Category: General Health

Have We Become Too Clean?

It seems the more advanced our society becomes and the
cleaner we get, the more prevalent food and other
allergies become.

The occurrences of common allergies are much higher in
more developed countries than in their lesser
developed counter parts. And the numbers are
increasing as industrialization spreads through out
the world.

According to the hygiene hypothesis, the modern
methods of cleaning and sanitizing get rid of too many
germs. The bodys natural immune system doesnt have
enough to do.

In children, it doesnt develop the way it should. And
since allergies are an incorrect response of the
immune system, childhood and adult allergies have
become more prevalent.

Studies also show that common allergic diseases like
hay fever, eczema and food allergies are found less
often in children from large families.

Apparently being exposed to infectious agents (germs)
by brothers and sisters is a good thing. It helps the
immune system learn what its supposed to protect our
bodies from.

Antibiotic usage during a babys first year and the
growing use of antibacterial cleaning products has
also been linked to an increase in asthma and other
allergies.

The hygiene hypothesis explains that the antibacterial
cleaning products and antibiotic drugs limit our
immune systems exposure to infectious diseases,
parasites and other bacteria.

This limits the immune systems development. Because of
the lack of dirt and germs, the immune system doesnt
learn what its supposed to be protecting the body
from and goes after the wrong things.

Does Food Make You Sick?

Do you often suffer from strange symptoms after eating
certain types of foods? Do you get itchy, break out in
hives, swell up or actually vomit? You could be
suffering from a common food allergy.

Its estimated that over 12 million Americans suffer
from food allergies. Most allergic reactions are mild,
but around 30,000 visits to the emergency room are
reported each year because of the reactions. As many
as 200 deaths each year are attributed to food
allergies.

Studies report up to 8 percent of children have an
allergy to some type of food. The numbers are slightly
smaller for adults, only around 4 percent.

Many children will outgrow their food allergies. But
some will carry these allergies into adulthood and
suffer from them their entire lives.

Eating prepackaged foods, out in restaurants or even
friends homes can cause problems. Its often hard to
tell whats added to the foods we eat.

You hate to ask the cook whats in this?, but
sometimes you just have to. Especially when asking can
mean the difference between an enjoyable meal and a
trip to the emergency room.

With the increased cases of peanut allergies, most
packaged foods have started including on the label the
use of peanut oils and even if the processing of nuts
is handled in the same factory.

Theres no cure for food allergies. So the only thing
you can do is avoid the foods that cause the reactions
you cant deal with.

Allergys Favorite Symptoms

If allergies had a top ten list of their favorite
symptoms what would be on it? Would they prefer life
threatening or just really annoying?

The most common symptoms, that may or may not be on
their favorites list:

Breathing problems.

This one should be fun for an allergy. It really gets
the persons attention. Nothing like the lack of oxygen
to center a persons attention on the allergy.

Burning, watery or itchy eyes.

This symptom falls into the really annoying category.
It could cause additional problems if you cant see
where youre going.

Red, swollen eyes, also called Conjunctivitis.

Certainly annoying, but most people can deal with this
one.

Coughing.

This one gets old real quick. And a constant cough
quickly becomes painful.

Diarrhea.

This one might start out in the annoying category, but
left unchecked could switch to the life threatening
section very quickly.

Headache.

Depending on the severity of the headache, this one
might be tolerable.

Hives.

This symptom is not only annoying and uncomfortable
(possibly painful) it draws the attention of strangers
on the street.

Itchy nose, mouth, throat or skin.

Another in the category of really annoying. An itch
that cant be soothed is one of the most annoying
things there is.

Runny nose.

Yeah, this one could cause problems with other people.
No one likes to hear someone constantly sniffing or
blowing their nose. Makes people wonder what germs
youre spreading around.

Skin rashes.

Possibly ugly to look at, but tolerable

Allergic To Food?

Food allergies are the most common and prevalent type
of allergy. Up to 12 million Americans suffer from
some type of food allergy.

The most common culprits are eggs, fish and shellfish,
peanuts and other tree nuts.

Children are most commonly allergic to the same foods
but with the addition to milk and other dairy
products.

Corn and corn products also commonly cause allergic
reactions in children.

Most allergic symptoms are often only bothersome, but
they can be life threatening.

The most common symptoms are itching of the mouth,
eyes and skin, hives, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,
often but not always accompanied by stomach cramps and
wheezing, shortness of breath or trouble swallowing.

The more severe symptoms can include swelling. The
swelling tends to focus on the face area causing
swelling of the eyelids, lips, ears and tongue.

Mood swings and depression is another symptom.

The most severe symptoms can result in death. Around
200 deaths each year are reported from both the
initial allergic reaction and secondary complications.

There is currently no cure for food allergies. While
allergy shots have been developed to help with many
different types of allergies, none have been
successfully made for food allergies.

The people with the allergies usually avoid those
foods that cause the allergic reaction. Epinephrine
can relieve the symptoms, and is often carried by
people diagnosed with food allergies to be used in an
emergency.

Some scientists believe genetic engineering may create
vaccines, but thats still years away.