Author: Ali McDonald
Decongestants May Aggravate Enlarged Prostate Symptoms in Men
keyetv.com in Austin, TX reports that decongestants may aggravate symptoms in men with enlarged prostates.
Oral Contraceptives Linked to Increased Allergies among Offspring
In the December 2006 issue of the medical journal Allergy, Finnish researchers published results of a study which suggest that babies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if their mothers had previously taken oral contraceptive pills. The results are…
Soothe Sinus Inflammation & Lower Your Utility Bill with a Humidifier
A contributor on NBC's Today recently pointed out the fact that a humidifier will not only soothe irritated sinuses, but it will also lower your utility bill during the winter. The additional moisture in the air holds onto the heat;…
Allergies May Cause Migraine Headaches
WFRV News in Haddenfield, NJ reports on the connection between allergies and migraine headaches: ‘If you do have nasal allergies, you're actually 14.3 times more likely to have migraine headaches than a person without nasal allergies,’ says Dr. Min Ku.…
Doctor Visits for Asthma Have Doubled in Last Decade – But Death Rate Among Kids Is Down
HealthScout reports that asthma deaths among American children have dropped since 1999, but rates of doctor visits for asthma have more than doubled over the past decade, according to a CDC report released on December 12, 2006. Some highlights from…
Wildfires Make Children Sick
The wildfires that swept through California in 2003 appear to have caused wheezing and other respiratory problems in many children, even those without asthma, according to a new study referenced on Yahoo! News. Asthmatic children suffered the most symptoms from…
Poinsettia Plants & Latex Allergy
Southern Medical Journal points out that natural rubber latex and poinsettia plants share some common allergen proteins, and people with latex allergies may develop cross-reactivity with poinsettia. The medical journal abstract references a latex allergy sufferer who developed a rash…
The Wonder of the Neti Pot
An article on associatedcontent.com explains the wonder of the Neti Pot: ‘The neti pot is an ancient tool that originated in India, spread through Europe, and has been increasingly popular in the United States over the last several years. Resembling…
Pets Can Have Allergies, Too
In Hollister Free Lance, veteranarian Dr. Quick reports that allergies in pets are often misdiagnosed by sales people in pet stores who try to increase pet food sales by suggesting that pets have dietary allergies. In fact, only about two…
CDC Studies Effect of Carpet on Allergies
The Dalton Daily Citizen reports that Emory University, the Center for Disease Control, and the American Lung Association are working together on a $1.2 million study to determine whether the presence of carpets affects lung functions and allergy symptoms. Generally,…
Groundbreaking Asthma Treatment Tested in Houston
9/11 volunteer rescue worker Alvin Pieper has asthma because of the dust at Ground Zero. ‘The first two days there weren
Fall 2006 Allergy Capitals
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has released its list of the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies in the Fall of 2006. The rankings are based on scientific analysis of three factors: pollen scores, number of…
New Study Suggests Egg Allergy Treatment
ScienceDaily reports that researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Arkansas have completed a study which suggests that children allergic to eggs can overcome the allergy by eating gradually-increasing amounts of egg. Most study participants, who took…
Only 2 Days Left to Register to Win a Free, Autographed Copy of Dr. Gilbere’s Book Pain & Inflammation Matters
You have only 2 days left to register to win a free, autographed copy of Dr. Gloria Gilbere's book Pain & Inflammation Matters, which includes unique recipes and easy-to-understand information regarding natural health solutions for pain, inflammation, and accompanying disorders…
Why Chistmas Trees Make Allergy Sufferers Sneeze
If you celebrate Christmas and suffer from allergies, you may want to reconsider your holiday decorating traditions. That tree in your living room could be behind your itchy eyes, runny nose, and… achoo!… sneezing fits. Pollen from Christmas trees is…
Allergy & Asthma-Friendly Toys for the Holidays
Kids loves stuffed animals, but these plush toys provide the perfect habitats for dust mites. You can kill the dust mites by placing the toys in direct sunlight for three hours or placing them in the freezer for 24 hours.…
Top Food Allergy Suspects
Ventura County Star reports on the top food allergy suspects: Wheat, Gluten: Watch out for some brands of hot dogs and ice cream; imitation crab meat; Asian dishes that contain wheat flour shaped to look like beef, pork and shrimp.…
New, Powerful Handheld Vac from Dyson: Root 6
Great news! Dyson has finally created a handheld vacuum that will never clog or lose suction! The Dyson Root 6 Handheld Vacuum is the perfect Holiday Gift for the allergy sufferer or clean freak in your family. Its powerful Root…
Are You Allergic to Sex?
No, this is not a bad joke. According to ABC News, some women break out in hives and experience breathing problems whenever they have intercourse with men. These women are allergic to certain proteins in semen and sometimes is more…
Are You Allergic to Ladybugs?
Reuters reports that as an exotic species of ladybug introduced from Asia in the 1970s increases in population, more people are developing allergies to the bugs. Published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in October 2006, Dr. Kusum Sharma…
I’m not a criminal. I’m a guy with allergies.
Dr. Kevin Pho blogs about how the pseudoephedrine crackdown is affecting everyday allergy sufferers. One allergy sufferer voices his frustration: Now I have to go to a Wal-Mart or CVS or whatever every 10 days, as opposed to buying a…
Increasing Allergies Lead to More Pets in Shelters
In a rawstory.com article, a German journalist reports that about 10 percent of the German population is allergic to house pets. ‘From a medical standpoint the best thing to do is give the pet away,’ says Anja Schwalfenberg of Germany's…
Adverse Drug Reactions Send 700,000 Americans to E.R. Each Year
WebMD reports that, according to expets from the CDC and FDA, more than 700,000 people visit U.S. emergency rooms each year due to adverse drug reactions, including allergic reactions to drugs and accidental overdoses. People over 65 are most at…
Millions Face Food Allergies Every Day
North Texas e-News reports on food allergies: ‘Approximately 6 percent of children are affected by food allergies,’ says Dr. Carol Rice, Texas Cooperative Extension health specialist. ‘The eight most common food allergies are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut
Exposure to Sunlight Could Reduce Asthma
According to ScienceDaily, Australian researchers have discovered that exposure to ultraviolet light (such as sunlight) significantly reduces asthma-like symptoms in mice. ‘This research clearly shows that controlled exposure to ultraviolet light markedly limits the development, incidence and severity of asthma…
To Your Health: Air Purifiers for Allergies & MCS
In the Austin Chronicle, health expert James Heffley, Ph.D., answers a reader's question about air purifiers: Heffley states that ‘the choice of air purifier depends on which allergen needs to be removed’ and that ‘unfortunately, the most aggressively advertised models,…
Falling Leaves, Rising Allergies
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) offers tips on avoiding seasonal allergy triggers this fall: Don’t mow your lawn or rake leaves, which can stir up pollens and molds. If possible, hire someone to do your fall…
Congratulations, Valerie!
Congratulations to Valerie from San Luis Obispo, CA for winning a free, autographed copy of Dr. Gloria Gilbere's book Invisible Illnesses in our previous book promo. Valerie writes: ‘I'm hopeful this book can help. Just remaining functional can be so…
Enter to Win $7,000 in Allergy Relief Prizes
If you're trying to eliminate indoor allergies, the best place to start is the bedroom,advises Angel Waldron of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Now you can enter to win everything you need to allergy-proof your bedroom. To show…
Register to Win a Free, Autographed Copy of Pain & Inflammation Matters
In Pain & Inflammation Matters, Dr. Gloria Gilbere explores natural health solutions for pain, inflammation, and accompanying disorders like arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, lupus, colitis, tendonitis, gingivitis, angina, leaky gut, gout, scleroderma, generalized chronic pain, and more. Pain & Inflammation Matters…
Childhood Pets May Decrease Allergies
Yahoo! News reports that a new study supports the theory that growing up with a pet trains the immune system to be less reactive to potential allergy triggers. The study found that pet owners have a one-third lower risk of…
National Georgraphic Explores Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
The current October 2006 issue of National Geographic magazine explores the issues chemical pollution within our bodies and the increasing rates of multiple chemical sensitivity. The author of the article, Peter Essick, underwent extensive testing and discovered that he's carrying…
New Allergy Vaccine Reduces Fall Ragweed Allergies
The Examiner reports that Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers proved that a DNA-based vaccine protected study participants against fall ragweed allergies (hay fever) for at least two full seasons. After just six injections over six weeks, participants experienced…
Halloween: Scary Time for Latex Allergy
Norwich Bulletin recently ran a story about Teresa Huber, a 38-year-old mother of two with severe latex allergies. ‘This is just one more way my life was altered,’ says Huber, who could go into anaphlyaxis by walking into a store…
NC Town Lifts Chemical Haze Alert
CNN reports that 17,000 residents have returned to Apex, NC, after a fire at a hazardous materials plant forced them to stay away from home for two nights. Environmental officials advise residents to clean off all surfaces, wash all clothing…
Dust Mites Make People Vulnerable to All Allergens
According to Yahoo! News, a new study to be published in Investigative Dermatology concludes that an enzyme in dust mite feces destroys the protective barrier of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other allergens and irritants. Toshiro Takai of the…
Now You Can Test for Food Allergies at Home
Yahoo Finance News reports ‘ALCAT Worldwide Introduces Fingerstick Screen for Food Allergy Testing.’ This new food allergy screen, which costs $99, allows you to test for sensitivities to apples, barley, beef, broccoli, cane sugar, carrot, corn, cow's milk, garlic, gluten,…
Poor Air Quality Increases Risk of Death by Stroke
According to the LOHAS Weekly Newsletter, a Japanese study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows that high hourly rates of particulate matter (air pollution) are associated with more than a doubling in the risk of death from…
Anaphylaxis Hospitalizations Up 700 Percent!
ScienceDaily reports that, while hay fever and eczema rates seem to have stabilized over the past decade, hospital admissions for anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) have risen by 700% since 1990. Hospitalizations due to food allergy have increased 500%. Urticaria…
Infants and Food Allergies
The MomSquawkBlog features an entry about a mother and her infant's food allergies. The Blog entry contains a link to a chart that suggests the proper age for introducing certain foods to infants. The Blog entry also illustrates that, if…
Scientists: Food Allergy Cure within a Decade
According to the United Kingdom's Guardian Unlimited, scientists say a wide range of cures for food allergies will be available in less than a decade. ‘Therapies for food allergy will be on the market within seven to 10 years,’ claims…
EPA Scientist Warns of Dust Danger from 9/11
A scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claimed in a letter to members of the New York Congressional Delegation that test reports in 2002 and 2003 distorted the alkalinity, or pH level, of the dust released when the twin…
Dust Mite Allergy? Clean Your Fish Tank Area!
We all know that many allergic children cannot have dogs, cats, or other furry animals as pets…but did you know that dust mites thrive in the moist environment surrounding a fish tank? Dust mites also love fish food; as a…
Was Ground Zero Dust Poisonous?
Several newspapers have reported on the possibility that the dust from Ground Zero in NYC was toxic, even though NYC citizens were initially told that the dust was harmless. According to the New York Post, a nun who spent six…
Do You Know What’s Sharing Your Bed With You?
Now once again a nationwide epidemic, Bed Bugs have infested hotel suites, college dorms, luggage, and maybe even your bedroom. Previously an epidemic in the 1950s, bed bugs were once controlled and eliminated with pesticides. However, as travelers stream in…
Protect Yourself Against Deadly Allergic Reactions
American experts are launching a
Register to Win a Free, Autographed Copy of Invisible Illnesses
Invisible Illnesses by Dr. Gloria Gilbere, doctor of naturopathy and natural health, takes the reader on a tour of ‘invisible illnesses,’ many of which are increasing in prevalence in our modern, toxic society. In Invisible Illnesses, Dr. Gilbere discusses her…
Tired of Keeping Up with Air Purifier Filter Replacement Dates?
Never again wonder when it
Don’t Let Peak Allergy Season Peak Your Allergies
This time of year is peak allergy season for many allergy sufferers. Allergens such as ragweed and mold are everywhere this time of year. With moisture levels rising during these hot and humid days, conditions are perfect for mold growth.…
Ragweed Got You Sneezing?
Although summer is winding down, school is not the only thing starting again. Weed pollen is at its peak this time of the year; ragweed pollen in particular can cause the most trouble. Rob Russ, an environmental specialist in the…