Monthly Archives: April 2015

Food Allergies – What It Means To You?

Whenever immune system of a body generates an unfavorable reaction after the consumption of a specific food product, it can be termed as food allergy. Both the type and quantity of food are responsible for causing such reactions. Sometimes, large quantity of food is required for causing allergic reactions; and sometimes intake of food even in a very small quantity can cause such reactions.

Symptoms of food allergy

Symptoms of food allergy differ from individual to individual. Food items that are responsible for causing such allergic reactions are vegetables, fruits, milk, egg and fish etc. A person could be allergic to any food material.

Some symptoms of food allergies are listed below:

Nausea
Itching of skin
Swelling of face
Short breath
Vomiting
Coughing
Rashes and hives
Pain in abdominal area
Fainting

Diagnosis of food allergies

Identifying the trigger

Trigger is a food item that causes unfavorable reaction every time it is consumed. Sometimes just touching a trigger can initiate a reaction. Identifying a trigger requires time as food items are made by mixing different substances. Due to less immune power, children are more prone to such allergies. However, age is not a major factor. Different types of food items made of similar material can also cause allergic reactions. For example, different food items made from milk can cause allergic reactions in someone whose trigger is milk.

Test conducted by food allergy clinics for diagnosing food allergies are:

Skin test: Skin is injected with an allergen. Test is considered positive if the skin starts reacting to that particular allergen.

Blood test: Quantity of IgE antibody is measured. However, blood test is not as precise as skin test.

Treating food allergies

Treatment is started by staying away from the trigger. Allergens should be avoided at all cost, even touching is not allowed in many cases. For controlling histamines and giving quick relief to the patient, antihistamines are given. The purpose of antihistamine is to give respite to the patient. Antihistamines are available in various forms like liquid (for example lotions), gaseous (for example sprays) and pills or capsules. For giving more power to the immune system steroids are also administered.

Immediately rush to your nearby food allergy clinical center to start an early treatment. These clinical centers will diagnose the allergy. Once it is diagnosed, medication is given. Clinical centers will also tell you how to manage and control different allergies.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies are specific allergies that occur at a definite time every year. As its name suggest specific seasons are responsible for causing seasonal allergies. These allergies are caused when trees and other plants release pollen particles in the air.

How these particles are responsible for causing allergies?

When human body comes in contact with the pollen particles and mold spores released by plants, an overreaction takes place. This is called overreaction because these substances are not harmful for the body. However, body is considering them harmful and releasing chemicals to fight them. Sore throat, coughing and other symptoms are caused by these chemicals.

Symptoms and diagnosis of seasonal allergies

Symptoms of seasonal allergies

Sneezing
Coughing
Sore throat
Itchy and watery eyes
Pain in stomach
Nasal congestion
Fatigue

Diagnosis of seasonal allergies

Skin test

The most common test is injecting an allergen into the skin. Test is considered positive, if skin color becomes red. Sometimes blood test is also done for confirming the allergy.

Treatment of seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergy treatment is done primarily by giving antihistamine and decongestants. Antihistamine reduces the effects of histamines like sneezing and itchiness in the nose. Decongestants come in both pill and spray form and help in reducing sinus pain. Allergy shots are used for improving body’s immune response.

Managing seasonal allergies

Protection during windy days

Pollen count increases during windy days, so it’s better to stay indoors. Increased pollen count means that chances of getting allergic reactions are higher. Try to stay away from plants. If you still have to go outside use protective mask.

Protection inside the house

Always keep your clothes, skin and hairs clean. Don’t use same clothes both inside and outside of the house. This is important because pollens and mold spores are first attached to clothes, skin and hairs; after that they enter inside the body and cause allergic reactions. Keep the air inside your home clean and dry. Allergens can stick to floors, furniture and walls as well, so clean them on regular basis.

Seasonal allergies can be dangerous, so start taking proper precaution’s as soon as symptoms begin to appear. Consult your nearby seasonal allergy clinical center as soon as possible. Get yourself tested and start medication.

What is Sinus Disease?

Sinus disease is also known as sinus infection or sinusitis. It causes swelling and inflammation of air cavities inside the nose. Some patients also experience facial pain and nasal trauma.

Sinus diseases are caused by microorganisms like fungus, bacteria and viruses. Often these microorganisms grow inside sinus. Chemicals and other external elements like allergens can also cause sinus infection. There are different categories of sinus infection like acute & sub-acute sinus infection, chronic sinus infection and infectious and non- infectious sinusitis. This classification is based on the causes and severity of the infection. Also, different sinus infection impacts different parts of the body like nose and head.

In most cases, this is not a contagious disease. However, in some cases physical contact might transmit the infection from one person to another.

Symptoms and diagnosis of sinus disease

Some symptoms of sinus disease are listed below:

Fever
Swelling of face
Cough and sore throat
Inflammation in nasal cavities
Dizziness and fatigue
Coloured liquid coming out from the nose
Pain in teeth
Bad breath

Diagnosis of sinus disease is done by examining nose, throat and sinuses. Generally if there is swelling in the nasal tissues accompanied by discharge, it is considered to be a sinus infection. Skin is also examined for any sign of redness. For examining inside area of the nose, a tiny camera is inserted in it. However, this process is not as painful as it sounds. A nasal spray is given so that camera tube can slide inside the nose comfortably.

If the disease persists for more than eight weeks, than a CT scan of sinus is done for diagnosing the problem.

Treatment of sinus disease

(Sinus disease treatment) is done by giving antibiotics, sprays for decongesting nasal and antihistamines etc. Depending on the symptoms, single or multiple drugs can be given. In some extreme cases of sinus disease surgery is also required. These are minor surgeries that are done to open up the closed passage.

If you notice any persisting symptom of this disease, immediately go to your nearest sinus disease clinical centre. Delay in treatment will only result is more pain. Since, in some cases it can be infectious, so make sure that your negligence should not cause problem to other people around you. Another thing is that with time the disease might become more severe, which in turn will increase the cost of the treatment.

Understanding The Basics Of Asthma

Asthma treatment is done by controlling the disease for making sure that patients can lead a normal life. The truth is that there is no cure for asthma. Treatment is given based on triggers of the patient. Age of the patient is also taken into account. There are two types of treatments available. First one is for preventing asthma attack by giving fast relief medicines. Second one is for controlling the disease in the long term.

Understanding Asthma Triggers

The key of preventing Asthma attack is by knowing the triggers. This is the most fundamental thing in asthma treatment. Patients must avoid things that can trigger an Asthma attack. Discuss your triggers with the doctor so that he or she can give you a better treatment. In case of specific allergies, medicines like allergy shots are given. Asthma treatment requires making changes in our life style. Sometimes medicines are given based on readings of devices that give information about the flow of air inside the lungs. These devices can measure performance of the lungs.

Asthma Treatment Medicines

Asthma treatment medicines come in various forms like pills and inhalers. With the help of inhalers, medicines are directly injected in the lungs of the patient. However, different symptoms require different types of medicines.

How an Asthma clinic can help you?

Helps you in achieving balanced breath

Common problem with asthma patients is that they suffer from shortness of breath. Treatment will also help you in controlling your breath as well as getting better sleep. Swelling in the airways is reduced by giving quick relief inhalers. It is given to make sure that air flow is normalized.

Medication in asthma treatment

Medicines that are used for providing long term relief might not help in the short term. Inflammation and swelling of the airways is reduced by these medicines. Amount or dose of these medicines depends on the seriousness of the condition. A drawback of these medicines is weak bones. Vitamin should be taken to make sure that bones remain healthy and strong. In some case injections are used for asthma treatment.

Immediately go to your nearest Asthma clinical centre, if its symptoms are discovered. Remember this is a long term disease. So starting treatment at an early stage is quite helpful. You can go back to your normal life quickly.

What Are Eye Or Ocular Allergies?

Eye allergies are also called ocular allergies. These allergies are caused when an allergen come in contact with the eyes. In response to the allergen, eye releases histamine to fight with it. The result is swollen and red eyes. A person suffering from ocular allergies also feel itchiness and burning inside the eyes.

Eyes are more prone to allergies in certain seasons like spring and summer. Normally, trees, grass and other plants releases pollens during this season, which increases the risk of allergies. Molds, mites and pets can also cause ocular allergies. In some cases, external elements like smoke can also result in allergy.

Symptoms and diagnosis of ocular allergies

Some common symptoms of ocular allergies are as follows:

Redness of eyes
Burning sensation
Itching
Discharge of liquid or water from the eyes

Ocular allergies are diagnosed by conducting the following test:

These allergies are diagnosed by examining the eyes through a microscope. The purpose of this test is to find out swollen blood vessels for confirming the allergic reactions. In another test small portion of conjunctiva is cut for testing eosinophils. Eosinophils are white blood cells that appear in areas where allergic reaction takes place.

Treatment of Ocular allergies

Some ocular allergy treatments are as follows:

Managing eye allergies

The first thing that a patient must do is avoid allergens at all cost. Keep your house clean. Make sure that outside air can’t enter inside the house freely. This will keep your eyes safe at least when you are indoors. When outside, take precautions like wearing sunglasses for protecting your eyes. Wearing sunglasses will not let pollen or other allergens get inside your eyes. For someone suffering from allergies due to mold, he or she should reduce humidity levels inside the house. It will help in restricting the growth of molds. If pets are causing allergies than keep them outside of house as much as possible.

Medicines for eye allergies

Medicines that are used for treating ocular allergies are:

Artificial tears for cleaning the eyes
Antihistamines for treating itchy eyes
Eye drops for treating swelling
Decongestants are given for treating redness

Conclusion-If you have above mentioned symptoms, immediately go to your nearest ocular allergy clinical center. Eyes are delicate and important, so keep them safe by starting early treatment.