Author: Ali McDonald
Dr. Oz Demonstrates Neti Pot on Oprah
People have been using neti pots to wash out their noses for thousands of years, Dr. Mehmet Oz tells the audience on Oprah. Warm water from the neti pot stimulates sinuses and clears out mucus. ‘A lot of folks that…
Your Home Could Be Causing Your Allergies
Make your home more allergy-friendly with advice from Dr. Rita Kachru of WEWS News. ‘You can have indoor allergens like dust mites and mold, which you'll have all year. They are called perennial,’ says Dr. Kachru. Dr. Kachru suggests: Buying…
The Unusual Suspects: Five Odd Allergens
Many of you are allergic to pet dander, pollen, and dust, but just imagine being allergic to one these allergens… Indystar.com reports that sunlight, cockroaches, cereal, stuffed animals, and even people can trigger allergies. Sunlight causes ‘polymorphous light eruption’ in…
Particulate Air Pollution May Cause Heart Problems for Asthma Sufferers
Newswise reports that particulate matter like construction dust may cause heart problems for asthma sufferers, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health. In people with asthma, a slight increase…
ACAAI: America Faces an Allergy / Asthma Crisis
In the new Allergist Report by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the professional organization points out that the demand for allergists will increase 35% by 2020, yet the supply of allergists is expected to decline. ‘Without…
A Third of Peanut Allergy Diagnoses in Children May Be False Positives
According to News-Medical.Net, many children who have been diagnosed with peanut allergy are actually able to safely eat peanuts. ‘Diagnostic tests for peanut allergy have poor sensitivity and specificity,’ concludes the new research paper. ‘Previously described diagnostic cut-off levels do…
Domestic Violence Increases Risk of Asthma
According to News-Medical.Net, a new study from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) finds a strong association between domestic violence and asthma. ‘Classic environmental triggers for asthma have been carefully studied, but there is less information on…
The Neti Pot: A Simple Solution for Effective Allergy Relief
WCVB-TV in Boston reports that ancient neti pot is a simple solution for allergy relief. Dr. Matthew Kashima, head of the Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview, says the neti pot is hundreds of years old,…
New Study: Drinking Farm Milk Reduces Childhood Asthma & Allergies
In a study involving 15,000 children in five countries, researchers from USA and Europe found that drinking farm milk can protect children from asthma and allergies, reports EurekAlert. Lower levels of diagnosed asthma were also observed for all farm-produced dairy…
Peanut Allergy Alert: Mayfield Turtle Tracks Ice Cream
According to PeanutAllergy.com, on May 8, 2007, Mayfield Dairy Farms recalled 1.75 quart cartons of Mayfield Turtle Tracks ice cream with a code date of 4/11/08 and UPC code of 75243-20120. These cartons contain peanuts that are not listed on…
Always Read Ingredients: Foods with ‘Dairy-Free’ Labels May Contain Dairy
NPR reports that foods with ‘gluten-free’ labels may contain trace amounts of gluten (wheat protein) – enough to trigger a reaction in some people. As of now, ‘free’ labels like ‘dairy-free,’ ‘peanut-free,’ and ‘gluten-free’ are not regulated by the FDA.…
H Pylori Stomach Bacteria & The Hygiene Hypothesis
According to the National Review of Medicine, researchers at New York University have discovered more evidence in support of the hygiene hypothesis. The hygiene hypothesis posits that modern societies have experienced an increase in asthma and allergies because of decreased…
Allergies & The Great Outdoors: What to Pack for Travels
Chealth.com offers the following tips to allergy sufferers on the road: Make sure your destination is not populated with the specific type of plants to which you are allergic. All world lists these as the top countries for allergy-friendly environments,…
40 Percent of U.S. Children Have Seasonal Allergies
Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor at Fox News, says that 40 percent of U.S. children have seasonal allergies, and when a parent has allergies, his or her child will probably have them too. ‘As children, boys get ore allergies…
Are You Sleeping with an Army of Dust Mites?
The Handyman Glenn Haege writes in The Detroit News that a 1,500 square foot home generates 40 pounds of dust in a year, and bigger homes generate even more dust. Haege highlights several interesting facts about dust mites: Each of…
ALA: Atlanta Ranks 13th in Pollution
Atlanta, GA, home of achoo! ALLERGY, ranks at number 13 on the American Lung Association's bad air list of the most polluted cities in America. As no surprise, Los Angeles, CA tops the list. Pittsburgh comes in at number two,…
Seasonal Allergies Affect Work Productivity
Eurkalert reports that a new study found that allergic workers missed an hour of work per week during peak hay fever season. While an hour may not seem like much, it adds up quickly since 20 to 50 million Americans…
Do You Read Your Pharmacy Package Inserts?
If you don't read you pharmacy package inserts, then you should start, says Amy Ritchart, writer of a weekly health and wellness column in The Leaf Chronicle. ‘Once, when reviewing a package insert that accompanied a new prescription for my…
Sexual Side Effects of Allergy Medication
According to fitsugar.com, decongestants in allergy medications often cause vaginal dryness. Switching to a medicine without a decongestant should eliminate this side effect.
Burning Incense May Be Hazardous
NewsTarget.com reports that the burning of incense releases high levels of some chemicals associated with lung cancer. New Scientist magazine reported that a set of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of primary concern. PAHs include carcinogenic chemicals like…
Outdoor Exercise Tips for Allergy Sufferers
HealthNewsDigest.com offers the following tips for allergy sufferers who want to exercise outdoors during pollen season: Inhale through your nose when you exercise. When you inhale through your nose, you warm the air (especially important for asthmatics). Cold air constricts…
Asthma Increases Risk of Lung Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients
According to SpiritIndia.com, a new study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, pulmonary inflammation increases the risk of lung metastasis among breast cancer patients. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor site to other…
Most Common Symptom of Childhood Asthma: Persistent Cough
Daily Southtown reports that asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood yet one of the most under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated childhood diseases. Signs of an asthma attack include wheezing, coughing, gasping for air, and struggling to breathe. A…
Free Asthma Screenings Across U.S. in May
HealthCentral.com points out that children and adults across the U.S. can get checked for asthma free of charge during the 11th annual Nationawide Asthma Screening Program, sponsored by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). The free screenings…
Asthmatic Children Have Higher Rates of ADHD, Depression, Anxiety & Learning Disabilities
Science Daily reports that conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression often accompany asthma in children. These associated conditions are known as co-morbidities. ‘We can definitively state that families with asthmatic children not only report higher incidences…
Timing Improves Efficacy of Allergy & Asthma Drugs
CBS News reports that allergy and asthma drugs should be taken at specific times for the best effects. Dr. Richard Martin, MD, suggests that you take your allergy pills before bedtime and your asthma medication in the late afternoon. ‘Taking…
Top 100 Worst Cities for Spring Allergies in 2007
According to Forbes.com, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) ranks Tulsa, OKlahoma as the worst city for allergy sufferers this spring. Rankings are based on pollen counts, medication usage by allergy patients, and the number of board-certified allergists…
An Apple A Day for Mother Keeps Baby’s Asthma Away
_ _ _An apple a day may help expectant mothers prevent their children from developing asthma later in life, according to a compelling new study published on Thorax Online. The study tracked dietary intake of nearly 2000 pregnant women to…
achoo! ALLERGY Featured in Points North Magazine
achoo! ALLERGY was featured in the March 2007 issue of Points North Magazine in an article titled ‘What To Do When Allergies Attack Atlanta.’ Here's a snippet from the article: Evade the Invaders ‘We want allergy sufferers to know that…
Allergies May Trigger Autoimmune Diseases
Daily India reports that scientists at the University of Washington in London have established a link between allergic diseases and autoimmune diseases. They say that allergic diseases may trigger autoimmune diseases by misdirecting the body's immune system. Nearly 75 percent…
What’s It like to Be An Allergist?
Asbury Park Press recently interviewed allergist Dr. Ellen Sher, who lives in Ocean Township, NJ, works as a partner in Atlantic Allergy Asthma and Immunology Associates, and attended Georgetown University for undergraduate and medical studies. The interview gives us a…
New HFA Asthma Inhalers Are Effective But Costly
Science Daily reports that the new hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) asthma inhalers are effective and safe but will come at nearly triple the cost to consumers. The use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) metered-dose inhalers will be prohibited after 2008 because of CFC's ozone-depleting…
Mediterranean Diet Protects Against Allergies & Asthma
Medical News Today and The Boston Globe report that a ‘Mediterranean’ diet protects against allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms. A Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and fish, but low in red meat. This type of…
Is Acupuncture an Effective Seasonal Allergy Treatment?
Dr. Manny Alvarez on Fox News reports that acupuncture shows promise as a seasonal allergy treatment. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment in which the practitioner uses needles to stimulate different acupuncture points. There are more than 400 acupuncture points…
Experts: One of the Worst Pollen Seasons in Years
According to CBS News, experts say that the South is having one of the worst pollen seasons in years. Dr. Gillian Shepherd, spokesperson for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), attributes the high pollen counts to an…
FDA Requests Label Changes for Sleep Disorder Drugs
The Doctor's Guide reports that FDA has requested that all manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic drug products (a class of drugs used to induce and/or maintain sleep) strengthen their product labeling to include stronger language concerning potential risks like dangerous behaviors, allergic…
Hair Coloring Products Cause Allergies, Rashes
According to Newsweek, the cosmetic industry estimates that between one half and two thirds of adult American women and many men regularly use some kind of hair-coloring product – and sales are steadily climbing as the baby boomers age. More…
Frequent Infections in Children May Be A Sign of Immunodeficiency
Medical News Today reports that, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), children who get frequent infections like ear infections, sinusitits, or pneumonia may have a condition known as immunodeficiency. ‘People with immunodeficiency get the same…
Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
Holistic health practitioner Linda Binns suggests the following natural remedies for seasonal allergies on SelfGrowth.com: Goldenseal helps eliminate mucus. Echinacea and goldenseal root strengthen the immune system. Cayenne pepper can help counteract allergy symptoms and is particularly helpful in treating…
Overweight Girls More Likely to Develop Asthma as Adults
ABC News Online reports that women who were overweight as young children are more likely to develop asthma as adults. The Melbourne University study found that overweight girls more than triple their risk of developing asthma as adults. The same…
Teenagers & Young Adults Most Likely to Die from Food Allergy
CNN reports that a new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that most people who died from food-induced anaphlyaxis were teenagers or young adults who were away from home when they ate the food that killed…
Pollen Coats Southeast, Pummels Atlanta
MSNBC reports that the lack of rain in the Southeast is to blame for the extremely high pollen counts. ‘Everybody who walks through the door, you can see it in their faces,’ says Atlanta pharmacy owner Ira Katz, who is…
England to Go Smoke-Free
In 100 days, a smoke-free England will be a reality. England's Public Health Minister Caroline Flint says: ‘On 1 July, all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smokefree, a measure supported by the majority of people in this country.…
Allergic Asthma Sufferers Needed for Medical Study
Researchers at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine are investigating a new medicine for allergic asthma, and 850 patients with are needed to participate at 150 sites across the country. Patients enrolled in the study will have a 50…
Antibiotics Still Overused in Treating Sinusitis
The Washington Post reports that antibiotics are still being prescribed for seven out of ten patients with chronic sinusitis and eight out of ten with acute sinus infections, even though research has proved that more than 90 percent of sinus…
Pollen Allergies? Don’t Blame the Flowers!
It's officially spring now, and tree pollen is raining down upon us – but only the pollen from certain trees is a problem for allergy sufferers. According to WFIE News, Dr. Jason White has a simple rule of thumb: Pretty,…
Pollen Count Spikes in Atlanta & Other Cities
My once-black car is now more of a yellow-green color, and here in Atlanta, friends who normally don't even have allergy problems are feeling the effect of thousands of pollen grains flying up their nostrils. _ _ I wasn't surprised…
Experts Warn about Alternative Allergy Treatments
As a follow-up to my previous post about alternative medicine treatments for allergies… _ _United Press International reports that experts at the university of Washington warn that patients seeking alternative allergy treatments should not stop taking standard medications. ‘Anyone with…
Arthur from PBS Teaches Kids & Parents about Asthma, Food Allergies
If you don't know Arthur, he's an eight-year-old aardvark and the star of an animated series on PBS. The series has a substantial educational outreach program for librarians, teachers, community centers, and families. Two of the lesson plans are ‘All…