Allergic rhinitis, or a runny nose, is the body's reaction to inhaled irritants. Factors other than allergies that may cause nasal discharge are head colds, flu or other upper respiratory conditions. Symptoms may include nasal discharge, pressure...
A rose by any other name could still prompt symptoms of allergy in those who are hypersensitive to the plant. Allergies are episodes of mistaken immunological identity. The body's internal defense system identifies a harmful substance as a...
Allergies result from the immune system's overreaction to a harmless antigen (a type of protein from grass and flower pollens, etc.). In some individuals, the antigen initiates an allergic reaction, and is now considered to be an allergen. There...
Kefir is a fermented drink which is made by culturing kefir grains in milk, sugar water or juice. Milk-based kefir is frequently sold in supermarkets and health food stores on the yogurt aisle. Water kefir, when made at home, results in a...
Coconut oil, which is obtained from the coconut palm tree, is a tropical oil in the same family as palm oil and palm kernel oil. It is an edible oil that has long been an essential component of the traditional medicine systems and daily diets of...
Rhinitis--inflammation of the membranes in the nose--is characterized by at least one of the following symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, itching or sneezing. People with chronic rhinitis may have the same symptoms, but the various types of rhinitis...
The numbness in your mouth after eating is likely the result of a food allergy. Your body can begin to recognize certain food proteins as harmful substances. Upon ingestion, the food triggers an immune response, causing the release of antibodies...
Proteolytic enzymes, which break down proteins, are produced by the pancreas and also are found in some plant foods, notably certain fruits. Research into the health effects of proteolytic enzymes as part of the diet or taken in supplement form...
Sinusitis is also known as nasal congestion. Often times, it comes on after an upper respiratory tract infection, although it can also because of a bacterial or allergic cause. Anyone with a fever higher than 102 degrees F, dark-yellow or brown...
For the 2009-2010 flu season, the Food and Drug Administration approved two vaccines, Fluria and Fluzone, for administration in infants six months and older. No vaccine is approved for administration in infants younger than six months. As with...
Breastfeeding has been shown to provide babies protection against infections of the ear and respiratory tract. It also greatly reduces the occurrence of diarrhea. There is some suggestion that prolonged lactation increases these benefits and that...
Many factors cause chronic rhinitis, defined as inflammation of the nasal mucosa for more than four consecutive weeks. According to an article in the "Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology," chronic rhinitis significantly impairs quality of...
Being able to eliminate allergies, rather than play hide-and-seek with the offending substance, is the goal of many allergy-prone people. Instead of taking medication that might stave off symptoms for a few hours, or having to avoid something to...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, destroys cells that are part of the body's immune system and may cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. AIDS greatly damages the body's ability to fight off microorganisms, leading to repeated...
Made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea contains the most antioxidant polyphenols of all teas. Green tea can promote weight loss and boost your immune system. In addition, evidence indicates that taking green tea extract can...
Resveratrol is a polyphenol antioxidant found in grapes, purple grape juice, red wine, peanuts, some berries and in supplement form. Resveratrol works in several ways to reduce inflammation. Researchers are beginning to understand the complex...
Smokers can actively practice a number of exercises to improve the condition of their lungs. Aerobic exercises, in particular, have been shown to enhance the quality of lung function in smokers. Seek the guidance of your health care professional...
Exercise is supposed to improve your health, so the idea that certain people might be allergic to working out probably seems preposterous. An article in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology," however, describes a condition called...
Food allergies affect approximately 6 percent of children and 3 to 4 percent of adults, a study published in "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" reports. Allergic reactions induced by certain foods are the most common reason for...
Antibodies or immunoglobulins are present in blood and other bodily fluids, where they play a central role in the immune system. These molecules bind to foreign invaders such as bacterial proteins or toxins with incredibly high affinity and...
The prevalence of food allergies among children is growing. Of the millions of young ones who have such allergies, six percent are under age three, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. While what you eat often does...
Peanut oil is the second most commonly produced oil in the world, after soybean oil, according to Purdue University. Like other foods, peanut oil can have negative effects on health, especially if you have peanut allergies. Peanut oil can also...
Gelatin's presence extends beyond the ubiquitous fruit-flavored snack. It can be found in medications, vitamins, vaccinations, candies and other food products, where it acts as a sealing agent or preservative. According to the Vegetarian Resource...
The use of cayenne pepper, or Capsicum frutescens, dates back 9,000 years to Native American cultures, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some studies suggest it may be helpful in the treatment of pain and cancer, and it may...
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a condition that deteriorates the ability of nerve cells to communicate with each other. Symptoms of MS include fatigue, muscle stiffness and weakness, numbness or pain, poor balance and vision abnormalities. Clinical...
Spices, long regarded as merely flavorful additions to recipes, are becoming increasingly appreciated for their nutritional contribution to many popular dishes. Backed by considerable scientific evidence, certain notable spices earn top merits as...
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is manufactured in the brain and other parts of the nervous system from the amino acid l-tyrosine. Among dopamine's many functions, it serves important roles in controlling voluntary movement, cognition and...
Dopamine is a natural chemical substance that is produced from the amino acid tyrosine by a mid-brain structure called the substantia nigra. As a neurotransmitter, dopamine transmits chemical signals from the dopamine-containing neurons to target...
