Allergy Sinus Symptoms

Archive for October, 2009

Candida is a medical condition characterized by mold inhabiting the body. In most cases, this mold originated in the colon, but it can grow out of control and harm other areas of the body as well.

The Symptoms of Candida

There are numerous symptoms of Candida that are commonly confused with other disorders. These symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Allergies to foods
• Brain “fog” or inability to think clearly
• Chronic fatigue
• Indigestion and bloating
• Disorder to the immune system
• Oral thrush, which is a white film on the tongue or mouth
• Problems with the digestive system
• Itchy, red eyes
• Chronic drainage of the sinus that cannot be relieved with antibiotics
• Muscle and joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Fungus on the toenails or fingernails
• Skin rashes
• Headaches
• Urinary infections that cannot be helped with antibiotics
• Weight loss or gain with no apparent ability to change it
• Low sex drive
• Hair loss
• Menstrual irregularities
• Depression

Reasons for the Negative Effects Candida has on the Body

Candida is harmful to your body because it robs it of essential nutrients. This is because Candida feeds off the food you eat, particularly the starches and sugars. This means your body does not benefit from the nutritional value of these foods.

As Candida consumes food like any other living organism, it also produces waste. This waste is toxic to your system and results in its many symptoms.

Getting Sick with Candida

Having a miniscule amount of Candida in your system is not a problem. In fact, we all have a little bit in our bodies and a small amount is actually beneficial. This is because Candida behaves as a natural antibiotic and helps to control the growth of harmful bacteria in the body. It is a delicate system of checks and balances preventing Candida from taking control. Bathing or swimming (and ingesting chlorinated water), or using antibiotics, however, can destroy larger amounts of the bacteria, allowing the Candida to win the battle.

This is why constipation is one of the most common symptoms of Candida. By killing off the healthy bacteria within your colon and the rest of your digestive system, the mucus, sludge, and other waste in your colon is not adequately broken down and moved through your digestive system. The fact that Candida feeds off your body’s nutrients also makes your digestive system less powerful and effective when it comes to removing waste.

Keeping the Colon Healthy

In order to prevent Candida from taking control (or to correct the problem if you are already suffering from an overabundance of Candida) it is important to occasionally cleanse your colon. This helps prevent constipation symptoms caused by the overabundance of Candida. Products such as Oxy-Powder® provide a simple, inexpensive, and natural way for getting your Candida back in check and relieving symptoms of constipation.

With Oxy-Powder®, you will first undergo a full colon cleanse program. This involves taking four capsules in the evening along with an 8-ounce glass of water and then taking two to five more capsules every night until you have three to five bowel movements the following day. If you achieve this number of bowel movements with just the first four capsules, then you have found your dosage. You may, however, need to take more than four capsules in order to achieve the proper number of bowel movements. Adjust the dosage for your unique chemistry and effectiveness.

After finding the number that works for you, you will take this same number of capsules every day for seven days in a row. This will help cleanse your bowels, removing the harmful Candida and other waste while allowing your body to restore its beneficial bacteria. For optimum results, you should continue taking this same dosage either every day or every other day in order to maintain a healthy colon and to keep Candida overabundance at bay.

Lifestyle changes can also be beneficial. Since drinking chlorinated water will kill off the bacteria in your colon and allow Candida to become overabundant, avoid drinking water treated in this manner. Some filtration systems add chlorine to water, so be sure to examine your filtration system to make sure this isn’t taking place. Similarly, many brands of bottled water add chorine to the water. So, read the label carefully to make sure chlorine hasn’t been added to the brand you drink.

Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can also lead to Candida and constipation as the resulting after-effects. Of course, if you have an illness requiring a prescription for antibiotics, you should go ahead and use them. But do not take them for every little sneeze and sniffle. Many people take antibiotics unnecessarily with the misconception it will prevent illnesses. Avoid using them as much as possible in order to help your body’s natural defensive system stay intact by functioning as they should.

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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/constipation-and-candida-89940.html

Approximately one out of every ten Americans suffers from allergies of some type. Allergies are the body’s natural reaction to any foreign substance. When the body encounters one of these substances, it produces many different substances, including histamines. Once released into the body, these cause tissue swellings called allergies. Allergies can affect many different parts of the body including the lungs, skins, nasal passages, sinuses, and stomach. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include intestinal pain, bloating, mood swings, exhaustion, throat swelling, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, swelling or bloating of the skin, watery eyes, itchy nose, and sneezing. There are many things that cause allergies including pollen, mold, flowers, dust mites, grass, and spores. Additionally, food and chemicals can be an allergy trigger. The medical community has come up with all sorts of ways to treat allergies, but many people shy away from modern day medicine because of the extensive side effects associated with some of the treatments. It is often the case that the treatment is worse than the cure.

One natural allergy remedy is butterbur. Butterbur is a plant that grows in marshy areas and has three foot leaves. They can be found across Europe, in Asia, and in North America. It is a gentle, natural remedy that is free of antihistamines for those who wish to treat hay fever. It has been used for centuries to treat all sorts of ailments, but it has been found most effective at treating allergy style symptoms. It can also help reduce the muscle spasms associated with allergies. Butterbur is typically taken in tablet form, as the plants themselves can be toxic if not properly processed. The roots are dried, beaten to powder, and combined with other natural ingredients to create the tablet. It is best to take one tablet three times a day, but consult the packaging for more specific instructions.

Another natural allergy remedy is locally grown honey. This product can assist with hay fever and other pollen allergic reactions. It is important to start with small amounts. Approximately a teaspoon per day should help. You must first ensure the honey agrees with your body. If it doesn’t, discontinue use immediately. If you notice discomfort in the gastrointestinal area, it is important not to use it again. The goal is to work up to several teaspoons per day to ward off hay fever. If you decide to use honey, be sure to do several things first. Talk to your doctor before you try any natural remedies. Remember that you might have a bad reaction to the honey. Not every treatment works for every person. You should only purchase non-pasteurized honey. The honey should be purchased from a local beekeeper or at a local farmer’s market to ensure the freshest quality available is consumed. Try to make sure the honey was collected at the same time of year that you suffer from allergies. This will increase the effectiveness of this cure. To make sure you get the best results possible, use the honey one month before your typical allergy season. Using it in the midst of your difficult season won’t be enough. Also, do not heat the honey. It decreases its natural healing properties. One last note, begin with a small amount and increase gradually.

Another natural allergy remedy is green tea. People who regularly consume green tea have noticed that they suffer less from sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. Green tea is best consumed in purer forms. Don’t pollute it with additives like honey, and don’t use chemically processed tea either. It is important that you consume at least one cup per day. You should try to work your way up to three cups per day. It does not matter if the tea is consumed hot or cold.

An additional natural allergy remedy is Echinacea. This herb has been known to treat all sorts of problems, including hay fever. It aids in the production of interferon, which assists with decreasing the swelling in tissues, which, in turn, helps stop the runny nose and watery eyes associated with allergies.

One final natural allergy remedy is vitamin C. You become extremely susceptible to allergens if your diet does not contain enough of this essential vitamin. Vitamin C detoxifies foreign substances entering the body and strengthens your cells. Dosages can be up to one thousand milligrams per day.

James Calvin
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/five-secret-natural-allergy-remedies-to-try-77074.html

When a sinus infection attacks, it can linger for weeks and not only cause physical symptoms, but emotional distress. Faced with a flood of over the counter medications, many consumers are opting for herbal remedies to treat sinusitis.

It’s more than just a runny nose or a headache that won’t go away. When sinusitis strikes, your entire body is fatigued and it seems as if it’s a common cold that you can’t get rid of. In reality, your sinuses are in need of an herbal treatment to repair the damage being done to your body and set you on a path to wellness.

The National Center for Health Statistics says that sinusitis is the single most common disorder affecting American today. Herbal remedies treat the symptoms, including congestion, headaches, and pressure in the head.

Unlike a viral or bacterial infection, sinusitis just means that your sinuses are inflamed. Herbs can help cause the sinuses to return to normal quicker, since many sinus infections last for three months or longer.

Doctors will generally prescribe antibiotics, but they do nothing to prepare the body against a recurring attack. Plus, they tend to compromise the amount of good bacteria living in your sinuses to help ward off infection. Herbs, on the other hand, provide a natural balance to your body and enable it to get stronger and fight off infection for good.

The key to beating and keeping sinus infections at bay is to get your immune system healthy. Echinacea is one herbal immune booster that helps with inflammation and protects your mucus membranes from being pierced by infectious bacteria. A single capsule of 150-300 mg or 1 teaspoon fluid extract mixed with 1 cup of water is sufficient to treat your sinuses.

Goldenseal is another natural herbal remedy used to treat sinus infections. Its immune-enhancing properties help with the natural flow of mucus, helping your body get rid of toxins that are slowing you down. You can start treatment with a 250-500 mg capsule or 1 teaspoon of fluid extract combined with a cup of water.

Two other herbs commonly used to treat sinus infections are nettle and licorice, using the same doses as in Goldenseal treatments. Regardless of which herb you use to treat your own sinus infection, make sure you take every available precaution to fortify your immune system so that your body has it in it to fight off infection the next time it’s faced with an unfriendly bacterial infection.

James Penn
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/can-herbs-cure-sinusitis-107494.html

When I was first diagnosed with a wheat allergy my first thought was, what about dessert? I could not believe I was going to have to give up all sweets. But after researching the issue I have found, much to my relief that I don’t have to give up anything.

The substitute baking products have come along way over the past ten or so years. If you had tried the wheat-free cookies fifteen years ago, you probably gave up sweets, they were that awful tasting. But more people are being diagnosed with wheat allergies so the market for wheat-less sweets has gained more attention. The products you can now purchase are far superior.

I have found that buying pre-mixed products are the easiest way to go when it comes to baking with out using wheat flour. If you love to cook and are very persistent, you can figure out how to bake without them but I prefer to buy the pre-made mixes.

On the Internet, if you put in “no wheat baking” you will dozens of very good web sites where you can buy these mixes. There are also web sites that you can exchange recipes with other wheat allergy sufferers.

The Internet health food stores really seem to offer the best selections. You can buy brownie mixes, cake mixes, and cookie mixes, just to name a few. Your baking instructions are a little different than you are probably use to but they will turn out looking like regular baked products, and they are delicious. They also offer a baking mix that is sort like a Bisquick that gives you the ability to have a general-purpose flour mixture.

So, if are allergic to wheat, you can still make all of your favorite foods and sweets, it is just going to take a little time and experimenting.

Adrian Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/cooking-tips-for-people-allergic-to-wheat-part-2-125985.html

Peanut allergy is fairly common with a prevalence rate of about 1 in 90 people in the United States. Unfortunately, peanut allergies can be severe and those with a peanut allergy need to be very cautious about eating food that has been prepared by someone else, especially in a restaurant, because even food that has no peanuts in it can cause an allergic reaction if it was prepared with the same equipment as food with peanuts. Peanuts are not actually nuts, but instead they are legumes and are more closely related to beans.

A rather alarming study was conducted by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or (FAAN), which found that the incidence of peanut allergy is rapidly on the rise and in fact doubled over a recent 5 year period.

A test carried out in the UK had similar results. In this study conducted by the David Hyde Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, 1273 children were tested and the results showed that 3.3% of the children tested positive which was up from 1.1% in a previous study a few years earlier. Also, it was determined that these children had a high degree of atopy which is a genetic inclination to develop asthma and allergy symptoms.

Although researchers are not sure exactly why allergies and asthma are increasing so rapidly, they do offer a few reasons for the increase in peanut allergy:

Pregnant women are consuming more peanuts and peanut products and passing them onto the unborn baby.

Breastfeeding babies are being exposed to larger amounts of peanuts which pass through the breast milk.

Vegetarianism is increasing and therefore more people are consuming plant based foods and vegetarian foods which often contain nuts, especially peanuts.

The study mentioned above also found that for those with peanut allergy, 79% had severe reactions and 66% had frequent reactions. Considering this, it is surprising that only 74% of the children and 44% of the adults sought medical help in controlling their peanut allergy. Of those that sought help, less than half of those were given a prescription for epinephrine which is the most often used drug to stop and reverse a life threatening allergic reaction.

According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, peanut allergies account for 15,000 emergency room visits and around 100 deaths each year.

So how can you protect your self or your children if you suspect a peanut allergy? First of all, you must be tested to determine if in fact you do have the peanut allergy. If so, then it is important to closely follow the advice of your physician. You must practice strict avoidance of all foods which contain peanuts. This means you will need to read all ingredient labels of the foods you buy in the grocery store. You also need to be very careful about eating in restaurants or other people’s homes who might have previously prepared a food containing peanuts with the same equipment used to prepare your food.

If your doctor doesn’t suggest epinephrine shots, ask him about them. You carry the shot with you at all times in the event you do come into contact with a peanut and begin to have a reaction, you can self administer the epinephrine which just might save your life.

If it is your child with the peanut allergy, make sure your child understands the importance of avoiding peanuts in food. Also make sure her friends and their parents along with the school officials are aware of your child’s condition and know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Jane Wyvern
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/managing-a-peanut-allergy-61341.html