Allergies
An allergy is an abnormal reaction to something that normally shouldn’t cause a reaction. The substance we are reacting to is called an allergen. In most people, the body’s immune system recognizes allergens as harmless and deals with them without our even being aware of them. In the allergic person, however, something goes wrong. The immune system malfunctions and "over reacts" to the allergen as if it is dangerous to the body. This reaction results in the symptoms we associate with allergies. What are the symptoms of allergies? Sneezing, Watery/Itchy Eyes, Headaches, Cold Symptoms, Persistent Cough, Vomiting and/or Diarrhea, Chronic Stuffy Nose, Recurrent Sinus Infections, Recurrent Ear Infections , Skin Rashes. Many factors can affect the seriousness of allergy problems. Good Nutrition, Exercise, Environmental problems and exposure to irritants such as Tobacco Smoke and Perfumes, even emotions and stress can play a part in some allergies. It is important to note carefully when, where and under precisely what circumstances your symptom occur. You might want to take a moment now and jot down any information you have in this regard.
Asthma
So you have asthma. That doesn't have to be bad news. If you and your doctor work together, you can control your asthma and lead an active life. You need to find out what triggers it, what medicines can do to treat it, and what you can do in your daily life to control it. Asthma is a disease of the lungs that ranges from mild to serious. It is treatable and controllable. In an asthma attack, the air passages in your lungs (called airways) are inflamed. They close up temporarily because the muscles around them tighten. This makes it hard to breath. Your clogged airways swell and produce extra amounts of thick, sticky mucus. Breathing becomes even more difficult. You can also have spasms of coughing and/or wheezing. People suffering from severe episodes of asthma fight for every breath and often feel terribly frightened. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be successfully controlled. Because asthma affects different people in different ways, your treatment is designed just for you.
