Archive for February, 2011
Cause, Symptoms And Treatment Of Mould Allergy.
Mould allergy occurs when an individual is exposed to microscopic fungal spores from mould. Since these spores are small, they can evade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract, and consequently the lungs.
Causes of Mould Allergy
There are different types of mould; however, only certain types cause mould allergies. These include alternaria, aspergillus, clasdosporium, penicillium, helminthosporum, epicoccum, fusarium, and phoma, to mention a few.
Mould allergy occurs when an individual comes in contact with the mould spores, causing an immune response where the body thinks they are foreign invaders and develops an antibody to fight them. This causes the body to release histamines, which cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and other symptoms related to mould allergy. Even after the exposure has passed, the body will still continue to produce antibodies, which will remember the mould spores (invaders) the next time contact occurs.
Symptoms of Mould Allergy
Symptoms of mould allergy are similar to those which occur in other upper respiratory allergies.
Common symptoms include,
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- Breathing difficulties
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Mould spores can deposit on the lining of the nose, consequently causing hay fever symptoms, and can also reach the lungs causing asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Treatment for Mould Allergy
Avoid contact with mould spores
This is the best treatment for mould allergy. To help reduce symptoms of mould allergy drastically, avoid cutting grass, digging around plants or picking leaves. If you must do any of these activities, ensure you wear a dust mask.
Medication
Antihistamines, bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used to ease the symptoms of mould allergy as there is no sure way of curing mould allergy. Corticosteroids help prevent and treat inflammation and they are the most effective allergy medications for most people, and as such are usually prescribed first. Antihistamines help with itching, sneezing and runny nose, and work by blocking histamine which is released by the immune system during an allergy reaction.
Immunotherapy
This involves administering a series of allergy shots to help eliminate some allergies. However, immunotherapy is only moderately effective against mould allergy.
Nasal Lavage
This is usually recommended to help with irritating nasal symptoms. It involves rinsing the nose with salt water and can be effective in relieving congestion.
Tips for Prevention
Keep damp areas such as bathrooms well ventilated
Refrigerators should be kept clean, watch out for mouldy food.
Avoid damp and musty buildings and where HAY is stored.
Avoid cutting grass, raking leaves and turning compost heaps.
Keep all bathroom surfaces clean.
Get rid of old foam pillows and mattresses.
Do not store clothing or shoes in damp cupboards; leave wardrobe doors ajar to ventilate the clothes.
Control indoor moisture by using a dehumidifier.
Reduce the amount of indoor house plants and ensure those present are free of mould on leaves and in potting soil.
Throw away or recycle old books, newspapers, clothing or bedding.
Heal Skin Problems the Natural Way
Because skin is an external part, it encounters some unique problems from the rest of the body parts. There are plenty of factors and activities that can cause skin problems.
Some problems are brought on by aging, namely, fine lines and wrinkles. Some people have dry or oily skin. Others have skin discolorations and blemishes. And many people are suffering from acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and even warts.
Because of this, people are looking for ways on how to heal skin problems. It is essential to repair the damaged skin and maintain its natural health and beauty. There are some special treatments for each type of skin damage. But when it comes to nutrients, they all fall in the same category.
Collagen is responsible in making the skin healthy and wrinkle free. It is the synthesizer of hyaluronic acid and elastin. These two are responsible in making the skin elastic and supple.
Elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid are needed in the rejuvenation process.
There are natural ingredients to heal skin problems and to synthesize elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. These are avocado oil, Cynergy TK™, Nano-Lipobelle H EQ10 and active manuka honey.
Avocado oil has the ability to repair skin damages and heal serious skin problems. It has high sterolin content, which promotes cellular regeneration. It is also effective in scars, signs of sun damage, and age spots. This natural ingredient is very rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E.
Grapeseed oil enhances capillary support when teamed up with Vitamin C. It is also used as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. Grapeseed oil is also loaded with antioxidants that can fight free radicals thus leaving the skin healthy.
The skin can easily absorb this natural ingredient.
And the last ingredient is the active manuka honey. You can easily find this natural ingredient, but it is not just an ordinary honey. It is made by bees that gather their nectar from the manuka bush in New Zealand. It contains high enzyme levels, which make it to be a powerful antiseptic. Not to mention its antibacterial properties.
To learn more about how to heal skin problems check out my web site listed in the bio section.
Eye Injuries and Children
Children can get into all kinds of scrapes and situations, but one of the most terrifying kinds of injuries involves those that affect the eyes. Several types of injuries and conditions can traumatize or otherwise endanger children’s eyes.
Environmental Irritants
The accidental introduction of an environmental irritant, such as dust, soap, or other particle, to the eye can cause pain, redness, and corneal abrasions.
Using water from the home tap to flush out the irritant represents the easiest and most effective way to deal with this issue. Use only lukewarm water, never hot, when flushing out the foreign body. Never attempt to wipe the object off the eye with a towel or napkin. This could irritate, abrade, or damage the cornea and cause a more serious eye problem.
A more serious eye injury occurs when something penetrates the eye.
Initially, cover the area with a cup to prevent anything else from irritating the eye and potentially causing an eye infection. Do not remove the object on your own. Bring the child to an emergency room where a trained medical expert can professionally apply the proper treatment.
Black Eye
Forcible contact from a blunt object to the eye area may cause a contusion, commonly known as black eye. Children may get black eyes from fights, sports skirmishes, or falling on a blunt object during play.
Treating a black eye depends on the situation and circumstances surrounding the injury. Many black eyes involve only superficial trauma to the eye area. However, it could also include a head trauma or a serious eye injury, such as hyphema, or bleeding in the eye area.
Hyphema can result in serious damage to the cornea and vision problems. Consult with your pediatrician whenever your child has a black eye that causes significant pain. The trauma to the eye region that causes a black eye can also result in a condition known as glaucoma, or too much pressure in the eye. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent vision problems and, possibly, blindness.
To make certain that the black eye is not more than a simple bruise, bring your child to a pediatric ophthalmologist as soon as possible. While waiting to see the doctor, applying a cold cloth to the affected area can relieve some pain and swelling. Create a cold cloth by wrapping a wet towel or washrag around a couple of ice cubes. Never apply the ice directly over the affected eye. Watch out for continuous eye pain, increasing redness, vision changes or a change in the appearance of the eyeball.
Giving your child acetaminophen may relieve some of the pain, but avoid ibuprofen or aspirin as these can exacerbate bleeding, if any.
Chemical Irritation
If any household chemical should get in contact with your child’s eyes, flush the eyes with lukewarm water for a minimum five full minutes, then seek medical assistance to avoid eye infection or damage. The attending pediatrician can help your child more quickly and efficiently if you can provide the name of the chemical, or even bring a sample with you when you go to the emergency room.
First Aid
Knowing how to properly handle an eye emergency can save valuable time and possibly prevent vision loss.
Basic Eye Safety and Preparedness:
Wear eye protection for all hazardous activities and sports at school, home and on the job.
Stock a first aid kit with a rigid eye shield and commercial eyewash before an eye injury happens.
DO NOT assume that you know the severity of any eye injury. When in doubt, see a pediatric physician immediately.
Eye Contact with Chemicals:
Immediately flush the eye with water. Hold the eye under a faucet or shower, or pour water into the eye using a clean container. Keep the eye open and as wide as possible while flushing. Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes. DO NOT use an eyecup.
If a contact lens is in the eye, begin flushing over the lens immediately. This may wash away the lens.
DO NOT bandage the eye.
Seek immediate medical treatment after flushing.
Specks in the Eye:
DO NOT rub the eye.
Try to let tears wash the speck out or use eyewash.
Try lifting the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.
If the speck does not wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage it lightly and see a doctor.
Trauma:
Apply a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye. Crushed ice in a plastic bag can be taped to the forehead to rest gently on the injured eye.
In cases of pain, reduced vision or discoloration (black eye), seek emergency medical care. Any of these symptoms could mean internal eye damage.
Cuts and Punctures:
DO NOT wash out the eye with water or any other liquid.
DO NOT try to remove an object that is stuck in the eye.
Cover the eye with a rigid shield without applying pressure. The bottom half of a paper cup can be used.
See a doctor at once!
No parent wants to experience the fear and upset associated with a child’s eye injury, but knowing what to do in case of eye trauma can save your child’s vision. Talk to the healthcare professionals at your local pediatric clinic to learn more about caring for eye injuries in children.
If Your Loved One is Into Substance and Alcohol Abuse
If you suspect that your loved is into substance and alcohol abuse, you need to keep a check on his behavior. Here are some actions of your loved ones that can help you understand if he is addicted to drugs or alcohol or not:
1. He starts drinking alcohol or having substance in secret so that his family members and friends do not come to know about it. He will also make great efforts to hide alcohol or drugs in unusual places so that it can be easily accessed by him and others do not find it.
2.
If you provide an alcoholic drink to the addict, you will notice that he will not be able his cravings for it and will continue to drink more and more.
3. The addict can suffer from sleepless nights and appear restless if does not get his daily dose of alcohol or drugs. He can also suffer from loss of memory and may not remember the things he said or did while he is high on drugs or alcohol.
4. The addict will get so addicted to drugs or alcohol that he may make use of sentences like ‘I cannot live without it’.
5. He will start borrowing money from friends and family members in order to buy drugs and alcohol. If he does not get money, he may resort to stealing because he is not able to have control over his addiction.
6. If the addict stays away from drugs or alcohol, he can start feeling uncomfortable. The signs of irritability can be easily observed through his behavior. He is likely to go through this kind of withdrawal symptoms if he is asked to leave his addiction.
7. It is a known fact that over the period of time, the addict starts consuming more substance in order to get the same effect. This is a clear sign to understand that the person is addicted to substance.
8. The life of the addict will be full of trouble such as constant fights and arguments with spouse and family members, unhealthy relationships, financial problems, bad health, loss of job, committing of crime, etc.
If you are not addicted to substance and alcohol abuse but suffer some from several symptoms that are give above, you need to rethink about your habits. Even though you may feel you are not addicted to substance, soon a time will come when you will find it difficult to give up your addiction. Your addiction to drugs and alcohol will not only ruin your life but also make the lives of the people around a mess. It is best to act now rather than suffering later.
Healthy Diet for Your Children
Providing the correct healthy diet for your child is very important for you to do since if you cannot provide it correctly, you might cause the emotional pain or physical sickness for him/her. Based on the Office of the Surgeon General, the chance for an adolescent to be overweight is 70%. Thus, it is important for you to improve your child’s diet in order to guarantee his/her health.
Consult a physician
This is the first thing that you should do when you are about to provide the correct diet for your child. A pediatric or a pediatrician will be able to help you who have a child that has food allergies, eating disorders, gastrointestinal conditions and diabetes. This will be a very good way to assess the diet for your child and the areas that need to improve. In order to make your chills is aware of the food he/she eats, you can involve him/her in making the foods his/her food diary.
You have to make sure that you provide your child foods that can fulfill their needs.
Consider adding vegetables and fruits to each meal
To do this, you should know the requirements of nutrition for your child. Then, you should incorporate those requirements into his/her diet. Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service suggestion, foods that children should eat are 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 6 oz. of grains, 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 5 oz. of beans or lean meat and 2 to 3 cups of calcium-rich foods each day. But, you have to make sure that you provide the correct portion for your child.
Make a list for your shopping
This is an important thing to do since there are thousands kind of food that you can find in the grocery. You will find that your list will help you to shop the health impulse foods. You will find that fanciest package of a certain food does not guarantee that the food is healthy. Thus, you should be very careful in choosing the foods for your child.
Involve your child in cooking
Involving your child when preparing and planning the foods will be very great thing for you to do. This will give your child time to accomplish a daily task. You will find that cooking will give him/her a chance to make nutrition-based choices and to learn healthy eating habits.
Put an End to Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Stopping Drug and Alcohol Abuse
This problem is very rampant but there are things you can do to put a stop to it before it even started. One way is through education. Gather your kids and have a heart to heart talk on drugs and alcohol. Let them understand that these substances are useless and very harmful. Familiarize them with their possible side effects and what they can do to their lives. Another very effective step you can take is by setting yourself as a good example to them. Don’t drink or take drugs especially in front of them. By doing so, you’re not influencing your own children but others in the community as well.
However, when drug and alcohol abuse has already taken its toll on your child, it’s time you take action to correct things. You can start by knowing the cause of the matter. You have to understand why the kid turned to alcohol and drugs.
Knowing their reasons can help you talk them into taking the right measures for them to recover from their addiction.
Once they’ve already considered your suggestion, it’s time you plan on an effective addiction program. There are many centers that provide free counseling and assessment so it won’t be too hard to seek professional help. You can begin by inquiring from facilities in your area or by asking a professional about it. You can conduct your own research and look for a rehab center that suits your and your patient’s needs.
Inpatient rehab facilities are by far the most effective in treating addiction. Long term treatments are better than short term ones according to statistics. This kind of facility ensures safety, security, and comfort. The patient gets to stay in an environment free from drugs and alcohol. Family and friends can visit from time to time and when the patient decides to leave before completing the program, the family is immediately informed. Most importantly, drug and alcohol abuse patients can easily recover when they are with people whom they share the same problems and whom they can easily relate to.
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