Find yourself stuffed up, sneezing, with watery eyes and a runny nose? At this time of year, most people assume that these symptoms are indicative of a cold. But if you have a Christmas tree in your home, they could be signs that you suffer from pine tree allergies. If you are allergic, simply smelling the tree, touching the tree or even inhaling fragrant pine oils can make you have an allergic reaction.
The symptoms can be
- a red, itchy rash
- hives or blisters
- itchy and watery eyes
- sneezing
- itchy mouth and throat
- cough
- runny and/or stuffy nose
- asthmatic reaction
Do you have pine allergies? Your doctor can answer that question with a skin or blood test. Also, think back - do you typically have these symptoms each year when your Christmas tree is brought inside? Do you have similar symptoms during spring pollination?
If you find you are allergic to pine, your physician can suggest over-the-counter or prescription medications that help alleviate the symptoms. If you suffer from a rash, hives or blisters, calamine lotion or cortisone creams usually help.
When it comes to healthy living — think moderation. That goes for your intake of dietary supplements as well. Vitamin D has been in the headlines a lot lately — touted as a possible preventative measure against everything from cancer and autism, to diabetes, heart disease and the flu. And recommendations for increased doses of Vitamin D have filled the press. Now, recent research from the Institute of Medicine indicates that Vitamin D supplements may not be as beneficial as recently assumed. And, further, too much Vitamin D over a sustained period of time may have negative effects. The Institute of Medicine panel also notes that they found no evidence of a national epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, contrary to earlier articles by American media. This article from NPR is worth a read — Medical Panel: Don’t Go Overboard on Vitamin D.
Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that antibiotics have little effect on ear infections, and for those who do take antibiotics, they are at a slight risk for developing rashes or diarrhea. It was also found that older and less expensive antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, work just as well as the more expensive and newer antibiotics.
This research is important - overuse of antibiotics is now considered one of the public’s most pressing health concerns. Increasingly, we’re seeing that bacteria have built up resistance to antibiotics - rendering some of the most common antibiotics useless in some cases.
It’s important to remember that antibiotics do not kill viruses - only bacteria. There are three different types of ear infections. Acute otitis media is often caused by bacteria, in which case antibiotics are useful. However, it can also be caused by a virus in which case an antibiotic will not work. Buildup of fluid in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion) is caused by a virus and thus antibiotics should not be used. On the other hand, Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) can be treated with antibiotics.
Ear infections are caused by germs, bacteria or viruses that enter your middle ear via the Eustachian tube connecting your throat and ears. This tube can become swollen and cause fluid to collect within the ear.
And, yes, ear infections can be quite painful - particularly for children. The best course of action is to visit your doctor to check on the severity of the infection. Your doctor can also provide you with ear drops that can numb the ear and relieve the pain. Pain relievers can be given to the child to reduce a fever and relieve any discomfort. But remember, never give a child aspirin. A warm washcloth applied to the ear can also help alleviate some discomfort. Yellow fluid leaking from the ear may indicate a burst eardrum. Don’t fear, the eardrum usually heals within two weeks.
For more information on the importance of limiting antibiotic treatment, visit www.cdc.gov/getsmart/.
According to the latest article in the British Medical Journal — no, they don’t. Nor do Chondroitin supplements. The good news is, the supplements don’t appear to do any harm either. For that reason, researchers don’t recommend against taking the supplements, but they don’t feel insurance companies or governments should pay for them either. For more information, read this NPR blog or the article as it appears in the British Medical Journal.
If you occasionally experience heartburn, you’re not alone. About 60 million people have heartburn at least once a month. So what do you think triggers heartburn? Stress? Spicy, greasy foods? They certainly can. But there are other culprits you may not be aware of.
Peppermint is usually thought to soothe an upset stomach. But if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peppermint can cause heartburn. Those with GERD experience heartburn more often than others because their stomach contents leak into and irritate the esophagus. The menthol of peppermint, which is known to soothe, can actually do its job too well - relaxing the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach. When that valve relaxes, stomach acids can enter the esophagus and lead to heartburn.
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