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Archive for January, 2010

Help I Am Allergic To Cheese

31 Jan



If you have Cheese Allergy and we discount any possibility of this allergy being related to an allergy to milk, then you more than likely have what is call a Food Intolerance instead of an allergy. During the fermenting process the milk products are separated into Curds and Whey. Most of the proteins responsible for the allergy reactions are in the Whey byproduct produced and the Curd portion will normally have very little or none of the proteins.

Histamines sometimes occur naturally in foods and when ingested can mimic an allergic reaction. Fermented foods such as cheese, and sauerkraut contain histamine, especially Blue cheese, Roquefort, and Parmesan.

The human body contains an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase that is responsible for the metabolizing of histamines. When the histamine-metabolizing enzyme Diamine Oxidase is saturated and the enzyme cannot metabolize any more of the histamine ingested then an allergic like reaction can occur.

Symptoms are usually dose related and the amount of histamines ingested determines the severity of the symptoms. Symptom includes cramping, flushing of the skin, headache, heart palpitations and hypo tension. Symptoms are not usually life-threatening.

Another problem with eating cheese is that mold can grow on cheese. This mold can be closely related to penicillin. Penicillin allergies are usually associated with the penicillin injections but for anyone suffering from an extreme allergy to penicillin should avoid ingesting any.

If you suffer from mold allergies or if you are allergic to mold spores then mold growing on cheese can also be a problem. Never take a chance with your life. Be sure the cheese you eat is fresh and mold is not growing on it. Discard any cheese that has any type of discoloration on it that may indicate mold is growing it.

No mater what type of allergy you are suffering from their is a good chance that you can find relief from the allergy symptoms. Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Quercitin, and Bromellain.

Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercetin. Take 100 mg twice daily.

If you are Allergic To Cheese then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

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

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Why is Walking the Best Exercise to Start With if You Have Arthritis?

30 Jan



One form of exercise that almost anyone with arthritis can do is walking. What’s nice about it is that you can do it alone or with a friend. It’s pretty easy to do, and requires no special equipment other than comfortable shoes. It also costs nothing and can be done just about anywhere.

Walking has multiple benefits. Since it burns calories, it helps with weight control. It actually helps the knees since the action of walking stimulates cartilage growth and the flow of synovial fluid within the knee. It also strengthens the muscles that protect the knee.

Because it is weight-bearing it also helps strengthen the muscles that protect the hips. At the same time it strengthens bones therefore reducing the likelihood of fracture due to osteoporosis. By strengthening the core muscles of the spine and abdomen, walking helps reduce the chance for getting low back pain.

The increased effort required for walking helps the heart to pump more strongly. This helps reduce blood pressure with the subsequent risk for stroke and heart attack.

Increasing respiratory rate (breathing rate) promotes increased flow of oxygen to the rest of the body and also helps eliminate the buildup of carbon dioxide. A major plus is improved energy.

There is some evidence that exercise such as walking increases endorphin production which helps relieve pain, reduces serum cortisol levels which helps relieve stress, and may also decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

So how do you start a good walking program?

Pretty simple. The first thing is to make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. If you have a history of flat feet, you should use orthotics.

Do not try to do too much at the very beginning. You should gradually increase the amount you walk. A good target is 10,000 steps per day, which is roughly 5 miles. If that seems like a lot, remember, most people already walk about 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day during the course of a routine day.

Your goal time wise should be about half an hour a day. Obviously, you should start more slowly… maybe 5 minutes a day to start.

How fast you walk will depend on you. Start slowly. A moderate pace you can work up to is about 2-3 miles an hour. A good rule of thumb is that you should be breathing faster and feel your heart rate going up but still be able to carry on a conversation.

How often should you walk? If you’re doing other types of exercise regularly you don’t have to walk every day. However, if walking is your major form of exercise, you should do it daily.

Remember, it’s important to keep up your routine. If the weather is bad, you can either use a treadmill, try to tough it out outside (although you must be careful), or go to a local mall.

Should walking be the only types of exercise you do? The answer is no. It’s important to incorporate light weight-training and stretching into all your exercise programs. Walking is a good complement to other types of aerobic exercise such as biking, swimming, ballroom dancing, etc.

However, walking is a good start.

 
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Putting Grip

30 Jan



Putting is a feel shot, so to make more putts you need a great putting grip in order to control the speed and distance of the golf ball. Find the putting grip that’s comfortable. Some teachers suggest a grip in which the palms of each hand face each other, with the thumps of both hands on top of the club. Most teachers will teach a grip that they have found to be most successful. However, there are lots of effective putting grips.

Here are a few grips to play around with. Begin with your standard golf grip, the one you use from tee to green. Next, try a reverse, overlap grip. Put the little finger of your bottom hand on the club and drape the index finger of your top hand over the fingers of your lower hand. Then try a cross-handed grip: take your top hand and put it bellow, and place your bottom hand on top.

There are excellent putters using variations of all three of these grips. Don’t be persuaded that only one grip is the correct way, the most comfortable grip is the right grip for you. Although there is one common thread in every grip, it’s the light touch, so do hold your putting grip as lightly as possible.

Any grip that allows you to maintain a putter head square to the line of the stroke, helps you to maintain a stroke on the target line, and helps you to control the speed of the putt.

Once you have established your putting grip, the actual stroke, or putting motion comes from rocking the shoulders. Your arms, coupled with the shaft of the putter, unite to become the arm of a pendulum. The head of the putter is the weight at the bottom of the pendulum. Your shoulders should provide the energy to swing it. Your wrist should not come into play, just a rocking motion back and through, with your arms shoulders and hands moving as one unit.

Putting drills are great for improving your putting. A great putting drill to use is to take 25 balls from 5 feet and attempt to sink every putt. If you miss the 19th putt then you must start over again! Then move back a couple of feet and try another 25 putts. Over time you will be sinking putts blindfolded! Your confidence levels will be so high you will be looking to make every putt you see from any distance. Putting drills are also great as you can do them at home during the winter months, or in the office whilst the boss is away!

 
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Posted in aids & hiv

 

Arthritis and Cooking

28 Jan



Does your arthritis prevent you from slicing an onion or whipping cream? Arthritis does interfere with many daily activities, and one of the most important of these is cooking. The pain and stiffness caused by arthritis can prevent you from cooking your favorite meals and reduce you to eating frozen dinners. With some simple adaptations, however, you can regain your cooking abilities. Here are some techniques and adaptations to follow to get you back in your kitchen and cooking again.

One adaptation you can make easily is to purchase pre-chopped and pre-sliced ingredients when shopping. Chopped vegetables and fruits, shredded cheeses, sliced and cubed meats, and many other similar products are available at your local grocery store. In addition, many deli and meat counters will slice meat according to your request. All you have to do is ask. Using dried herbs and seasonings instead of fresh herbs is another adaptation you can make. This may be a trade of flavor for ease of preparation, as many people prefer the taste of fresh herbs, but you will have to decide this for yourself. Dried herbs are much easier to use when preparing meals, so if your arthritis is severe, it is an option to consider.

Another adaptation that you can make, with a little help from your family or friends, is to arrange your kitchen for easy accessibility. Make sure that your cooking pots, pans, and utensils are all stored within easy reach. Go through your cooking tools and decide which ones you use frequently. After you decide, arrange your kitchen cupboards and drawers so that these items are stored between your waist and chest height. You should not have to bend below your waist or reach above your shoulders to access these items. The items in your kitchen that you use less often can be stored on upper cupboard shelves and lower shelves and drawers. You will not need to reach these items as often, so it does not matter as much if they are more difficult to access. Have the important things within easy reach.

If you have the financial means and are open to making some purchases, consider replacing your cooking items with those that are easier on your hands. Replace heavy pots and pans with those that are made of lighter materials. Use two smaller pans to make a meal instead of one large one that you cannot lift. Replace regular cooking utensils with large handled utensils. Good Grips is a brand that manufactures a wide range of cooking utensils with large, comfortable handles that are easy to grasp. These utensils are widely available at many kitchen stores.

An additional tip is to use your small electric appliances. Take your mixer and blender out and set them on your counter, where you can easily use them, and then do it. Using a machine to mix dough, chop ice, or do a variety of other jobs can save a load of stress on your joints. A small electric vegetable chopper and an electric can opener are also valuable tools.

Finally, change the way you move around your kitchen as you cook. Slide heavy pots and pans along the countertop rather than lifting and carrying them. Cook in smaller batches so that your dishes do not get overloaded and are lighter to transport. If you have one, use a wheeled cart to move items within your kitchen or between your kitchen and dining room. When cleaning up, use your dishwasher or, if you don’t have one, wash your dishes and let them drain dry before putting them away to save yourself some energy.

By following these tips, you should be able to make cooking easier for yourself at home. You will be able to fix home cooked meals for yourself while reducing the stress on your joints, saving yourself pain and swelling. So for less pain and good eats, give these techniques a try.

 
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Causes and Symptoms of Blood Transfusion Reaction

28 Jan



What is this Condition? Transfusion reaction accompanies or follows intravenous administration of blood components. Its severity varies from mild (fever and chills) to severe (acute kidney failure or complete vascular collapse and death), depending on the amount of blood transfused, the type of reaction, and the person’s general health.

What Causes it? Hemolytic reactions (red blood cell rupture) follow transfusion of mismatched blood. Transfusion with incompatible blood triggers the most serious reaction, marked by intravascular clumping of red blood cells. The recipient’s antibodies (immunoglobulin G or M) adhere to the donated red blood cells, leading to widespread clumping and destruction of the recipient’s red blood cells and, possibly, the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation and other serious effects.

Transfusion with Rh-incompatible blood triggers a less serious reaction within several days to 2 weeks. Rh reactions are most likely in women sensitized to red blood cell antigens by prior pregnancy or by unknown factors, such as bacterial or viral infection, and in people who have received more than five transfusions.

Allergic reactions are fairly common but only occasionally serious. Febrile nonhemolytic reactions, the most common type of reaction. apparently develop when antibodies in the recipient’s plasma attack antIgens.

Bacterial contamination of donor blood, although fairly uncommon, can occur during donor phlebotomy. Also possible is contamination of donor blood with viruses (such as hepatitis), cytomegalovirus, and the organism causing malaria.

What are its Symptoms? Immediate effects of hemolytic transfusion reaction develop within a few minutes or hours after the start of transfusion and may include chills, fever, hives, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest, chest and back pain, low blood pressure. bronchospasm, angioedema, and signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, shock, pulmonary edema, and congestive heart failure. In a person having surgery under anesthesia, these symptoms are masked, but blood oozes from mucous membranes or the incision.

Delayed hemolytic reactions can occur up to several weeks after transfusion, causing fever, an unexpected decrease in serum hemoglobin, and jaundice.

Allergic hemolytic reactions typically don’t cause a fever and are characterized by hives and angioedema, possibly progressing to cough, respiratory distress, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vascular instability, shock, and coma.

The hallmark of febrile nonhemolytic reactions is a mild to severe fever that may begin when the transfusion starts or within 2 hours after its completion.

Bacterial contamination causes high fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and, possibly, shock. Symptoms of viral contamination may not appear for several weeks after transfusion.

How is it Diagnosed? Confirming a hemolytic transfusion reaction requires proof of blood incompatibility and evidence of hemolysis. When such a reaction is suspected, the person’s blood is retyped and crossmatched with the donor’s blood.

When bacterial contamination is suspected, a blood culture should be done to isolate the causative organism.

How is it Treated? At the first sign of a hemolytic reaction, the transfusion is stopped immediately. Depending on the nature of the person’s reaction, the health care team may:

o monitor vital signs every 15 to 30 minutes, watching for signs of shock

o maintain an open intravenous line with normal saline solution, insert an indwelling urinary catheter, and monitor intake and output

o cover the person with blankets to ease chills

o deliver supplemental oxygen at low flow rates through a nasal cannula or hand-held resuscitation bag (called an Ambu bag)

o administer drugs such as intravenous medications to raise blood pressure and normal saline solution to combat shock, Adrenalin to treat shortness of breath and wheezing, Benadryl to combat cellular histamine released from mast cells, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and Osmitrol or Lasix to maintain urinary function. Parenteral antihistamines and corticosteroids are given for allergic reactions (arlaphylaxis, a severe reaction, may require Adrenalin). Drugs to reduce fever are administered for febrile nonhemolytic reactions and appropriate intravenous antibiotics are given for bacterial contamination.

 
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Posted in flu

 

Psoriatic Arthritis – Learn More About Psoriatic Arthritis

28 Jan



Psoriatic Arthritis is a medical condition that results in a lot of swelling and pain in and around the joints. The condition may also put an impact on many other joints such as toes, ankles, wrists, elbows, spine, shoulder joints and joints in the lower back.

This condition is also known to affect joint tissues such as ligaments and tendons. It may result in a lot of swelling around the affected area. This swelling is known as sausage be or finger.

One may also experience inflammation of skin, especially on the scalp, elbows and knees. Sometimes the skin may also become inflamed and fully covered with silvery or grey scales.

If you want to treat this disease in an effective manner, it is very important to detect it earlier.

A) Here are some of the main symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis:

a) Pain and swelling in the toes on fingers

b) Morning stiffness and/or tiredness

c) Reduced range of motion

d) Pitting of finger and/or toe nails

e) Swelling that give fingers and toes, a sausage appearance

f) Pain and swelling over ligaments and tendons.

The exact cause of this arthritis is not known. However, medical experts believe that a person with family history of Psoriatic arthritis have increased chances of getting this disease.

The disease can easily be diagnosed via certain X-rays, joint fluid tests and blood tests.

A) There are several treatments options available for patients once the condition has been diagnosed.

o Surgery

o Proper skin care

o Splints

o Rest

o Light treatment

o Exercise

o Connective cosmetics

o Medication as mentioned below:

1. NSAIDS – non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug

2. DMARDS – disease modifying anti-traumatic drugs

3. Gold therapy

4. Glucocorticoids – steroid hormones

5. Cyclosporine – immunosuppressant drug

6. Methotexate

o Heat and Cold

This type of arthritis can be treated via consulting a good rheumatologist. The rheumatologist can suggest you medications to reduce the pain and help you maintain function and movement.

You need to have a lot of knowledge about this disease. This will help you to make out the symptoms of this condition as soon as possible.

Your health care practitioner would be the best person to diagnose whether you have psoriatic arthritis.

This type of arthritis is very common to several other types of arthritis such as Reiter’s syndrome, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may like to perform a physical examination and then order many tests in order to assist in diagnosis.

X-rays are often order to observe the changes to the bone. Blood tests and joint fluid tests are requisite and require to be under taken in order to make sure that the patient is not suffering from any other condition such as gout, reactive arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

As soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, many treatments can be prescribed to decrease your pain, enhance your movement and stiffness.

The treatment available for psoriatic arthritis is both for skin condition and the arthritis. For mild condition, topical treatments would work.

For severe condition, the doctor would prescribe serious medications and lifestyle changes.

 
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Are Flu Shots Bad or The Ultimate Flu Buster?

28 Jan



If you are concerned about adverse reactions to flu shots, bad batches of flu vaccines or any of the controversy over flu shots, then you may be considering a “flu buster”. This could be any natural herbal or botanical product that boosts the immune system to help protect you from catching the flu. Some of these same flu buster products may be used to reduce recovery time and the likelihood of developing complications from a flu virus, if you happen to catch one.

Are flu shots bad? Only a few people make the claim that flu shots are bad for everyone. The idea behind the flu vaccine is a good one. They are designed to protect those who are at highest risk for complications from the influenza virus and the public in general from an epidemic. Whether or not the possible risks associated with the flu shot are worth the possible benefits is the question. Even people who take the flu shot may still develop the flu and still be in need of a flu buster. The flu shot is not the ultimate flu buster, it can only protect you from certain strains of the flu virus and there may be any number of different viruses circulating at any one time.

Many people are concerned about the safety of flu shots, bad reactions to them or just the number of chemicals that they contain. Doctors, researchers and scientists have linked flu shots to autism, Alzheimer’s and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Suspicions concerning the relationship between flu shots and the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome have been raised. Are flu shots bad? Some people think so.

As an alternative, naturalists, herbalists and researchers have studied many herbs and botanicals that could have flu buster effects. In clinical studies, andrographis paniculata has been shown to reduce flu recovery time and reduce the risk of post-influenza complications. It is believed to stimulate the immune system. Herbalists believe that by combining this flu buster with other herbs, botanicals and vitamins that are believed to naturally boost the immune system, you may be able to reduce your risk of catching the flu. People who use these types of natural immune system boosters say that they never get the flu or even the common cold. Answering the question “are flu shots bad” is not simple. And while not all natural products are completely safe andrographis paniculata has been shown in numerous studies to have very low toxicity in animals. Concern over ingredients in flu shots, bad reactions to flu shots and even flu shot shortages have sent many people looking for alternatives. Andrographis paniculata is just one natural flu buster.

Scientific research has shown that an extract from the olive leaf has anti-viral properties and could be used as a flu buster. Many botanicals and herbs are known to have anti-viral properties including bilberry, black cumin, and green tea. Herbs and botanicals were the first medicines and people are returning to them more and more, not only because of concerns about flu shots, bad reactions to all modern medications are possible. Some prescription and over the counter medications that were believed to be safe turn out to be not so safe. While natural does not always mean safe, it is possible to investigate the ingredients in a flu buster before you need it. Herbalists will honestly advise you of any possible side effects associated with any herbs and botanicals. For more information about natural immunity boosting products, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

 
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Tips For Relief of a Chronic Sinus Infection

27 Jan



Chronic sinus infection follows persistent bacterial infection. In fact, some studies state that up to 80% of adults with chronic sinusitis also had allergic rhinitis. Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms last for at least three months. You are considered to have recurrent sinusitis if you have repeated bouts of acute sinusitis. Unless a headache is chronic it is usually not serious. Although there are many over the counter headache relief medications, they are not without side effects and should not be taken too often.

Some contrabios can be very effective for sinus infections and treatment of allergy responds to lifestyle changes and medications. Do not forget smoking is very bad for people with sinus problems! Nasal allergies are very common in children, and appear to be getting more common all the time. When you have a cold or allergy attack, your sinuses become inflamed and are unable to drain. This can lead to congestion.

Though they hold symptoms in common with sinusitis and sinus infection, a sinus infection symptom may arise when allergies aren’t normally set off and when the cold is out of season. But, to be sure, your cold and allergy symptoms can easily turn into a sinus infection if left untreated. If you do not see any signs of these symptoms, but you have had a cold or allergy problems, you can try taking an over the counter decongestant to see if it brings relief to your symptoms. If it does, you probably were having a sinus headache without the infection.

Enjoy some hot tea on a regular basis. Filled with flavenoids and antioxidants that can find and kill bacteria, the tea’s steam can open up and loosen your sinus passages to prevent problems from occurring. Changes in the weather from cold to hot and then back again can cause headaches.These Headaches can also be activated from stress, lack of sleep, skipping meals, and unhealthy living. There are also home remedies for sinus infection when symptoms of sinus problems appear like a cold and hot compress, jalapeno pepper, ripe grape juice. These can provide effective relief from sinus symptoms, find out more about herbal remedies for sinus infection.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Poly Arthritis – The Misconception Of This Title

25 Jan



This is a type of arthritis that affects more than five joints. Normal arthritis can be just in one joint, whereas oligoarthritis is inflammation in two, three or four joints.

My husband thought that poly arthritis was arthritis in cats! For this reason I would like to put the record straight.

As we know, there are all different forms of arthritis. The most common form is like a degenerative type, which is the one that grandmas normally get. It comes from general wear and tear on the body and is called osteoarthritis. The pain comes from the wearing down of the cartilage in the joint which normally acts like a cushion to provide comfort for joint movement.

I remember when my mother fell over when I was about 10 years old, slipped on some ice, anyway she ruptured a disc in her back which meant that the two bones came together with no support in between. Even though at the time I thought it was hilarious, I now realise that the pain would have been pretty bad and quite unbearable at times. All the thoughts of the grinding bones put my teeth on edge… more grinding!

Anyway the other common form of arthritis is called Rheumatoid arthritis, however this often occurs in much younger people as this is an auto-immune disorder. It is this type of arthritis that is most often present with poly arthritis.

The best treatment for this type of arthritis is a firm mattress, a flat pillow, plenty of rest and take copious amounts of omega 3 oils and glucosamine. The more lubrication you get to your joints, the better.

I hope this helps to clarify the difference between the different forms of arthritis and poly arthritis, even though cats and dogs for that matter contract arthritis just like us, after all they are mammals too, poly arthritis, as the name suggests, just indicates that many joints are involved, so the pain would be pretty intense and spread out.

 
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Home Remedies For Sinus Infection

23 Jan



One of the most common infections, the world over, is sinus. The bones near the nose contain cavities, also known as sinuses. An infection in the sinuses causes a sinus attack. The sinus swells due to such infections leading to headache, fever, difficulty in breathing and other discomforts. This physical condition is known as the sinusitis. Though there are surgeries for sinusitis, home remedies for sinus infection are a better option.

But what exactly is sinus? There is an opening in each of the sinuses or cavities for a free exchange of mucus and air. A mucus membrane lining connects one sinus to the other. Some infections and diseases, like asthma, cause inflammation of the membrane lining as well as the sinus. This blocks the mucus and air inside the lining and creates a vacuum. Due to this pressure on the sinus walls, a severe pain is caused.

By treating symptoms like headache, severe pain and nasal blockages, comfort can be achieved. But acute sinusitis demands a prolonged treatment.

In addition to antibiotics and sinus therapies, home remedies for sinus infections can prove to be quite effective. Taking in steam from a vaporizer or a container of hot water can provide immediate relief by decongestanting the blockage. A hot or cold compress, i.e an absorbent pad pressed on to a part of the body to relieve inflammation, over the inflamed problem area is also effective in reducing the pain, and, thus, is one of the best home remedies for sinus infections.

A paste of cinnamon and water, or ginger with milk or water, or basil leaves mixed with cloves and dried ginger, when applied on the forehead provides instant relief. In addition to these, other home remedies like intake of ripe grape juice, having jalape

 
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