All About Hay Fever

By Evangeline Allison

Probably the first thing you should know about hay fever, is that "hay" is not the culprit at hand. This condition gets its particular name because grass usually sheds its pollen at the same time of the year that hay is harvested hence, the name "hay fever". Hay fever is usually caused by an allergic inflammation of your nose because of flower or grass pollen, dust, or animal fur. These particles immediately trigger a huge production of antibody immunoglobulin E that locks onto the mast cells and cause you to sneeze, have itching and watery eyes, swelling and inflammation of your nasal passage because of an increase in mucus production.

The intensity of hay fever symptoms usually varies from person to person. Supposing the person is more sensitive and has a lower immunity it is possible that he may also experience hives or a rash during hay fever. Both heredity and the environment play a big role in just how sever and how often a hay fever may be. Health studies have shown that around the world one in three people will be having an active allergy at any given time of the day, and that at least three individuals out of four are bound to develop an allergic reaction during the course of their lives.

An individual with hay fever may be extra moody, short tempered, and agitated because of the constant sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. They may also experience fatigue, insomnia, or irritability. It is important during this time that the person gets ample rest, re-cooperation, and the right medication whether entirely natural or otherwise. The symptoms of hay fever may also include having an itchy throat, and itchy nose, and blocked and runny nose. In more sever cases the individual may experience sweats, loss of smell and taste, headaches, and facial pain because of their blocked sinuses.

Some of the best home remedies for hay fever are mashing grapefruit and boiling it with lemon juice and honey for a three times a day sore throat cure, putting chamomile leaves in hot water and inhaling the steam twice a day for a blocked nose and head pain cure, drinking hot coffee to open your airways for easier breathing, or consuming twice a day a glass of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for overall healing. Garlic is also a powerful healer and is rather effective in treating hay fever if you are bold enough to use it. Including fresh garlic in your diet to be rid of hay fever sooner is definitely one of the best cures. But again, it is only for the bold, because not everyone feels the same way about the smell and taste.

One other cure for a blocked and itchy nose might be to use a Nasal Spray. These handy little items are entirely natural and help to clear out and dispel any dust particles. The nasal spray is a safe product for older children and is also okay for moms to use while pregnant. Another thing you could try is Loratadine. Loratadine is a simple use once a day relief tablet that has an active ingredient of loratadine which helps in preventing the effects of histamines.

Health Benefits from Hot Tub

Hot tubs are used for both pleasures as well as hydrotherapy purposes. They have shown positive results in the treatment for various chronic diseases like body aches, diabetes, etc. As a result, this is gradually becoming a popular means of therapy. Hot tubs are generally kept outdoors and the principles of sanitation used in swimming pools are used here also.

Stress relief

Most people these days suffer from a lot of stress and anxiety. Various factors including office pressure, academics, family life, etc. are the major reasons for the rampant stress and stress related disorders afflicting modern society. Insomnia is a direct effect of stress. Hot tubs can be effective in relieving stress and tension. The massaging jets are so relaxing that one can fall asleep quite soon. Reports suggest that relaxing in hot tubs for 15 minutes every night can improve sleep.

Muscle relaxation

Hydrotherapy can be useful for treating stressed muscles and nerves. In fact, the hot tub jets massage the body and relieve it from pressure. Because of the property of buoyancy, a relaxing time spent in a hot tub can make one feel much lighter and as a result, the joints are relieved of pain. Arthritis has a potential cure in hydrotherapy because of the reduction in muscle stiffness.

Blood circulation

Bathing in hot tubs can have enormous benefits in improving blood circulation. The high temperature in these tubs is important in opening the blood vessels. This process of vasodilation helps to decrease the blood pressure. Because of the dilated blood vessels, there is an ease of blood flow. This helps to stimulate the nerves of the circulatory system. This acts as a boost to the immune system of the body. However, patients suffering from blood pressure need to consult their doctors before taking to hydrotherapy. Also, alcohol needs to be avoided while switching from hot to cold water.

Help in Diabetes

Recent research has shown bathing in hot tubs can be very useful for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Soaking in the hot water for almost 30 minutes a day can be effective in losing weight, reducing blood sugar, and improving sleep cycle in people. For those who are unable to exercise regularly, hot water therapy seems to be a viable alternative. However, diabetic patients need to be cautious while undergoing therapy. As the drop in blood sugar is not clearly visible once inside the water, they must be careful while coming out of the tub. Also, the temperature needs to be controlled so that they do not get burns due to damaged nerves.

Hot tubs have a lot of health benefits. It is because of these benefits that many people are switching to this therapy for alleviating body pains and discomfort.

About the author

Grace Beckett is a blogging enthusiast and likes to write about health and lifestyle. For more information on custom pools Toronto, Ontario, Canada contact a swimming pool specialist at Bonavista Pools.

What Causes Autoimmune Disease?

It's amazing just how many different types of autoimmune diseases there are in the medical books. The conventional medical community claims they are unaware of the cause of the body suddenly turning on itself. Doctors who take a more natural approach believe otherwise.

Here are the type 5 causes of autoimmune disease.

1. Poor Diet

Poor diet is one of the leading causes of all disease, including autoimmune disease. The Standard American Diet is also responsible for the rising obesity rate, the epidemic of cancer, and the startling array of mental and emotional disorders millions of people suffer from.

Fast food, processed food, microwavable meals, soda, candy, etc. offer little-to-no nutritional value and are chock full of chemicals, preservatives, additives, and synthetic sweeteners your body doesn't recognize. As long as you continue to ingest these foods, your immune system works overtime to fight them off and protect you.

An overworked immune system eventually exhausts itself and begins to malfunction. This is when autoimmune disease such as crohn's disease, psoriasis, and diabetes begin to take shape in your body.

If you want to stave off autoimmune disease, a whole-food diet is best. Eat as many organic vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, meat, fish, and dairy as possible. Become a label-reader and avoid eating foods if you can't pronounce their ingredients.

2. Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of exercise is another common contributor to the development of many autoimmune disorders. A sedentary lifestyle causes poor circulation, contributes to inflammation, and weakens the immune system. Diabetes, arthritis, and thyroid disease are most commonly associated with lack of exercise.

You don't have to be a bodybuilder to get the exercise your body needs to stay healthy. Just 30 minutes three times per week of cardio and strength training is enough to start with.

3. Food/Environmental Allergies

We live in a toxic world. Think for a minute about all of the chemical products you're exposed to each day. Shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, make-up, laundry detergent, carpet cleaner, air fresheners, cleaning products, etc. all contain a host of allergens and neurotoxins that are virtually guaranteed to shorten your lifespan and contribute to autoimmune disease.

Food allergies are another serious problem. Aside from the fact that much of our food is now genetically modified, gluten intolerance affects nearly 1 in every 100 people. Gluten intolerance is characterized by the inability to digest the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Continued ingestion of this protein causes chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, brain fog, muscle aches, thyroid imbalance, and diabetes.

The easiest way to avoid autoimmune disorders caused by food and environmental allergies is to eliminate as many of the toxins from your life as possible. This means switching to organic cleaning products, make-up, and toiletries, and testing yourself for gluten intolerance. Eliminate all sources of gluten from your diet for a period of one month. Reintroduce these foods on the 31st day en masse to test for a reaction. If you're unable to digest this protein, you'll know.

4. Stress

Stress is a killer. It is the number one reason people visit the doctor for everything from a headache to a heart attack. Our bodies are designed to produce chemicals to protect us in life and death situations.

However, when stress is chronic and unrelieved, the glands responsible for producing these chemicals became overtaxed and begin to malfunction. Adrenal fatigue is a real and serious condition that affects millions of people and can lead to the development of autoimmune disease.

Even if you're the burn-the-candle-at-both ends type, you owe it to your health to find time to relax. Even just twenty minutes of sitting quietly in a darkened room and doing deep breathing exercises is enough to slow your heart rate, boost your immune system, and prevent the development of serious illness.

5. Lack of Sleep

Sleep is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Unfortunately, most people do not get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. A lot of us are up tossing and turning from emotional stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Chronic sleep deprivation causes a boost in the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol, which can lead to obesity, mood swings, neurological distress, and autoimmune disease.

If insomnia is a problem for you, try adding some chelated magnesium to your daily supplement regimen. Magnesium is responsible for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and millions of people are deficient in it. You can also improve your quality of sleep by darkening your room, using earplugs to block out noise, and kicking your pets out of bed.

You don't have to be among the millions of people struggling everyday with chronic pain, anxiety, and digestive problems. Just a few small steps in a more healthful direction can truly work miracles. Get started today.

Jaime A. Heidel is a professional freelance writer with a passion for natural health. Her website, I Told You I Was Sick.com, is dedicated to helping people suffering from mystery symptoms find natural ways to heal.

By Jaime A. Heidel

Reasons Of Testosterone Deficiency And Their Remedies

Testosterones are the sub type of human growth hormones often referred to as male or sex hormones. It is actually testosterones that impart male characteristics in men. Furthermore, they are also vital for immaculate performance of sexual system. Testosterones are also indispensible for overall well being of the body.

Disadvantages of Testosterones Scarcity:

The deficiency of testosterones in the body can create many problems for your health. For instance,

• Dearth of testosterones can result in reduced libido and erectile dysfunction
• Testosterones deficiency can cause obesity
• Testosterone deficient body will have lean muscles lacking any real strength
• Weak bones with low bones density
• A spree of diseases can attack your body like diabetes, all sorts of heart problems and cancers
• Insomnia may also drop in your body due to shortage of testosterones
• Testosterone deficiency can cause stress, anxiety, depression and curtailed performance of brain
• Total degeneration of body

Reasons of Testosterone Deficiency:

There are many reasons that can lead to dearth of testosterones.

• One of the most obvious reasons is the process of aging. Testosterone decline naturally as you age.
• Obesity due to any reason can also force testosterone reserves to decline
• Mental stress is another major factor for testosterones to shrink in number
• High cholesterol levels in the body adversely affect the production of testosterones
• Lack of physical activity also makes testosterone levels to deplete
• Imbalanced diet that is rich in fats is another apparent reason
• Smoking and alcoholism also have devastating consequences for testosterone secretion

Remedies:

There are many methods that can be brought into the use to restore testosterone levels in the body.

• Regular exercise can cause testosterone levels to shoot up
• Use of balanced diet can also help
• You should take ample sleep as production is maximum during sleep
• Avoid stress and mental depression
• Keep weigh in control

Testosterone Therapies:

As most people especially senior citizens cannot sustain all the above mentioned requirements, they can undergo testosterone treatment therapy to regain what they have lost. In these therapies, artificial testosterones are inserted to replace lost natural testosterones.

Conclusion:

Testosterones regulate almost every function and organ of human body and thus adequate levels should be present in the body all the times. You need to follow above mentioned tips to alleviate the symptoms of low testosterones where testosterone treatment therapy can especially help. Furthermore, avoid anything that can inflict some damage to your testosterone reserves.

By Ali Ahmed

Depression And Substance Abuse

Substance abuse disorders (including alcohol and prescription drugs) frequently co-exist with depression. Substance abuse must be discontinued in order to clarify the diagnosis and maximize the effectiveness of psychiatric interventions. Additional treatment is necessary if the depression remains after the substance use and withdrawal effects have ended.

Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurence of depression with another illness or chemical dependency, should discuss these issues with the physician.

Many factors can contribute to depression. Some people become depressed for a combination of reasons. For others, a single factor appears to trigger depression. Some become depressed for no apparent reason. Regardless of the cause, depression needs to be diagnosed and rated.

Check any symptoms experienced for more than 2 weeks. If four or more of the symptoms for depression or mania have been checked, physical and psychological evaluation by a physician and/or mental health specialist should be sought.

Symptoms of Depression:

• A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"
• Sleep problems (insomnia, oversleeping, early-morning waking)
• Eating problems (loss of appetite or weight, weight gain)
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Thoughts of death or suicide; a suicide attempt
• Irritability
• Excessive crying
• Recurring aches and pains that don't respond to treatment

It is estimated that up to 80% of peolple with chemical dependency or addiction also have a co-occurring mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.

By BILL URELL

Can't Sleep? Afraid of the Dark

For some adults, insomnia may be caused by a fear of the dark, finds a new study by researchers at Ryerson University in Toronto.

In the study of 93 students, nearly half acknowledged being afraid of the dark, and they were more likely to poor sleepers than good ones. "We never thought we would see this," says Dr. Colleen Carney, assistant professor of psychology at Ryerson University. "We didn't think people would admit or acknowledge this fear. They would say it's for kids, or be too embarrassed."

The participants filled out questionnaires on their sleep behavior, whether or not they had been afraid of the dark as children and they were still afraid of the dark. They also completed an insomnia assessment; based on their responses, the researchers divided the participants into two groups: good and poor sleepers.

Following the questionnaires, the participants confirmed the participants' fear of the dark by putting them in either a dark or lit lab room and subjecting them to unexpected bursts of white noise. The researchers measured the students' blinking patterns, paying close attention to how they changed in response to the noises. "If you're already a little anxious, the noise will make you flinch. We looked at eye reactions because it is one of the most robust ways to measure this anxiety. If you blink immediately after the noise, that means it startles you," says Carney.

The researchers found that when the lights went out, the poor sleepers were more easily startled than the good sleepers. The poor sleepers became increasingly anxious during their time spent in the dark, while the good sleepers responded less and less to the noises and appeared to get used to them. There was no difference between the groups' reactions in the light."People who were poor sleepers experienced anticipatory anxiety in the dark, and based on the evidence, seem to be afraid of the dark," says Carney.

This got the researchers thinking. If some people with sleep disorders like insomnia have an active and untreated phobia of the dark, then treatment methods for some patients should be re-evaluated.

Insomniacs tend to have lots of fears that keep them up at night, and in some cases they may be traced back to a fear of the dark. "A phobia or fear of the dark is different from a fear of spiders. People don't necessarily know they have it," says Carney. "An individual may not be able to fall asleep once it's dark and their mind starts to wander. They think, 'What if someone breaks into my house?' Instead of realizing these associations may indicate a fear of the dark, they skip a step and assume they have a fear of burglars."

Thankfully, phobias are treatable. Most can be cured through cognitive behavioral therapy, like exposure therapy. Some people can even cure their phobias themselves without medical help.

The researchers note that there are several highly effective insomnia treatments, but that a further exploration of insomniacs' fear of the dark may help refine them. "This is not on our radar as insomnia treatment," says Dr. Carney. "We have very effective insomnia treatment. About 70% of patients are responsive. But, why are 30% still not responding? Why are some of these insomnia treatments not useful for some people?"

It could be that some insomnia treatments are counterproductive for people who actually dread the dark. For instance, some of the most effective treatments encourage restless sleepers to leave their dark bedroom and go into another lit room until they feel calm or sleepy. "A phobia is maintained through avoidance," says Dr. Carney. "By not facing the phobia, it's going to stick around."

The study sample was small and much more research is needed to confirm the finding, but the authors believe they have stumbled upon an unrecognized treatment need for those who toss and turn.

The study was presented Monday at SLEEP 2012, the 26th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), in Boston.

By ALEXANDRA SIFFERLIN