The term HEPA seems to be everywhere nowadays. There are HEPA filter air purifiers, HEPA filter vacuum cleaners, HEPA air conditioner filters, the list goes on and on. But what, exactly, is HEPA, what does it mean, and how does it work? Let's examine the mighty HEPA air purifier, as well as other applications, to get a better understanding of this often used term.

Why Is HEPA Screaming At Me?

HEPA is written in caps because it's an acronym, like DARE or MADD. The acronym stands for "high efficiency particulate absorbing". Or, alternately, it could mean "high efficiency particulate arrestance", which is basically the same thing. In everyday English, HEPA air purifiers either stop or absorb particles of matter that are way too small for the human eye to detect.

How Can A HEPA Air Purifier Help Me?

As many of these particles come from manufactured sources, our respiratory systems often take exception to their presence. We will sometimes notice these particles as allergens or odors, but not always. In all too many situations, or bodies have no way of recognizing these particles, leaving them to wreak havoc with our bodies. This is why having something either stop or absorb these tiny particles can be such a boon to our health.

What Can HEPA Air Purifiers Do That Others Cannot?

Not all air purifiers are equal. Most entities that test any type of air purification device compare the results to "HEPA standards". This is because, for nearly half a century, this type of air filtration has been the absolute king. What makes the HEPA filter air purifiers so great, though, is their ability to stop particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. This is not a random number or designation. It has been found that, when it comes to the human body, 0.3 micron particles are not only the most dangerous, but also among the hardest to filter.

Is There Really A Difference Between HEPA-Type And HEPA Air Purifiers?

A true HEPA air purifier is held to certain standards. Chief among these standards is the ability to filter at least 99.7% of all 0.3 micron particles that pass through the machine. This is an extremely lofty standard, and you can expect to pay a premium for this ability. Generally speaking, HEPA air purifiers are not cheap. A HEPA-type air purifier, however, is a completely different animal. It's important to realize that there is absolutely no standard whatsoever that a HEPA-type air purifier must pass. A machine with this designation could be anything from a less effective, less expensive alternative to a completely useless piece of junk. Also, be wary of putting too much trust in HEPA air purifier reviews. The best HEPA air purifier will not only produce clean smelling air, but it will also remove particulates that are not detectable with human senses alone.

Want more information about HEPA air purifiers? Check out HEPA Air Purifiers Info!

Posted under Allergies

As the fast and growing community develop, our mother Earth itself becomes less hospitable, and even more a dangerous to live for ourselves and our families. We are not even totally safe, immune and protected in our homes. 80% of the airs we breathe are unhealthy because it contains numerous air pollutants and contaminants due to cigarettes, germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and chemical gases. People of today may suffer dizziness, irritability, sneezing, depression, and coughing.

Physicians are now developing new solutions to these problems resulting from poor air quality, air pollutants and atmospheric pollution. Although you might think that simple masks or electronic air filtrations systems are enough - they are not adequate by any or all means. It's like putting dirty water through a paper filter. The water may be clean of particulate matter. However for all your intensive purposes you would not want to drink that water, bathe in it or use it for your coffee or tea. Filtration is not enough to reduce the number of pollutants present in the air. Filters do not reduce odor but they only help pathogens like bacteria and molds to grow. However, germicidal ultra-violet air has been proven efficient in preventing the spread of infection inside the operating room like measles, influenza, smallpox and tuberculosis.

It is now relatively common indeed more and more frequent in occurrence that in workplace settings in high rise glass towers with sealed glass windows that reports are on the rise of workers suffering from what has become to be known colloquially as "Sick Building Syndrome". It's as if the building itself is the cause of the illnesses of its occupants. But with the help of UV light, which must be installed in office ventilation system, employees sickness can be reduce. Some of the common illnesses at work are headaches, sore throats, itchy eyes, and stuffy nose.

Embedding UV light in your air-condition system are cheap but the effect on employees are huge. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is certified by several private and government agencies like Centers of Disease Control, the Air Institute of Respiratory Education and the Air & Waste Management Association. Through great results in reducing air pollution, several hospitals and other health care facilities are using UVGI to sterilize their locations.

In newer homes and instituted in building codes in the northern climes be it the northern states of the US and in colder area of the provinces of Canada that homes are being built or retrofitted to be almost "air tight". This is being done as an overall practice in the heating and ventilation construction trades in an effort to reduce high wintertime heating bills and overall save energy However the flip side of this equation is that the dust mites are sealed into the home as well to cause the inhabitants difficulties with their allergic disorders and breathing disorders. Not only is the home sealed good and tight for air loss ditto this for humidity. It's as if the dust mites have a field day to reproduce, grow and flourish in this almost perfect indoor environment for them. Here again UV light filters in the heating and air conditioning ventilation system are of great merit. It is one way of killing dust mite, which usually lies on bedding, and to save electricity cost though hot rinse reduction. UV light probes mostly last up to four years, but it's advisable to replace them once a year. They may put some cost on your budget but they relatively helpful to your health.

Ask Us About Ultra Violet Lamp Filter Disenfectant Systems

Posted under Allergies

Remember all those commercials about the Ionic Breeze air purifier? They also made appearances at Radio Shack and The Sharper Image stores. Then they were gone, along with The Sharper Image, for the most part. Researching the Ionic Breeze air purifier on the net will very quickly yield two facts: the original Ionic Breeze air purifier is nearly impossible to find, and there are a bunch of folks out there that feel The Sharper Image lied about it. Yet, if you look at the reviews from the people that actually bought one, you'll see that they're generally favorable. Let's take a look at some of the claims that eventually killed the original Ionic Breeze air purifiers, and put them into perspective.

Ionic Breeze Air Purifiers Do Not Clean The Air As Well As HEPA Air Purifiers

The Sharper Image never claimed that the Ionic Breeze cleaned the air as well as True HEPA purifiers. Like good business people, they avoided the subject of efficiency altogether, for the most part. The stuff hit the fan when Consumer Reports said the Ionic Breeze silent air purifier cleaned only 30% of pollution out of the air. However, you have to consider that 100% of the polluted air will have to pass in and out of the machine quite a few times. Getting something 30% clean over and over again will, after time, get you almost to 100%. No, it's not as efficient, but one could say that ionic air purifiers, if given plenty of time, will do the job just as well as anything. They're also much cheaper to purchase, operate, and maintain. Also, don't forget that Consumer Reports only compared to True HEPA air purifiers as opposed to the much more common HEPA-type purifiers. HEPA-type air purifiers have no particular efficiency, while True HEPA machines are out of reach for many consumers.

The Ionic Breeze Actually Makes The Air Unhealthy

The theory is that ionic air purifiers release a ton of ozone when cleaning the air. But that's just not the case. The best explanation for this misconception is that people don't know the difference between ionic air purifiers and ozone generators, which are somewhat similar, but do use ozone to clean the air. There is no factual data stating that ionic air purifiers put out unsafe amounts of ozone, and Consumer Reports even said that the Ionic Breeze air purifier passes HEPA guidelines in regards to ozone. Actually, the Ionic Breeze silent air purifier passes every HEPA guideline except for efficiency.

The Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Caused The Sharper Image To Go Bankrupt

Yes, The Sharper Image did file in 2008, but lack of sales was not their downfall. The Sharper Image failed because they were a publicly traded company, and their stock prices dropped like so many rocks once their reputation had been so thoroughly tarnished. Although they had a ton of debt by the time they declared bankruptcy, they still had around $50 million in equity, not to include cash on hand. Unfortunately, however, their investors apparently didn't look the whole picture.

How Are Newer Ionic Air Purifiers Different?

Newer ionic air purifiers aren't significantly different from the original as the concept behind was not only simple, but effective, and wouldn't be easy to improve. Simply put, ionic air purifiers effectively, though slowly, clean air pollution just fine, and they do it quite cheaply. The original Ionic Breeze itself might be hard to find, but newer versions of it as well as the Ionic Pro air purifier and various generics are still easily obtainable.

Want to learn more about the ionic air purifier? Visit Ionic Air Purifier Info.

categories: air,appliances,allergies,asthma,pollution,health,electronics,science,filter,guide,shopping,gadgets,product review,green

Posted under Allergies

When shopping for a HEPA air purifier, you'll often see products labeled as a "True" HEPA air purifier. This can be confusing because, if there's a true, then there must be a false, right? There are a few different things that True HEPA air purifiers are comparing to, but none of them will be labeled as false or sub-standard, of course. It's up to you, the consumer, to know the difference, and know if it affects you. Let's take a look at the True HEPA Air Purifier, and see what they are comparing to.

True HEPA Air Purifiers Are Different

There is a difference between a HEPA-type air purifier, and a True HEPA air purifier, which is also called an absolute HEPA air purifier. Even if folks do not always make it clear, when they're comparing HEPA filters to other air filtration medium, especially if they're referencing the likes of OSHA or the EPA, they're talking about True HEPA filters. Yes, there are many types of air purifiers available, but the only ones that places like labs and hospitals use are True HEPA air purifiers.

Do True HEPA Air Purifiers Stop Particles That Others Don't?

One of the main things that a true HEPA air purifier must be able to do is filter at least 97% of 0.3 micron particles. This may sound like so much technical jargon, but it's actually quite important. 0.3 micron particles are the hardest size for filters to stop, including those particles that are even smaller. Not only that, but they are small enough to very easily bypass the human body's natural defenses and enter the respiratory system, causing all sorts of maladies. Suddenly 0.3 micron particles sound a little less nerdy, and a bit more deadly. If you're interested in how small 0.3 microns actually is, compare it to a human hair. A human hair can be anywhere from 70 to 100 microns in thickness.

Best When Dirty! True HEPA Air Purifies Actually Work Better When Dirty

Another big difference between HEPA-type purifiers and True HEPA air purifiers is how they filter when they become dirty. This is where the "Absolute" part of the equation comes in. Any absolute filter media will actually become more effective as it gets dirtier. The more particles that are trapped in an absolute filter, the more effective it will be. The reason why is actually pretty simple. As dirt and other debris builds up around the air holes, those holes get smaller and smaller, allowing less to get through.

Is There A Way To Tell If A HEPA Air Purifier Is True?

Look for products that actually advertise that they are True HEPA air purifiers. The alternative is the HEPA-type air purifier, which is really just an imitation, and is not held to any particular standard. If you find a purifier that doesn't say either HEPA-type or True HEPA, you can also reference other specifications on the box. Look for one that filters 97% or more of the 0.3 micron particles if you want a True HEPA air purifier.

Still not sure that a HEPA air purifier is for you? Visit HEPA Air Purifiers Info for answers to all of your questions.

categories: air,appliances,allergies,asthma,pollution,health,electronics,science,filter,guide,shopping,gadgets,product review,green

Posted under Allergies

You have to have some kind of carpet in your Home, at least in my opinion. Most of the high-end fantastic homes with all the luxury flooring in them also have some sort of substitute for carpet like area rugs and such. Most people, me especially, prefer to have carpet on the floor, especially when I get a bed in the morning and my feet dig into that nice warm soft carpeting. It's a much better feeling than any hardwood floor.

Having a carpet that is clean is essential.No one wants to walk across the floor in their Home and end up with dirty feet.The biggest problem of carpeting is the fact that it conceals the dirt, so you and your loved ones come without even thinking about it, are constantly walking over dirty floors. Because of this, it's a really good idea to incorporate a little bit of time each day into Cleaning of carpets with a machine that will stand up to daily use.

Bissell Carpet Cleaning Machines

One of the best makers of the carpet Cleaning machines that are affordable is Bissell. Bissell offers deep-Cleansing vacuums, including the popular bag less Little Green Vacuum, and a hard floor cleaner, the Bissell Flip-It, which flips sides to alternate between wet and dry Cleaning.

Eureka Carpet Cleansing Machines

Another tried-and-true American brand of carpet Cleansing machine is Eureka. Eureka offers a small line of upright vacuums, canister vacuums, lightweight stick vacuums, and carpet shampoo machines. Eureka's shampoo machine has a proprietary process which effectively eliminates all of the shampoo from the Cleansing solution which results in a clean carpet without any of the soapy residue which can irritate feet.

Dyson Carpet Cleansing Machines

Dyson vacuums are top-of-the-line carpet Cleaning machines that can deliver an almost clean-room environment to a Home. Dyson vacuums are bag less and operate on a single-ball turning system that allows effortless movement in and out of tight corners. They use patented root cyclone technology that eliminates loss of suction, and they are certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Rainbow Carpet Cleaning Machines

Another really high-end solution to the dirty carpet battle are Rainbow carpet Cleansing machines. The rainbow carpet Cleansing system is very high-tech and the fact that it houses on board computer controls, adjustable power and tight nozzles, HEPA filters, tools for the upholstery and dusting brushes, and numerous other odds and ends to help you in your tasks.

Kirby Carpet Cleansing Machines

Kirby has offered carpet Cleansing solutions for more than 90 years. Kirby's state-of-the-art Sentria system exemplifies the Kirby traditions of quality, reliability, and performance. Kirby system offers you 12 machines in one to fit the bill for anything in your Household as regards to Cleansing your floors. The machine is an upright vacuum, a wood floor buffer, stick vacuum, canister vacuum, and the slew of other things as well.

Though at the cost of the vacuum Cleansing system be the only factor that you use in selecting one. These machines last for many years, and you should choose one that suits your environment and your Household.

If you only suffer from allergies and the dust has got you depressed, you can read more concerning where to buy a hepa filter vacuum by visiting http://hepavacuumcleaner.net

categories: vacuum cleaners,allergies,home and garden,home appliance,home improvement,asthma

Posted under Allergies

Asthma is a disorder having an effect on the airways of the lungs. Responding to certain triggers the mucous surfaces of the lungs of a patient swell up causing the bronchial tubes to go into spasm. This makes respiring tricky. The muscles may tighten up and excessive mucus might be produced leading to trouble breathing and puffing. Unlike any other respiration conditions like lingering bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary illness, the inflammation due to asthma is reversible and usually replies well to medicine.

There are 2 sorts of asthma :

1. Intrinsic - occurring as a consequence of an infection or later in life.

2. Extrinsic - due to allergies.

Common allergens include several food types which can result in an immediate asthmatic response. These include seafood, nuts and eggs. While other foods such as wheat, chocolate and certain food coloring and additives may result in a delayed response. Asthma may also be triggered by allergy to dust mites, pollen, dust, insect sprays or other pollutants.

The degree of severity of asthma varies widely, with some patients suffering only occasional symptoms while others may have a constant underlying level of inflammation and consequent impairment of breathing.

Signs of lingering underlying asthma include difficulty breathing during exercise, chronic cough and the repeated urge to clear the throat, tightness of chest and puffing. Exacerbation of asthma may lead to what's generally known as an asthma attack. In this example the patient experiences trouble breathing even during rest, fast heart beat, panting and chest constriction, rhonchus or loud respiring and coughing. Depending on seriousness of the assault air intake be could be so proscribed the patient may turn blue and even lose consciousness.

Info about causes and the development of asthma is some distance from complete. studies appear to suggest that it is closely linked with the body's immunological responses. Incidence is understood to change noticeably between racial groups, wealthy and poorer areas of the planet and also based totally on environmental components for example. Research has demonstrated links with the following :

Exposure to tobacco smoke seems to be related to higher prevalence of asthma

Kids born through caesarean section seem to have noticeably higher levels of asthma than those born by vaginal delivery. It is said this is due to assorted levels of bacterial exposure during delivery and it's result on development of the immunological system.

High levels of environmental pollutants have also been linked to higher incidence.

Stress has for a while been suspected of causing asthma. It is supposed that stress may affect the working of the immune mechanism and thus indirectly influence the prevalence of asthma.

Regular exposure to antibiotics especially at an early age as well as growing up in an excessively hygienic environment, in other words not being exposed to the usual childhood respiratory infections etc may actually leave the immune system compromised and lead to greater likelihood of developing asthma. On the other hand evidence suggests that children who grow up in larger families and are exposed to the usual childhood illnesses are more resilient when it comes to keeping asthma at bay.

Treatment and control of asthma may involve several approaches encompassing lifestyle changes, medication and dietary changes and could include:

Eliminating or reducing exposure to the trigger factors in the the environment or diet.

Giving up smoking and avoiding exposure to second hand smoke.

Reducing or dumping dairy goods from diet as dairy goods push the production of mucus.

Medicine including short term or long-term Bronchodilator might be used to handle bronchospasms associated with asthma.

Vitamin C and Cod liver oil may also be used to reduce severity of reactions and inflammation.

There are a lot of articles about asthma in my allergy asthma site. You can get them for free by visiting allergy asthma treatment webpage here.

categories: asthma

Posted under Allergies

If your basement is properly constructed with the right amount of air conditioning and ventilation, then it ought to be a dry area. Because they are poorly designed, there are tons of basements that suffer from a lingering dampness that is uncontrollable. Dampness like this is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, especially in basements where old books, magazines, clothing and suitcases are stored.

After the humidity in your basement goes over 50%, then you run into things like warped furniture, condensation on the walls, as well as fungus and mold growth. All that moisture will also make any would you have down there rot quicker. If any of your family members suffer from allergies related to mold and mildew, then investing in a basement dehumidifier is an absolute no-brainer. Before you go off and spend a bunch of money and buying any basement dehumidifier for this problem, you really should think about finding out why your basement has such a high humidity problem. There really shouldn't be that much of a difference between the temperature of your basement and the temperature of the rest of the house, as it shouldn't have its own temperatures zone. Adding weather stripping to any of the windows and doors in your basement might help a little. If in the unfortunate situation that the basement doesn't have any insulation, you have to consider the cost of adding insulation against the price of running a basement dehumidifier constantly.

You will need to do a little bit of research before buying any basement dehumidifier. Know the cubic footage of the basement space that it will be going into. You also want to take into consideration whether you need a permanent unit versus a portable unit. One more thought for consideration when shopping for a dehumidifier is whether or not the unit will fit into the space that you want it to. You also need to take into consideration the noise levels that dehumidifiers make, as some are quite noisier than others. Either ask for a demonstration if buying in the store, or read the reviews of them if buying online.

Air conditioners and refrigerators work on the same principles as a dehumidifier. The humid air is drawn over a series of cold coils which works to extract a good deal of the moisture from it via condensation. As the condensation builds, it will drip off into a collection bucket found inside the dehumidifier. This process slightly elevates the temperature of the air after the moisture is extracted from it and it is then blown back into the room.

A lot of folks forget to maintain their basement dehumidifier as it is out of sight and out of mind. It is really important that you make sure to empty and clean the collection buckets inside these as if you don't they can develop a bacterial growth. Some companies manufacture basement dehumidifiers which have no inner collection container, but simply a hose that can be run to a floor drain, and these are a perfect solution to the problem.

Dehumidifiers are an effective way to help get rid of the problem of moisture in your home.A basement dehumidifier is built specifically with the demands of a basement in mind. If you would like more information on these then you can get it by going to http://www.dehumidifiersforsale.net/basement-dehumidifiers.php

Posted under Allergies

A few years ago, "Consumer Reports" magazine undertook an extensive and unbiased evaluation of ionic air purifiers. They came to the conclusion that a generally healthy person would really be better off without one, even though they did mention that such air purifiers could be useful for those who have major medical concerns like asthma, acute allergies or bronchitis.

If you have been thinking about buying an ionic air purifier just for the sake of it and you do not have any type of serious breathing problems as noted earlier, then forget it - you could end up doing yourself some real damage.

In the first place, there in fact isn't anything so small in the environment doing you any damage that an ionic air purifier could eradicate.

It is firmly suggested by "Consumer Reports" and several other reviews that healthy individuals shouldn't use one of these styles of purifiers. The single exclusion to this was for a non-smoker who had the misfortune of living with a person who smokes. The only actual cure for this is to either encourage the smoker to quit cigarettes or move out of the home, however until such time as either of these occurs, an ionic air purifier will help minimize the horrible smell and discomfort created by the smoker.

The use of an ionic air purifier should only be by people who will see health benefits from it and even then its use needs to be kept to a minimum. Using one just because you have one can jeopardize the planet and encourage the global warming issue, along with the harm it will do to your bronchial tract and lungs.

Ionic air purifiers operate by making ozone. Yes, you have heard of this before. It's the same type of ozone that created the holes in our planet's outer protective atmospheric layer and in large amounts it is deadly. When you have an ionic air purifier you're exposed to critically high emissions of ozone and it has been shown that individuals have ozone in the lungs when utilizing ionic air purifiers.

To recap, there's a great deal of unsupported propaganda when it concerns air purifiers, whatever type they are. Rather than demanding technology and science to save us from the difficulties we face, we really should be focusing on halting global warming and not needing to rely on electronic devices to permit us to inhale clean air into our lungs.

Air purifiers and cleaners are becoming ever more essential as air pollution increases and more individuals are experiencing problems with asthma and allergies. However, it's important that you understand that there are different technologies available in home air purifiers, and what you choose will depend on your individual situation. Find out how to get the the best model for your circumstances at Home Air Purifiers: The Facts.

Posted under Allergies

Medicinal mushrooms have been immensely popular in Asia for millennia. Today, Americans are waking up to these powerful nutraceuticals. In the wake of this new awareness follow issues of product quality claims made by competing brands.

All species of medicinal mushrooms appear haunted by this issue. Particularly so, it seems, is red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the oldest medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Please note, however, that the information in this article applies generally to all medicinal mushroom species.

First off, stay clear of cheap, mass-produced medicinal mushrooms. If they are just dried and pulverized, then the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms' cell-walls. You'll be wasting your money on inert matter.

There are many real therapeutic brands on the market, though. But even among them, there are significant differences. They all claim to be the best, naturally, because they all want to sell their particular brand. So let's sift the data, get the facts straight, and clear up misleading information that is out there.

Following are the three primary ways of creating reishi extracts. Each method yields different medicinal compounds, all of which are shown in scientific studies to have important properties.

1. Hot Water Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol/Ethanol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermenting (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

The water soluble compounds, primarily polysaccharides, are powerful anti-tumor agents, immune enhancers and strong antioxidants. [1]

Through alcohol extraction, we get triterpenoids, a large group of lipids with many sub-groups. Research shows triterpenoids help regulate clotting, blood pressure and cholesterol. More importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds that are the reason why reishi often gets recommended for arthritis, asthma and allergies. [1]

Finally, by fermenting the red reishi, the original medicinal compounds break down to form new compounds with unique healing properties. These "secondary metabolites" have among other things been shown to be immune enhancing and help regulate blood sugar, as well as having unique anti-tumor properties. [2]

This article is intended to give general guidelines to help you choose an effective reishi product, not to recommend any particular brand. But there are at least two reishi companies on the market which both state only hot water extract is useful while alcohol extracts are of no value.

Naturally, the reason they say so is because they want to sell their own brand. However, those statements are scientifically untrue. Hot water and alcohol extractions both contain critical compounds.

To find the best red reishi products, look for those brands that use at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water Extraction and Alcohol Extraction. Better yet would be brands that incorporate all three extraction methods, including Fermentation.

As a last point, when you look for the best reishi extract, one thing to look at is the form it comes in. For example, any reishi extract that fully dissolves in a water-based liquid such as coffee probably only contains hot water extracted reishi. So while reishi/ganoderma coffee certainly makes for a superbly delicious and healthy cup loaded with polysaccharides, it won't include the important anti-inflammatory triterpenoids.

On the other hand, alcohol tinctures can actually contain both water soluble polysaccharides and alcohol soluble triterpenoids. The way you know is that the polysaccharides will fall out of solution because of the alcohol, and will make the tincture cloudy. That's alright though; you just need to shake before you take. Capsules and tablets may be one or the other or both. The only way to know is ask the manufacturer or read their information.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L, 2007. "Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds." Biotechnology Annu Rev 13:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. "Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Bioresour Technol. 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9.

Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since the 1990's, recently focusing on medicinal mushrooms. He partners with Davida Sara on premium reishi extract and cordyceps extract plus the newly popular mesima mushroom and more.

categories: herbs,herbal,supplements,wellness,nutrition,medicine,allergy,arthritis,asthma,diabetes,blood pressure,cancer,disease,self help

Posted under Allergies

Watching television, one might think that the only reaction or symptom to a food allergy is immediate onset anaphylactic shock. Television has a tendency to over dramatize things and it is no surprise that food allergies are on the list of melodramatic moments of TV. However, not all food allergy symptoms work like they seem to on TV. Here is some information on food allergy symptoms to help recognize and deal with your possible food allergy.

When Does The Reaction Occur?

The food allergy symptom is extraordinarily related to the process of digestion. Because this is an awfully difficult process that works differently with different foods, digestion affects the location, timing, and symptoms of a food allergy. However, a technique to know whether you are having a food allergy symptom does have to do with time. All allergic reactions to food will happen within one hour of ingesting the food.

While some foods can inflict immediate and extreme food allergy symptoms, many aren't as conspicuous. Some can begin with an itching in the mouth or a slight problem in swallowing or breathing. Later, as the food starts to be digested in the stomach and intestines, other symptoms may start to appear.

The individual may be nauseas, she may puke or have diarrhea, and abdominal pains are common. All of these symptoms can be confused with food poisoning or simply eating your food too fast. If you've had a food allergy test in the past, know you are allergic to something, and are having these symptoms, contact your health practitioner immediately.

Less well-known Food Allergy Symptoms

An itchy, distended throat, stomach irritability, and abdominal pains are all relatively common food allergy symptoms. However, there are another food allergy symptoms that aren't as famous. For instance, many folks relate hives to outdoor allergens. However, once allergens are absorbed and enter into your bloodstream, they will finally reach the skin.

This creates hives or eczema on the surface of the skin. When the allergens reach your airway, it can prompt asthma or asthma like symptoms. An allergen in the blood vessels can also cause lightheadedness, anaphylaxis ( a sudden drop in blood pressure ) and weakness in general.

These symptoms may not easily be related to nutrition allergies, so if you are subject to food allergies or know that you have one, make sure to contact your doctor immediately. Even food allergy symptoms that start off as mild can rapidly progress into a life-threatening condition.

Scouting a resolution for those Food Allergy symptoms? Visit our Allergy Relief website for help in controlling those sniffle attacks.

Posted under Allergies