askdoctoryung » Allergy

Dangerous Allergy Drug

Editor — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:24:35 +0000

Recently, I saw a patient whose child was on the antihistamine, carbinoxamine. Alarm bells went off!

Carbinoxamine is known to have adverse side effects, and even to cause deaths in children under two years of age. You wonâ€™t find this information on the Carbinoxamine.com home page, but it is mentioned in page 2. They also inform you that the only drug with carbinoxamine that is now approved by the FDA is Palgic.

Drugs.com also warns against carbinoxamine. They write:

â€œDo not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old, even if the medicine label provides dosing instructions for children in this age group. Deaths have been reported in children under 2 years oldâ€¦..

â€œDo not use carbinoxamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occurâ€¦.

These warning still apply to the FDA-approved carbinoxamine drug, Palgic. You should also avoid this antihistamine if you have intestinal or prostate troubles, a stomach ulcer, heart disease, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid or asthma.

You are the only one who can protect yourself and your family from harmful drugs. Before you accept fill any prescription or buy any drug, do your research. Check several sites, not just one. And donâ€™t rely on government to ensure medications are safe. This drug has been on the market since the early 1950â€™s. It took the FDA over half a century to finally check it out and take action!

Better yet, break free of allergy drugs and antihistamines altogether. Get your allergies treated naturally. To find out how, check out â€˜Health Programsâ€™ at www.renewyoujourney.com.au

Allergy and Medications: a Potentially Dangerous Mix

Editor — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:50:14 +0000

When Liz Robinson faced surgery requiring anaesthetics, she came to me, worried about possible adverse reactions. Liz is one millions of people who are at risk of having a severe reaction to medications, in her case, to penicillin and anaesthetics. But she only discovered this when she went into a three day coma after a major surgery, and on finally waking, became violently ill.

But Liz is not alone. Thousands of patients risk similar or worse reactions to medications, including small children whose reactions can be fatal. For people with drug allergies, medications can cause reactions sush as eczema, fever, severe vomiting, liver dysfunction, anaphylactic shock, even death.

According to neurodevelopment pediatrician Charles Essex: “Penicillin allergy kills more people each year than peanut allergy, yet the latter currently receives much more attention and column inches in the press”.

I’ve seen patients who had no idea of this potential risk until they experienced a totally unexpected adverse reaction, mostly to antiobiotics, anaesthetics, analgesics or anticonvulsants. Any drug, however, presents a potential risk.

There is also the hidden danger of cross reactions; that is, reacting to certain similar chemicals in different kinds of substances. If, for example, you are allergic to sulphur, you could have a severe reaction to sulphonamides, drugs containing sulphur, especially certain antibiotics such as Septra, Bactrim and Pediazole.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict whether you will have an adverse reaction, how severe it will be or when it could occur. Drug allergy can begin at any time of life, perhaps when the system is already stressed and weakened by emotional issues, health issues (including existing allergies) or too many accumulated toxins. The risk seems to be higher in atopic children (those with a predisposition to allergies), females, the elderly, and those with weakened immunity or infections.

Are Allergies Behind Your Child’s Emotional or Learning Difficulties?

Editor — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:15:49 +0000

I talk to many parents who know that allergies can affect their child’s behaviour, moods and ability to learn. However, many people, including doctors and teachers are still not aware that allergies can have significant psychological effects, especially on children.

As far back as 1998, research at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in the U.S. showed that a child with allergies is 10% more likely to have behaviour or psychological problems such as aggressiveness, depression and irritability than children without allergies (www.sciencedaily.com /releases/1998/09/980929111523.htm). Now, the figures seem to be even higher. I’d say that around one third of the children I see for allergies experiences some psychological or behavioural effects.

Patrick Holford, Director of the London-based Mental Health Project, says that “allergies to food can upset levels of hormones and other key chemicals in the brain, resulting in symptoms ranging from depression to schizophrenia”. However, the effects of food allergy may not be dramatic, and may appear up to two days after the culprit food has been eaten, so the relationship between food and behaviour is not often noticed. Yet according to a survey sponsored by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (2008), allergies interfere with school performance in at least 40% of children.

These psychological and behavioural effects can have a negative ripple effect on other aspects of the child’s life as well, especially when the allergies have not been diagnosed. Children whose allergies affect their mental performance can be labelled as ‘difficult’, ‘backwards’, even ‘retarded’ when their school performance and classroom behaviour deteriorate. They may have trouble forming and keeping friendships, and have strained relationships with long-suffering parents. The child’s self-esteem can suffer.

Even if the allergies are finally identified and treated, it might take a child a long time to recover a sense of worth and competence, and gain the self-confidence to realise his or her full potential.

I’d be very interested to hear from parents out there whose kids are emotionally or behaviourally affected by allergies. Your stories might just be a lifeline to other parents who are struggling to understand what’s going on with their child.

Allergy and the Pill

Editor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:44:17 +0000

Yes, Sleepy Me. I do suggest that you be tested for allergies. You can be allergic to the pill or something in it, and it is most probably having adverse effects on your hormones. Many women react badly to the pill, yet continue taking it because they think their symptoms are fairly normal. So you are wise to take your symptoms seriously. Allergies affect every part of your body, including your hormones and other body chemicals (which can affect your heart and other organs), and your nervous system (hence the anxiety and depression).

Standard tests are known to be unreliable, and often fail to pick up allergies. That’s one reason that many people present with serious allergies later in life…because their existing allergies were not recognized and were untreated, which can result in worsening allergies. At my clinics, we test for allergies with an advanced resonance testing technology from Germany, which can test up to 250 allergies at one time from a sample of your hair. No scratches or needles, and it’s very fast.

If you would like to book an appointment at one of our clinics, you can phone our freecall number: 1300 853 006 or phone: 5564 7667 (Ashmore) or 3366 8955 (Ashgrove). We can help you find a safe, natural solution to your issues with the pill, and any underlying problems that could be affecting your health.

Stomach Pains or Bowel Problems? It could be Allergies

Editor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:11:22 +0000

Here’s an interesting bit of news for those of you with bowel problems. A new study from Rush University Medical Centre, Chicago, found patients with allergic eczema were almost 4 time more likely to also have irritable bowel sydrome (IBS). And IBS was 2.67 times higher in hayfever. IBS or spastic colon is the most common of the bowel disorders, and can cause abdominal pain, constipation or diarreah.

According to the researchers, AE (allergic eczema) in early childhood is so stronglyassociated with gastrointestinal problems and food allergy in early childhood (this is also my experience) that the presence of allergic eczema can help identify children likely to develop gut problems. An earlier report in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (Jan 2007) suggested a link between Asthma and Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well.

I’m not at all surprised . Many patients with allergies have gut problems, including ‘Leaky Gut’, a condition where the gut lining is damaged, allowing undigested food, bacteria and toxins to escape into the blood stream before they are properly processed. Trying to cope with these invaders, the immune system can be overstressed, and can become hypersensitive, leading to allergies. On the other hand, if you’ve already got allergies, gut problems can only make them worse.

That’s why a key element of the BioFAST allergy program used at my clinics is gut healing.

If you’re experiencing digestive or bowel problems, you should get yourself tested for possible allergies or food intolerances before looking for other causes.

What is allergy relief got to do with a stuffy nose? Your stuffy nose could be an allergy.

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:31:39 +0000

If your child always seems to have a blocked nose, he or she probably has an allergy or allergic condition called allergic rhinitis – and allergy relief is available. Not being able to breathe freely is bad enough, but there are other reasons to take chronic stuffy nose seriously – such as allergy.

Allergic Rhinitis is a condition where the mucous membranes of the nasal passage are inflamed, and produce a clear discharge. If your child only experiences this seasonally, it is called hay fever. If the condition is persistent, your child probably has chronic of perennial allergic rhinits. What causes the inflammation is histamine, a chemical released along with other inflammatory substances during an allergic reaction. It’s these chemical that cause the typical symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, swollen tissues, watery eyes, congested ears and throat.

Your child’s rhinitis can be triggered by any airborne allergens, such as pollen and mould spores, fungus and its spores, smoke, dust mites, animal dander, air pollution, and perfumes. These irritate the mucous lining of the upper airways, which stimulate the production of excessive mucus. If there is too much mucus, your child can’t clear his nasal passages, and you get congestion. Because of their smaller noses, small children can find stuffy noses particularly upsetting and difficult to cope with.

Aside from the distressing cold-like symptoms, allergic rhinitis can cause sore throats if your child has to breathe mostly through the mouth, which dries the throat tissues. Your child is also at greater risk of tooth decay, for the saliva that normally helps protect the teeth is not able to do its work when your child breathes through the mouth. Also, the sense of smell and taste are affected, so your child may have a poor appetite, and may become deficient in nutrients. Good nutrition is especially critical for growing children.

Another troublesome effect of this allergy is the child who always eats with mouth open because she cannot breathe through her nose. Children in this situation can be subject to unfair scolding or teasing, though they have no option but to breathe through their mouths.

Rhinitis Brings the Risk of Other Allergic Conditions

Children with allergic rhinitis also have other inflammatory allergic conditions or are at high risk of developing them. The chronic inflammation of mucous membranes in allergic rhinitis is part of a widespread pattern of mucosal inflammation that affects different parts of the child’s body. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes and gastro-intestinal tract is often part of this pattern. Therefore, your child’s allergic rhinitis indicates a higher risk of asthma. In fact, rhinitis and asthma are found together in many allergic children, and the rhinitis tends to aggravate the bronchial inflammation of asthma. Children with rhinitis and asthma also commonly suffer from otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear, often called ‘glue ear’). Otitis is the major cause of deafness in children.

What Causes the Stuffiness in the First Place?

Your child’s nose and throat filter the air to remove any particles that can damage the lungs. The respiratory organs are lined with mucus and millions of tiny hair-like projections that move foreign particles to the throat where the child can cough them out or swallow them so they can be eliminated or destroyed. The function of mucus is to trap irritants before they get into the lungs so they can be removed. This requires a moist internal environment.

If the air is dry or your child’s body is dehydrated (which is more common than you might think), the mucus can dry out the mucus so that it is no longer able to protect against airborne particles. Because there is not enough mucus, irritants can then come into contact with the membrane, irritating it and causing inflammation. This weakens the membrane so that particles can pass through it into the body’s fluids. The immune system may over-react to these particles, leading to the development of allergy. Other factors that can contribute to damage of the mucous membranes are poor diet, environmental toxins, and oxidative stress.

How You Can Help Your Child

Various natural remedies can be used to improve allergic rhinitis, including homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, acupressure, and nasal irrigation.

Nasal irrigation – You can relieve the swelling and congestion of rhinitis by flushing out your child’s nasal passage with warm salt water (sea salt). It has been shown to quickly reduce levels of histamine (the chemical causing the swelling) and remove excess mucus. Use the treatment morning and night, or as needed. Bathing in the sea in warm weather is also helpful.

To flush out your child’s nasal passage, dissolve about 1-2 teaspoons salt per quart of warm water, and use a bulb or large syringe to squirt the water towards the back (not the top) of your child’s head. You can add a teaspoon of baking soda to the solution, also. Your child should try to avoid swallowing the solution, though it is safe to do so.

Vapour inhalation – This is another traditional remedy that has been shown very effective in reducing congestion and histamine levels. It’s suitable for older children. Sit your child with head over a bowl of steaming water with a towel over his or her head. Otherwise, use a vaporiser.

Acupuncture – Acupuncture is particularly effective in reducing symptoms of rhinitis, and in desensitizing people to allergens.

Acupressure – To relieve nasal congestion, tell your child to press on the groove where each nostril meets the cheek, increasing the upwards pressure for a few moments. It’s worthwhile teaching your child this technique, as it also relieves sinus headache. With small children, gently but firmly apply the pressure yourself.

For more permanent solutions for allergic rhinitis and another allergy relief, contact the NewLife Wellbeing Centre in Robina or the Renew You Clinic in Brisbane at 07 5562 1501 or 07 3366 8955.

Article – allergy relief, Brisbane’s Child

For information, contact: Tosca Zraikat
Phone: 07 5562 1501
Email: tzraikat@yahoo.com.au

What’s the Big Deal about A Stuffy Nose?

Eczema May Be First Stage in a Pattern of Allergy

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:19:36 +0000

Eczema may be the first sign that your child has an allergy. It is often the first indicator of allergy in small children, and as the child grows, it can develop into other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis or asthma. If not properly treated, almost half the infants with eczema will later develop asthma. So if your child has eczema, save you both a lot of future distress by dealing with it now, even the rash is mild and only occurs now and then. If untreated, even mild allergy can escalate into something more serious and could be masking a hidden allergy .

Click here to read the article in full

What inspired me to write “Your Allergy Free Child”

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:51:39 +0000

My inspiration for writing “Your Allergy Free Child”
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Candida â€“ The Invisible Enemy in Allergy

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:53:57 +0000

Candida the invisible enermy in allergy is a yeast infection that plays an important role in autoimmune and chronic immune disorders, and also in allergies. Yeasts are single-celled organisms, and different forms of yeast normally exist in our bodies on the outside of mucous membranes. Of the different forms of Candida, the yeast most commonly associated with allergy is Candida albicans. Normally, it lives in the colon and mouth with other organisms, without causing harm.

However, if the body is weakened, or the delicate balance between harmful and beneficial microbes is somehow changed (perhaps by chemicals or certain foodsor an allergy), Candida populations can quickly grow out of control.

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