an as-needed treatment with antihistamines is likely what your doctor will advise.

Depending on the severity of your allergy, antihistamine products can range from over-the-counter antihistamines such as the old, favorite standard, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), to other prescription antihistamines. You may be able to take these just at the time the hives occur or may have to be on a low, chronic dose, to ensure that the hives outbreak is suppressed. My patient with the dust mite allergy carries an over-the-counter pack of Benadryl on him to take when needed.

While waiting for the hives to clear, you can apply cool compresses, or even ice wrapped inside a washcloth, to the affected areas. This will help take out the sting and itch as well as shrink the hives to give you some relief.

Serious Warning Signs of Hives

As mentioned above, hives outbreak can be a warning of a severe allergic reaction especially if accompanied by these symptoms:

•Swelling of the lips, tongue or face
•Tightness, or "closing sensation", of the throat
•Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
•Dizziness

If you experience any of these symptoms along with the hives, contact your doctor, 911, or get to the closest emergency room immediately, as these can be signs of anaphylaxis, a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Otherwise, most hives are just temporary nuisances that can be treated with an over-the-counter antihistamine and will clear within a short period of time. If you break out with hives often, do contact your doctor to set up allergy testing with a dermatologist to determine the cause of your hives reactions.

Pros and Cons of Drug Testing Methods

All the methods of drug testing have their own benefits as well as limitations. Hence, the choice of drug test depends entirely upon the requirement of the person, let us see commonly used testing types

Urine

Benefits: A urine drug test can be undertaken at the laboratory or at any other place, with the help of a kit. It is the test of choice for most people, and is even accepted by the government. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as "the gold standard".

Limitations: If the urine sample collection is not closely observed, there is the possibility that the specimen might be substituted, leading to erroneous results. Drugs can be detected in the urine only a short time after they have been consumed. Hence, if a person has consumed drugs just prior to the test, it would not be reflected in the urine test. Moreover, for conducting a urine drug test, proper bathroom facilities are required. According to the SAMHSA or NIDA-5 guidelines, the drugs that are currently most abused in the society are not tested.

Saliva

Benefits: Saliva drug testing kits are easy to use and non-invasive. As in the case of urine drug testing, saliva drug testing does not require separate bathroom facilities. Even fairly recent drug use can be detected using saliva testing. Moreover, as the saliva sample can be monitored closely, there are lesser chances of the sample being substituted as in case of a urine test. Only a few minutes are needed for obtaining the results. Different kinds of saliva tests can be utilized to detect the use of different drugs. It is an ideal method to detect recent drug use.

Limitations: It is unfortunate that most people are not aware of the benefits of saliva drug testing. Moreover, there are a lot of false beliefs regarding saliva drug testing, which have been spread mostly by laboratories as they have feel threatened that they might lose money on account of on-site saliva drug testing.

Hair

Benefits: Hair drug testing can detect drugs consumed by the user more than 90 days ago. As the sample can be collected under direct supervision, there are very few chances of the sample being changed Fairly accurate and reliable results can be obtained through hair drug testing.

Limitations: The major limitation is the requirement of laboratory facilities to test the sample. Moreover, drugs consumed recently before the test cannot be detected in such way. A time period of around a week is required for the toxins consumed to be reflected in the results. Another drawback is the cost of getting results if it is compared to the other methods. Any person can resort to shaving off his hair in order to avoid the detection of chemicals.

Spray/Sweat

Benefits: Sweat drug testing is also very easy to undertake. It is a non-invasive method. Moreover, there is no need for bathroom facilities for the collection of the sample, unlike urine drug testing. Drugs consumed by the user a few weeks ago can also be detected through sweat analysis. The sample can be obtained under direct supervision and hence, there are lesser chances of manipulation of the sample. This method can provide the results within a few minutes.

Limitations: There are high chances of a sweat sample getting contaminated. Moreover, the rate of sweat production of different donors is different, due to which it is sometimes difficult to draw accurate results. These tests are less popular as compared to saliva or urine drug tests and hence, there is lack of new innovations in sweat analysis kits. These kits are also more expensive. Only a few toxins can be detected.

Health and Wellness Solutions for People Struggling With Food And Gluten Intolerance

NYC Chiropractor Provides Health and Wellness Solutions for People Struggling with Gluten Intolerance

Non celiac gluten intolerance is often a serious issue igniting constant inflammation within the body. The inflammation will be brought on by the immunity process targeting the gluten. Generally, the immune system makes antibodies for the gluten. It views the gluten as being a harmful bacteria, disease, or unwanted inclusion in the human body and goes into a mania to eradicate it. Every time our body encounters gluten, which often can be many times every day in the regular American diet, the immune system is activated. This generates persistent inflammation that leads to chronic disease processes and a whole host of symptoms.

Gluten prompts our bodies to release a substance called zonulin, which manages the permeability of the digestive system. Intestinal-lining cells will be pried apart by zonulin. Undigested food particles can go into the blood stream. The immune system reacts by releasing inflammatory substances. This is known as "leaky gut syndrome." Because impermeability is lowered, minerals, crucial vitamins, and essential nutrients are not readily absorbed into the body. This leads to underlying nutritional deficiencies. You may be thinking you are consuming and enjoying the benefits of eating healthy food items, but the body is not taking in as much of the vitamins and minerals as you think.

Another theory and proposed procedure of how gluten can affect various organ systems involves peptidase enzyme called DPP4. If there is a failure or a deficiency of DPP4, our body cannot properly break down the proteins in gluten. The immune system can be fooled by molecular mimicry as the undigested protein fragment can be wrongly recognized for a pathogen. Due to this, antibodies will be aimed at the protein and may damage cells in the auto-immune reaction.

Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance
The signs and symptoms which non-celiac gluten intolerance can provoke can vary from joint pain, anxiousness, depression symptoms, migraines, fatigue, cramping, stomach discomfort, indigestion, body aches, rashes, acid reflux, thyroid issues, infertility, for example. As you can understand these types of symptoms are so vast and may be linked to a number of disease processes. This is where the problem lies in the healthcare community recognizing this level of sensitivity as a dire health condition. Since, medicine is mainly dedicated to symptom relief; nearly all treatment methods for these kinds of indicators are targeted on pharmacology rather than possible nutritional causative factors.

Proper Diagnosis with Chiropractic Muscle Testing
The best way to check for non-celiac gluten intolerance is through muscle testing or blood screening for IgG and IgA. In my experience, I have muscle tested many people who have been blood screened for gluten sensitivity and have been informed that they do not possess gluten intolerance, and they show up as sensitive to gluten with the muscle test. This is probably not a life-long intolerance because there are methods to change how the human body responds to gluten. A proven way is through testing for the right digestive enzyme that will allow the gluten to become broken down correctly. Normally, my patients need to be off gluten for six months or even longer, and if they are getting corrective nutritional supplements their bodies can heal and accept gluten at some point.

There is also a desensitization process that I use to assist the body to not respond to gluten in the same manner. Whenever gluten intolerance is determined, a person will have to refrain from eating even small amounts of gluten. The person will begin feeling better in about seven days. The body is so resilient and has an innate capability to heal itself, once the stressor has been removed. If a person re-introduces the gluten right after being gluten-free, without having enzymatic assistance or a desensitization technique, their symptoms will come back.

Grains have only been in our diet for approximately the last 15,000 years or so. There exists formidable data in which 15,000 years ago humans subsisted generally on fresh vegetables and meats. This isn't much time in our two million year history. Approximately 30 percent of northern Europeans, those that lived farthest from the source of dietary grains in Mesopotamia, have the genes for gluten intolerance. 99 percent of our genetic makeup was already in position before we began ingesting whole grains. Consequently, some of us are not able to handle gluten, which is the protein in most grains. Currently, up to 90 percent of the protein in wheat is gluten, a 10 times rise in the past 100 years. The average American eats 150 pounds of wheat every year.

Grains that do not consist of gluten will be rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, teff, sorghum, wild rice, and corn. You may test by fully removing gluten from your diet for just two weeks and change it with a few of these options.

Various other significant food intolerances include soy products, dairy, and corn, yet an individual can always be sensitive to anything. What one individual is sensitive to, another person may be okay consuming. The majority of these sensitivities derive from genetic factors. One of many causes somebody can feel so full of energy when doing a detoxification is because they may be off their particular key food sensitivity, such as wheat or dairy.

Dogs and Allergies

We as humans can have a variety of allergies, allergies to food, pollution, dust and just about anything else imaginable. Well, our wonderful family dog can be allergic to things too and it may take us a while to finally figure it out.

Pets that scratch a lot may be allergic to something, sometimes you may find that your pet scratches significantly only at certain times of the year. It is possible that your dog, like you, can have seasonal allergies. Dogs can be allergic not only to food, but to pollen, grasses, trees, dust, fleas, wool, tobacco smoke and even, believe it or not, to other pets.

A dog can have an allergic reaction simply by coming into contact with whatever substance it is allergic to (wool/fleas), by inhaling the substance (smoke/pollen), and from food.

Any dog that spends most of its time scratching and possibly chewing on itself is showing signs of a possible allergy or at least a condition that requires some type of treatment. Constant scratching and chewing leads to skin disruptions and ultimately bacterial infections. Most people think the constant scratching is a problem with fleas (possible), but more than likely it is an inhalant allergy.

Another sign of a dog with an allergy problem is a respiratory condition; coughing, sneezing/wheezing, runny nose or even runny eyes, and a third symptom may show up in the digestive system, as diarrhea or vomiting.

There are certain breeds that are more predisposed to respiratory allergic conditions than others, these dogs can suffer the same as their humans when the air is filled with grass and tree pollen, dust, mildew, ragweed and mold. Such breeds as Schnauzers, Irish Setters, Boston Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Cairn Terriers, West Highland Terriers and wire-haired Terriers are among the most common affected with air type allergies.

Females for some reason are affected more so than males and it usually occurs between the ages of one to three years.

How are dogs tested for inhalant allergies?

Diagnosing an allergy suffered by a dog is not really an easy matter. Much is done on a hit and miss basis. To complicate matters a thyroid condition could even enter into the picture. In order to find the culprit and if the allergy is not fairly evident, like a flea problem or even or a new food, a dog will have to go through a fairly lengthy and systematic diagnosis. There is no magic way to figure out the problem.

The last and most costly thing that can be done is the hyposensitization testing procedure using specific antigen injections. The cost is extremely high, the age of the dog needs to be considered as re-testing may be necessary in the future and the success rate runs about 50 percent, which is just about the success rate found when testing humans.

What kind of treatment can be given to help the problem?

The dog may be given Omega-3 fatty acids, gamma linoleic acid and/or certain vitamins and natural anti-inflammatories. Natural anti-inflammatory drugs and along with the vitamins and Omega-3 is usually a good first try in helping to alleviate the symptoms.

Antihistamines and other therapies do work, but often times make the dog a wee bit groggy. Any type of steroid drug should be used only as a last resort. The use of steroids, along with supplements and antihistamines will control the allergy, but will not come up with an overall treatment of the condition and it will return.

Corticosteroids reduce itching by calming the inflammation, however, there are side effects that can cause problems. Not only does it cause thirst and increased appetite, increased need to urinate and behavioral problems; it can cause diabetes, lack of resistance to infection and a susceptibility to seizures. It should be used as a last resort and only for a short time.

Shampoo therapy will work in some cases as bathing with hypoallergenic shampoos has helped many dogs. It seems that some allergens can be absorbed through the skin and frequent bathing reduces the exposure.

Bathing the dog with Epsom salts or colloidal oatmeal with also give temporary relief and will have to be done frequently. Be careful using sprays and ointments that are not recommended by your vet, they could contain harmful substances.

Antibiotics can be used when the dog has been biting, scratching and chewing on its skin. The constant irritation creates opportunities for bacteria to cause infection and the antibiotics should be used to control it.

There are vaccines available for dogs, just as there are for people, they do work, but they are slow to work and can be costly. It is said they work about 70 to 75 percent of the time.

Environmental allergies can be handled as best you can; air conditioning in the house can reduce the chance of outside airborne allergens coning in. Dehumidifiers can reduce the problem of mold. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter will reduce dust and pollens within the household.

One important thing to keep in mind if you have a dog with serious allergies and you are considering breeding it, please Do Not. You will just be adding to a situation that will cause not only other dogs' a problem, the owners who love them too.

How can you handle the common allergy problems?

Fleas are not the earth shattering problem they were a few years ago, thank heaven, the invention of the flea spot on products have reduced the headaches of banishing fleas. We have for the most part rid ourselves and our pets of fleas, just check with your vet to see which product is the best for you to use on your pet.

Food is a common allergy for dogs, however, believe it or not, it is only a 10 to 20 percent common problem. A food allergy is rarely ever fatal, but it can be most annoying. The constant itching can lead to serious bacterial or fungal infection. If the allergy causes gastrointestinal problems you are faced with vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

An allergy to the food your dog is eating will not cause both; it will cause an itching problem or a gastrointestinal problem. The most common problem is the itching, which in turn, not only makes your dog and you miserable, it creates a very unsightly looking dog.

Certain breeds such as golden retrievers, schnauzers, and West Highland White Terriers are thought of by some vets, to be the most at risk for food allergies, though this has not been proven conclusively.

Protein is generally the biggest culprit in causing food allergies in dogs. The most common sources of protein are, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs. Since we all need protein as part of our everyday diet, it is hard to eliminate it from your dog's diet. A food allergy takes time to show its ugly face, unless it is a new food that was recently added to your pet's diet.

Determining what food is causing the problem, especially if you are like me, and offer a mixed variety of foods to your pet, it will take time, patience and due diligence. It is important for the dog to be on a hypoallergenic diet for at least 4 to 6 weeks. A hypoallergenic diet consists of protein that has been predigested into very tiny bits, so the immune system does not recognize that it is there. This food can only be purchased at your vet's and is fairly expensive. Along with the special food, the whole family must be aware that the dog is not to have any other food or treats while the 4 to 6 week period is in progress. Now, this can really be a challenge, when looking into those big brown eyes.

The itching should gradually disappear while the dog is on the diet, once the itching is gone and the dog has recovered. Next comes what is considered the challenge and requires patience, you restore the dog to its original diet and watch what happens. If the itching starts again, it is back on to the special food until the itching is gone again and then you begin to add your dog's other foods, one by one.

This means that whatever your dog normally has been eating, you add it one food at a time and watch for a reaction. It will take several weeks for a reaction to show up and during that time, you do not feed the dog anything else, but the current food (no treats or table food). If it does not cause a problem, if is fairly safe to think that food is okay, then you add another of your dog's foods and go through the same process. Your vet will advise you as to the best way to do this, you also will be feeding the hypoallergenic food, too.

Allergies in dogs can also be tricky, as your dog cannot only suffer from a food allergy, but from an inhalant allergy also. The secret here is to find the culprit that is causing the problem for your dog and ultimately and hopefully end it forever. This is not a problem that you alone can solve; allergy problems need the help of your vet, so at the first sign of an itching problem, see your vet at once. Your dog will appreciate it and so will you.

Mold Allergy in Food - The Cause and the Cure

At first, I never knew that mold allergy can come from food. My mother and I share the same allergy. Damp places, high humidity climate, old clothes or books always give us difficult breathing or other mild asthma symptoms. But when my mother was diagnosed to have the allergy from food, I just realized that there are many kinds of food that use mold in the processing. Who can have this allergy? Do both mold allergy in food and in air always come together? And how to cure it? Keep on reading...

Mold, as well as mildew, is included in the fungi family. They differ from other plants or animal by their unique reproducing methods. Their seeds are called spores. When an allergic patient is inhaling spores, they might have symptoms like sneezing and difficult breathing. Besides in the air, mold can also grow in foods. Although it's only in small percentage, people with respiratory mold allergy can have the same allergy from food too. My mother cannot eat foods that are processed with mold, such as soy sauce, 'tempeh' or fermented cassava, while I don't share the same allergy.

Although not a processed food, peanut can also cause the allergy from the mold alfatoxin, a toxin that can be found in corn, wheat, soy, and sorghum, as well as in peanuts. Other foods that might cause the allergy are mushroom, melon, berries, beer, smoked meats, and some grains, as well as some cheeses, like blue cheese. Other dairy products such as milk is believed to contain alfatoxin if it came from cows that is fed by moldy feed. The most common molds found in food are aspergillus and rhizopus.

So how can we avoid and cure mold allergy from our diet?

Just like any other food allergies, the best way is to stay away from foods you are allergic to. You need to have an allergy testing to confirm exact food products that cause your food allergy, and include those foods into your restricted diet. Some people try organic diet to stay healthier. However, as organic products lack of chemical fungicides, they can be moldy faster than non-organic products.

How to cure ?

Allergy is a body reaction against a toxic situation. Most of the cases, toxins that cause allergy come to non-natural substance. It happens as well in mold allergy. Therefore, the effort to cure the allergy by pharmaceutical medicines seem not appropriate, as those medicines are also toxic.

The best way to cure this allergy, and any other allergies, would be natural cure. Herbal therapy, homeopathy and acupuncture/acupressure are some of natural medication methods that you can try. Of course, sudden discontinuing of pharmaceutical medication would be unwise either. You should consult your doctor before slowly replacing your treatment with natural substance.

Allergy is a unique disease that we often cannot make disappear, however through a consistent and healthy diet and lifestyle, you can live normally with allergy, or even asthma.

Naet - Can it Fix Your Allergies For Good?

Eliminating your allergies for good can be an absolute dream for some, but for others its a dream that is coming true. NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique) is a natural therapy technique that is having very promising results according to many chronic allergy sufferers who are experiencing this unusual treatment first hand.

Its a therapy that is based on acupuncture and kinesiology which retrains your immune system to identify substances that are harmless, thereby reducing the allergic reaction.

How does NAET actually work?
Firstly your NAET practitioner will assess what allergies you have through a technique commonly known as muscle testing. While you are laying down, your practitioner hands you homeopathic vials each holding a different allergen. The opposite arm to the allergen is used as an instrument to verify if there is an allergy present or not.

The practitioner will push against your arm, if you are able to prevent your arm from collapsing, then you are not allergic to that substance. If instead your arm is easily pushed, then you are considered allergic to the substance in the vial that you are holding.

Treatment of your allergies
Once the allergies have been identified, you are treated for an allergy group per visit. It can take more than one treatment to successfully eliminate each allergen group, depending on the severity of the allergy and the strength of your immune system.

To eliminate the allergy, the practitioner stimulates a number of points along the spine, followed by stimulation of acupuncture points on the arms, hands and feet. This treatment is carried out while you hold the allergen vial in your hand.

The treatment process opens blockages in organs and meridian lines, reprogramming your body to see the allergen as harmless instead of harmful which had been previously occurring.

25 hour avoidance period
Following each treatment, you are advised to avoid any food or substance relating to the food allergen group for the next 25 hours. If you do not achieve this successfully, it may ruin the success of your treatment.

Is NAET right for me?
NAET is a non-invasive natural treatment and though it has not been scientifically proven to work there are many testimonials from a wide variety of allergy sufferers who claim to have been completely cured. If you have tried many other treatments and nothing has worked, then NAET may be worth a try especially if your allergies are destroying your quality of life.

NAET is safe enough to use on infants as well as the elderly. With those unable to do the muscle testing, a surrogate is used while in contact with the patient.

NAET is a natural therapy that may provide you with long term allergy relief. That means you may be able to eat those foods that you've dreamed of eating but couldn't because you reacted to it.

3 Foods to Avoid If You Have Helicobacter Pylori

H pylori can cause severe and debilitating symptoms, or very mild symptoms, depending on the person who has the bacteria and the strain of bacteria involved. Not everyone is affected equally. Typical symptoms include general malaise, fatigue, mood problems as well as widely recognised digestive symptoms like heartburn, reflux (GERD), bloating, nausea, vomiting and bad breath.

Doctors often prescribe antacid medications or laxatives for these symptoms; sometimes they will have the foresight to run testing for H pylori and other digestive infections. If H pylori is found triple therapy antibiotics are typically prescribed to kill the H pylori. This form of therapy has recently been shown to be only 50-70% effective, however.

Even when H pylori has been confirmed as having been eradicated, a patient's symptoms often remain. This confuses doctor and patient alike. Diet is rarely considered in these situations, but in actual fact, common foods that are consumed on a daily basis by many people can cause exactly the same symptoms as the Helicobacter itself.

Food #1 - Gluten

Gluten (more accurately, gliadin) is a protein molecule that is found in the grains wheat, barley, rye and spelt. All foods that contain these grains have gluten in them (e.g. bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, cereals, pizza). Many people are gluten-intolerant and in my experience gluten is the number one problem food. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine, much like H pylori. In many cases, simply eliminating the gluten can dramatically reduce symptoms. Sometimes people cannot eradicate H pylori until they have been on a gluten-free diet for at least 60-days.

Food #2 - Coffee

I love coffee, but unfortunately in any form coffee is an irritant to the digestive system. Many people report having heartburn, reflux and other digestive symptoms when they drink coffee. It is best to reduce coffee consumption if H pylori bacteria are present.

Food #3 - Soy

Soy foods have in recent times been touted as being healthy and, in some cases, miracle foods. However this information is far from the truth. In fact, soy is not a healthy food for most people. Even in Japan it is the number one allergy causing food. It can have a direct impact on the digestive system and cause similar symptoms to H pylori (it causes me to have wind, bloating and loose stools). Many people experience significant improvements when they eliminate soy in all forms. Several other foods, including cow's milk and vegetable oils, should also be avoided if H pylori is diagnosed.

A complete list of these foods as well as the appropriate diet and herbal protocol for H pylori sufferers is available in the Overcoming H Pylori Naturally eBook at http://www.h-pylori-treatment.com.

What Is A Yeast Infection And How Do You Deal With It?

What are the causes and cures for yeast infection?

Yeast infection is a common problem in women where 75 percent have reported infection.

Yeast infections occur in the vagina caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. A normal vagina includes bacteria and a number of yeast cells. The Vagina environment is acidic by nature so it does not allow this infection to take place. But a change in the the acid nature of vagina becomes less allowing it to grow at a rapid rate and leads to infection. Common symptoms for these infections are irritations, itching, burning and swelling of the vagina along with abnormal vaginal discharge. Infected persons may experience pain while urinating due to inflammation of the urinary opening. Sexual intercourse can also lead to pain because of dryness and swelling. Itching persists for more than three days, doesn't respond to home remedies or is getting progressively worse.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

Your private parts are often covered in three or four layers of material such as a pantiliner, panties, or a pair of snug-fitting pantyhose. So what is that warm, moist part of you doing under all those layers? It's itching and driving you mad.
Vaginal itching can come from something as simple as trapping bacteria for too long under too many layers of too-tight clothes. All that warmth and moisture provide perfect conditions for incubating infections. In fact, itching can be the unwelcome calling card of a wide variety of infections, ranging from bacterial vaginitis to yeast (also called Candida albicans or monilia) and trichomoniasis. The itching can also signal an allergy to a chemical in soap, deodorant or dye, or may simply be a sign of thinning vaginal tissues in women approaching menopause.

Let's take a look at how to banish that itching.

Sitz in some salt.

Several forms of vaginitis will often respond to a simple home remedy?

The saline sitz bath.

Here's the recipe from Gideon Panter, M.D., a gynecologist in New York City.

Dissolve a half-cup table salt in a shallow tub of warm water. In the tub, insert your finger into your vagina to let the warm salt water in, then remove your finger and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. Two or three consecutive nights of sitz baths should ease the itch, if yours is home treatable, Dr. Panter says.

Don't have sexual intercourse until your itching has cleared up, Dr. Panter says. If the organism set up in your vagina was transmitted by your partner, there's no sense in re-exposing yourself to trouble. Take a few days to show love in other ways, he suggests.

Consider the condom. Condoms provide wonderful protection against both unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. If condom use always seems to be followed by a bout of vaginal itching, however, it's possible that an allergy to the condom's latex rubber, powder coating or lubricant could be the problem.

If you need medical advise then you should+ask your doctor.

You'll need your doctor's help to determine which type of infection is causing your itching. If you've been diagnosed with yeast infections in the past, and are very familiar with the specific symptoms, call your doctor for a prescription of antifungal medications such as Vagistat, Nystatin or Monistat.

Trichomoniasis is treated with the prescription antibiotic Flagyl. Bacterial infections call for antibacterial agents?either sulfa drugs or, if you're allergic to sulfa, with Betadine antiseptic, an over-the-counter product.

"And be sure to have your doctor test you for the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus, which causes genital warts, is an important and frequently overlooked cause of vaginal itching.

Get help for menopause symptoms.

If you're approaching menopause, ask your doctor about treatments for itching caused by changes that are taking place in the vagina. Hormone replacement therapy is an option, but you should also ask about prescription hormonal creams for the vagina. Bag the douche and powder. Douching not only won't help to relieve itching or vaginitis, it may be dangerous. Douching may drive infectious material up through the cervix and cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

Defeating the Yeast Beast

Fortunately for women who suffer from recurrent yeast infections, these infections respond well to treatment. And there's plenty of prevention available, too. Cut down on sugar. Sugar feeds yeast, so cut back on high-sugar foods.

See what Vitamin C can do for

Take 500 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day. Vitamin C increases the acidity of the vagina, creating a yeast-unfriendly environment.

After a shower or bath, blow-dry the vaginal area. Yeast needs moisture to survive. Set your blow dryer on cool, and position the dryer six to eight inches from the vaginal area.

A sitz bath works well to fend off yeast infections.
Once a month after your menstrual cycle, add three tablespoons of boric acid to six inches of water in a pan large enough to sit in. While you're roosting in your roaster for five to ten minutes, the yeast is in retreat.

Lay on the lactobacillus.

A cup-a-day habit of yogurt with active Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures will reduce your likelihood of yeast infections. Health food stores are your best bet for "live" natural yogurt. Lactobacillus is also available in powder and capsule forms at health food stores.

Take the scratch test.

If your yeast infections persist, you may be allergic to Candida, and allergy shots of Candida extract can help prevent further problems. Ask your doctor to refer you to a board-certified allergist for skin testing.
Remove yeast from your diet.

If you test positive, avoid allergic reactions to Candida by avoiding foods and beverages containing yeast and molds, at least until you have received the allergy shots for about six months. Look out for the following yeast and mold troublemakers: bread, pizza, English muffins, bagels, croissants, raised doughnuts, beer, wine, liquor, apple cider, moldy cheeses, cider or wine vinegar, pickles, grapes, berries, cantaloupe, fruit juices, brown sugar, sprouts, mushrooms, yeast extract, vitamins derived from yeast, smoked meats and fish and leftovers.

Prime your prescription.

If you know you get frequent yeast infections, then ask for anti-yeast medication whenever your doctor puts you on antibiotics. (Antibiotics taken for other infections kill off both friendly and unfriendly bacteria in the vagina, clearing the way for an overgrowth of yeast.)

Plan your prevention.

Any vaginal irritation can pave the way for yeast infection. That's why it helps to avoid any vagina/chemical contact, including perfumes, colored toilet paper, dyed underpants, deodorants and commercial sexual lubricants.

To prevent yeast flare-ups wash your clothes with unscented detergent, avoiding fabric softeners and wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing, white cotton underwear and no pantyhose.

Asthma and Allergies - Chinese Drywall's Contaminants Can Affect Your Health

The story goes on and on about Chinese Drywall with no end in sight. It seems that no one can make up their mind about what is causing the noxious odors in the homes with Chinese Drywall installed in them. Several Florida Builder's are being proactive by removing the drywall and replacing it after multiple complaints came from the homeowners. There are a lot of homeowners who are being forced to abandon their homes because they are getting sick in their homes. The are moving to prevent getting sick or have a member of their family who has Asthma or Allergies.

The details of the latest round of testing by another Florida Environmental Consulting Firm; they are claiming to have solved the mystery about the noxious odor that is making homeowners sick. They are saying that the materials to make the drywall is recycled material from inside of smokestacks of China's notoriously polluting coal-based energy facilities, This theory is being put forth by Intuitive Environmental Solutions of Florida. To prove this will require a trip to China and do they really think that the Chinese are going to cooperate in an investigation as massive as this problem. I hope they do, but am not counting on. Maybe we can get some of O'bama's Stimulus Money to put Drywall Workers back to work removing and replacing all this bad Chinese Drywall. That would be something positive for the economy.

The latest information comes from US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida who is trying to get the IRS to allow homeowner's to qualify for a casualty-loss deduction if government agencies determine that Chinese Drywall emits "an unusual or severe concentration of chemical fumes" that causes "extreme and unusual damage." The tests are on going. The tax write-off could be worth tens of thousands of dollars according to Senator Bill Nelson's office per the Sun Sentinel on July 11, 2009 issue. This will help, but what are the homeowners going to do who are strapped for cash at this time due to the economy. I know several people who have this drywall in their homes and are without jobs right now.

In conclusion, Chinese Drywall was manufactured with substandard materials and it omits noxious odors that is affecting people's health which creates a problem in their home. One environmental company believes that they used recycled material from inside of smokestacks of the coal burning energy facilities. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is trying to get a casualty loss deduction from the IRS to help homeowners. People with Asthma or Allergies are being affected by these toxic materials.

If you have any questions regarding this toxic issue, feel free to call us or visit our website.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - The Best and Worst Foods For ADD Children

By nature, children are active and full of energy. However, when children's hyperactivity is accompanied with a perceptual motor impairment, emotional instability, and short attention span, failure to finish things, not listening, poor concentration, impulsive and aggressive behaviors; then we are dealing with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) children.

The guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) require that a child exhibit impulsivity or inattention - with or without hyperactivity - severe enough to cause functional impairment in 2 or more settings over a period of at least 6 months before a diagnosis of ADD can be reached.

There are a lot of concerns about the supposed "epidemic" of ADD in kids nowadays. The frequency of ADD with hyperactivity has been reported to be from 4 to 20 percent of school-age children. There are greater incidences in boys than girls. In fact, 10 boys have it for every 1 girl.

Over two million American school-aged boys take the drug methylphenidate "Ritalin" which is often the first choice of treatment in mild cases of ADD, and it is apparently often improperly prescribed to children who do not even have ADD. Therefore, I urge the parents to acknowledge themselves with the short and long term side effects of this medicine before giving it to their child, especially if he is under 6 years of age. Actually, medications should never be the only treatment or even the first treatment and medicines in themselves do not promote long-term positive changes because when children stop taking them, they find that none of their problems have gone away. On the other hand, I do encourage counseling and it is very important that the whole family try to get involved. Parents should know that just the presence of a warmly supportive adult can diminish inattention and hyperactivity in a child with ADD.

What parents don't know is that many cases of ADD may simply be reflecting poor nutritional status especially earlier in life during physical, mental and social development.

Nutrient deficiency exists in a significant number of children with ADD. Food additives and food allergies are the major factors in ADD with hyperactivity. Children with ADD are often "unusually sensitive" to diet and nutrition. This is why they will react to food additives when others are fine. Thus, food allergy testing and heavy metal presence assessment are very important. Why the heavy metal assessment you might ask me, this is because learning disabilities seem to be characterized by a general pattern of high levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, copper and manganese as determined by hair analysis. What is interesting is that poor nutrition and elevation of heavy metal levels usually go hand in hand, due to decreased consumption of food factors known to chelate these heavy metals or decrease their absorption.

The ADD child completely falls apart when his blood sugar is too low and becomes hyper when it is too high. This shows how nutritional states affect directly the brain. Fortunately, correcting any underlying nutritional deficiency results in an almost immediate improvement in mental function as proved by several clinical studies which have shown that nutritional supplementation can improve mental function in school-aged children.

Therefore, the parents with ADD children should do the following:

1. Provide the child with nutritious and attractive meals served in an atmosphere free of tension and meant to be consumed in a leisurely fashion.

2. Strongly avoid the following from their children diet plans:
a. Food additives and food coloring

b. Exposure to environmental toxins

c. Excessive refined sugar intake

d. Aspartame as it is a neurotoxin

e. Processed foods and meals made from white flour such as white bread, white rice, cakes, etc...

f. Tans-fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils, processed foods are full of them. Read carefully the Nutrition Labels when you shop from supermarkets.

g. Avoid large meals and fasting. Frequent small meals and snacks are much better.

3. Strongly advised to add the following in your kids meals:
a. Increase their water intake.

b. If he insists to drink juice, the best choice is apple juice with no sugar added.

c. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as fish and whole grains, brown rice, oats and lentils.

d. An increased amount in vitamin C and antioxidant rich foods, because this vitamin is a week chelator and it will bind and eliminate heavy metals. Examples: Kiwi, raspberry, peaches, blackcurrant, lemon, guava, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, green cabbage, peppers, and Brussels sprouts.

e. An increased intake of Zinc rich foods as it helps with memory and learning problems. Also, it is stated that ADHD kids have Zinc levels that are only 2/3 the level of those without ADHD. Examples: Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, all bran cereals, pine nuts, pecan nuts, cashew nuts, fish and eggs.

f. An increased intake of Magnesium rich foods. It is known that 95% of children are deficient in magnesium. Examples: tofu, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, wheat bran, Brazil nuts, soybean flour, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, pumpkin and squash seeds, pine nuts, and black walnuts. Other good dietary sources of this mineral include peanuts, whole wheat flour, oat flour, beet greens, spinach, pistachio nuts, shredded wheat, bran cereals, oatmeal, bananas, and cocoa powder. Many herbs, spices, and seaweeds supply magnesium, such as agar seaweed, coriander, celery seed, sage, dried mustard, basil, fennel seed, and cumin.

g. An increased intake of food rich in omega 3 because boys with ADD have lower levels of it. Examples: oily fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, and tuna. Also, we can find omega 3 in dark green vegetables, canola, sunflower, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.

h. An increased intake of food rich in Iron. Examples: Pumpkin seeds, dried figs, organic raisins, dried apricots, almonds, watercress, red kidney beans and spinach.

i. Adjust the types of fats your family eats. Use: Extra virgin olive oil, organic canola oil, and sesame oil for cold food such as salads.

4. Finally, give your ADD child the following supplements:
a. A high potency multi vitamin and mineral formula

b. Magnesium 400 mg/day

c. Vitamin C 500 mg/day

d. Flaxseed oil as prescribed on the bottle

e. Vitamin B6 50mg/day

To conclude, when your child is diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, there are lots of things you can do to help him improve other than just give him medications. First, you have to make sure that he is correctly diagnosed, you should go for food allergy testing and heavy metal presence assessment, and seek counseling where all the family is involved. Second, you have to work on his diet plan by avoiding certain food and by adding others in addition to supplementing certain nutrients that will work on his deficiencies and improve his brain functioning and his overall wellbeing.

Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

A sneezing cat may have a cold or other respiratory illness. He may have something stuck in his nose. These are just two of the possible causes for sneezing in cats.

A cold in a cat may be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. Each will require a different treatment, best done by your vet. Since sneezing can be caused by many different things, and because you may not know exactly how sick your cat is, you should seek the advice of your vet.

Cats may also sneeze in response to strong chemicals or cigarette smoke. Different cats show different sensitivities to chemicals. Many flat-faced cats are more sensitive to chemicals and may sneeze in response to exposure. Suspect your perfume, cleaners, or insecticide sprays if you cat suddenly starts sneezing.

Allergies may cause your cat to sneeze. Cats are susceptible to the same allergies as humans, such as trees, grasses, pollens, and other airborne allergens. Allergy testing may be required if your cat is bothered by excessive sneezing.

Other uncommon causes of sneezing in cats may be nose polyps, cancer, and ear infections. If you suspect any of these, or if you just cannot determine the cause of your cat's sneezing, take him to the vet for diagnosis.

If your cat sneezes blood, it may or may not be serious, but should be checked immediately. It may be as serious as nose cancer, or as simple as a mild cold.

An uncommon cause for a cat sneezing is dental problems. Tooth abscesses or infections in the upper teeth can travel to the nasal cavity and cause sneezing. Only a vet can determine the exact cause and possible treatment.

Sneezing becomes a problem when it causes the cat to become cranky. Additionally, a sneezing cat makes it almost impossible for the cat, or the owner, to get adequate sleep. This can lead to irritability for both.

A veterinarian is the only one who can decisively determine what is causing the cat to sneeze. Methods of determining the cause may include physical exam, an MRI, blood tests, nasal swabs, polyp biopsy, skull x-ray, and endoscope of the nasal passage, biopsy of the nasal lining.

Treatment for the bleeding depends, of course on the cause. Treatment may include surgical intervention, medicine to treat viral or bacterial infections, and treatment for allergies or asthma, as indicated.

Though a sneezing cat is no joke, there have been some superstitions surrounding cats over the years. Some of these include: cat sneezing once -rain is predicted; cat sneezing three times--the family will catch a cold; and good luck will come to all who hear a cat sneezing.

Allergy Causes - 3 Theories on What Really Causes Allergies

We spend so much time talking about allergy symptoms and allergy remedies that we often overlook the most basic question of all - that being what is the cause of allergies?

And in using the word, "cause" I do not mean one of the multitude of allergy triggers whether they are environmental triggers such as pollen, dust mites and pets or food allergens such as eggs or cow's milk.

The trigger starts the process of the inflammation and swelling that we see in the allergy symptoms but is not responsible for the tendency of the patient to react in such a dramatic way. Some of that tendency is genetic and some of it is down to lifestyle.

In just about every account of allergy we are told that the cause of an allergy is down to one thing, so let's look at that now and we'll start with an interesting question.

Is Your Immune System Really Broken?

We are told by expert after expert that the body is mistaking your corn or your beef for an enemy; that the immune system has been fooled and that your allergy is down to a mistake or malfunction. And that's what I mean by using such a blunt question. Let's ask some more questions.

If my immune system gets such a simple task so very wrong why is my general health good? Surely if my immune system was so easily fooled I would not be able to fight off germs and viruses that i come across every day. And if my immune system is so incapable why am I still alive?

Or Are You a Tad Leaky?

Whether we are leaky or not comes up mostly in discussing food allergies and the whole complicated area of indigestion and food intolerance. School science tells us that proteins are broken down to their building blocks, called amino acids in the stomach and small intestine. That sounds simple and it is but how come allergy is usually explained by saying that our immune system is fighting food proteins?

Where is the fight taking place? Because food proteins cannot get into the bloodstream according to normal ideas. The protein should be digested before they get into the blood.

But suppose you are just a bit leaky, not enough to wet the carpet, just a tad, then food proteins might be able to leak out of the digestive system into the bloodstream.

There the immune system will find these food particles and take care of them. You can call this a fight or a clean up, your metaphor is your business, but the body is properly, cleverly and correctly removing proteins that should not be in the bloodstream...only to be blamed by everyone looking on.

What is at fault here is not the immune system - that is actually doing far more work than it should. The fault lies with the digestive system for not containing food particles adequately until they are sufficiently digested.

And that is called "Leaky gut".

Leaky gut is commonplace and is easy to diagnose. There are simple laboratory tests which are low cost and non invasive.

It is equally easy to cure, but that is for another day. In my view "leaky gut syndrome" is the main cause of Food Allergy.

Or Perhaps You Are Just Intoxicated?

The word "toxin" means poison, so intoxicated means poisoned. This may not mean that you'll die. Whether or not we die when we take in a dose of a poison depends on how strong the poison is and how much we take.

Have you taken the LD 50?

When testing how powerful a chemical toxin is, doses are fed to laboratory animals. As the dose level is increased the animals die. The amount that kills half the animals is called the LD 50, where LD stands for lethal dose.

How About YOUR LD 50?

If some one consumes the LD 50 level of a toxin they may well die. Alcohol is a good example here and the word intoxicated is used to mean that someone has taken a lot of alcohol. If they consume more than the LD 50 they have a fair chance of surviving and whether they do depends on their liver.

The major job of the liver is to grab the toxins it gets and to change them into something else. This is called detoxification, often shortened to "detox" The word detox does not mean anything to do with street drugs and intoxicated does not just mean, "drunk".

The liver has to do something that sounds fairly magical - it has to take poison and turn it into something safe. It needs enzymes to do this and it needs amino acids and nutrients. Like any good construction worker it needs the right tools for the job.

You could be suffering from multiple toxins in your blood stream from industrial exposure, street drugs or pharmaceutical drugs - all of which have to be detoxified your liver is struggling already.

And on Top of That....

And if we add allergens from food allergies or from other sources we raise the demands on the liver. Like anything else it has a limit and we may begin to get allergy symptoms when the liver is working at full capacity dealing with a list of toxins listed above and has little or no spare capacity.

Removing any of the toxins would help the liver cope with all of its other tasks. Detoxification is a complex step by step process of assessing and helping the liver and other organs of detoxification gradually eliminate toxins from the body. Most references to "detox" are wide of the mark and show little real grasp of the science involved.

This is not rocket science but it is liver science and has to be approached carefully with all the right tools and preparation.

So what does cause allergy?

The 3 theories here all have some merit. The immune system is fighting food particles and the reason it is doing so is that allergy patients are somewhat leaky and toxic.

Rather than simply saying that the immune system is at fault or is over reacting it seems wiser to fix the leak and do some detox. Both of these need a Naturopathic Physician for you to get the maximum health benefits, but it can be done.