Effective Allergy Solutions - 5 Ways To Effectively Manage Airborne Allergies

Being allergic to common indoor pollutants such as dust, dust mites, and pet dander can really take it toll on your physical and emotional health. Here are 5 not too hard ways to clear the air of these problem causing allergens.

Change Filters As Needed----Your central heating and air conditioning system has filters. Check them regularly and change them whenever they start to fill up.

Once you know about how long it takes for them to need changing, plug a reminder into your mobile device or laptop so that you stay on schedule.

The amount of time between changes may vary according to seasons, so stay alert and move the schedule to a shorter or longer period to compensate.

Wash Linens Regularly---Dust mites are most often found in the bedroom and are one of the most potent allergy triggers known. Every home has them regardless of how clean it is. But you can significantly decrease their number and most probably your symptoms by washing your linens weekly with water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since these bugs are killed by sunlight, letting your bed remain uncovered while you launder the linen is another way to reduce their numbers. Be sure to wash your pet's special pillow or bedding frequently too.

These natural solutions are effective, non-invasive, and cost effective. Sprays and pesticides for mites increase the potential for health problems, discoloration of rugs and fabrics, and need to be repeated so they are labor intensive too.

Furnish Your Home With Allergies In Mind---Rome wasn't built in a day, and unless you are buying a new house and all new furniture, it will take time to affect this change. But with this as a goal, it will happen as you need to make changes.

Hard surfaces for floors such as tile, linoleum, wood, faux wood and stone are easier to clean and they take no prisoners in the form of mites. Small throw rugs scattered about are easier and less costly to clean.

Materials that can easily be cleared of particles such as blinds and shades keep the number of particulates lower than draperies and other elaborate window treatments.

Clean With Water---When possible remove dust by damp wiping surfaces. Steam clean floors your floors where possible. This cuts down on the amount of particles that are sent into the air and really takes them out of circulation.

For rugs and other areas where water or steam is not appropriate, use a HEPA vacuum. This type of cleaner has a filter that will keep particles that it removes from going back into the air.

Use a HEPA Air Purifier---One of the best ways to continually remove allergy irritants from the air is to continually filter the air with a purifier that contains a high efficiency particle arresting filter. This is the type of technology that hospitals use to keep the air clean.

This type of filter can remove airborne particulates as small as.3 microns which is far smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. Continuous cleaning of the air along with the other 4 suggestions in this article will increase your chances of lessening your allergy symptoms and improving your quality of life.

What Has Gluten and What Is Celiac Disease?

What has gluten, what is coeliac disease, and what are gluten sensitivity symptoms? Many people have heard of the terms gluten and a gluten-free diet. What you may ask, however, is what has gluten? Gluten is a protein traditionally found in wheat, barley, triticale, rye, spelt, kamut and oats, functioning as a binding agent. Gluten is very much a staple of the American diet. It is found in pizza, pasta, bread, wraps, rolls, and most processed foods as a filler.

Moreover, gluten is found in many other products that you may not think of, including chicken broth or marshmallows. It is used as a thickener as well in soups and can be added to the pepperoni on pizza. For those who find themselves highly allergic, it is also found in cosmetics at times.

What is Coeliac Disease? Coeliac disease refers to an autoimmune disorder that is marked by an inability to digest gluten, the protein found in these types of grains. Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley.

The condition known as celiac disease, or coeliac disease. Celiac (Coeliac) disease can also look similar in symptoms to Irritable Bowel syndrome, Crohn's Disease or Cystic Fibrosis. An estimated 99 percent of people who have sensitivities to eating gluten don't even know it. They attribute their poor health and symptoms to something else other than gluten sensitivity, which is 100 percent curable.

There are many reasons why people are so allergic to this grain. These include our lack of genetic adaptation to grasses, and particularly gluten, in our diet. Wheat was introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages, and 30 percent of people of European descent carry the gene for celiac disease which increases susceptibility to health problems from eating gluten.

Also, American wheat has been modified to contain a much higher gluten content which is needed to make bread lighter and more fluffy bread than those traditionally found in Europe. This super-gluten was then introduced into our agricultural food supply and now has adulterated nearly all wheat strains in America. Additionally, the wheat strand has been hybridized to introduce more protein into the grain. Thus, the stomach and digestive organs seem to not be able to understand how to process this, creating issues throughout the entire body. If a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten, studies have shown that he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population. Further, gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma has been found to develop in up to 15 percent of patients with untreated or refractory celiac disease. Thus, it is vital that the disease is quickly diagnosed and properly treated to avoid these outcomes if you feel you have gluten sensitivity symptoms.

Allergies and Asthma, See What You're Missing

Allergies can be as simple as the cough I get during pollen season or as severe as being life threatening from medication, peanut, or insect allergies. Fields of rag weed create clouds of pollen spores in the spring time, these clouds soon find their way into towns or cities. Children and adults like myself who have no resistance built up because we have not been in contact with rag weed in 10 to 12 months, this goes on for days and the cars turn green from the pollen. We begin to get congested and cough, our eyes get runny. As we continue to breath in the spores we develop anti bodies that attach to the mast cells in our nasal passage, these anti bodies interlock with the pollen spores and create an explosion destroying the spores and damaging the nasal passage. This is what causes us to sneeze.

The allergens that cause the most trouble are mold spores, animal dander, dust mites, pollen, biting insects or bee stings also foods, peanuts, and medications. The most dangerous are bees, peanuts, and medications, these can kill you if not treated quickly. The cause of allergies has not been discovered yet, it is not hereditary but does seem to run in families.

Then there is asthma, this is caused by breathing in allergens but is different from allergies. Some people develop asthma from having allergies, some get asthma and never have allergies, while others never get either.

Some symptoms of allergies are itchy eyes, nose, and throat, coughing and a congestion, sneezing and a runny nose, even watery eyes. Asthma symptoms are similar but not the same as allergies, they consist of trouble breathing and wheezing, coughing and breathlessness, and a tight feeling in your chest. The most severe of allergies causes anaphylactic shock, this comes on quickly, has many symptoms, and is life threatening. Treatment for anaphylactic shock is a fast injection of epinephrine to constrict the blood vessels, open the airway,and raise the blood pressure. Followed by an injection of antihistamines and/or steroids.

Diagnosing what your allergic to is getting a complete medical history and conducting allergy testing. I had this done when I was 7, it was two rows of eight injections on the inside of each arm,

the ones that swell up, get painful and red are what your allergic to. There is a patch test that works but it is mostly for skin allergies, also a blood test but it only works for allergens that enter or effect the blood stream.

Treatment of allergies for me consisted of shots for 7 years during the worst part of my allergies, I was amazed that what I was allergic to was in the shots. That's how they work, by forcing our bodies to boost our immune system. Other then the shots all you can do is treat the symptoms to be comfortable. There were also things I had to do, like stay away from animals and enclose the mattress in plastic. I had no curtains or rugs in my room because they just stored dust mites.

I had no food or medication allergies so that was not a concern but I was supposed to wear a mask when the pollen was bad, I prefered to stay in the house with the air conditioner on. It worked better, the mask was somewhat ineffective, the eyes also put allergens into the body. Thats why they water and itch.

Asthma treatment consists of two groups of medications, breathing and anti-inflammatory, they are administered by inhaler and pills.

The fall can also be a difficult time for allergies, the windows are closed and the dust accumulates. The dry heat starts blowing and the congestion starts again. Air fresheners, chemicals, and aerosol

can also get your allergies started. Take notice to what you are allergic to and try to avoid it, that is the best treatment.

Are You Dealing With Food Intolerance Symptoms?

After enjoying a meal, someone may start to feel uncomfortable-specifically with one of the following...

Pain in the stomach

Outbreaks of wind

Nausea

Bloating

Vomiting

Indigestion

Diarrhea

Sudden irritability

Weight gain

The cause may be a food intolerance which is a response from the digestive system to a specific food; an ingredient in the food irritates the digestive system and the person is unable to digest and breakdown the food properly. One of the most common food intolerances is dairy intolerance which means an individual experiences the symptoms above when they eat milk or dairy products. Dairy intolerance affects approximately 10% of the population. Gluten intolerance is also common-as is wheat intolerance. Gluten intolerance symptoms and wheat intolerance symptoms include 'typical' food intolerance symptoms. But it may not be those foods that are causing the problem...it could be the nori seaweed or the Lindseed you have everyday because it is 'healthy'

Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance

Many people confuse food allergies with a food intolerance-and vice versa. Typically, the symptoms from a food allergy are more severe and can include the symptoms above plus:

Hives

Rashes

Irritated skin

Difficulty breathing

Chest pain

Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)

Sometimes, the cause of digestive difficulties can be food poisoning caused by eating food that has not been cooked properly or is well past its 'use by' date. However, a food allergy creates a reaction in the immune system and can affect organs-meaning a food allergy can be life-threatening.

When a person is experiencing digestive discomfort or other gluten intolerance symptoms, it's wise to visit a medical professional. At the clinic or surgery, the doctor or physician's assistant will begin a series of tests to determine if the problem is linked to food poisoning, a food allergy or a food intolerance. One method of diagnosis is eliminating 'suspect' foods from the diet and keeping a food diary. While this diagnostic method can work, it can take several weeks, or even months, to pinpoint the 'offending' food or additives.

Another method is to take a series of tests. Patients can take a test for allergies or intolerances.The tests are broad at first then become more specific: the first step is a test that determines if there's an intolerance present to the most common foods. If this test comes back positive, then it's possible to pinpoint one of almost 300 foods or additives that may be causing the problems. The tests are easy to administer and produce very specific results. Here's how it works.

The patient takes a test for food intolerance. It comes back positive.

A more specific test reveals the patient is not only intolerant to fish but reveals which fish.

The patient eliminates salmon from their diet and can enjoy other types of fish.

Certain tests can determine the severity of the intolerance. And testing may come back negative.

Once testing is complete, the next step for the patient is to eliminate the problem foods from their diet. The results can be immediate and dramatic: the patient enjoys a better quality of life free from the discomforts associated with food intolerance and food allergies.

Shield your Family from Allergies with Dust Mite Covers

With the cost of healthcare crossing all reasonable bounds, being able to afford respectable healthcare facilities has become a huge ordeal for a large number of people. In a world, where even the thought of existence is impossible without surrendering to the capitalistic ways of the world, now staying alive has also become a penalty of some sort. People may refer to the cuts in public aids as ‘economic reforms', ‘austerity measures', or whatever; fact stays the same that the life of a common man has gotten a whole lot more challenging than what it really should have been.

Considering global scenario, maybe wishing about a roll back in the so-called "reforms" is too much to ask for. Hence, the best way to deal with the cuts in the healthcare funding is by taking extra care of yourself as well as your family. Unfortunately, when it comes to healthcare, even though bedtime allergies can easily be touted as one of the most commonly found health ailments found, people are often unsure about the measures they can take and the aids they can use to minimize the risk of exposing themselves to possible allergens, with one notable mention being dust mite covers.

Though it is a well-known fact that bedtime allergies such as respiratory congestion, nasal irritation, skin itch and the likes are usually caused due to dust released from the upholstery we use on our bed; however, most people believe that the vacuuming they do every alternate day or so takes care of the  dust particles hidden inside their upholstery. Unfortunately, this assumption couldn't be more wrong. Even though vacuuming cleans upholstery items such as comforters and mattresses to a certain extent, saying that they take care of the dust completely would be an overstatement about the abilities of commonly found vacuum cleaners.

In contrast, by using dust mite covers, you can give your near and dear ones a robust and reliable shield against dust particles found in bedding upholstery and thus, bedtime allergies. The USP of these covers is the fabric used for their manufacturing. Unlike conventional fabrics used for making upholstery covers, the fabric used to manufacture such covers is knit with extremely tight bonding. To give you a fair idea about the difference; conventional fabrics used to manufacture upholstery may have pore sizes ranging between 10 to 15 micron while the pore sizes of the fabrics used to manufacture dust mite covers range between 0 to 10 microns.

Dust Mite Cover for Great Protection from Allergies

The cost of healthcare is rising by the day and if this wasn't bad enough, the recent 'austerity measures' imposed by our able institutional government has made the life of a common man much more difficult than it really has to be. Today, unless you are fully covered by your insurance company, even small treatments are likely to cost a fortune. In such a scenario, the ideal way to ensure you don't have to bear the mammoth healthcare charges is by taking great care of your health.

Especially when it comes to people with allergies, the need to take great care of the overall health becomes even more important. No matter whether a person has asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, or any other similar health issue, keeping the allergens under check is the best way to prevent probable attacks. Thanks to a number of aids offered by leading companies in the healthcare segment, people prone to allergies can now minimize the risk of an attack by a great deal with a notable prevention aids being dust mite covers.

Though it may come as a surprise to some of you, fact stays the same that people with allergies experience most attacks due to dust released from their mattresses and comforters. This is the reason most allergy attacks often happen during bedtime. However, by using dust mite covers on your mattress, comforters, pillows, and other upholstery items, you can greatly curb dust from entering your system, thereby preventing allergy attacks.

The secret to these covers is the fabric they are made from. Since the fabric used to manufacture dust mite covers is woven in an extremely close-knit manner, the covers manufactured from such fabric are highly effective for curbing dust, mite and other similar allergens found in the upholstery we use on a daily basis. Hence, anyone who is prone to dust allergies must keep their upholstery items covered with these dust mite covers if they wish to have a healthy life.

With the rise in the demand of such covers, a number of manufacturers have started offering an extensive array of anti-allergy covers such as mattress covers, duvet comforter covers, bed sheets, pillowcases, and many other remarkable options. Hence, if you are looking for complete protection from the aforementioned allergens, it is strongly recommended that you keep all upholstery items shielded by these covers in order to live the way you rightfully deserve to.

Take Care of Aspirin Allergy With Medical ID Jewelry

There are many millions affected by aspirin allergy and general Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug allergy. Remember, there is a way to deal with it. You need to take all of the necessary precautions and wear Medical ID Jewelry in order to ensure that you are not accidentally given a potentially deadly dose of the drug by emergency personnel.

Aspirin is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug first discovered from the bark of the willow tree. It has been proven to help reduce pain and inflammation in patients, and is now synthetically manufactured and distributed in generic form, prescription form, and over-the-counter form. The most well-known over-the-counter brand of aspirin is Bayer Aspirin.

Aspirin allergy affects approximately one percent of the general population, and is prevalent at a ten- percent rate among patients who have asthma. Thus, allergies to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Bayer Aspirin and other brands of this painkiller are relatively common. Make sure you avoid the drug. This does not mean you need to suffer. You can take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) when in need of a painkiller or anti-inflammatory.

If you have an allergy to Aspirin, then it is very important that you wear a piece of Medical ID jewelry.

How Do I Know if I have an Aspirin Allergy?

The symptoms of aspirin allergy are quite simple to identify, so you shouldn't need medical tests to determine if you are a sufferer. The most common symptoms are skin conditions, such as the formation of hives or a general swelling in an area of the skin.

Other more serious symptoms include respiratory symptoms, such as rhinitis and asthma symptoms, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. If you have taken Bayer aspirin or any other type of aspirin-related Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and experienced any of these symptoms, then you may have an allergy to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and should avoid them completely.

Because aspirin allergy isn't a traditional allergy, you cannot determine if you have the allergy through traditional allergy testing. In fact, an allergy to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is not an allergy at all, but rather intolerance to the substance. When someone with this condition consumes aspirin, the body actually has a small overdose due to the fact that it cannot metabolize even the smallest doses of the substance.

What Steps Should I Take to Stay Safe?

After one bad encounter with an aspirin allergy, you will probably become aware of your condition. Aspirin is easy to avoid as long as you are aware of which medications contain the drug, such as Bayer aspirin and other generic brands.

However, you may not be able to inform if you are rendered unconscious and become unable to inform medical personnel of your condition. Hence, it's absolutely crucial that you keep some kind of medical ID jewelry on your person at all times. One of the easiest ways to do this is to purchase customized medical ID jewelry and wear it at all times. This way, you can guarantee that emergency medical personnel will not accidentally give you a potentially fatal dose of aspirin or any other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Medical ID jewelry are reasonably priced, stylish, and completely customizable based on your various conditions and allergies.

Keep yourself safe.

Cleaning Bedroom Air - 5 Filters A Bedroom Air Purifier Should Have

Your bedroom should be a haven from the stress of the world. And making sure that it has the cleanest air possible will provide you with a space where you can relax and sleep well. Here are the 5 filters a bedroom air cleaner needs to successfully filter your air

Large Particle Pre-Filter---If you've ever looked at the sunlight shinning in through your window and been disturbed by all of the particles you see floating in the air, then you can begin to understand the job of the pre-filter.

Its job is to trap the big particles that can be seen like dust, pet and human hair, as well as fine pieces of lint from textiles and paper. This type of filter is generally inexpensive, and keeps the filters with smaller holes from filling unnecessarily.

Medium Particle Pre-Filter---This type of filter has slightly smaller holes and is designed to trap things like mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds.

This is a huge advantage for people who are even the tiniest bit sensitive to these allergens which in some form or another are present in the air throughout the year. Keeping the level of irritants to minimum can be one of the most effective ways to reduce the number and severity of respiratory problems such as allergies and asthma. And most importantly in the bedroom, it can make getting to sleep and staying asleep easier.

HEPA---This is the common abbreviation formed with the first letter of high efficiency particle arresting filter. As its name indicates, it is really good at eliminating microscopic solids from the air. To be designated as such it must have proven to be able to remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates that are.3 microns or great in size with 99.97% efficiency.

The fact that it can trap airborne viruses and bacteria increases your chances of staying healthy. Even though many germs are smaller than.3 microns their most common means of transportation is by attaching to larger particles. So by eliminating particles you are getting 2 jobs done with one filter. It can also remove the invisible dust mite that is so prolific in bedrooms.

The advantage of this type of technology is that its only by-product is fresh, clean air. It is effective without using ozone or ionization.

Carbon Cloth---This amazing filter was first invented by the British Military as a defense against chemical warfare. So as you can imagine it is excellent at removing gases odors and chemicals. The fact that is woven like a cloth makes if effective at particle elimination.

Activated Carbon---Long recognized as the leader of the pack when it comes to removing gaseous pollutants, a carbon filter is a must. It can remove gases, odors, and chemicals that off gas from furniture, personal and cleaning products, as well as pet smells that are not urine based.

Removing smells and particulates from bedroom air with the right air purifier can literally be a breath of fresh air for you and will make your bedroom a relaxing and inviting space to get away from the cares of each day.

Description Any time you spend in the bedroom should be restful, and a peaceful haven from the events of the day. Having clean, irritant free air can help you relax and sleep well every night. Here are the best 5 filters a purifier can have to be effective.

Can You Take Bee Pollen for Allergies?

It's unbelievable but there are thousands of people who take bee pollen for allergies and are feeling better already. Pollen has been contested as a health supplement for many years, but those who use it and are successful far outweigh the numbers of those who use it and have no success with it.

While many have formed an opinion about it, the evidence leads us to believe that pollen is helpful for those who have nasal allergy symptoms and other allergies too.

Why Pollen is Good for Allergy Sufferers

Sure there are plenty of questions that need to be answered regarding pollen, but how hard can it be to research and get those answers?

The challenge is that not enough people know what is actually in pollen that helps reduce allergy symptoms but allergies can be reduced if not altogether improved by using pollen that is gathered by bees.

For starters, we know that pollen contains vitamin A, C, and E which are all antioxidants. These antioxidants are known to not only repair damaged cells, but they help to generate new healthy cells as well. This means that the immune is system is getting a boost and is able to ward off bacteria of all kinds to keep the body healthy.

Studies in Japan

Due to the "buzz" about pollen, some research was done in Japan in 2009 with pollen to see what would happen when given to mice.

The end result was nothing short of amazing, proving that mast cells were reduced when given pollen on a regular basis. These mast cells produce histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing.

When the mice were given pollen consistently, the allergy symptoms were dramatically reduced, and yet more evidence is there to show that pollen is helpful in reducing mast in order to provide relief to those who have allergies.

The Journal of Allergy

Did you know that the Journal of Allergy has also reported positively on the use of pollen for allergy patients?

Allergy patients that have tried pollen have experienced a 75% improvement in their allergy symptoms when they took pollen in oral form. Those patients who also were asthmatics noticed quite an improvement with their condition as well. There is plenty of evidence that points in the direction that pollen is effective in helping allergy sufferers get relief, and while it doesn't claim to provide 100% relief, these patients are in fact getting relief and living easier lives as a result.

There are plenty of people out there who suffer from allergies, and the worst part is that there are foods that can irritate these allergies as well as things in our environment that can bring about these symptoms too.

Using all of these helpful tips combined will bring about a winning combination for those who need allergy relief, but wish to do it without using medication on a regular basis.

Visit my guide on bee pollen allergies to learn more.

Treat Ailments With Bee Pollen: Allergies Can Be Overcome With the Bee

Have you ever imagined that you could treat allergies with bee pollen? Allergies are troublesome for many in the United States, and while some believe that they are only seasonal, the weather patterns are changing and causing people to reconsider how they view the allergy season and what they can use to help them overcome the symptoms.

Types of Allergies We Battle

There are several allergies that we battle here in the United States, ranging from ragweed, to gluten allergies and more. Those who suffer from nasal allergy symptoms are always looking for a medicine to cure them, but what happens when the medicines no longer work?

Those who suffer from itchy, watery eyes should consider using pollen that is gathered by bees, simply because it is being used by thousands to treat allergies. Sure, we hear a lot about how pollen helps to treat allergies, but what is in it that helps treat them?

How Pollen Can be Used to Treat Allergy Symptoms

In order to help us see how pollen can be helpful in treating allergies, then we just need to study what is in pollen that would possibly help to reduce the allergy symptoms.

There have been studies in Japan that prove that histamines can be reduced by using pollen. When mast cells are increased allergies begin to flare up, and when lab mice were given pollen as a regular part of their diet, they began to see a reduced number of mast cells as a result.

Other Causes for Allergy Symptoms

Mold count and other things in the air aren't the only contributors to why people suffer from allergies, but there are other known causes like stress, eating gluten, and pollution which is hard to get away from.

In order to reduce the likelihood of allergy symptoms being worse, it is best to start taking pollen about 2 to 3 months before summer begins, and gradually introduce it so that you know how you will react to it. If you discover that your body doesn't tolerate it well, then you can use a process by which you start to reduce your sensitivity to it.

There are other helpful supplements that you can incorporate with the pollen to make it more effective so don't fail to use them. You can add more vitamin C even though pollen already contains vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an immune booster and an antioxidant, so it only makes sense that one would want to use it to help in reducing allergy symptoms.

There are plenty of options when it comes to treating allergies, but those who wish to lead a medication free life or are more likely to try using pollen and stick with it.

Will you try pollen to help you reduce your nasal allergy symptoms this year?

I Don't Have Food Allergies - Do I?

Most people have food allergies and are not aware that they do. Why? Because the common conception of food allergy is that your throat closes up and you have to rush to the hospital after eating something you are allergic to. There are many different forms of food allergy, some doctors refer to the less severe reactions as food sensitivities or intolerances rather than allergies. What's the difference? Your immune system produces five different types of antibodies - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.

IgE Antibodies

IgE antibodies are responsible for the more severe, potentially life threatening allergic reactions like what we associate with peanut allergies. Most people who have these are aware that they have them because the reaction is so immediate and severe. The type of symptoms people can experience with an IgE mediated food allergy reaction are lips tingling, itching in the mouth, throat tightening or closing, difficulty breathing, hives and full blown anaphylactic reaction, usually fairly immediately after exposure to the food allergen. Medical doctors test for IgE related allergies by a skin prick test. IgE antibodies tend to hang out in the skin, so a skin prick is a viable means of testing of this type of antibody.

IgA Antibodies

Celiac disease is an IgA related food allergy to gluten or gliadin a protein similar to gluten. Both are proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. Oats are often contaminated with gluten from being processed in the same facilities as gluten containing grains. Common symptoms of celiac disease include: anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bloating, and irritability. Celiac disease can have severe consequences if sufferers are not following a gluten free diet, so thorough testing for celiac disease is vital. Testing should include blood tests for tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysial antibodies, IgG and IgA antibodies to gluten/gliadin.

IgG Antibodies

IgG antibodies to foods are extremely common. In testing several hundred patients, only three of them haven't had any IgG antibodies to foods. The rest have had multiple food intolerances, usually 8-12 and were not aware they had any food allergies. However, once all of the food allergies were known, and these foods were excluded simultaneously, people will usually notice dramatic improvement. The type of symptoms people experience with IgG food allergies are skin rashes like acne, eczema and psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, mucous in the stool, rectal itching, rectal leaking, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sinus congestion or recurring sinusitis, vaginal irritation not related to yeast, environmental allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or lupus. IgG antibodies tend to be located in the blood stream, so the best means of detecting IgG food allergies is a simple blood test.

IgM and IgD antibodies are not generally tested for food sensitivities.

Foods Sensitivities Aren't Unusual

Many of us have observed, or perhaps at least heard of the frightening anaphylactic reaction to peanuts and even shellfish which several kids have. As a parent this is often a tremendously scary occasion, we are going to discuss food sensitivities, which if disregarded after a while can cause various other health issues. "When we see kids come in with constant symptoms of abdomen pain, ear infections, runny noses, exhaustion or perhaps skin rashes, we think about food sensitivities first," states Dr Mike Towbin of Ultimate Health and Wellness in Fort Collins, CO. It's estimated that as much as 50 % of the population has a food sensitivity to varying degrees.

Once the immune system gets out of balance-say simply by eating an unhealthy diet, taking an antibiotic or catching a bug-it may start to see a certain food as an opponent and attack it. Unfortunately, the immune system can't tell the difference between an undigested food protein and a destructive protein like a virus.

"If your immune system is good and performing properly, it allows the ideal things into the bloodstream and keeps the dangerous stuff out," says Dr. Towbin of Ultimate Health and Wellness. Any time it's off, it could react to something harmless-like the protein in milk, whole wheat or perhaps corn-while allowing in dangerous things, including germs.

It's essential to note the actual difference relating to a food allergy and a food sensitivity. Genuine allergic reactions can be either immediate or delayed; they could trigger a extreme antibody reaction in the blood stream which could quickly turn into a crisis, or they can build a slow antibody response which could result in problems over hours, days or perhaps weeks. Sensitivities, on the other hand, may not have a clear immune trigger and can trigger a slower immune response. Indications may be annoying to significant and may come and go with modifications in diet. Well-known food sensitivities include things like wheat, dairy products, corn, soy, processed sugar, eggs, coffee, chocolate, beef, fish, shellfish, citrus in addition to food additives, preservatives and even colorings. Common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, soy and wheat.

When Dr. Towbin suspects a food sensitivity he typically does further testing and suggests a comprehensive elimination diet. "We pull most of the suspect foods from the diet for 3 weeks to see if your youngster feels better. Next we add food groups back, one-by-one. Doing so let's us pinpoint which food is triggering the problem." If you suspect your child has an issue with food, see your doctor. Food allergies can be tested in multiple ways, sometimes with a simple blood test.

Homeopathic Remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food allergies or sensitivities are a group of signs and symptoms that denote adverse immunologic reactions to food. Nowadays thanks to coloring agents, preservatives, pesticides, and newer food storage techniques food allergies and sensitivities have become a very common phenomenon. The manifestation of food allergies or sensitivities are specific and highly individualized depending on age, sex, the quantum of exposure to a specific allergen.

If a person is allergic to some food, the manifestation of allergic reaction starts once the food enters the mouth. The mouth starts itching and once the food enters the stomach, abdominal dysfunctions starts and the person starts experiencing vomiting, stomachache, cramps and diarrhea. Severe gastroenteritis where there is vomiting and diarrhea cause a drop in blood pressure. On skin the manifestations are to dermatitis or hives with severe itching, red welts with heat and irritation and occasional swelling. The respiratory manifestations might vary from a slight difficulty in breathing to severe wheeze. The manifestation differs from persons to person.

Homeopathic remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Homeopathy has an excellent remedy for treating food allergies and sensitivities. As the treatment for these problems require a very individual approach, homeopathy treats food allergies by the use of simple remedies.

However, food sensitivity demands treatment that is specific to a particular problem, a specific allergen and a specific manifestations.

Some of the remedies for food allergies and sensitivities are:

Arsenicum Album: This is the remedy to think of first in any case of food related gastric upsets.This remedy is indicated when the patient is down, severely dehydrated with frequent passing of "White, rice watery liquid stools", where there is thirst for small quantities of cold water and there is physical and mental restlessness with anxiety.

Aloes Socrotina: Pain around the navel region. Sense of fullness and distension of the abdomen and a feeling that there is a constant need to evacuate the bowels. Burning sensation with the loss of power of the sphincter's of the rectum with the passage of lumpy, mucus stained undigested stool.

Calcarea Carbonica: The indications that ask for the use of this remedy are fatigue, anxiety sometimes with claustrophobia or fear of heights, lack of stamina, chillness, etc. The other common symptoms are developing digestive problem and heart burn after eating milk or wheat products, dizziness, swollen lymph nodes and tonsils, back pain, shortness of breath from exertion and strong craving for sour liquids.

Carbo Vegetabilis: It is an effective remedy for people who show indications of weakness, faintness, chillness, and indigestion due to reactions to food allergens. Such patients may also experience difficulty in breathing, strong desire for fresh air, frequent need to burp, bloating and flatulence.

Gelsemium: Patients who develop symptoms of chillness, weakness, trembling, muscle pain, droopiness in eyes due to allergy reactions ask for this remedy. They may also suffer in the back of the head and muscles of the neck and feel ill and weak.

When you are allergic to some food, your body responds to this food. Sometimes your immune system may react to even good food. Food allergies are not an ailment which needs to be cured but it is a manifestation of basic imbalance of the body.

Gluten Allergy - What Happens When You Are Allergic to Gluten?

Here are the 7 gluten-free basics to get you started....

1. What actually is gluten? I hear about it all the time and I have no idea!

Gluten is a natural forming protein found in grains. It is specifically found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. Millet and corn are also showing up in tests as containing high levels of gluten (damn those tasty corn chips!).

Gluten can also be hidden in pre-prepared foods like soups, sauces, marinades, dairy products, and tinned goods. This is because derivatives of wheat are used as a cheap way to thicken food. Instead of boiling those tomatoes to make a rich, thick sauce, just throw in a bit of gluten and it'll thicken up nice and good!

2. What's the difference between gluten intolerant and celiac disease? I'm confused!

Yes, you're not alone. You and the majority of the population are pretty confused about the difference.

If you're 'gluten intolerant' that means you have an inability to tolerate gluten. Your symptoms may or may not be severe and you can get a range of reactions (varying in intensity) when ingesting gluten. You may not even be aware you are gluten intolerant.

If you're diagnosed as 'celiac' then you have an allergic reaction to gluten and your immune system will click in (it's basically saying "out with you damn gluten!"). Your symptoms will happen within 30 minutes to 3 hours of ingesting gluten. Being celiac will mean your symptoms will be a lot more dramatic and you definitely need medical guidance. You will definitely be aware something is dramatically wrong.

3. Someone told me I might be sensitive to gluten. How can I tell?

Well the list of symptoms is very broad but some of the major ones include digestive problems, diarrhea/constipation, weight gain/loss (unfortunately I suffer more from the gain!!), lung problems such as asthma, headaches, joint problems, depression, inability to concentrate, and fatigue. Different people respond differently. Of course these things can also be symbolic of many other physical problems, so do check with your doctor.

You can also try taking gluten out, wait a couple of weeks, then attempt to eat something with gluten in it. The symptoms can return within a couple of hours.

4. Should I care if I'm reacting to gluten? It all seems a bit hard!

Reacting to gluten can lead to major health problems, including diseases such as cancer, asthma, thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chron's disease. If you keep consuming gluten it's basically going to affect the tissue in your body and make you sick. It's not sounding pretty is it?

So in short, yes you should care! If you want to maintain your long-term health and are experiencing symptoms, go see a doctor and share your concerns.

5. Help!! I've just been diagnosed and need to go gluten-free. I just don't know what to eat now!

The simplest gluten-free diet is meat (unprocessed), fish, eggs, vegetables and fruit. You can add in some nuts (as long as they're not flavoured) and legumes like chickpeas and lentils. That's pretty easy isn't it? Just be sure you have your own chopping board and cooking implements. Use scrummy taste sensations like fresh herbs (or dried), spices, tamari (that's wheat-free soya sauce), tahini (that's made from sesame seeds and tastes a bit peanutty), rosewater, a dash of nice oil and so on to spice up your meals. Try out some ways to prepare raw food.

Here's an simple and comprehensive list of foods to avoid: Foods containing gluten

Don't be scared. Get creative! Fresh is always best. Use this as an opportunity to extend your diet and add some exciting new delights to your culinary repertoire.

6. How do I find 'hidden' gluten in food? It seems a bit confusing!

The first thing I recommend you do is learn how to read food labels (that's the list of contents you'll find on the back of prepared foods). My best advice is if in doubt about an ingredient, consider it 'persona non grata' (that's means put the packet down gently and step away slowly....).

Here are some hidden ingredients that you may not realise contain gluten and you'll need to avoid them. If in DOUBT, leave it OUT:

Thickners (anything numbered 1400-1450)

Maltodextrin

Soya sauce

Vinegar (unless it says white, balsamic or cider)

Cornstarch.

7. This whole gluten intolerance thing seems like a fad! How come everyone seems to have suddenly started becoming gluten-free?

Ok I'm going to step out on a limb here but after 8 years I'm sensing a pattern. My belief is that our Western diets are FILLED with gluten in recent years. From our breakfast cereals, to our high bread consumption (having toast for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch?), the increase in our consumption of pasta and noodles, to the amount of museli bars and muffins we consume, that's just the start! Add into the mix the amount of processed and flavoured food we eat, and you'd be hard-pushed to escape gluten in anything you eat if you're not monitoring your diet.

I think everyone would benefit from lessening their level of processed food and getting back to the joy of cooking from scratch. It's healthier and cheaper!