Archive | Allergy

Treatment of Graves’ disease

graves disease1 Treatment of Graves’ disease

Graves’s disease is an autoimmune disease that reacts to the normal functions of the thyroid gland creating a war in the system by trying to get rid of this important gland and causing what is called hyperthyroidism. Because of this attack, the thyroid gland then reacts by producing greater amounts of thyroxin which then increases the metabolic rate in the system.

Irregular heart beat and anxiety can be some of the causes of increased metabolic rate. This disease is very common in middle aged women; however it can affect anybody at any age. Studies suggest the disease to be hereditary; however, there is no known cause of the problem as yet.

The symptoms of Graves’ disease may include weight loss, hair loss, restlessness, tremors, double vision and nervousness. Other symptoms also include fatigue and changes in the sexual drive.

Although Grave’s disease is not curable, there are some simple medications that need to be taken on regular basis to maintain the balance of the thyroid gland and you should be able to live a normal life.

However, there are some cases where the thyroid gland has grown in size and is creating problems while swallowing and therefore surgery becomes the best option in these cases. Radioactive iodine is also a very effective treatment that acts as a destroyer of the thyroid gland and it stops it from producing thyroxin. This is a very simple and painless treatment.

In more serious cases, Grave’s disease will lead to heart complications, osteoporosis and some emotional disorders as well. However, these symptoms are very rare and only occur when the disease is not treated at all.

graves disease2 259x300 Treatment of Graves’ disease

If you find any symptoms of thyroid problems at any stage in life, the best possible manner to find out the reasons behind the problems is to contact your doctor and get proper advice from him. Although Graves’ disease is a chronic ailment it can be easily treated.

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Current Health Events related to Asthma

Asthma Pictorial You Can Control Your asthma Current Health Events related to Asthma

Chronic diseases like asthma can disturb our life a lot especially if we find ourselves having to cope with these diseases in our young age. However, playing sports while you suffer from asthma is not impossible and in fact up to 17 % of athletes in the US have asthma. These figures and much more information can always be found in the current health events related to asthma symptoms and cures.

Even if you don’t plan to join the Olympics, it is very good for your system to exercise and to be fit. It will also keep your weight under control which is very important for your general health. The muscles of your lungs and chest will also benefit from fitness and sports as well. Current health events recommend doing some kind of fitness exercise to improve your immune system and to allow it to face the requirements in case you are suffering from chronic diseases like asthma.

Other benefits highlighted by many current health events include the emotional benefits of taking on some kind of sports on a regular basis, like the constant production of endorphins, which are body chemicals that allow you to feel contented and at peace with yourself. Also, exercising and spots will definitely give you better sleep. Mild mental health issues like depression can be handled easier by people who feel strong about themselves.

Current health events have highlighted the necessity for fitness and sports for people suffering from emotionally related diseases like asthma. Asthma is also considered a hereditary disease, however, its roots are basically emotionally and feeling good about yourself will always bring a balance in your emotional system.

Sports that don’t need too much high energy input like golf, yoga, and light biking will not flare up the symptoms of asthma. However, endurance sports may make it more difficult for someone to handle them. However, some research has found that with proper diet and medication, people with asthma have reached very high levels in their sports activities without any problems.

If you are an asthma patient, and are very interested in following a hard sport, then the best thing for you to do is to make sure your asthma is totally under control. Many current health events give us much more understanding of the many ways that we can reach these goals. Too many asthma attacks will not be good for you in the beginning and you should be prepared for the changes and demands of the body once you start the training.

Talk to your doctor and keep yourself updated in all the current health events. This will give you a better understanding of what you should do in which condition and if you feel that the fitness regime is too harsh for you given the present health conditions, then it is better to check with your doctor to see if you require a different treatment altogether.

However, giving up on what you wish to achieve is definitely not the issue here. Many current health events have given emphasis on the importance of having a good emotional health to be physically healthy.

Posted in Allergy, Current health events1 Comment

peanut intolerance and peanut allergies

peanut allergy 300x289 peanut intolerance and peanut allergies

True Facts about Peanut Allergies

Eating peanuts has been an all time favorite snack among children and adults as well.  In fact, peanuts are considered a healthy snack which offers many essential nutrients and proteins that our body can use.  However, despite the health benefits it can provide for our body, we should take note how they could become seriously deadly for some individuals especially to those with peanut allergies.

Peanut allergy is characterized by a hypersensitivity reaction from ingestion of peanuts or dietary substances from peanuts.  The hypersensitivity reaction affects only the individuals who has food allergy to peanuts and the problem starts when the body reacts negatively thinking that he ingested a harmful agent.  As an act of defense or protection, our body’s immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which attacks the proteins from peanuts thus triggering a release of a chemical substance called histamine.  Histamine release causes the allergy symptoms consistent for wheezing, stomachache, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, itchy hives, and swelling of the lips, throat and skin.  In severe cases of peanut allergy, asthma or constriction of the airways and hypotension may develop causing anaphylactic shock and death.  This life-threatening condition may develop minutes to hours after eating the peanuts and in most cases asthmatics with peanut sensitivity suffer this chronic reaction.  Peanut allergy commonly occurs in the first year of life and although many children can outgrow their allergies to eggs and milk, unfortunately nobody can outgrow peanut allergy even through their adult stages in life.

The causes of peanut allergy are still undefined but it is distinguished that children who have family history of atopic disease or allergies shares genetic risk factors and are susceptible to allergies.  Exposure to peanuts for which can cause allergic reactions are categorized into three ways:

  • Direct contact – Eating peanuts or peanut-containing foods, direct contact with peanuts can also trigger an allergic reaction to some individuals
  • Cross-contact – exposure to peanuts during processing or handling of a food product
  • Inhalation – Inhaling air particles containing peanut flour or peanut oil cooking spray

peanut allergy1 300x257 peanut intolerance and peanut allergies

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Peanut Allergy versus Peanut Intolerance

Although Peanut Allergy and Peanut Intolerance are both untoward reactions from ingestion of peanuts, it is difficult to ascertain whether the cause is due to the allergic reaction or from intolerance.  The following principles may guide you to determine the root behind the underlying problem.

  • Peanut Intolerance causes minor symptoms such as indigestion or heartburn and does not involve the immune system.
  • Peanut allergy is an immune system response which may trigger serious allergic reactions.

Diagnosis of Peanut Allergies

In most cases, when an allergy is suspected as the main cause of the problem, A doctor may recommend consultation with an allergist in which may request for the following diagnostic tests:

  • Skin prick test – This test will help determine how the body will react to small amount of liquid extract of allergen rich foods such as peanut.  A little scratch on the skin is made then a small drop of the liquid extract is placed.  A positive result is made when a red, raised spot on the skin appears.
  • Blood test – A blood test is made to measure the immune system’s antibodies to peanuts by measuring the amount of antibodies such as immunoglobulin E (IgE).  Overall, this test measures the body’s sensitivity to peanuts.

Peanut Allergy Treatment

Since there is no known specific treatment for Peanut Allergy, the ultimate goal here is avoiding peanuts and any food mixed with nuts.  Reading food labels promotes safety and it instills awareness on how the food is produced since some factories may contain nuts produce.  High risk foods in which individuals with Peanut allergy should avoid may include:

  • Cookies and baked goods
  • Candy
  • Ice cream
  • Asian and African foods
  • Sauces ( gravy and other sauces which uses nuts to thicken them)

For severe anaphylactic reaction, an emergency injection of epinephrine and a visit to the emergency room is necessary.  Individuals with high risk of developing severe allergic reactions needs to carry a handy epinephrine injectable at all times.  Antihistamine medications help alleviate the mild allergic symptoms of peanut allergies such as skin itchiness.

REFERENCES:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peanut-allergy/DS00710

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_allergy

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/nut_allergy.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2189978_diagnose-peanut-allergy.html

Posted in Allergy1 Comment

eggs allergy -eggs allergies symptoms ,diet ,treatment

egg allergy tshirt1 300x300 eggs allergy  eggs allergies symptoms ,diet ,treatment

Egg allergy is a common food allergy characterized by the hypersensitivity reaction brought by ingestion of egg yolk or egg white.  Common occurrence of egg allergy may be seen among children, however, in most cases; children outgrow this allergy in time, usually around 5 years of age and may not exhibit symptoms through adulthood.  The allergic process arises when an individual have antibodies that reacts either with the proteins found in egg whites and some antigens present on most egg yolks.

In this manner, an individual with egg allergy recognizes egg protein as an enemy or harmful invader and in order to fight the invader, the normal body response of the immune system is to create specific antibodies for it called Immunoglobulin E.  As a result, the body triggers a release of the chemical histamine in order to protect the body.  Such chemical release of histamine is responsible to the development of egg allergy symptoms consisting of wheezing, nausea, headache, stomachache, and itchy hives around the mouth and eyes.  Egg allergy symptoms may occur after a few minutes or a few hours after ingestion of eggs, or foods containing eggs.  It is very rare for egg allergy to develop into a severe form of allergy called anaphylaxis.Your browser may not support display of this image.

Infant Egg Allergy:

Infant egg allergy occurs among infants less than 12 months of age.  Their digestive system is not yet in their full shape for digesting food and may develop reaction when egg is ingested.  Rash may appear around the outer portions of the mouth usually 15 minutes after ingesting the egg.  Life threatening symptoms of infant egg allergy may include wheezing, vomiting; especially during sleeping because this could cause choking and suffocation.  Parents are advised to introduce eggs in the infant’s diet when they reach 12 months of age.  If a reaction occurs, reintroduce the egg on the diet after a year.

Milk and Egg Allergy:

Most infants under 3 years of age develop allergy to cow’s milk proteins.  Symptoms of milk allergy include chronic gastrointestinal distress, projectile vomiting and diarrhea, which may sometimes be accompanied by hives.  The primary goal here is to stay away from milk and milk products and the best alternative milk used for cow’s milk allergy is breast milk and soy milk.  Likewise, infants outgrow their Milk allergy when they reach 5 years old.  Unfortunately, according to research from John Hopkins Children’s Center published in Science Daily in December 2007, milk and egg allergies now appear to be more persistent and harder to outgrow.

Vaccine Egg Allergy:

Most flu vaccines are made with eggs to incubate the vaccine and unluckily individuals who have egg allergies develop reactions to these vaccines.  Various vaccines have different egg content and in some cases skin test to the flu vaccine are performed to determine if flu shot can be administered.  Skin test is done by a nurse or doctor where in they will scratch a minute amount of egg protein on the skin and then observe for skin reactions brought about by Vaccine Egg Allergy.  When the skin test is negative, an individual may receive the vaccine.  However, after the vaccine was given, monitoring for vaccine egg allergic reactions should still be established.  Yellow fever vaccine, H1N1 (swine flu vaccine), and MMR vaccine also contain egg protein but MMR has lower egg protein which poses minimal risk for allergic reactions.

Diagnosing Egg Allergy:

The diagnosis of egg allergy is simply done through Skin Prick testing where in a drop of protein extract is pricked into the skin usually into the forearm and back.  Then observe for a development of reddish raised spot called a weal in order to have positive result.  To determine the cause of Egg Allergy, a detailed record of the individual’s ingested food should be noted.

Treatment of Egg Allergy

Avoidance to eggs or any food containing egg component is mandatory for egg allergy treatment.  In cases of severe egg allergy, epinephrine shots should be handy to counteract the symptoms of anaphylaxis such may include mouth swelling, chest pain, and difficulty of breathing.  Over the counter antihistamines is also utilized to alleviate common allergy symptoms.

Individuals with Egg allergy must take time to read food labels carefully to make sure the food is egg free.  When eating outside, let us say in a restaurant, asking questions about the ingredients should be appropriate to avoid egg allergic reactions.  At the grocery store, looking for egg substitutes is easy just go to the health food section where you can find vegan foods which are made without egg products.

In food recipes containing eggs, egg allergy recipes can be used as egg substitute.  Each egg allergy recipe replaces food recipes with only one egg and not for those that uses more than three eggs.

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder + 1 tablespoon liquid + 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yeast dissolved in ¼ cup warm water
  • 1 ½ tablespoon water + 1 ½ tablespoons oil + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 packet gelatin + 2 tablespoons warm water (don’t mix until ready to use)
  • 1 tablespoon pureed fruit such as apricots or bananas

REFERENCES:

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/egg_allergy.html#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_allergy

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flu-vaccine-egg-allergy/AN02033

http://www.childhealth.com.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=163&nav_cat_id=184&nav_top_id=70

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/egg-allergy/DS01021

http://www.allergicchild.com/milk_allergy.htm

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5016520_egg-allergy-symptoms-infants.html

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