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Thyroid Meds and Acetaminophen for Thyroid Dysfunction Patients

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

People suffering from Thyroid ailment have a problem in their body metabolism.  This illness means that the thyroid glands located in the neck, responsible for an individual’s metabolism does not function the way it should.  There are two types of thyroid deficiencies.  One is Hyperthyroidism.  This is simply described as the thyroid gland generating hormones more than what the body needs.  The other type of thyroid deficiency is Hypothyroidism, the opposite of Hyperthyroidism, wherein the thyroid glands do not create or generate enough hormones for the body.  Once an individual is positive of a thyroid deficiency, thyroid medicines must be administered with the advice of physicians who make it a point that their patients take in the right medicines and going through regular thyroid blood tests.  The TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone levels must be checked by the administering physician.  Acetaminophen in relation to thyroid ailment will be further discussed.

Acetaminophen, an analgesic that relieves pain and a fever reducer have effects similar to aspirin.  This medicine can be safely used during pregnancy and during breastfeeding to ease the pain of mothers.  In some cases, patients are warned to be cautious in taking sunitinib.  There are potential chemical reactions to drug intakes if taken simultaneously with other medicines.  Without a physician’s prescription to drink acetaminophen together with thyroid medicines, do not use Acetaminophen. It might cause critical and life endangering side effects to your body system.  Allergic reactions hives may arise as side effect or even swelling of face or hands, breathing problems, headache or even fainting.

So far, there are two thyroid medicines for hyperthyroidism approved by FDA.  Propylthioracil and methimazole.  Surgery, radioactive iodine or beta-blocker may also be an option, depending on your doctor’s advice.  There may be mild side effects but this tablet will slow down thyroid hormone production.  Thyroid medicines for hypothyroidism on the other hand would be hormone replacements.  Approved medication matching the natural thyroid hormone of the body is levothyroxine sodium.  Synthroid, Levoxyl and Levothroid are the common brands of levothyroxine.  These medicines are also given to thyroid cancer patients or any thyroid deficiencies.  Hypothyroidism patients must take levothyroxine in their entire lifespan to sustain the appropriate hormones for normal body functions.

Patients with thyroid problems must drink thyroid medicines out of doctors’ advice only.  They know what’s best for the patient especially when it comes to medicines.  Various drugs taken at a time may induce more health problems.  Some drugs can be taken after a designated time within the day, and some drugs taken longer than the prescribed time interval will definitely cause more health concerns.  There are specific medicines that you should drink at least four hours after taking any thyroid medications.  These are Calcium antacids, Iron and Calcium supplements, Questran, Colestid,, anti-cholesterol acid drugs, Carafate, Sulcrate, Amphogel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Phillips, Riopan, and Tums.  Do inform your doctor if ever you are drinking amphetamines, acetaminophens, anticoagulants, appetite suppressants, allergic asthma medicines, medicines for colds and allergy drops or sprays.  These meds may have some reactions to your thyroid meds that only the doctor knows how to deal with it.  Do not take thyroid problems lightly because even if your condition may not be that critical, improper medication practices may worsen the situation.

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The Vital Role Of Antihistamine To Vitamin C

May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Vitamin C commonly known as ascorbic acid is stored in the adrenal glands used by tissues in our body system.  We cannot produce this water soluble vitamin on our own.  The intake of vitamin C must be administered to get the right amount our body needs.  Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, an effective antioxidant or immune booster.  Vitamin C posseses the natural antihistamine that helps lessen sensitivity to allergies, decreases inflammation and also lessens the production of mucus.  Our bodies are always exposed to allergens that produce histamines.  Histamines cause swelling and leaking of body fluids, the reason behind sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and most common itching in any body part.  Deficiency in vitamin C is commonly called scurvy, with visible symptoms like mild anemia, bleeding, loose teeth, bruises and infection, usually suffered among adults without proper nutrition.  Scurvy can be fatal if not treated properly.

Sources of Vitamin C

The most basic, natural and inexpensive sources of Vitamin C are commonly found in all the famous and freshly picked produce, fruits and vegetables.

Fruits containing vitamin C are usually the citrus fruits like oranges, lemon, lime, calamansi, mandarin, pomelo, grape fruit and tangerine.  You can get the proper nutritional value of vitamin c when squeezing them for a soothing and refreshing glass of juice especially during hot seasons.  Adults and children must drink four to six ounces of fresh fruit juice daily to get the proper amount of vitamin c.   Other fruits rich in vitamin c are guavas, kiwi, papaya, strawberry, cantaloupe and raspberries.

Vegetables with rich vitamin c are raw red and yellow pepper, broccoli, Brussell sprouts, Spinach, cabbage, parsley, squash, romaine lettuce, carrot and cauliflower.  Tomatoes are considered as both fruit and vegetable.  The Vitamin C content in vegetables depends on growing climate, planting conditions and picking time.  For some vegetables, high dose of vitamin c is acquired when eaten raw.  Others must be cooked for a short period or low temperature leaving the water for the vegetable to absorb the food nutrients.  The substances that give fruits and vegetables their colors are called bioflavonoids.  If both fruits and vegetables are used together, our bodies will benefit with more nutritional values.

OTC(Over the counter) Antihistamine

Medicines we buy without a physician’s official prescription are called over the counter purchases.  Antihistamines that are bought over the counter are divided into two kinds.  The first generation and second generation kinds of antihistamine relieve pain and itch from allergies and colds.

The Side Effects of Antihistamine

Some antihistamines make you drowsy causing discomfort in driving or working with machines.  When you feel drowsy, it is difficult to stay alert and cannot focus with school or office work.  The eyes and mouth becomes dry with slight chest pains and slight to severe headaches.   A very helpful warning about antihistamines is that they can be harmful to the liver.  Side effects such as the above mentioned are usually experienced by children and adults who are not well.

Excessive antihistamine in the body is harmful to your health.  Seriously consult your physician before taking antihistamines if you have Glaucoma, urinary problems, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, thyroid dysfunction, high blood pressure, heart, liver or kidney disease.  Those taking in sleeping pills, sedatives or muscle relaxants must also consult with their doctors for possible chemical reactions of different medicines drank simultaneously.  The doctor’s advice will be most helpful so as not to aggravate any physical disabilities.  Excessive vitamin C or antihistamine can wipe out B12 in our system or result to bladder and kidney problems.  In some cases, it may cause diarrhea, calcium loss or even nosebleed.

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What Kind of Antihistamine Can Be Taken While Pregnant?

March 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Pregnant women who have allergies can stills suffer from the different signs and symptoms of allergies. The problem is pregnant woman preferably should not take any medication while pregnant to prevent any side effects on the baby. Unfortunately, in the case of food allergies, it is impossible to ignore the different allergic reactions. This is because when left untreated, allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition.

 

Antihistamines

 

When the immune system recognizes a foreign substance in the body, it releases histamines to fight the foreign body. Histamine can cause the symptoms of allergies such as runny nose, allergic rhinitis, hives and vasodilation. To combat the effects of histamines, drugs were created to inhibit its action. These histamine antagonists are known as antihistamines.  Antihistamines are the drug of choice for all kinds of allergies. Antihistamines are histamine antagonist. It works by stopping the histamine from binding to its receptors. H1 antihistamines are the ones usually used to treat allergy while H2 antihistamines are used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux.

 

Antihistamines just like other drugs have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach and restlessness. These side effects can disappear when the body gets used to the drug. Other side effects which are less common include blurred vision, difficulty urinating and dry mouth. Side effects of antihistamines which need immediate medical intervention are sweating, fever, chills, hallucinations, uncontrolled movements, rapid and irregular heartbeat, convulsions and fainting. If any of these side effects occur, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.

 

Antihistamines for pregnant women

What Kind of Antihistamine Can Be Taken While Pregnant? Is it safe for pregnant women to take antihistamines? These questions should be asked by every pregnant woman who has allergies. They should ask their doctor about this to make certain that they can deal with their allergies properly. Based on researches done, it is safe for women to take antihistamines but it should always be with the doctor’s permission. However, many obstetricians still recommend pregnant women to avoid taking any drugs including antihistamines during the first trimester. This is because the first three months of the fetus is very critical for the development of the fetus. When you really need to take antihistamines it is better to choose the second generations antihistamines. Brand names such as Loratadine, Claritin, Benadryl and Zyrtec can be taken only when necessary. In the case of Allegra and Clarinex, they should only be taken if the mom is willing to risk her baby. These two drugs are still prescribed sometimes when the benefits they bring outweighs the potential risk it poses to the fetus. Pregnant women should also choose antihistamines which belong to the Category B. This means that enough studies have been done to prove that the drug is safe from pregnant women. A category C rating means that the drug is probably safe. As much as possible avoid Category C drugs.

 

Considerations

It is understandable for pregnant women to take antihistamines considering the fact that allergic reactions can be very uncomfortable and painful. Since it is safe for pregnant women to take some antihistamines, they may do so. However, there are some considerations they should always remember. First, always check with your doctor before taking any drug. Even if you were taking the drug before you became pregnant, consult your doctor first. Increase your water intake if you are taking antihistamines to combat its side effects which include dry mouth. Do not take more than what your doctor recommended. In addition, you should call your doctor immediately when you do not feel good after taking the drug. Be aware of the expected side effects.

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Quinn Allergy Testing

February 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Allergy testing is very important for those who have a family history of allergy. It is very important for these people to know as much as they can about allergy. They should exert effort to know different allergies information such as allergies tests and treatments. These days there are many ways of testing allergies such as the Quinn allergy testing method.

 

Allergy testing

 

There are many ways to test allergy such as skin testing and blood testing. Skin testing is the most common and the most preferred method of diagnosing allergy. Skin testing is also called prick testing and puncture testing. In an allergy skin test, a minute amount of the allergen is placed on the skin, sometimes the allergens are injected under the skin (intradermal skin test). Skin testing is usually done on the back and forearms. After the introduction of the allergen, inflammatory reactions such as reddening of the skin and development of hives will occur after 30 minutes if the person is allergic to the allergen. Blood testing for allergies are also done such as radioallergosorbent test or RAST. There are also other kinds of tests such as patch tests, challenge tests and alternative allergy tests.

 

Quinn Allergy Test

 

Quinn allergy testing is being done at the Dr. Quinn ENT clinic. The clinic was established by Dr. Robert P. Quinn who is an ear, nose and throat specialist.  At Dr. Quinn ENT clinic, they also provide allergy treatments.

 

The Quinn allergy testing method can determine the allergen which triggers hypersensitivity reactions to an individual. It can also assess how severe the allergic reaction is for each patient. Allergy testing is done for allergies caused by food and air-borne allergens. The method used at Dr. Quinn ENT clinic is the skin-endpoint titration (SET) test. This is a kind of skin allergy test wherein minute amounts of the allergen antigen is injected into the upper arm. Skin irritation will occur when the person is allergic to the allergen. The severity of the allergic reaction is determined by the skin reaction. Aside from the SET test, patients can also use the RAST method which is also available at Dr. Quinn ENT clinic. In this test, the antibodies in the blood are measured to determine allergy through the use of radioactive substances.

 

The SET test is used for suspected food and airborne allergies. This test is done quickly and it is less painful. On the other hand, the RAST test is done for patients who know that they have severe allergic reactions to certain allergens.

 

Allergy Management and Treatment

As mentioned above, patients can also avail allergy management and treatment in this clinic. After the Quinn allergy testing, the management and treatment can be determined. There are many possible options presented to each patient to manage the allergy. For instance, medications such as nasal sprays and antihistamines are prescribed. Allergy shots are also given which can eliminate the allergy completely. This process is called immunotherapy. The clinic specializes in this kind of allergy treatment. Allergy sufferers are encouraged to visit Dr. Quinn ENT clinic if they are suffering from any kind of allergy. You can visit their website for more information.

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Food Allergies Technology: What To Eat and Not to Eat

February 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Based on the research and study that had been commissioned by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or NIAID, around five percent of the actual American population has allergies to certain kinds of food. This figure is way lower compared to thirty percent of Americans who think they are allergic to some foods. The reason to this misconception is the inaccuracy of the result from skin tests which is normally done to check what food really causes the allergy. Now, with food allergies technology, allergy test results are more reliable and accurate.

Some food allergies technology experts uses a technology where cells of the person believed to have food allergy is examined. The result of the tests done with this technology is very much precise that it is now being used by most. These type of tests are usually used to people with allergy from milk and peanuts.

With the old food intolerance tests, more often than not, the results are circumstantial but with the use of the latest food allergies technology, one is able to find out the exact food that causes the allergic reaction or whether it is really food allergy or not. The most common kinds of food allergies are eggs, peanuts and milk and soy allergies. These types of food allergies affect about six to eight percent of children just in the US alone.

But why do some people’s bodies react on certain kinds of foods? This is because the human body sometimes takes in food which is deemed by it as a harmful thing and leads to rashes, breathing difficulties, hives and distress in the intestines. While there are some allergies which do not need immediate cure, there are some allergic reactions that need to be given attention immediately since they can pose danger to one’s life.

Traditionally, food sensitivity test done with the examination of the blood can still give false results since the skin reddens as the antibodies’ reaction to allergens applied on the patient’s skin thus mistaken to be the cause of the allergy. But with the food allergies technology, antibodies are not detected but the cells are exposed to different types of possible allergens to find out what really causes the allergy. The cells secrete cytokine which will point out what had been the cause of the allergy.

It may seem funny for some that certain individuals are allergic to even the most basic forms of food like egg and milk. The top eight allergens are dairy, wheat, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy and tree nuts. So when your kids suddenly develop rushes or breathing difficulties after taking in any of these foods mentioned, have an allergy test done on them the soonest possible.

To avoid the recurrence of taking in food that you or your kids are allergic of, always read the label when buying packed foods. Be this a rule of the thumb. You can’t compromise your health or any of your family member’s with your being too lax with food labels.

Food sure is one of the best things in life but it too can be the cause of danger to you if you aren’t familiar with what you should and could never eat. Thanks to food allergies technology, there would be no more misdiagnosis.

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Learn About the Safety of 24 Hour Antihistamine for Children

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many children are susceptible to different kinds of allergies because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. They can suffer from medication allergies, food allergies and other kinds of allergies. To help children and parents deal with allergy, scientists and drug manufacturers came up with 24 hour antihistamine for children. However, some people question the safety of 24 hour antihistamine for children. Antihistamines are the most common medicine used to combat histamine which is produced by the immune system whenever the body detects a foreign body. Histamines can cause allergic reactions.

Since it is impossible to ensure that children are not exposed to allergens, it is better to have antihistamines at all times for emergency cases. Antihistamines are available in many forms. These days we can buy antihistamine decongestant, antihistamine cream, antihistamine nasal spray and so on. The side effects of antihistamine include sedation or drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, skin hypersensitivity and headache. Topical antihistamines should not be given to people with skin eczema because it can cause more skin irritations.

Examples of 24 hour antihistamines are Alavert, Claritin Hives Relief, Dimetapp ND, Claritin 24 Hour Allergy, and Claritin Reditab. Although antihistamines are used to fight allergic reactions, some people can also develop allergic reactions to antihistamines. Therefore questioning the safety antihistamine for children is logical because of its side effects and adverse effects.

Parents should be concerned about the administration of antihistamine to their children because there may some side effects that can be triggered. They should always consult their doctors about any drug before giving it to their children. These days, there are many fake antihistamines in the market. Even if the antihistamine is genuine, you should still consult your doctor regarding the safety of 24 hour antihistamine for children.

There are many online sites these days claiming to sell effective and real 24 hour antihistamines at a lower price. Although some sites are legitimate and the drugs they are selling are real, you should be very careful when buying from online sites. Parents should always remember that they are risking the health and safety of their children when they give them antihistamines they got from unreliable sellers.

Parents should not be tempted by the much cheaper price being offered by some companies or online sites because if their children develop any adverse reaction to the drug, it can cause more problems and possibly, it can harm their children. Many people claim that 24 hour antihistamines are very effective and convenient especially for seasonal allergies.

It is very difficult to protect children from airborne allergens. Fortunately, 24 hour antihistamines can help in alleviating allergy attacks which is very convenient for many allergy sufferers. This means that they can go out and do their daily activities allergy free. When it comes to medications, being cautious is always good. Parents who always consider the safety of 24 hour antihistamine for children and other drugs for that matter are doing their job in making sure that their children do not suffer from any adverse and side effects of drugs.

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