What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever (Allergic Rhinitis) refers to an allergy to pollen and is usually seasonal, but may occur year round or perennially. It’s also called allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergic rhinitis. It got its name in the 1800’s and is misleading. Some British doctors noticed that some rural residents experienced sneezing, coughing, and itchy watery eyes after cutting hay. They noticed the condition caused nervousness, and so came about “fever” one old English definition of nervousness. Allergies don’t cause fever, and it is the pollen or mold that causes the reaction and not the hay.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

Signs and symptoms of hay fever may include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Congestion
• Frequent sneezing
• Itchy eyes, nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain

Causes of Hay fever

Inhaled allergens cause the allergic reaction. Your body identifies the allergens as “enemies” and makes an anti-body to fight against it called immunoglobulin E (IgE). When you’re exposed to an allergen, your body releases IgE which in turn triggers the discharge of inflammatory chemicals which swell the mucous membranes of your nose, eyes and sinuses which cause the running of your nose and watering of your eyes and lead to coughing and sneezing.
Seasonal hay fever symptoms can be caused by:

• Tree pollen
• Grass pollen
• Weed pollen
• Spores from fungi and mold

Perennial hay fever symptoms can be caused by:

• Dust mites
• Cockroaches
• Animal dander
• Spores from indoor and outdoor fungi and molds

Home Remedies for Hay Fever

Avoiding the allergens is the most obvious thing to do. However, this is all but impossible unless you live in a bubble. Don’t go out early in the morning or later in the evening when the pollen levels are highest. Try to stay indoors on high ozone days when the allergens will also be plentiful. Avoid using nasal sprays for more than 3 days in a row. That might make nasal congestion worse. Avoid smoke and other pollutants.
Some things you can do to help soothe and ease the symptoms of hay fever:

• Mince together grapefruit and lemon and add a tablespoon of honey to the mixture. Take up to 3 times a day. Helps open swollen mucous membranes.
• Boil chamomile leaves in water, and breathe in vapor or steam. Acts as an anti-inflammatory.
• Irrigate your sinus passage with a nasal douche. You can find one at your local drugstore.
• In hot weather, use the air conditioner in your home and car. Open windows let in more pollen—closed windows keep it out. Clean the air conditioner filter once a month.
• Use the dryer to dry your clothes; don’t hang them on a clothesline.
• Shower after being outside to lessen the amount of pollen left on your hair and skin. If you can’t shower every night, thoroughly wash your hands and face paying special attention to your eyes and making sure to irrigate them well.

-Anne

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Everybody everywhere has had or will get a cut a bruise or a scrape. Knowing how to treat it will determine how fast it heals, and whether or not it will leave a scar.

Most of these injuries are minor, and visiting the doctor isn’t necessary. Knowing when an injury deserves a visit to the doctor is as important as knowing first aid at home. I live by the rule when in doubt; let the doctor rule it out. My instincts are usually dead on when it comes to what I can doctor at home, and what injury needs a professional touch.

What is the difference between a Cut and a Bruise?

Cuts and bruises are basically the same thing. A bruise is an injury that is under the skin and a cut is on the outside of the skin. Blood from a cut or scrape is apparent, but the bruise is actually bleeding underneath the skin. The uglier and darker the color of the bruise, the more clotting and healing is going on under the skin. Treating the two minor injuries takes a little bit of a different approach since each injury is just a little bit different. Broken skin needs to be protected from infection whereas a bump or bruise is already protected because the wound is under the skin.

Sometimes what appear to be minor injuries may need to be looked at by a professional health care provider. Signs that it’s a minor injury:

• The injury is small (less than a ½ inch around)
• There’s no bleeding, or only slight bleeding. (Make sure you wear protective gloves to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens).
• The victim isn’t in excessive pain.
• There is no feeling of numbness or tingling on the victim.
• There aren’t any signs of paralysis.
• The victim doesn’t seem to have any broken bones or dislocated joints. (Dislocation or broken bone is possible if the victim is in a lot of pain, and the shoulder, leg, arm, or ankle seems to be lying or hanging at an awkward angle).

Cut and Scrape First Aid

For cuts and scrapes:

1. Wash the injured area with mild soap and lukewarm water.
2. Apply an antibacterial ointment or spray to prevent infection.
3. Cover the wound with a band-aid or sterile bandage.

For bumps and bruises:

1. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the affected area as soon as possible to reduce the amount of swelling.
2. If possible, elevate the injured area above the heart. This will keep the blood from “pooling” in the affected area. (Pooling creates more internal bleeding and swelling).
3. Keep the injury elevated for about 15 minutes if the wound is minor. If the bruise is severe or covers a large portion of the body, call for help. Keep a severe bruise elevated for at least an hour or until a trained emergency care team arrives.
4. If the bruise doesn’t seem to be getting better and 24 hours have passed, consult with your physician.
5. Seek prompt medical care if there is any swelling around the bruise, especially if it occurs around a joint. This can signal danger to the nerves, muscles and bones all of which require trained medical attention.

Warning Signs for Internal Bleeding

Whenever an injury occurs, look for the signs of internal bleeding or hemorrhaging which are similar to those of shock.

• Pale, clammy skin
• Chills
• Cold hands and feet
• Dilated pupils (excessively large pupils even in light)
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Major swelling at the injury site
• Major or immediate black and blue marks at the wound site

First aid procedures won’t stop internal bleeding, unfortunately. Call for help immediately if internal bleeding is suspected, and then proceed with first aid procedures for shock.
-Anne

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Flu season has come and gone, but to keep your immune system running high throughout the year is going to require a little maintenance.

Why buff up your immune system?

The immune system does more than just protect your body from the most current strains of cold and flu. It also helps combat other pathogens like parasitic worms, life-threatening strains of bacteria in your uncooked cookie dough and even tumor cells.

QUICK FACT: Warts are actually benign tumors, which is why if you let one alone, your body’s immune system will eventually destroy it without any outside intervention!

Not only is a strong immune system practical and helpful it also makes life a bit easier for you. It’s always a relief to make it through the year with without many colds, despite the fact you share close quarters with family, friends and co-workers constantly coughing and sneezing lord only knows what all over you.

What you can do to strengthen your immune system

A great way to boost your immune system is to partake in a healthy, balanced diet. Simple in theory, hard to apply. It takes a lot of will to give up the junk foods you love in favor of more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but your body will thank you when you make the switch. Believe me, you’ll get sick a lot less when you do!

Make sure to incorporate vegetables of all colors (green, red, yellow and orange), fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, whole grains and meats if you’re not a vegetarian.

Vitamin C is a great way to boost immunity. It’s why you drink orange juice while you’re sick. Vitamin C is best consumed in the form of a fruit, as your body will absorb it better. However, if you’re pressed for time or don’t like fruit much, you can take a Vitamin C capsule once a day.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which not only sweep away free radicals from the body but also stimulate the immune system. Try to incorporate 3 glasses into your daily routine: morning, noon and night.

Echinacea is an herb that also stimulates the immune system and jumpstarts the production of immune-boosting cells in your body. It is available as a root, the whole plant and easy to swallow capsules.

Ginseng is another herb which may improve immune function. Ginseng has been shown to improve the immune system of those with bronchitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and even AIDS. You can purchase ginseng caplets from any drugstore.

Garlic, with its irresistible yet pungent aroma, is also chock full of immune boosting selenium. I’m convinced that garlic is a panacea. I can’t think of anything it doesn’t fix!

Zinc also improves overall immune function. Foods that are high in zinc include oysters, poultry, red meat, beans, nuts and whole grains. Zinc is also available in pill or lozenge form.

Drink water. Enough said. Not sure how much you should drink during the day? Check out this site and you’ll have the answer!

Perhaps one of the best things you can do to improve immunity (especially when you’re fighting off illness) is to rest. The average adult only gets 5-6 hours of sleep a night when they should be getting about 8 for optimal functioning. If you’re sick, you need even more. Give yourself time to rest and see how much better you feel!

–Magdalena

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Of the foods that are touted as being excellent sources of iron and minerals, blackstrap molasses isn’t the first substance that comes to mind. Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of iron as well as magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, potassium, vitamin B6 and selenium. The best part is it is sweet, and the recommended daily dose of 2 tsp. a day only contains 32 calories and 0 grams of fat.

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Molasses is a byproduct of sugar cane made by boiling the sugar syrup to crystalline form. Blackstrap molasses refers to the third boiling of the syrup, and is the sweetener that contains the most nutritional properties, particularly iron. Molasses in general is dark, thick, bittersweet syrup used to sweeten many recipes, and gives ginger bread that bittersweet taste and dark brown hue.

2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses contains 10% of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iron, manganese, potassium, copper, calcium, and slightly lower than 10% RDA of magnesium, vitamin B6 and selenium. It can be added to a variety of dishes including hot cereal, milk, baked beans and of course gingerbread. It can also be taken as a daily therapeutic dose—2 tsp. added to a cup of warm water.

What Molasses Cures

• Molasses helps cleanse the blood, so it’s good for iron deficient anemia related to menstruation.
• Helps with constipation, helps the body to have regular movements.
• Mixed with a small amount of baking soda, a spoonful will help settle an upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Migraine
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the ankles due to low potassium levels

Recipes using Blackstrap Molasses

Ham and Beans

• 3 lbs. smoked bear ham or pork ham
• 2 lbs. dried pinto or Great Northern beans
• 2 dried peppers, hot variety
• 2 wild onions
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 c. blackstrap molasses
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. mustard, salad type
• Liquid smoke (optional)
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Fill Dutch oven with water and cook dry beans after rinsing them well. Add meat and all ingredients when beans are half cooked. Liquid smoke can be used if meat is fresh. Cayenne pepper can also be added for flavor. When cooking in Dutch oven or roaster, keep water at least 1 inch deep in pan at all times to prevent scorching.

Glazed Carrots

• 2 lbs. carrots
• 1 tbsp. raw honey
• Chicken stock
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. Blackstrap molasses
• Fresh ground pepper
• Peel carrots and slice into 2-3 inch pieces. Place in a large saucepan and add other ingredients, using enough stock to cover carrots halfway up. Bring to a boil, cover, maintain at a gentle boil until carrots are nearly done. Stir occasionally. Uncover and cook 15 minutes more until carrots are tender and the liquid is reduced to syrup. Just before serving, reheat. If glaze becomes too dry, add a little water.

Baked Beans

• 2 c. dried beans (kidney, yellow eyed, pea beans or soldier beans)
• 1/2 lb. salt pork (fat & lean)
• 3 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/3 c. dark blackstrap molasses
• 2 c. boiling water
• Wash and pick over the beans. Discard imperfect ones, or small bits of pebbles you might find. Soak the beans overnight. Drain. Put in pot, fresh water to cover, and parboil until some of the skins burst. Scald the pork, slice it thin. Now in a bean pot (yes, you must have a bean pot, no substitutions will do) alternate layers of beans and pork, sprinkling each layer with a mixture of salt, brown sugar, sprinkling each layer with a mixture of salt, brown sugar and mustard. Over each layer add a part of the blackstrap molasses. Pour at least two cups of boiling water over all. Bake in a 275 degree oven for at least six hours, replacing the water as it boils away. A half hour before serving, remove the cover and let the top brown. Serves 6.

-Anne

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What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, confusing condition which causes a burning pain in the mouth on the tongue, lips, or all over the mouth. There isn’t an obvious explanation for the pain.

Menopause, psychological problems, nutritional deficiencies and disorders of the mouth (oral thrush and dry mouth) are other conditions BMS has long been associated with. Dysfunctional or damaged nerves may be a cause as some researchers suggest, but the exact cause is extremely difficult to identify, and the pain may persist for months or years.

Signs and symptoms of BMS vary from person to person as does the underlying causes if they can be identified, so treatment is extremely specific to each individual. Symptoms of BMS can usually be controlled with personalized treatment plans.

BMS is also known as scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia and stomatodynia.

Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

As stated above, the causes are intricate and numerous. The following list of possible causes may only apply to a fraction of BMS sufferers. Many may have multiple causes. Identifying a cause is important so that with your physician you can find a tailor made treatment plan for your syndrome. Possibilities of causes include:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Other oral conditions
• Psychological factors
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Irritating dentures
• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy)
• Allergies
• Reflux of stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
• Medications
• Oral habits (teeth grinding or tongue thrusting)
• Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism)
• Hormonal imbalances (menopause)
• Excessive irritation (overuse of mouthwash, over brushing of teeth and gums, or acidic drinks)

Because of the variety of causes and the complexity of symptoms, doctors are sometimes unable to find a cause for burning mouth syndrome.

Symptoms of BMS

A burning sensation involving the tongue, gums, palate, throat, or the entire area of the mouth are the main symptoms of BMS. The sensation described by those with the syndrome is of the affected areas feeling like they have been burned with a hot liquid. Other symptoms may include:

• Dry mouth
• Sore mouth
• Tingling or numb sensation on the tip of the tongue or other affected areas of the mouth
• Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth

The degree of pain as well and the duration and intensity varies from person to person. Some have chronic pain daily while others wake without pain but find that it intensifies throughout the day. Still others feel pain off and on throughout the day and even experience an absence of pain.

Burning Mouth Syndrome affects women up to seven times more often as it does men. It may occur in younger people, but by and large occurs in middle-aged or older adults.

Treatments for BMS

Treatment triggers improvement in symptoms for most people with burning mouth syndrome. But the type of treatment depends on the underlying cause. The treatments are listed below along with the causes.

• Dry mouth (xerostomia). Treating the cause of your dry mouth — Sjogren’s syndrome, use of medications or some other cause — may relieve burning mouth symptoms. In addition, drinking more fluids or taking a medication that promotes flow of saliva may help.

• Other oral conditions. If the cause is oral thrush, treatment is with oral antifungal medications such as nystatin or fluconazole. If you wear dentures, your dentures may also need to be treated.

• Psychological factors. For a burning mouth that may be caused by or associated with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, your doctor may recommend antidepressant therapy or psychiatric therapy or both together. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may cause less dry mouth than other antidepressant medications.

• Nutritional deficiencies. You may be able to correct nutritional deficiencies by taking supplements of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.

• Irritating dentures. Your dentist may be able to adjust your dentures so they are less irritating to your mouth. If your dentures contain substances that irritate your oral tissues, you may need different dentures. You may also improve symptoms by practicing good denture care, such as removing dentures at night and cleaning them properly.

• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy). Your doctor may suggest medications that affect your nervous system and control pain, including benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticonvulsants. For pain relief, your doctor may also suggest rinsing your mouth with water and capsaicin — the active ingredient in hot peppers, which also is called capsicum.

• Allergies. Avoiding foods that contain allergens that may irritate the tissues of your mouth may help.

• Certain medications. If a medication you’re taking is causing a burning mouth, using a substitute medication, if possible, may help.

• Oral habits. Tongue thrusting and teeth grinding (bruxism) can be helped with mouth guards, medications and relaxation techniques.

• Endocrine disorders. If a burning mouth is associated with conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, treating those conditions may improve your symptoms.

If doctors can’t identify the cause of your symptoms, they may still recommend trying oral thrush medications, B vitamins or antidepressants. These medications have proved effective in treating burning mouth syndrome.

-Anne

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