Seeking Asthma Relief - The Role Of Antibiotics In Causing Asthma And Allergies

For the past forty years baby boomers and their children were given antibiotics on a regular basis to treat infections. This overuse has resulted in very dangerous resistance to superbugs that we've all read about in the news. You probably are aware now that infectious microorganisms and fungi that were once treatable have become much stronger and even deadly because they have mutated into hardy or resistant strains due to the use of antibiotics. However, what many people and even your own doctor may not be aware of is that antibiotic use also results in an overgrowth of yeast and fungus in the intestinal tract.

Eventually if this is not treated properly it can become systemic, meaning that it invades all systems of the body. This yeast or fungus overgrowth contributes to a lowering of the immune system where cancers and other pathogen overgrowths can develop. Patients looking for asthma relief would benefit by knowing that diseases like asthma and allergies are a result of yeast and fungus overgrowth or candida in the intestinal tract caused by frequent antibiotic use.

1. The symptoms of a yeast overgrowth problem can include:
2. Fatigue and foggy thinking.
3. Cravings for sugar or bread or any foods that contain yeast
4. Bloated abdomen, gas or abdominal pain.
5. Unable to lose weight
6. Vaginal, genital infection or itchy rashes.
7. A white coating on the tongue.
8. Sinus infections.
9. Loss of energy.

Other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and Chrohn's disease have been shown to be caused by frequent antibiotics use. In addition, studies have shown that antibiotics have also been linked to the development of allergies, hayfever and asthma in children. Medical associations in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia are aware of this but surprisingly many people and their doctors do not seem to be educated in this regard. Despite the superbug problem, antibiotics still seem to be asked for by patients and prescribed too often by their doctors. Boosting the immune system by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and adequate rest is often all that is needed to fight or prevent infections. If antibiotics are necessary, many patients are not made aware of the risks and more importantly what to do about them.

When you take antibiotics, one of the side effects is that they kill the good bacteria or lactobacillus living in your intestinal tract. When this happens the candida yeast or fungus is allowed to grow unchecked and causes an imbalance. The result of this imbalance can be allergy and asthma symptoms and other diseases. To their credit some doctors advise their patients to take yogurt and lactobacillus supplements immediately after a course of antibiotics to re-implant the bacteria and prevent yeast and fungus from taking over. If this is not done each time antibiotics are prescribed, then an overgrowth will result.

Antibiotics such as penicillin are also known to have severe side-effects like anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction resulting in an asthma attack and eventually heart failure and death. Medical reports show that other antibiotics such as amoxycillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin tetracycline and spiramycin are known to cause asthma. Avoiding antibiotics whenever possible is important and but if you do have to take them be sure to take a good quality lactobacillus supplement and yogurt to restore your body's balance of good bacteria.

Susan Millar is a former asthma and allergy sufferer. She is a researcher and the author of The Dramatic Asthma Relief Report, based on extensive research from internationally respected medical publications about genuinely effective drug-free asthma relief. Please visit her website for more information.

Asthma Symptoms And Prevention

The term 'asthma' is actually the Greek word for 'panting'. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease which attacks the respiratory system that is indicated by the tightening of the airway. People suffering from this condition often feel that his/her airway is inflamed and filled with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing during nighttime, shortness of breath, as well as pressure, pain, and the feeling of tightness around the chest area. However, the severity of these symptoms varies from time to time, one sufferer to another.

They can be mild now, but they can get more severe in the future. Asthma attacks can be caused by genetic and external factors. Some people suffer an attack when they are in cold climates, while some others might get it after doing heavy workouts or sports. Mild asthma usually lasts for a while and subsides within a matter of minutes. On the other hand, more severe condition might need serious treatment.

If not treated immediately, early symptoms can lead to acute asthma. Therefore it is essential to have the knowledge about asthma symptoms in order to prevent an attack from happening. Early symptoms among others are frequent coughing during nighttime, wheezing and coughing especially after doing exercises, trouble sleeping, and shortness of breath. Other warning signs include the feeling of tiredness or weakness even when you are doing light activities, and decreased lung function (which can be checked using a peak flow meter). Common cold and allergy symptoms such as cough, headache, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat also indicate that a person is prone to asthma.

Do not wait until too late to treat these early symptoms of asthma. Given that this condition cannot be cured, you need to learn how to prevent it from reoccurring too often. The very basic step of asthma symptom treatment is by controlling the environment. Healthy environment makes healthy people. You can prevent the accumulation of dust and other asthma-triggering agents by not keeping furry or feathery pets, keeping the humidity of the house low, replacing upholstery and carpets with non-fabric materials, and using air conditioner instead of fan.

You should also wash your bed sheets, pillow cases, and mattress pad using hot water at least once a week. Also consider replacing conventional bedding materials such as foam rubber, kapok, or down feathers with synthetic ones. Covering mattress, box springs, and pillows with dust-proof wrap will also effective to prevent dust from accumulating.

Asthma symptoms can lead to an acute asthma attack if left untreated. To avoid this from happening, learn more about asthma symptom treatment from our website.

The Gluten Allergy

There are so many great reasons to go gluten-free...this type of diet, which eliminates food products that contain gluten (including wheat, rye, spelt, kamut and barley), can clear up allergies, bloating, gastrointestinal disorders, and so much more.

Getting started with this lifestyle may require some degree of willpower (as well as an ongoing commitment to trying out new ways of cooking and baking). Luckily, grocery stores and health food emporiums are becoming very sensitive to the needs of these shoppers - they now provide a host of delicious substitute ingredients that will allow you to enjoy familiar foods, such as pizza, bread, and muffins. You no longer have to deprive yourself of good-tasting, satisfying food! Typical substitutions for grains containing gluten include rice flour, cornmeal, quinoa, and potato starches. When you're shopping for food, be sure to spend some time in the "health food" aisle - this is usually the best place to find prepared snacks, brown rice pastas, and other safe products.

Initially, these diets were prescribed to combat the effects of celiac disease...this immune disorder inhibits the proper digestion of glutens. Symptoms of celiac disease include rashes, fatigue, mood swings, gas, and pain in the stomach. Over time, even those who were not diagnosed with celiac disease began to recognize the stress and harm that gluten can cause in the human body. After all, wheat is one of the most common allergens in the modern diet - it can also be quite difficult to digest. These days, there are thousands of recipes and tips for everyone who wants to explore the possibilities of going gluten free...

Gluten isn't just found in typical flour products - it can lurk in some unexpected places. Bouillon cubes, soy sauces and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins are found in many foods, and all of these are likely to contain harmful glutens. Getting the hang of going gluten free is all about knowledge and education - you'll need to understand that even small amounts of gluten will cause a reaction and hinder your efforts to get healthy. As a rule of thumb, most canned soups, noodles, and boxes of cookies should be avoided. Even vinaigrettes, such as commercial salad dressings, can harbor the glutens you're trying so hard to stay away from. Sometimes, making your own meals from scratch is really the best and healthiest strategy. Even foods marked, "gluten-free" may be subject to cross-contamination from other foods. Therefore, how and where food is prepared is very important.

A diet that is rich in lean meats, fish, fruits and vegetables is often the ideal choice for a gluten-free diet. Potatoes, rice, and quinoa can provide extra carbohydrates for greater satiety. Cheeses and eggs are also great choices for mealtimes - neither of these products contains gluten. Seasonings should be free of vinegars and MSG (monosodium glutamate) - olive oil, lemon juice, and spices are safe to use and provide lots of options for sauces and salad dressings.

Dining out can be a little tricky - however, many popular chain restaurants, such as Chili's, offer a list of gluten-free entrees and side dishes you can use to make healthier choices. If you're eating out and you can't find a special, gluten-free menu, consider ordering a basic and burger and fries - minus the bun! Or choose a baked potato or rice for a side dish, along with a piece of grilled meat or fish.

Other popular restaurants that cater to gluten-free clients include: Subway (salads and dressings, not sandwiches) The Old Spaghetti Factory (gluten free pastas and sauces), and Boston Market (their rotisserie chicken and Southwest Santa Fe salads are safe choices for gluten-free diets). Don't be afraid to ask servers about gluten-free dishes - chances are, they've answered these questions before. If a server doesn't have the answer, they can probably check with the chef or restaurant manager to get an answer.

If you suffer from celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten is hampering your body's ability to absorb vital nutrients. If you're allergic to wheat or just intolerant to foods containing gluten, you may be weary of the tiredness, bloating and gastrointestinal distress they bring. Removing all glutens from your diet is really the only way to feel better - once you've started this important lifestyle change, you may notice you have less mental fogginess and more energy - you may also lose weight as you cut gluten-rich carbs out of your daily diet.

Melinda Knight-
Wife & mother of a family allergic to gluten, and former Catering Director at three of the largest hotels on the Las Vegas strip, where she planned menus and parties for thousands including the occasional 3,000 person wedding. She now plans meals for her gluten free family and shares her recipes and ideas for living a gluten free life at her blog.

Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis-Causes and Cures

Anything chronic is considered to be a persistent, recurrent and lasting condition. While chronic bronchitis has often been associated with allergies and/or asthma, there are many other causes that can trigger a bronchial infection. Asthma as we know is a lung disease that is characterized by asthmatic events triggered by a variety of factors which cause a constriction of the bronchial tubes and air passages.

A chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties and a tight chest have also been associated with the common smoker's cough. This is unfortunate as there are many environmental factors that can contribute to an infection and caused these types of symptoms.

One such environmental factor is dust. While dust is a common substance found everywhere, it's especially problematic for those of us who may have a compromised respiratory system. A less than ideal breathing tract is found in people suffering with asthma, many allergies and yes even smokers. What's been ignored in many cases however, is that exposure to chemicals can cause a sensitivity to environmental factors such as dust.

As it's recognized that dust is almost everywhere, it's important to try to limit exposure as much as possible. This sensitivity of the person with chronic bronchitis will determine the level of action that's needed to limit dust exposure. Someone who is extremely sensitive may need special air cleaning equipment installed in their home. While another who's sensitivity is not as pronounced may be able to live comfortably in a home simply on a regular cleaning schedule. Check out the link below for free report on tips to eliminate asthmatic and bronchial cough triggers in your home.

Exposure to chemical fumes and odors may compromise an otherwise healthy respiratory system. This in turn can lead to sensitivity to other environmental factors like dust, but also both primary and secondary tobacco smoke. While the validity of the effects of secondhand smoke are continue to be debated, it has been shown to be an important breathing factor for those with a compromised respiratory system. All of these factors can contribute to the chronic cough experienced by many asthma, allergy and bronchitis sufferers.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a well regarded medical facility, bronchitis and the resulting cough can also be caused from stomach acid irritating for food pipe or esophagus. This is better known as acid reflux disease.

Acid reflux can now be successfully treated with many medications.

If you think that someone you know may be suffering from a chronic cough caused by bronchitis or possibly asthma, it's important to understand the lifestyle implications this may involve. The primary focus however, should be to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified respiratory or pulmonary medical professional.

Abigail Franks has done extensive research into Asthma,Allergies, and their triggers. You can find out more about Bronchitis causes and cures and Asthma Triggers and Treatments on her Asthma website.

Medication and Allergy Remedy Information

Seasonal allergies can wreak havoc on your life. Fortunately, there are many different medication options available to keep the symptoms under control. There are even some treatment options that try to lessen the severity of an allergy, or prevent them in the first place.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines do exactly what their name implies. When your body reacts to an allergen, which is basically seen as a threat to your body, it produces a chemical known as histamine. Histamines cause many, if not all, of the allergy symptoms you suffer from (sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, or runny nose). Anti-histamines can offer symptomatic relief. These medications come in the form of pills, nasal sprays, liquid forms, and eye drops. For most people over the counter and histamines are strong enough to provide and allergy remedy. Prescription antihistamines are available for those who have severe allergies that do not respond to over-the-counter treatment.

Decongestants

Many people who suffer from allergies get the pesky side effect of nasal congestion. Decongestants worked to clear the nasal passages. Decongestants coming in the form of pills, liquids, nasal sprays. Nasal decongestants should not be used for more than three days, as they can cause rebound congestion that is worse than the original congestion.

Allergy shots

An allergy specialist can help determine which allergens are causing you the most trouble. The most common way is via a skin allergy tests, where common allergens are injected directly under the skin's surface. The bigger the skin reaction, the worse the allergy is. Once you know which allergens to target, you may want to seek allergy shots for a more permanent treatment option. Allergy shots are usually given once a month or so, over 3 to 5 years. The idea behind allergy shots is that the body is slowly introduced to the allergen in increasing doses, so your body can build up a tolerance to the allergen.

Nichole Weathers is a freelance writer for many different companies, including Demand Studios and Break. She has an extensive background in the health field, but has a wide variety of interests. For more information on sinuses and allergy relief, which has lots of information on allergy remedies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4090921

Natural Solutions For Asthma and Allergies

By Jerry Marchbank

Approximately 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma and 50 million suffer from allergies. Given that some people suffer from both, that leaves approximately 60 million Americans living with one or both of these afflictions.

The costs involved in treating these illnesses due to medicine, emergencies, hospital care and even loss of productivity in the workforce, are enormous. The healthcare and business losses come to approximately $18 billion per year in the United States.

Asthma and allergies are the main cause of absence in American schools. Children affected by these illnesses lose a combined annual total of 14 million school days.

Treatment for either illness involves an assortment of medicines. Asthmas sufferers generally use corticosteroid inhalers. These have become so common that it sometimes seems that everyone has one tucked away in a pocket, bag or drawer. Allergy sufferers take antihistamines, use corticosteroid sprays or, in the worst cases, immunotherapy desensitization injections, which must be taken on a regular basis for years.

What's the worst part of all this medication and treatment? It's a never-ending cycle. Treatment doesn't result in a cure, just a temporary fix that needs to be taken over and again. Medicines and injection treatments target symptoms. They can be successful in relieving these symptoms but they don't eliminate them. What about the heart of the cause? Isn't there something that can be done to fix the underlying problems that create the illnesses?

Chiropractic care is a distinctive way to provide relief from many illnesses, including asthma and allergies. Both conditions can react positively to chiropractic adjustments, which aim to regulate and stabilize the body's communications within itself. It takes away obstacles preventing the body from restoring itself. Once these obstacles have been removed, the body can work on rebuilding the hyper-sensitive areas that cause asthma and allergies, allowing it to reduce the affects of these conditions.

Nutrition is another valuable part of chiropractic care. Asthma and allergy sufferers need to keep themselves as healthy as possible, in order to enable their bodies in preventing the onset of asthma and allergy attacks. Your chiropractor can help you design a healthy, balanced diet, designed specifically to help you increase your body's immune system and metabolism, decrease discomfort caused by nutritional deficiencies and increase energy for physical exercise and day-to-day tasks.

There are many advantages to using chiropractic care in the treatment of asthmas and allergies. If you suffer from either or both of these illnesses, make an appointment with your chiropractor and get some natural, healthy relief.

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