ZYRTEC Medication

Dust Off Those Dust Mites!

Zyrtec — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:00:08 +0000

Dust mites are one of the most common allergic asthma triggers. They’re also some of the most challenging to get rid of, because these teeny tiny spider-like organisms live almost everywhere in your home environment.

Our latest article outlines some very specific actions you can take, though, to at least reduce their numbers. And any progress you make is going to help with controlling your allergy symptoms and asthma symptoms. Things like:

Reducing indoor humidity
Getting rid of wall-to-wall carpeting
Using allergen-proof covers on mattresses and bedding
Washing bedding in hot water
Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
Getting rid of your “dust collectors”

So get started today by reading our new tips.

Cesarean delivery may increase kids’ asthma risk

Zyrtec — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:27:00 +0000

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Babies born by Cesareansection may have a moderately increased risk of developing asthmacompared with those born naturally, Norwegian researchers reportafter investigating this link in a population-wide study.

Dr. Mette C. Tollanes, of the University of Bergen, in Norway,and colleagues looked at the modes of delivery among more than 1.7million single births reported to the Medical Birth Registry ofNorway between 1967 and 1998. They used registry data from Norway’sNational Insurance Scheme to determine the number of children who,through the age of 18 or the year 2002, developed severeasthma.

Caregivers often expose asthmatic kids to smoke

Zyrtec — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:26:05 +0000

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Secondhand exposure tocigarette smoke is an asthma trigger in children and a new studyshows that smoking by the primary caregiver and daycare providerare important sources of smoke exposure in children withasthma.

In the study, children with asthma who were exposed tosecondhand smoke “had as much smoke exposure as if their mothersmoked,” Dr. Harold J. Farber told Reuters Health.

Children with a double hit of smoke exposure - from both theirdaycare provider and primary caregiver - had the highest levels ofnicotine metabolites in their urine, said Farber, of TexasChildren’s Hospital in Houston.

Sublingual Immunotherapy - An Alternative Treatment Option?

Zyrtec — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:02:14 +0000

Many people who have asthma are interested in alternative treatments for asthma. They think a more natural approach is more appealing than using an inhaler every day. One such treatment is sublingual immunotherapy, known as SLIT for short, or the lay term, allergy drops. This treatment option has been in use in Europe for many years, and people in the United States are starting to hear more and more about it too.

But does this approach really work as well as allergy shots for people with allergic asthma? My new article provides all the answers about SLIT… what it is, how it works, how effective it is, its pros and cons. Click the links below to learn more.

More: SLIT Facts | Allergy Shots Facts | Allergic Asthma Facts

Asthma in Infants Tough to Nail Down

Zyrtec — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:02:14 +0000

The symptoms of asthma in infants can be so subtle that you don’t even realize infant asthma might be involved. It can be challenging to diagnose too, because your infant can’t tell you in words how he or she is feeling. So doctors rely more on the parent’s description of a pattern of symptoms and behavior, as well as family medical history, in deciding what type of breathing problem your baby may have.

1 out of every 10 kids has asthma today. So, if you find out your baby has asthma too, you’ll have lots of company. If you do suspect infant asthma is causing your child’s breathing problems, it’s important to find out for sure as soon as you can.

In baby asthma, coughing is often the only symptom the infant will have…read more

New safety standards set for baby formula and nuts

Zyrtec — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:26:05 +0000

GENEVA (Reuters) - Diplomats in Geneva have agreednew limits for bacteria in baby formula and natural toxins in nuts,setting safety standards to apply for internationally shipped food,the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

At a meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint bodyof the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),officials also set benchmarks for producing gluten-free foods.

Peter Ben Embarek, a scientist in the WHO’s food safetydivision, said the adoption of the “landmark” code of hygienicpractices for powdered formula could reduce contamination from twobacteria that can cause severe illness and death in babies.

Fat Molecule May Slow Down Skin Aging

Zyrtec — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:06 +0000

It’s not as bad as it sounds. People aren’t about to be slathering some type of lard all over their skin to look younger.

A recent study showed that a type of lipid molecule that is found in the epidermis, but is even more abundant in fungi and plants, may protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation. The name of the molecule is phosphatidylserine (PS). Further studies need to be done to confirm this finding.

UV radiation is an important factor in skin aging leading to wrinkles and skin cancer.

Don’t Let 4th of July Allergies Keep you Indoors!

Zyrtec — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:00:02 +0000

This Friday, millions of Americans will be celebrating the Fourth of July with outdoor picnics and fireworks. Along with these activities, however, comes exposure to various outdoor allergens. Insect allergies, including to mosquitoes and bees and yellow jackets, can keep some people indoors and prevent them enjoying an outdoor event. Allergies to smoke from barbeques and fireworks and worsen allergies and asthma. Food allergies, caused by hidden ingredients in a potluck, can result in an unplanned visit to the emergency room.

But, with a little planning for allergen avoidance, everyone can have a fun and safe Fourth of July holiday.

Barbeque Smoke Allergy
Mosquito Allergy
Stinging Insect Allergy
Food Allergies

Not Enough Asthmatics Get Flu Shots

Zyrtec — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:00:02 +0000

Breathe a big sigh of relief – another flu season has come and gone. For people with asthma, the flu represents a seriously threatening illness. Our airways are already compromised from asthma. The flu can send us spiraling out of control quite quickly.

That’s why so many health experts recommend that people with asthma get an annual flu shot. We’re considered to be part of the “high risk” group. Getting a flu shot is a no-brainer, no pain way to stay healthy during flu season. I don’t know why anyone who has asthma wouldn’t get a flu shot.

But lots of us are NOT getting them, according to a recent article in the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (June 20th issue). The Healthy People 2010 project has set a goal that 60% of high risk people will get their annual flu shot. In 2005-2006, only 36.2% of adults in the high risk group of asthma got the shots. That’s not too good, is it?

You may recall that we have frequently had shortages of flu vaccine in the last few flu seasons. So I suppose that could account for some of the poor showing. But I doubt that’s all of it. Other reasons might be the cost (I spent nearly $30 this past year!), or not having access to flu clinics or a doctor, especially in rural or remote areas.

I wonder, though, how many people with asthma fail to get vaccinated against the flu simply because they don’t know it’s important. I urge all of my fellow healthcare professionals to be be diligent in recommending the flu shot, beginning early in the autumn and on into January or February, which is still not too late. For my fellow asthma sufferers, please consider getting your flu shot this coming fall!

Yes, it hurts a little, especially if you’re a “baby” about needles like me. But, it’s over in a flash, and NO, it cannot give you the flu, since the vaccine is made from dead virus only. As for the cost, it’s a lot less than the value of your lost time, lost work hours or lost school time, believe me. Plus, who doesn’t want to stay healthy and asthma-symptom free year-round?

Masks for California Wildfire Pollution

Zyrtec — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:37:14 +0000

Masks for California Wildfire Pollution

As I write this, more than 12,500 firefighters are battling 1,088 fires across Northern California - and windy weather over the weekend could make the situation even worse.

“It is increasing almost hourly,” said Carol Jolley of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as reported by USA Today. “We have so many fires… There’s a logistical problem just getting to them.”

The fires have consumed 159,000 acres so far.

A 100-mile endurance foot race in Northern California had to be cancelled because of air pollution.

“I’ve been working for this agency for 22 years, and I’ve never seen a level of pollution this high,” said Andy Goodrich, director of the Air Quality Management Division of the Washoe District Health Department in Reno.

Residents in polluted areas are urged to limit outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible.

Christina Ragsdale, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, said, “We’ve got more than 1,000 fires burning. No matter what direction the wind is blowing, we’re going to be getting some smoke from the fires.”

If you live in an area affected by the fires, wear a mask if you must go outdoors, especially if you have a respiratory condition like asthma.

Air purifiers will eliminate polluted air if it’s getting inside your home or office.