Asthma and Allergies: News and Views
Articles on asthma and allergies: causes, symptoms and treatments

Archive for: February 2010



February 25, 2010

Asthma: Causes in Babies

Filed under: Allergies - 25 Feb 2010

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment which affects thousands of children within the United States alone. This asthmatic population in children accounts for about the 10% of the total hospital visits and with about 3% being fatal. In infants and younger children, diagnosis and treatment is difficult because of the delicate nature that is involved and the lack of more advanced diagnosis processes. Not to mention that the symptoms that asthma can present itself in younger children also mimics the same symptoms that are related to other respiratory ailments.

While the exact asthma causes in babies are still undetermined until now. Further research and studies have brought about a myriad of new information that will possibly help doctors and pharmaceuticals alike in producing more effective treatments and medications. Studies have broken down the categories which are most likely to be considered as the main causes of asthma in babies. Here are the categories and the role that each of them play:

Genetics: Research has found substantial evidence that point to the involvement of genetics in causing asthma. This is due to the fact that a certain percentage of infants diagnosed with asthma share the condition with one of their immediate relatives. The involvement of multiple genetic factors has also been pointed out in causing asthma, which also explains the varying reactions between triggers and also treatments between infants.

Allergies: Allergies have been highly implicated in causing asthma among infants, but scientists are unable to really link asthma to allergies because there is also a high percentage of children with allergic tendencies which do not develop asthma and allergies alone cannot also explain all of the symptoms associated with the condition.

Early viral infections: While scientists have concluded that early viral respiratory infections cannot really account for causing asthma, it seems that there are also exceptions to this rule. Recent findings have shown that some viruses does have the capability to bring about the ailment, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus for example have been highly regarded as one of the main causes of asthma and pneumonia in infants.

Environment: Research has also found that the frequent exposure of infants to allergens in their environment (the home in particular) can also cause asthma. Certain household chemicals, dust and smoke have been highly considered by researchers as the main cause of bronchial inflammation and irritation. With long term exposure this constant irritation and inflammation can contribute to causing asthma in infants.

To date, the research on asthma has brought about new medication and therapies that are more accurate and effective. But it is by no means complete; it actually is not even in its middle stages. With continuous research and development it might be just a matter of time before the real asthma causes in babies are found and a cure to go along with it.

Looking for excellent tips on asthma causes in babies treatment which could be help you to treat asthma fast? Be sure to visit http://www.17minasthmaandallergysecrets.com and get your free 10-day mini-ecourse right now.


February 23, 2010

Should You Buy a UV Air Purifier?

Filed under: Allergies - 23 Feb 2010

If you are an allergy sufferer, you may have heard that a UV air purifier can help with your condition. This is certainly true. Molds, fungi, spores, even dust mites and their feces can all be removed from the air. In addition to this, an ultraviolet light air purifier can help keep you from coming down with common illnesses such as a cold. Here is an overview of how a UV air purifier works, and certain issues you should be aware of.

The main component of a UV light air purifier is the light bulb. This is usually a fairly high wattage bulb that transmits UV light at a very specific frequency. One of the effects of this is that the light is extremely harmful to living things and living materials. What this means is that the UV light air purifier can keep you from getting sick by killing the airborne pathogens that are causing your problem. The light bulb on the UV air purifier does need to be replaced on occasion, typically about once a year. They are not too expensive however and a new bulb is extremely effective at keeping the air clean and hazard free.

As well as directly targeting contaminants in the air, the UV light will stimulate the oxygen and water in the air to start a chemical reaction that will form hydroxyl and ozone. Hydroxyl is very effective at breaking down organic material and can literally strip out the harmful chemicals in the air and take out the things that most commonly cause allergic reactions. This means that the airborne allergens that are causing your problems are eliminated and you should be able to breathe free and easy without symptoms.

In a UV light air purifier there are no filters, just an area where the air is treated by the light. This does not mean that a UV light air purifier cannot be used with a traditional air filter. By placing the two systems together you have a very effective method for combating the airborne pathogens that cause problems for everyone.

Another important feature of any purifier is how much air flow and volume it can handle. You need to make absolutely sure that the unit will be able to clean the air you have going through it. If it is inadequate then you will have made the purchase for nothing. In addition, if it can clean far more air then is going through it then you are wasting money by buying an unnecessarily large unit. Make sure that the specs on the unit match up with the area in which you plan to use it.

There are several different types of air purifiers on the market, from UV technology to the electronic air purifier. Find out how to get the the best model for your needs at Home Air Purifiers: The Facts.


February 22, 2010

Exercise Induced Asthma in Men

Filed under: Allergies - 22 Feb 2010

It is known that men have great tolerance for pain. This may be a great characteristic to have as it will enable one to endure far more than one possibly could. But in terms of the men who have been diagnosed with asthma, this may actually prove to be a more lethal trait than its worth. Asthma is of course a chronic ailment of the respiratory system which is mainly characterized by coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing, requiring immediate attention; and “toughing it out” may not really be advisable in this case.

While this condition can be brought about by physical triggers such as animal dander, pollen, dust mite, fungi spores, and certain household chemicals, this condition can also be caused by psychological factors like anxiety, stress, agitation and others, but aside from these two, there is another factor that can bring about the condition; exercise, which can indeed be disturbing for men who like to participate in activities and sports.

Exercise induced asthma is said to be brought on my one major factor; respiratory heat exchange which is the rapid heating and cooling of the airways when strenuous exercises are involved. During exercise our body tends to use as much as twice the amount of oxygen in order to normalize bodily functions, during this time the airways which mostly facilitates and manages the flow of oxygen undergo rapid cooling which also tends to leave it dry, the body then normalizes by producing enzymes that quickly moistens the airways.

While for non-asthmatics this may not really be a problem for individuals diagnosed with asthma this can lead the already sensitive airways to inflame thereby bringing about the symptoms and if neglected can turn into a full blown attack.

But getting diagnosed with exercise induced asthma in men should not be a reason for you to stop exercising. On the contrary you should as much as you can try to exercise as it can improve your body general resistance and develop resilience over your triggers. By knowing the particular symptoms associated with your condition you will be able to avoid unwanted circumstances. Recognizing asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, extreme fatigue and chest pains will help you to take immediate action.

Along with that, taking precautionary measures like warming up and cooling down before and after exercise, taking medication a few minutes prior to the activity, and pausing for breaks in between sets will also insure that no problems will be encountered. Ask your doctor about exercise induced asthma in men as well. They will be able to give you information as well as advice which can help you further in dealing and controlling your condition.

Looking for excellent tips on induced asthma in men treatment which could be help you to treat asthma fast? Be sure to visit http://www.17minasthmaandallergysecrets.com and get your free 10-day mini-ecourse right now.


February 21, 2010

Food Cravings And How To Stop Them

Filed under: Allergies - 21 Feb 2010

If you are in search of a no frills answer to how to stop food cravings – I’d have to say just stop eating in large portions but is this really it?. I have heard and used this line a number of times before, while watching some of my friends eat, at home, at parties. Allow me to take a few minutes of your time to share about some tips and options and also on the question on what are food cravings.

Let start by saying that eating a lot does not consequentially result to cravings for food or gaining some weight but it is the selection of food you eat. Cravings for food are heightened when eating some certain types of foods i.e. some type of food stimulates and increases them and eating another type of food might help them. Yes, there is some good food out there that can really help you get over your deadly habit. For instance, if you need to stop them, consider taking b-vitamin complex (B vitamins). By taking these vitamins you can be sure of a controlled break down of food in your body i.e. b-vitamins help in the metabolism of carbohydrates into sugar glucose that is simpler. You can find these B-complex vitamins in various food such as in liver, nuts, leafy green vegetables, rice, milk, eggs, meats, fish and whole-grain cereals fruits.

Chemical imbalances in our body aggravate cravings for food and so by eating the right foods with the right nutrients will enable your body to access the necessary ingredients to help it function normally and in the process control chemical imbalances. This information is also relevant to premenstrual women and can be helpful if you are looking for best foods for PMS.

Now that you know about chemical imbalances I guess you can understand why some weight loss advertrisers claim that you can eat as much as you want but still lose weight. What the scientists do is create some anti depressants that help produce the kind of resources, which are used to stimulate the production of certain resources in order to stay free from cracing food and also keep the body in a good state. They clearly have researches and discovered all the necessary ingredients to keeping you feeling healthy, find eating desiresand lose some weight while maintaining a huge part of your eating habits.

Antidepressants work and have helped millions of people all over the world, I am not, however, a huge fan mostly because they tend to have side effects for some people who use them such a nausea, irritability, etc. I believe in natural ways to curb food cravings and you can do this by understanding the body’s chemical make-up and then stay balanced by taking all the necessary foods.

I hope so far you can relate even if you are trying to find out about how to stop food cravings

You don’t have to pay a cent to gain control of your eating habits. For example, to stop some PMS sugar cravings, I usually recommend the following, observe and not the emotional triggers that lead you to eating excessively, you can also improve your mood by excercising, When you feel like eating try drinking a glass of water also try to find other replacements for what you eat for example, eat chocolates that have not fat.

 


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