Peanut Allergies - Hate the Peanut, Not the Parent!

I continually read articles and comments where parents are very angry that treats have been banned from the classrooms or peanut butter is no longer allowed in a school. Their anger is even after they've been told the changes were made for health and safety concerns. Some people feel children with peanut allergies are being sheltered and it's not teaching them to live in the real world. But does the "real world" need to begin in elementary?

When a child is in kindergarten, should they be expected to safely walk to and from school by themselves? Are they mature enough to handle getting lost or diverting a stranger who is trying to get them to approach their car? Since someday they will have to walk by themselves, should that someday be when they're in kindergarten? Obviously not! We teach them about hidden dangers and what to do in emergencies. And when they get older and show they understand what they need to do to stay safe, we let them have more freedom and become more independent.

The same is true for a child with a peanut allergy. In elementary, they can't always tell what items have peanuts. They don't fully understand cross-contamination and surely can't read all those confusing ingredients on the labels. They believe that the adult or classmate offering them a treat understands peanut allergy safety, and would never do anything to hurt them. They might not notice if their classmate just ate a peanut product and then touched the book that they are getting ready to go read.

But some parents continue to make fun of the parents whose children have peanut allergies. They make jokes at how the parents are being so overprotective and get upset when the parents ask them to make changes to help increase safety. They say cruel and hateful things about the parent and the child.

Some parents complain that they can no longer bake treats and send them into the classroom. They're upset because their child is unable to experience school parties like they had when they were younger. But is sending in cupcakes really more important than the safety of a child? Most likely, your child will forget the cupcakes you baked for their party in 2nd grade. But, they will remember the compassion you had for others, and they will remember that for a lifetime.

You're right when you say...we didn't have allergies like this when we were younger. But, we have them now. And the truth is, children are dying from them.

Please think about this for a moment....Imagine, getting a call from your child's school and hearing that your child was just rushed to the hospital and could possibly die. How would you feel? Every day, there are parents who have children with peanut allergies, that fear that call. There are some parents that actually get that call.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this causes you, and we do understand the frustrations you feel. We are actually on the same side - We hate this whole peanut allergy thing too!

How To Treat Anal Itching

If you are suffering from the problem of itching in the anal area there is no need to feel embarrassed because you are not alone. There are millions of people in the world who suffer from this embarrassing condition which is medically known as 'pruritus ani' and strangely enough it is a very common ailment but not many people feel comfortable talking about it publicly. In this article we are going to discuss about the symptoms of anal itching, its causes and some of the remedial measures available in the alternative form of medicine which can provide instant relief in the comfort of your home.

Symptoms

If there is irritation in the anus or rectum area it could be anal itching. This feeling of irritation makes a person scratch the area to experience relief but this scratching makes the condition worse. It is generally caused due to increased moisture, rubbing caused by sitting and clothes and continuous pressure. Anal itching at its worst causes high discomfort and can also cause soreness and burning.

Causes

Apart from above causes it is also caused by chemicals present in our food, pinworms, hemorrhoids and anal fissures. It is a condition which can affect any person of any age. It is common both in men and women.

Treatment Options

The remedy for anal itching depends mainly on the cause of itching but because there are so many factors that can lead to this problem it is advisable to get a medical checkup in order to find the exact cause which will help in using the right treatment options.

Here are some of the remedial measures which can be used at home to experience instant relief from anal itching.

One of the major causes of itching is poor hygiene which leads to growth of bacteria. Hence regularly clean the anal area with cotton balls moistened in water, even baby wipes and tucks would serve the purpose. There are some mild ointments like anal itch assist which could be applied to the affected area to help soothe the skin and prevent further spread of itching.

Do not use scented toilet paper or soaps on the anal area as they contain chemicals which can cause irritation and rashes.

People who sweat excessively are more prone to itching in the anal area. To prevent this condition wear cotton underwear which is breathable and is a natural fiber.

So these were some of the things you can do to bring anal itching under control but if the condition does not improve or worsen it is always recommended to consult your physician.

Seasonal Allergies: Treat the Cause

Sneezing, sniffling, itchy eyes and scratchy throat- allergy season is here again.  Seasonal allergies afflict millions of people and are often treated with antihistamine drugs, shots, creams and sprays.  The conventional approach to seasonal allergy management may help to alleviate symptoms, but it does not address the real cause.

Why do people have allergies?  Why can one person stand in front of a tree, breath in its pollen and feel fine, while another person sneezes and struggles to breath?  Is it the tree's fault?  The problem is actually manifested from inside the body of the sufferer.

There are two types of allergies people seek medical treatment for.  IgG allergies are long term, slow growing allergies, most commonly caused from certain foods.  IgE allergies are what most people deal with, caused from breathing in pollen or other allergens.   Standard medical treatment suppresses a patient's histamine response or administers an inhaler.  This may treat the symptoms but does not address why the problem is recurring.

Intestinal Health

Most often chronic and seasonal allergies are linked to intestinal health.  Sufferers have either an overgrowth of yeast and flora, or a low amount of good intestinal flora.  When a person breathes in an allergen and has a negative response, it is due to the fact that he or she suffers from inflammation in the intestinal lining.  Inflammation of the nose, ears and throat are commonly recognized in the treatment of allergies, but it is often overlooked that they are mucosal tissues, just like the stomach and intestines.  For this reason, inflammation is not localized to the nose and throat.  Medical history usually reveals that a person who suffers from chronic allergies also has a digestive problem that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

To help a seasonal allergy sufferer, this inflammation needs to be treated.  Amino acid, such as, L-glutamine and a high-quality dose of probiotics are administered to help heal the mucosal tissue and reduce overgrowth of intestinal bacteria such as yeast or strep.

Immunity is Very Important for our Body

Our body is made up of various kinds of organs, all the organ combines and make up into various organ systems. All these organ systems work in proper coordination so that the body mechanism can work properly.  All the organ system is equally important for us but one which is the most important is immunity system. Immunity system is one of the most important organ systems of our body. Immunity system provides us with immunity to fight against all sorts of diseases, virus, bacteria and germs.

Immunity helps us to fight against the foreign particles which can affect our healthy body and fit physic. It is really very important to have a proper immunity because without proper immunity our body cannot be healthy and fit. It is always suggested to have a healthy immunity system because if you will have a poor immunity then you will fall sick frequently. Your frequency towards illness and ailment will increase.It is important that you develop proper immunity at a small age otherwise you will be prone to sickness as well as won't be able to have a proper healthy growth. If you don't have proper immunity level then the problem doesn't ends here because you may even become allergic. Having allergy is one of the troubles faced by people having poor immunity. If you get rashes and pimples and red skin by using hot water or by using something or by eating something means you are allergic. Some other common affect of allergy is sneezing, coughing, short of breathe by coming in contact with some foreign particles; running nose and red eye, watering eyes are also some of the bad affects of allergy and poor immunity system.If the allergy is not cured on right time then there are increases in chances of having asthma. Many people become so allergic to dust particles and other foreign material that they get an asthmatic attack. This is very common and the reason is that you will start having shortening of breathe as well as you may have tightening of chest muscles creating problems in breathing properly. Hence it is always suggested if you are having allergy then you should get your self treated before it converts into some other kind of bigger problem.But there are numbers of good immunologists in malviya nagar who can help you out with allergy issues. The immunologists in rohini are expertise in treating problem related to allergy and asthma. The immunologists in Green Park are expertise in diagnose and treatment of immunity as well as te immunity system.   

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Only Breathe Through Your Nose

The nose is a brilliantly designed breathing tool, perfectly suited to breathing, whereas the mouth is perfectly suited to eating, drinking and speaking. You wouldn't eat through your nose, so why breathe through your mouth? Here are five good reasons why nasal breathing is best:

1. The nasal passages are lined with cilia or nose hairs, which waft dust and impurities away from the lungs. These cilia are very important, so if you wax them (yes, some people do wax their nose hairs) you may find that you become more susceptible to allergies like hayfever and asthma. If you breathe through your mouth, tonsils are forced to act as the germ trapping tools. This leads to more throat and tonsil infections, which can ultimately poison the entire immune system if left unchecked.

2. The nose is lined with mucus secreting cells. Mucus allows for the airways to remain lubricated - and in the case of possible infection, will speed up secretion in order to quickly remove any infectious particles. Mucus is not an excretion, so it is not a waste product. If your mucus secretion is working overtime - as in the case of post nasal drip (PND), there is likely to be some underlying problem that is going unchecked.

If you breathe through your mouth, the airways quickly dry out, and this leads to coughing, irritations in the chest and throat, bad breath, dental hygiene problems - and even skew teeth over a long period of time.

3. The nasal and sinus cavities keep air at the correct temperature for your body's needs, and allows air to be warmed or cooled as required.

4. Added germ protection is offered by the sinus passages which have a high concentration of nitrogen. Nitrogen is a potent germ killer, and is used to destroy viruses and bacteria. Air circulating first through the sinus passages allows for germs to be neutralized within the sinus cavities, thereby limiting airborne diseases and infections.

5. The size of the nostrils compared to the mouth means that less air is taken in. Studies prove that breathing less air is beneficial for people with asthma and allergies, and that healthy people only breathe around 12 times per minute, taking in only 4.8 - 5 litres of air per minute. Asthmatics, on the other hand, breathe up to 8 litres of air per minute, causing the body some significant stress as it tries to combat the effects of over-breathing. Some of the symptoms of over breathing include: wheezing, a sensation of breathlessness, yawning and sighing often, tiredness, dizziness, panic attacks, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, metabolic acidosis, and tingling fingers and toes.

If you are having problems with a chronically blocked nose, you can be sure that there is also some effect on the body as a whole. Most likely your sleep is affected, and you may even experience other difficulties like throat problems, dry mouth, tickly cough and even other neurological symptoms like dizziness, headaches and panic.

Gluten allergy - Ayurvedic concept

Ayurveda, an ancient system of Indian medicine views that Gluten allergy occurs because of the inability of the digestive system and classifies it under gastro diseases.

Some individuals are intolerant to the intake of gluten which is a complex protein that is present in the wheat/related grains/ large variety of foods like salad dressings/processed foods causing the said allergic symptoms.

It believes that each individual body constitution is made up to vata, pita and kapha doshas.  It classifies this allergy under gastro diseases. When the pitta dosha is weak or when vata dosha is vitiated it results in the imbalance in agni, the (digestive fire) resulting in gluten allergy.

Ayurveda firmly believes that when the food we take is not digested properly it creates toxins (ama) and these gets deposited in the respiratory tracts, skins and other tissues that are much more prone to the allergic reactions. It is said that these accumulated wastes and the toxins will block the channels and traps the toxins present in the tissues thereby affecting the immunity of the body.

Allergies - Yoga and Life style

Ayurveda, an integrated system of medicine emphasis on an ideal life style based on yoga which helps to remove stress and leads to relaxation which are extremely effective in reducing the allergy symptoms by tempering the immune system's response to the offender.

a)  Practicing  yoga posture in a relaxing way with slow deep breathing relaxes the nervous system is beneficial in fighting allergies. ** Kapalabhati breathing is great for allergies as it forces out the mucus. ** Standing poses—forward and backward bends, and twists tends to massage various parts of the spine and the thoracic cage and condition the lungs.

b)  Lifestyle to be changed if one has a stressful job or home life. Meditation and relaxation techniques calms the nerves and loosen up muscles and treats allergy.

Cross Contamination With Gluten

Celiac (pronounced silly-yak), is an allergy that's increasingly being more and more popular in today's civilization. One of the biggest issues is that we are not informed on it, which therefore puts all of those who have it in danger.

Celiac is a illness in which intolerance in your blood causes your body to refuse gluten. This doesn't seem so bad, until you understand what gluten is. Gluten is a protein available in wheat, barley, malt, food starch and most known filler. Many of these food fillers are utilized when making things we eat every day. When you have celiac disease, you cannot eat pasta, bread, certain rice, oatmeal, cake, Etc. Virtually, anything that contains flour. When on a gluten-free diet, some alternatives are rice and corn pasta, gluten-free bread and oatmeal, corn or rice cereal, and most fruits and vegetables. Given the advanced research and studies in our particular times, those who have celiac malady can live a healthy life as long as they learn to love checking labels and those around them are very mindful.

Cross contamination is problem for anybody with celiac disease. Believe it or not, a tiny breadcrumb that falls into a plate of corn pasta can have a huge negative effect!. Many effects of celiac, eating gluten, can cause long term damage, especially if some of these effects are; internal bleeding, stomach and mouth sores, vomiting, short-term paralysis and in serious cases, stomach cancer. If you are in the food manufacturing or food business in general, it is your job to be very prudent.

If you just discovered you have celiac disease and you live in a house with other people who consume a gluten-filled diet, or you are a business owner or a concerned reader, here are some ways cross contamination of gluten can be prevented:

- Have specific pots, pans, utensils, dishes, toaster (Etc), used exclusive for the gluten-free cooking and eating.

- Have separate seasoning (ketchup, mayo, butter) utilized only for the gluten-free eater.

- Have a specific shelf or drawer in your kitchen for gluten free foods.

- Whenever baking, make sure everything is washed before using, and prepare gluten-free recipes first to be put away, well-wrapped, in a contamination-free zone.

- Avoid "double dipping", sharing drinks, and utensils (etc) at an event with other people eating gluten.

- Avoid eateries without a gluten-free menu, or if unavoidable, always speak to the chef/waiter prior to ordering and/or eating.

The number one lesson for a celiac is to always be aware. It goes without saying to always have a gluten-free snack with you and to make sure all relatives and close friends are aware of the seriousness of your intolerance. Some things are inevitable, which is very unfortunate, but cross contamination of gluten can be avoided if the mandatory safeguards are taken. Don't be lazy or slack off, because the impacts of gluten on someone with celiac are very serious. There is absolutely nothing worse than to see a family member end up in the hospital because you weren't aware. Celiac is a disease whose sufferers are growing in number. Ask your doctor about getting tested before it can damage you!

Neti Pot for Allergy Relief

Utilizing neti pots for the purpose of nasal irrigation happens to be an ancient Hindu method known as Jala Neti; originating from cleansing rituals performed before Yoga in order to encourage strong breathing passages in addition to excellent health. Due to cleaning out the nasal passages of surplus mucus in addition to foreign contaminants, all the breathing techniques utilized during yoga ended up being clean as well as accurate.

Much like in the past, neti pots are widely-used for the purpose of opening breathing passages just before Yoga, but it has now turned into a wide-spread practice around the globe to help people deal with allergy symptoms - not to mention reduce the chances of nasal inflammation because of an infection.

How It Works

The neti pot is undoubtedly a simple structure that reminds one of just a typical tea pot. Typically in sizes which will hold any where from 30ml to 500ml, they're filled with a somewhat warmed up saline solution or other appropriate nasal irrigation mixture which cleanses the nasal airways while avoiding discomfort. The compact stout coming out of the neti pot should fit comfortably inside a single nostril to stop leaks and steer the saline solution towards the other nostril. Since the fluid travels from one side towards the other one, it flushes along with it the majority of the extra mucus along with other particles which might be trapped in the nasal cavity, preventing clear airways.

How It Alleviates Allergies

For those who suffer from hay fever or other allergies because of dust, dander and various other contaminants floating around in the air, the main problem is breathing in the allergens. Right after entering the sinus pathways, the allergens affix themselves to the soft tissue, thus making breathing more difficult in addition to causing additional responses like watery eyes and sneezing. A neti pot is a superb instrument to relieve the severity of these kinds of allergy symptoms and even help minimize future allergic reactions. Through the use of sea salt or natural and chemical free salt for your saline solution, it will not only wash out the allergens within the sinuses, but also help hydrate the encompassing tissue for combating irritation and any possible microbial infections.

As good as it is for adults, neti pots can even be used for children who are affected by allergies. Given that nasal irrigation just uses clean and safe saline solutions, they're totally safe and sound for young children, having said that, one very important thing to not forget is to make sure to follow the process thoroughly as well as to make the procedure enjoyable so the kids view it as a good experience.

Not Just for Sinuses

While a good many individuals think that neti pots just aid the nose, it has been observed that, for a few, regular and proper jala neti practices can even assist with eye-sight by simply washing out the tear ducts as well as facilitating with proper ear secretions that can protect against infection. Making sure the neti pot is employed properly can help heal any facial discomfort triggered by pressure and also, since they are all linked, will keep a healthy working system between the ears, nose, and eyes.

If you want to help eliminate allergy symptoms that could surface and impact day-to-day life, using nasal irrigation with a neti pot a minimum of once weekly with a gentle saline solution won't just help that, but it will also increase the overall health of your nasal region.

Need Some Help to Protect Yourself From Allergies? Make Sure You Have the Right Air Purifier

Need some help to protect yourself from allergies? Make sure you have the right air purifier.

Many air purifiers are out in the market and all of them claim to be very good. In such a situation the buyer gets confused in taking the decision that which purifier he should buy. A wrong choice of purifier can cause you a loss of both money and health so it is a big decision to be made.

A purifier uses different techniques to purify air thus making life easy for the buyer. It also protects people who from allergies of different kinds like Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mite feces.

There are different kinds of series of products available regarding air purification. Among the list 4000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series are worth mentioning. Below are some aspects about the products of each of the series.

Among the 4000 series, you may choose any of the following depending upon your need:

4000 D Exec

Designed to remove heavy concentrations of chemicals and odors in smaller spaces.

4000 D Vocarb

D Vocarb models are designed to tackle heavy concentrations of airborne pollutants, odor and volatile organic chemicals.

4000 DX Exec

Designed to treat very heavy concentrations of chemicals and odors in smaller areas

4000 DX Vocarb

DX Vocarb models are designed to tackle very heavy concentrations of airborne chemicals, odors and volatile organic chemicals

4000 Exec

Wide spectrum protection at an outstanding value, this unit is recommended for areas where space is a main concern

4000 Vocarb

This unit is designed to treat volatile organic compounds, odors and other airborne pollutants in smaller spaces.

Among the 5000 series, you may choose any of the following depending upon your need,
5000 D Exec

Designed primarily for removing heavy concentrations of chemicals and odors

5000 D MCS Supreme

Features even more activated carbon and a deeper carbon bed to provide enhanced chemical and odor filtration for people with extreme chemical sensitivities

5000 D Vocarb

D Vocarb models feature a special blend of carbon to tackle heavy concentrations of airborne pollutants, odor and volatile organic compounds.

5000 DS

An air purifier tailored specifically for cigarette smoke, this exceptional unit removes harmful chemicals, particles and lingering odors

5000 DX Exec

Designed to treat very heavy concentrations of chemicals and odors in a confined space

5000 DX Vocarb

Designed for spaces where very heavy concentrations volatile organic compounds and other chemicals and odors are the primary concern

5000 DX VOG

The 5000 DX VOG is an air-purifying unit designed specifically to absorb the dangerous chemicals, gases and toxic particles emitted from volcanic smog, or vog

5000 DXS

5000 DXS is part of our series of air purifiers designed to remove the harmful toxins and odors associated with cigarette smoke

5000 Exec

Treats all the various types of pollutants which contribute to poor indoor air quality

5000 HEPA Only

Features an excellent medical-grade HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of all airborne particles at 0.3 microns.

5000 MCS Supreme

The 5000 MCS Supreme's advanced chemical, odor and particle control combined with its inert design make it a popular choice for our Multiple Chemical Sensitivity customers.

5000 Vocarb

Medical-grade HEPA to remove 99.97% of airborne particles (pollen, dust, mold, bacteria, viruses, pet dander) down to 0.3 microns in size

5000 VOG

Our 5000 VOG air purifier is designed to absorb the dangerous pollutants emitted through volcanic smog, or vog.

5000 W Exec

This modified unit offers users the added advantage of removing the chemicals, particles and odors directly at their source using a special source-capture attachment.

5000 W Vocarb

Featuring a special blend of carbon for volatile organic compounds, this modified unit offers users the added advantage of removing the chemicals, particles and odors directly at their source using a special source-capture attachment