August 26, 2007

Dangerous Allergies

Tip! If your immune system is too weak to fight off the allergies, you will end up suffering for a good part of the year. Your immune system may be weak for a couple of reasons.

As a boy growing up, I often sneezed for no reason and sometimes had a problem with my breathing. In college, to take advantage of a free screening program, I subjected myself to twenty patch tests. It turned out that I was allergic to house dust, phosphates, mold spores, mildew and of all things, my own bacteria.

I found out about phosphates the hard way. I read somewhere that bat guano made good fertilizer. If followed that the 20,000 bats that lived in our attic must produce plenty of fertilizer for my garden (four tomato plants). After ten minutes I collected about five pounds of “fertilizer” and two minutes later my throat closed up completely, cutting off my supply of air. I started for the stairs but fell as I entered the second step. Thankfully, my mother heard the bumping noise and came running. She breathed into my mouth and pumped my chest until I could breathe again. I later found out that the benefit of bat guano as fertilizer is from its phosphate content.

Tip! Dog allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust and dust mites, ragweed, molds, pollens and others.

Just as serious was a bout of poison ivy. In the woods around our house grew poison ivy vines with trunks as big as my arm and extending thirty feet into the air. These mature plants produced small red berries in July. My brother and I used them as ammunition for our blow pipes, peppering the birds and cats and whatever else we could hit. The next day, my brother turned a brilliant red and itched all over. I had the same symptoms, but because I was allergic to poison ivy, my body broke out in the well-known vesicles. Every inch of my body was affected except my scalp and eyeballs. It took two months in bed sipping drinks through a straw and staring at the ceiling. At my weakest moment I contracted a case of pleurisy pneumonia. A new drug called penicillin saved
my life. At the end of the two months, my body gradually lost its swollen look and new, pink skin appeared. None of our guests recognized me when I appeared for the first time downstairs.

Tip! Many medicines are available to fight allergies. The doctor only can prescribe medicines for some though most of them could be bought over the counter from a drugstore.

Ten years later, an Army sergeant told me to climb into the rafters of the radio building and vacuum the dust on the beams. My warnings of the danger to my health only convinced him that I didn’t like the job. Fifteen minutes later, he had to take me to the hospital.

A small, but sudden temperature drop at about sixty-five degrees triggers a catalyst in my blood causing me to sneeze. Usually I try to avoid going outside at dusk because that is when mold spores are released from the damp earth. But one time the mold and mildew spores almost killed me. A
few years ago my breathing ability started to decline. Over-the-counter medication alleviated the symptoms somewhat, but after a month of suffering, I admitted that I needed professional help. A short walk of only ten feet had me gasping for breath! A shocked allergist tried to admit me into the hospital but I wouldn’t go. She finally agreed to treat me at home and in her office on a strict regimen of steroids and rest. I required three weeks of treatments on a breathing machine before I could breathe normally. The cause turned out to be a water problem in the cellar where I worked. Continual dampness under the carpeting grew a huge colony of mold and mildew. The owners ripped out the carpet but I didn’t stay long enough to see it done.

Tip! Unfortunately, food allergies are blamed for close to 200 deaths every year. Scientists say that allergies have to do with genetics.

Knowing the root of your allergy problems can go a long way toward living with them. If you are an allergic person, don’t put off having yourself tested for the exact cause. It could save your life.

While photography was my main profession, I have dabbled
in factory work, sales, house cleaning and writing.

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Asthma Attack Treatment Thanks To Hypnosis

Asthma is a chronic situation that affects the respiratory system. During the course of an asthma attack, airways, which carry oxygen to and out of the lungs, tend to tighten and hence decrease the flow of oxygen coming to the lungs. The airways also become swollen and lined up with mucus. Such symptoms can happen many times a day or week, or a lot less often. The gravity of the attacks also differs.
Various triggers may cause asthma attacks and the breathlessness that accompanies it. Asthma may also cause chest pain and loss of consciousness. It is a very serious disease that can at times prove to be deadly: while 300 million folks suffer from asthma around the world, asthma attacks account for the death of an estimated 250,000 folks on a yearly basis.
People who suffer from asthma also suffer from its side effects in their everyday life. Sleeplessness is a regular experience which may result in fatigue during the daytime, and may have a negative impact on one0s personal and professional life. The World Health Organization even acknowledges the fact that “reduced activity levels” along with “school and work absenteeism” are common side effects of asthma. Sports will […]

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

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August 25, 2007

Is NAET an Effective Treatment for Allergies?

Tip! Ironically, however, pets also are commonly afflicted with stubborn allergies that are a source of much distress–and expense–for their owners. And, very commonly–just as with their owners–medical interventions that mainly focus on treating the symptoms are quite ineffective.

Millions of people suffer with allergies and there isn’t much they can do about them short of avoiding the allergen altogether. Allergies to things like cats and dust can turn a person’s life upside down. In the past, people have tried allergy shots with varied success.

Many people with allergies, desperate for a solution, turn to alternative remedies. One particular alternative allergy treatment, called NAET. (short for Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. Celebrities like Dylan McDermott and Alana Stewart have endorsed it.

Tip! Unfortunately, food allergies are blamed for close to 200 deaths every year. Scientists say that allergies have to do with genetics.

So what is it? According to the official website: “NAET is a safe and effective technique in detecting and eliminating or desensitizing all types of allergies. NAET combines Kinesiology (Muscle Responsive Testing), Chiropractic and Oriental Medicine to clear allergic reactions through a reprogramming of the brain … This technique can successfully desensitize the body in order to achieve an allergy-free state.”

What types of allergies do NAET practitioners claim they can treat? The more common allergies such as food allergies, dust, pollen, pet hair, and flowers are often diagnosed and treated first. Then, items in one’s environment that one may not have thought of as an allergen are tested: air conditioning, fluoride, plastic, chlorine. NAET practitioners claim that one can be “allergic” to just about anything.

Besides treating allergies, many practitioners practice what they call “emotional clearing.” Events from one’s past may cause health imbalances that cause allergies and other problems. By clearing the emotional issues, they claim, the health problems will go away.

NAET has also become a popular treatment for autism. Many parents claim their children have improved after treatment. Others claim the treatments brought no results for their children. NAET practitioners claim that some children need more treatment than others.

Tip! Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor at allergyrelief101.

Given all the things one can be allergic to, NAET treatment can go on for months if the person has a lot of allergies. Treatment often takes place once or twice per week. It can be costly, but for those who have achieved results and rid themsevles of allergies, it may be worth it.

If you suffer from allergies, NAET may be an option. As with all alternative therapies, it is important to read as much as you can before trying them and spending the money. There is a lot of information about NAET available online to help you decide. While some people haven’t had much success with the treatment, for others with severe allergies it has been life-changing.

Rachel Williamson is a contributing writer for Health Diaries, a site featuring articles and blogs on NAET and other health and fitness topics.

Tip! If your immune system is too weak to fight off the allergies, you will end up suffering for a good part of the year. Your immune system may be weak for a couple of reasons.

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