Easy Ways to Keep your Asthma and Allergies from Flaring Up

Allergies and asthma attacks are a fact of life for many, but they don’t have to make life totally miserable. If they get out of hand, allergies or asthma can not only cause discomfort, but they can lead to hospitalizations and other medical complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can try to keep asthma and allergies from flaring up.

 

1. Contain pet dander

We love our pets, so it’s tough to blame them for our problems. Pet dander is a common allergen. If something at home triggers asthma or allergy symptoms, first try restricting the animal. Keep them from the area where you spend the most time, especially the bedroom. If this does not bring relief and the pet is indeed the issue, you may need to resort to a pet-free home. Allergy shots and medication are also an option for people who can’t bear to part with their pet, but don’t want to live with uncomfortable allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes.

 

2. Fix leaky pipes

Are there water leaks under the sink, in the bathroom or in the basement that need repair? These areas are prone to grow black mold, one of the most serious health risks. Mold spores love moisture which can trigger allergic reactions and make some people severely ill. Be sure the bathroom has an exhaust fan in good working order, and take care of all leaks. Children are most likely to run health risks from mold because their immune systems are still not fully developed.

 

3. Replace AC filters

Air conditioner filters trap allergens. Pollen, dust, mold spores and animal dander will remain in the filter until it is full. Depending on the type of filters you use and the environment in and outside your home, a good rule of thumb is to replace the filters every 3 to 6 months. If you live in a climate like Arizona where you rely heavily on your air conditioner, you may need to contact a professional of duct cleaning in Phoenix on a more regular basis. Clean filters mean the allergens continue to be trapped and are not circulating around the house where you can breathe them in.

 

4. Control the dust

Dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander circulate around the home in the air, and lodge in furniture and carpeting. Dust tables, entertainment centers, shelves and other furniture often and regularly wipe down windowsills with a damp cloth. Rather than dusting with a dry cloth, try using a wet cloth to trap the dust effectively rather than spread it around the home again. Furniture and carpets should be vacuumed once or twice a week. When cleaning, be sure to wear a dust mask.

 

5. Cover bedding

Most asthmatic attacks are attributed to dust mites. The microscopic bugs like warm, humid environments with a special preference for bedding and carpeting. Pillows, mattresses and box springs can be protected with airtight covers. Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water, and sheets and covers dried in a hot dryer.

 

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms. The trick is to learn which irritants affect you and avoid the triggers. Keeping a clean and well maintained home will ensure that your family stays healthy without having to suffer from daily allergies or asthma attacks. Although there may still be things in your home that trigger symptoms, basic cleaning and maintenance is a good place to start.

Categories: Air Conditioner, allergies, Allergy Symptoms, animal dander, Asthma, Asthma Attacks, dust, health concerns, Health Risks, Home, mold spores, Pet Dander, pets

Sexless Symptoms: Are Allergies Ruining Your Sex Life?

Look at your allergy symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy watery eyes and fatigue – feeling in the mood? I guess not. Although you may not be aware, allergy symptoms really take their toll on your sex life, with 83% of those polled in an Allergy and Asthma Proceedings study reporting this to be the case. As with any medical condition, it’s important to consult your doctor. Tell your GP about the changes you’ve experienced in your sexual activity, as you can then work together on ways to inject a little more va va voom into your bedroom. There are plenty of avenues that you can explore with your doctor and your partner, so ask yourself the following questions:

 

1. Could you use a little help to fight fatigue? Whether you get them on prescription or over-the-counter, non-drowsy medications can help to guard your wellbeing against fatigue.

 

2. Are you suffering from an allergy? An allergist can test you for – as you might guess – allergies, while health food shops can test for intolerance. Identifying the culprit is an important step, as it is only then that you can create your plan of action.

 

3. How is your environmental wellness? Allergens that thrive in your home and grow in the soil can make everything worse, so limit your exposure to dust mites, pollen, mould and pet dander.

 

4. What’s today’s pollen count? If you monitor daily pollen counts in your area, you can guard your wellness against them on days that they’re particularly high. This means shutting your windows and turning off the air conditioner.

 

5. Does your dog need to sleep at the end of your bed? You or your partner may like to have your furry little friend on or even in your bed, but your pet may be playing havoc with your sex life if you have a pet dander allergy or intolerance. You don’t need to get rid of your pooch, just keep him or her off the bed or – even better – out of the bedroom altogether.

 

6. Is everything squeaky clean between the sheets? They call it getting down and dirty, but this doesn’t mean your bed has to follow suit! If you regularly replace your pillows, and wash your bedding in hot water, you can keep your boudoir as allergen-free as possible and promote a dust mite-free sex life.

 

7. Are you inviting pollen round for tea? Just because you expose yourself to pollen outdoors, you don’t have to bring it into the bedroom. Leaving your clothes at the front door helps to ensure that you’re not tracking it in the house and, who knows? It could be a sexy starter if you strip and hit the shower together.

 

8. Are you prepared for the big event? Although planning and preparation aren’t the sexiest things you can think about, neither is an allergy-ridden sex life. Take care of your sexual health by taking allergy medicine a good half an hour before getting down to it. It’s not the end of the world if it’s not exactly 30 minutes in advance, but planning ahead in this way helps you to make sure your allergy medications are raring to go when you are.

 

9. Are you (and your partner) educated? Education and communication is key here, as a lot of people don’t even realise that their allergies (or their partner’s) are getting in the way of their sex life. You need to understand your wellness, and how everything is connected. If you and your partner are aware of the issue, it makes it so much easier to solve together.

Categories: allergies, allergy, Allergy Symptoms, libido, life, Medications, nbsp, partner, Pet Dander, Pollen, sex life

Can Dietary Changes Reduce Your Seasonal Allergies?

The onset of allergy symptoms during Spring can have you desperate to find a way to relieve symptoms, and guard your wellbeing against them. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, have an extensive list of natural treatments, but how do you know if they work?

According to Dr Sezelle Gereau-Haddon, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Beth Israel Medical Centre’s Continuum Centre for Health and Healing in the Integrative Medicine Department, ‘Sometimes patients come in with wacky things — they get all kinds of things from the internet. But if they feel better, who knows if it’s the placebo versus a real cure? If the things that they’re on are things that aren’t potentially harmful to their liver or their kidneys or their stomach, I usually tolerate it.’

Dr Gereau-Haddon continues, ‘For example, patients routinely want to eliminate dairy. There’s not any clear evidence that eliminating dairy does anything for allergies or sinusitis complaints. But, empirically, when I see patients do it, some patients feel better. If a patient wants to try it, I certainly encourage them to try it.’ She adds, ‘Even patients who don’t have a known celiac disease or sensitivity to wheat specifically or a wheat allergy, sometimes if they eliminate gluten, you’ll see them land in a better place.’

Dr Roberta Lee, Integrative health practitioner at Beth Israel Medical Centre’s Continuum Centre for Health and Healing, comments that foods can definitely impact your response to an allergen, noting that you may have a harder time fighting off allergies ‘If you have saturated fats in your diet, if you’re a steak eater, if you’re a junk food eater, if you’re a fried food eater, if you’re a high cheese eater.’ This is because your body isn’t getting the vitamins it needs to stay healthy and allergy free, and junk foods also cause inflammation in your nose and throat.

If you want a natural remedy to eliminate your allergy symptoms, Richard Mandelbaum, clinical herbalist of the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism, recommends taking stinging nettles, whether in capsule form, as a tincture or in its completely unprocessed form. ‘Nettles have some natural antihistamine activity and can be very helpful in reducing the severity of the symptoms that one is experiencing,’ he says.

Can Dietary Changes Reduce Your Seasonal Allergies?

Categories: Allergy Symptoms, beth israel, continuum centre, Diet Changes, food eater, gereau haddon, israel medical, medical centre, Natural Methods, Nettles, Patients, seasonal allergies

Pet Protection: How to Tell if Your Cat Has an Allergy

At the risk of jinxing the whole thing, it seems like spring has finally arrived. Though that often doesn’t mean much of a difference, weather-wise, this time of year can sometimes bring sunnier skies, blooming flowers, warming weather, and, if you’re not too lucky: allergies. However, it’s not just your wellbeing you have to watch out for during spring, but your cat’s too!

Allergies don’t only affect human wellness, but your furry little feline friend can also suffer with them. There are various culprits that put your kitty at risk. They could be environmental allergens, such as grass, weeds, dust, pollen, mould, feathers, and chemicals), or food-related, with you cat being allergic either to the food itself or some substance in the food. Your cat may also suffer allergic symptoms due to fleas or other parasites.

If you think your cat may be suffering from an allergy, look for the signs. Common cat allergy symptoms include irritated skin (which may be itchy, dry, or red and patchy), hair loss, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and behavioural changes. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, a trip to the vet may be in order. Your vet may suggest antihistamines, allergy shots, steroids, topical ointments, or special shampoos if your cat has an environmental or parasite allergy, but the only way to solve a food allergy problem is to figure out the culprit and eliminate it. Your vet can provide your cat with a special diet which will help you to work out what the exact cause is.

However, you can also prevent your cat from suffering an allergic reaction in the first place. You can’t eliminate contact between your cat and all the possible environmental allergens, but you can make sure your house are as dust-free as possible – especially your cat’s bed, toys and food bowls. Vacuum and clean your cat’s bedding at least once a week, using a mild, pet-friendly detergent, and keep your doors and windows closed while your cat is inside to minimise exposure. Also, remember that allergy-prone cat are more susceptible to flea or insect bites, so it is extra important to keep up-to-date with parasite prevention medications when you have a cat with allergies.

Pet Protection: How to Tell if Your Cat Has an Allergy

Categories: allergic, allergies, allergy, Allergy Symptoms, Cats, environmental allergens, Food, Symptoms, treatment