What are the most common food allergies?
In adults, the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are: shellfish, such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab; nuts from trees, such as walnuts; fish; eggs; and peanuts, a legume that is one of the chief foods to cause anaphylactic reactions. (Recently, the airlines stopped serving peanuts, probably for this reason.) In highly allergic people, even minuscule amounts of a food allergen (for example, 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel) can prompt an allergic reaction. Less sensitive people, however, may be able to tolerate small amounts of a food to which they are allergic.
In children, the pattern is somewhat different from adults, and the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are eggs, milk, peanuts, and fruits, particularly tomatoes and strawberries. Children sometimes outgrow their allergies but adults usually do not lose theirs. Also, children are more likely to outgrow allergies to cow’s milk or soy formula than allergies to peanuts, fish, or shrimp. Adults and children tend to react to those foods they eat more often; for example, in Japan, allergy to rice, and in Scandinavia, allergy to codfish, is more common than elsewhere.
What is exercise-induced food allergy?
Exercise can induce an allergic reaction to food. The usual scenario is that of a person eating a specific food, and then exercising. As he exercises and his body temperature increases, he begins to itch, gets lightheaded, and soon develops the characteristic allergic reactions of hives, asthma, abdominal symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. The cure, actually a preventive measure, for exercise-induced food allergy is simple-not eating for at least two hours before exercising.
How is food allergy treated?
Dietary Avoidance: Avoiding the offending allergen in the diet is the primary treatment of food allergy. Once a food to which the patient is sensitive has been identified, the food must be removed from the diet. To do this, patients need to read lengthy, detailed lists of ingredients on the label for each food they consider eating. Many allergy-producing foods such as peanuts, eggs, and milk appear in foods that are not ordinarily associated with them. For example, peanuts often are used as protein supplements, eggs are in some salad dressings, and milk is in bakery products. The FDA requires that the ingredients in a food are listed on its label. People can avoid most of the foods to which they are sensitive if they carefully read the labels on foods and, when in restaurants, avoid ordering foods that might contain ingredients to which they are allergic.
Treating an Anaphylactic Reaction: Patients with severe food allergies must be prepared to treat an anaphylactic reaction. Even those who know a lot about their own allergies can either make an error or be served food that does not comply with their instructions. To protect themselves, people who have had anaphylactic reactions to a food should wear medical alert bracelets or necklaces stating that they have a food allergy and that they are subject to severe reactions. These individuals also always should carry a syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine), obtained by prescription from their doctors, and be prepared to self-administer it if they think they are developing an allergic reaction. They then should immediately seek medical help by either calling the rescue squad or having themselves transported to an emergency room.
Treating other Symptoms of Food Allergy: Several medications are available for treating the other symptoms of food allergy. For example, antihistamines can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, and a runny nose. Bronchodilators can relieve the symptoms of asthma. These medications are taken after a person inadvertently has ingested a food to which he is allergic. They are not effective, however, in preventing an allergic reaction when taken prior to eating the food. In fact, no medication in any form is available to reliably prevent an allergic reaction to a certain food before eating that food.
Written by dpi on December 28th, 2007 with no comments.
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Healthcare field is currently the fastest growing segment industry in the United States.Employment in home healthcare and nursing and residential care should increase rapidly as life expectancies rise, and as aging children are less able to care for their parents and rely more on long-term care facilities.
There are several different career paths to pursue for someone who wants to get into this field.Every medical office whether it’s the office of a high profile plastic surgeon, or a clinic in a small town, employs medical assistants.Medical assistants are well compensated for their work, as they are a vital part of any healthcare organization.
There are several different types of medical assistants including those who specialize in a particular field of medicine.
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Written by dpi on December 24th, 2007 with no comments.
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The good news is that you really don’t have to strip your house down to the bare bones to make it allergy proof.
Thorough and regular cleaning generally makes a huge difference in keeping your house as mold and dust free as possible.
Patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis that are due to dust mites, molds, or other indoor allergens can feel better by taking these simple measures:
* Keep the home cool (between 68 and 72 degrees F);
* Maintain a low humidity (between 40 and 50%); and
* Make certain there is good ventilation.
Avoidance is always the best treatment for allergies regardless of which allergens are the triggers.
Interestingly enough, the most effective, least expensive, and simplest options are not always followed.
Many people choose medications or vaccinations instead, despite their drawbacks.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple methods, both old and new, to help with avoidance. Remember, putting into practice any of these measures can only be helpful in managing your allergies.
When patients get started with the process of “allergy- proofing” their homes, one of two things usually happens.
They either do nothing or “overdo it.” Some patients become so overwhelmed with all the
different methods of allergy- proofing that they simply do nothing.
That’s always a disappointing outcome, especially when the process is so straightforward and inexpensive.
Just focusing on the basics of a routine and thorough cleaning and temperature and humidity reduction can lead to fewer symptoms and a vastly improved quality of life.
Sometimes, the opposite occurs. The allergy-proofing process becomes all consuming and inordinately expensive.
Overpriced and often inefficient whole-house filtration devices are installed when simple
cleaning and reduction of humidity and temperature would have been adequate.
Clearly, there are situations in which extreme measures need to be undertaken. Before going down this path, however, it’s best to consult with your doctor. Start with the easy things first.
Cleaning Tips
* Avoid ornate furniture. Plain, simple designs accumulate less dust. No open bookshelves; they are
great dust-catchers.
* Keep all clothes in drawers or closets, never lying about the room. Enclose wool clothes in plastic zipper bags. Avoid mothballs, insect sprays, tar paper, or camphor. Keep drawers and closet doors closed.
* Remove as much clutter as possible to make cleaning easier. Place hard-to-clean items in closets, drawers, or display cabinets with glass doors.
* When choosing furnishings, it is best to go with wood, leather, vinyl, or rubberized canvas
furniture and avoid upholstered pieces. Upholstery easily traps allergens and is much harder to clean. You might try washable slipcovers on existing upholstered furniture.
* Install wood, tile, or linoleum flooring. Limit throw rugs to those that can be easily cleaned in the washer. They should be able to withstand washing weekly.
* Use allergen-proof encasings for pillows, mattresses, and box springs. Tape over zippers to help prevent leaks. Vacuum all casings frequently. Store nothing under the bed.
* Use washable cotton or synthetic blankets, not fuzzy surfaced ones. Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets; avoid chenille.
* Install roll-up washable cotton or synthetic window shades. Avoid venetian blinds, mini-blinds, and pleated shades.
* Use washable cotton or fiberglass curtains. Avoid draperies and decorative fabric window
treatments!
* Install central air conditioning or window units. Keep windows closed, especially during periods of high pollen counts and windy conditions. Grasses, weeds, and trees tend to pollinate during the early morning hours. Sleep with the windows closed.
* Use Dacron or other synthetics for pillows. Avoid feathers or foam rubber, which traps moisture and promotes mold and dust mite growth.
* Space heaters are preferred over hot air ducts. In homes with forced air heat, use filters or damp cheesecloth over inlets to reduce dust circulation. Change every two weeks. Consult your physician about air purifiers. Keep beds away from air vents.
* Damp dusting using a dampened cloth or an oiled mop will minimize the distribution of dust through the air.
Baby’s Room - Special Tips
It’s a good idea to eliminate potential irritants and allergens from your baby’s environment. Here’s what you can do to help eliminate potential sources of allergens from your baby’s world.
* Wood or plastic chairs are best for baby’s room.
* Again, avoid all feather bedding.
* Use dust-proof casings for all bedding.
* Stuffed animals should never be placed in the crib and, if used, should be washable. Put most of the stuffed items in a closed chest or closet. Store them in a freezer bag when not in use.
* When it comes to gifts for children, ask for books rather than stuffed animals. Keep the books in a bookcase with doors to help reduce allergens.
* Humidifiers should be reserved for croup. They should not be used routinely since they increase the dust mite and mold counts. If a humidifier is required, the cool water variety is safer than a steam humidifier in terms of burns. Also, be sure to change the water daily if a humidifier is necessary.
* Animal fur is a potential allergen. It’s best to keep pets out of the baby’s room.
* Overhead mobiles and wall hangings collect dust!
* Baby bumpers should be simple and washable. No ruffles or pleats.
* Ruffled curtains and venetian blinds collect a lot of dust. Vertical blinds are preferable. If
levelers or shutters are used, be sure to clean them weekly with a damp cloth.
* The crib should be placed away from air vents.
* A HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air-filter) can be placed under the crib. The filter
will help to decrease airborne allergens such as pollens, mold spores, and animal danders.
Written by dpi on December 10th, 2007 with no comments.
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