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Friday, September 29, 2006

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever ) leads to snoring and sleeping problems

In a study conducted by French researchers from Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris it was found that people with hay fever have more difficulty sleeping and more sleep disorders than those without allergies. Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is affecting about 20 to 50 percent of the population.

Previous research has indicated that allergies could lead to snoring and breathing problems during sleep, including sleep apnea (a disorder that causes breathing to be shallow or stop while sleeping). Hence allergic rhinitis being not only a nuisance by itself, it also result in a lower quality of life due to sleepiness, daytime fatigue, impaired memory, mood and sexuality, with a significantly increased consumption of alcohol and sedatives.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Dust mites the culprit in asthma attack!

The level of dust mites in the bedroom can be reduced by regularly replacing old mattresses and increasing the room's ventilation.

Dust mites which are microscopic arachnids live indoors in household dust. Dust mite feces contain a protein that is a powerful allergen for many people. After a certain length of time, the feces dry up and turns into powder, allowing it to become airborne. When an allergic person inhales the powder, an allergic reaction or asthma attack often follows.

There are several steps allergic individuals can take to reduce their household exposure to dust mites. These include thoroughly dusting and vacuuming the home at least once a week and using air conditioning and dehumidifiers to help reduce humidity.

Scientists at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, Spain suggest that replacing mattresses and adding more ventilation can also help reduce the levels of the allergen.