Allergy Remedies

An ‘allergy’ can be described as sensitiveness of the body to a substance which does not normally affect other persons. There are innumerable substances in the environment which can cause mild to violent reactions in many people. These reactions range from true allergies due to intolerance of certain foods and substances, to those resulting from pollution.
Allergic reactions may occur within a few minutes of the patient coming in contact with the allergen, or they may be delayed for several hours or even several days. Almost any part of the body can be affected by allergies. The portion of the body which is affected is called a shock organ. Common sites are the nose and eyes, the skin, chest, intestines and ears. Allergic reactions are caused by a wide range of substances and conditions. These include pollen, dust, cosmetics and animal hair ; poisonous plants, serums, vaccines and drugs ; physical agents such as heat, cold and sunlight ; as well as a variety of foods. Among the numerous allergens in the food department, the more common ones are oranges, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, chocolates, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries.
Symptoms
The allergies symptoms are as varied as the substances causing the reaction. These include recurring headache, migraine, dizziness, irritability, nervousness, depression, neuralgia, sneezing, conjunctivitis, diabetes, eczema, heart-burn, hay fever, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric ulcer, asthma, overweight, high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attacks, a stuffy or runny nose, shortness of breath, swelling of the face and eyes, etc. The same food can cause different symptoms in different people. Many allergies are multiple and may be caused by
multiple allergens.
Allergy Causes
Allergy is an indication of lowered resistance and internal disharmony caused by dietetic errors and faulty style of living. It is believed that the major cause of allergy is feeding babies such foods as cereals, meat, corns, whole milk, etc. before they reach the age of 10 to 12 months.
These foods cause allergic reactions as babies lack the proper enzymes needed for their digestion before that age. Babies should be breast-fed for at least eight months as this is nature’s way of providing all the required nutrients during this period.
Another important cause of allergy is today’s processed foods loaded with numerous chemical additives, many of which cause powerful reactions. An allergic condition can result from diet imbalances. There can be a breakdown in the body’s ability to handle sugar due to excessive intake of refined sugar and consequent blood sugar irregularities, or mineral and vitamin imbalances due to defective dietary patterns.
Emotional and psychological stress can also lead to allergies. According to Dr. Hans Salye, the world’s premier researcher on stress, allergic symptoms are often nothing more than body’s reaction to stress. A person can through chronic stress, become sensitive to common foods or commonplace substances like petrol fumes.
Those are some of the allergy causes .
Treating Allergies
Lets now look at some of the natural ways of Treating Allergies. There are various ways to tackle many of the allergic disturbances. First, the sources must be identified. This is a difficult but not impossible task. Second, once the sources are discovered, they should be avoided. Third, and most important, general health and resistance should be built up to establish immunity to them.
There are two methods to detect disturbing foods. The first method is the trial -and-error elimination diet. This automatically eliminates many hazards and foods. Keep to organic, untreated, unprocessed foods as far as possible and you will eliminate another set of hazards such as pesticides, various sprays and other poisons.
After having eliminated as many disturbing factors as possible, a self-search should be carried out to ascertain any suspicious symptoms from foods. It is advisable to try an eliminary diet, excluding suspected foods for two weeks until the cause is detected. Occasionally, by changing the brand or the type, you can find a food substitute that does not upset you.
Another way to detect the cause of allergy is by Dr. Coca’s "pulse test." The method is as follows: Check your pulse before a meal. Then limiting that meal to one food only, wit for half an hour after eating and take your pulse again. A slight increase is considered normal, even up to 16 extra beats. If your pulse does not rise above 84, you may be allergy-free. But if your pulse rises beyond that point, and remains high an hour after the meal, you have found your food allergy.
The best way, however, to prevent or overcome allergies is to strengthen the overall physical resistance so as not to fall an easy prey to every allergen that comes along. To start with, the patient should fast on fresh fruit juices for four or five days. Repeated short juice fasts are likely to result in better tolerance to previous allergies. After the fruit juice fast, the patient can take a mono diet of vegetables or fruits such as carrots, grapes or apples, for one week.
After that one more food is added to the mono diet. A week later the third food is added and so on. After four weeks, the protein foods can be introduced, one at a time. In case an allergic reaction to a newly introduced food is noticed, it should be discontinued and a new food tried. In this way all real allergens can be eventually eliminated from the diet.
The body requires a large alkaline reserve for its daily activity. The many emergencies of acid formation through the day from wrong foods, fatigue, mental stress and lack of sleep can be met by the competency of the alkaline reserves. Boosting the normal body reserve of alkalines by liberal use of alkaline- forming foods is essential for those suffering from allergies.
The foods which should be excluded from the diet are tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, sugar, sweets and foods containing sugar, refined cereals, meats, fish, chicken, tobacco, milk, cheese, butter, smoked, salted, pickled foods and foods containing any chemical additives, preservatives and flavouring. These foods cause either toxic accumulations or over-stimulation of adrenal glands or strain on pancreatic enzymes production or disturb the blood sugar balance.
For preventive purposes, the entire C complex vitamins - known as the bioflavonoids, are recommended. They gradually strengthen cell permeability to help immunise the body from various allergies, especially hay fever. Often the addition B5 , or pantothenic acid brings great relief to allergy sufferers. Multiple allergies may result from poor adrenal gland functioning. In such cases liberal amounts of pantothenic acids help cure them, although the recovery will take several weeks. An adequate intake of vitamin E is also beneficial as this vitamin possesses effective anti-allergic properties, as some studies have shown.
An exciting remedy for allergy has been discovered by an Indian physician, Dr. Hement Pathak. He found that the use of five drops of castor oil in a little juice or water taken on an empty stomach in the morning, is highly beneficial for allergies in the intestinal tract, skin and nasal passages. Dr. Pathak, who is an expert in Chinese medicine, has reported numerous cases of allergic protection by this method. For allergic conditions in which an element of stress is present, it is essential to employ such methods as relaxation, exercise, meditation and mind control. These methods will reduce or remove stress and thereby contribute towards the treatment of allergies. Yogic asanas like yogamudra ardhmatsyendrasana, sarvangasana, shavasana and anuloma-viloma , pranayama are also beneficial.
In this post I have provided information on the Allergy remedies, Allergy Cures, Allergy Causes, Allergy Symptoms and Treating Allergies natures way.

Email a Friend

Treatment of Obesity

Before we look at the treatment of Obesity let us delve into causes of obesity. Obesity may be described as a bodily condition characterised by excessive deposition or storage of fat in adipose tissue. It usually results from consumption of food in excess of physiological needs. Obesity is common among people in Western countries and among the higher income groups in India and other developing countries.
Obesity can occur at any age in either sex. Its incidence is higher in persons who consume more food and lead sedentary leaves. Among women, obesity is liable to occur after pregnancy and at menopause. A woman usually gains about 12 kgs. weight during pregnancy. Part of this is an increase in the adipose tissue which serves as a store against the demands of lactation. Many women gain more and retain part of this weight. They become progressively obese with each succeeding child.
Obesity is a serious health hazard as the extra fats puts a strain on the heart, kidneys and liver as well as the large weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and ankles, which ultimately shortens the life span. It has been truly said, ‘ the longer the belt, the short the life. ‘Overweight persons are susceptible to several obesity diseases like coronary thrombosis, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout and liver and gall-bladder disorders.
Causes
The chief cause of obesity , most often, is overeating - that is, the intake of calories beyond the body’s energy requirement. Some people are habituated to eating too much while others may be in the habit of consuming high-calorie foods. These people gain weight continuously as they fail to adjust their appetite to reduce energy requirements. There has, in recent times, been an increase in awareness of psychological aspects of obesity. Persons who are generally bored , unhappy, lonely or unloved, those who are discontented with their families, or social or financial standing usually tend to overeat as eating is a pleasure and solace to them.
Obesity is sometimes also the result of disturbances of the thyroid or pituitary glands. But glandular disorders account for only about two per cent of the total incidence of obesity. In such persons, the basal metabolism rate is low and they keep gaining weight unless they take a low-calorie diet.
Treatment of Obesity
A suitably planned course of dietetic treatment, in conjunction with suitable exercise and other measures for promoting elimination is the only scientific way of dealing with obesity. The chief consideration in this treatment should be the balanced selection of foods which provide the maximum essential nutrients with the least number of calories.
To begin with, the patient should undertake a juice fast for seven to ten days. Juices of lemon, grape fruit, orange, pineapple, cabbage, celery, may be taken during this period. Long juice fast up to 40 days can also be undertaken, but only under expert guidance and supervision. In the alternative, short juice fasts should be repeated at regular intervals of two months or so till the desired reduction in weight is achieved.
After the juice fast, the patient should spend a further four or five days on an all-fruit diet, taking three meals of fresh juicy fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya. Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon a low-calorie well- balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely (i)seeds, nuts and grains,(ii)vegetables and (iii)fruits, with emphasis on raw fruits,vegetables, and fresh juices.
The foods which should be drastically curtailed or altogether avoided are high-fat foods such as butter, cheese, chocolates, cream, ice-cream, fat meats, fried foods, and gravies ; high carbohydrated foods like bread, candy, cake, cookies, cereal products, legumes, potatoes, honey, sugar, syrup and rich puddings beverages such as all-fountain drinks and alcoholic drinks.
One sure method of reducing weight is by practicising what is known as "Fletcherism". It was discovered in 1898 by Horace Fletcher of the U.S.A.. Fletlcher, at 40, considered himself an old man. He was 50 pounds overweight, contracted flu every six months and constantly complained of indigestion and a tired feeling. After a deep study, he made some important discoveries and prescribed the rules for "Fletcherism" which are as follows :
1. Chew your food to a pulp or milky liquid until it practically swallows itself.
2. Never eat until hungry.
3. Enjoy every bite or morsel, savouring the flavour until it is swallowed.
4. Do not eat when tired, angry, worried, and at meal-time refuse to think or talk about unpleasant subjects.
Horace Fletcher followed these rules for five months. As a result he lost more than 60 pounds and felt better than he had for 20 years. A weight reducing programme built on Fletcherism works wonders and is worth a trial.
Ingestion of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra deposited fat in the body and puts it into circulation which is utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with small quantity of about 10 grams to be taken with hot water. The dose can be gradually increased.
Fasting on honey -lime juice water is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one spoon of fresh honey should be mixed with a juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water and taken at regularly intervals.
Another effective remedy for obesity is an exclusive lemon juice diet. On the first day the patient should be given nothing but plenty of water. On the second day juice of three lemons mixed with equal amount of water should be given. One lemon should be subsequently increased each day until the juice of 12 lemons is consumed per day. Then the number of lemons should be decreased in the same order until three lemons are taken in a day. The patient may feel weak and hungry on the first two days, but afterwards the condition will be stabilised by itself.
Cabbage is considered to be an effective home remedy for obesity.
Recent research has discovered in this vegetable a valuable content called tartroric acid which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. A helping of cabbage salad would be the simplest way to stay slim, a painless way of dieting.
A hundred grams of cabbage yields only 27 kilo calories of energy while the same quantity of wheat bread will yield about 240 calories. Cabbage is found to possess the maximum biological value with minimum calorific value. Moreover, it gives a lasting feeling of fullness in the stomach and is easily digestible.
Along with dietetic treatment, the patient should adopt all other natural methods of reducing weight. Exercise is an important part of weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body fat and relieves tension, besides toning up the muscles of the body. Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming, rowing and other outdoor sports.
Certain yogi asanas are highly beneficial. Not only do they break up or re-distribute fatty deposits and help slimming, but they also strengthen the flabby areas. Sarvangasana, halasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana, chakrasana, naukasana, ardh-matsyendrasana,paschimottanasana, vajrasana, yogamudra and trikonasana are recommended. These asanas work on the glands, improve circulation, strengthen many weak areas and induce deep breathing which helps to melt off excess fat gradually. Yogic kriyas like kunjal and jalneti and pranayamas such as kapalbhati and bhastrika are also helpful in normalising body weight.
The patient should also adopt measures which bring on excessive perspiration such as sauna baths, steam bath and heavy massage. They help to reduce weight. Above all, obese persons should make every effort to avoid negative motions such as anxiety, fear, hostility and insecurity and develop a positive outlook on life.
Just by reading informative articles will not improve the situation but following the treatments of obesity will certainly be beneficial.

Email a Friend

Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

With Fibromuscular Dysplasia in millions of fit women, a routine run can suddenly turn into a race to the emergency room. Could you be at risk with a hidden threat to your arteries? Here is what every exerciser must know to protect her health.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia , a disease of the arteries that most people have never heard of, though it may affect as many as 5 million otherwise healthy women in the United States more than breast cancer does. Exercise doesn't cause the condition, but it can contribute to it. By raising a woman's heart rate and increasing the stress on her artery walls, strenuous physical exertion may aggravate the often symptomless disease, causing fragile arteries to tear and leading to a stroke, heart attack and even death. "If you workout, especially if you go at it long and hard, you need to get checked for FMD" says Dr. Olin, D.O. at Mount Sinai school of Medicine.
In people with Fibromuscular Dysplasia - about 85% are women ages between 15 to 60- arteries grow abnormally, but turns narrow and enlarged. This can occur anywhere in the body, but 75% of the time it is in the kidneys, followed by the neck, abdomen, limbs and heart.
No one knows what causes the disease. Because it's seen in women before they hit menopause, some experts believe that female hormones Estrogen is an obvious suspect.
When you are exerting yourself your cardiac output is higher, your blood pressure is higher and the whole system is under great stress. Many people with FMD get headaches, pain in the abdomen, chest or limb
Symptoms of fibromuscular dysplasia
IN YOUR KIDNEYS
-Headache, especially during exercise.
-Side Pain
-Unresolved or uncontrolled blood pressure

IN YOUR NECK
-Ringing sound in the ears
-Severe Headaches
-Pain in neck and shoulder
-Stroke symptoms ( loss of vision in one eye)

IN YOUR ABDOMEN, LIMBS AND HEART
-Pain in these areas
-Shortness of breath or fatigue
-Unintended weightloss

Remember Fibromuscular Dysplasia can lead to other health problems if its detection is delayed.

Email a Friend

Tip to Keep Obesity at Bay

Female booze drinkers can take heart; A new study has shown that moderate drinkers have a lower risk of obesity than teetotalers.
To reach the conclusion, Lu Wang M.D., Ph.d. of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston and his colleagues studied 19,220 U.S. women aged 39 or older who had a body mass index (BMI) in the range classified as normal (18.5 to 25).
Replying to a questionnaire, the participants reported how many alcoholic beverages they typically drank per day. A total of 7,346 (38.2 percent) reported they consumed no alcohol; 6,312 (32.8 percent) drank less than 5 grams, 3,865 (20.1 percent) drank 5 to less than 15 grams; 1,129 (5.9 percent) drank 15 to less than 30 grams; and 568 (3 percent) drank 30 grams per day or more.
Over thirteen years of follow-up, women on an average gained weight progressively. Women who did not drink alcohol gained the most weight, with weight gain decreasing as alcohol intake increased.
A total of 7,942 (41.3 percent) women who initially had normal weight become overweightor obese (BMI of 25 or higher), including 732 (3.8 percent) who become obese (BMI of 30 or higher). When compared with women who did not drink at all, those who consumed little but less than 40 grams per day of alcohol were less likely to become overweight or obese.
Women who drank 15 to less than 30 grams per day had the lower risk, which was almost 30 percent lower than that of non-drinkers. "An inverse association between alcohol intake and the risk of becoming overweight or obese was noted for all four types of alcoholic beverages (red wine, white wine, beer and liquor), with the strongest association found for red wine and a weak yet significant association for white wine after multivariate adjustment."

Email a Friend

Pain Reliever for Migraine

There is a ray of hope for millions of migraine patients, for whom available drugs are of no help, American scientists have claimed to have developed a magnetic pain reliever that can relieve a sufferer of headache within two hours.
The device of the size and weight of a hairdryer, is based on a technique single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, in which the electrical currents produced by powerful magnets are used to stimulate brain cells.
At the first sign of migraine, the device is held against the back of the head and switched on. It gives out two fleeting bursts of electricity which short-circuit the 'electrical storm' in the brain that causes the splitting pain, flashing lights and blurred visionassociated with migraine.
As part of the study, half of the patients were given the gadget and half a dummy device that looked almost identical. They were told to treat up to three attacks at the first sign of the symptoms and to record how they got on.
Almost 40% of those who used the device were free of pain two hours later compared to 22% in the other group.
Those who used the gadget were also more likely to be pain-free 24 and 48 hours later.
According to researchers, the electrical pulses produced by the gadget calm the over excited brain cells responsible for migraines

Email a Friend

Ways to Stop Snoring

Before going into the details of ways to stop snoring it would be worthwhile to mention the risk factors involved for those who snore regularly. There is a known relationship between obesity and snoring, but snoring is also associated with an increase risk for diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure. Pregnant women who snore may be giving off signs of prenatal high blood pressure and should be sure to have it monitored.


There are several helpful ways to stop snoring
(1) Sleeping on the left side
(2) Losing weight
(3) Reducing consumption of alcohol.
(4) Quit smoking
(5) Elevating your head while you sleep.


There are several products in the market that are supposed to be snoring cures, ways to stop snoring.
Please note these products are available but are they really effective.
Nose strips. Nose strips can be applied to your nose to help pull your nostrils apart so that the airflow through your nostrils is not blocked. While this will work well if you have a deviated septum or nasal congestion, it won't do much at all if you snore because you are overweight,drink too much, or have a collapsing soft palate.
Snoring sprays. These sprays market themselves as "stop snoring" sprays. The likelihood of them working well has not been established.
Snoring gum, snoring nose drops. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that these commercial products actually do much to help, or are stop snoring remedies.
Mouthpieces. While mouthpieces can save you a fortune in dental work if you grind your teeth at night, these specially-made, form-fitting pieces show no evidence on how to prevent snoring.
Anti-snoring pills. Again, this is more of a marketing gimmick than a proven snoring treatment solution.
Air filters. If your snoring is caused by nasal congestion, and your nasal congestion is caused by allergies, air filters can help indirectly by reducing the number of allergens in the air…and on the topic of allergies, you should address things like laundry soap, linens, and mites and dust in your mattress and in your room, as well as consider switching to hypoallergenic pillows.
Mouth exercises. Studies have shown that mouth exercises that tone the muscles in the throat and mouth, relax the jaw, and firm the soft palate may help to reduce snoring.
Lets me explain a bit about the mouth and lip exercises
Exercising your mouth is another great way to firm up the muscles you use in breathing. Not only will you leave this group of exercises less likely to snore, but you should end up with a smile on your face.
Open wide. Open your mouth as widely as you can, then close and press your lips firmly together. Repeat several times.
Kiss me. Form a kiss with your lips as if you were going to kiss someone. Better yet, kiss someone…but pretending will suffice. Repeat eight to ten times and do this exercise twice a day.
Smile. Don't just smirk or grin, but break your face into a great big smile. Hold it for a few seconds and release. Repeat eight to ten times. The added benefit of the smile is that even "fake" smiles release endorphins, so this exercise will, in addition to reducing your snoring, make you happy.
Lip stretch. Without closing your mouth, stretch your lips out away from your teeth as far as you can and hold for several seconds. Repeat the exercise several times.
Body Exercises
If your body is tense, it's likely to affect your throat and mouth as well.Tension is palpable in the shoulders and the neck; there are stretching exercises you can do for both areas to help you relax the muscles. If your snoring is caused by or exacerbated by weight issues, you'll want to place additional focus on improving
your body. Even moderate exercise can help you tone up, lose weight, and become a healthier, fitter you.
Neck
The neck is a place of a lot of tension—tension that can ultimately affect your mouth and throat and hinder your ability to sleep and breathe peacefully at night.These are great exercises to do right before you go to sleep at night, and can be done while sitting on your bed.
The giraffe. Without turning or tilting your head, try to stretch your neck upward and slightly forward. You won't actually notice a lot of movement with this exercise, but you may notice a sensation of released tension after repeating the motion several times. Try not to hunch your shoulders as you stretch. Hold the stretch for several seconds if you can and repeat the exercise six to eight times.
Head tilts. Gently tip your head toward each shoulder, stretching carefully. Try to aim for your ear to touch the ball of your shoulder to elongate the stretch. Hold the stretch for several seconds and then straighten your head. Do not try to go from one shoulder to the other, as this may cause neck strain. Move slowly and purposefully. Repeat the stretch eight to ten times.
Neck rolls. Drop your head gently until your chin is comfortably resting near your chest. Drag your chin along your chest and up toward each shoulder. As your chin approaches each shoulder, elongate the stretch by trying to touch your chin to the shoulder. You won't really be able to reach don't hunch your shoulders or your back but the stretching will further relax the muscles. Hold the stretch at the point where your chin is reaching for your shoulder for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise (both sides) eight to ten times.
Head turns. Sitting up straight with your shoulders squared, turn your head to the right and to the left as if you were going to look over the back of your shoulder. Don't go quite so far as to be able to look over your shoulder, as this may tense you, but turn your head far enough that your chin is in line with your shoulder. Move gently during this exercise and hold the stretches. It's not about whipping your head back and forth.Repeat the exercise eight to ten times.
Turtle. Stretch your neck forward. Picture yourself like a turtle poking its head out of its shell; that's what you're trying to accomplish with this movement. Gently hold the stretch for two or three seconds before releasing. Repeat eight to ten times.
Shoulders
The shoulders are another typical site of major muscle tension. When the shoulders are tight, it affects back and neck muscles too. Try these exercises before bed.
Shoulder rolls. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your feet facing forward. Pull in your abdominal muscles so that your body is solid. Lift your shoulders up and roll them back as if you were trying to make them meet behind you. Repeat the roll eight to ten times, then switch and roll your shoulders forward for the same number of repetitions.
Triceps stretches. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your feet facing forward. Pull in your abdominal muscles so that your body is solid. Lift your arm straight up in the air, then bend at the elbow in such a way that your lower arm runs along the back of your head and the inside of your hand is facing your neck. Use your other arm to gently apply pressure at your bended elbow to push your hand toward the middle of your back. Don't stretch further than is comfortable, but hold the stretch three to four seconds.
Repeat four to six times on each side.
Duck flap. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your feet facing forward. Pull in your abdominal muscles so that your body is solid. Put your hands on your hips with your elbows bent and facing out. Pull your elbows back as if you were going to touch them together behind your back. Stretch comfortably, but don't strain. Hold the stretch for two to three seconds, then release. Repeat six to eight times.
Arm Stretch. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your feet facing forward. Pull in your abdominal muscles so that your body is solid. Hold your arms straight out in front of you. As you stretch the arms out away from your body as far as you can, gently cross your forearms to make an "X" first with one arm on top, and then the other. Hold for three to four seconds and then release. Repeat six to eight times.
Body Focus
In addition to the exercises suggested here, Pilates, yoga, and strength training are all great ways to improve flexibility, muscle tone, and stress levels. Don't leave out the necessity of regular, heart pumping aerobic activity to increase your energy, burn off those extra calories, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
In the next article I will focus on breathing exercises, tongue, jaw and relaxation exercises that are the other ways to stop snoring.

Email a Friend