Astelin (azelastine) is a unique drug with a chemical structure unlike any other allergy or asthma medication. It is approved for both seasonal and yearly (chronic) allergic rhinitis and is available only by prescription. Allergic rhinitis is the most common type of allergy and is also known as “hay fever”. Basically, an inflammation of mucous membranes that occurs when allergens touch the lining of your nose. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are characterized by sneezing, congestion, itching and dripping of the nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

Astelin nasal spray is used to alleviate the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis. These symptoms are often associated with a number of environmental allergies such as pollen, dust, animal dander, and mold. This works quickly, can be used as needed, is steroid-free, and does not contain pseudoephedrine.

Not Your Average Antihistamine

This is known as the only antihistamine nasal spray and has two main advantages over oral antihistamines. The first is that it provides targeted therapy to the areas of the body where its needed most. Oral medication must travel a long way through your digestive system and bloodstream before making its way to your head. When you’re miserable, that can take a long time.

The second advantage is that Astelin is the only antihistamine approved for both allergic and vasomotor (nonallergic) rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis produces the same symptoms as allergic rhinitis and can be triggered by a variety of factors. These may include environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke or perfume, hormonal changes, temperature changes, and stress.

While it works as an antihistamine to block the effects of histamine on the body, it also contains properties of a bronchodilator and corticosteroid by relaxing constricted bronchial tubes in the lungs. This is unusual for a steroid-free product.

Astelin and the Rebound Effect

Some over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays contain a topical vasoconstrictor which restricts blood supply to the nose and sinuses, thus reducing swelling, excess secretions, and congestion. However, if these over-the-counter sprays are used for more than a few days a rebound effect can occur. In others words, the more you use, the more you need, until the product becomes ineffective altogether. Then you’re back to square one with your allergy problems or even worse off than you were before.

Astelin doesn’t cause rebound congestion because it doesn’t contain a topical vasoconstrictor. The most common side effects include a bitter taste sensation, headache, nasal inflammation or burning, and drowsiness. It is approved for use in patients 5 years and older. Its generic equivalent, azelastine, is also available as an eye solution for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

If you’d like to learn more about Astelin or its generic equivalent, please contact your doctor or pharmacist for additional information.

Amanda Jones is a licensed veterinary technician and an avid researcher of human allergy relief products including Astelin. She runs a successful website dedicated to debunking various allergy relief products for the benefit of the consumer. Amanda hopes she can decrease the number of pets who need to find new homes by educating pet owners on how they can control their allergies.

To learn how Astelin rates among other allergy relief products and for great free allergy relief tips, discount offers and more, visit Amanda’s website at http://www.allergy-product-reviews.com

Have you ever walked into a store or given a good friend a hug only to realize that you have suddenly developed a headache? Or have you started coughing or itching? Have you ever stopped to wonder why?

I am one of those people who are extremely sensitive to scents. My husband is also sensitive, but not as badly as I am. The problems I experience when exposed to fragrances can range from a mild headache and tightness in my face to an absolutely awful migraine headache. The skin of my face and neck (particularly my upper lip) will also sometimes burn in the presence of fragrances. There is one fragrance, patchouli, which causes my throat to become raw and close partially. It so badly irritates my lungs that I can not stop coughing. My husband also has a hard time with this fragrance.

With the exception of patchouli, I have the most difficulty with “designer” fragrances. But then, many petrochemicals will give me a headache or migraine. Things like fingernail polish, acetone, gasoline, etc. Many of the “designer” fragrances in soaps, laundry detergents, hand lotions, etc. are made mainly from petrochemicals. Most of the really expensive, high-end fragrances such as Chanel are made mainly from natural ingredients. But many of these will also give me a headache.

I will grant you that I am probably an extreme case. However, I have a neighbor for whom scents will trigger an asthma attack that always sends her to the hospital. I am not alone and the number of sensitive people seems to be growing. I believe that much of the increase in the incidence of asthma in children is directly associated with the increased use of fragrances in the home and in public.

Air fresheners are a real bone of contention for me. Why can’t our homes simply smell like our homes? If your friends do not like you because your house smells like you instead of a French apple, well then, possibly you need new friends.

For me, it is very difficult to go out into the world with all the scents that people drag along with them: hair gels, perfumes, colognes, lotions, dryer sheet fragrances left in their clothes, etc. Also, it seems that retailers put signature scents into the air of their stores. Have you ever walked into a WalMart or Target, for example, and noted to yourself that it smells like every other WalMart or Target you have ever been in? Why would that be? Plus, everything you bring home from those places smells just like the store.

Unfortunately, I have a neighbor who puts on so much perfume in the evening after her shower that it comes into our house and makes me miserable. Taking a walk through our neighborhood is an assault on my senses with all the exhausted clothes dryer air full of dryer sheet fragrance. I am not advocating the regulation of fragrances. That would be absurd. But it would be nice if people used them responsibly and with regard for the people around them.

Can all these chemicals be good for us? I don’t think so. And don’t get me started on household cleaning products. What’s wrong with good, old-fashioned soap and water? Do we really need spray bottles full of all sorts of who knows what chemicals that smell like a “spring morning”?

I have felt for many years that I am like the canary miners put down the shaft to see if it is safe. If scents affect me this profoundly, they are surely affecting everyone else to one extent or another. Who can rightly say what detriment they are causing? Should we do what we have always done and wait until it starts killing people to do something about it? Or should we show a little sense and put the brakes on the proliferation of scents right now? What could it hurt?

http://www.syzygyjewelry.com

Are you among the rising number of employees enjoying the benefits of wellness related programs being established in the workplace? Many employers are turning to preventative actions in hopes of keeping everyone healthier thus saving on the cost of health care insurance as well as the losses sustained by employee absenteeism. Your boss either cares for you enough to invest in your future this way or he/she is looking at ways to cut corners financially-perhaps both.

In my research for this article I was both amazed and impressed at the many positive steps that have been taken to promote healthy living while on the job. The whole concept is attaching itself to environmental protection programs and active solutions as well. To be employed by such institutions, it seems, would be quite uplifting and enjoyable. If your employer has not initiated such actions, you might consider bringing some of these ideas ‘to the lunch table’ for discussion and planning…it just might be fun!

Some examples that help promote wellness are the installation of fitness equipment, educating employees through lectures by health/medical professionals, providing vaccines, drug free workplace programs-even encouraging laughter on the job.

Other ideas taking shape are in the form of ‘green teams’ whereby the employees encourage each other to conserve energy through various methods, implement carpooling where possible, recycle and eliminate paper waste.

The introduction of such programs could even help to reduce the effects of many
common stresses in most any work situation such as:

1) the race to meet a deadline with added workloads
2) personality conflicts among employees
3) email chaos or technology overload
4) the challenge to leave personal problems at the door
5) potential for workplace violence (sad but true)
6) responses to tragedy (national or personal)
7) threat of losing the job
career burnout symptoms
9) competing for a promotion

If dealing with the normal everyday challenges provided by your typical workplace is not enough, there are other major stresses that are invisible though very dangerous. These enemies come in the form of indoor air pollution, i.e. bacteria, viruses, dust particulate, mold, chemicals and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) coming from the carpet, furniture, wall coverings and much more.

While I am in agreement that most all of the above mentioned ideas and programs are meant to bring wellness and healthier conditions to the workplace, there are unseen dangers still lurking in the air we breathe. Just one example is the dead skin that we all shed constantly-riding upon that skin are dust mites eating their lunch, leaving behind their feces for us to inhale. If you do not have an efficient air purification system, you are the purification system.

In the book Fresh Air for Life by Dr. Alan Somersall, he states that three out of four asthmatics die between the hours of two and four o’clock in the morning by breathing dust mite feces and bacteria embedded in pillows and bedding.

Many asthmatics and allergy sufferers have found great relief using active air purification technology.

That is, we no longer have to coexist with indoor air pollution. Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illnesses are phrases that are becoming frighteningly more familiar to folks every day. If no solution were apparent, we would have reason to fear. However, there are products that dare to be called the answer we all need. Cutting edge technology does exist that will oxidize known carcinogens in chemicals used for cleaning, drop particles of every size out of our breathing space and demolish mold, bacteria and viruses. Filter-less air purification units are truly providing safe, fresh air to homes, businesses, government buildings, schools, daycares centers and medical facilities all over the world.

The challenge to employers and employees-continue bringing wellness programs to the workplace as well as in your own homes and vehicles. Exercise, eat right, be energy conscious, carpool with friends, learn all you can about wellness, laugh often and breathe air that also promotes good health and sickness prevention. Do yourself, your family, friends and coworkers a huge service-learn more about this air purification technology and use it everywhere you breathe indoors.

Kimberly Newsome and her husband, Kevin, are Managing Consultants for Indoor Environmental Consultants International, LLC., based on the Treasure Coast of Florida. IECI, LLC, also provides Continuing Education Units for the American Institute of Architects nationwide.

To learn more on this subject for residential and commercial applications, please visit http://www.YourIndoorEnvironment.com

Many people believe that physical exercise is the most common trigger for an asthma attack. In fact, it may surprise you to know that allergy-induced asthma is the most common form of asthma in the United States. In fact 60% of people with asthma suffer from the allergic type.

If you suffer from allergy-induced asthma, breathing in certain substances such as dust, pollen, or animal dander will trigger inflammation and swelling of the airways. Albuterol is a bronchodilator and inhalers containing this medication relax and open constricted airways. This helps reduce breathing difficulties and wheezing associated with an asthma attack.

To date, albuterol is known as the only inhaled drug available in generic form. Trade names include Ventolin, Proventil, and ProAir.

How Do Albuterol Inhalers work?

There’s no cure for allergy-induced asthma, but albuterol can be an effective treatment option for keeping the condition under control for short periods of time. When the inhaler is used, aerosols dilate the airways and relax the bronchial muscles as air passes through the respiratory tract unrestricted. Albuterol is considered to be a short-acting bronchodilator. While it may relieve the symptoms of a sudden attack, it doesn’t control the underlying inflammation associated with allergy-induced asthma.. Therefore, several doses may be needed on a bad day.

The inhaler consists of a small canister that contains a small amount of liquid. A special device called a nebulizer transforms the liquid drug into an aerosol mist that can be inhaled easily by the patient. The frequency of use depends on the severity of your condition. Some people need to use the inhaler every four to six hours if their condition is severe. If for some reason you feel that albuterol is no longer able to keep your allergic reactions and asthma in check, contact your doctor as soon as possible for a possible change in medication.

Each canister usually comes supplied with an average of 200 uses or inhalations. Although it can be hard to keep track, using it more than 200 times should be avoided since the extra doses may not
dispense the proper amount of active ingredients. Some of the more expensive types come with a counting device to help you keep track of the number of doses used.

Proceed with Caution

Occasionally when using an albuterol inhaler you may find yourself taking in a higher dosage of medication than expected. This is usually not harmful as long as there is not repeated over-exposure to the medication.

If you experience seizures, chest pains, or an irregular heartbeat this may be a sign that an overdosage has occurred. Seek medical assistance immediately. The severity of the condition should not be ignored as misuse of an albuterol inhaler can lead to extreme situations. These include body tremors, seizures, loss of consciousness and coma.

The most important step is to learn all you can about albuterol inhalers before you begin treatment to prevent the occurrence of any possible adverse reactions. If you have additional questions or concerns, your doctor or pharmacist should be happy to assist you.

Amanda Jones is a licensed veterinary technician and an avid researcher of human allergy relief products including albuterol She runs a successful website dedicated to debunking various allergy relief products for the benefit of the consumer.

Amanda hopes she can decrease the number of pets who need to find new homes by educating pet owners on how they can control their allergies. For great free allergy relief tips, discount offers and more, visit Amanda’s website at http://www.allergy-product-reviews.com

Many people suffer from sinusitis every year. The sinuses are cavities in the skull which are used to make the skull lighter, give room for the skull to grow, and to cool down the inhaled air. There are four types of sinuses in humans which include the maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal sinuses. The maxillary sinus cavity is located below the eye and to the side of the nose below the cheeks. The ethmoid sinus and the sphenoid sinus are some of the most functional sinuses and are located between the eyes and under the nose. The frontal sinus cavity is located in the middle of the forehead.

The sinuses can cause many problems. The most common problem is a sinusitis infection. A sinusitis infection is caused by a blockage of bacteria and mucus in the sinus cavities. The blockage begins usually with a cold or allergy. The sinus cavity lining becomes swollen when a cold or allergy exists. When bacteria get into the sinus cavities, they attack the swollen lining which then causes greater inflammation. The cilia, which are tiny hairs in the sinuses, are used to flush out bacteria and mucus. When the inflammation from the bacteria occurs, the cilia can no longer flush out the bacteria and mucus therefore it becomes trapped and the sinusitis infection begins.

There are many symptoms which can take place with sinusitis. Commonly, a person may experience cough, congestion, facial pain and pressure, green nasal discharge, and postnasal drip. When the sinusitis infection lasts for twelve or more weeks it is considered chronic and can have additional symptoms such as loss of sense of taste and smell and the person may also become fatigued.

There are many forms of treatment for a sinusitis. Nasal sprays are one common treatment. Nasal sprays work by distributing saline solution up into the sinus cavities. Nasal sprays are meant to moisten the cilia so that the trapped bacteria and mucus can be washed out. The problem with nasal sprays however is that they have large particle sizes that cannot make it past the inflammation at the opening of the sinus cavities and up to the sinusitis infection. Oral antibiotics and other oral medications are also frequently used treatments. Oral antibiotics work on infections by flowing through the blood stream to the infected area. Oral antibiotics are usually ineffective when it comes to sinusitis infections due to the fact that there are only a small amount of blood vessels in the sinus cavities which makes it difficult for an efficient amount of antibiotic, along with anti-fungals and anti-inflammatories, to make it to the sinus infection. Another treatment that may be used is irrigation. Irrigation, like nasal sprays, is meant to moisten the cilia so that it can function properly. Also like nasal sprays, it is difficult for it to make it through the inflammation and to the sinuses. Irrigation is also usually a very messy treatment.

Surgery is a treatment option which is usually used when all other treatments have failed. Sinus surgery is painful and usually only offers short term relief since during the surgery they only remove a portion of the inflammation and infection which causes the infection to usually return. Many sinusitis suffers end up having several sinus surgeries in their lifetime.

Our sinuses have important functions and it is important to keep them clear from infection and preventing it from getting to the point of surgery. A sinusitis infection can become an inconvenience in many ways and also may cause future problems for the sinus cavities. It is best to take care of a sinusitis infection at the beginning and to prevent it from becoming chronic and from leading to surgery.

More sinusitis infection treatment information like Aerosolized Sinusitis Therapy can be found at Sinus Infection Problem - Sinus Dynamic

Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a running nose, coughing, and watery eyes can make your life very miserable. It is therefore paramount that you find ways to reduce your symptoms so that you can lead a better quality of life. One of the most effective way of boosting your immune system to fight allergies is with consuming vitamins and supplements. Here are some:

- Vitamin C. Vitamin C can act as a mild antihistamine, which can help you to have fewer allergy symptoms when you come into contact with a particular allergen. Two to ten thousand milligrams of this vitamin can be taken in divided doses throughout your day to help keep that antihistamine property throughout the day, since Vitamin C is excreted from the body after four to six hours.

- Beta-carotene. This vitamin works to boost the immune system, which can help you to naturally fight off the histamine or allergy response to specific allergens. Some foods naturally contain beta-carotene, including deep orange vegetables and fruits like papaya or cantaloupe. You can up the intake of these foods or you can choose to take a beta-carotene supplement.

- Magnesium. Magnesium has been found to help make breathing easier. It helps in decreasing the constriction response in the lungs. If this has been one of your allergy symptoms, then magnesium could be an excellent choice for your allergy regimen.

- Vitamin E. Vitamin E is known as an antioxidant that can help boost and increase the effect of your immune system. It has been found very effective in studies in decreasing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which an inflammatory response in the nose, eyes, and throat that is caused by allergen exposure.

- Vitamin B Complex. Studies have found that taking Vitamin B Complex can help to reduce your allergy symptoms by half. This is a significant finding, because it can move most allergy symptoms down into a more manageable range that is easier to deal with. Some patients saw their symptoms decrease to almost nothing, which gave them the opportunity to live a normal life for the first time.

Allergy vitamins can strengthen the immune system of your body so that it can work better than before. They can help decrease your histamine response when your body comes into contact with an offending allergen. Taking high quality vitamins and supplements is a much healthier preventative option as compared to treating yourself with over-the-counter medications and/or prescription medications. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about taking any of the above mentioned vitamins and supplements and their recommended dosages before consumption.

Evelyn Lim writes about Allergy Natural Treatment. She believes that there are safer approaches to reducing allergy symptoms without the excessive use of drug medications. For more free tips, please visit http://www.Allergy-Attacks.com

I thought God must have been punishing me for stealing. For the umpteenth time, I had snuck over the fence into the neighbor’s yard, and picked a few of his golden-ripe pears off of his tree. I brought them home and sat outside in my yard, and started to eat them.

Before long, my mouth and lips began to itch like they were on fire! I stopped eating my pears, but too late: before long I was having stomach pain and nausea, and that itching just wouldn’t go away. I got over it, but you can believe that was the last time I ever snuck over that fence.

A few months later, it happened again. But this time, I was at my brother’s wedding reception, and I wasn’t doing anything wrong: I had taken a nice red apple from the table and started eating it. I experienced those same symptoms again. Then came Thanksgiving, and oh! how I loved to crack and eat the nuts that were set out in large bowls in all the houses… but you can guess what happened when I started to eat them, right?

Within the space of a year or so, I discovered that I could not eat apples, pears, nuts, coconut, lettuce, carrots, or just about any kind of raw fruit or vegetable. You can imagine how difficult that was to explain to my parents, who naturally thought this was just a cleverer-than-average excuse not to eat healthy foods. I suppose it was convenient on occasion, but more often than not, this problem was preventing me from eating foods that I truly enjoyed.

I got in the habit of telling people, “I’m sorry I can’t eat that, I’m allergic.” This didn’t cause any problems other than the aforementioned suspicions of my parents. When I was in high school, I remember the biology teacher challenging my claims of being allergic. She told me plainly that this wasn’t like any food allergies she had ever heard of, and she was sure I was just being a picky eater.

This condition continued to mystify me for several years, and it continued to cause me problems - sometime in surprising ways. For example, I was put on potato-peeling duty in the Army, and I got terrible hives from the potato juice splashing on my skin, as well as my first-ever asthma attack from breathing in the vapors!

So what was really going on here? It turns out that my high school biology teacher was basically correct. My problem was indeed caused by allergies - but NOT by food allergies. Food allergies are potentially very serious, even deadly reactions to foods. Most allergy experts say that the foods that people are most commonly allergic to are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, and seafood. People with food allergies must avoid the food they are allergic to altogether. For some foods, this means not even touching them or being around people who are eating them. Luckily, true food allergies affect a fairly minor percentage of people: Experts estimate that only 2 percent of adults are truly allergic to certain foods. For those few people, food allergies can extremely dangerous: tiny amounts of peanut, for example, have been known to cause life-threatening reactions and even death in very allergic individuals.

My problem, it turns out, is something called “Oral Allergy Syndrome.” It is now known that people who suffer pollen-induced seasonal rhinitis, often known as “hayfever,” can suffer cross-reactions to fruits, vegetables, and even certain chemicals and synthetic materials. When I take a bite of a raw apple, somehow my immune system thinks I am trying to swallow birch pollen! Not to get too technical here, but the shape of the protein molecules in that apple are interpreted by my body as being similar enough to the pollen to provoke a weak allergic reaction. I say “weak” meaning in comparison with what happens to people with true food allergies. Certainly when I am suffering from eating an apple slice it doesn’t seem weak or minor to me!

If you already know you have seasonal allergies, and you experience symptoms like those I have been describing, then it is very likely your symptoms are indeed being caused by Oral Allergy Syndrome (”OAS.”) You may have never bothered before to find out exactly which pollens cause your allergy symptoms, but if you have OAS it may finally be worthwhile to do so. There are well-documented lists of which foods and other substances correlate to which pollen allergies, so if you know exactly what pollens you are allergic to, you can predict foods and other materials that are likely to cause you problems. Go to your doctor and ask for an allergy skin test, which is the simplest way to test for common pollen allergies.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for OAS. Antihistamines can help with the symptoms, the same as they help with your other symptoms. Also, many people find they can eat their favorite foods just slightly cooked (enough to break down the offending proteins,) or even just slightly more or less ripened than usual. In general, however, you will simply need to identify the foods that cross-react with your pollen allergies, and avoid them.

Sam Hodgeman runs a new website reviewing allergy information and products. For more free information and reviews, see http://www.allergy-reviews.com

Here I am sitting in my office, where I spend the whole day talking on the phone and typing on the computer. So unlike many, people can’t see my scratching at my eyes and nose, and reaching for the kleenex box every few minutes. You know that feeling that suddenly creeps up on you! You are congested; you have an itchy or runny nose and itchy and watery eyes. Why are you experiencing these symptoms? Allergies, of course! Perhaps you are one of these people, like I am, who suffer in the presence of pollen, dust, animal dander, mold and mildew. You immune system sees all of these things as a threat if you are an allergic person and your body reacts accordingly! Nobody really understands why it is that the human body goes all haywire over harmless stuff like plan pollens, but allergies seem to becoming more and more common: some studies say more than 20% of adults have allergies, and that the rate of new allergic patients is rising every year.

Well, you probably don’t care much about all those other millions of people with allergies. You care about yourself, and your own suffering! Perhaps you need a new plan of attack. What you can do is arm yourself with one of the newer medicines, for example a modern nasal spray like Astelin. This is a steroid-free antihistamine nasal spray that your doctor can prescribe for you. It provides relief from all of those bothersome symptoms including itchy/runny nose, congestion, postnasal drip and sneezing due to environmental irritants or seasonal allergies. You noticed a said ’steroid-free?’ This is an important point. Many allergy sufferers treat their symptoms with some kind of steroid-based medicine. Steroids are very common in nasal sprays. The thing to remember about steroids is how they work: steroid basically suppress one of your body’s natural reaction, that is inflammation. They provide relief by reducing or eliminating the swelling of delicate tissues in your eyes and nose. Just remember that using too much steroids can leave your body in a weakened state, less able to defend itself against REAL threats such as disease and injury. So steroid must never be used at more than the recommended dosage, and should not be used for long periods of time.

Unlike steroid sprays, a non-steroid spray like prescription Astelin is able to relieve your nasal symptoms because it blocks the effects of histamine which is the main cause of allergy symptoms. So, to compare this to steroid sprays: steroids try to dampen your body’s inflammation response to an allergic reaction, whereas an antihistamine tries to prevent the allergic reaction in the first place. When you are considering treatment options, please keep this in mind when comparing any steroid-based treatment with some kind of antihistamine. As far as Astelin is concerned, at the moment this is the only antihistamine nasal spray that requires a prescription that has been approved to treat your nasal symptoms no matter if they are caused by environmental irritants or seasonal allergies. That is to say, that many medicines are approved to treat outdoor allergies like hay fever, and others are approved to treat allergies to things like perfumes, but this is the only spray approved for both kinds of allergies.

What is the benefit of this being a nasal spray, rather than a pill? The medicine in the spray is directly delivered to the area that most needs it which is inside the nose. Oral medications, either prescription or over-the counter medications, take time to travel through the body and make their way to your nasal area. By the time these medicines make in through your bloodstream, who know how much effective medication is actually being delivered to your poor suffering nose tissues?

As I mentioned before, Astelin is an antihistamine. The primary cause of your allergic symptoms is due to histamine, a chemical that your body releases, signaling that a defensive response is required. An antihistamine is able to relieve your symptoms because it effectively blocks histamine from being released, or absorbs it before it can do much damage. Astelin is also, by the way, the only prescription antihistamine that has been approved to treat congestion. You see, many antihistamines on the market today are used in combination with pseudoephedrine which is a decongestant. Astelin contains no pseudoephedrine, but has its own natural decongestant effect built-in. Why does that matter? Some people who take pseudoephedrine have feelings of restlessness or may find it difficult to sleep. And this decongestant should definitely not be used if you have conditions such as an enlarged prostate, sugar diabetes, high blood pressure, heart of blood vessel disease and an overactive thyroid. Aren’t you glad that you avoid these kind of risks with a medicine like Astelin?

So let’s review. What makes this medicine work? Seasonal allergies bring on symptoms because the body’s immune system is activated. The immune system produces antibodies which in turn cause the release of histamine from certain specialized cells known as mast cells. Histamine is the primary cause of why people experience certain allergy symptoms such as congestion, postnasal drip, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes and nose. Astelin is able to relieve these symptoms because it effectively blocks effects of histamine.

Why is Astelin so unique? It’s uniqueness lies that it is a steroid-free nasal spray that gives relief from allergic symptoms no matter if the trigger is an allergen such as grass, pollen, mold or trees, or is an irritant such as perfume, car exhaust, cigarette smoke, cleaning agents, cold air or both. Many people that have seasonal allergies are sensitive to both irritants and allergens and do not really know that they are. No other prescription antihistamine has been approved to help you be able to endure the symptoms that come from the sensitivity due to irritants. This may explain why some people are not satisfied with their current method of treatment.

Aren’t you glad you have options? Check with your doctor so that both you and he may come to the decision to try it. You will have made an informed decision, and I think you will be happy to have given Astelin a try!

Sam Hodgeman runs a new website reviewing allergy information and products. For more free information and reviews on items including Astelin and many others, see www.allergy-reviews.com

Exercise-induced asthma is an excellent example of a problem which you can begin to solve once you understand it better. This type of asthma attack is usually more common when the weather is cold and dry, or the level of pollution or allergens in the air is high but this shouldn’t keep you from taking part in some form of physical activity.

By the way, even if you think you don’t have asthma during your normal day to day living its possible to get an asthma attack only when they take exercise. This can be because you’re asthma may be so mild that it doesn’t show up most of the time but as you breathe faster it can bring on an attack.

So should you avoid exercise in case it brings an attack on?

Well the answer is no because as we all know now, exercise helps to strengthen your breathing muscles (which is important if you have asthma)plus it helps boost your immune system and keep you at a healthy body weight.

So what type of exercise or activities should you take part in if you have asthma and want to avoid an exercise induced asthma attack? Here are a few pointers…

1. Try to take part in sports or exercises which consist of short bursts of activity with periods of rest in between as this can be particularly helpful.

2. Avoid ingesting a lot of food before vigorous activity has been associated with exercise-induced anaphylaxis; exercise-induced anaphylaxis occurs more commonly in hot, humid weather conditions and may also be related to severity of exertion.

3. Try to find some kinds of exercise which are not so hard on your breathing and leave you out of puff, remember exercise should be enjoyable, right? We’re not all getting ready for the Olympics.

4. Take up swimming as swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for people with asthma because it usually causes the least amount of chest tightness.

5. Try to put aside ten minutes of gradually increasing exercise to get your lungs limbered up and ready for the oncoming increase in breathing.

6. It may be a good idea to exercise less while you’re getting over your chest infection so to give your body that chance to heal itself first you exert it.

7. You may have to move your exercise to a place with better air quality. When you exercise, your body wants more air so try give to give it the best and avoid polluted areas.

8. keep an eye on how you breathe as you exercise if you find that its making your breathing a lot worse, it could be a sign that your asthma is not controlled and you should stop immediately.

As a finishing note: Having asthma does not mean you cannot exercise, remember many well-known athletes have managed their asthma to successfully compete in their chosen sports at the highest levels without difficulty so there’s hope for us mere mortals.

Barry J McDonald is helping people turn their health around at his sites, http://www.breatheyourasthmaaway.com and http://www.ScienceOfBreath.be drop by now
and pick up a FREE copy of his exclusive e-course on href="http://www.scienceofbreath.be">breathing
techniques

Food allergies is one of the top three allergies most Americans suffer from
The one allergy that is not diagnosed properly. A lot will say they
suffer from food allergies when they actually are suffering from food
intolerance.

Let’s discuss what food allergies are first, a person with food allergies
produce IgE antibodies that are specific to epitopes in the food allergen.
These reactions to the food can be deadly after the food is ingested.

One of most popular food allergies suffered by most is being allergic to
peanuts. Most food allergies a person will out grow in time, but having
an allergic reaction to peanuts is usually not out grown.

The best way to treat this is to stay away from the food you are allergic
to. Have a doctor run special tests on you that will help you determine
which foods you are allergic to and which foods you just have an
intolerance to.

There are different kinds of symptoms to food. These can include wheezing and having a hard time breathing. Some other symptoms can be itchy skin, hives, rashes, diarrhea, and swelling around the mouth and throat. These types of symptoms can start rather quickly after eating a certain type of food. Some people may even experience nasal symptoms that include runny nose or congestion; these may not be related to the food.

Some more common food allergies are known as having food intolerance to certain food types. One very common reaction found in children in lactose intolerance. This happens when there is a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which usually breaks down the sugar lactose. Children without this type of enzyme will develop symptoms after digesting food products. This is sometimes misunderstood as a food allergy when it is actually an intolerance to the food.

How a person reacts to eating or drinking certain foods depends on the person and the severity of their allergy to that food product. Some people can react with deadly symptoms while others will have experience mild symptoms. It is important to know and understand if you are suffering from food allergies or food intolerance. If you feel you might have a food allergy contact your doctor right away with your symptoms and have tests run to make sure.

The easiest and best way to avoid having a reaction to certain foods is to stay a way from them totally including foods that might contain the food byproduct you are allergic to.

Laura Miller has always suffered from being lactose intolerant as well as her children, learn more about food allergies and other health issues at her site
http://www.factsaboutyourhealth.com