Treatment Options For Adult Eczema

You have eczema and you want to do something about it. Perhaps you've tried pharmaceuticals or various home and natural treatments. Maybe you've had good results and perhaps your results haven't been so good. Maybe, like a lot of people, you've done some research on treatments available and have been so overwhelmed by the sheer number of remedies available that you don't know where to start. Let's take a brief look at some of the most common adult eczema treatment options, with their upsides and downsides, so that you will be better able to make an informed decision when you search for an eczema treatment.

- Pharmaceuticals

The first thing most people think of when they want relief from their eczema is to visit their doctor. S/he can prescribe antihistamines, or cortisone creams and pills. The upside is that relief is often virtually immediate. The downside is that the body eventually builds a tolerance to these medications so dosages and types of medicines must be changed periodically. Cortisone suppresses the immune system, opening the sufferer up to other infections. It also thins the skin when used for long periods of time. Prescription medication can be expensive.

- Homeopathics

Homeopathic remedies can stimulate the body to overcome symptoms of an illness by exposing the body to a homeopathic dose of the substance that causes the symptom. The upside is once the correct homeopathic remedy is identified, eczema symptoms will moderate or even disappear altogether. The body does not build up a tolerance to homeopathics, so dosages don't have to be changed. There are no adverse physical effects. The downside is that it may take a lot of testing to find the right homeopathic remedy because the remedy must be matched to specific symptoms, not just broadly to "eczema." Once the right homeopathic is identified, relief may not be immediate.

- Diet and Environmental

The symptoms of adult eczema are usually caused by reaction to an allergen. The allergy may be to a food or something in a person's environment such as cleaning products, animal dander, or molds. The upside is, like with homeopathics, once the allergens are identified and removed from a person's diet or environment, eczema symptoms can go into complete remission. Relief can be very quick. The downside is that allergy testing is generally required and this can be expensive. A person may find it difficult to make the diet or lifestyle changes necessary to keep the eczema at bay.

- Skin creams, moisturizers, and proctectants

Lotions, creams, and moisturizers will help keep the dry, itchy skin moist and will replenish lost moisture. This helps relieve the itching and flaking associated with eczema. The upside is that relief is fairly quick. Depending on what types of creams and lotions you buy, they are not terribly expensive. The downside is relief doesn't last very long; the creams and lotions must be reapplied regularly to maintain relief. Creams also only address the symptom, not the cause.

- Home remedies

There are literally hundreds of home remedies for eczema, everything from special soup recipes to oatmeal baths. The upside is, they have been proven over time to work. They are generally quite inexpensive, many items being common household supplies. The downside is that it is such a vast subject that it may take a great deal of time to find a home remedy that works for you. The reason that there are so many remedies is that every person is different, so what works for one person may not work for you.

Armed with this information, knowing the pluses and minuses of each option, you can pick and choose an area or areas that most closely match your needs. You now have a tool to help you relieve or remove completely the symptoms of adult eczema.

Mastocytic Enterocolitis or Mastocytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (MIBD), A New Epidemic?

Mastocytic enterocolitis is a new clinical entity characterized by increase mast cells of 20 or more per high-powered field in the duodenum or colon. Jakate et al. described 47 patients with intractable diarrhea and abdominal pain without other cause who had elevated mast cell numbers in intestinal biopsies and responded to therapy directed at mast cells. The patients generally met criteria for diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Normal subjects had much lower levels of mast cells of an average of 12 per HPF. My experience indicates that this condition may be another hidden epidemic that should be added to the that of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). My colleague Dr. Rodney Ford has suggested the term 'gluten syndrome" for the broader problem of non-celiac gluten sensitivity and I agree that this may be a more appropriate term. Now, I am suggesting that mastocytic inflammatory bowel disease (MIBD) be considered as a better term for the newly recognized mastocytic enterocolitis. I review my reasons below.

Until recently the presence of increased mast cells was either missed due to lack of ability to see mast cells on biopsies in the background of normal cells or was only noted in association with inflammatory bowel diseases and celiac disease. A few pediatric studies have noted increase mast cells in the esophagus in association with eosinophilic esophagitis or "allergic esophagus". Systemic mastocytosis has been known for years and has been associated with bowel symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Now two new studies are shedding more light on this covert cell and its role in postoperative ileus and association with stress. Mast cells have been linked to diarrhea predominant IBS in a few studies but it wasn't until the Jakate article that a distinct entity defined.

The problem with linking mast cells with IBS and other digestive symptoms has been hampered by the difficulty seeing these cells in intestinal biopsies. However, now commercially available special stains utilizing immunohistochemistry for the enzyme tryptase allows the mucosal mast cells to be seen and counted in intestinal tissue obtained from routine random intestinal biopsies. Over the past year I have been asking the pathologists to perform mast cell stains on intestinal biopsies in my GI patients with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Recently, I began expanding this to include as many patients as possible as well as requesting these stains be done on biopsies performed previously in patients who I suspected might have this condition.

I have now accumulated fifty patients meeting criteria for mastocytic enterocolitis or mastocytic enteritis. These patients are in various stages of evaluation and treatment. I am collecting and analyzing the clinical information with the intent to submit the data for publication. What I have observed on initial review is that appears to be a higher than expected prevalence of the celiac disease risk genes DQ2 and DQ8. In particular, DQ8 appears to be overrepresented compared with the incidence in the general population. There also appears to be an association with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and multiple food intolerance.

The latter finding of multiple food intolerance determined by mediator release testing abnormalities (MRT, Signet Diagnostic Corporation and Alcat) makes sense. The principle of these tests is the detection of changes in cell volumes that occur due to chemical mediator release from cells present in the blood. The tests are not specific for the mediator or mediators released but is assumed that the greater the reaction the greater the number of mediators released and more likely a particular food, chemical or food additive can cause an adverse reaction.

The laboratories that provide mediator release testing report great success in treating a variety of symptoms commonly attributed to food intolerance or chemical/additive sensitivity. It is my belief that mast cells are heavily involved in this process. This would make sense since success with conditions now being associated with mast cells are reported to respond favorably to dietary elimination of foods or substances with abnormal MRT reactions. Classic examples include IBS, headaches, and interstitial cystitis that have been linked to mast cells as well as stress that is now linked to increase mast cells and mast cell degranulation releasing mediators.

Mediator release tests are criticized by some U.S. doctors, in particular quackwatch.com as being unproven or not validated for "food allergy" evaluation. However, they are not food allergy tests. Food allergy is an IgE mediated type I immediate immune response known as allergy. MRT tests for non-immune delayed type reactions resulting from mediator release from immune cells. The point is that mediator release testing is not a form of food allergy testing. MRT is a form of non-immune food intolerance or sensitivity reaction.

New articles published in the January 2008 issue of the journal Gut reveal exciting new associations of mast cell degranulation with postoperative ileus and a link to a stress hormone. The first study may be the first to show that mast cells in human bowel release mediators when the bowel is handled during surgery resulting in temporary bowel paralysis known as postoperative ileus. The minimally invasive surgery technique of laparoscopy results in less mechanical stimuli to the bowel and has a lower incidence of postoperative ileus.

Stress association with IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) has been long known but a mechanism had not been determined definitely. In the same issue of Gut investigators showed that the stress hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) regulates intestinal permeability (leaky gut) through mast cells. The investigators even identified specific receptors on mast cells. This new information sheds new light on the possible link of leaky gut and mast cells with IBS, IBD and celiac disease.

So, how do I believe this new information may help us? Since stress can increase mast cells in the bowel and these cells can release mediators that cause gut injury and symptoms, stress reduction important. These cells can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation as well as other symptoms outside the gut so they are important. Yet, the significance of these cells is generally not recognized because most doctors, including gastroenterologists and pathologists are unaware of their presence and importance.

These cells cannot be seen in the intestine without special stains done on intestinal tissue obtained during upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Those stains are not routinely done but generally require the doctor performing the biopsy to request them. If no biopsy is performed then obviously these cells cannot be found. There may be a genetic predisposition for what I think may be better termed mastocytic inflammatory bowel disease (MIBD) rather than mastocytic enterocolitis. There also may be the same genetically determined white blood cell protein patterns that are associated with Celiac disease playing an important role in MIBD.

As note above, stress reduction and probiotic therapy may be helpful to reduce mast cells and leaky gut but what about once the mast cells are increased in the gut. Once elevated mast cells are present, treatment may include medications and dietary interventions. Antihistamines, both type I (e.g. Claritin, Allegra, Zirtec) and type II (e.g. Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid) to block histamine effects have been used successful in reducing abdominal pain and diarrhea in people with mastocytic enterocolitis. A very specific mast cell stabilizer, sodium Cromalyn (Gastrocrom), also has reduced symptoms. It is an accepted therapy for the more severe condition of generalized mastocytosis.

Searching for food allergies and food intolerance (by mediator release testing) followed by dietary elimination of problem foods until leaky gut resolves and mast cell numbers in the bowel reduce is also helpful in my experience. Food allergy testing consists of skin testing and IgE RAST antibody tests. These tests do not exclude non-allergic food intolerance and sensitivity. Antibody tests for IgG in blood or IgA in stool or saliva have been used for food sensitivity. In my experience MRT tests are much more helpful as they look for any abnormal mediator release to a variety foods, chemicals, or additives, regardless of the nature.

Stay tuned for new developments about the role of mast cells and look for more interest in mastocytic enterocolitis in the future. I propose that the GI community should adopt the broader term mastocytic inflammatory bowel disease since there is information indicating mast cells have an important role in allergic esophagus and stomach problems.

Selected References:

The, FO et al. "Intestinal handling-induced mast cell activation and inflammation in human postoperative ileus." Gut 2008; 57:33-40

Wallon, C et al. "Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) regulates macromolecular permeability via mast cells in normal human colonic biopsies in vitro." Gut 2008; 57:50-58.

Jakate, S. "Mastocytic Enterocolitis: Increased mucosal mast cells in chronic intractable diarrhea." Arch Pathol Lab Med 2006; 130:362-367.

Copyright 2008 Dr. Scot M. Lewey http://www.thefooddoc.com

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) And Elimination Diets

Foods may cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms: In the U.S., most doctors have been, and continue to be, skeptical that foods cause symptoms of (IBS) and elimination of specific foods can improve these symptoms. This is despite almost 70% of people diagnosed as having IBS reporting symptoms related to specific foods. There is accumulating evidence, though still criticized because of limitations of studies that make it difficult to prove, that specific foods may be the cause of symptoms in many people labeled as having IBS.

Food intolerance testing and elimination diet based on IgG antibodies may be beneficial: Atkinson et.al. (Gut, 2004) randomized people to either an elimination diet based on elevated IgG antibody levels (YorkTest Laboratories) for specific foods or a sham diet. Those who avoided specific foods based on their IgG antibody tests had improvement in IBS symptoms (10-26% reduction) and global rating of quality of life significantly improved. Re-introducing foods for which they tested positive resulted in worsening. Zar et.al. (Am J Gastro, 2005) reported significant improvement of IBS symptoms such as pain, bloating, and alterations in bowel habits based on six month elimination of elevated food-specific IgG4 antibodies in 25 people.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is very commonly diagnosed in adults: No diagnostic tests can confirm IBS. It is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a syndrome, that is, a collection of symptoms that cannot be explained by other diseases resulting in the diagnosis of IBS. Common missed diagnoses that are blamed on IBS include lactose intolerance, Celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance, colitis, Crohn's disease, parasite infections such as giardia, bacterial overgrowth in the intestine or alterations in gut bacteria levels and types (dysbiosis), food allergies, food intolerance, and food hypersensitivity.

Celiac disease, colitis and Crohn's disease should be excluded before diagnosing IBS: Celiac disease, colitis and Crohn's disease can be diagnosed or excluded by blood tests, stool tests, and biopsies of the intestine. Food allergy, intolerance and sensitivity are not only more difficult to confirm or exclude but frequently missed because of limitations of blood tests, stool tests, allergy skin tests and biopsies. Adverse food reactions have to be considered as a potential cause of the symptoms attributed to IBS.

There are common foods that cause adverse food reactions: Common foods reported by IBS sufferers, whose symptoms improve with elimination, are wheat, barley, and rye (gluten); dairy including cow's milk protein (casein) and/or lactose (milk sugar); the legumes (peanut) and soy; yeast used to bake or brew foods; corn; shellfish and fish; nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, and walnut); fruits (apple, orange, and strawberry); vegetables (celery, cabbage, and lettuce); the meats (pork, beef, and chicken); and nightshades (potato and tomato).

Individual specific and food-specific elimination diets are based on a variety of tests and a food-symptom diet diary: Elimination diets based on the common foods causing allergic reactions and non-allergic food reactions have been used for quite some time and are often prescribed with or without a food symptom diet diary. Interestingly, to my knowledge, no one has looked at approaching these people and their adverse food reactions individually, based on tests for Celiac disease, gluten intolerance or sensitivity (elevated blood gliadin IgA or IgG antibodies and/or stool gliadin IgA antibody without diagnostic blood tests or biopsy for Celiac), casein intolerance (stool IgA anti-casein antibody or blood IgG antibody), oral allergy syndrome (OAS) history and thorough food allergy testing (skin prick testing, IgE RAST or CAP RAST tests, intradermal skin testing or patch skin testing).

Specific food elimination diet trials based on such information (see the table at www.thefooddoc.com) has been helpful in my experience. Food-pollen cross reaction in OAS is well documented. A diet symptom diary combined with specific food elimination based on results of food allergy tests, food intolerance of food sensitivity tests, and known pollen allergies should be considered as a possible approach to elimination diet. This should not exclude evaluation for and treatment of established Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, dysbiosis, colitis or Crohn's disease.

Bibliography

Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N, Whorwell PJ. Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled study. Gut 2004;53:1459-1464.

Choung RS, Talley NJ. Food allergy and intolerance in IBS. Gastroenterology & Hepatology October 2006;2(10):757-760.

Zar S, Benson MJ, Kumar D. Food-specific serum IgG4 and IgE titers to common food antigens in irritable bowel syndrome. American Journal Gastroenterology 2005;100:1550-1557.

Zar S, Mincher L, Benson MJ, Kumar D. Food-specific IgG4 antibody guided exclusion diet improves symptoms and rectal compliance in irritable bowel syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2005;40:800-807.

Negative Food Allergy Testing Is Not The Same As Food Intolerance And Food Sensitivity Testing

You can be intolerant to a food to which you are not "allergic". Food intolerance or sensitivity is much more common that food allergy. It estimated that somewhere between 6-10% of people are allergic to a food or foods but between 30-60% of people are intolerant to one or more foods or the additives or chemicals in food.

Food allergy testing will be negative if you are not allergic even though you are intolerant or sensitive to a food, additive or chemical. Food allergy is an abnormal immune response or reaction to a food protein. It is due to the same response to inhaled pollens or allergens. It results when the body makes a specific type antibody or immunoglobulin, known as IgE, to a food. When the food is eaten the IgE antibody recognizes the food protein as foreign and triggers the release of chemicals, especially histamine, from allergy cells in the body. This results in characteristic symptoms of swelling, itching, rash or hives, wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure and rarely death when the food is eaten.

Testing for food allergy consists of blood tests for the IgE antibodies (RAST) or the presence of a hive like reactions produced from histamine released at the site of skin prick, injection or patch contact with the food. The many food reactions that are not due to an allergic immune response involving IgE or histamine will have normal RAST IgE antibody levels and negative skin testing. Some of these food sensitivity or intolerance reactions are due to other antibodies such as IgA, IgM, or IgG. These antibodies may be detected in the blood, stool or saliva though such tests are not as well validated, accepted or available, especially in the U.S.

Diet treatments involving elimination of foods based on elevated IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies in the blood, evacuated stool samples, saliva or intestinal fluid retrieved from the body have shown mixed or to moderate success in people with rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. The most well understood but still under recognized autoimmune food sensitivity with a genetic basis is gluten sensitivity, also known as Celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is much more common than Celiac disease but even less well recognized. Lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance and often confused with the second most common food sensitivity, cow's milk protein or casein sensitivity. Gluten free casein free diet is now commonly employed as a treatment for autism. The medical community has generally been slow to accept gluten free casein free diet for autism, considering it unproven, though there is substantial scientific and experiential data to support this safe and often dramatically effective treatment.

Testing for IgG antibodies to foods in the blood is available from a few commercial laboratories. Saliva IgA antibody testing for foods is also available through several laboratories. These tests are generally not universally by health insurance and are often rejected as not valid or reliable by many doctors. Stool testing for IgA antibodies to gluten, tissue transglutaminase, dietary yeast, cow's milk protein (casein), soy, and chicken egg is available from Enterolab. This laboratory does not contract with any health insurance and most will not reimburse for the cost of testing. Most doctors either are unaware of this testing and either don't accept the tests as valid or don't know how to interpret the results.

Testing for mediator release (MRT) testing looks for an evidence of release of chemical mediators from immune blood cells triggered by foods, additives or chemicals. The presence of such a reaction is presumed to indicate sensitivity to such foods, additives or chemicals that can produce various symptoms and when substances producing such reactions are avoided or eliminated symptoms are suppose to improve significantly or resolve. MRT is available commercially through Signet Diagnostic Corporation (www.nowleap.com). Several insurance carriers pay for at least a portion of the cost of this testing however because it is considered "out of network" for most plans patients are usually responsible for payment of the service. Some carriers consider the testing "experimental" or not validated and therefore do not cover the testing.

The principle of MRT testing is that certain foods, additives and chemicals are capable of triggering non-allergy immune-based reactions. These reactions release various immune chemical mediators into the blood. If an immune reaction is triggered and these mediators are released, changes occur in the ratio of solids (cells) to liquid (blood serum) that can be measured. The white blood cells and platelets shrink and the volume of the liquid increases. The degree of change can be measured and reported as mild or moderate to severe corresponding with the degree of sensitivity to that particular food, additive or chemical.

Signet claims success with reducing or eliminating a myriad of symptoms or conditions including migraines, headaches, autistic behavior, anxiety, depression, ADD, sinus and ear, nose and throat problems, irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting syndromes, Celiac, chronic stomach aches, bladder problems, fibromyalgia, arthritis, eczema, hives, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The testing includes a comprehensive color report booklet containing a results specific diet plan with detailed information supplemented with several hours of personalized counseling from a dietician.

Of all the food intolerance or sensitivity testing MRT is the most broad and comprehensive. It looks for actual reaction produced by the body in response to foods or chemicals. Signet provides testing for 150 foods or chemicals (123 foods and 27 chemicals) including nitrates, nitrites, MSG and various food dyes. The limitation of all these tests is lack of universal acceptance by physicians and coverage by insurance. However, for those with suspected intolerance to foods or chemicals in whom available testing is negative or indeterminate, such testing can be quite helpful.

Traumatic Injuries

Traumatic injuries cause damage to tissues. The incidental rupturing of ancillary and primary blood vessels supplying these tissues causes internal bleeding at the site of injury. The blood supplies normally bring nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and remove waste materials along with metabolic by-products from tissues. With damage though, the delicate piping systems of vessels burst at smaller capillary, arteriole, or venule vessels--or even in larger vessels causing heavy bleeding.

This bleeding is what causes swelling at the site of the person's injury. The injury is enclosed within the skin, creating increased fluid and blood pressure inside the body at the injured site. When the trauma site fills and expands with bleeding, it tamponades the traumatic site. This may depress or cut off circulation. This occurs by increasing the site's inner body pressure at or above the person's normal blood pressure. This pressure is what naturally stops the bleeding at the site.

The heart pumps blood out to the tissues by way of the arteries. About 99% of all blood pumped out of the heart is returned by the venous return system. Being an enclosed plumbing system, the arterial pressure within the capillary bed drives the blood back to the heart by the pressure in the enclosed venous system. The generally low right-sided heart pressure allows naturally decreased pressures to direct blood from the venous systems back into the heart. This, in turn, allows the blood to be re-circulated and be pumped again and again back to the heart. The remainder of blood plasma is returned by the lymphatics.

In addition to the heart, artery, and venous systems, there is a passive lymphatic pipe system carrying the tissue fluids back to the heart. This lymphatic system acts as a cleaning sewage system allowing extra fluid to drain from the capillary beds and injured sites, via the venous system and then to the heart. Lymphatic vessels, like veins, have one-way valves which act as pumps. Passive pumps called lymph nodes are located behind joints or at sites of pressure from physical movement. They are much like a hose with a bulb and a valve attached to another hose. When the bulb is squeezed, the system pumps fluid in one direction only: towards the heart. When a joint is flexed and extended, the bulb is naturally compressed and it pumps moving fluids from the extremity towards the heart. This naturally removes blood, fluid, and potential infections fluid from the site of the injury. This reduces the on-site pressure after bleeding is stopped to allow new circulation and healing.

The elevation of a traumatic point is applied by measuring from the floor directly vertical to the heart, and then measure from the floor directly vertical to the site of injury. This means that the point of injury should be elevated approximately 12-16 inches higher than the position of the heart at any time and from any position, i.e. sitting in the chair with your foot on an ottoman if the foot is the site of injury, is not elevated. The distance to the floor from the foot must be less than the heart to the floor by 16" or more. Laying flat on a couch with your foot up high on the back of the couch at the head level is elevation of a traumatic site, decreasing pain and removing the fluids for healing.

Do You Have A Dog Allergy?

Runny nose, watery eyes? Sneezing all the time? Do you have a dog allergy? Maybe your best friend is what's got your allergies going. After all there really is no dog breed that is truly non allergenic because they all produced dander, urine, and saliva.

Some dogs are less likely to cause allergies because they have less dander. There is a misconception that it is the fur that causes the allergies so the heavier the dog sheds the more likely you are to suffer. This is not the case. It is all about the dander. That is what actually causes the dog allergy.

Urine is generally more of a problem with cats than dogs because dogs go outside. And all dogs salivate. The pet hair becomes a problem when it collects other common allergens such as dust, pollen, dander causing a dog allergy.

The problem goes even deeper than what you are allergic to. You see people with allergies have an immune system that is super sensitive so it reacts to things that are harmless like pet dander. A dog allergy can cause wheezing, fatigue, coughing, headache, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, and in some cases asthma attacks. It can happen as quickly as five minute or be a delayed reaction occurring much later. And some people are allergic to only certain breeds.

There are also skin care products that you can use on your dog to reduce the amount of dander your dog produces. And there are some breeds that just by nature produce less dander so they can be a good choice for anyone with a dog allergy.

There are several things you can do to help reduce your dog allergy. For starters you can choose a natural product to help boost your immune system. You might also consider doing a detox to remove toxins from the body. Over the years our bodies build up large amounts of toxins which affect our immune system and can play a role in it short circuiting.

A dog allergy is just one of the allergies you might be suffering with that are environmental. Keep the dog dander to a minimal in your home. Run a HEPA filter in each room and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Vacuum at least once a day and don't forget to vacuum in the vents where hair, dander, and dust gather. Also vacuum the furniture. HEPA filters make a huge difference.
Keep the dogs out of the bedroom. If you don't want to close the door then install a baby gate to keep them out. Consider removing carpets and installing flooring. It reduces all kinds of allergies and is a known asthma reducer in children.

Bathe your dog at least once a week and wash dogging bedding and toys once a week. Spray areas where the dogs spend time with an anti allergen spray which helps deactivate allergens. Keep dust to a minimal.

You can also receive immunotherapy allergy shots if testing showed a pet allergy to begin with although it's not as effective as they would like to see it. You can also use over the counter medications to reduce symptoms and of course there are some excellent natural products that are worth trying if you have a dog allergy.

A dog allergy can develop out of nowhere. Or it can be something you have lived with for years that got worse over the years. Whatever the reason you now suffer with a dog allergy you can reduce the effects of that allergy using natural products and these tips.

Food Allergy Tests - Two Basic Types of Testing For Food Allergies

Testing for food allergies is best done under the care of a specially trained physician, also known as an allergist. These doctors are able perform various tests to determine whether a person is allergic or intolerant to foods or other substances. Often a referral is necessary to make an appointment with them which can be obtained from a family or general practice physician.

There are generally two types of food allergy tests - blood work and a "scratch" test. The scratch test is more commonly performed as it is less expensive and more substances can be tested at once. To perform this test, the skin is prepared with small ink outlines and a tiny amount of the substance or substances being tested for are either placed on the skin or just under it then left alone for at least 15 minutes.

Blood tests for food allergies examine for IgE antibodies and can help to determine whether it is a food allergy or intolerance. These tests can be expensive so they are often used after a scratch test has been performed and the field has been narrowed to only a few foods. Blood tests are not always 100% accurate and many allergists will caution that even a negative result should still be treated as a positive if it is already known that the patient reacts to the certain substance.

After the testing has been performed, an allergist will discuss the results with you and explain any allergic reactions that they found as well as what they recommend for a course of treatment. The most common treatment for food allergies is to adhere to a total avoidance diet of the food in question to prevent any problems.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic Esophagitis is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus which causes excess eosinophils- also known as white blood cells. It can be caused by frequent acid reflux, allergies, radiation, medications that can get stuck in the esophagus, bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as candida and the herpes simplex virus. In most people, the cause of their Eosinophilic Esophagitis is an allergic reaction due to the fact that white blood cells play a large role in the inflammation caused by allergens. Doctors and researchers do not yet know how the allergic reaction in the esophagus occurs- whether it is by an inhaled substance or an ingested substance that the patient possesses an allergy to. The symptoms of this condition in adults include heartburn, dysphagia (trouble swallowing often due to narrowing of the esophagus), chest pain, and nausea. Vomiting, abdominal pain, and failure to thrive are the most commonly seen symptoms in adolescent patients. Although Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a newly recognized condition, it is extremely vital that doctors diagnose and treat it due to the fact that it can result in scarring, impaired functioning of the esophagus, esophageal cancer, and a great deal of pain.

Once symptoms are displayed, testing must be done to confirm the presence of excess eosinophils. The only way to check for Eosinophilic Esophagitis involves an endoscopy procedure. To perform this procedure the patient is placed under anesthesia and a flexible, lighted endoscope with a camera is inserted through the mouth of the patient. The tube then travels down the esophagus, into the stomach, and into the first part of the small intestine- the duodenum. Tissue samples are then taken from the lining of the esophagus and are sent to a lab to examine for the presence of excess eosinophils. If the results come back positive, allergy skin testing is commonly the next step to take. Eliminating foods and other things that the patient is allergic to is highly important. Once the cause is established, treatment must begin to avoid permanent damage. Short term use of oral or inhaled steroids has proven to be extremely effective. For Eosinophilic Esophagitis caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria, medication is prescribed to clear up the issue. Proton pump inhibitors are also utilized in preventing esophageal scarring by controlling excess stomach acid production. Additional monitoring including repeat endoscopies is also necessary to make sure that the condition does not return. With a combination of avoiding triggers such as allergens, taking medication, and living a healthy lifestyle, Eosinophilic Esophagitis can be quite manageable.

Dealing With Hay Fever Through Respiratory Exercise

Summer is a time of year to look forward to, associated with long, lazy days or exciting vacations with friends and family. However, it also has its downside, like bad action movies, exacerbated heat due to global warming, and hay fever. For many sufferers, hay fever is something that keeps coming back, year after year. It is not a matter of curing the symptoms. One may only choose to bear them nobly, or be a whiner.

Alright, perhaps that was a little melodramatic. There are several ways to either minimize exposure or treat the symptoms of hay fever.

One might try to take treatments to suppress ones own immune responses (since these responses, not the allergen, are the direct cause of the symptoms), but this might leave one vulnerable to far more serious health problems. Some medicines, like pseudoepinephrine, that treat allergies or flu-like symptoms might even set off drug tests administered in schools and work places. Of course, there are often further rounds of testing or other similar measures to eliminate these kinds of false positives, but setting off the preliminary alarms can cause a major hassle, all the same.

Also, anti-allergy medication, which, besides being expensive, can make you sleepy or, in more serious cases, give you polyps in your nose. Though the overall trend in medicine is to resort to medication, there is such a concept as too much of a good thing. It might be better for you to try other treatments, instead.

Besides bringing out the pills and syrups, one might try to learn breathing techniques to avoid hay fever. You can train yourself to breathe through your nose and never your mouth, since the nose has better filtering mechanisms that are more likely to block allergens. In addition, people can learn to control their breathing when they are around sources of hay fever-inducing pollen.

Proper breathing might help you avoid hay fever, but it cannot guarantee 100% effective protection, especially if you live in a place with many "dangerous" plants, or are an especially sensitive individual whose system reacts to the slightest trace of inhaled pollen. Therefore, we should also discuss what to do if and when you actually do get hay fever.

You can try to use special cough breathing techniques so that you will not choke on air while coughing, or end up with overlong coughing bouts that irritate your throat. Coughing with phlegm does not hurt as much as dry cough, but it can still damage your throat if you do it too often. For some patients, slow, shallow breaths can help calm a cough. In general, your research should target your upper airway breathing passages, so that you will not end up using a breathing technique that makes you swallow or inhale your own mucus. (Disgusting to read, write, and say, but still a legitimate problem that needs to be discussed.)

The next time summer rolls around, try breathing better instead of popping pills. You will be better able to think of summer as a fun time, instead of as hay fever season.

So You Want a Hypoallergenic Dog

Well, technically, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to a dog's hair or its dander but rather to a protein shed from the surface of the skin. Shedding spreads the protein and as a result causes an allergic reaction in some people. So, if a dog is low or non-shedding, it reduces the potential for an allergic reaction to this protein. (Saliva Allergies will react to any canine)

So, how do you find a low to non-shedding, allergy friendly dog with the temperament of a companion dog and without the hunting instincts of a terrier? Well, that's the dilemma I found myself in when I wanted a third dog. My husband is already very allergic to the two retriever mixes we have, so there was no way I could add another shedding, allergy generating dog to our pack!

I discovered that the answer to our problem was created 25 years ago in Australia and is call a Labradoodle! Labradoodles give allergy suffers a practical opportunity to finally own a dog. And Labradoodles are increasing in popularity, because they're very intelligent, playful, and depending on the Labradoodle - allergy-friendly dogs.

Now let's begin with the Labradoodles fascinating history. Their story starts in Australia. Now the exact date when breeding began is still a question, however the current view among experts is sometime in 1988 or 1989. It all started with an inquiry from a visually impaired women in Hawaii, who wanted a guide dog that wouldn't cause her husband's allergies to flare.

The reason why she chose Australia was the countries quarantine laws. Because of their laws, dogs exported to Hawaii could go home with no quarantine.

Now in response to the women's request, roughly thirty Poodle hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii to test for allergy friendliness over a two year period of time. Unfortunately, none on those original samples tested successful.

Following the unfortunate failure of those samples, a man named Wally Conren suggested to the Manager of the Australian Guide Dog Association to cross a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. Approval was granted and his first litter produced three puppies. Wally gave the resulting cross the name we use today--Labradoodle.

Now from those three puppies, hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii for testing once again. And this time, the samples from a puppy named Sultan were successful!

After the success of the first mating, Mr. Conren bred Labradoodle to Labradoodle, and called the subsequent offspring, "Double Doodles." But he wasn't done, because next he crossed the Double Doodles and called the offspring "Tri Doodles." These were the forerunner to what we call today the Australian Multi-Generational (or Multi-Gen) Labradoodles.

Because of their unique coats, Labradoodles typically have no body odor, they don't require constant bathing, and rarely attract fleas - which is great for all types of owners.

Certain Labradoodles are proving to be ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers, as wool and most fleece coat Labradoodles rarely shed. Labradoodles who have a hair-textured coat will shed, so are less likely to be suitable for allergy sufferers.

The continually increasing popularity of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles (a golden retriever/poodle cross) today has encouraged a slew of backyard breeders to jump on the doodle band wagon. So in order to get a healthy, allergy friendly dog for your family, it's critical to find a reputable breeder. In my ebooks 'The Definitive Guide To Labradoodles' and 'The Definitive Guide To Goldendoodles' I give readers the tools they need to evaluate breeders and find the best possible puppy for their family!

Getting Rid of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is an arthritis-like disorder. While it does not inflame the joints, muscles, or other tissues or harm them, it does lead to noticeable pain, stiffness and fatigue, and can hamper a person's regular life. Its symptoms include irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, painful menstruation, deadness or tingling of the limbs, uneasy legs, sensitivity to temperature, cognitive and memory difficulties ("brain fog").

Most of the patients of fibromyalgia are women and just 10-20% are men. This disease is first detected in middle age, even though the symptoms may be evident earlier. People suffering from specific rheumatic diseases like as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) are more prone to contract this disease.

Detecting fibromyalgia is quite difficult as most of the symptoms are similar to those of other problems, no symptoms are evident which will help the doctor and no conclusive laboratory test. It can be diagnosed only clinically, based on the background of chronic extensive pain that lasts for over 3 months along with soreness in a minimum of 11 from 18 particular sore point areas. Treatment fibromylagia is beneficial if it includes a combination of knowledge, stress minimization, exercise and medicine. According to research, aerobic exercises like swimming and walking, enhance muscle vigor and lower muscle pain and soreness. Heat and massage can also offer temporary relief. Those suffering from fibromyalgia will see their condition improve with a combination of exercise, medicine, physical therapy, and relaxation. Here are some suggestions for prevention and cure:

Do delayed food IgG allergy testing, like the one offered by the New Hope Medical Center. It needs 12 hours of fasting before the blood is taken. 148 antigens are checked against the patient's blood. Reactions are observed with the help of a microscope and noted down with the help of a digital camera. The patient is then offered consultation and an instruction manual focusing on the method of rectifying the problem. If the patient's blood is highly reactive then some intravenous infusions might have to be given before drawing the blood so as to lower this hyperactive condition and get a more correct test result.

Stay away from processed foods like white flour, refined foods like white sugar, and stimulants like tea, coffee and tobacco as all of them can weaken your immune system.

Try to increase your daily consumption of water. Ensure you drink 8 glasses of disinfected or reverse osmosis water everyday.

Ensure you have bowel movement at least once a day by eating more fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables. Oat bran and psyllium husk too are excellent sources of fiber. Coffee enemas are also effective for this purpose and help in liver detoxification by increasing bile secretion.

Get your basal body temperature measured to monitor your thyroid activity. You can do this be keeping a thermometer below your arm for 10 minutes before getting up from the bed on 2 successive days. In case of menstruating women, it is better to do it at the start of a menstrual cycle. The general basal body temperature should exceed 97.8 degrees, otherwise go for natural thyroid.

Treatment fibromyalgia should also include testing for free radicals damage caused by environmental pollutants like lead, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury. If it is high, then the patient should undertake heavy metal detoxification therapy.

Treatment fibromyalgia should supplement antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, Bioflavonoid, and Coenzyme Q10, B-vitamins, magnesium, free-form amino acids, thymus gland, and acidophilus. Also include Proteolytic enzymes, DMG, and vitamin B12 vaccines. Chlorophyll in tablet or liquid form is also beneficial.

Herbal preparations made from burdock root, dandelion, echinacea, goldenseal and pau d'arco either in the form of combined teas or alternated everyday should form a part of treatment fibromyalgia.

Homeopathic nosode medications like those prepared from viruses themselves, are especially beneficial. But they must be used only on the recommendations of the homeopathic doctor. Other homeopathic medicines useful in curing fatigue are Carbo Vegetabilis, Cocculus, Ferrum Phosphoricum, and Phosphoric Acidum. Combination remedies may also help, particularly if they have the substance (like virus) recognized as the likely cause of infection and/or fatigue. Isode therapy like the preparations obtained from the patient himself is also effective here.

Have sublingual fermented lactobacillus thrice a day to recharge immune system.

Mild skin detoxification can be obtained via a health spa having steam sauna, infrared sauna, and/or contrast shower.

In extreme instances, treatment fibromyalgia should be through intravenous solutions, in order to elicit better and more absolute treatment. It should also provide for either vitamin C or amino acids or both combined.

Intramuscular vaccines may be given 1-2 times a week as they help in delivering energy medicines like B5, B12, AMP, NADH.

Subcutaneous energy vaccines can be given everyday and should include the medicines mentioned above as well as homeopathic medicines.

All the medicines and supplements mentioned above should be taken only after consulting a doctor. However, there are natural remedy programs to help guide you to becoming symptom free from fibromyalgia.

Allergy Testing Kits

One great way to check for allergy symptoms safely and conveniently are the allergy testing kits. Today, there are tons of different selection of kits so before choosing, make sure it's FDA approved. Allergens or intensified effects to an external substance are one possible result of allergies. Through inhalation, or contact with skin, eyes or airways, allergen enters the body. Signs and symptoms of an allergic response contain sneezing, shortness of breath, itching or rash, abdominal pain, or digestive complications. If you are experiencing from the above mentioned indicators, perhaps, you might want to know the causes. For this reason, you should consider seeing the doctor for allergy testing.

Instead of paying your doctor for the treatment, which is expensive, kit is the right one for you. Allergy testing kits could be utilized in the comfort of your own house,and they provide quick outcomes. You are able to figure out what causes your allergy symptoms within a week after sending in your test. Typical causes of allergies can be found anywhere the house, such as dust mites. Just one mattress can contain as many as two million mites. Dogs and cat's fur can also cause allergies. This is commonly known as 'pet dander".

A good allergy kit can also help you find out whether the family is producing your allergy symptoms or not. And also, outdoor allergens like pollen from grass, trees and weeds causes individuals to endure from seasonal allergic reactions. As you see, this allergy testing kit will help you from many more allergens that you can get anywhere.

Here are some less common yet bothersome allergy causes:

* Insect bites - most common are Bess or wasps
* Meals and drinks - includes milk, eggs, wheat, citrus, shellfish or peanuts.
* Cosmetics or body wash and soaps.

According to Mold and Fungus Latex or rubber Medications Specialists that 1 out of 3 individuals will endure from an allergy at some point in their life. For this reason, it is good to invest in an allergy kit. Here's a brief summary of how testing kits works. Most allergy testing kits include the following: Instructions Painless finger stick lancets, Blood assortment tube, Alcohol pad and adhesive bandage, personal information and facts and registration card mailing supplies. You'll need to fill out the registration card.

Each card contains individual key code that's used to acquire and report your information. Afterwards, you'll gather blood samples utilizing a painless spring-loaded lancet. Blood is placed into the given collection tube. The completed info and sample tube are placed within a pre-addressed mailer and sent directly to the laboratory. After receiving, in 3-5 days you are able to locate your outcomes using the key code using the laboratory site. A more complete report will likely be sent by return mail. The most effective way to find an allergy testing kit would be to do a thorough research online. You will discover numerous distinct types of kits, and costs will vary. Get the allergy kit that works for you. It just may aid to relieve your signs and symptoms.

Anaphylaxis - A Lethal Allergy

Most allergies can easily be shrugged off; just take some doctor-prescribed medicine, have some rest and you are good to go. Yet, there could be allergic reaction that can be life threatening and one of them is anaphylaxis.

This kind of allergic reaction usually involves more than one organ; it may involve the skin, the respiratory system, the heart and other organs in the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal system, and the nervous system. In other words, a person with anaphylaxis may have an itchy skin, swollen lips, shortening of breath, abdominal pains and diarrhea, dysrhythmia (irregular rhythm of heartbeat) and losing of muscle control all at the same time. That was the worst-case scenario, but the point is that having more than one organ involved in an allergic reaction is a symptom of anaphylaxis and the person who seems to have it should be brought to the nearest hospital in the fastest time possible.

Like most allergies, anaphylaxis can also be triggered by exposure to animals, food, being bitten with venom from insects like bees, hornets, and wasps, and by taking medication that one could be allergic (which is why one has to go through drug allergy testing if a new medicine has been prescribed).

To prevent the induction of anaphylaxis, one may have immunotherapy with venoms coming from the Hymenoptera and Hemiptera order (bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, fire ants, etc.). A skin allergy test may also be conducted to know which allergens should be avoided and drug allergy testing may also be taken to prevent going into shock once the medicine is taken.

How To Minimize Or Eliminate Indoor Allergies For Less Than $1.00 Per Day: 5 Inexpensive Tips

After my house was destroyed during the 2008 Hurricane Season I spent many months afterward living in temporary housing - my camper. I love my camper dearly and under normal circumstances I never had any problems or issues. However, this changed while living in it during the subsequent 24 months following the Hurricane. Due to a number of issues happening all at once, I developed allergies. Even worse, I had no way of knowing which allergen was the problem or trigger - all of them seemed to be attacking at once.

Due to my circumstances at the time, I did not have any funds to go get allergy tested, or money for allergy treatments, and was unable to move into an apartment quite yet. But I needed to resolve this issue in order to Live Healthy in the middle of all the chaos! As they say, necessity is the mother of invention and this is so true! I came up with several innovative low-cost ways to keep my interior allergy-free. With the implementation of these 5 Allergy Fighting Methods, within a couple of weeks, my allergies abated to a manageable level.

1. Cleaning The Indoor Air

Indoor air can be filled with thousands of allergens that cannot be seen; dust, dust-mites, pet dander (if you have pets) and pollution from outside.

The air itself must be cleaned of these allergens so that they are not breathed in and constantly setting off the body's histamine levels.

Solution: Buy a 20 X 20 box fan ($14.99 at Walmart). Buy an Air Filter that is rated at least 1300 ($13.99 at Walmart). Plug the fan in and place the filter on the back side of the fan so the air is sucked through the filter. Presto! An in-expensive air filtering system. I had 2 set up in the camper; 1 in the bedroom and one in the main area.

Make certain to change the filters at least every month.

Cost: $$ 30.00

2. Lower The Humidity Level

Check the humidity level in your indoor space. Humidity levels of 55-60% and above can foster molds and mildews. This is naturally occurring, especially if you are living in a geographical area that is prone to humidity anyway- and you don't mold and mildew in your indoor living space.

Solution: I was fortunate to have my de-humidifier from the house that was lost. I set the humidity level at 55% and let it do its job.

If you do not have an external de-humidifier (your AC system has one internally already), you can find one at Walmart or equivalent store for under $100 if you are on a budget - also not a bad investment for your health's sake.

Cost: $$100.00

3. Vacuum With A Hepa Filter

My camper came with carpeting. My preference is for tile, laminate or vinyl flooring that can be dusted on a daily basis and cleaned easily of any spills. Carpeting, on the other hand, holds allergens and is very unsanitary.

Again, I was fortunate to still have my Dyson Vacuum with Hepa Filter that I had in my house. For those who have always wondered if they are worth the cost, my assessment is yes, absolutely! I had the fortune to find mine in 2005 when I shopped more frequently at Sam's Club, and happened to find it on sale. I've never regretted that investment. The Hepa Filter system is available on almost every vacuum currently on the market, depending what you have in your budget. The best pricing that I found was for Eureka or Dirt Devil smaller vacuums, with Hepa Filters, at Walmart for about $70.00. Not a bad investment for your health's sake.

Solution: Vacuum the carpeting at least once a week with a vacuum that is equipped with a Hepa Filter. The only cost is your time if you already own a Hepa Vac.

Cost: $$ 70.00

4. Aluminum Windows

Aluminum single-paned windows can be a nightmare. Not only are they horrible for energy efficiency, they condensate every night as the air inside is warmer than the air outside. How does this relate to allergies? When the water accumulates and sits on the windows and aluminum frame, mold can grow on these surfaces and cause allergy problems for those who are sensitive.

This is especially a problem if you have blinds and curtains in front of the window (who doesn't?) and the area cannot dry out during the day, thus staying in a damp state all the time.

Solution: This solution is in 2 parts:

First the windows and frame need to be cleaned of all the dirt, dust and mold. Clean with Clorox Clean Up or a solution of water and cap-full of bleach.

Second, the aluminum portions of the frame need to be treated so that it is more difficult for the mold/mildew to grow again. The Lysol spray in the can has anti-fungal properties in it. Spray all parts of the aluminum frame and leave it on there. Let it dry. This will inhibit any further growth of mold/mildew. Repeat the cleaning and treatment once a month as needed.

Cost: $5 and your time.

5. Weather-Stripping The Doors

Pollutants are in the air - a modern fact we cannot escape. But we do not want them in our interior living space if at all possible. To ensure that pollutants have a harder time getting in when the doors are shut, check and/or change the weather-stripping on the door so that there is no light showing. Not only is this more energy efficient, it will ensure that your indoor space is cleaner.

Solution: Weather stripping is available at any home improvement store; Lowe's, Home Depot or Walmart

Cost: $$ 5 to 25 and your time to install

These methods worked wonders for my allergies when I was in the camper. I have since moved into an apartment and I implemented the same strategies again with similar results. Of course, there are many other allergy fighting products & technologies available such as UV systems and Ozone Machines, and they reportedly work great. Their only downfall is that they come with a considerable price tag of $1,000 and up!

Worst case scenario, Allergy Fighting Costs are reduced to around $200.00 for the low-cost methods, assuming a new vacuum and de-humidifier are needed. Amazingly, allergy testing alone costs upwards of $350.00 and yearly treatments are double that amount per year. Whether you currently suffer from allergies or not, try these low-cost strategies to clean the air you breathe - your lungs will thank you!

Read more about energy saving tips and techniques.

Food Intolerance

Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten and suspect they have a "food allergy". However, only 2-5% of adults and 2-8% of children are truly "allergic" to certain foods.
The remainder of people may be experiencing food intolerance, or food sensitivity, rather than true food allergy.

I think a quick lesson is in order...
A food allergy occurs when an individual ingests a food (usually containing a protein) that the body sees as a "foreign" or threatening substance - known as an ANTIGEN or ALLERGEN.
The person's immune system responds by mounting an attack, producing large amounts of IgE antibodies, which attach themselves to specialised white blood cells. These cells release histamine and other inflammatory substances, producing "classic" allergic symptoms of swelling and inflammation. Conditions and symptoms such as rhinitis, asthma, wheezing, lip swelling, itchy skin, hives, and eczema involve this type of "allergic" reaction. The allergens involved could be anything from a food protein, pollen from flowers or grasses, house-dust mite or animal dander.

A food "intolerant" reaction also occurs when the body "reacts" to the ingestion of a food. This reaction however may or may not involve the immune system, and may be caused by a food protein, a starch or sugar molecule, other food component, or by a contaminant found in the food (e.g. food colouring, preservative etc.). If the immune system IS involved, it is usually a different class of antibody that is produced, which is why standard food allergy tests can produce negative results, yet noticeable food-related symptoms persist. Many symptoms related to food intolerance are caused by a local inflammatory response in the gut, and a sign of underlying "inflammation".

With food "intolerance", it is worth understanding, that it's rarely the food that is the problem - it is the person's response to it!
Foods containing wheat or milk for example are getting reputations as "bad foods" due to the reactions they can produce in some people. While they can very well be "problem foods" for some, they can also be very healthy foods for others. Food intolerance could be re-named as "poor digestion", as reactions to food are often the result of poor or compromised digestion!

So what can cause food intolerance?
Food intolerances are often caused by stress! Food-intolerant people often have low levels of secretory IgA, a class of protective antibodies found in the gut. IgA antibodies protect the body against the entry of foreign substances. Stress leads to a decrease in secretory IgA... a bit of vicious cycle really, but it certainly explains the relationship between stress and food intolerance!

Underlying digestive problems (e.g. low stomach acidity, gut bacterial overgrowth, a "leaky" or damaged gut lining, yeast infection or poor digestive enzyme production) are common "causes" of food intolerance and must be addressed before avoiding foods unnecessarily.
Gallbladder disease, gallstones, and pancreatitis may also be underlying causes of reactions to foods, but these will produce other symptoms too.

It is usually large food particles that cause allergic reactions, so proper breakdown of food (especially protein) via cooking and chewing is vitally important. Digestive enzymes or probiotics can often help too to ensure complete digestion, and once digestion is corrected, things can improve quite dramatically.

Signs and symptoms of food intolerance can be quite diverse, depending on how long the person has been ingesting food allergens and how the body has "adapted". Common symptoms include bloating, stomach cramping, diarrhoea or constipation - yes commonly known as "IBS"!
Long term food intolerance may produce symptoms totally unrelated to the digestive system and may include fatigue, joint and muscle aching, depression, headaches and migraine, hyperactivity in children, and even certain autoimmune disorders.

Diagnosing a food intolerance rather than an allergy (via IgE antibody blood testing) is not easy, simply because reactions to foods can occur from anywhere between 12-36 hours after eating... coupled with the fact that an individual may be reacting to more than one food!
Exclusion/reintroduction diets are the "gold standard" of tests and the most useful when done properly. They do need to be adhered to for at least 2-4 weeks initially, and are always best done under the guidance of a registered nutritionist or dietician with experience in food allergy and intolerance.

Various blood tests are now available (most useful are IgG antibody tests - available now via pin-prick blood sample) which may prove useful in many cases - but only when there are noticeable symptoms.
Vega testing (measuring energy flow) and kinesiology (muscle strength testing) are entirely reliant on the skill of the practitioner, so how effective they actually are is very difficult to measure. Whatever the test, none are 100% accurate, and changes to a person's diet based purely on the results of a test cause more confusion than clarity, and very often lead to unbalanced eating, unnecessary food phobias, and possible nutrient deficiencies.

What to do if you suspect you have a food intolerance

1) Keep a food diary and note when symptoms occur

2) Try and identify the possible problem foods

3) Seek advice on how to adapt the diet to improve digestion

4) Eat a varied, fresh and nutritious diet

The most commonly allergic foods...
Cow's milk, cheese, soya, eggs, peanuts, wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, rye, chocolate (often the milk in chocolate!), coffee, tea, alcohol (it is the chemicals and preservatives in alcohol, not the alcohol per say), citrus fruit (lemons, oranges), white potato, beef, various spices, tomato, malt, pork, chemical additives, colourings and preservatives in food (especially tartrazine, sodium benzoate, aspartame).

Food intolerances are best dealt with by avoidance of the offending food for a prescribed period of time, followed by a "rotation" diet, in which problem foods are only eaten every three to four days, instead of daily.
Young children can often re-introduce foods after three months of avoidance, whereas adults may require six to twelve months of avoidance.

Much food intolerance and even some food allergy problems settle down after long-term avoidance, and especially when digestion is improved.
When a problem food is only eaten sparingly, symptoms are less likely to return. The importance of rotating foods varies from person to person and may be related to the severity of the allergies.

The following foods are the least likely to provoke allergic reactions:

Beverages:

Almond milk, Quinoa milk, herb teas, apple juice and other pure or freshly squeezed fruit juices without sugar or additives (dilute 50:50 with water).

Roasted grain beverages may be used as coffee substitutes. If you like fresh coffee, Dandelion root which you can grind in a coffee grinder.

Soya milk is fine UNLESS you have an allergy to soya!

Cereals:

Oats (unless you have diagnosed Coeliac disease or are known to be "sensitive" to gluten)

Oatmeal and Oatbran

Quinoa porridge

Puffed rice and millet cereal

Homemade mueslis

Grains and flours:

Chick pea flour

Potato flour

Buckwheat flour

Rice flour

Cooked whole gains:

Oats, millet, pearl or pot barley, buckwheat groats (also known as Kashi), brown rice, basmati rice, amaranth, quinoa, 100% buckwheat soba noodles, rice noodles.

Breads:

Sprouted grain breads, rice bread, 100% rye or spelt bread (often fine with wheat-sensitive individuals), other wheat and yeast-free breads

100% rice cakes

100% rye crackers

Legumes:

Haricot beans

Chickpeas

Black-eye beans

Kidney beans

Lentils

Navy beans

Pinto beans

Peas

String beans

Tofu (soya bean curd)

Dried beans should be soaked overnight. Pour off the water and rinse before cooking for allotted time. Canned beans often contain added sugar or other potential allergens, so if used they must be rinsed well.

Nuts and seeds
Almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds - eat raw with no salt etc.
Nut butters are highly nutritious spreads to use in place of butter or margarine, e.g. Tahini, almond butter, hazelnut or cashew butter.

Oils:

Use cold-pressed or expeller-pressed oils (available from health food stores), as they are safer. Do not use corn oil or "vegetable oil" from an unspecified source, as this is usually corn oil.

Rapeseed oil

Linseed (edible linseed or flaxseed) oil

Olive oil

Safflower oil

Sesame oil

Soya oil

Sunflower oil

Protein:

Fresh white fish, salmon, mackerel and tuna and most canned fish, lamb, poultry and fowl.

Vegetables and fruit

All vegetables except corn are generally acceptable on a low-allergen diet, as is all fruits with the exception of citrus fruits. Tomatoes can often cause problems and should be avoided by susceptible individuals. Other food members of the nightshade family (potatoes, aubergine, peppers) may prove problematic with arthritis sufferers.

Why Your Doctor Can't Help You With Celiac Disease Or Wheat Intolerance, Part 2 Of 3

What I want to do in this follow-up article, is give you some tools to assess whether your doctor is up on the subject of food intolerances and celiac disease.

My recommendation is that you ask your doctor some or all of the following questions and you'll know fairly quickly how well-versed he or she is in this area.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from gluten intolerance or may have celiac disease you should ask your doctor some of these questions:

• Can you explain gluten intolerance and its symptoms?


• How many patients have you seen with celiac disease or gluten intolerance? (It doesn't matter if the answer here is zero, that's fine, as long as you think your doctor truly understands the situation, and-this is important-stays up-to-date with the recent research)


• What is your understanding of celiac disease? (This is an intentionally loaded question. If you're going to ask just one this is it, sit back and let your doctor talk.)


• You should also ask a few questions that you already know the answer to, not to be challenging or cute, but to see how knowledgeable your doctor is on the subject. My experience is that doctors who are intimidated by patients who know more than they do on the specific issue tend not to be open-minded enough to help with issues such as this.


• Is and celiac disease a childhood condition? (The answer to this should be no)


• If a person is gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, is it okay for them to have some gluten from time to time? (The right answer is no)

If you find that your doctor won't or doesn't want to learn about the condition, I suggest that you find a new physician immediately.

And if you are reluctant to believe that your doctor isn't the right doctor, or you have trouble accepting the fact that you may need to change consider the following reasons why your doctor will not test you for celiac disease:

Most doctors are heavily influenced by their training in medical school and residency, if your doctor is not exposed to celiac disease during this training it's been my experience it's very unlikely they will ever look for it once they graduate from medical school and residency.

Many physicians think the people who are complaining of multiple symptoms affecting different parts of the body at the same time are either hypochondriacs or exaggerating.

Celiac disease and gluten intolerance can present itself with symptoms that are very often outside of the digestive system-and they can also be silent: as I've mentioned in other videos, celiac disease is a multisystem condition, which affects many different organs, not just the gastrointestinal tract. And the result is that it's rare one physician will recognize that all of these symptoms, such as joint pain skin conditions and depression, can all be due to a single disorder. Doctors are trained in medical school to find the simplest explanation for their patients symptoms.

Common or routine blood tests will not make the diagnosis of celiac disease confirmed. Routine blood tests that are performed during your annual checkup or even when you are sick rarely if ever include a test specifically for celiac. Usually they will include the usual chemistry panel and a complete blood cell count among other things. In a patient that has untreated celiac disease the complete blood count panel may reveal things like anemia or a low red blood count. If the red blood cells are small, this is often due to an iron deficiency. If the red blood cells are large, this might be due to a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

All of these are examples of malabsorption that happen in patients with gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Usually what happens is the doctors just suggest you increase your vitamin supplements, without looking for the cause-and this is why it's so important to understand the cause of this situation and get to the root of it.

Cost containment is another issue in our era of managed medical care. I see this more often in the United States where there is a two-tier health system than here in Canada. As I mention in the testing options video the only true way to know if you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance is to have a biopsy of your small intestine.

I hear many of my website visitors tell me that their health plan will not pay for a biopsy because it's not cost effective, even if they have blood tests and symptoms that are consistent with celiac disease. What is so sad about this situation is that these health plan providers just don't get it-they don't understand that early diagnosis of celiac disease is actually cost effective, and preventative medicine.

This is because patients with untreated celiac disease have been proven to have twice the mortality rate at any given age of those who do not have the disease. This is due entirely to the increase of other disorders as well as extremely high rates of bowel cancer. Lastly treating celiac disease early has been proven to prevent osteoporosis-another huge burden on our health care system.

The reality for people who are suffering from a toxic body resulting from wheat consumption, is that the best therapy is dietary. The big pharmaceutical companies don't have any way too make a profit from people who are suffering from wheat intolerance symptoms. That plus the fact that there's very little nutritional knowledge built into the typical general practitioner's training means most means doctors really won't have much ability to help you with this journey.

Signs and Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis

Acute eruptions of allergic contact dermatitis are characterized by redness, swelling, & blistering of the exposed areas. As the eruption evolves, crusts & scales may form. In chronic conditions, the skin darkens, thickens, & often cracks. The eruption may not be characteristic, however, & the diagnosis may not be immediately obvious. The shapes & locations of allergic contact dermatitis treatment provide the most helpful diagnostic clues. Lesions can present in linear or square patches or create at telling sites such as underneath a watch, on the earlobes, or under a waistband.

Allergic contact dermatitis of the face can lead to swollen, red, & blistered skin. The responsible allergen is sometimes difficult to select because there is been exposure to multiple reaction-inducing agents. For example, somebody may react to a cosmetic applied to the face, a chemical on the hands, or an airborne allergen, all of which may appear as similar reactions.

Irritant contact dermatitis can produce a range of signs from mild redness to extreme chapping to blisters & ulcerations on exposed areas. Most cases create slowly, after repeated exposure to mild irritants. Harsh, irritating chemicals in high concentrations may cause dermatitis on anyone's skin.

A cautious medical history is the best device for diagnosing contact dermatitis. Attention to recent & new as well as long-term exposures is important.

Patch testing may be performed when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected. In the coursework of this procedure, various suspected & common allergy-inducing substances are taped to the patient's back for 48 hours. After removal, the individual areas are examined & any localized reactions are identified.

One time offending chemicals or substances are identified, either by history or by patch testing, they can be eliminated. Afterward, the skin finally heals by itself.

In addition to avoiding irritating or allergy-producing chemicals, contact dermatitis treatment is directed toward symptom relief. Drying agents applied to blistered & weeping areas & moisturizers applied to chronic lesions that are thick & scaly often have an ameliorating effect.

One time the allergen that is causing allergic contact dermatitis is identified, it can be more basically avoided. When preservatives or fragrances are the culprits, the individual must learn to read the labels of creams & lotions to keep away from exposure.

Strong, irritating chemicals can get replaced by less harsh equivalents. When exposure cannot be avoided in the workplace, contact with those chemicals can be minimized by wearing protective gloves & clothing. When there is no alternative, an affected individual may must change his or her occupation or change job obligations in order to keep away from exposure.

Low Reactive Diet

Healing an Allergic Population

The rise in allergy complaints is on the increase, but the extent comes as a quite a surprise. In recent information produced by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 54.6% of U.S citizens test positive to one or more allergens. So the question is how can you easily identify your allergies and overcome the problems they produce?

IgE vs IgG Allergy Responses

Occasionally you might come in contact with a substance that your body tells you it doesn't like. How does it tell you that this particular food, airborne allergen, grass or other source does not agree with you? Answer- It produces IgE antibodies which cause an inflammatory chemical, known as histamine, to be released. This then produces an allergy such as a skin problem, asthma, runny nose or even a life-threatening anaphylaxis response.

An IgE response is one that occurs almost immediately or within 4 hours after contact or ingestion. Because the effect is rapid, you are usually aware of the negative response. But then there are the other types of not so obvious bodily responses that may occur many hours or days after coming in contact with the allergen.

These IgG responses can produce ongoing low grade symptoms and are subsequently often consumed in the diet on a regular basis. They are often labeled more as food intolerances rather than actual allergens, however there accumulative and delayed response in conditions such as eczema, cannot be ignored.

Skin prick testing is another means of testing for a response to an allergen. This particular test is rarely considered suitable for young children, and unfortunately research reveals a great variability in the results (according to who is the supplier of the kit).

What is the easiest and most reliable way of testing and treating and allergy response?

While very accurate testing for IgE antibodies can be performed using the Immunocap system, the problem with all IgE antibody testing is the limited amount of foods and other allergens that can be tested at once, not to mention the associated expense. Skin prick testing is traumatic and similarly not 100% accurate. And then there are the other symptoms such as aggressive behavior, abdominal pain, bowel irregularities or learning disorders that are often believed to be related to a poor reaction to a certain food, but are not picked up on any of the tests.

So is there a way of working out what foods are causing harm, whilst reducing the allergy response, and without any traumatic testing?

The answer is yes.

Challenge diets have been used effectively by nutritionists, naturopaths and some doctors for many years to help relieve symptoms and work out which foods do not agree with their patients. Quite simply, certain foods are taken out of the diet for a given period of time (the time needed to diminish the harmful antibodies) and are later re-introduced using a specific program, that will highlight and help identify what the real problem foods are. Mums and dads are often amazed how their children's disruptive behavior problems diminish, how sleep improves, bowels become regular etc. In adults some notably changes might be diminishing headaches and other pain, no more post nasal drip and sinus problems or energy levels increasing.

Known as a Low Reactive, Elimination or Challenge diet, this process is inexpensive, enlightening and healing. For the novice or busy person, finding alternative food sources and nourishing recipes that will actually get eaten on such a diet, can be a challenge however. Fortunately a new book has been written to help overcome these issues. It contains shopping guides, gluten, dairy free, low salicylate recipes as well as eating plans, a symptom diary and in depth (but easy to understand) information about why the body can react to some foods plus how to re-balance the immune system.

Celiac Disease Versus Gluten Sensitivity - New Role For Genetic Testing and Fecal Antibody Testing?

Celiac disease (CD) has a prevalence of 1/100. Between 90-99% of Celiacs are HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 positive. Every individual has two DQ serotypes. Because the molecular HLA nomenclature can be confusing DQ serotyping is a method for simplifying the results. There are four major types and 5 subtypes: HLA DQ1, DQ2, DQ3 and DQ4; DQ1 has two subtypes; DQ5 and DQ6 whereas DQ3 has three subtypes; DQ7, DQ8 and DQ9. Each individual has two copies of HLA DQ. One DQ type is inherited from each parent.

Though 35-45% of individuals of Northern European ancestry are DQ2 &/or DQ8 positive only 1% have classic CD as defined by abnormal blood tests and small intestine biopsies. Several autoimmune conditions also occur more frequently in DQ2 and DQ8 positive individuals.

There is accumulating scientific evidence that many individuals are gluten sensitive and respond to a gluten free diet though they have normal blood tests and/or normal intestinal biopsies (fail to meet strict criteria for CD). This is more commonly being referred to as non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Many individuals who have NCGS are relatives of confirmed Celiacs and were previously referred to as latent Celiacs. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry studies of individuals with normal biopsies but suspected of or at risk (1st degree relatives of Celiacs) have revealed ultrastructural abnormalities of the intestine and those who chose a gluten free diet usually responded and many who did not ultimately developed abnormal biopsies on long term follow-up. Seronegative Celiac has also been recognized, that is blood tests are negative, but the biopsy reveals classic abnormalities of Celiac and the individual responds to gluten free diet.

Testing for DQ2/DQ8 has been suggested as a way to exclude CD. That is, if you are negative for DQ2 and DQ8, then you are very unlikely to have CD. However, well documented cases of CD and Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) have been confirmed in DQ2 and DQ8 negative individuals. Moreover, we now have the clinical experience that other DQ patterns predispose a person to gluten sensitivity because these individuals frequently have elevated fecal antibodies to AG or tTG and respond to a gluten free diet.

Why some people develop Celiac Disease or become gluten sensitive is not well understood. Risk factors include onset of puberty, pregnancy, stress, trauma or injury, surgery, viral or bacterial infections including those of the gut, medication induced gut injury or toxicity (e.g. NSAIDs), immune suppression or autoimmune diseases, and antibiotic use resulting in altered gut flora (dysbiosis). The severity of the sensitivity is related to the DQ type, pre-existing intestinal injury, degree of exposure to gluten (how frequent and large a gluten load an individual is exposed to), and immune status. Once initiated, gluten sensitivity tends to be lifelong. True CD requires lifelong complete gluten avoidance to prevent serious complications, cancers, and early death.

Serotypes can be determined from blood or buccal mucosal cells (obtained by oral swab) from several commercial labs including Prometheus, Labcorp, Quest, The Laboratories at Bonfils, and Enterolabs. Fecal IgA anti-gliadin and IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody testing is only available in the U.S. commercially through Enterolabs. The fecal AG and tTG testing may be helpful in those with normal blood tests for Celiac and/or a normal small bowel biopsy but suspected of being gluten sensitive. Though the fecal antibody results are not widely accepted by many "Celiac experts" numerous testimonials of individuals testing positive only on fecal tests who have responded to gluten free diet can be found in support groups, web postings, personal communication from Dr. Fine and this physician's clinical experience.

Fecal antibody testing for gliadin (AG) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) by Enterolab in Dallas has revealed elevations in 100% of Celiacs tested and up to 60% of symptomatic individuals without Celiac disease (NCGS) even if not DQ2 or DQ8 positive. The only DQ pattern he found not associated with gluten sensitivity is DQ4/DQ4, a pattern typically found in non-Caucasians who are known to have a low prevalence of Celiac disease.

Bibliography

Abrams et.al. Seronegative celiac disease:increased prevalence with lesser degrees of villous atrophy. Dig Dis Sci 2004;49:546-550.

Alaedini A. and Green P.H.R. Narrative Review: Celiac Disease: Understanding a Complex Autoimmune Disorder. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:289-298.

Arranz et. al. Jejunal fluid antibodies and mucosal gamma/delta IEL in latent and potential coeliac disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1995; 371B:1345-1348.

Dewar D. and Ciclitira P. Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Gastroenterology 2005;128:S19

Kappler et.al. Detection of secretory IgA antibodies against gliadin and human tissue transglutaminase in stool to screen for coeliac disease in children:validation study. BMJ 2006; 332:213-214

Kaukinen et.al. HLA-DQ Typing in the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(3):695-699.

Fine KD and Rostami K. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. BMJ February 13, 2006 rapid response editorial

Fine K. Early diagnosis of gluten sensitivity before the villi are gone. Transcript of presentation to Greater Louisville Celiac Support Group, June 2003.

Picarelli et.al. Antiendomysial antibody detection in fecal supernatants:in vivo proof that small bowel mucosa is the site of antiendomysial antibody production. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Jan;97(1):95-98

Sbartati A. et.al. Gluten sensitivity and "normal" histology: is the intestinal mucosa really normal? Dig Liver Dis 2003;35:768-773.

Sollid L. and Lie B. Celiac Disease Genetics:Current Concepts and Practical Applications. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2005;3:843-851.

WGO-OMGE Practice Guideline Celiac Disease. World Gastroenterology News. 2005;10(2):supplement 1-8.

Infant Allergy Testing

As parents, we all want to ensure our kids to get the best in their life and never suffer from any discomfort or repulsiveness. With an infant allergy testing, it makes it all possible. Infants or even toddlers cannot tell you or describe what is causing them to feel unwell. Whenever a father or mother ever finds themselves in a condition where their kid is suffering from constant pain and things that have previously been ruled by the physician, I is recommended you have your child's allergies tested. Our planet is indeed full of various types of different chemical compounds and particulates. For individuals that have allergic reactions, to these compounds can make you feel under the weather.

Their bodies identify these annoyances as germs or viruses and they deal with them as such. As a result, they might experience the signs ranging from runny noses to anaphylaxis. Whenever a baby is suffering from this condition, the symptoms can possibly be critical and infant allergy testing is highly needed. Luckily, an allergy isn't always harmful. But this can cause pain, indigestion and the like.

Every time an infant is struggling from indigestion or dyspepsia, they are not capable of telling their parents with words, instead they cry. With a test, it helps the parent to determine what the baby ought to be keeping away from. In utilizing this test, both parents and the infant will have a better quality of life. So, is testing worth it? When you think of your If you baby who is constantly hard to please and there's no clear guide to their habits, it's recommended to talk to your physician about the infant allergy testing. With just a few easy tests, you could probably shed a lot of light on your baby's wellbeing. You'll be grateful they had the test.

Are You Dealing With Food Intolerance Symptoms?

After enjoying a meal, someone may start to feel uncomfortable-specifically with one of the following...

• Pain in the stomach


• Outbreaks of wind


• Nausea


• Bloating


• Vomiting


• Indigestion


• Diarrhea


• Sudden irritability


• Weight gain

The cause may be a food intolerance which is a response from the digestive system to a specific food; an ingredient in the food irritates the digestive system and the person is unable to digest and breakdown the food properly. One of the most common food intolerances is dairy intolerance which means an individual experiences the symptoms above when they eat milk or dairy products. Dairy intolerance affects approximately 10% of the population. Gluten intolerance is also common-as is wheat intolerance. Gluten intolerance symptoms and wheat intolerance symptoms include 'typical' food intolerance symptoms. But it may not be those foods that are causing the problem...it could be the nori seaweed or the Lindseed you have everyday because it is 'healthy'

Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance

Many people confuse food allergies with a food intolerance-and vice versa. Typically, the symptoms from a food allergy are more severe and can include the symptoms above plus:

• Hives


• Rashes


• Irritated skin


• Difficulty breathing


• Chest pain


• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)

Sometimes, the cause of digestive difficulties can be food poisoning caused by eating food that has not been cooked properly or is well past its 'use by' date. However, a food allergy creates a reaction in the immune system and can affect organs-meaning a food allergy can be life-threatening.

When a person is experiencing digestive discomfort or other gluten intolerance symptoms, it's wise to visit a medical professional. At the clinic or surgery, the doctor or physician's assistant will begin a series of tests to determine if the problem is linked to food poisoning, a food allergy or a food intolerance. One method of diagnosis is eliminating 'suspect' foods from the diet and keeping a food diary. While this diagnostic method can work, it can take several weeks, or even months, to pinpoint the 'offending' food or additives.

Another method is to take a series of tests. Patients can take a test for allergies or intolerances.The tests are broad at first then become more specific: the first step is a test that determines if there's an intolerance present to the most common foods. If this test comes back positive, then it's possible to pinpoint one of almost 300 foods or additives that may be causing the problems. The tests are easy to administer and produce very specific results. Here's how it works.

• The patient takes a test for food intolerance. It comes back positive.


• A more specific test reveals the patient is not only intolerant to fish but reveals which fish.


• The patient eliminates salmon from their diet and can enjoy other types of fish.

Certain tests can determine the severity of the intolerance. And testing may come back negative.

Once testing is complete, the next step for the patient is to eliminate the problem foods from their diet. The results can be immediate and dramatic: the patient enjoys a better quality of life free from the discomforts associated with food intolerance and food allergies.

Air Purifiers Rankings - Independent Rankings for Air Purifiers

Where do you find the best air purifiers rankings?

That's a particularly important question, since many websites claiming to be independent reviewers are just sales outlets for specific purifiers. And which do you think they rank highest? Themselves, of course!

Finding purely unbiased independent air purifiers rankings and reviews is a difficult task. But, I love a challenge. So here goes!

Consumer Reports (CR) is probably the best source for independent rankings. Not everybody agrees with their choice of products, but they do an excellent job of testing and, since they don't sell products, their rankings are impartial.

All air purifiers ranked by CR are tested in a sealed room with specific amounts of dust and smoke released into the space. Each machine is then measured for how effectively they remove these airborne particles, as well as how loud they are. Ratings are listed for both low and high-speed levels.

CR ranks air purifiers every year or two, so those reviewed are usually available in stores. This is good since manufacturers bring out new models all the time.

Air Purifiers America (APA) also does a good job of testing and ranking air purifiers. Even though they sell products, APA seems committed to only selling good quality products to their customers.
They do their own testing on a small number of purifiers and are very free with presenting the details of their research. They also rate products based on clean air delivery rates, independent testing and customer feedback. The APA website also provides excellent additional information for buyers of air purifiers.

But most other organizations that rank air purifiers - such as Allergy Buyers Club, James Dulley (a syndicated columnist) and Consumer Guide - mainly rely on anecdotal and subjective opinions rather than actual product testing. For the most part, they focus their air purifiers rankings on such factors as cost and noise levels and not on removal of odors, dust and allergens.

I also have considerations about two other organization for air purifiers rankings - the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and Epinions.

In order to get an AHAM certification, companies need to pay several thousand dollars. Now, I'm not saying these are definitely paid endorsements. However, paying for certification is questionable - sort of a legal form of blackmail. Besides that, having an AHAM certification doesn't mean the air purifier is good. It only means the company was willing to pay to be included. Surely there are manufacturers of great products who choose not to spend their marketing money in this way.

As far as Epinions goes, I'm all for everyone voicing their own opinion about products they've purchased or experienced. And there's certainly no harm in checking out the opinions of others while you're in the process of doing your research - you may pick up some extremely valuable information. But, even though Epinions may be fun and interesting, I wouldn't base my decision only on this one source.

You'd be better off checking out the air purifiers' rankings of Consumer Reports and Air Purifiers America before making your final choice. That is, if you want to make sure you get the best!

Help I Am Allergic To Peanuts

If you are allergic to peanuts then you suffer from allergies Type 1 what is also called Contact Allergies. Peanut oil is used in so many foods preparations that avoiding them can be very difficult. At the present time there is no known cure for allergies that involve food. Everyone that is allergic to peanuts should wear a Medical Alert Bracelet identifying the specific food intolerance.

Peanuts do not grow on trees and are not considered true nuts. Peanuts are part of the legume family, which include, peas, lima beans, lentils and soybeans. If you or someone you know suffers from allergies to peanuts you should be constantly on watch for other legume allergies. Other allergies may never appear but the possibility for other problem exists. Allergy testing should be completed on each of these foods separately just to be sure.

Over 3 million people or 1 percent of the population in the United States suffer from allergy reaction to peanuts. Peanut allergies account for over 80 percent of the fatal or near-fatal reaction call anaphylactic shock. An anaphylactic reaction can cause the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult and your blood pressure to drop to life-threatening levels. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, stomach cramps, swelling of the face, itching, wheezing, and hives.

The proteins found in peanuts trigger the immune system to reaction. Antibodies and histamines are releases into the blood stream in an attempt to neutralize the peanut protein. These chemicals trigger the allergic symptoms. In sever cases Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, is administered to control the anaphylaxis reaction.

If you have even a mild reaction to peanuts you need to notify you doctor immediately. Food allergies can gradually get worst over time until a sudden onset of a life threaten reaction occurs. The more times you are exposed to the offending allergen the worst the symptom can become.

Peanuts can show up in the most unsuspecting foods. Until a cure is found, read the labels of every food that you bring into your home. Because the manufacturing processes change continuously re-read the labels each time you purchase a product. On January 1, 2006 a new law was passed stating that all labels should be designed in such a way that a 7 year old child could read and understand the ingredients.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Deciding If Sinus Surgery is the Right Option For You

You know what they feel like: those gripping, throbbing pains above your eyebrows, on top of your head, the aching of your teeth, blinding lights and blaring sounds. Sinus pressure! Sinus surgery should be the last measure taken in your attempts to lessen the grips of those terrible sinus headaches. Surgery cannot be undone, and while severe complications and side effects could happen, there is very little chance of getting back what is "cut out."

Before sinus surgery is even considered, there are a number of steps that have to be taken. If you are truly concerned about your health, your well being, and your family and friends, you must cherish your body and health enough to thoroughly understand what is happening to your body, what is causing your sinus suffering, and what steps you should take to get it under control.

Patience and communication are very important as you make your way through this web of physical symptoms. It may take years before you come to the end of prevention and treatments, and move into the final phase of surgery.

Gathering information

The first step is to gather as much information as you can

Talk and communicate with your family and relatives and document:

1. allergies,


2. genetic and normal physical conditions,


3. possible remedies that work.

Talk and communicate with your neighbors or local health officials

1. allergies,


2. genetic and normal physical conditions (if needed or possible)


3. possible remedies that work

Talk with your Dentist to see if it may be related to your teeth, jaw, gums, or root nerves.Download a Home Allergy Checklist sheet and complete it

1. This will help you understand if there is something in your home that may be causing your suffering: plants, animals, mold, lack of humidity, outside or inside environmental contagion, etc.

Keep a running record of the weather in your area.

1. Write down when fronts come through,


2. Excessive times of rain, snow, fog, sun, wind,


3. Jumps in temperature,


4. Humidity levels inside and out.

Keep a running record of symptoms and note:

1. what they are,


2. how long they last,


3. what the dates were,


4. what you were doing in the hours and days before they began,


5. what medicines you took and your body's response to them.

Keep a running record of OTC and prescribed drugs and note:

1. The exact name and dosage,


2. how long you took it,


3. what the dates were,


4. and your body's response to them.

Keep a running record of the pollen and mold counts in your area.

1. Check out: http://www.pollen.com/allergy-weather-forecast.asp and have emails sent to you on a regular basis,


2. Write down dates of high counts,


3. Write down dates when you start sneezing, itching, and getting congested.

Throw your records onto the computer and place the file on your desktop, or, pick up a small notebook and keep it somewhere obvious at home so that you can enter the information on a regular basis. It takes at least a year of data and seasonal shifts of weather and environment before you will have enough data to analyze and take with you to your doctor.

Decision making

The chances are you have already been to your doctor off and on about this, or you have jumped into the prevention and treatment stage. There is nothing wrong with that because you have been trying to stop your horrible sinus headaches. But now, with all of your data, it is time to get serious and set up an appointment with your primary care physician. Take your time during the appointment. Explain what you did, provide a copy of the notes, and summarize your findings. There are a number of interconnecting issues, preventions, and treatments that may be broached upon concurrently or separately. Remember, this is your well-being and your life, take the time to do it right. Your doctor may not be aware or interested in certain preventative measures or treatments. It is your right, and responsibility to yourself and family, to push forward anyways.

1. Allergy medicines may be prescribed to you based on this data. Educate yourself on the different medicines available (OTC, antihistamines, nasal sprays). This may take years as you find the best one for you, and sometimes, a combination of medications is needed. Take your time.
2. Allergy testing at a special clinic or laboratory. Blood samples and panels of skin tests will be taken. Educate yourself. Find out what your insurance covers and what you need.
3. Treatments: Chiropractic, allergy shots, medicines, food choices, etc.
4. Prevention: Getting rid of animals, installing and changing furnace and air filters regularly, installing allergy bedding, closing off your home from outside allergens and contaminates, washing thoroughly after being outside or working with certain chemicals, moving to a different climate, etc.
5. CT scan of your head and sinus cavities.
6. Referral to an ENT-Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist
7. Research, research, Research!