The discovery of BAM or bacteriophage adherence to mucus may serve as a new model for improving immunity. Why? As natural infection fighters, bacteriophages are readily available in the body and environment, so finding ways to increase their numbers and activity may boost natural resistance.
We recognize that being diagnosed with something like asthma can mean having a lot of information thrown at you all at once. Even if you feel like you should already know the answer to a question, ask it anyway. It’s better to know than to guess when you feel an asthma attack coming on.
Your immune system is the true cause of allergic symptoms. It mistakes simple things like pollen and cat fur for threats and attacks them. The symptoms you experience are a result of this immune system attack.
Consider adding vitamin-rich foods to your diet. Ingredients high in Vitamins C, D, and E can help in asthma management. These include salmon, eggs, spinach, broccoli, papaya, and mango.
An allergist can help your allergy situation by first confirming you have them. Then he or she will work to find your triggers and subsequently create a treatment plan (which sometimes includes medication) to control your symptoms.
An asthma trigger is a factor that can decrease lung function and lead to sudden difficulty in breathing and other asthma symptoms. This can include air contaminant such as air pollution and indoor allergens, or activities such as exercise.
An asthma episode is a series of events that result in narrowed airways in the lungs. These include: swelling of the lining, tightening of the muscle, and increased secretion of mucus in the airway. The narrowed airway is responsible for the difficulty in breathing.
With attentive care and correct use of medication, most people with asthma can lead an active and long, healthy life. If you have asthma ensure that you know your facts and have a care plan in place.
Second-hand smoke can have negative health implications for healthy people, and the effects can be doubly alarming for asthma sufferers. Care to guess what percent of asthma sufferers have a negative reaction to second-hand smoke exposure? If you guessed 60 percent, you're right.
Did you know that chronic bronchitis can leave you with a lingering dry, hacking cough even after the bronchitis is gone? As long as you aren't still experiencing the other symptoms as well, you should be fine.
If you’ve been a cat lover your entire life, learning that you have a severe allergy to cats can be a devastating blow. Before you resign yourself to a lifetime of itchy eyes, you may want to consider working with an allergy doctor.
In the period between 1980 and 1994, the cases of asthma increased by 75 percent, including a 160 percent increase in asthma rates for kids under the age of 5, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Research suggests that a predisposition to autoimmune disorders may run in families. However, family members can be affected by different disorders; for example, one person may have diabetes, while another has rheumatoid arthritis.
Asthma triggers usually start a reaction in the airways that cause them to swell or begin building up mucus. This is why it becomes so difficult to breathe.
When you visit an allergist, you should be able to tell him or her whether your symptoms occur throughout the year or just during certain times of the year. You should also pay attention to whether your symptoms are worse around pets, dust, mold, or certain strong odors.
Did you know that many people who have untreated allergic symptoms aren’t aware of how much better than can feel with proper treatment? An immunologist can help diagnose the allergy and develop effective strategies to manage it.
A common misconception is that people with asthma cannot exercise. Quite the opposite is true. Exercise is important for people with asthma as it helps relieve stress and keeps you healthy. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which activities are best for you.
There are two main areas of the immune system that work together: the innate and the adaptive. The innate system is composed of non-specific defense mechanisms that are triggered immediately or within hours of an antigen’s appearance in the body, while the adaptive immune system kicks in to attack an antigen once it has been processed and recognized.
Even if your child has only mild asthma, you shouldn't let your guard down. Allergic triggers can lead to serious asthma attacks in children who've previously had only mild asthma.
How Many People Have Food Allergies? Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies.
Did you know the food you eat can be a factor to the intensity of your asthma symptoms? While it isn't always necessary, some people with asthma must follow a restricted diet to control their symptoms.
While food allergies get a great deal of attention because of the severity of the reactions people have to them, they aren’t the only allergens worth getting tested for. Remember, people can be allergic to anything from the grass outside to their own sweat.
For many people, there are a number of symptoms they’ll experience before their condition worsens. If you suffer from asthma, be on the lookout for a marked decrease in your energy levels that can make it more difficult to perform tasks that were once simple.
For about 20-30 percent of people with asthma, cat contact can trigger a severe asthma attack and can even lead to chronic asthma. Contact an allergist to help minimize your chances of asthma attacks from cat allergies.