Electro-Dermal Screening For the Level of Candida and Blood Tests

If you go to a homeopath, the doctor might tell you to do a non-evasive test called electro-dermal screening. The result will tell the ND if you have a high level of candida. There, you will likely to also do an allergy test to tell you what foods do not work well for your individual system. You can ask a health food store if they know anyone in your area that does this test.

There is also a blood test to see if you have H-plyori in your system. According to one person who took the test, her blood work did show that her progesterone was low, even with taking the Pro-gest cream. So, her doctor was supplementing her with a tablet to be taken in the evening. She also has low blood sugar which was surprising since when she got her test, she just finished her period, and that is usually when she does not have low blood sugar. And another thing, the reason her doctor asked her to come into his office is that he was guessing she was short thyroid hormone. Her test results fell into the low end of normal range. He guessed that this could be what was throwing my blood sugar out of whack.

He gave her 30 mg of Armour-tablets, to take one in the morning. She has taken this for three days and really notices a difference. She is not having blood sugar drops. She does feel hungrier at times so she better watches it. Also all the muscle pain she has been experiencing for years has gone away. She has not tested herself out fully but she did clean the bathroom and downstairs floors after she came home from work. She survived.

She did not get cold hands and feet, or dry or itchy skin that is typical to find in persons who need thyroid supplementation. In fact, she still has very oily skin since her teen years. She did have fatigue, constipation, muscle pain and blood sugar drops. So if any of you sound like her, check out the thyroid.

Chronic Urticaria & Angioedema Caused by Food Intolerances

Urticaria & Angioedema are both classified as autoimmune disease's much like Rheumatoid arthritis, an auto immune disease is when immune cells attack the body's own healthy tissues. Auto-immune disease is also systemic which means the condition is not localised or restricted to one area of the body and may affect the entire body.

Angioedema, & Urticaria, are both classified as either allergic reactions, hereditary, or idiopathic, which means there is no apparent reason for the attacks, surprisingly this is very common especially amongst those of us who have suffered with the chronic version of the disease, and in my case both Urticaria & Angioedema.

Apart from the allergy testing and limited blood testing you might be offered, the medication prescribed is at the best little more than symptomatic. Drugs like Antihistamine may be prescribed to be taken on a daily basis.

Other medicines that are designed to manage one's own immune system called Immunosuppressants can also be prescribed to fight severe chronic conditions, De-synthesising drugs might also be used, however it came to my attention that the build up of these numerous symptomatic drugs could actually worsen the condition due to a build up of toxicity in the body.

Having found out about the problems with toxicity build up attributed to prolonged use of prescribed drugs used to combat Angioedema, & Urticaria I found that food might play a very significant roll in the overall condition.

There are very few foods which cause obvious allergic reactions, the best known are probably peanuts, but not knowing which foods you may be allergic to is a real problem, a bigger problem than you might imagine.Symptoms of food intolerance's, when apparent are more often than not delayed reactions, so even if you do display symptoms it can still be difficult to link a reaction with a particular food.

Nutritionists specialising in food intolerance's and allergies suggest that the main culprit will quite often be our favourite food or beverage, the foods we crave, the food or drink you feel you cant live without. These foods may even have an addictive quality,

Many Angioedema, & Urticaria, sufferers have been shown to greatly improve when they cut out certain foods or restrict their diet, which eliminates the foods to which they are allergic.

Diet and natural treatments for allergies do work, and they are safe, but they may not necessarily be the fastest remedies. This is because they sometimes have to cure a basic imbalance in the body which may take up to a few weeks, however natural practices do actually tackle the underlying contributing factor of one's Urticaria and not just the symptoms.

Natural practices could be the answer to one's Angioedema, & Urticaria, and shouldn't be discounted.

Organic Milk Linked to Lower Instance of Allergies, Eczema, and Asthma in Young Children

According to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, young children who consume organic dairy products exclusively are less likely to develop asthma, allergies, or eczema by the time they reach two years of age. "This is the first example of a definite health impact of organic food consumption being published in a peer-reviewed journal," said Carlo Leifert, a researcher at the UK's Newcastle University, who is conducting a similar study into the correlation between organic food and health.

Researchers at the Louis Bolk Institute in the Netherlands followed 2500 pregnant women through their pregnancies and for approximately two years following the birth of their children. Information regarding subjects' overall health, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits were recorded during the course of the study. The team found that the rate of allergies in children who exclusively consumed organic dairy products and whose mothers consumed these foods while pregnant or breastfeeding was nearly 40 percent lower than in children who consumed non-organic dairy products or a combination of organic and non-organic foods.
"There was a clear relationship between organic dairy use and less eczema," said lead study author Machteld Huber. "The difference was significant but only for children exclusively eating organic dairy products." Huber added, "We didn't find a relationship if they had [both] organic and conventional dairy products."

While the researchers were able to make a strong connection between organic dairy products and lower risk of certain childhood ailments, there is still uncertainty surrounding exactly what causes these benefits. The study was not able to definitively confirm whether the increased allergy, asthma, and eczema risks derived by consuming non-organic dairy products was due to added toxins such as antibiotics and artificial growth hormones administered to livestock, reduced levels of crucial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids in non-organic dairy products, a combination of both, or some other unknown factor. Further research and testing will be necessary to precisely confirm the key difference between organic and non-organic dairy products in relationship to these ailments.

"Organic milk doesn't contain any pesticides, added hormones or antibiotics," explains Stuart Martin, member of the Scottish Organic Milk Producers Association. "When an organic cow becomes sick our farmers are encouraged to treat is homeopathically first and only use antibiotics as a last resort. Meanwhile, the milk from that cow is removed from the milk stream and is not used at all." This general policy holds true for organic milk and dairy producers all over the world.

There is as yet insufficient evidence to suggest that children and pregnant women who consume an exclusively organic diet - including whole foods like fruits, grains, nuts, vegetables, and seeds - can claim the same benefits as those revealed by the Bolk Institute research, but several studies are ongoing. It is clear, however, that significant proof exists to support the notion that feeding very young children exclusively organic dairy products can substantially decrease their risk of developing eczema, allergies, or asthma.

Internal Medicine Doctor Sub-Specialties

Internal medicine doctors are those who take care of adult patients. Their study focuses on one or several portions of the human body. The term "internal medicine" came from a German word meaning a physician who combines research with patient care. These physicians are extremely well trained in diagnostics, treatment and prevention of illnesses, so much that they often serve as consultants to others in the medical field.

Within this classification of doctors, there are thirteen sub-specialties which require an additional one to three years of education. They are:

1) Cardiologist: In the specialty of cardiology, a practitioner would care for all that is related to a person's heart and pulmonary system. Heart disease and stroke are some of the most prevalent killers in today's world, so the expertise of these docs is widely sought after.

2) Sports medicine: Whether injuries are from running, tennis, football, soccer, or any other malady that occurs due to physical fitness regimes, these practitioners are adept at health care for weekend warriors and professional athletes.

3) Adolescent Medicine: Adolescents may not be considered to be fully grown adults, but many of their bodies have reached physical maturity. When a teen has outgrown the pediatrician's office, he or she may seek health care from this brand of internist.

4) Allergist: Allergies and immune issues are taken care of by this category of doctor. Allergy testing and immune response require precision and skill in diagnosing proper steps and treatments to alleviate symptoms.

5) Geriatrics: With the aging of our population, many elderly people need the skill of an internist within the geriatric classification.

6) Gastroenterology: The intestinal tract and colon are kept healthy or treated when problems occur by this group of internist physicians.

7) Infection disease: Illnesses aren't always so easy to treat due to today's super-bugs and antibiotic resistant strains of disease. Internists can help contain these contagious infectious strains.

8) Hematologists: These physicians study the blood and take care of diseases and conditions which are related to it.

9) Rheumatology: Arthritis affects many people in the form of swollen and painful joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers often seek help from these internal medicine specialists as needed.

10) Pulmonologist: The lungs can be afflicted with everything from chronic asthma to emphysema. These specialists can help their patients to breathe more easily.

11) Oncologists: Cancer specialists help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous development in nearly every body part. Chemotherapy and radiation are the normal courses of treatments to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells.

12) Kidney Specialists: These internists are called Nephrologists. The kidneys must be kept well-functioning in order to clear away toxins from a body. When kidneys shut down, the body goes into deep distress.

13) Endocrinology: Diabetes has risen sharply in the United States due to a variety of reasons including unhealthy diets, lifestyle and stress. Endocrinologists treat diabetics and those with glandular disorders.

Internal medicine doctors can offer their broad and deep range of knowledge in all of the above subcategories. Patients and other health care providers often come to them for answers.

Candida Food Allergies - How to Know If You Are Allergic to Garlic

This article will bring you a story about candida food allergies, especially to the garlic. Someone thought she was crazy for even thinking she could be allergic to garlic, but it definitely makes her really sick with severe gastro problems. She wonders if that would be one of the reactions. Also, it seems that raw garlic is much worse, but she still has problems even when it is cooked. She was thinking of trying organic garlic as it is recommended in the book she read.

First off, I have to say never think you are crazy for thinking you are allergic to something. It is amazing that our bodies can decide what they just don't like!

The most noticeable reaction my friend (who has allergy to garlic) gets to know her allergic to garlic is the very severe, long lasting migraines. Just the smell of garlic cooking can start that reaction. If she happens to eat something with garlic, well, it's hard telling what other reactions are caused by the garlic itself or the migraine. She has nausea, heartburn (acid reflux type almost), joint pain, and her husband would tell you she gets really crabby. Onions cause the same reaction, though the migraine tends to be on the other side of the head for some odd reason.

She has had all sorts of different garlic tried on her by different doctors and health practitioners as they were always convinced she was reacting due to the candida instead of an actual allergy. After a bit of misery, they would finally decide it actually was an allergy. An allergist was finally kind enough to test onion and garlic and he said she was definitely allergic. Her grandmother was the same way, so I guess it is a family thing.

I have another friend who gets migraines every time she eats onions. She had to keep a food diary to find out what was triggering them. There are days when she can barely get out of bed and some days she just doesn't, unless she has a huge tax deadline to meet. She sometimes thinks that the pressure of getting things done on time is the only thing that gives her strength to work when she is feeling really bad.

Are the Foods You Eat Making You Sick? Identifying Food Allergies

We have all heard the old saying, "You are what you eat." Unfortunately, for many people, food is a source of chronic illness. Food allergies and food intolerances can create a host of health problems--from hives and anaphylaxis, to eczema, asthma, headaches, sinus infections, celiac disease, digestive issues, depression, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and many others conditions.

Over fifty million people--that's one out of five people in the U.S. suffer from allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, one out of twenty children under the age of five and one out of twenty-five adults are allergic to at least one food. The number of people affected by food intolerances is suspected to be higher.

Food Allergy or Food Intolerance

The terms food allergies and food intolerances are often used interchangeably, although they have two different definitions. A food allergy is when the body's immune system generates an immunological reaction when exposed to a food allergen. The symptoms of a food allergen appear quickly, such as eating a peanut and then getting hives or a skin rash or even anaphylaxis minutes to hours later. The term food intolerance is used to describe reactions to foods, however the immune system is not directly involved. People with food intolerances can experience a variety of symptoms including headaches, brain fog, fatigue, depression, stomach aches, eczema, asthma, colic, joint pains, insomnia, and many other symptoms, but the symptoms are usually delayed and can occur hours to days after eating the irritating food.

The Top Ten Food Allergies

The list of the most common food allergens includes: wheat, eggs, dairy, soybean products, corn, citrus fruits, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potatoes), peanuts, shellfish and alcohol. Babies and young children are most often allergic to milk, eggs, wheat, soybean products, and peanuts. Older children and adults are most often allergic to peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews), fish and shellfish.

The Elimination / Rechallenge Diet

The gold standard for assessing food allergies is the elimination/rechallenge diet which involves eating a restricted diet, avoiding any potential food allergen for four to six weeks, then reintroducing a suspected food allergen into the diet and observing any reaction. The advantages of this testing method include:

• People can easily identify an adverse reaction to a food when they reintroduce it to the diet
• There is no added cost or expensive testing involved with this diet

The cons to this diet include:
• Many people find it difficult to stick to a restricted diet for 4 - 6 weeks
• It takes extra effort to buy and prepare hypoallergenic meals

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) Testing
This method of food allergy testing is done through a blood test where serum is measured for specific immune markers--IgE and IgG antibodies--to specific foods. The advantages of this testing include:

• Less time consuming than the elimination/rechallenge diet
• It can be safer than skin prick testing if a person has anaphylaxis reactions to foods
• The results can be very motivating for people to change their diets

The disadvantages of this test include:

• This testing is not 100% accurate or reliable
• Some people show high levels of immune markers, such as IgE antibodies, but when they eat the food they do not have adverse reactions

How to Heal from Food Allergies and Intolerances

Healing from food allergies or food intolerances usually involves some avoidance of the foods that aggravate symptoms for a period of at least 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. The avoidance of food triggers will help decrease inflammation in the body and give the body time to heal. There are a variety of supplements used to help heal the lining of the intestine. Probiotics are an essential component of reestablishing the bacterial balance in the digestive tract and encouraging intestinal healing. The probiotic strains with the most research include lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, bifidobacteria and saccroymyces boullardi, which is actually a strain of yeast that helps balance intestinal flora. Other nutritional supplements used to heal the gut include:

• Digestive enzymes used to help breakdown food
• L-glutamine, an amino acid used to heal the lining of the intestine
• Whey protein powder used to strengthen the immune system in the gut (not recommended for people with dairy allergies)
• Quercetin, a bioflavonoid used to prevent histamine reactions
• Drinking green tea can decrease allergic reactions

Healing food allergies and food intolerances requires effort. It requires the willingness to change your diet and your lifestyle. There are many health care practitioners who specialize in treating food allergies and food intolerances. Consider consulting with your local health provider to learn more about identifying and healing food allergies.

Ways on How to Treat Allergy Induced Asthma Naturally

Getting allergies is bad, having asthma is worse and having allergy induced asthma is a total nightmare, since this type of asthma is mostly triggered by anything and everything that you can possibly think of. Contrary to popular belief allergic asthma is not only caused by spores, animal dander, pollen and the other things that you find floating in the air. It can also be caused by cold weather, hot weather, the artificial flavorings that you find in most foods nowadays, and up to the cleaning agents that you might be using when "supposedly" eliminating your other allergens.

So as said earlier, it's a nightmare to have this kind of asthma. The worse part is that more and more people are being diagnosed with this type of asthma because of adverse changes in the climate and worsening case of pollution. Allergy induced asthma can prevent you from participating in activities that you might enjoy, also limiting your capacity for school, work and mostly everything else.

But not everything is at a loss, due to the advancements being made in the field of conventional and alternative medicine; there are many methods and treatments that can come to your aid when trying to achieve relief from your condition. Here are a few examples:

Environmental Control: More in terms of your control rather than your doctors as it does not depend on any medication whatsoever. This will only involve a single procedure called Allergy Testing, where doctors will try to see your reaction of common allergens by putting small patches of it on your skin. This will allow you to see what your particular allergens. Armed with this knowledge it is then up to you on what your action plans are about these allergens. Environmental control involves making certain changes in the way that you live, changes in your home and even in what you eat. Limiting your exposure to allergens will allow your immune system that much needed recovery time, thereby strengthening your immunity to any unavoidable exposure in the future.

Alternative medications: there are many alternative medications that will help you deal with your condition while strengthening your body and immune system making you less prone to attacks caused by allergic reactions. Licorice, ginger, ginkgo biloba for example have been used by many people in the past to help with asthma and have observed vast improvements in their general health and control of the condition. Preparations are simple, effective, can work well along with conventional medication and not to mention cheap.

Immunotherapy: or aptly called allergy shots. Is the process of making your body less sensitive to your triggers by exposing you to very small amounts over a period of time? Results may tend to vary and although there have been some reports that this methods works, some divisions of conventional medicine still regard immunotherapy as inconclusive when it comes to the treatment of allergy induced asthma in general.

There are other methods that you can choose from when you want to get relief from your condition, try to ask your doctor about the other techniques and what might work well for you.