Breast Cancer Pins

Kind of looks like a breast cancer pin, but…

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Breast Cancer pins 4.28.07

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Hair Loss Treatment

Propecia – This popular hair growth treatment stops hair loss and encourages new hair growth

Millions of men and women suffer from hair loss. It has been noticed that hair loss is more common in men than in women. This loss of hair makes men look older beyond their years; simultaneously, hair loss negatively impacts a man’s self esteem as well as social confidence. Fortunately, there are many options for male hair loss treatment and Propecia is one of them.

Causes of hair loss in men

There are a number of causes of hair loss. Some people may experience dramatic levels of hair loss post a major surgery or after an illness. While the amount of hair loss always appears excessive to oneself, it is really only a reaction to a specific event and usually the lost hair is regained after a period of time.

Similarly, medications may also cause adverse reactions, hair loss being one of them. Some anticoagulants and most of the chemotherapy regimes that are used during cancer treatments are known to cause excessive and sometimes complete hair loss. But, the good thing is that the hair generally grows back once the medication is stopped. Some anti-depressants as well as excessive intake of vitamin A may also result in hair loss.

The more common physical reasons for hair loss include hormonal imbalances, an over or under-active thyroid and certain fungal infections. Moreover, it is understood that hair loss could really be a sign that there is an underlying problem including diabetes or lupus. Given a variety of reasons, it is generally difficult to pin point the exact cause of hair loss; therefore, it is good to seek timely medical advice.

Hair loss treatment

Medically scientists continue to research and test a variety of options that could help to slow down hair loss or actually regrow lost hairs. Presently, we have two prescription medications including Propecia and Rogaine that are popularly used for male hair loss treatment. Both of them have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Propecia, a prescription only medication, works as an effective male hair loss treatment. It helps treat hair loss by lowering the levels of chemicals like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the body that are responsible for reduced hair growth. Propecia is known to effectively control the conversion of hormones that cause hair loss. While Propecia may not help hair loss patients grow back a full head of hair, it does slow down the hair loss.

Side effects of Propecia

Like all prescription medications, Propecia may also cause certain side effects, but most people have no or minor side effects. No common side effects have been reported with Propecia. However, certain severe side effects such as allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, as well as swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast enlargement, lumps, pain, or tenderness; nipple discharge; testicular pain may occur. Seek medical attention right away if any of these allergic reactions occur when using Propecia

How to buy Propecia online?

Though Propecia finasteride is a prescription only hair loss treatment medication, you don’t necessarily have to visit a doctor to buy Propecia. A large number of online clinics offer you the facility to consult a specialist doctor online, free of cost. The consultation is facilitated through an online medical form that requests details about your general health, other health conditions if any and the medications that you may be taking. If your doctor prescribes Propecia to you, your Propecia pills will be delivered to your doorstep in a safe and discreet packaging. Thus, when you buy Propecia online, you save yourself both time and money.

Preparing For Baby: Tips for the Eco-Conscious

Adding a new baby to your household is an exciting event. For the eco-conscious parent, all of the gear necessary for a new baby seems excessive. After all, many of the most popular items of baby gear are simply not environmentally friendly. If you are a soon-to-be parent who wishes to “go green” while preparing for a new arrival, here are some tips you can use.

The Diaper Dilemma

The first bridge you will need to cross as a new parent is deciding what diaper type to use. For centuries before the modern parenting generation, parents used cloth diapers for their little ones. There simply was no other option. However, that changed when disposable diapers hit the market. You probably assume that cloth diapers are the most environmentally friendly, but can you be sure? After all, you will spend a lot of water and electricity cleaning those diapers, so which is really better?

Disposable diapers add 5 million tons of untreated waste to the landfills each year. This includes 2 billion tons of urine, feces, paper, and plastic. The diapers used by American babies take 200,000 trees a year to produce. Disposable diapers take hundreds of years to decompose, and some of the plastic parts will never decompose completely. The future impact of disposables on the planet is huge.

In contrast, cloth diapers do use water and electricity to clean, but this has far less of an impact on the environment as a whole than using disposables does. The fecal matter and urine, for instance, is sent to water treatment facilities, where it is properly removed from water through the sewage system, rather than soaking into the ground in a landfill.

The good news is that today’s cloth diapers are as easy to use as a disposable, and they are very cute too. Modern disposables come in a variety of styles, but most have a multi-layer liner that absorbs as much as a disposable diaper can. Parents no longer need to use safety pins, because the diapers are clasped with Velcro or specially designed diaper clasps. Also, babies who use cloth diapers tend to potty train quicker than babies who use disposables, because they feel the wetness in their diaper and are more willing to learn the process of using the toilet in order to avoid that wet feeling.

Organic Baby Clothing

Another consideration that environmentally conscious parents must make sir whether or not their baby will use organic baby clothing. Baby clothing is typically made from soft materials, like cotton. While these are very comfortable for baby, they can carry harmful chemicals that the fibers of the plant absorbed while it was growing and as it was treated to be made into cloth.

Organic clothing is made from organic cotton, which means it will not contain these dangerous chemicals. Not only will you be helping the environment by encouraging growers to stop using pesticides, but you will also ensure that the items that are the closest to your baby’s sensitive skin are as safe as possible for your little one.

Lotions, Soaps, and Cleaners

Believe it or not, the traditional baby lotions and soaps that so many parents use could be harmful to your baby. Many shampoos and baby lotions contain paraben, a dangerous chemical that is absorbed into your baby’s skin. Paraben can mimic estrogen, which can lead to cancer. While it is unknown whether the amount of paraben in baby soaps and lotions is enough to be dangerous, as an eco-conscious parent, you are probably more than willing to avoid them. The good news is that there are several “green” soaps and lotions you can buy for your little one, if you shop carefully.

Laundry detergent is another area that you might want to use some caution. Doctors already advise parents against using traditional laundry detergents on their baby’s clothing because of the harsh chemicals and irritating perfumes that they contain. Most parents buy special “baby safe” laundry detergent, but even these can contain toxic chemicals that you may wish to keep away from your baby. You can make your own laundry detergent to avoid these problems, or you could purchase non-toxic laundry detergent from an earth-friendly baby store.

Feeding Gear

One of the latest problems that researchers have found in the baby world is BPA. BPA is a chemical that is found in a variety of hard plastics, such as those that are used in bottles and other baby feeding gear. BPA is thought to increase the risk of developing certain cancers later in life. High exposure to BPA can also lead to reproductive problems.

Researchers have discovered that this potentially dangerous chemical leaks into the food that is stored in the containers, particularly if they are reheated in the microwave, which is a common way to heat baby formula. Advocates are currently working towards getting BPA removed from all baby and toddler feeding gear, but until that happens, educated parents need to take steps on their own to protect their babies from this potential danger.

Breast-feeding moms can protect their newborns from BPA by not using baby bottles. However, breastfeeding is not the sole source of nutrition for older babies and toddlers, and BPA can be found in sippy cups, plastic spoons, and plastic bowls. As a “green” parent, you will want to shop for BPA-free baby products.

One option to avoid the potential dangers of BPA is to buy glass baby bottles and sippy cups that are made out of BPA-free plastic. If you are unsure about whether or not a particular feeding item is free of BPA, contact the manufacturer and ask. Most of the major companies that manufacture baby feeding supplies have a BPA-free option for concerned parents.

Health Q&A

7 Year-old Chihuahua Has Cough For 2 Months. Antibiotics And Cough…
This little guy came to me from the shelter so I really don’t know much about his previous history with vaccination and the like. Teddy quickly captured my heart and I want to do everything I can to keep hold of him healthy,…

7 Years Old, Height 52″ Weight 75lb. Is This OK?
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8 Days After I Ovulated I Had Some Brown Spotting. Then My Period…
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8 Days For A Heavy Night Of Coke Use Will I Pass A Test?
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A ‘ Spinster Is A Woman Who Has Never_____?
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A 100 Pound Patient Needs 15 Mg/kg/day Of Amoxicillin For Seven Days….
100 pounds is 45kg 15 mg per kg so 15 times by 45 =675mg 675 per day times 7 days =4725mg over 7 day period.

A 100-pound Patient Needs 15 Mg/kg/day Of Amoxicillin For Seven Days….
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More Health answers please visit : isFAQ.com

Food Allergy: An Overview

FOOD ALLERGY: AN OVERVIEW

MEENAKSHI BHARKATIYA*, KAMAL SINGH RATHORE, ANKUR MAHESHWARI, SUNITA PANCHAWAT, R.K.NEMA

B.N.GIRLS’ COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, UDAIPUR-RAJ. 31002

INTRODUCTION

Food allergy is recognized as a common worldwide problem, and, like other atopic disorders, its incidence seems to increase. In the past years, investigations of allergic food proteins and related immunological responses have moved to the molecular level, and the newly-found knowledge might provide novel experimental strategies for the laboratory diagnosis and the immuno-modulatory control of food-induced allergic reactions (1, 2).

Approximately 20% of the population alters their diet for a perceived adverse reaction to food, but the application of double-blind placebo-controlled oral food challenge, the “gold standard” for diagnosis of food allergy, shows that questionnaire-based studies overestimate the prevalence of food allergies. The clinical disorders determined by adverse reactions to food can be classified on the basis of immunologic or no immunologic mechanisms and the organ system or systems affected (3, 4, 5).

The true prevalence of food allergy is lower and seems to range from 1% to 4% of the general population and about 6% of the general population and about 6% of the paediatric population, but does occur in as much as 25% of children with eczema6. Allergic hypersensitivity simply put, is an adverse immune reaction to a protein (or allergen) in our environment, which is normally harmless to the non-allergic person. It may present as mild itching of the skin, tissue swelling and wheezing or even progress to full-blown anaphylaxis and death. 18 million allergy sufferers live in the UK where 4% of the populations also have a food allergy.

Allergy develops after repeated exposure to the causative allergen. Sensitization takes place on initial exposure (a process that may take up to six weeks to develop) and no adverse reaction appears to occur during initial sensitization (6).

(A) DEFINITION

A food allergy is an immunologic response to a food protein and caused by allergens in the food that are a kind of protein in the food. These proteins resist the cooking process, the acid in the stomach and the enzymes in the stomach and intestines and enter the blood stream and they cause the allergy reaction after they enter the blood stream.

(B) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of food allergies are: -

1. Anaphylaxis: – a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can result in death. Leads to vasodilation and, if severe, symptoms of life-threatening shock.

2. Angioedema: – rapid swelling (edema) of the skin, mucosa and submucosal tissues, especially of the eyelids, face, lips, and tongue.

3. Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin.

(a). Atopic eczema (aka infantile e., flexural e., atopic dermatitis) is believed to have a hereditary component, and often runs in families whose members also have hay fever and asthma. Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on face and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks.

(b). Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to a solvent, for example). Some substances act both as allergen and irritant (e.g. wet cement). Other substances cause a problem after sunlight exposure, bringing on phototoxic dermatitis.

(c). Xerotic eczema (aka asteatotic e., e. craquele or craquelatum, winter itch, pruritus hiemalis) is dry skin that becomes so serious it turns into eczema. It worsens in dry winter weather, and limbs and trunk are most often affected. The itchy, tender skin resembles a dry, cracked, river bed. This disorder is very common among the older population.

(d). Seborrhoeic dermatitis (aka cradle cap in infants, dandruff) causes dry or greasy scaling of the scalp and eyebrows. Scaly pimples and red patches sometimes appear in various adjacent places. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap which seems related to lack of biotin, and is often curable.

4. Skin rashes, such as nettle rash (also called urticaria or hives). Some of these longer lasting rashes are called atopic dermatitis. 

5. Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any area

6. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or abdominal pain

7. Running nose or nasal congestion

8. Wheezing, scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing

9. Mood swings, depression: The symptoms of an Immunoglobulin E (IgE) allergic reaction can take place within a few minutes to an hour. The process of eating and digesting food affects the timing and location of a reaction. IgG reactions build over a period of hours to days, and therefore symptoms can be difficult to notice as allergy-related (7). 

 TYPES OF ALLERGENIC FOOD

There are a number of groups of foods that are responsible for causing the majority of food allergies (6).  Rice allergy is more common in East Asia where rice forms a large part of the diet.  In Central Europe, celery allergy is more common. The top allergens vary somewhat from country to country but milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat and sesame tend to be in the top ten in many countries (8).

The most common food allergies are: –

1. Milk allergy:-

Two out of a hundred infants under one year old suffer from cow’s milk allergy, making it the most common food allergy of childhood. In general children lose this sensitivity as they grow up with nine out of ten losing it by the age of three; it is unusual for adults to suffer from this allergy. Symptoms are frequently vomiting and diarrhoea in children, with 30-50% also having skin rashes of some type. A small number of children have an anaphylactic reaction to milk which tends to be life-long.

The major allergens in milk are the caseins and the protein b-lactoglobulin. People are usually allergic to more than one kind of milk protein. The proteins from cow’s milk are very similar to those from goats and sheep. Thus goat’s or sheep’s milk cannot be used as a cow’s milk substitute in allergic individuals (8). 

A report about 22-year-old Female patient is described who was repeatedly hospitalised on account of severe asthmatic attacks presumably due to the ingestion of cow’s milk or milk-containing products. There were no signs of gastrointestinal disturbance, but some urticaria and angioedema occurred. Strongly positive RASTs (radioallergosorbent test) were observed in the blood serum against the proteins in cow’s milk, bovine serum, egg white, cod fish, and house dust. The symptoms were successfully controlled by rigorous dietary measures (8). 

2. Eggs:-

Allergy to eggs is usually observed in young children rather than adults, and like cow’s milk allergy, fades with time. Occasionally children suffer from a severe form of allergy which is not outgrown.

The main allergens are the egg white proteins ovomucoid, ovalbumin, and ovotransferrin. The eggs of other poultry, such as ducks, are very similar to those of hens and can cause reactions in egg-allergic individuals (8). 

3. Peanut allergy:-

Peanuts are one of most allergenic foods and frequently cause very severe reactions, including anaphylaxis. Allergy to peanuts is established in childhood and usually maintained throughout life. Peanut allergy can be so severe that only very tiny amounts of peanut can cause a reaction. Thus the traces of nuts found in processed oils, or the carryover of materials on utensils used for serving foods, can be enough in some individuals, to cause a reaction. The main allergens in peanuts and Soya are the proteins used by the seed as a food store for it to grow into a seedling. One of the allergens in Soya bean is very similar to a major allergen from dust mites, a common environmental allergen. We aren’t sure yet whether this means there is a link between dust allergy and Soya allergy.

A large number of children who develop peanut allergy have their first reaction the first time they are given a peanut-containing product (usually a dab of peanut butter). A large number of children who develop peanut allergy have their first reaction the first time they are given a peanut-containing product (usually a dab of peanut butter). Peanut protein could pass into breast milk Twenty-three lactating women; aged 21 to 35 years ate 50 grams of dry roasted peanuts (about 60 peanuts or 1/3 cup). Breast milk samples were collected at hourly intervals. Peanut protein was found in the breast milk of 11 of the mothers. In 10 mothers, it was detected within two hours after she ate peanuts, in one mother it was detected six hours later.

That peanut protein is secreted into breast milk, thus sensitizing the baby who is at risk for developing an allergy. This may explain why up to 85 percent of children have a peanut allergy reaction the first time they eat a peanut-containing product. A baby born into a family with allergies.

[Note: - Milk, eggs, and wheat have previously been shown to pass into breast milk. The mothers from allergic families eliminate peanuts and tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, etc.) and consider eliminating eggs, milk, fish, and perhaps other foods from their diets while nursing. If you choose to do this, be sure to speak with a registered dietitian to be sure your diet is well-balanced (8).

4. Tree Nut Allergy:-

This group includes true tree nuts, such as Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnut and pecan. Whilst not as intensively studied as peanuts, indications are that tree nuts can cause symptoms as severe which can occasionally be fatal. Children who become sensitised to tree nuts tend to remain allergic throughout life. Hazelnut and almond allergies are more like those people get to fruit, and are linked to pollen allergies. Nut allergens can be both destroyed by, and resistant, to cooking and we think that roasting may actually create new allergens. The allergens can be the seed storage proteins, or other molecules which are also found in pollen.

5. Fish and shellfish allergy:-

Allergies to shellfish are unusual in children, mostly being experienced by adults. Reactions to fish are found in children and adults. The incidence of seafood allergy is higher in those countries with a high consumption of fish and shellfish. Severe reactions are more frequently found with these foods, including anaphylaxis. Cooking does not destroy the allergens in fish and shellfish, and some individuals maybe allergic to the cooked, but not raw, fish. The major allergens in fish are flesh proteins called parvalbumins which are very similar in all kinds of fish. Shellfish allergens are usually found in the flesh and are part of the muscle protein system, whilst in foods such as shrimps, allergens have also been found in the shells.

If pregnant or trying to be, avoid seafood and shellfish. Some believe that it may cause your child to develop food allergy.

6. Fruits allergy:-

In general allergic reactions to fruits and vegetables are mild, and are often limited to the mouth, and are called the oral-allergy syndrome (OAS). Around four out of ten people having OAS are also allergic to tree and weed pollens. Thus people who are allergic to birch pollen are much more likely to be allergic to apples. There allergens in fruits and vegetables are not as complicated as other foods. Many of them are very like the allergens in pollens, which is why people with pollen allergies are also allergic to certain fruits.

Many fruit allergens are destroyed by cooking, and thus cooked fruits are often safe for fruit allergic people to eat. Allergies to latex gloves, especially amongst health professionals, are increasing. As many of the latex allergens are like those found in certain tropical fruits, such as bananas, these people can get an allergic reaction to handling or eating these foods (8). Tomato Allergy: - Reported on four cases (two adults with throat constriction, one child with gastro esophageal reflux disease [GERD], one child with atopic dermatitis) with IgE-mediated reactions to tomatoes.

Using extracts prepared from the skin, seeds, and fleshy fruit of the tomato, specific IgE antibody in the sera of patients was detected by ELISA. After characterizing the extracts for their antigen profile and reactivity with IgE, proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Of the four patients, one adult showed higher IgE against tomato skin extract. Western blot tests of the patient’s scrum with tomato skin extract also revealed reaction with a protein band in the 42-45kD region. Tomato allergy can be manifested as atopic dermatitis, laryngeal angioedema, and even gastroesophageal reflux.

7. Cereals allergy:

Suffered by children and adults alike, wheat allergy appears to be particularly associated with exercise-induced anaphylaxis. The more of a cereal (wheat, rye, barley, oats, maize or rice) we eat the more likely we are to suffer an allergy. Thus rice allergy is found more frequently in populations eating ethnic diets. Seed storage proteins (such as wheat gluten) and other proteins present in grain to protect it from attack by moulds and bacteria, have been found to be major allergens.

8. Penicillin’s allergy reaction:

Frequently manifestations are – rash, itching, urticaria and fever. Wheezing, angioneuritis, edema, serum sickness and exofolliative dermatitis are less common. Anaphylaxis is rare but may be fatal. Fear of anaphylactic shock has several restricted the use of injPnG in general practice.  All form of penicillin (natural or semi synthetic) can cause allergy but it is more commonly seen after parenteral administration.

 Penicillin produce hypersensitivity – urticaria, angioedema, bronchiospasm, anaphylaxis or serum sickness. If earlier reaction had been only a rash, penicillin may be given cautiously – often no untoward effect is seen. History of penicillin allergy must be elicited before injection it. A scratch test on intradermal test (with 2 – 10 u ) may be performed first. On occasion, his it has caused fatal anaphylaxis. Testing with benzyl-penicilloyl – polylysine is safer. However a negative intradermal test does not rule out delayed hypersensitivity. It should also be released that presence of antibodies to penicillin does not mean allergy to it, because practically everyone who receives penicillin develop antibodies to it.

For the development of antibodies, penicillin or a product of it (mostly penicilloyl moiety – major determent) act as a hapten. Topical use of penicillin is highly sensitizing (contact dermatitis and other reaction). Therefore, all topical preparation of penicillin (including eye ointment) have been banned, except for use in eye as solution in case of gonococcal opthalmia (9).

CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD ALLERGY

1. IMMEDIATE REACTION TYPE (SKIN-SENSITIVE OR WHEAL TYPE)

Antibody: Skin sensitizing:-

A. Hereditary: spontaneous, abrupt, obvious, often severe symptoms,     Involving all major systems of body Portal of entry:                                                                                                               

 (a) Alimentary mucosa causes: food by ingestion

(b) Respiratory mucosa causes: Inhaled dusty airborne food dusts and volatile food odours by inhalation (rare)

(c) Skin causes: food by percutaneous absorption (rare)

(d) By parenteral injection causes: Therapeutic agent containing food excitants

B. Nonhereditary: Induced, anaphylactic, often severe symptoms involving all major system of body

Portal of entry: By parenteral injection causes: sensitizers such as organ extracts, virus vaccines (egg media)

2. DELAYED REACTION TYPES   (SKIN-NEGATIVE OR NON- WHEALTYPE)

Antibody: unknown:-

A. Hereditary: Deliberate, obscure symptoms involving all major systems  

    Of body

Portal of entry: Alimentary mucosa causes: Foods by ingestion

B. Nonhereditary: – Induced (contact dermatitis), rare, involving respiratory and cutaneous systems

Portal of entry: Intact oral, and buccal mucosa, and skin causes: Foods, essential oils of foods and spices (10).

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

A food allergy is an immunologic response to a food protein Food allergy is type 1 hypersensitivity reaction. Type I Hypersensitivity is characterised by excessive activation of mast cells and basophils by IgE, resulting in a systemic inflammatory response that can result in symptoms as benign as a runny nose, to life-threatening anaphylactic shock and death.

Exposure to an allergen activates B cells to form IgE secreting plasma cells   . The secreted IgE Molecules bind to IgE specific Fc Receptor on mast cells. Second Exposure to allergen leads to cross linking of the bound IgE triggering release of pharmacologically active mediators vasoactive amines (11).

Immunoglobulin E (IgE):

The potent biological activity of IgE allowed it to be identified in serum despite its extremely low average serum concentration (0.3microgram/ml).IgE antibodies mediate the immediate hypersensitivity reaction that are responsible for the symptoms of hay fever, asthma, hives and anaphylactic shock. When the appropriate antigen was later injected at the same site, a wheal and flare reaction developed there .this reaction, called the p-k reaction was the basis for the first biological assay for IgE activity.

IgE binds to Fc receptors on the membranes of blood basophils and tissue mast cells, Cross-linkage or receptor bound IgE molecules by antigen (allergen) induces basophils and mast cells to translocation their granules to the plasma membrane and release their contents to the extracellular environment, a process known as degranulation.  As a result, a variety of pharmacologically active mediators are released and given rise to allergic manifestations.

Fc Receptors:

Many cells feature membrane glycoproteins called Fc receptors (FcR) that have an affinity for the Fc portion of the antibody molecule.  These receptors are essential for many of the bioligocal functions of antibodies.  An FcR binds IgE like: – The cytoplasmic domains of the chains of FcRI are associated with protein tyrosine kinase (PTKs). Crosslinkage of the FcRI receptors activates the associated PTKs, resulting in the phosphorylation of tyrosines within the ITAMs of the subunit as well as phosphorylation of residue on the  subunit and on phospholipace C.  These phosphyrylation events incduce the producton of a number of second messengers that mediate the process of degranulation.

Within 15 s after crosslinkage of FcRI, methylation of various membrane phospholipids is observed, resulting in an increase in membrane fluidity and the formation of Ca2+ channels.  An increase of Ca2+ reaches a peak within 2 min. of FcRI crosslinkage.  This increase is due both to the uptake of extracellular Ca2+ and to a release of Ca2+ from nitracellular stores in the endoplasmic reticulum.  The Ca2+ increase eventually leads to the formation of arachidonic acid, which is converted into two classes of potent mediators: prostaglandins and leukotrienes.  The increase of Ca2+ also promotes the assembly of microtubules and the contraction of microfilaments, both of which are necessary for the movement of granules to the plasma membrane.  The importance of the Ca2+ increase in mast-cell degranulation is highlighted by the use of drugs, such as disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn sodium), that block this influx as a treatment for allergies (11).

Concomitant with phospholipid methylation and Ca2+ increase, there is a transient increase in the activity of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase, with a rapid peak of its reaction product, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), reached about one min. after crosslinkage of FcRI.  The effect of cAMP is exerted through the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases, which phosphorylate proteins on the granule membrane, thereby changing the permeability of the granules to water and Ca2+.  The consequent swelling of the granules facilitates their fusion with the plasma membrane, releasing their contents.  The increase in cAMP is transient and is followed by a drop in cAMP to levels below baseline.  This drop in cAMP appears to be necessary for degranulation to proceed; when cAMP levels are increased by certain drugs, the degranulation process is blocked.  Histamines are the main mediator of food allergy (11).

IgE Crosslinkage Initiates Degranulation

The biochemical events the mediate degranulaton of mast cells and blood basophils have many features in common.  For simplicity, this section presents a general overview of mast-cell degranulation mechanisms without calling attention to the slight differences between mast cells and basophils.  Although mast-cell degranulation generally is initiated by allergen crosslinkage of bound IgE, a number of other stimuli can also initiate the process, including the anaphylatoxins (C3a, C4a, and C5a) and various drugs.  This section focuses on the biochemical events that follow allergen crosslinkage of bound IgE as follows

 Receptor Crosslinkage

IgE-mediated degranulation begins when an allergen cross links IgE that is bound (fixed) to the Fc receptor on the surface of a mast cell or basophil.  In itself, the binding of IgE to FcRI apparently has no effect on a target cell.  It is only after allergen crosslinks the fixed IgE-receptor complex that degranulation proceeds.  The importance of crosslinkage is indicated by the inability of monovalent allergens, which cannot crosslink the fixed IgE, to trigger degranulation.

Genetic basis

There is much evidence to support the genetic basis of allergy, as allergic parents are more likely to have allergic children, and their allergies are likely to be stronger than those from non-allergic parents. However some allergies are not consistent along genealogies with parents being allergic to peanuts, but having children allergic to ragweed, or siblings not sharing the same allergens. Ethnicity has also been shown to play a role in some allergies. Interestingly, in regard to asthma, it has been suggested that different genetic loci are responsible for asthma in people of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and African origins. It has also been suggested that there are both general atopy genes and tissue-specific allergy genes that target the allergic response to specific mucosal tissues. Potential disease associated alleles include both coding region variation and SNPs. Caucasian people seem to have the most asthma (11).

DIAGNOSIS OF FOOD ALLERGY

Diagnosis of food allergy is based on clinical history, skin prick tests, and     laboratory tests to detect serum-food specific IgE, elimination diets and challenges (12).

1. History: – The physician interviews the patient to determine if the facts are consistent with a food allergy. . The doctor asks such questions as: What was the timing of the reaction? Did the reaction come on quickly, usually within an hour after eating the food? Was treatment for allergy successful? For example, if hives stem from a food allergy, antihistamines should relieve them. Is the reaction always associated with a certain food? Did anyone else get sick? For example, if the person has eaten fish contaminated with histamine, everyone who ate the fish should be sick. In an allergic reaction, however, only the person allergic to the fish becomes ill. 

2. Dietary Diary: – To keep a record of the contents of each meal and whether reactions occurred that are consistent with allergy. The dietary diary provides more details than the oral history, so that the doctor and patient can better determine if there is a consistent relationship between a food and the allergic reactions.

3. Elimination Diet: – The next step is an elimination diet. The patient does not eat a food suspected of causing the allergy, for example, eggs, and substitutes another food, in this instance, another source of protein. If after the patient removes the food, the symptoms go away, the doctor almost always can make a diagnosis of food allergy. This technique is also not suitable if the allergic reactions have been infrequent13.

4. Skin Prick Tests: – The skin prick is easy to do and results are available in minutes. Different allergists may use different devices for skin prick testing. Some use a “bifurcated needle”, which looks like a fork with two prongs. Others use a “multi-test”, which may look like a small board with several pins sticking out of it (14).

In a scratch-the-skin test, a dilute extract of the suspected food is placed on the skin of the forearm or back. This portion of the skin then is scratched with a needle and observed for swelling or redness, which would signify a local allergic reaction to the food. A positive scratch test indicates that the patient has the IgE that is specific for the food being tested on the skin’s mast cells. In some highly allergic patients, however, especially if they have had anaphylactic reactions, skin tests should not be done because they could provoke another dangerous reaction. Skin tests also cannot be done in patients with extensive eczema (13).

It is good for quickly learning if a person is allergic to a particular food or not, because it detects allergic antibodies known as IgE. Skin tests cannot predict if a reaction would occur or what kind of reaction might occur if a person ingests that particular allergen. They can however confirm an allergy in light of a patient’s history of reactions to a particular food. This almost painless procedure allows the tested protein to interact with food-specific IgE on the surface of skin mast cells (12).

A device, such as a lancet, plastic probe or tip of a small gauge needle, is pressed through a commercial extract of food and a positive (histamine) and negative (saline-glycerine) controls into the epidermis. Allergens eliciting within 15 min a wheal at least 3 mm larger than that produced by the negative control are considered positive, indicating the possibility that the patients have symptomatic reactivity to the specific food, with strongly positive results implying a greater likelihood of clinical reactivity. When evaluating allergy to fruits and vegetables, commercially prepared extracts are often inadequate because they are prone to degradation, and therefore the fresh food might be used for prick-by-prick test. A number of investigators have examined the use of the “atopy patch test” in addition to skin prick test for the diagnosis of non-IgE-mediated food allergy, with delayed reactions to food, but at this time, there are no standardized reagents or methods of application and interpretation. Thus, its diagnostic accuracy remains still controversial, especially in older children (12).

In Eosinophilic gastroenteritis associated with food allergy and bronchial asthma. A skin prick test and RAST (radioallergosorbent test) to causative food allergens showed a negative result. A fiber-optic endoscopic biopsy from the gastric mucosa showed an intense eosinophilic infiltration. The fiber-optic endoscopic biopsy might be needed to identify coexisting EG if an allergic patient with blood eosinophilia complains of severe gastrointestinal symptoms (14).

5. Blood Tests:- Blood tests such as the RAST (radioallergosorbent test) and the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). These tests measure the presence of food-specific IgE antibodies in the blood of patients, but they cost more than skin tests, and the results are not available immediately (13).

In RAST, blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing to determine “predictive values” for certain foods. These predictive values can be compared to the RAST blood test results. If a person’s RAST score is higher than the predictive value for that food, then there is over a 95% chance the person will have an allergic reaction (limited to rash and anaphylaxis reactions) if they ingest that food. Currently, predictive values are available for the following foods: milk, egg, peanut, fish, soy, and wheat. Blood tests allow for hundreds of allergens to be screened from a single sample, and cover food allergies as well as inhalants. However, non-IgE mediated allergies cannot be detected by this method. Blood testing methodologies currently available that can measure antibodies of IgG are not acceptable as a method of allergy evaluation. IgG-type anitbodies are not implicated in food allergy reactions15.

(A)       In vitro IgE food allergen-specific assays:-

The in vitro IgE assay is less sensitive, however, then the epicutaneous skin test. The in vitro IgE assay uses the same commercial food extract16.

1. Redioallergosorbeny (RAST):- The first test using this new technology was the redioallergosorbent test (RAST). The first step requires coupling the allergen (e.g., cow’s milk protein) to solid support (e.g., a paper disk). When this disk is placed in a test tube with patient serum, the coupling of antibodies directed against milk or that were anti- cow’s milk in nature (this includes IgE, M, A, or E class) occurs. After washing, the third  step is the addition of radio-labelled (I125) rabbit antihuman IgE antibodies .these antibodies will attach themselves only to the IgE antimilk antibodies( which in turn are coupled to the cow’s milk protein in the paper disk). Then the amount of radioactivity can be measured, and thus the amount of cow’s milk-allergen-anti-IgE cow’s milk antibody can be quantities (16).

2. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) :- This is more recent type of test, but is just like the RAST test except for two factors. First, allergen is usually coupled to the inner surface of small plastic walls (into which the patient’s serum and other ingredients of the test are placed). The second, and more important, difference is the final quantitative factor. In the ELISA system, an enzyme coupled to the antihuman IgE denatures a substrate, which either change color or becomes fluorescent. Then the amount of color or fluorescence can be measured(16).

 (B) The production of interferon-gamma in response to a major peanut allergy, Ara h II correlates with serum levels of IgE anti-Ara h II.

To examine the potential role of T cells in the pathogenesis of peanut allergy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with peanut allergy, patients with asthma, and nonatopic normal control subjects were assessed for proliferation after stimulation with a 17 kd major peanut allergen (Ara h II), ovalbumin, casein, soy, and Candida albicans. That Ara h II and C. albicans induced significantly higher levels of proliferation than ovalbumin, casein, and soy. Because interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) play critical roles in IgE regulation, the production of these cytokines after stimulation with C. albicans and Ara h II. C. albicans stimulated similar levels of IFN-gamma in all three study groups. In contrast, after stimulation with Ara h II, culture supernatants from PBMCs of subjects with peanut allergy contained significantly lower levels of IFN-gamma than did the PBMCs of the two control groups (p = 0.02). More important, there was a significant (p = 0.05) inverse correlation between the serum IgE anti-Ara h II levels and IFN-gamma production by PBMCs from the respective peanut-allergic patients. IL-4 protein was not detected in culture supernatants of PBMCs stimulated with Ara h II. However, amplification of cytokine gene transcripts by polymerase chain reaction did demonstrate IL-4 expression in Ara h II-stimulated PBMCs from both patients with peanut allergy and control subjects. Conclusion is that the level of IFN-gamma production in response to Ara h II may be an important factor in determining the development of peanut-specific IgE responses (17).

(6). Other Laboratory Tests:- When evaluating patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, suspecting food hypersensitivities, a number of other standard laboratory studies might be useful. Patients with allergic eosinophilic esophagitis and allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis have peripheral eosinophilia, and patients with severe allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis might have anaemia, blood in the stool, and decreased serum protein, albumin and IgG levels (with preservation of IgM and IgA). Endoscopy and biopsy are the most definitive approaches for diagnosing many of the gastrointestinal food hypersensitivities and might help the differential diagnoses. Greater than 10-20 eosinophils per 40 × high-power field in the esophagus is diagnostic of allergic eosinophilic esophagitis, especially if the pH probe is normal and there is lack of responses to antireflux medication. Eosinophils are normally present in the gastric and intestinal mucosa, and therefore eosinophil number must be greater to make the diagnosis of allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

(7). Food Challenge:- The double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenge (DBPCFC) with gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food under observation over hours or days, is considered the “gold standard” test for the diagnosis of food allergy.

 In this test, various foods, some of which are suspected of inducing an allergic reaction, are placed in individual opaque capsules. Both the patient and the doctor are blinded, so that neither of them knows which capsules contain the suspected allergens. (Another medical person prepared the capsules.) The patient swallows a capsule and the doctor then observes whether an allergic reaction occurs. This process is repeated with each capsule. The advantage of a food challenge is that if the patient has an allergic reaction only to the suspected foods and not to the other foods tested, the diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed. Just as with a rechallenge after the elimination diet and with the skin tests, however, someone having a history of severe reactions should not be tested with a food challenge because of the danger of inducing another severe reaction. In addition, this procedure is expensive because it is difficult and requires a lot of time, especially for patients with multiple food allergies. Consequently, double-blind food challenges are done infrequently (13.)

Hypotension might occur in about 15% of these challenges, especially in patients affected by acute IgE-mediated reactions, enterocolitis syndrome, and severe atopic dermatitis, and therefore intravenous hydration therapy and supplies for resuscitation should be immediately available (12).

Genetic Basis for Food Allergy

The R576 allele occurred with less frequency in nonatopic subjects than in patients with food allergy. Investigation of the prevalence of the glutamine to arginine (Q to R) mutation at position 576 of IL4R alpha (a position formerly shown to segregate with atopy) was conducted in 22 patients with a history of adverse food reactions, positive skin tests, and/or RAST. Eleven patients had positive food challenges. This was compared with a reference group of 57 nonatopic subjects.

In food allergy patients, allele frequency of the Q576 was 68% (30/44) and of the R576 was 32% (14/44), compared with 81% (92/114) and 19% (22/114) in the control group. Half of the patients (11) carried the R576 allele, 13% (3) of whom were homozygous, compared with prevalence in the general population of 20%. The high occurrence of the R576 allele in atopic patients was associated with a susceptibility to food allergy. Atopy, in general, has been known to be genetically determined, yet evidence for a genetic link to specific allergies has been lacking. This study demonstrates a significant association between the Q576R allele and the development of food allergy. Extension of this work may lead to a specific test for prediction of food allergy (13).

TREATMENT OF FOOD ALLERGY

(A). ORAL DESENSITIZATION & TOPICAL TREATMENT:- Various medications can provide relief for certain aspect of food-induced disorders. The primary therapy for food allergy is to avoid the responsible food.1 Only two specific treatments are available to the allergic patient – allergen avoidance and allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) given either orally or by injection (13).

(1). Treatment for Milk Allergies:-  It is total avoidance of milk proteins. Initially if the infants are breastfed, the lactating mothers are given an elimination diet. If symptoms are not relieved or if the infants are formula-fed, milk substitute formulas are used to provide the infant with a complete source of nutrition. Milk substitutes include hypoallergenic formulas based on hydrolyzed protein (such as nutramigen, alimentum, and pregestemil) or free amino acids. Soy milk should not be used in milk protein allergy as there is a 40-50% rate of cross-antigenicity of soy and cow protein.

(2.) Treatment for Nut allergy:-  It is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with tree nuts or nut particles and/or oils. The most severe nut allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis and is an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with Epinephrine.

(3).Treatment for fruits allergy:- An OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome) sufferer should avoid foods to which they are allergic. Peeling or cooking the foods have shown to reduce the effects of the allergy in the throat and mouth, but may not relieve reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Antihistamines may also relieve the symptoms of the allergy. Persons with severe reactions may consider carrying injectable medication (such as an EpiPen) to relieve themselves if necessary. Allergy immunotherapy has improved or cured OAS in many patients.

(4).Antihistamines:- The older sedating type antihistamine tablets or syrup such as Piriton will reduce itching especially at night. Newer long acting anti-histamines such as Cetirizine have also proved to be very good for reducing skin inflammation if used for extended periods of up to 6 months.22 Antihistamines might partially relieve oral allergy syndrome and IgE-mediated skin symptoms, i.e. itching and rash, but they do not block systemic reactions (12).

(5).Cortisone or Steroid:- Systemic corticosteroids are generally effective in treating chronic IgE-mediated disorders (atopic dermatitis). A course of corticosteroids can be used to reverse severe inflammatory symptoms, but the side effects of protracted use are unacceptable. These produce rapid relief and are used for short periods to settle eczema flare-ups. They may also be used for longer periods when diluted in an emollient in which case treatment should be tapered off slowly. However, their long-term use may lead to thinning of the skin. Cortisone tablets or injections are very rarely, if ever, used in eczema (11).

(6). Sublingual Immunotherapy – the procedure:- Grazax oral tablet desensitisation immunotherapy is now available for adults as a treatment for grass pollen induced hay fever and allergic rhino-conjunctivitis.  This oral treatment is called Sublingual Immunotherapy or SLIT.  Each tablet contains an extract of Timothy Grass (Phleum Pratense) 75000SQ-T.  The procedure is very safe and far less likely than injection immunotherapy to cause any adverse reaction (SLIT side-effects include headache and oral itching). The treatment involves taking one tablet daily and allowing it to dissolve under the tongue over one minute before swallowing.  Treatment should commence two months before the grass pollen season and continued throughout the grass pollen season for maximal benefit. The treatment is stopped in the autumn/winter and then recommences two months prior to each subsequent grass pollen season (11).

(7). Emollients:- These skin moisturising creams and ointments, the mainstay of eczema treatment, are completely safe and should be applied liberally at least three or more times per day to hydrate and protect the skin. Different emollients include Emulsifying Ointment (HEB), White Soft Paraffin, Aqueous cream (UEA), Diprobase or Lipobase with Cetomacrogol, Epaderm, and Oilatum cream. Sometimes coal tar is applied to treat thickened skin. Oilatum Plus is an excellent bath emollient. Aveeno is an oatmeal based emollient for very dry skin while Balneum is Soya oil based11.

(8). Wet Wraps:- These are applied at night to keep moisture in the skin, aid absorption of creams and to protect against scratching. First of all, emollients and steroid creams are applied to the eczematous areas. Elasticated cotton-based tubular dressings are soaked in luke-warm water and then cut to size so that they cover the affected areas. These can be applied overnight to the limbs, trunk, neck and even face (holes are cut in the dressing to allow apertures for eyes, ears, nose and mouth). This treatment is highly successful for severe weepy eczema, which is non-responsive to emollients and steroid creams.

(9). Other Therapies:- Evening Primrose oil (or gamolenic acid) has been tried with minimal success in the past.  Extracts of Chinese herbal teas seem to reduce inflammation although they are quite unpalatable.  Tacrolimus (Protopic) and Pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream has just become available and results so far have been very encouraging, although chronic use has been associated with skin cancers in animals (11).

Multicenter Study of Emergency Department Visits for Food Allergy  

This study showed that although guidelines exist for the emergency management of food allergy, “adherence to these guidelines appears low (18).

Prevention

The high-risk infants (both parents and siblings atopic) be exclusively breast-fed, that lactating mothers avoid peanuts and nuts to avoid sensitization through breast milk, that the introduction of solid be delayed until six mo of age, and major allergens, such as peanuts, nuts and seafood, be introduced after three years of age (11).

(B) VACCINES, IMMUNOTHERAPY & INJECTION:-

If the food is accidentally ingested and a systemic reaction occurs, then epinephrine (best delivered with an autoinjector of epinephrine such as an Epipen) or Twinject should be used. It is possible that a second dose of epinephrine may be required for severe reactions (14). Epinephrine is the mainstay of treatment for anaphylaxis. Intramuscular injection allows more efficient absorption than the subcutaneous route (12).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Novel therapies for IgE-mediated food allergy have been evaluated. Subcutaneous injections of humanized IgG anti-IgE antibodies (TNX-901), that recognize and mask an epitope in the CH3 region of IgE responsible for the binding to the high affinity Fc epsilon receptor I (FC?RI) on basophils and mast cells, for the treatment of patients affected by peanut allergy, showed a long-term increase in the average amount of peanut tolerated, but 25% of subjects showed no improvement.

Another anti-IgE preparation (Omalizumab) has been approved for the treatment of persistent allergic asthma in patients who are poorly controlled with inhaled corticosteroids, but has not yet been evaluated for its efficacy in treating patients with peanut allergy. Theoretically, anti-IgE antibody therapy should be protective against multiple food allergens, although it would have to be administered indefinitely to maintain its protective effects. Other immunotherapeutic strategies include use of engineered proteins lackink IgE-binding sites, immunomodulatory sequences being effective in reversing IgE-mediated sensitization, and engineered chimeric molecules forming complexes with allergen-specific IgE bound to mast cells and basophils, inhibiting their functions.

Some recent studies suggested that probiotics, commonly defined as live micro organisms (bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Saccharomyces), administered in adequate amounts, which confer a beneficial health effect on the host, might be useful in the treatment and prevention of food allergy. They might provide maturational signals for the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, balance the generation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduce the dietary antigen load by degrading and modifying macromolecules, reverse the increased intestinal permeability, characteristic of children with food allergy, normalization of the gut microecology, and enhance specific IgA responses frequently defective in children with food allergy. Among the therapeutic option, currently under investigation, there are peptide immunotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, mutated protein immunotherapy, DNA immunization, and immunization with immuno stimulating sequences (ISSs) and anti-immunoglobulin E (anti-IgE) Therapy. These novel forms of treatment for allergic disease hold promise for the safe &effective treatment of food allergic individuals & the prevention of food allergy in the future.

Traditional therapies:-

Although injection immunotherapy has traditional been employed in the treatment of inhalant allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, it has also been used with success in the treatment of food allergy when a young child was successfully to fish. In patient with allergic rhinitis experiencing oral allergy syndromes with the ingestion of cross-reacting allergens in fruits, nut, & vegetables,  traditional injection immunotherapy has been also been successful in many cases in ameliorating the oral allergy symptoms with minimal adverse reaction. Traditional injection immunotherapy for food allergy is currently not recommended because of the allergic side effects of the therapy. Studies have been conducted of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rust immunotherapy for the treatment of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to peanuts. Patients in the treatment group were able to tolerate increased amounts of peanuts in post-treatment food challenges. The actual peanut immunotherapy produced so many side effects of treatment that it would be practically impossible to perform on a routine basis.

While food desensitization in the oral allergy syndrome has been generally successful & well tolerated with cross-reacting pollen immunotherapy. The practice of injection immunotherapy for food allergy has been largely abandoned, due to the associated risk of serious systemic reaction. Since Traditional immunotherapy has been largely impractical for the treatment of most food allergies, several noval therapies are being explored13.

THERAPY    TYPES OF ALERGY          ROUTES (s)  IMMUNOLOGIC MECHANISM  RISK(s)

Traditional injection immunotherapy  oral allergy syndrome  Subcutaneous  Increased IgE-blocking antibodies,decrease specific IgE         Safe when performed properly
peptide immunotherapy          IgE-mediated food allergy     Subcutaneus    Immune deviation from Th2 to Th1      Appear safe
Traditional Chinese medicine IgE-mediated food allergy (asthma)   Subcutaneous  Immune deviation from Th2 to Th1      Appear safe
Fusion proteins            IgE-mediated (all type)           Subcutaneous  Blocks IgE-mediated  Unknown
Mutated protein immunotherapy        IgE-mediated food allergy     Subcutaneous & oral   Immune deviation from Th2 to Th1(3)     Appear safe
DNA immunization,   IgE-mediated food allergy     Subcutaneous & oral   Immune deviation from Th2 to Th1(oral) increase levels of allergen specific secretory IgA in the gut & systemic IgG         Unknown long-term
 Immunostimulating sequences (ISSs)            IgE-mediated food allergy     Subcutaneous  Immune deviation from Th2 to Th1          Appear safe
Anti-IgE Therapy        IgE-mediated food allergy     Subcutaneous  Deplete IgE, blocks IgE from binding to high affinity IgE-receptor(FC?RI):down-regulation IgE receptors productions       Appear safe
Sodium cromoglycate in a dosage of 800 mg a day for 1 week, or a single dose of 1.0 g by mouth, did not block any of the reactions. By inhalation it blocked the asthmatic reactions which developed within a few sec of challenge (19).

(c).COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS OF FOOD   ALLERGY:-

1. Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization:- It involves mixing the alleged allergen with beta-glucuronidase (a common enzyme in the body) and applying it to the skin in very low doses. It has been used to treat hay fever and alleged food allergies. Double blind studies have failed to show any significant benefit with this regime (13).

2. Ionization:- Ionizing machines emit negative electric charges into the air, and this supposedly causes airborne allergens to cluster and fall to the ground. These machines have been claimed to help hay fever and asthma sufferers by decreasing the allergen load on the nasal mucosa and lungs.

3. Ozone Therapy:- In treating allergy is a new addition to complementary medical treatment. The allergic patient’s blood be exposed to ozone gas and then re-injected or ozone is directly insufflate rectally or vaginally. This practice could have serious adverse results, as ozone is a very well documented trigger for allergy and asthma.

4. Homeopathy:- It is based on the law of similar – “like cures like”. Treatments are usually individualized for the specific patient and not the disease. But a well designed study published in the Lancet by Reilly and Taylor from Glasgow(4) did however show significant improvement in hay fever symptoms, as did Kleijnen’s review of clinical trials in homeopathy published in the.

5. Acupuncture:- Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of treatment that involves inserting tiny needles into specific meridians or areas of the body A small but temporary improvement in wheezing when acupuncture was employed.

6. Herbal medicine:- An herbal remedy such as the Ma Huang plant (Ephedra sinica) which contains ephedrine has been used to treat asthma for 5000 years. One recently noted exception is the use of traditional Chinese herbal tea in the treatment of atopic eczema. Ling zhi (Reishi Mushroom) is another eastern herbal preparation with steroid like properties used to treat allergies. Butterbur has been advocated in hay fever.

7. Nampudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET):- It consists of combination of discredited methods of diagnosing and treating allergy such as kinesiology, Vega testing and acupuncture. The premise is that allergy contrary to our current understanding, is due to some form of internal energy blockage triggered by abnormal energy fields in the brain and Nampudripad proposed that after 20 or so treatments she can reprogram the brain and body energy flow and eradicate all allergies and many other diseases affecting mankind. However the whole issue of energy flow and electrical fields in the body being the cause of allergies has not ever been proven13.

MEDICINE – HERB/FOOD INTERACTIONS

Herbs and Foods May Lead to Complications If You Take Them with Drugs. Herbs and foods may interact with medications you normally take that result in serious side reactions. It is always a good practice to tell your doctor or health practitioners what you are taking so that they can advise you of possible complications, if there is any. You should also keep an eye for unusual symptoms. Very often, this may foretell the symptoms of a drug interaction (19). Experts suggest that natural does not mean it is completely safe. Everything you put in your mouth has the potential to interact with something else. The medication that is taken by mouth travels through the digestive system in much the same way as food and herbs taken orally do. So, when a drug is mixed with food or another herb, each can alter the way the body metabolizes the other. Some drugs interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Similarly, some herbs and foods can lessen or increase the impact of a drug (20).

Alcohol is a drug that interacts with almost every medication, especially antidepressants and other drugs that affect the brain and nervous system. Some dietary components increase the risk of side effects. Theophylline, a medication administered to treat asthma, contains xanthines, which are also found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and other sources of caffeine. Consuming large amounts of these substances while taking theophylline increases the risk of drug toxicity. Certain vitamins and minerals impact on medications too. Large amounts of broccoli, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K, which promotes the formation of blood clots, can counteract the effects of heparin, warfarin, and other drugs given to prevent clotting. Dietary fiber also affects drug absorption. Pectin and other soluble fibers slow down the absorption of acetaminophen, a popular painkiller. Bran and other insoluble fibers have a similar effect on digoxin, a major heart medication. As more and more people discover new herbs, there is more and more potential for the abuse of these herbs and the patients may end up in serious problems.

Ginseng, according to research, can increase blood pressure, making it dangerous for those trying to keep their blood pressure under control. Ginseng, garlic or supplements containing ginger, when taken with the blood-thinning drug, Coumadin, can cause bleeding episodes. Coumadin is a very powerful drug that leaves little room for error, and patients taking it should never take any medication or otherwise before consulting a qualified health professional. In rare cases, ginseng may overstimulate resulting in insomnia. Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of overstimulation and gastrointestinal upset. Long tern use of ginseng may cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women. Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Garlic capsules combined with diabetes medication can cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugars. Some people who are sensitive to garlic may experience heartburn and flatulence. Garlic has anti-clotting properties. You should check with your doctor if you are taking anticoagulant drugs. Goldenseal is used for coughs, stomach upsets, menstrual problems and even arthritis. However, the plant’s active ingredient will raise blood pressure, complicating treatment for those taking antihypertensive medications, especially beta-blockers. For patients taking medication to control diabetes or kidney disease, this herb can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance. High amount of consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress and possible nervous system effects. Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Guarana, an alternative remedy being used as a stimulant and diet aid, contains 3 percent to 5 percent more caffeine than a cup of coffee. So, if you are taking any medication that advises you against taking any drink with caffeine, you should avoid taking this stimulant. It may cause insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, urinary frequency, and hyperactivity. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation period. Long term use of Guarana may lead to decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease, and several forms of cancer. Kava, a herb that has antianxiety, pain relieving, muscle relaxing and anticonvulsant effects, should not be taken together with substances that also act on the central nervous system, such as alcohol, barbiturates, anti depressants, and antipsychotic drugs.

St. John’s Wort is a popular herb used for the treatment of mild depression.

The active ingredient of St. John’s Wort is hypericin. Hypericin is believed to exert a similar influence on the brain as the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as the one in major antidepressants. Mixing MAO inhibitors with foods high in tyramine, an amino acid, produces one of the most dramatic and dangerous food-drug interactions. Symptoms, which can occur within minutes of ingesting such foods while taking an MAO inhibitor, include rapid rise in blood pressure, a severe headache, and perhaps collapse and even death. Foods high in tyramine include aged cheese, chicken liver, Chianti (and certain other red wines), yeast extracts, bologna (and other processed meats), dried or pickled fish, legumes, soy sauce, ale, and beer.

Some patients report that Saint John’s Wort caused excessive stimulation and sometimes dizziness, agitation and confusion when taken with other antidepressants or over-the-counter medications like Maximum Strength Dexatrim and Acutrim. It also caused their blood pressure to shoot up. White Willow, an herb traditionally used for fever, headache, pain, and rheumatic complaints may lead to gastrointestinal irritation, if used for a long time. It exhibits similar reactions as aspirin (aspirin is derived from white willow). Long term use may lead to stomach ulcers.

Drug Interaction and Food

Drug interaction risk isn’t limited to herbal supplements. Certain foods can interact with medications.  People taking digoxin should avoid Black licorice (which contains the ingredient glycyrhizin). Together, they can produce irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest; licorice and diuretics will produce dangerously low potassium levels, putting a patient at risk for numbing weakness, muscle pain and even paralysis. Licorice can also interact with blood pressure medication or any calcium channel blockers. Aged cheese (brie, parmesan, cheddar and Roquefort), fava beans, sauerkraut, Italian green beans, some beers, red wine, pepperoni and overly ripe avocados should be avoided by people taking MAO antidepressants. The interaction can cause a potentially fatal rise in blood pressure. And because Saint John’s Wort contains the same properties as these MAO antidepressants, it stands to reason that people ingesting the herb should avoid these same foods.

Grapefruit juice interacts with calcium channel blockers (including Calan, Procardia, Nifedipine, and Verapamil), cholesterol control medications, some psychiatric medications, estrogen, oral contraceptives and many allergy medications (Seldane, Hismanal). The juice modifies the body’s way of metabolizing the medication, affecting the liver’s ability to work the drug through a person’s system. Orange juice shouldn’t be consumed with antacids containing aluminum. ‘The juice increases the absorption of the aluminum. Orange Juice and milk should be avoided when taking antibiotics. The juice’s acidity decreases the effectiveness of antibiotics, as does milk.

Milk also doesn’t mix with laxatives containing bisacodyl (Correctol and Dulcolax). You might find the laxative works a little “too well” in the morning. Large amounts of oatmeal and other high-fiber cereals should not be eaten when taking digoxin. The fiber can interfere with the absorption of the drug, making the act of swallowing the pill a waste of time. However, don’t stop eating your cereal right away, because that could cause digoxin levels in your system to soar to toxic levels. A professional should make the dietary changes after carefully examining the digoxin levels.

Leafy green vegetables, high in vitamin K, should not be taken in great quantities while taking Coumadin. These vegetables could totally negate the affects of the drug and cause blood clotting. Caffeinated beverages and asthma drugs taken together can cause excessive excitability. Those taking Tagament (Simetidine), quinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Penetrex, Noroxin) and even oral contraceptives should be aware these drugs may cause their cup of coffee to give them more of a Java jolt than they expected. Grilled meat can lead to problems for those on asthma medications containing theophyllines. The chemical compounds formed when meat is grilled somehow prevent this type of medication from working effectively, increasing the possibility of an unmanageable asthma attack.

Regularly consuming a diet high in fat while taking anti-inflammatory and arthritis medications can cause kidney damage and can leave the patient feeling, drowsy and sedated. Alcoholic beverages tend to increase the depressive effects of medications such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or any drug with sedative actions. It’s a good idea to not consume any alcoholic beverages, or at least scale way back, when taking prescription medications. Antioxidant and beta-carotene intensify alcohol’s effect on the liver. Other commonly used over-the-counter medications can cause interaction problems also.

Aspirin can modify the effectiveness of arthritis medications, strong prescription steroids and diuretics. Combining aspirin with diabetic medications can drop blood sugars to dangerous levels. Aspirin can also cause toxicity when taken with glaucoma and anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) drugs and cause bleeding episodes when combined with a blood thinner, like Coumadin. Acetaminophen can also cause interaction complications when overused. Heavy drinkers who take acetaminophen for hangover relief risk liver damage. Taking high doses of acetaminophen with Coumadin can cause bleeding episodes.

Antacids taken with antibiotics, heart and blood pressure or thyroid medications can decrease drug absorption by up to 90 percent. Over-the-counter antihistamines – sold under the names Actifed, Theraflu, Dimetapp, Benadryl and Comtrex should be avoided if you are taking antianxiety or antidepressant medications. Oral contraceptives are less effective when taken with barbiturates, antibiotics, anti-fungal or tuberculosis drugs.

Turnips contain two goitrogenic substances, progoitrin and gluconasturtin, which can interfere with the thyroid glands ability to make its hormones. Although moderate consumption of goitrogens is not a hazard for healthy people, they can promote development of a goiter (an enlarged thyroid) in persons with thyroid disease. Tomato contains small quantities of a toxic substance known as solanine that may trigger headaches in susceptible people. They are also a relatively common cause of allergies. An unidentified substance in tomatoes and tomato-based products can cause acid reflux, leading to

indigestion and heartburn. Individuals who often have digestive upse

Laser Skin Resurfacing: What Is It And What Can It Do For Me?

There are so many things that affect the skin. The face is particularly vulnerable because it is always exposed to the environment. All of these factors can age, darken, wrinkle and scar the face making it appear old and unhealthy.

If you’ve tried the bleaching creams, home skin care kits and other lotions and potions to no avail, there is a solution. Luckily, laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that can reverse the damage caused by internal and external factors.

So, exactly how does it work, you ask? Well, simply put, the laser kills whatever skin it passes over leaving the way for new healthy skin to grow. The surgeon uses a laser that converts light energy into heat and this heat is what kills the skin. With each pass over an area, a very thin layer dies and is wiped off with sterile water during the procedure.

Because there is some pain involved, the surgeon will apply an anesthetic to the area and may give you a sedative or something for anxiety. You will feel a pin-prick type sensation that may cause some discomfort as well as the snapping of the laser.

As this is occurring, the laser removes or nearly removes whatever imperfections the doctor has targeted. Maybe you had bad acne as a teen-ager and are now left with discolored spots and scars. If you are still a teen, this can be a confidence killer and may be fodder for cruel jokes. It is hard enough being a teen without this added difficulty.

Laser skin resurfacing can either completely remove any indication of acne breakouts or in the very least, greatly improve the condition of the skin so it is not so apparent. If you are an adult, it really isn’t any easier. Whatever your age, this procedure can improve your confidence and give you clearer, more vibrant skin.

Other common skin problems are discoloration and wrinkles. These are a result of sun damage and the natural aging of the skin. Laser skin resurfacing can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, particularly those laugh lines and crows feet.

Hyper-pigmentation is caused by sun damage, medications, hormonal changes and normal aging. You can even your skin tone with this procedure and return your face to a more youthful appearance.

Unsightly growths and hair can also be removed from the face. It is important here that the growth is checked out first to make sure it is not a cancerous growth. It may take several passes of the laser to remove such skin growths.

In the removal of hair, the laser kills the hair follicles thereby preventing new hair growth. This can be done not only on the face, but other parts of the body as well.

To make laser skin resurfacing worth your time and money, it is important to maintain good skin care following the procedure. Follow all of your recovery instructions given by the surgeon. Always wear sunscreen and moisturizer.

This procedure can erase damage done to the skin, but it can not prevent new damage from occurring, so it is imperative that you take good care of your skin. This will help maximize your results and, though it won’t stop it, perhaps slow the natural aging process of your skin so you can keep a more youthful look as you age.

Throw a Passionately Pink Party for the Cause

This Passionately Pink Party is a beauty-themed girls get-together that raises awareness and money, if you like for a cause of your choosing.

Tabletop:

This party is all about feminine elegance. Place vases, full of your favorite pink flowers, around your home. No green thumb? No worries. Flora 2000 is a great florist that delivers nationwide. You can order beautiful pink tulips or roses, or any of their other lovely Flowers and Gifts.

Place gift bags for your guests on a decorated table near the entrance to your home, giving guests something to look forward to. We love the Pink Party tabletop at SocialCouture dot com.

Menu: Continue the theme, with pink cocktails.

Passionately Pink Martini:

4 parts vodka.

2 parts simple syrup.

4 strawberries.

Muddle strawberries in a cocktail shaker then add the other ingredients. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a Martini glass.

Pink Champagne Cocktail:

Fill the smallest part of a champagne flute with Chambord. Fill the remainder of the flute with sparkling wine. Another option is to use Rose Champagne. We like the Cristalino Brut Rose Cava. Finish the champagne cocktail by floating a sliced strawberry on top.

Beauty-themed Activities:

Hire a manicurist to give your friends manicures. Be sure to request a quick dry solution so that friends can fearlessly finish their cocktails and engage in the rest of the fun.

Host a trunk show. Ask a local boutique owner or independent designer to show some of their latest designs. Request that they donate a portion of any sales to your cause.

Beauty Barter:

Ask every guest to wrap and bring one of her favorite beauty items set a cost limit for the item, anywhere between 10-50 dollars usually works well.

Put numbers in a hat. Start with #1 and add one number for each person at the party. Each person selects a number. Place the gifts in the middle of the circle. Be sure that everyone can see the gifts.

The person that drew #1 out of the hat goes first. This person selects a present from the pile. The person then must quickly unwrap the gift and show it to everyone. Then, the person that drew #2 out of the hat chooses a present. Person #2 must unwrap the present and show it to everyone. Person #2 now has two choices. Person #2 can keep her present or person #2 can swap presents with person #1. Person #1 must swap presents willingly. Each present can only be swapped three times. This makes the game more exciting. The game continues like this until everyone has a present.

Balloon Bust:

Instructions:

Purchase a gift certificate to your favorite beauty boutique or clothing store. Purchase one helium balloon pink of course for every guest attending the party from a party supply store.

Fold enough small squares of paper so that you have one for each balloon. Mark one small square with the logo from the charity/cause your party is supporting e.g. a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Ask the party supply store to put one small square of paper into each balloon during inflation.

During the party, give each person a chance to pick a balloon from the bouquet and pop it with a pin. The person who picks the balloon with the marked square wins the gift certificate.

Party Favors:

Thank your guests for supporting your cause with a gift bag filled with of your favorite beauty must-haves.

Purchase paper, handled gift bags in your favorite shade of pink and fill with the following:

• Pink flip flops – For use after a pampering pedicure most nail salons sale them for a couple of dollars per pair.

• Pink & White M&Ms – custom order at mymms dot com.

• Your favorite shade of pale or sheer pink nail polish – I recommend Essie “Fed Up”.

• A copy of your favorite beauty or fashion magazine.

• Information about your cause and a list of things your friends can do to support it.

Big Profits From Personalized Wristbands

Big profits from personalized wristbands are an excellent fundraising tool used by most organizations and foundations.

These big profits from personalized wristbands are becoming a fashionable accessory for many people.

Everywhere, you can see many people wearing these wristbands from all colors and messages. They can be ordered by less than $1 dollar each, so you can get big profits from selling them at a superior price. Compared to other promotional items like mugs, pens, pins, t-shirts, big profits from personalized wristbands are the most practical and popular accessory to fundraise money.

Big profits from personalized wristbands are ideal for those who want to show their support to certain causes such as animal protection, breast cancer awareness, charities, etc. Moreover, people can customize their own silicone wristbands so that they can include messages and colors representing a particular cause. These big profits from personalized wristbands s can also promote an upcoming event or a fundraising campaign. They can also promote products, values, religious beliefs, and so forth.

Also, people can include the name of a beloved one in a bracelet to remember this person forever. Silicone wristbands have a great impact on the people’s lives since they are used with affective purposes.

Anyone can order these rubber bracelets. They are accessible to everyone because they are cheap to manufacture and can be customized in many ways. Any person can order a bulk of big profits from personalized wristbands for birthday parties, bloc parties, weddings, graduations, etc.

silicone wristbands are flexible and durable. They won’t easily break or lose their shape even if you pull them hard. In this respect, customers can count on the particular properties of silicone wristbands to use them for many purposes.

These big profits from personalized wristbands can be produced for less than one dollar each. This way, many customers and big organizations can take advantage of the low cost of production in order to get good retails from one to three dollars for each bracelet. Consider this! Have you ever seen those high profit margins in such a product? If your answer is no, then you should get your own order of silicone wristbands and start getting these excellent profits.

Wholesale Custom Rubber Bracelets

Wholesale custom rubber bracelets are being used as a fundraising strategy. Many organizations and foundations are selling these wholesale custom rubber bracelets to support causes such as breast cancer awareness or environmental commitment. These wholesale custom rubber bracelets are personalized in such a way that many people will enjoy wearing them. Wholesale custom rubber bracelets come in different colors and styles for every purpose or occasion. Moreover, any organization can take advantage of the positive acceptance of people to wear them. In this sense, many people will probably accept to wear a wholesale custom rubber bracelets just by the fact that they can be used to demonstrate support to certain causes or charitable campaigns.

Many groups and clubs can customize their own wholesale custom rubber bracelets so that they can clearly reflect what is important to them. Usually, these wholesale custom rubber bracelets are often called awareness bracelets to distinguish them from other types of wholesale custom rubber bracelets. These wholesale custom rubber bracelets are also used for advertising products, ser vices, or company names. Here the corporations can customize their own wholesale custom rubber bracelets that best represent the colors of their company. Logos and slogans can also be included in these wholesale custom rubber bracelets. This way, many people can easily identify the name of an existing company as well as a new one.

The secret of these popular wholesale custom rubber bracelets is that they are very cheap to manufacture compared with other sorts of promotional items. These wholesale custom rubber bracelets are a step forward from the most common promotional tools like pens, mugs, t-shits, pins, calendars, notebooks, etc. Moreover, these wholesale custom rubber bracelets are very durable so that they can promote your product for longer. They are made from a very tough material that brings many special characteristics. For instance, a real wholesale custom rubber bracelets is always circular and never loses their shape. They are very light and soft so that people can wear them all the time. They can be ordered from many companies online that will provide customers with high-quality wholesale custom rubber bracelets with the best discounts.

Likewise, wholesale custom rubber bracelet companies may offer you wholesale custom rubber bracelets for less than $1 dollar each. Also, you can get cheaper wholesale custom rubber bracelets if you order them at wholesale. This can be a very economic way of advertising for your company. What is more, many foundations and nonprofit organizations can get excellent retails from selling them at a superior price. The profit margin is certainly high if you consider that no other types of promotional items can offer you such revenues.