Phillips Health Care Newsletter

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Uncover Your Allergy Triggers

Nearly 20% of Americans have allergies. Allergies are an abnormal response of your immune system. Your body's defenses react to a usually harmless substance, such as pollen, animal dander, or food. Almost anything can trigger an allergic reaction, which can range from mild and annoying to sudden and life-threatening.

Some of the most common triggers include:

Pollen

Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. You might have symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes.

Animal Dander

Proteins secreted by oil glands in an animal's skin and present in their saliva can cause allergic reactions for some people. The allergy can take two or more years to develop and symptoms may not go away until months after being away from the animal. If your pet is causing allergies, make your bedroom a pet-free zone, avoid carpets, and wash him regularly. A HEPA filter and frequent vacuuming may also help

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in house dust. Help prevent dust mite allergies by covering mattresses, pillows, and box springs, using hypoallergenic pillows, washing sheets weekly in hot water, and keeping the house free of  Insect Stings

Symptoms include extensive swelling and redness from the sting or bite that may last a week or more, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. In rare cases when insect bites cause a severe reaction (anaphylaxis), symptoms may include difficulty breathing, swelling around the face, throat, or mouth, racing pulse, an itchy rash or hives, dizziness, or a sharp drop in blood pressure.

Molds

Molds make allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people. There are many types of mold. They all need moisture to grow. They can be found in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms, as well as in grass or mulch. Avoid activities that trigger symptoms, such as raking leaves. Ventilate moist areas in your home

Food

Milk, shellfish, eggs, and nuts are among the most common foods that cause allergies. An allergic reaction usually happens within minutes of eating he offending food. Symptoms, which can include breathing problems, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling around the mouth, can be severe. 

You Don’t Have to Suffer with Allergies

Your Phillips Clinic Family Practice Provider Can Perform a simple Allergy Skin Test.

Symptoms which usually prompt an allergy test  include:

Respiratory: itchy eyes, nose or throat; nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, chest congestion, cough or wheezing

Skin: itchiness or eczema 

Abdominal: vomiting or cramping and diarrhea consistently after eating certain foods

Severe reactions to stinging insect stings

Skin tests can be performed in the office to determine what’s cause your symptoms. A very small amount of certain allergens is put into your skin by making a small indentation or “prick” on the surface of your skin.  Your skin will react to the substances that trigger your allergies.

A personalized serum is then made up for you. You take this  serum home, use a few drops under your tongue every day. You return every 12 weeks for a refill and follow-up. Within months, you should notice a significant reductions in your symptoms and the need for allergy medications. And in time, your allergies will disappear.

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Scrimping on sleep can make you groggy and GROUCHY!

But the negative effects are not just limited to these short term consequences. 

Not enough sleep can also effect heart health, interfere with blood sugar levels, endurance levels, immune system response and can potentially result in mood disorders.

Getting both enough sleep and deep sleep can result in a healthier, happier you. Optimal sleep is generally considered to be 7-8 hours a night.

BUT WHY?

Effects on your heart:

When you sleep, blood pressure and heart rates drop. This allows your heart and blood vessels to rest.

 But, when you get less than an optimal amount of sleep for a long period of time, your blood pressure, heart rate and pressure on your veins remains higher, for longer periods during the 24 hours of the day.

This can cause elevated blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Effects on blood sugar:

During the deep sleep cycle, blood sugar drops, also allowing your body’s response to rest.

Limited sleep reduces the this slow down time,    resulting in a slower response time to blood sugar levels.

Getting adequate amounts ot sleep can help prevent Type 2 Diabetes,

 The feeling that most often comes with inadequate sleep is grogginess and inability to focus.

Sleep helps your brain rest too, so it’s easier to grasp, react, store and evaluate information.  Without enough sleep, it’s like running on empty.

 Immune response

Lack of sleep also slows down     immune response. Your body is less likely to quickly identify (and attack!) threats such as foreign bacteria and viruses.

TIPS FOR RESTFUL SLEEP

YES

· Maintain A Comfortable

· Temperature.

· Reading

· Regular Bedtime

· Meditation and

· Relaxation Exercises

· Some studies have shown a small high carb snack about 30 minutes before bedtime can help.

· A relaxing, warm bath or shower

NO

· Limit Coffee or other Caffeine drinks late in the day.

· Avoid alcohol.

· Limit Blue Light Exposure (TV, Cell Phones, Tablets).

· Don’t workout last in the day or close to bedtime. 

Sleep helps your body repair itself, replacing older, worn out cells with new. (Too much, though—more than 9 hours a day can be as bad as not enough!)

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