Allergies are complex, infiltrating every aspect of the sufferer's body. There are many types of hypersensitivity, and the immune system creates individual responses for each, but there are some things all of us can do to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction or quiet the symptoms. Instead of reaching for the antihistamine or steroid first, try making these healthy changes in your life:
Try Oolong TeaIf you suffer from nasal congestion and/or sinus problems, then you'll want to try Oolong tea. It's a semi-fermented tea with a mild taste, rich in flavonoids and phytochemicals that have been proven to reduce mucus and lower allergic response for its users. Drink it, and you'll be able to breathe more comfortably with less congestion. Based on Chinese and Japanese studies most participants saw results within the first weeks of drinking oolong tea. Drink a total of four cups a day in small batches; low doses of flavonoids are more effective than large ones. You'll wake up less stuffy, and won't get as many sinus infections. Get Rid Of Dust MitesDo you wake up every morning congested and full of goo? It could be a dust mite allergy. Most people with a "dust allergy" are just allergic to the dust mites. Dust mites like to hide in soft, warm places like pillows and mattresses, our towels, and even clothes. Only one gram of dust can contain up to 500 dust mites, and these bad guys contain a toxic enzyme that attacks your respiratory lining. Combining factors like dust mites, air fresheners, and old air filters are the ideal setting for people to develop asthma, eczema, sinus, and frequent headaches. The best way to fight back is with clean HEPA air filters and by dusting your home. Wash your sheets every week in hot water to kill dust mites and buy mite-proof covers for your mattress and pillows. You'll notice an almost immediate difference in your sinuses and your nose will thank you. Allergic To Mold?There are over one hundred allergens in various yeasts and molds, and most people who are allergic to airborne mold are also hypersensitive to it when they eat it. Fermented drinks like beer and wine, cheese, and dried fruit (everything you need for a good party) are the biggest offenders. Even coffee can have mold and pesticides in it, so buy yours organic and reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. Believe it or not, just swapping your morning cup of joe and eating less toast in the morning can make a huge difference in how you feel. Get Rid Of Air FRESHENERSDowney undoubtedly makes the best fabric softeners and scented laundry supplies on the planet. Glade plug-ins seem to make a living room cozier, and bathrooms feel cleaner. But they're poisoning us. Air fresheners, fabric softeners, antibacterial soaps, and perfumes have a ton of poisonous chemicals that cause itchy noses, swelling of nasal tissues and respiratory problems. About 250 million people used air fresheners in their homes in 2017, and all of them became exposed to harmful chemicals that damage their nasal pathways and even the nervous system. Within one month of using air fresheners, you're promised to have built-up mucus and increased congestion. After several months of using perfumed sprays, damaging inflammation will begin to show in your respiratory tract. Kick your scented household goods out and exchange them for their natural counterparts. You can also try buying more plants to naturally clean and filter the air. Making small changes can lead to significant differences in how we feel and interact with the world. All of these tips will absolutely work in reducing your allergies, and I hope you try them!
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What is Pneumonia?Pneumonia is a disease that affects not only the lungs, but in some cases, other vital organs. Generally, your upper respiratory system can destroy any invading bacterium or viral cells, but sometimes, those defenses fail, allowing the disease to enter the lower respiratory system. Once in the lungs, the alveoli (tiny air sacs that help you breathe) fill with fluid and swell up causing decreased air flow. Types of Pneumonia
There Are Two Types of Pneumonia With SubsetsPneumonia is either bacterial or viral, and knowing the cause of the pneumonia is critical, as each is treated with different medications. Using a few standard tests and a chest scan, your doctor will be able to determine the type of pneumonia you have and how to treat it. BACTERIAL PNEUMONIAThis is the most common type of pneumonia caused by the Streptococcus bacteria and is usually contracted when the immune system is weak, such as after an upper respiratory infection or cold/flu. Symptoms usually are exhaustion, chest pain, fever, and odd breathing patterns. VIRAL PNEUMONIAThis is usually contracted by the influenza flu or respiratory syncytial virus. It’s not as serious as a bacterial infection, but will present with fever, coughing mucus, headache, sore throat and more. ATYPICAL/WALKING PNEUMONIA (Mycoplasma Pneumonia)As an adult, you’re less likely to contract this version of Pneumonia, and isn’t caused by the same bacteria as the other forms. It’s milder, but signs include coughing, sweating, headache, and fever. Most of the symptoms in pneumonia may all feel the same when you’re the one who’s sick; but it’s important your doctor determines the correct cause and/or severity of your prognosis. DIAGNOSING PNEUMONIAYou’re coughing, tired and can’t breathe, so you call your doc and set up an appointment to be seen. Once he/she suspects you are presenting pneumonia symptoms, they will perform one of both standard tests which require a chest X-ray to confirm. BTS/IDSA/ATS GUIDELINES FOR FIRST LINE ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT OF ADULT CAPChances are, your doctor knows these guidelines like the back of her hand, but you probably don’t. So if you are suffering from suspected or confirmed pneumonia and want to make sure you are being cared for correctly, click below to view the medical guidelines for testing and treatment. MedicationAlthough there are many strains, types and subtypes; all still fall under being either bacterial or viral in nature. The majority of cases are bacterial and so are usually treated either with Amoxicillin, Doxycycine, Clarithromycin, or in more severe cases, Benzylpenicillin and/or IV/Hospital treatment. Most average prescriptions are for 500mg tablets of Amoxicillin 2-3x a day and can be treated at home. The Fascinating FactsWe come into contact everyday with potentially harmful viruses and bacteria, in the case of pneumonia born bacteria and viruses, our bodies are built to withstand and conquer them… so why don’t they? Usually, the Nasopharynx catches and destroys any pathogens that enter through your nose or mouth. But let’s say that they slip by your Naso army forces and travel down your esophagus… Your Glottis (this is where you look at the picture), which is a small slit of tissue that opens and closes like an elevator door. Generally, any pathogens get destroyed once they make it to this point, as your body is creating and sending out B and T cells to fight back. But if your immune system isn’t strong enough, your army of cells will be weak, and the invading pathogens enter your lower respiratory system.
image from curetoday.com
Once the pathogens are in your lung(s) they will begin to eat at the tissue cells and cause mucus to fill your tiny air sacs now as alveoli- which are normally free and clear carrying oxygen. So if you have a lowered immune system, you’re more prone to get pneumonia, and once you’ve contracted it, the one thing that can really benefit you-oxygen to feed your army- is being cut off by the symptoms of the disease. The best way to fight back is by strengthening your immune system. Holistic Treatment and RemediesZINC Zinc strengthens the immune system and is typically found in foods we don’t eat enough of- like beans! Research has shown that taking zinc while in the acute phases of pneumonia not only reduces symptoms, but the length of illness. PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS If you’re taking antibiotics, then you need to take extra good care of your gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics don’t just kill the bad guys, they kill your good bacteria too- like a nuke, nobody wins. If you aren’t eating Kefir and cultured veggies, then contact your MyCoach for some supplement recommendations. VITAMIN C High doses of vitamin C, preferably from natural sources and not a Centrum bottle, will help repair your cell’s army and feed them while simultaneously reducing your symptoms and length of infection. “A Dr. Klenner remembers a man, who was lying near death from severe virus pneumonia, but refused to be hospitalized. ‘I went to his house and gave him one big shot with five grams or 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C,' he recalled. 'When I went back later in the day, his temperature was down three degrees and he was sitting on the edge of the bed eating. I gave him another shot of C, 5,000 milligrams and kept up that dosage for three days, four times a day. And he was well.’” Read more about that story HERE JUICING Feeding your body nutrients is essential, but providing more oxygen is critical. Juicing raw green leafy vegetables provides your blood cells with a rush of oxygen, strengthening your body. (remember that the pneumonia infection steals your oxygen both in your cells and by clogging your alveoli. GARLIC Need a great antimicrobial, virus killing, fungi slaughtering friend that will also keep vampires away? Garlic is your new best friend. And when we say “garlic” we mean fresh, “you just peeled it” kinda garlic. It will help fight the pathogens in your body, reduce your body temperature a bit, and helps get the mucus out of your chest and lungs. Members can visit the Member Only Pages to find more tips on garlic. CAYENNE PEPPER Cayenne pepper is all about the mucus my friends! It’s got the highest concentration of capsaicin, and helps get the muk out of your respiratory passages. Perfect for clearing you up and clearing it out! LEMON JUICE You knew we’d throw lemon water in the mix didn’t you? Members can read more about the healing benefits of lemon water in our Member Only Pages. Lemon juice helps to balance your pH levels, has antibacterial properties, immune boosting, temperature reducing goodness, plus has vitamin C. Drinking warm lemon water with a squeeze of honey several times a day is recommended for anyone with pneumonia. Our goal is to ensure your immune system is so strong, no pathogens can touch it, and that starts with a clean, nutrient dense whole food diet. Your body is beautifully made, and when we take care of our bodies, illness can become less and less of a concern. This is what eating to live is all about… and we love it! Know Your HeadacheThere are over 45 million Americans that have severe enough headaches to take them to the E.R every year. 1It has been spoken and written often by our politicians, that in order to defeat our enemy, we must know our enemy. If you suffer from chronic headaches, the very first step is learning who the enemy is. So before you grab the bottle of Tylenol, learn what’s actually happening to your body first. If we give a man a pill, it will help him for a day. If we teach him how to heal himself, it will help him for a lifetime. So which do you want? The easy solution sold to you, or the truth? Tension HeadachesThe majority of headache are considered “tension” headaches. These can have symptoms wide ranging between sufferers. A tension headache the tightening of muscles in your head. Literally. This can be caused by several factors, but the overall theme is stress. Life stress, food sensitivities, bright lights, illness, and even changes in the atmospheric pressure. Vascular HeadachesVascular headaches, a group that includes migraines, are thought to involve abnormal function of the brain's blood vessels or vascular system. 2 “The blood vessels in the head become enlarged, distended and inflamed, which alters the normal pulsation of the vessels and leads to a throbbing pain that usually worsens with physical activity. Vascular headache is one of the four major types of headache, alongside muscle contraction (tension), traction and inflammatory headache. “ (from: News Medical Life and Science) No one has been able to define specifically why these blood vessels tighten, but we know there are a few triggers like what you eat. Ripened cheese, cheddar, Brie, among others, onions, pickles, cured meats, avocados, fresh bread, red wine, sour cream, nuts, chocolate, coffee, tea, cola and alcohol are all things you should try avoiding. In an experiment at a Texas Neurology Clinic, over 25% of migraine sufferers improved when they stopped eating these foods. Also, anything that’s going to restrict your blood vessels will trigger vascular headaches. Chemical Headaches 3Use and long term use of commercial and over the counter pain relievers (to CURE headaches) causes headaches and/or makes them more severe. Some of the big players are codeine, acetaminophen, Demerol, ibuprofen and even aspirin. Yes. Aspirin. A 1994 study soundly concluded a relationship between chronic acetaminophen use and kidney failure. What’s “chronic” defined as, you ask? Try 1 pill a day for a year or more. The survey also indicated that people who take large quantities of other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen acetaminophen, may increase their chances of kidney failure eight-fold. 4 When the New England Center for Headache, took people who experience chronic headaches off their daily dose of five or six painkillers, the results were clear. Two-thirds of the folks said they were having less headaches by the end of the month! 60 days later, 45% said they were experiencing even less pain than when they were on the prescriptions/medications. To top it off, these participants also no longer had to suffer with the side effects of those medications such as dizziness, insomnia, lowered immune system, digestive problems and more. No Matter Which You Suffer FromThere are some simple steps you can take now to prevent/treat most headaches. Dehydration is the most common cause of headaches, so knowing that, you have even more reason to drink more water. Remember that when we become adults, we no longer feel thirst until we’re already dehydrated. So go get a glass! Low Blood Sugar can cause headaches in the late morning, late afternoon and after naps. Eating every 2-3 hours will help keep your blood sugar steady. (not spiking and dropping) So many people suffer chronic headaches (nearly daily) just because they don’t eat enough during the day. Stop Staring at your Screen! Do you have less than perfect eyesight and not wearing glasses? Straining your eyes, especially on a computer screen can trigger headaches. So take a break! Let your eyes dilate and relax. You’re not a machine. Knowing your enemy will help you defeat your enemy. Clearly, you taking pills for the last few decades hasn’t gotten you anywhere… why not try the holistic version of healing? For more detailed information on specific headaches and treatments, please visit our DIYHealing Category in our Healing Blog. |
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October 2019
AuthorLinda Lavender writes articles to help folks with Auto Immune Disease, Depression, Anxiety and other health related illnesses. |