Share This ]]> http://www.watchealth.com/diseases/advice-for-allergy-suffers.html/feed http://www.watchealth.com/diseases/what-are-the-common-causes-and-symptoms-of-allergies.html http://www.watchealth.com/diseases/what-are-the-common-causes-and-symptoms-of-allergies.html#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:45:21 +0000 admin http://www.watchealth.com/diseases/what-are-the-common-causes-and-symptoms-of-allergies.html What are the common causes of allergies?

• pollen from trees, flowers and grasses
• household dust mites
• animal fur and bird feathers
• insect stings
• moulds
• things like personal care products, medicines, foods, detergents etc

Typical symptoms

• watery, itchy irritated or red eyes
• swollen or puffy eyelids
• sneezing; running or blocked nose; itchiness in nose due to internal membranes swelling
• roof of mouth and throat itchy or tickling and throat may be sore
• ears may ache or be itchy
• headache
• wheezing
• skin rashes and irritations

In defence, the mast cells release a substance called histamine into the bloodstream and the complex series of reactions to this results in a variety of symptoms such as hay fever, asthma, eczema and hives.

Preventers treat airway inflammation. They are the first-line defence and need to be taken every day to prevent attacks. Typical preventers are Becotide, Pulmicort, Intal, Intal Forte, Becloforte, Aldecin, Tilade and Flixotide.Relievers treat airway narrowing. They are rescue medications usually given by inhaler when symptoms occur. These typically include Ventolin, Bricanyl, Berotec, Aldecin, Respolin, Atrovent, Asmol, Respax and Serevent.

Any asthmatic condition should be referred to your doctor for advice.Your doctor or pharmacist will assist you with a six-step management plan which is aimed at abolishing symptoms, maximising lung function and achieving the best quality of life. The plan will:1. Assess the severity of the asthma2. Achieve the best lung function - ensuring that medications and devices are being used correctly and effectively3. Maintain the best lung function by avoiding trigger factors4. Maintain the best lung function with optimal medication5. Assist with developing a written action plan for management, and handling acute attacks and deterioration.6. Educate and review condition regularly via checkups

An asthma attack happens when the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs narrow. In asthma the airways are more sensitive than normal and when exposed to a "trigger" they overreact and become inflamed and narrow due to:

• Swelling of the airway lining
• Squeezing or spasm of the airway’s muscle walls
• Increased mucus

Asthma may be indicated by one or more of the following:

• cough -especially at night
• wheezing
• tightness in the chest
• shortness of breath

Certain triggers bring on asthma attacks in some people:

• allergy to house dust mite, pollens, moulds and pets
• irritants like cigarette smoke, dust or chemical fumes
• viral infections such as colds or flu
• vigorous exercise (medication may be needed before exercising)
• certain medicines such as aspirin and NSAIDS
• emotional stress or excitement
• cold air or a sudden temperature change
• some food additives

    Another treatment for erectile dysfunction is a vacuum erection device which is a plastic cylinder that creates a vacuum around the penis resulting in an erection. Penile prosthesis or implant involves an operation that is generally reserved for more difficult cases.

    Erectile dysfunction does not include problems with ejaculation or libido (sex drive), which are completely separate matters. However, a man may experience all or some at once. Loss of libido associated with changes in a man’s testosterone (male hormone) level as he ages is of special significance. But treatment for what appears to be lowered libido is also complex because it, too, may result from several possible factors. These include changes in muscle mass and bone density, rather than libido, and treatments must therefore fit the problems and needs of each man.

Diet :
    Any food is better than none, and encouraging patients to eat foods that they enjoy is often the first step in treatment. The next step is to gradually improve the quality of the food that they are eating, and eventually, patients should be encouraged to eat a normal well balanced diet.

Further information:
    Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia support organisations exist in every state. These include self help groups and groups that support families of patients.

Introduction of Anorexia Nervosa:
A severe aversion to food to the point that the patient refuses to eat, or vomits food that is eaten.

Discovery of Anorexia Nervosa:
Slim is in and trendy. Well covered bodies are no longer chic. This trend towards the scrawny look started in the 1960’s with Twiggy, and has continued unabated ever since. One unfortunate aspect of this fashion has been the exacerbation of a disease that is not new but has always been with us - anorexia nervosa.

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa :
There is no specific cause for the disease, and no abnormality of the blood or anatomy can be found to be responsible. It is a condition caused almost entirely by psychological factors.

Incidence of Anorexia Nervosa:
Anorexia nervosa is far more common in females than males. It is not particularly common, and most GPs would only have one or two patients in their practice.

Prevention of Anorexia Nervosa :
Parents should carefully watch any diet that their daughter is on, and ensure that it is appropriate. Significant weight loss without apparent dieting in a teenager may be serious.

Investigations :
There is no specific blood or other test that can confirm anorexia nervosa, but tests may be undertaken to ensure that there is no other cause for the weight loss or lack of appetite.

Course :
    The usual patient is a young woman in her teens or twenties, who undergoes a psychological shock of some type. This can vary from rejection by a boy friend, to fear of a new situation, stress at school, or a bad sexual experience. The result is the formation of a poor body image by the patient. They feel that they are far larger and fatter than they really are, and start unnecessarily dieting. This becomes a compulsion, and they continue to diet beyond any reasonable level. Some appear to eat normally, but later induce vomiting to loose the food that they fear will harm them. As a result of their abnormal eating pattern, these women become very thin, and in the end stages of the disease, mimic the concentration camp victims of World War Two. Their periods stop, they lose their hair, and show signs of gross malnutrition. It has been theorised that the psychological trauma may result in a disturbance to the part of the brain that causes hunger and the desire to feed. As a result, anorexia nervosa is very difficult to treat, but successful expert treatment is essential if permanent organ damage or death are to be avoided.

Complications of Anorexia Nervosa :
Patients are more susceptible to any form of infection. In advanced stages of the disease, heart, kidney and liver failure occur.

Outcome :
The long term outcome can vary from complete recovery to death within a year or two. Statistically, 30% suffer some long term adverse healtheffects from their anorexia nervosa, and as many as 25% eventually die from the disease.

Further information:
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia support organisations exist in every state. These include self help groups and groups that support families of patients.

Related conditions
Bulimia, Nutrition.