Many food allergies are confused with a food intolerance. A wheat allergy typically is confused with a wheat intolerance and if you dig even further can be confused with a gluten allergy as well as celiac disease. How you manage your reactions or intolerance can be very different so it is very important to know the difference between a wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance.
Millions of people suffer from allergies caused by a variety of sources both internal and external. External allergies are usually caused by airborne allergens like pollen or dust or environment factors like chemicals. Food allergies are usually the culprit when it comes to the internal reactions. They can be caused by certain foods that we eat, like seafood, peanuts or eggs. Wheat allergies fall into this category and is known to cause many uncomfortable reactions for the person involved.
An allergy can be particularly hard to manage because wheat is found in so many different places. There are products that contain wheat like flour. There are ingredients like gluten that contain wheat and then there are the variety of foods like pasta and breads that contain wheat. We have broken it down this way because in order to manage your allergy you have to be aware of all the different ways you can come across “wheat”.
How do You Differentiate Between a Wheat Allergy and a Wheat Intolerance
A wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance are two very different problems. True allergies involve the immune system whereas an intolerance does not cause a reaction from the immune system. A wheat allergy is an auto-immune response that can cause a variety of symptoms. The signs and symptoms of wheat allergy include:
coughing vomiting asthma other breathing problems
Depending on the person it can cause anaphylaxis which can be fatal. True food allergies are rare and a wheat allergy is not an exception to that. A true allergic reaction to wheat is present in less that one half percent of the population.
Wheat intolerance is more typical and involves a person reacting to the gluten ingredient found in many wheat products. The gluten is a complex protein used so that the wheat will stick together and will rise when baked. Gluten can be found in other grains like rye and barley. It can also be found in oats that may be contaminated in the production process of the other grains. This intolerance continues to grow and can affect upwards of 14% of the population.
A wheat allergy produced sudden reactions while a wheat intolerance does not. The symptoms of wheat intolerance may seem less obvious and many people confuse it with something else or dismiss them as a normal part of life. The symptoms of a wheat intolerance include:
eczema depression gastrointestinal upset low blood iron
One may dismiss a food intolerance as “That food just doesn’t agree with me” but you should consider that there are serious health risks associated with both a wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance. These risks can be long term causing or contributing to conditions such as:
diabetes anemia bowel cancer
Whether you have a wheat allergy or a wheat intolerance the best treatment is an elimination diet. There may be a specific wheat allergy diet that your allergist or nutritionist may recommend. These diets may be difficult to maintain but they are a must if you want to live as healthy as possible as well as avoid the serious health conditions that can be caused by this problem.
Archive for June, 2010
Wheat Allergy Versus Wheat Intolerance
Causes Of Body Joint Pain
Joint pain can be due to several causes and the treatment is dependant upon the cause of the pain. Joint pain is a common complaint often associated with aging process. Unusual exertion or overuse of joints can cause body joint pain. Other causes include injury, Arthritis, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Infectious diseases like influenza, measles, rheumatic fever, hepatitis and mumps, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Injury
Impact and accidents of any sort leading to sprain, ligament or cartilage tear or fractures can cause body joint pain. The affected area and the nearby joints can become painful, depending upon the severity of the impact.
Arthritis
Gouty arthritis is caused by a defect in metabolism that results in overproduction of uric acid or a reduced ability of the kidneys to eliminate uric acid. In acute gouty arthritis the symptoms develop suddenly in one or two joints.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes deterioration of the joint cartilage. It is associated with aging and is the most common form of arthritis. The cartilage of the affected joint is roughened and worn down, which causes pain. Septic arthritis is inflammation of a joint caused by bacteria. This form of arthritis can also cause body joint pain.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon which is the fibrous structure that joins the muscle to the bone. Common joints that get affected by tendonitis are wrist, elbow, shoulder and heel.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of fluid filled sacs called Bursae. Bursae connect tendons to both the skin and bone. Bursitis commonly occurs in the shoulder, knee, elbow and hips.
Infectious diseases
Diseases like flu, mumps and others are contagious diseases can cause pain in the body joints, among other symptoms.
Autoimmune diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes joint pain affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a disease that attacks the body using its own immune cells. Lupus is another chronic autoimmune disorder. It affects many organ systems including skin, joints and internal organs.
We Should Still Be Weary of the H1N1 Virus
So far the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic has not been as severe in many parts of North America as we have been led to believe. This is not the time to breathe a sigh of relief and drop our guard. Instead we should seize this chance to increase prevention efforts and get more people educated.
Although the threat of a significant H1N1 strain circulating around the world has lessened, we should still do all we are able to to battle the flu. The most efficient and effective way is to get immunized. There is no excuse especially since sufficient doses of H1N1 vaccine are available, and everybody can receive this life-saving vaccination or nasal spray.
There is a lot to learn from the past few months. On the whole, people were very cooperative when the vaccine was initially received. There was not a mad rush for everyone to get immunized. Individuals respected the fact that pregnant women, young children and those with special conditions had a priority in getting vaccinated first.
Members of the professional health care community worked hard and selflessly in getting the H1N1 outbreak under control. The level of public awareness was crucial, and governments on all levels played their part.
Now that we have experienced 2 waves of the virus in the last 12 months, we should not rest on our laurels and expect everything to be fine. History has taught us that there are at least 3 waves of a flu pandemic in any season. At the same time, we are still in winter and the weather can get worse. Many youngsters have not yet taken their second vaccination. This still makes them vulnerable.
What Is Arthritis And What Is The Best Medication For The Pain?
The Stresses Our Bodies Go Through
You may not realize how much stress we place on our bodies each and every day and how much it hurts our body.. Standing up or constantly picking up heavy boxes will put a lot of stress on your back. Sometimes these stresses may cause more harm later down the road such as arthritis. Other pains such as premenstrual syndrome are a way of life. There is no way to avoid this it is just a part of everyday life.
For instance, if you work at a job that has you stand up all day or that you are just too busy to sit down can cause back pain. Some shoes that do not fit well or even have worn out will back joint pain as well. Lifting or moving heavy furniture will cause a great deal of back and joint pain. over a period of time this back pain can turn chronic and then turn into arthritis. There are many different pain medications that you can purchase that will help take some of these pains away. Sometimes the pain is so great that you cannot even get out of bed. Going through the pain is very uncomfortable but having it everyday is annoying.
For many people that experience joint pain and bone pain is from an injury that happened when they were younger. Joint pain can be so serious that one may not be able to stretch their arms or legs. When you feel joint pain it is because your joints have worn out the cushion they need to move smoothly and without any pain. You can compare this to a motor vehicle running without oil. Joints will eventually wear out because of the bone and joint rubbing together.
Stress is one of the key causes of joint pain. Stress is all around us where ever we may be. Most people have jobs that are really stressful. Headaches and stomach problems are a result from stress work areas. Mentally warn is a term used for a stressful day? Blame it on stress. Stress can also cause a person to not sleep well at night even if they think they are. Being overweight, and other health problems are a result of stress. People sometimes do not eat anything all day but a snack due to stress and that causes nutrition issues. Stress is a big influence on a person’s health.
Some products claim they can fight stress or even cure it, arthritis [http://www.universitylabtechnologies.com], and joint pain. There may not be a way to cure the pain but there are some products that can help with the pain. Some need prescriptions to obtain the medication and some you can buy over the counter. Some online drugstores have the medication yo need and they also send it to you.
With all the stress in the world it is pretty unusual how our body keeps on going after all we put it through each and every day. Imagine if we did cure stress, i bet this world would be a much different place to live in for better or for worse.
Acupressure Rescue for Allergies
You can use the ancient art of acupressure for allergy relief.
Not to be confused with acupuncture, the placement of needles at specific points on the “energy meridians” of the body, acupuncture involves only gentle manual pressure to treat a variety of illnesses in ways that defy a truly scientific explanation, but which nonetheless work.
In the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, allergies were thought of as “wind” conditions. That means that they came in on the wind, but also that they start “as fast as the wind” and they were very superficial, not really causing genuine disruption of the body as a whole, just causing sudden disagreeable symptoms.
Getting rid of “wind evils,” in the theory of two thousand years ago, involved activating the same kind of energy involved in elimination of waste from digested food and drink, the energy of the intestines. Exactly why the ancient masters of Chinese medicine might suppose that the energy of the large intestine somehow was connected to the space between your thumbs and index fingers is a subject that can’t be explained in just a few hundred words, but the acupuncture point there, known as LI4, is one of the most important for elimination.
And if you can get some relief from your allergies, do you really care whether the theory behind acupuncture admits easy scientific explanation? Try this:
Locate the webbing between either one of your thumbs and the adjacent index finger.
Apply a gentle pressure to the skin, pushing toward the bone that supports your index finger. Within a few minutes, you should feel fewer allergy symptoms, notably less runny nose.
The idea behind this kind of acupuncture is that somehow pressing on this point encourages the same kinds of energy that are involved in defecation, only the “waste” that is eliminated is the energy brought in on the wind. Just a few minutes pressure should be enough.
Traditional acupressure recommends some combinations of pressure points for special situations.
To increase the effects of pressing the LI4 point on the hand, apply gentle pressure to the ST44 point between the second and third toes on either foot. This combination is meant to expel “wind energy,” what we would call allergic inflammation, from the face, and also to relieve any kind of tension over the jaws. You massage the webbing between the toes about half an inch (10-12 mm) into the space between the toes, against the bone joining the toes.
When runny nose is a special problem, Traditional Chinese Medicine theory suggests rubbing the area 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) above the heel. This is the site for acupuncture needles whether the problem is too much mucus or sinuses that are too tight, and pressing the area produces a similar result.
It’s very hard to go wrong with acupressure between your thumb and index finger, between your second and third toes, and above your heels. Nonetheless, there is a cautionary note in the ancient literature: None of these maneuvers are recommended during pregnancy, to prevent the possibility of stimulating the uterus. It’s also mandatory to avoid pressing broken skin, torn muscles, areas of cancer or infection, or broken bones. For everyone else, these simple acupressure techniques cost nothing and usually work.
A Look at Easy and Affordable Home Flu Remedies
Alleviating the side effects of seasonal influenza with home flu remedies is affordable and easy. Relieving congested nasal passages and lungs, drinking plenty of fluids, taking an over-the-counter pain medication, and including immune booster supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry lozenges in your diet are a few of the best known home flu remedies that work.
Tips For Relieving Congestion In The Nasal Passages And Lungs
Congestion relief is a chief concern for individuals who contract seasonal influenza. One easy and affordable home flu remedy is breathing aromatic steam. Try adding some fresh ginger, medicated topical ointment, or eucalyptus oil to a sink of steaming water. Then, drape a towel over the head and inhale the medicated steam. This opens the bronchial tubes which makes breathing easier. Another inexpensive method for congestion relief is to take a warm shower with the bathroom door closed. This acts much the same way a sauna does. The concentrated steam that gathers in the enclosed space opens nasal airways and moistens and thins mucus in the lungs, which is useful in easing a scratchy, sore throat.
Nasal saline irrigation is another one of the affordable home flu remedies that eases congestion. The most popular method for irrigating nasal passages is by squirting a saline mixture of one-fourth teaspoon salt, one-fourth teaspoon baking soda and eight ounces of warm water into one nostril and letting it drain through the other nostril. This provides relief to sensitive nasal tissues by clearing nasal passageways, thinning mucus, decreasing postnasal drip, and moistening dried mucus membranes. Virus particles and bacteria are also removed during this process, which is beneficial in slowing the spread of the virus because there are fewer germs present in the body to infect healthy cells.
Keeping Your Body Well Hydrated And Pain Free When Fighting Flu
Health professionals constantly advise us that we need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and this advice is especially important when one has influenza. Liquids are inexpensive, simple home flu remedies that keep the respiratory system hydrated and assist it in thinning the mucus that can build into a respiratory infection if it is not flushed out of the body’s system. Water is the best known and least expensive of the fluids. Hot chicken soup is also beneficial for the alleviation of irritated throats and congested lungs. It is a powerful mucus stimulant and studies have shown that it improves the function of cilia in preventing foreign bacteria and viruses from entering the body.
When an individual has a fever, which is the body’s way of fighting viral infections, dehydration is the enemy. Deciding to use a hot or cold liquid is a personal preference. Whichever form you choose, whether it be water, clear broths, decaffeinated teas, or electrolyte replacement drinks, all provide the body with the necessary coolants that protect sensitive organs and tissue from the heat damage associated with a fever. Other affordable fever reducers and easers of aching muscles are over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. It is important to note that one should never give aspirin to a child to reduce a fever unless recommended by a doctor, and one should always follow the dosage recommendations on the label.
Immune Boosters Provide Safe, Affordable Flu Remedies
Vitamins, minerals, and herbs, which are relatively inexpensive, provide antibodies, powerful antioxidants and antiviral agents to those suffering from seasonal influenza. Vitamin C and zinc, two of the best known flu remedies, aid in the production of white blood cells and also assist in the formation of antibodies that coat cell surfaces. A less known flu remedy gaining a reputation within the health community is elderberry lozenges. While vitamin C and zinc are excellent antioxidants, only elderberry lozenges have an established laboratory test record of providing effective relief for influenza A and B. Elderberry lozenges shorten the duration period of the flu by preventing the virus from compounding within the body.
Fighting seasonal influenza does not have to be hard or expensive. Home flu remedies have provided affordable, simple relief to millions of flu sufferers. Staying hydrated, taking a pain reliever, and clearing the congestion in your lungs and sinus areas are three of the best methods for fighting the flu. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs also provide inexpensive relief of flu complications. Vitamin C and zinc are potent antioxidants, while elderberry lozenges shorten the duration of the flu by blocking viral reproduction.
NCAA Tourny Bracket Busters?
Who will be this year’s bracket buster-Cinderella story? After examining the 2006 NCAA Tournament field, I have found my most likely candidates. Usually, it is a safe bet that a 12 seed will upset a 5, but in this year’s tournament field the more likely upset pick seems to be a 13 over a 4. The only 12 that has a chance to knock off a 5 is Texas A&M because of Syracuse’s lack of depth and reliance on Gerry McNamara to do everything. If he has an off game the Orange could go down, but I think they’ll ride their Big East Conference Tournament high out of the first round.
Staying in the Atlantic, 13 seed Iona is a likely candidate to knock LSU out of the tournament. Iona is comfortable on the road, largely because they are an experienced team returning 4 starters, and their 15-3 road mark this season proves it. A win for Iona would prove on the grand stage that smaller conference schools are catching up to the Majors, which seems to be more and more apparent each season. It would also prove that the SEC was the weakest Major conference in the country this season. If Iona gets past LSU, they’ll have a great chance to make the Sweet 16 with a win over Syracuse.
Another 13 seed that has enjoyed some tournament success the last couple years is the University of the Pacific. Coach Bob Thomason’s squad will be up against one of the hottest teams in the country in Boston College, but I don’t expect them to go away easy. This could be the biggest first round shocker as Pacific has been great away from Stockton, posting a 12-4 record, and they are coming in to their first round matchup winners of 12 of their last 13. This may not be the highest percentage play as Boston College is a Final Four-caliber team. But Pacific’s bigs have the ability to step away from the basket and will pose matchup problems for the Eagles. The Tigers could be a huge bracket buster in 2006 as some have the Eagles coming out of the Minneapolis region.
Last year’s story was the 7 seed West Virginia Mountaineers making it to the Elite 8 before falling to Louisville, and it may very well be again this season. Although they aren’t the Cinderella team they were last year, they did slide to a 6 seed due to some late conference losses after starting Big East play red hot. Pittsnoggle’s ability to play both outside and inside with his 6’11” frame is one of the toughest matchups for any team in the tournament. Gansey can do it all and proved that he rises to the occasion in big games in last year’s tournament run. Iowa is a solid team that West Virginia will have to deal with in the second round, but Iowa’s 7-foot Big 10 Defensive player of the year, Erik Hansen, won’t be able to defend Pittsnoggle 20 feet from the basket. The Hawkeyes may have to guard him with Greg Brunner who will be giving up 4 inches. Because of matchup problems, the Hawkeyes may be forced to play zone, which could welcome an onslaught of 3 pointers from the Mountaineers, which is what they do best. Texas will be West Virginia’s likely third round opponent if they make it past Iowa. They are big, talented, and athletic, but susceptible.
They were blown out by Oklahoma State, lost to 12 seed Texas A&M, and Kansas beat them by double figures in the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship game. Duke will likely be West Virginia’s Elite 8 matchup if the Mountaineers can make it back there again this season. As the season has unfolded both of these teams have looked more and more human. It could be costly for the Blue Devils to have to play 2 freshman a lot of minutes. Point guard Greg Paulus will have the wait of the world on his shoulders trying to manage the top seed Blue Devils as just a freshman. I like West Virginia’s chances against both of these teams because of their experience in the NCAA tournament last season and their preparation from playing in the nation’s Elite basketball conference this year.
Be sure to take these things into consideration when filling out your 2006 Tournament bracket.
Relieving Gout Arthritis Pain
Understanding gout is very important, but it’s also important to understand that gout exists because gout is a form of arthritis. Therefore, gout arthritis can occur, just as other forms of arthritis can, in many joints in the body aside from the big toe including: elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, heels, and instep.
Gout is considered to be one of the most painful rheumatic diseases. When uric acid crystal deposits become lodged between two bones of a joint space or connective tissue, or both, the deposits can lead to inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by inflammation (heat, redness and swelling), pain and stiffness of a joint. The term arthritis is used to refer to over 100 different rheumatic diseases that affect the tissues, structures, joints, muscles and bones within the body. Gout accounts for an estimated 5% of all arthritis cases.
When you experience a gout attack, you will find that there are different ways you can treat and help alleviate the inflammatory arthritis pain you feel. The following are 7 easy tips to help you treat your gout pain:
1. Apply a cold compress – Applying a cold compress can be beneficial for treating inflammation and reducing swelling especially during the initial attack. Apply a cold compress (I.E. wrap an ice pack, or another frozen item such as a bag of frozen veggies, in a towel) to the affected area. The compress should be kept on the area for 20 minutes maximum, and should be removed for 20 minutes before repeating the process.
2. Warm the affected area – Apply a warm hot water bottle to aching muscles around the area to alleviate stiffness when the attack begins to ease. Do not apply warmth to an inflamed joint as this only makes inflammation worse. Apply the warm item for 30 minutes every 2 – 3 hours. Additionally, immersing the affected area in warm water, or applying a warm moist cloth to the area also provides short-term relief.
3. Stretch – To relieve stiffness and inflammation, stretch the muscles and joints affected by gout arthritis by slowly flexing and rotating them two or three times per day. Only flex and rotate the joint within limits. In other words, as soon as you begin to feel discomfort, try to stretch the joint a little further, but as soon as you feel pain, stop. Exercises such as Yoga and Pilates are known to benefit arthritis sufferers. If you are interested, consult a professional yoga or Pilate’s instructor to learn safe and recommended stretches for your condition.
4. Exercise – Even if you are in pain you need to stay active. Not using the affected muscle, joints, etc. is only going to cause stiffness and make it worse. Exercising in warm water is beneficial for gout arthritis and arthritis in general. When you are immersed in water, your joints are under less stress which helps to alleviate some of the pain you feel. Water provides greater mobility and flexibility. It’s also a good idea to first talk to your doctor to find out if there are any exercises he/she can recommended for your condition. Finally, exercising will also help you control your weight, as being overweight can also aggravate your joints by causing additional stress.
5. Change your diet – eliminate all foods and beverages that are high in purines (I.E. organ meats, yeast and alcohol) from your diet during a gout arthritis flare-up to try and reduce the uric acid levels in your blood.
6. Relax – Get a goodnight sleep, and rest affected joints by keeping them elevated above your heart. Elevation helps to improve blood flow which helps to lessen pain, and discomfort.
7. Medication – NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn), etc., are commonly prescribed to treat arthritic pain and inflammation. Many NSAIDs are available over-the-counter. However, you should first speak to your doctor before using NSAIDs as a treatment option.
Remember, though gout arthritis and other forms of arthritis may be similar, they are different because of how arthritis inflammation occurs. Therefore, not all forms of arthritis treatment may be useful to gout sufferers. Which is why it is a good idea to speak to your doctor about treatment options, so you receive the best treatment suggestions for your condition.
Golf Swing Training Aids – Do Training Aids Really Help Your Golf Swing?
If you really want to improve your golf game, then golf swing training aids will be a big part of your endeavors. These aids help you feel the correct position of the golf swing so that it becomes a natural part of your swing.
Particularly if you are practicing or playing a round without your swing coach, and therefore don’t have somebody to watch you swing, these can help you make sure your swing is in the correct position at all times, even when you can’t see yourself swinging.
There are so many golf swing training aids, however, that the problem is finding the right one, because how do you know which ones work and which don’t? Don’t believe me about all the choices? Just flick on the golf channel and see what I mean.
What’s the best way to tell which training aid to invest in and which to avoid? Think about what area of your golf swing you wan to improve. For example, if you want to fix your slice, find a training aid that works with that specific area of the swing. If you want to gain more distance, find one specific to that.
This is the most critical part, because if you buy a golf swing training aid that addresses the wrong area, your game will not improve. All too many golfers start drooling over one they see advertised on TV, and go out and buy it without even considering if it addresses the part of their swing they have difficulty with. If not, I don’t care how many advertisements you see for it-don’t buy it.
In addition to the tips above, there are a few more you can use to determine if an aid is worth your money. First, ask who is behind the design, or at least who has used it to improve their game. If many golf pros are using it, then you can be confident the golf swing training aids being advertised are effective. If not, then avoid it.









