There's More Than One Kind of Asthma

By Kim Archer

Asthma can be described as an airway inflammation which is a chronic lung condition, triggering blockage of the person's airway passages. This swelling and blockage, which can be mild, moderate, severe or even fatal, is created as a result of contact with specific triggers. There are different kinds of asthma, each of which is typically known by the event or trigger that triggers it. The treatment for your asthma will be based on the kind of asthma you have.

Child onset asthma is among the most widely known asthma forms which occasionally occurs in a child who has a genetic predisposition and has also been sensitized to allergens that are typically found in their environment. The bodies of these predisposed children manufacture a form of antibody when they encounter allergens such as house dust, mites, animal proteins, mold or other toxins. Asthmatic response can be due to ongoing exposure to these allergic substances.

Some instances of asthma are reported to develop after age 20, however they are not as common as childhood onset asthma. Allergenic response isn't always the key factor in these cases, even though allergic substances can trigger it. More women have the condition than men. There can be many impurities like metals, plastics, dust, wood and animal products that can bring this on.

The exercise induced variety of asthma presents either throughout energetic exercise or immediately after. This response may take place in up to 80 percent of individuals with asthma. Asthma from exercising might occur just once, and you may never have symptoms again. An episode takes place 5-20 minutes after beginning activities that involve breathing by way of the mouth. Cold weather is a primary trigger for asthma; therefore, attacks can result from wintertime activities such as hockey, running, and cross-country skiing.

When one has coughing, either on its own or together with wheezing, it might be a variety known as cough variant asthma. The cough variant form of asthma can be deceptive, as it's occasionally diagnosed as bronchitis or post nasal drip resulting from hay fever or sinus problems.

Workplace contaminants, allergens and fumes in the work environment can trigger occupational asthma. Allergens that cause attacks are most frequently a component of manufacturing workplaces, although they could be anywhere.

Nocturnal asthma attacks transpire sometime between midnight and 8 am. They are caused by allergens in your environment, which result in an attack which wakes you during the night with shortness of breath and wheezing. It's not known if the daytime and nighttime kinds of this condition are related.

You will need to get a diagnosis from your doctor with regard to which type of asthma you have. You can then work in cooperation to decide which types of asthma remedies will work best for your condition. - 31822

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A Must Read For Allergic People before Eating Anything

By Dean Reed Carlson

The advantages of eating a healthy diet are widely-recognized but some may not be aware that ones food intake affects his or her allergies or hay fever. Among the good effects of a healthy diet is an enhanced respiratory system. If you are feeling the discomforts of nasal congestion right now, try to recall what you have been eating, or what you have not eaten. Nasal congestion can actually be assuaged by eating the right kinds of food. By consuming a healthy balanced diet, the body' resistance to allergies may be heightened. Therefore, watching your food intake may be a simple way to help the body in its struggle against sinusitis and other respiratory infections.

Anti-inflammatory properties are found in grapes, nuts, apples, oranges and tomatoes which are common ingredients in Mediterranean diets.

*Nuts. Vitamin E and Magnesium can be derived from nuts. Magnesium may help prevent wheezing and is shown to be helpful in boosting lung function.

*Tomatoes, Apples, and Oranges. These fruits are rich in Vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that aids in safeguarding against asthma and allergies. This is a valuable benefit especially because fifty percent of asthmatics also suffer from allergies.

*Apples, Oranges and Tomatoes. The useful antioxidant Vitamin C can be obtained by eating these fruits. Vitamin C aid in safeguarding the body against asthma and allergies. One in two sufferers of asthma also suffers from an allergy, which is why the benefits of Vitamin C are very important.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

To add to the list of foods helpful in the fight against allergies, the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA can be taken from cold water fish like mackerel, wild salmon and albacore tuna. They are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids. But if you are one of those who do not have an appetite for fish, fish oil supplements can take their place.

Zinc

Zinc also performs a vital function in shielding the body against infection. The antiviral and antibacterial properties of this element boost the body's immune system. Lean beef, tofu, whole grains and oysters are remarkable sources of Zinc.

Foods That May Improve or Worsen Allergies

Spicy foods can be a two-faced ally in the fight against allergy. It must be noted that they irritate the throat besides relieving allergy congestion by diluting the mucus. As a consequence, a surplus of mucosal discharge and cough may result.

*Cajun spice. Since it can stir up nerve fibers, Cajun spice, derived from cayenne peppers, is considered to naturally ease nasal congestion.

*Horseradish. Horseradish contains a substance commonly used in decongestants.

*Garlic. Playing a leading role in the kitchen, garlic is shown to dilute mucus, as well. - 31822

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What to Look for In A Home Air Cleaner

By Flint McCullough

A home air cleaner can help remove all of those irritating particles that are floating around in the air. There are dozens of things that can exert airborne particles and have lasting effects on the items and walls in your home that you can not see. Locating or removing the source of the problem may not be possible, which is when an air cleaner becomes useful.

The above doesn't even take into consideration the dust that can build up on your furniture over time. This has now made your home unlivable for anyone suffering from asthma or any other respiratory disease. Your best solution lies in the purchase of a Home Air Cleaner.

The first thing that you will need to consider, especially these days, is the price. Prices do tend to vary. Single units that purify the air in one room can cost anywhere from $160.00 to $1,000.00. Primarily what will affect the price are the filtration setup and the quality of the mechanics. Be very careful in using price as the determining factor as it is all too possible to pick a unit that is cheap, but of low quality. It is extremely important to pay attention to your family's needs when choosing a home air cleaner. Additionally there are cleaners that will purify the air in the entire home, but these are relatively expensive.

Secondly, when searching for a home air cleaner you will need to determine its effectiveness in purifying your home. The most effective home air cleaners will have either have a Ultra Low Prevention Air (ULPA) filter or a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. When purchasing a filter it is crucial to look for something called Cubic Feet per Minute (CPM). The best cleaners will purify the air at about 100 CPM per 250 square feet. A room-filtering model will be able to manage around 400 CPM, which equals out to 1000 square feet of space.

You also need to consider how much noise comes from a system. Since you are purchasing a home air cleaner you will have to take this into account. You will want your model to be as quiet and efficient as possible. For example portable units will need a fan to be more efficient; as without one they can not effectively filter the air in a room. Portable units without fans will be less effective.

In conclusion there are many types and brands of home air cleaner out there. However, . Pay close attention to the price alongside the filtration power and how quiet the system is. And of course, choose a model that is appropriate for your family's needs and size. - 31822

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How to Take Care of Allergic Cats

By Dean Reed Carlson

Allergic reactions of a lot of people may be instigated by cats, but bouts of allergy also befall on cats. Various reasons for cat allergy are detailed in this discussion. Particles, called inhalant allergens, that pervade the air are irritating to the cat's respiratory system and may instigate asthma-like symptoms. Several cases of skin lesions and hair loss were noticed due to inhalant allergens. Dust, pollen, household cleaning agents, tobacco smoke and perfumes are also to blame for these symptoms.

Physical contact with an item that a cat is sensitive to may initiate contact allergies. Typical examples of these items are plants, household cleaners, dust, synthetic fibers and wool.

A typical occurrence in cats is flea allergies. Flea saliva, which comes from flea bites, is more irritating to mature cats than the younger ones, thus, intensifying the condition for the older ones. Just one bite can set off a great allergy spell for some cats.

Another common sensitivity of cats is food allergies. Certain foods like grains and dairy products are the most awful food allergy triggers. Meats, dyes, preservatives and other additives to cat foods and treats may also cause reactions to some cats. Food allergy sometimes may surface years after.

Another allergy condition in some cats is drug allergies. Since allergy to a certain drug is not predictable, it is vital to put the cat under careful observation when they are made to take any medication.

Most often than not, taking away the reason for the cat allergy can solve the problem. A bland hypoallergenic food diet can be suggested by an animal doctor when he believes that your cat is allergic to some foods and may only be changed when symptoms abate. To regulate the condition, veterinarians often administer antihistamines. Without the counsel of a veterinarian, you must refrain from administering your cat with antihistamines or any other therapeutic agent. - 31822

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Things You Should Know About Horses and Their Effect on Allergy

By Dean Reed Carlson

The allergies of some people may be triggered by horses. This may lead to different symptoms relative to the type of allergy such as:

* Hives or rashes * Itchy nose, eyes or skin * Asthma attacks * Watery eyes * Breathing difficulty * Sneezing or coughing

A preliminary check if one is allergic to horses during the first encounter is in order. An asthmatic person must be watchful since horse allergy may also lead to asthmatic episodes which can be deadly at its severe scenario. In addition, if you suffer from asthma, safety measures must be observed when encountering these mares for the first time like equipping oneself with an inhaler, and other asthma medications. Monitoring is advised especially for asthmatic children when meeting horses for the first time.

Dander is often blamed for horse allergy. Dander is a result of the flaking of the horse's skin and falling of hair. Aside from dander, horse mites, particularly their droppings, are also typical culprits of horse allergy. A third set of causes is horse urine and saliva.

The presence of a horse is not necessary for an allergic reaction to erupt; an indirect contact may spark a reaction. For instance, dander and mite droppings are transmittable via tack and clothing. They are particularly adherent components to blankets, rugs and clothing, thus, indirectly firing up an allergy. Shared stories allege that a non horse riding member suffered asthma or allergic attacks by coming in contact with the clothing and riding equipment of a riding family member. Under this circumstance, it is advisable for the horse rider to change clothes and wipe off tack before bringing them home. In like manner, contained areas, like the barn, and other enclosed spaces where horse have been must be avoided to avoid triggering an allergy attack.

Treatment

"Prevention rather than cure" is a common approach to any type of allergy, as in horse allergy. If this does not work, therapeutic products such as anti-histamines, desensitizing substances and corticosteroids are also an option but may wisely be employed with a doctor's advice.

An analysis to identify the particular element of the horse that one is sensitive to should be undergone for people who must be around horses so that treatment options can be readily made available.

* Underscoring dander as the main allergen above other horse elements, it has been accounted by a handful of people that 'curly horse' breeds allegedly do not produce that much dander, thus, eliciting minimal reaction, making it safe to ride.

* Underscoring horse mites as the main allergen, subjecting the horse and its box to treatment against mites may bring the allergic episodes to a lower notch.

* Underscoring horse urine as the allergen, shunning affected areas like the horse box and cleaning the horse may make it feasible for allergic people to be with horses.

* Regardless of the situation, knowledge on the precise cause of the horse allergy may make it possible for an allergic person to be with horses without the feared reactions. - 31822

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What To Look For In Humidifier Reviews

By Jaquelin Michaels

If you are considering purchasing a humidifier then it may be best for you to check out some humidifier reviews as a first step in your search. Even if you already have an idea of a model you want, it is always good to check first. Reading some reviews will let you know whether or not they are worth your money. If you haven't found any that have caught your attention yet, reviews can help point you in the direction of models that will fit your needs.

While a dehumidifier pulls moisture from the air, humidifiers transmit moisture into the air. If colder and drier months make it hard for you to breathe easily, then a humidifier is likely a good investment. But the next question is: do you need a humidifier for one or two rooms, or do you need one to cover the expanse of your entire house?

You must determine the areas in your home that are the hardest to breathe in for you or your affected family member. Do you or your family member have trouble breathing in one room or more? This is something you will need to consider. But if it's become difficult to breathe throughout various areas of your home, then you might want to consider a humidifier model that can affect the air in your whole home.

The type of model you are looking for is going to affect the reviews that you look at. It's good to know how heavy one-room units are, as well as how powerful and loud they can be. If you are looking at ones that cover the entire home, then you are going to be looking at noise, power, as well as overall power consumption. Also make sure that any model you are considering can cover enough of your home that it will be effective.

Before you go ahead and purchase a humidifier unit for your whole home, be sure that you know you need one that will affect such a large space, as they need more maintenance and power than other types. If you have figured this out, then you are ready to look at models and determine which ones will work best for you.

Looking at models at first can seem overwhelming because there are so many on store shelves. Take the time to read dehumidifier reviews before investing in any unit so you can be sure you are making the right purchase. There is no better insight than that of hundreds or thousands of other people who have tried the product and are fully aware of its benefits and disadvantages. - 31822

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Selecting the Best Reishi Extract

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Medicinal mushrooms have been immensely popular in Asia for millennia. Today, Americans are waking up to these powerful nutraceuticals. In the wake of this new awareness follow issues of product quality claims made by competing brands.

This information applies to all species of medicinal mushrooms. For practical purposes, this article will focus on the most popular medicinal mushroom species, red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), over which the most intense battle of conflicting claims is being fought.

The first and perhaps obvious caution is to stay away from cheap mass-produced brands of medicinal mushrooms that may only contain dried and pulverized mushrooms, in which case the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms' cell walls.

But even among the truly effective therapeutic brands, which are plentiful, there are important differences. Each seems to claim superiority over other brands, not surprisingly, because why else would anyone buy them? This article aims to clarify the confusion of conflicting and sometimes misleading information that is out there.

There are primarily three ways to extract the medicinal compounds from red reishi. Each method pulls out different compounds, all of which have been proven by scientific research to be therapeutically important.

1. Water (Hot) Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol/Ethanol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermented (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

Polysaccharides have been shown to possess powerful anti-tumor qualities through enhancing the immune system and by inhibiting blood profusion through tumors. They are also strong antioxidants. [1]

The alcohol soluble compounds are mainly triterpenoids, a large group of related compounds. Scientific studies suggest they help stabilize cholesterol, blood pressure and clotting. Most importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds so critical to many of reishi's suggested uses, including arthritis, allergies and asthma. [1]

And then there are the new and unique medicinal compounds that get created when reishi is fermented. These "secondary metabolites" have their own therapeutic properties, different from the first two groups, including anti-tumor, immune support and blood-sugar balance. [2]

This article is intended to give general guidelines to help you choose an effective reishi product, not to recommend any particular brand. But there are at least two reishi companies on the market which both state only hot water extract is useful while alcohol extracts are of no value.

Naturally, the reason they say so is because they want to sell their own brand. However, those statements are scientifically untrue. Hot water and alcohol extractions both contain critical compounds.

To find the best red reishi products, look for those brands that use at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water Extraction and Alcohol Extraction. Better yet would be brands that incorporate all three extraction methods, including Fermentation.

Last but not least, remember to look at the form the reishi comes in. If the reishi is able to dissolve completely in water-based drinks like coffee, it's a safe bet that it only contains the water-soluble polysaccharides. An excellent choice as far as coffee goes but an incomplete reishi supplement because it does not include the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid compounds.

Surprisingly, though, alcohol tinctures may include both hot water extract and alcohol extract. You will know if the alcohol tincture contains polysaccharides because when the alcohol and hot water extracts are blended, the polysaccharides fall out of solution and the tincture becomes cloudy. (Just shake it before you take it.) A cloudy medicinal mushroom tincture is an indication of high polysaccharide content. Capsules and tablets may be either hot water extract or alcohol extract or both.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L, 2007. "Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds." Biotechnology Annu Rev-:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. "Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Bioresource Technology 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9. - 31822

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