4 Unusual Allergies

If you are having these symptoms, don't panic. Learn how to classify the symptoms, and what to do. Always remember consult your physician.

By Lisa D. Ellis

Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

When you think of things that trigger your allergies, you probably conjure up images of pollen, dust, mold and trees. But did you know that some people's symptoms are triggered by much more unusual allergies? In fact, serious reactions can occur when they're exposed to the most common, and highly unlikely, culprits such as water, sunlight, sweat, cold and heat.

Unusual Allergies: Sunlight

While others look forward to warm, sunny days, if one of your unusual allergies is to sunlight, you may want to spend the summer months hiding out in a dark cave. While being allergic to the sun is rare, in people who have this condition, exposure to the sun's rays can cause certain proteins in their skin to change. In mild cases, hives and itching occur but in more serious forms, it can even cause an anaphylactic reaction and possible death if it goes untreated.

Unusual Allergies: Water

You need to water to stay clean, right? Yet in an unlucky few, an allergy to water can occur from everyday contact such as getting caught in the rain or showering, causing weather and cleanliness to become very large challenges. Further, even moist air can cause this reaction to flare. The symptoms can include a bad case of blisters and welts on your skin where the water has touched it. Since it's impossible to avoid water completely, though, if this is one of your unusual allergies, you'll need to rely on antihistamines to help you get through a typically day unscathed. But if your allergy is particularly severe, you could have a reaction even to your own body fluids, such as blood and saliva.

Unusual Allergies: Sweat

It's perfectly normal to sweat on a warm day, or when you work out particularly hard. But what if you own sweat causes you to break out in hives or a heat rash? Some people who have an allergy to sweat find that the chemicals that their body secretes can create this problem. If you have a mild case, you'll probably be able to handle this situation on your own but if your reaction is severe, you can be at risk for a serious problem almost every day.

Unusual Allergies: Heat and Cold

Are you allergic to the weather? Strange as it sounds, if cold or hot conditions cause a reaction to form, the answer could be yes. If you're allergic to the cold, any skin exposed on a winter's day can be at risk for hives. Further, swimming in cold water can put you at even more serious risk. In fact, your body temperature could drop so low that you may experience anaphylaxis. On the flip side, if you have a heat allergy, you'll need to avoid getting too warm. This means that you won't be able to bask in the sun outdoors or even hold a hot drink, which can be enough to set your symptoms off. These and other exposures to heat can trigger your immune system to react with hives and other allergic symptoms that can be difficult to bear.

If you do suffer from any of these, or other, unusual allergies, you'll need to work closely with your doctor to manage the condition so you can get through the day symptom-free on a regular basis.

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Sources:

Medical News Today

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/16331.php

Updated: March 3, 2010

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Natural Remedies for Pain

Please remember; this is not to override what your doctor prescribes for you.

By Laurie Saloman
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

If analgesic tablets or prescription painkillers aren't helping you manage your discomfort, it may be time to explore a more natural type of pain relief. There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine (used in addition to traditional Western therapies) or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies), and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as major as cancer. The National Pain Foundation endorses a comprehensive list of nontraditional remedies, below. See which ones work for you:

• Acupuncture. This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting long, thin needles into various points on the body. The idea behind this is that optimal health is achieved when energy flows freely through the body, and the needles remove any blockages of this energy. Acupuncture has been used successfully to alleviate pain from musculoskeletal issues as well as headaches.

• Massage. Not just a perk for wealthy spa-goers, massage has in recent years come to be recognized as important to overall health. It reduces muscle tension and stress, can relieve soreness, and may even boost your immune system.
  

• Hypnosis. Popular as a cure for smoking as well as overeating, hypnosis can also be used to manage pain. A trained clinician induces an altered state of consciousness, making you more receptive to suggestions of behavioral changes that can reduce your pain. For instance, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain, under hypnosis you might be taught to visualize your back muscles opening up. Some people can even learn to hypnotize themselves.

• Guided imagery. This involves imagining yourself in a peaceful setting. The more detailed the scene, the more your mind can truly transport you out of your discomfort and into the soothing scene.

Are there any questionable pain-relief remedies? Yes. Think twice before relying on herbs. Health-food stores are full of herbal supplements purported to reduce pain, but be careful. The FDA does not regulate these supplements, and some of them have negative side effects, particularly when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.

Updated: February 18, 2009

Copyright © 2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

The Dangers of Self-Medicating

By Kathleen Hall
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

Does this scenario ring familiar? You feel blue or anxious, so you fix yourself a drink or two in the hopes that it will make you feel better. Sounds harmless enough and for the average person, it probably is. However, if you suffer from depression or anxiety, this can cause more harm than good.

People who have depression or anxiety often turn to alcohol, marijuana, painkillers and other narcotic drugs as a way to alleviate physical or emotional pain and discomfort. Physicians refer to this as self-medicating. Often self-medicating starts innocently with something mild and progresses to stronger substances.

Evidence supports a neurobiological association between depression and drug dependence. The rate of depression among drug users, and the rate of drug use among people with depression, is high. When depressed patients are treated with antidepressant medications, their mood improves and they reduce their use of other types of drugs.

While people often drink alcohol to relieve their depression, alcohol is actually a potent depressant--exacerbating depression, rather than diminishing it. Alcohol use can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of depression, and many depressive illnesses are associated with excessive use of alcohol. Furthermore, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications for depression and can increase your risk of experiencing medication side effects.

Updated: February 8, 2010

Copyright © 2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

The Heart-Healthy Benefits of Grapes

I don't know anyone who loves this fruit as much as I do. Check out the benefits it has for the improvement of your health.

By Jo Cavallo
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

If you want lower blood pressure and better heart function, try eating grapes and drinking grape juice, especially dark red and purple grapes and grape juice. New studies are showing a link between grapes and reduced heart risks-and it's believed to be the result of phytochemicals, naturally occurring antioxidants found in plants. The studies suggest that the phytochemicals in grapes and grape juice, especially the antioxidant reseveratrol and flavonoids, may turn on a protective process in the genes that allow better blood flow through the blood vessels. This may help prevent blood clots, while improving cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

In a University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study, laboratory rats given a variety of grapes along with either a high- or low-salt diet, had lower blood pressure, better heart function and fewer signs of heart muscle damage than the rats given the same salty diet, plus a common high blood pressure drug but not the grapes.

It's believed that antioxidant-rich grapes may turn on glutathione, a protein made in every cell in the body, including heart cells, which protects cells from damaging oxidative stress. High blood pressure causes oxidative stress in the heart, reducing the amount of glutathione. The University of Michigan study suggests that eating grapes may boost levels of glutathione.

Earlier grape studies also showed a similar heart-healthy benefit to that of drinking moderate amounts of red wine by lowering the risk of atherosclerosis caused by clogged arteries. And while eating a handful of whole grapes may not provide you with much of a buzz, it will give you the benefit of additional fiber in your diet.

Updated: October 28, 2009

Copyright © 2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

Do's and Don'ts of Washing Your Face

If you have problems like I do, I thought you could use this information, too.

By Shama Davis

Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

Your cleansing regimen can help keep you looking young--or add years to your appearance. Fortunately, there are ways to achieve optimal cleanliness without stripping your skin of essential oils.

Face Washing 101

The biggest mistake most of us make is in washing too often. Unless your face is covered in dirt, you should avoid washing it more than once or twice a day. Cleanse it well each night then follow up with a rich moisturizer to help it rehydrate and repair while you sleep. In the mornings, splashing water on your face or a gentle wash is all you need.

The 6-Step Face Wash

1. Wash your hands.
2. Splash lukewarm water on your face to moisten it.
3. Squeeze a teaspoon of cleanser into your palm and gently work it into your skin, avoiding the eye area.
4. Rinse your face with clean lukewarm water.
5. Pat (don't rub!) it dry with a towel.
6. Moisturize. (Apply sunscreen or moisturizer containing SPF in the morning.)

Facial Skin Tips

• Use a gentle cleanser or hydrating soap.
• Use lukewarm water so it doesn't irritate your skin.
• Don't spend too long washing your face. Extra scrubbing can irritate and wear out skin.
• Skip the alcohol-based toner. If you like the way toners feel, try a non-alcohol based one to remove makeup and oil at the end of the day. Be sure to apply a night moisturizer afterwards.
• Exfoliate your skin at least once a week. Use a gentle scrub and apply with your fingers or a very soft cloth. Most sponges are too rough for facial skin.
• Apply moisturizer twice a day, even to oily skin (Unless your dermatologist has instructed you differently).
• Wear sunscreen during the day, every day, no matter what the weather.
• Apply a night cream or heavier moisturizer without sunscreen before going to bed.
• When unsure how much moisturizer to use, tune into what your skin tells you. If it feels tight, add lotion until it feels balanced.

Tips for Acne Sufferers

• Look for oil-free and non-comedogenic cleansers. People with inflammatory acne should steer clear of scrubbing agents.
• If you're on medication for your acne, choose a cleanser formulated for normal skin so that you don't end up unwittingly using conflicting medications that can irritate your skin.
• Use your hands to wash your face and pat -- don't rub -- it dry.
• Don't spend more than 10 seconds washing your face.

Sources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003

http://www.acne.org/wash-face.html

Updated: January 12, 2010

Copyright © 2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

What Causes Stomachaches?

By Jo Cavallo
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

"Stomachache" is a generic term used to describe a variety of common ailments in the abdominal area that can develop suddenly or be chronic in nature. They can include everything from a knotty feeling to sharp, stabbing pains or worse.

The causes of stomachaches are just as varied, ranging from viral infections to urinary tract infections or food poisoning caused. Other causes of abdominal ailments can be long lasting, including a number of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Some additional causes of stomachaches include:

• Gynecological conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea (severe uterine pain during menstruation), ovarian cysts, fibroids, tumors and ovarian cancer.
• A variety of cancers, including colon, liver, bladder, stomach and pancreatic, which can cause severe pain that doesn't subside.

Emotional distress such as depression, anxiety and stress can cause mild stomach problems.

Obesity and dieting can both take their toll on the body. Obesity can cause abdominal pain because fat deposits around the stomach put pressure on the abdominal walls and dieting and hunger can cause stomach muscle contractions, causing pain in the pit of the stomach.

Almost every medication has the potential to cause an upset stomach. Unless your doctor has specifically said you should take your medications on an empty stomach, you should always take them with food.

Finding Relief

Usually, stomachaches go away on their own, but if they persist and aren't relieved by over-the-counter treatments (OTC) or if the OTC treatment you're using provides only temporary relief, you should seek advice from your doctor. See your doctor right away if your stomach pain is severe or accompanied by fevers or blood in the stool.

For temporary, mild stomach problems, try these tips:

• Chew on an antacid l to neutralize stomach acids. For heartburn problems, try an acid suppressor like a H2 blocker.
• Keep a food diary to determine which foods might be causing you digestive problems and eliminate them from your diet.
• Eat small, frequent meals until your stomach is feeling better and stick to easy-to-digest foods like cooked rice, dry saltines or dry toast.
• Take sips of decaffeinated liquids such as chamomile herb tea, flat ginger ale or chicken broth. Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, regular tea or colas, which can irritate the stomach and the digestive tract.

Copyright © 2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

How to end the Embarrassing Gas Crisis

By Nathan Schiller
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

Power saws and car horns, at 110 decibels each, are jarring noises that cause you to cover your ears. They’re annoying and obnoxious. Yet neither of them is louder than what an Englishman did in 2001—burped at 118 decibels, the loudest belch ever recorded.

While you will probably never burp that loudly, you might, after drinking carbonation, like a can of Coke, or eating a heavy meal, burp continuously. Consuming food is the time when gas builds up in your system because you A) swallow air and B) have harmless bacteria breaking down undigested food. To get rid of the 1-4 pints of gas the body produces each day, most people pass gas 14-23 times. How do they do so? One way is burping. Flatulence, or farting is another.

Statistics may say it’s normal, but passing gas will always be embarrassing, particularly if done so in front of people. Luckily, it can be treated. The most common ways of doing so, according to the Natural Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, are dieting, medications, and reducing the amount of air swallow.

Dieting. Though dietary limitations will vary from person to person, rendering trial and error the best way to figure out which foods can reduce your gas production, there are a few general rules to follow. Gas is a digestive disease, so avoiding fatty foods helps the stomach empty faster. Unfortunately, many healthy foods can produce gas, like beans, broccoli, whole grains, and dairy products. Additionally, foods containing sorbitol, like dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums, should be avoided.

Medications. You won’t need a prescription for most of these meds. Dietary enzymes work because they help digest carbohydrates. An example is lactase, whose common brands Lactaid and Lactrase are available over the counter (OTC) as caplets or chewable tablets. These are the same enzymes used by those who are lactose intolerant; purchasing lactose reduced milk and other diary can help with gas. Also, check out the OTC med Beano (liquid or table) to help digest sugar in beans and many vegetables. And if you think you might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), your doctor can prescribe a medicine to help reduce symptoms.

Air swallowing reduction. Bad news for gum chewers and hard candy devourers: curtail your habits. Health professionals agree that doing so is one of two ways to reduce your swallowed air intake. The other? Simple. Eat slower. Between bites you won’t be gasping for breath, and when you’re finished, you might have just a single burp to offer. Best make it a loud one.

Updated: March 4, 2009

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