Indoor Allergens


Book Description

More than 50 million Americans, one out of five, suffer from hay fever, asthma, and other allergic diseases. Many of these conditions are caused by exposure to allergens in indoor environments such as the house, work, and schoolâ€"where we spend as much as 98 percent of our time. Developed by medical, public health, and engineering professionals working together, this unique volume summarizes what is known about indoor allergens, how they affect human health, the magnitude of their effect on various populations, and how they can be controlled. The book addresses controversies, recommends research directions, and suggests how to assist and educate allergy patients, as well as professionals. Indoor Allergens presents a wealth of information about common indoor allergens and their varying effects, from significant hay fever to life-threatening asthma. The volume discusses sources of allergens, from fungi and dust mites to allergenic chemicals, plants, and animals, and examines practical measures for their control. Indoor Allergens discusses how the human airway and immune system respond to inhaled allergens and assesses patient testing methods, covering the importance of the patient's medical history and outlining procedures and approaches to interpretation for skin tests, in vitro diagnostic tests, and tests of patients' pulmonary function. This comprehensive and practical volume will be important to allergists and other health care providers; public health professionals; specialists in building design, construction, and maintenance; faculty and students in public health; and interested allergy patients.




Common Indoor Allergies - Triggers, Treatments, and More


Book Description

Common Indoor Allergies - Triggers, Treatments, and More Navigate the world of indoor allergies with Common Indoor Allergies - Triggers, Treatments, and More. This comprehensive guide offers a detailed examination of common indoor allergens, their triggers, and effective treatment strategies to help you manage and alleviate symptoms. In this book, you'll explore: Identifying Indoor Allergens: Learn about the most common indoor allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, including dust mites, pet dander, mold, and cockroach droppings. The book provides insights into how these allergens are present in indoor environments and their impact on health. Common Symptoms: Understand the symptoms associated with indoor allergies, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and respiratory issues. The book describes how these symptoms can affect daily life and overall well-being. Triggers and Sources: Discover the sources and triggers of indoor allergens. The book explains how factors such as humidity, poor ventilation, and inadequate cleaning can contribute to allergen buildup and exacerbate symptoms. Diagnosis and Testing: Explore the diagnostic process for indoor allergies, including allergy tests, medical evaluations, and symptom assessments. The book outlines how to identify specific allergens and differentiate between indoor and outdoor allergy triggers. Treatment Options: Learn about various treatment strategies for managing indoor allergies. The book covers both pharmacological options, such as antihistamines and nasal sprays, and non-pharmacological approaches, including allergen avoidance and environmental controls. Home Environment Management: Gain practical advice on managing indoor allergens in your living space. The book includes tips on cleaning routines, air quality improvement, and allergen-proofing techniques to reduce exposure and alleviate symptoms. Preventive Measures: Discover preventive measures to minimize the risk of indoor allergies. The book provides guidance on maintaining a healthy indoor environment, using air purifiers, controlling indoor humidity, and reducing allergen sources. Lifestyle and Self-Care: Explore lifestyle changes and self-care practices that can support allergy management. The book offers tips on creating an allergy-friendly home, managing stress, and adopting habits that promote overall health and well-being. Common Indoor Allergies - Triggers, Treatments, and More is an essential resource for anyone dealing with indoor allergies. With clear explanations and practical advice, this book equips readers with the knowledge needed to identify, manage, and alleviate indoor allergy symptoms effectively. Whether you're seeking to improve your home environment or find effective treatment options, this guide provides valuable information and support for better allergy management.




The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies


Book Description

Many common health problems can be treated with simple remedies you can do at home. Even if the steps you take don't cure the problem, they can relieve symptoms and allow you to go about your daily life, or at least help you until you're able to see a doctor. Some remedies, such as changing your diet to deal with heartburn or adapting your home environment to cope with chronic pain, may seem like common sense. You may have questions about when to apply heat or cold to injuries, what helps relieve the itch of an insect bite, or whether certain herbs, vitamins or minerals are really effective against the common cold or insomnia. You'll find these answers and more in Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. In situations involving your health or the health of your family, the same questions typically arise: What actions can I take that are immediate, safe and effective? When should I contact my doctor? What symptoms signal an emergency? Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies clearly defines these questions with regard to your health concerns and guides you to choose the appropriate and most effective response.




Types of Allergies - 7 Common Triggers, Symptoms, and More


Book Description

Types of Allergies - 7 Common Triggers, Symptoms, and More Explore the diverse world of allergies with Types of Allergies - 7 Common Triggers, Symptoms, and More. This informative guide provides a comprehensive overview of seven common allergy triggers, detailing their symptoms, causes, and effective management strategies. Whether you're seeking to understand your own allergies or those of a loved one, this book offers essential insights and practical advice. In this book, you'll explore: Introduction to Allergies: Gain a foundational understanding of allergies, including how they develop and the immune system's role in allergic reactions. The book sets the stage for exploring specific allergy triggers and their effects on health. Pollen Allergies: Learn about pollen allergies, including the different types of pollen (e.g., tree, grass, weed) and their seasonal variations. The book covers symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose, and provides tips for managing and preventing pollen-related reactions. Dust Mite Allergies: Discover the impact of dust mites on allergy sufferers. The book details symptoms such as sneezing, asthma, and nasal congestion, and offers practical advice for reducing dust mite exposure through cleaning and home management. Pet Allergies: Understand the triggers and symptoms associated with pet allergies, including reactions to pet dander, saliva, and urine. The book provides strategies for managing pet allergies, including allergen-reducing practices and considerations for pet owners. Mold Allergies: Explore how mold spores contribute to allergy symptoms and the types of mold commonly found indoors. The book offers advice on reducing mold exposure, managing symptoms, and improving indoor air quality. Food Allergies: Delve into common food allergies, including nuts, dairy, and shellfish. The book provides information on recognizing symptoms, diagnosing food allergies, and managing them through dietary changes and allergen avoidance. Insect Sting Allergies: Learn about allergies to insect stings, such as those from bees, wasps, and hornets. The book covers symptoms of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and offers guidance on prevention and emergency management. Drug Allergies: Discover the impact of drug allergies, including reactions to medications such as antibiotics and pain relievers. The book provides insights into recognizing drug allergy symptoms, managing reactions, and working with healthcare providers to avoid future issues. Treatment and Management: Explore various treatment options for managing allergies, including medications, allergen avoidance, and lifestyle changes. The book includes practical advice on working with healthcare professionals and developing an allergy management plan. Living with Allergies: Gain strategies for living a full and active life despite allergies. The book offers tips on navigating social situations, managing allergies at home and work, and finding support resources. Types of Allergies - 7 Common Triggers, Symptoms, and More is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and manage allergies. With clear explanations, practical advice, and expert insights, this book provides essential information for improving allergy management and enhancing quality of life.




Indoor Allergens


Book Description

More than 50 million Americans, one out of five, suffer from hay fever, asthma, and other allergic diseases. Many of these conditions are caused by exposure to allergens in indoor environments such as the house, work, and schoolâ€"where we spend as much as 98 percent of our time. Developed by medical, public health, and engineering professionals working together, this unique volume summarizes what is known about indoor allergens, how they affect human health, the magnitude of their effect on various populations, and how they can be controlled. The book addresses controversies, recommends research directions, and suggests how to assist and educate allergy patients, as well as professionals. Indoor Allergens presents a wealth of information about common indoor allergens and their varying effects, from significant hay fever to life-threatening asthma. The volume discusses sources of allergens, from fungi and dust mites to allergenic chemicals, plants, and animals, and examines practical measures for their control. Indoor Allergens discusses how the human airway and immune system respond to inhaled allergens and assesses patient testing methods, covering the importance of the patient's medical history and outlining procedures and approaches to interpretation for skin tests, in vitro diagnostic tests, and tests of patients' pulmonary function. This comprehensive and practical volume will be important to allergists and other health care providers; public health professionals; specialists in building design, construction, and maintenance; faculty and students in public health; and interested allergy patients.




Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy


Book Description

Over the past 20 years, public concerns have grown in response to the apparent rising prevalence of food allergy and related atopic conditions, such as eczema. Although evidence on the true prevalence of food allergy is complicated by insufficient or inconsistent data and studies with variable methodologies, many health care experts who care for patients agree that a real increase in food allergy has occurred and that it is unlikely to be due simply to an increase in awareness and better tools for diagnosis. Many stakeholders are concerned about these increases, including the general public, policy makers, regulatory agencies, the food industry, scientists, clinicians, and especially families of children and young people suffering from food allergy. At the present time, however, despite a mounting body of data on the prevalence, health consequences, and associated costs of food allergy, this chronic disease has not garnered the level of societal attention that it warrants. Moreover, for patients and families at risk, recommendations and guidelines have not been clear about preventing exposure or the onset of reactions or for managing this disease. Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy examines critical issues related to food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergy and its impact on affected individuals, families, and communities; and current understanding of food allergy as a disease, and in diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and public policy. This report seeks to: clarify the nature of the disease, its causes, and its current management; highlight gaps in knowledge; encourage the implementation of management tools at many levels and among many stakeholders; and delineate a roadmap to safety for those who have, or are at risk of developing, food allergy, as well as for others in society who are responsible for public health.




Middleton's Allergy


Book Description

This best-selling resource has a worldwide reputation as the leader in its field. Focusing on human immunology and biology, while also reporting on scientific experimentation and advancement, it provides comprehensive coverage of state-of-the-art basic science as well as authoritative guidance on the practical aspects of day-to-day diagnosis and management. This new edition includes 700 full-color illustrations and a new, more accessible format to make finding information a snap for the busy practitioner. And this Expert Consult Edition offers online access to the complete contents of the 2-volume set, fully searchable, and much more. Includes a glossary of allergy and immunology for quick and easy reference. Contains keypoints and clinical pearls highlighted to find important information quickly. links to useful online resources both for you and for your patients. Offers contributions from hundreds of international authorities for world-class expertise in overcoming any clinical challenge.




The New Allergy Solution


Book Description

One of America’s top allergy doctors offers a revolutionary, full-body approach to diagnosing, preventing, and treating allergies—in many cases, for good. Millions of Americans currently suffer from allergies, and the rate is growing. Climate change, globalization, air pollution, and oversanitization of the environment in the early years of life are just a few of the causes that, taken together, have introduced new allergens into our environment that are wreaking havoc and causing needless suffering. This “new allergen marketplace” requires a new allergy solution. According to Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, traditional remedies focus on treating symptoms but leave allergy sufferers vulnerable to continued bouts of misery. Dr. Bassett argues that when we consider a person’s genetics, environment, and overall health, we can more effectively identify—and take appropriate action to forestall—symptoms before they even begin. For the first time, Dr. Bassett presents the unique, integrative approach he’s used in his Manhattan offices for two decades to vanquish allergy symptoms for countless individuals. In addition to explaining what allergy is (and isn’t) and identifying key triggers—from nuts to gluten to the nickel commonly used in cell phones—Dr. Bassett offers both medical and nonmedical alternatives to treatment, and specific, proactive steps to protect against common allergens. Allergens are here to stay, but with The New Allergy Solution, your life need no longer be ruled and ruined by allergy. The New Allergy Solution strives to enhance your well-being through strategies for a greater sense of control, giving you more freedom to do what you love.




Damp Indoor Spaces and Health


Book Description

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.




Housing and Asthma


Book Description

Asthma is on the rise in a number of countries, in this volume Howieson asks what role the built environment has to play and what the construction industry can do to either slow the increase or reverse the trend. Based on the findings of a six-year research project, this book considers all aspects of housing to develop new strategies for dealing with the asthma pandemic in Britain and beyond. With the focus on the design and use pattern of our dwellings, the book looks at tackling the problems inherent in existing housing as well as forging guiding principles for the design of new dwellings, together with a financial assessment of the proposals.