The Filipino Friends Blog

Daily Secret Teachings ~

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From The Secret Daily Teachings

When you exist in the great state of gratitude, you become a person who only wants to give. You become so grateful that it takes over your life, and you can’t find enough opportunities in a day to give. You give joy, you give love, you give money, you give appreciation, you give compliments, and you give kindness. You give the best of yourself in your job, in your relationships, and to strangers.

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret… bringing joy to billions

5 Myths About Allergies

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Read this myths below about allergies myths courtesy of REAL AGE article. Thanks to them I thought I would share this fact-finding information.

5 Myths About Allergies

Not everything you hear about allergies is true. There are a handful of myths. Fall for them and you might head down the wrong treatment path — one that leads away from the relief you need. Common myths might also spur you to make ineffective changes to your environment or lifestyle. The fix: Ask your family doctor or immunologist about any new medications, home remedies, or lifestyle changes you’ve heard about before you try them.

Here are some common myths to ask your doctor about: 

Myth #1: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and decongestants work as well as prescription ones.

Fact: Doctors can prescribe a wider array of medications than what you’ll find on drugstore shelves, including potentially stronger anti-inflammatories and antihistamines with fewer side effects (e.g., drowsiness). Here’s a rundown of the common types of allergy medications.

Myth #2: You should take medication only when you have symptoms.

Fact: Sure, antihistamines can help relieve symptoms after they start, but because they’re designed to short-circuit allergy-inducing histamine, you really should take them before symptoms become full-blown. Learn why avoiding allergy triggers is the best way to prevent symptoms.

Myth #3: OTC decongestants are addictive.

Fact: Not exactly. But when you use decongestants sprays for more than a few days, the effects wear off more quickly, so you need more medicine to get the same relief. Plus, using decongestants for longer than three consecutive days can sometimes cause rebound congestion. Try one of these natural remedies to relieve your symptoms.

Myth #4: You have to give up your pet. 

Fact: Love your pet but hate your allergies? Immunotherapy (allergy shots) — along with smart lifestyle strategies — can significantly reduce your exposure to allergy-inducing pet dander. While this combo treatment may not work for all pet-loving allergy sufferers, it does work for many. Give these smart strategies a go to reduce your exposure to allergy aggravators, including pet dander.

Myth #5: Moving to a dry climate will eliminate your allergies.

Fact: Arid, desert climates in the Southwest may not have many of the tree pollens found in the East and Midwest, but they do have a variety of allergy-triggering ragweed and grass pollens. Sufferers who move to the desert may trade one kind of trigger for another. Learn about the most common types of grass and tree pollens, and when they’re abundant.

Get a Jump on Spring Allergy Season!

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Here are some suggestions on how to get ready for the allergy seasons. Take control, don’t let the allergies get you down or control YOU!! ENJOY!  Thank you to REAL AGE for providing this article for us!

Get a Jump on Spring Allergy Season
Spring is in the air. And so is pollen. Not a good time if you suffer from seasonal allergies.  If you have year-round allergies, this time of year you can add pollen and outdoor mold to the list of triggers (e.g., dust mites and pet dander) that can stir up your nasal allergy symptoms. Solution: Prevent symptoms from flaring by preparing for allergy season in advance.

3-Step Seasonal Allergy Plan

Take a proactive approach to prevent — or at least minimize — your seasonal symptoms, starting with this 3-step allergy-prevention plan:

Test for triggers. If you’re not certain what triggers your nasal allergy symptoms, ask your doctor for an allergy test — even if you’ve had one before. Your triggers can change over time, so it can’t hurt to take it again. Two kinds of tests — the skin prick test and the antibody blood test — are available to help your doc more precisely pinpoint your triggers, prescribe the right medication, and help you avoid the substances that spark your symptoms.

Keep a symptom journal. If you haven’t already, start a symptom journal and note any changes — for better or worse — both prior to and during springtime allergy season. This will help you determine whether you suffer from perennial (year-round) allergies, seasonal allergies, or both. Note all the ways your allergies impact your life, including your mood, concentration, productivity, sleep, and energy levels.

Live an allergy-soothing lifestyle. It’s harder to cope with nasal allergy symptoms if you’re frequently stressed or engaged in less-than-healthy habits. Give yourself a fighting chance this allergy season by eating a nutritious and diverse diet, exercising daily, getting plenty of sleep, and using stress-management techniques.

Take Charge

Don’t let year-round or seasonal allergies control your life. Take charge, get tested, and work with your doctor to find the best medication and take better care of your overall health.