What Reactions To Look For When Starting Babies On Solids Food?

February 29th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

What is the difference between an allergic reaction & food intolerance? How do I avoid it?

I thought that an allergic reaction or an intolerance reaction to food meant the same thing, but they’re very different.

An allergic reaction is an immune system response to the food. This happens very quickly, often within a couple of hours of eating the food. That is why, when starting solids, it’s recommended to start with only one type of food, & to introduce a new food after 3 or 4 days. It’s also important to start with a teaspoon of the food once a day, & then increase the amount & frequency slowly to twice or two times a day.

A food intolerance reaction is due to an accumulation of the chemical present in the food. This occurs over time, but can also manifest very quickly. I think of it as a bucket that fills up slowly over time & then overflows. Your baby will ingest the food gradually over a few days, until there is a build up of that chemical reaching a critical mass, & the intolerance reaction occurs.

The response to an allergic or an intolerance reaction is the same. Your baby may suffer from vomiting, sudden loose poo or diarrhea, hives, swelling, redness or a rash.

If you think there is a problem, stop the food, even if you’re not sure, & see your doctor or the childhood centre nurse.

We better be sure with our little precious babies!

Kasha Dubinska
Major in Chemistry (Honors) The University of Sydney. A mother & the producer of Yummy Beginnings DVD for many more information see http://www.yummybeginnings.com

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Allergies Got You Down?

February 27th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

Try a neti pot! It’s used to irrigate the sinus passages. The neti pot is filled with a gentle salt water solution & then poured into one nostril & then drained out the other nostril. The water goes through the nasal passages, gently washing & clearing out debris like old mucus, dust, pollen & other irritants that we breathe in– & that tend to cause allergies.

Using it’s a yogic technique of cleansing & its very common practice for people in India who use neti pots as part of their daily routine, like brushing their teeth. Where can you purchase a neti pot? Just about any health food store, or online, for around $20. For first time users I recommend a readymadesaline solution, as too high a salt concentration can irritate the nose.

Six Feet Under fans might remember George getting Nate a neti pot as a wedding gift.

Also address the reason why you may be congested the first place!

When you have got a cold & you are blowing your nose until its raw you may remember your mom telling you to avoid dairy products because dairy makes mucous. Well, Mom’s right! Even if you do not have a cold you may find yourself blowing your nose a lot– & it could be related to what you’re eating.

In Chinese Medicine, dairy produces dampness, one form of which is excess mucous. Even though its not just dairy products that cause dampness. The “big five” as I like to call them are dairy, wheat, eggs, sugar & bananas. Try an experiment, cut out the big five for a couple of weeks & see if you notice any change in your mucous production–or anything else of note. Those with allergies or asthma may notice a difference as well.

Meaghan Massella, M.Ac, L.Ac is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Maryland. You can read more articles by signing up for her monthly newsletter at http://www.cca-health.com

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Garden Bees And Allergies

February 25th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

We all love gardens, be it flower gardens. Flowers seem to lift all our dull spirits & seem to make us feel good. Many people now a day have allergies & it’s hard to enjoy the out side. If we select plants & flowers wisely then the bees & allergies will just fly away.

While decorating our yards it’s smart to take a clip board & draw the shape of your yard. This will often help you start to plan where you wish to have a seating area versus an area with beautiful floras.

Before you purchase any plants be sure to ask the local nursery which plants attract bees & which are heavy pollen producers. Do not hesitate to go on line also & look up the facts that the garden center has given you… Many times they have new people that are in a hurry & may not give you the right information. Also you can go & find a forum that will help in answering your questions.

By taking your drawing of your back yard & plan out from the back of the house plan your seating closest to the back door. Then work out from there. If you do not mind some foliage that attracts bees then make them furthest from you… Let us face it sitting & sitting on ice tea & getting stung by a bee is the pits.

By working from your back door & out you’ll note that you want the lowest plant closest so that you can see & enjoy the other taller ones. Planning a backyard garden is the most fun & with the right plants can be your special relaxation grounds.

Author is Michele Rogers, owner of http://www.lilyputts.com Lilyputts Gift Baskets , an on line gift basket retailer. Also hosted is a http://www.lilyputts.blogspot.com BLOG that reviews gifts & welcomes other comments as well. Please visit Lilyputts Gift Baskets for descriptions & product presentations. Please, if you use any portion herein be sure to email author first.

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Getting Allergy Relief Inside

February 23rd, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

If it’s allergy season, you know it… You do not need some one on the news telling you the levels of pollen in the air. You do not need to be told that there is a cat lurking in the home. You do not need this because you feel it… If allergies are what cause you so many untold problems each day, you should always be on the look out for products that can assist you to find some relief. The good news is thatbesidesthe allergy medications you really need to take, there’re other ways that you can improve your condition.

For one, consider an air purifying system in your home. And so… Since most of the allergens that effect those that live in your home are lurking in the air, adding a tool to help clean out the air will often help you to find some benefits. If you have ever been in a home that uses an ionic air cleaner, for example, you may have felt a lesser allergy attack there. That’s because these units help to trap the allergens inside filters, or will react with them right in the air & neutralize them. That means that you do not have to breathe them in.

Air cleaning products are widely available. If you decide to purchase one, make certain to find one that gives for allergen removal, specifically the type of allergy that you have. Finding a product that removes pollen, dust, dander, bacteria & other elements that are lurking in the air will be very important to your overall well being. You can even purchase smaller units for your car or to wear around your neck to help reduce the allergens that you come in contact with while being out & about.

Using an air purifier, you can find many benefits in overall health & well being. You can lessen the effect that your allergy has on you.

Kerry Rodden is an expert on air purifiers, & has written many articles on air purifiers, fans, vacuum cleaners, air fresheners & a lot more.

You can read more of Kerry’s articles about air purifiers at http://www.lowplaces.net

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Air Purification & Air Cleaners for Allergy Relief

February 21st, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

Air Purification & Air Cleaners for Allergy Relief

Using an air purifier saved me many a sleepless night from sneezing & wheezing. Do you follow? Treating the air using an air purifier is a major step for you to eliminate airborne-based allergies & asthma attacks.

Here are many general considerations:

? Your allergies are an immune system reaction to ‘outsiders’. Almost everything except air, & some food aroma, falls into that category.

? For best results look for a 5-7 technology air purifier. That’s because you do not always know whether your allergies are triggered by dust, mold, mildew, pollen, dander, etc.

? Treat the bedroom to give your immune system rest instead of making it deal with dust, mold, pollen, etc. all night.

The technology recommend by Doctors to stop allergies is;

1. HEPA ? for animal dander, pollen, dust

2. UV ? for killing mildew, mold, viruses, bacteria etc.

3. TiO2 ? which enhances UV about 1,000%

4. Washable Pre-Filter ? this captures the big hair, etc. & saves the life of the HEPA.

5. Activated Carbon ? for chemicals

6. Timed Ozone ? Use a low dose in the room (0.025 PPM is healthy) a few hours before bed to knock out mold, mildew, etc. Find a unit that has timed ozone as too much can irritate the lungs.

7. Negative Ion ? to capture additional toxins/pollutants in the air

8. Photo Catalytic ? to attract & capture some toxins

Some of the name Brand “Infomercial” Units like Oreck & Ionic Breeze are over-priced & do not include HEPA, still considered the best for allergies by Immunologists & Allergists.

Other things to consider mfor preventing allergic reactions: allergic preventive bedding materials & pillows, etc. You can even find these now in stores like Target).

Mark Richardson is an author, & former Health Practitioner who researches cutting edge health products. For video reviews, discounts, & consumer suggestions visit him at http://www.airpodcleaner.com

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How Your Indoor Air May Be Killing You!

February 19th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

If you’re not breathing normally, suffer allergies or asthma all year round, filter your indoor air. An air filter installed in your home or office will keep your indoor air clean of pollutants & irritants that may be shortening our life.

A quality air filter will get rid of airborne contaminants & irritants to the lowest micron. This will promote quality indoor living for you even if you had no respiratory health problems.

Electrostatic air filters are among the best indoor air filters. Experts consider it the most effective technology for filtering your home’s air. Electrostatic air filters use electronically charged filters to capture dust & other contaminants.

The need for a healthy indoor air is obvious. Your good health & life depend greatly on oxygen that can be easily contaminated? Maybe, as most people, you spend a better of your life indoors than out of doors.

An indoor air that is devoid of contaminants promotes healthy living with pure oxygen. Both furnace & central air conditioner systems have down sides. Over time these air filter equipment gather to much contaminant that eventually find their way out into your indoor air.

Dust is a combination of all sorts of irritants which either causes or aggravates coughing wheezing & sneezing. Do you follow? The right air filter should purify your indoor air & thus reduce allergy problems.

Not all air filters get rid of all the different air contaminants. People who have breathing problems should be mindful of the brand or type of air filter they purchase. A suitable air filter is the one that removes the particular irritant that causes or aggravates you particular breathing problem. Ask advice from an air filter expert before purchasing one for your home.

Recommended: CHOOSING AN AIR CONDITIONER FILTER for durable air filter selection tips. ELECTRIC AIR FILTER SELECTION is a road map to successful electric air filter selection. You’ll do well to email this article to family, friends & colleagues, they will love it.

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Mold Removal

February 17th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

Mold removal is important to maintain the health of the people & to ensure protection to the materials on which the molds were found. With mold removal, individual persons have the confidence that they’re safe from the illnesses & allergies caused by molds.

Mold removal depends on many factors, such as the nature of the mold, the portion the mold has affected, & the level of contamination. If the mold affected area is more than one square  foot, it’s necessary to seek advice from a professional about the removal. It’s possible to know the extent of damage & the depth of mold growth from professionals.

Mold removal can be done by persons who do not have allergies, diabetes, asthma, or other immune suppressing diseases. Those persons with such health problems should not go near the mold at any cost. The persons involved in the process should have a certification for removal, in most cases. It’s also recommended to wear gloves, masks, & respirators while removing the molds & cleaning the mold affected areas. Wearing these will provide safety to these individuals, as some molds are harmful & can release toxins on exposure.

Mold removal isn’t complete without regulating the moisture content in the rooms. It’s important to fix any leakage or solve the water problem that may occur with the breakage of pumps as part of removal. If the mold affected material is found rusted or in a damaged condition, then the material should be repaired. The material should be replaced or removed if repairing isn’t possible. Otherwise, there’re chances of the molds appearing again at that particular location.

Mold removal should be taken seriously, even though the molds & the mold affected areas are small. The mold should be removed completely. If removal isn’t complete, some molds may hide inside the areas including crawl spaces, ventilation systems, & insulations between the walls without being noticed. These molds will spread easily & destroy the materials if unnoticed.

Mold gives detailed information on Mold, Toxic Mold, Black Mold, Mold Inspection & Testing & more. Mold is affiliated with Toxic Mold Symptoms.

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Mold Prevention

February 15th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

Mold prevention is necessary to avoid the risks & expenses involved with molds. It’s important for the health of human beings & for the maintenance of materials. Molds can cause allergic reactions & other illnesses, especially to sensitive people & children. The molds take food & nutrients from the materials where they reside & can cause damage to it… Sometimes, the mold that spreads over the material isn’t seen until the material is completely damaged. Therefore, mold prevention is important than remediation. It’s also simple & less expensive compared to mold remediation.

One of the ideal measures of mold prevention is to control the moisture to a specified level. If the moisture level is too low & the temperature is hot, the moisture can be increased by using an air conditioner. With air conditioners, the air circulation in rooms can be improved. If the moisture level is too high, it can be somewhat reduced by the usage of dehumidifier. The indoor humidity should be kept in the range of 30 to 50 percent, if possible. In bathrooms & kitchens, exhaust fans can be often used to regulate the moisture level.

Mold prevention is also done by cleaning, disinfecting, & drying the surfaces that are likely to have mold growth on a regular basis. Clothes & other things at homes should be dried properly after washing. You should regularly inspect all surfaces & materials to avoid damage & destruction that may occur because of molds. If any leakage is found in buildings, it’s important to fix the leaks at the earliest. The taps & sinks should be checked & maintained properly to stop mold growth. It’s also important to get rid of the water that gets accumulated in drip pans of electronic devices like refrigerators.

Mold prevention is one of the important topics that are discussed by architects in recent times. The contactors, builders, & other persons involved in construction work should take proper preventive measures while constructing buildings & homes to stop mold growth.

Mold gives detailed information on Mold, Toxic Mold, Black Mold, Mold Inspection & Testing & more. Mold is affiliated with Toxic Mold Symptoms.

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Air Purifier Prices

February 13th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

An air purifier is a worthwhile investment for all those who would rather avoid allergies & asthmatic attacks than spend a hefty sum on medical bills. Right. With the number of airborne pollutants increasing with every passing day, anyone can be susceptible to these hazards. For this purpose, a wide range of air purifiers is available in the market today.

Several factors are to be actually considered before purchasing an air purifier. The size of the room, the quality of air & the level of purification should all be actually considered before purchasing the unit. Another major factor influencing most purchases is the price.

The price of an air purifier is based closely on many different aspects. There is more. The size & capacity of the air purifier is the most influential factor affecting the price. The cheapest purifiers are the small, portable car air purifiers, which start off around $20. On the other hand, larger air cleaning systems, used to purify the air in a large area may cost many thousand dollars. Even in the larger units, which can purify many thousand square  feet, the fixed units tend to be more expensive. These are installed either in the central heating system or the air conditioning unit. They are concealed & are effective for cleaning the air in large areas.

Apart from the size of the room, the cleaning mechanism also influences the price. The basic HEPA filter & ozone based air purifiers are usually cheaper, compared to the electrostatic ones. If an air purifier incorporate two or more technologies to purify the air, the prices are likely to be high as the quality of air will be very pure.

Among the most expensive air purifiers are the ones used to eliminate bacteria & germs. There is more. These systems use a multi-step cleaning process to give out air free from any germs. There is more. These units, usually used in hospitals & laboratories, start around $1200 & can cross the $2000 mark. Price over quality should not actually be a priority as these purifiers are an investment for a healthier life.

Air Purifiers gives detailed information on Air Purifiers, Home Air Purifiers, Ionic Air Purifiers, Ozone Air Purifiers & more. Air Purifiers is affiliated with Electronic Air Cleaners.

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Compare Air Purifiers

February 11th, 2008 roy Posted in Allergies No Comments »

The air around us is filled with impurities such as smoke, chemical fumes, pollen, odors, dust particles & microorganisms. There is more. These may result in allergies & respiratory disorders, among other illnesses.

Air purifiers help cleanse the air of most of these harmful substances. There is more. These devices filter out the impurities to release fresh, clean air into the atmosphere. And so… Since there’re many different types of air purifiers available in the market, choosing the right one becomes difficult… Comparing different purifiers before making the purchase is always a good practice.

There are many factors that can be actually considered when comparing the different types of air purifiers. There is more. The size of the room, the amount of pollutants present, the level of purification required & the running cost should be considered.

HEPA air purifiers are the most basic air filters. So… Since they use a cloth type filter, they can only eliminate solid particles & not gaseous substances & odors. On the other hand, ozone based purifiers prove effective against bacteria, odors & most gases but can do little to stop allergens & dust particles. There is more. The ionic air purifier is effective against most impurities except odors.

The noise emitted by the air purifiers should also be considered. A constant buzzing or humming sound can be distracting & even annoying in an environment that requires silence such as an office or a bedroom. Ionic air purifiers are usually the most quiet filter systems available.

For eliminating germs, bacteria & other microorganisms from the air, the ultraviolet light air purifiers prove most effective. UV light is known to sterilize & even kill many disease-carrying germs. Hence, these purifiers are popular in hospitals.

Each type of air purifier has its own pros & cons. Right. While some filter out dust & other particles, others eliminate odors & harmful gases. There is more. The prices of the purifiers also vary greatly depending on the purification system & the cubic capacity of the purifier.

Air Purifiers gives detailed information on Air Purifiers, Home Air Purifiers, Ionic Air Purifiers, Ozone Air Purifiers & more. Air Purifiers is affiliated with Electronic Air Cleaners.

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