With dry weather in some parts of our nation and some big summer storms, which dropped significant rainfall we will see a robust Spring Season and of course this causes issues with folks with allergies or Asthma every year. The pollen in the air will be a tough go for many people and most Americans do not eat so well and more and more seem to have allergies due to this fact.

Of course there are so many products on the market to help us from this and you can go down any Super Market or Super Wal-Mart Allergy Medicine isle and see all the products to calm our allergies.

Indeed pharmaceutical companies know this is a huge concern to you and I; and they therefore make a small fortune off the allergies market here in the United States and around the world. Many folks need these medicines to get through such seasons or they are simply miserable. Miserable people, coughing and sneezing do not make good friends often and so we all need to be a little more understanding during these seasons.

Aspirin is the useful medication which is used in the patients for treatment by reducing the inflammations and pain. Originally it is derived from the plants extracts. Nowadays, aspirin is prepared up synthetically. numerous of alike artificial, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicine with alike properties are as well available.

Well Aspirin allergy might occur due to various reasons from mild to the severe allergic reaction to aspirin could occur. The common Symptoms that may occur are flushing, blocked, itchy rashes, soft noses and sometimes severe difficulty while breathing or could cause asthma, generally in an hour of intake of the tablet. The treatment is possible but the Testing for the aspirin allergy is very difficult as why the allergic reaction to the aspirin and identical correlated pain-killers take place is very uncertain. Whereas there are no such dependable blood test and skin allergy test that has been confirmed to be so useful for excluding or confirming allergy to these medicine. The common and only method to do is to do the graded open confront under the strict checkup supervision. The Challenge checkup is not forever necessary but might sometimes be recommend to confirm that the sensitivity exist, or to show the security of the unrelated drug.

Most of the patients experience from the nasal polyps, aspirin allergy and asthma, a situation commonly known as aspirin triad. Most of the Aspirin allergy develops in the later years of life, even if previously it has been well tolerated. Frequently asthma is the later beginning as well and every sufferer might not be that allergic to the inhale allergen like the dust mite, moulds, animals and the pollens. Most of the Patients with this state produce the increased amount of leucotrienes. The Leucotrienes are the inflammatory chemical that is produced by the white cells which could increase the inflammation of the nose, lungs, and sinuses and may trigger up on the gooey noses and wheezing, As a result it worsens up to asthma and in the form of accelerated polyp growth.

If the aspirin has problematic results in the patients there are other medicines that might also be supportive we also come over the asthma medication known as the anti-leucotrienes as for example accolade, Singular that could also be used up in this circumstances. Unluckily, they are at present very expensive. The Side-effects of the aspirin desensitization could result in Stomach Irritation, bleeding at elevated doses, ulceration and Tinnitus “ringing of the ears are rare”, easy bruising are the common form.

Supplements that are used for weight loss are commonly known as anorexiants. All of these weight loss supplements are considered to be potentially effective and safe when used correctly and properly. To make weight loss supplements more effective, users usually associate it with a proper weight loss programs that include exercise, mental motivation and proper diet.

However, the long term efficiency of weight loss supplements has not yet been established. Their efficiency can produce quick results but they can also diminish overtime. Many users tend to increase dosage intake. The supplements then end up becoming harmful and dangerous to their overall health.

None of these weight loss supplements may deal with the underlying cause of an individual suffering with obesity not unless with the proper medication and instructions by a physician.

It is still advised by many health experts that natural method is still the best and healthy way in losing excess weight. To give you an idea of what supplements are appropriate for weight loss, here are some examples of weight loss supplements.

1. Orlistat more known as Xenical supplements can help reduce at least 25 percent of the excess weight on obese patients. They can also show efficiency on long term maintenance in sustaining body weight. It has also the capabilities to reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol from foods.

2. Sibrutamine or Meredia is used to keep brain chemicals such as norepinephrine and serotonin in balance. Thus, increasing your body metabolism and keeping your body stay active and alive. Medical studies have proven that sibutramine helps effectively in losing weight and maintaining the body weight.

3. Sympathomimetics supplements are usually known to be stress releasing agents. They are non addictive and are proven to be safer compared to amphetamines that make your blood pressure rise. They can assure weight loss quickly. Other known Sympathomimetics supplements are phentermine, phendimetrazine, mazindol, and diethylpropion.

4. Amphetamines are more common in the past years. Today, they are no longer prescribed for weight loss. They have side effects to elevate behavioral tendencies and may cause serious addiction and insomnia.

5. Accomplia is one of the latest diet supplement drug just released recently. It can help an individual to quit smoking and reduce fat by prohibiting the circuitry of the brain that enables an individual to crave for food and other unhealthy habits.

6. The weight loss supplement Naltrexone or Trexan can block the euphoria of drug dependent users. It is also being experimented for those people who binge most of the time. The effects are really promising and it has no side effects for people who do not binge. It is only available through injection.

You can also find dietary teas and herbal supplements that may contain laxatives. However, they have side effects that can cause gastrointestinal problems. In cases where it is overused, it may lead to constipation, dehydration and even death. People should take extra caution when they prefer using weight loss supplements. It is advisable that you consult your physician before using any kind of weight loss supplements.

As the human body grows old, the balance between the fats and muscles revolutionize. After reaching the age of 25, people tend to lose as much as 5% of their muscles every decade. And if people will not try to maintain fitness, they will build up more fats than muscles.

So the idea now is to learn how to lose weight and gain muscles instead. To help you out, here are some tips for losing weight and building muscle.

1. Exercise regularly

If you want to tone down your muscles in a specific area and would want to lose those fats, it is still important that you undergo "overall conditioning" programs. In this way, you lose fats and build muscles evenly.

Moreover, exercise should be on a regular basis. With a regular exercise, you can build lean body muscles and lose fatty tissues all at the same time. Hence, you do not lose those muscles and accumulate fats.

2. Count calories

The only problem with caloric intake is that some health professionals have falsely created a concept regarding the control of caloric intake in order to lose weight.

Losing weight is not all about control and restrictions but more on counting the amount of calories you have taken in. Besides, learning how to count calories will allow you to make better food choices.

3. Be realistic

Building muscles and losing weight do not pose any difference when it comes to the required period to achieve good results. Losing weight and building muscles fast does not mean a month or two weight loss and body building program. It can be longer.

Hence, do not be discourage if you cannot see any results after working out for almost a month. Besides, perseverance really pays off. So if you really want to lose weight and build your muscles fast, use an effective strategy and the best work out program.

Have you ever watched guys in the gym? Of course you have! We've all seen them strutting over to the squat rack or bench press and try to lift so much weight that we think their eyeballs might pop out of their heads from the strain. Although we may silently snicker at their obvious attempts to impress us with their brute strength, we can take away something very valuable from their approach to a weight lifting routine.

Guys generally have a "get it done and move on" attitude that they apply to most things in life including their weight lifting routine. Women, on the other hand, tend to dither around and analyze everything to the point of driving themselves mad. So how can we apply a guy's easy going attitude to reap the maximum benefit for our own fitness goals?

Learn How to Lift like a Guy!

That's right! Elbow your way over to the big free weights and dig in just like he does. While you might not be able to lift as much as your guy, you can certainly enjoy the two-fold benefit of lifting like a guy.

More muscle mass and less body fat.

More muscle mass will use more calories at rest and that can equate to less overall body fat. Don't worry about lifting heavy weights and becoming a muscle bound beast because women's bodies simply don't produce enough testosterone to create muscle mass on par with Hulk Hogan. Women bodybuilders with huge muscle mass are supporting that mass with anabolic steroids, so unless that's the look you're going for, it simply won't be a problem. In the world of natural womens fitness, a weight lifting routine with emphasis on heavy weights will only result in less body fat and beautiful, sexy curves.

Spend less time in the gym.

By applying the "get it done and move on" attitude to your weight lifting routine, you can reap maximum benefit in less time. Guys tend to go for compound exercises that work more than one body part at a time and they lift enough weight that their muscles fatigue in a shorter amount of time. The result? More muscle mass in less time! Pick a compound exercise and use enough weight that completing one set of 8 to 10 reps is a challenge. Rest for 30 to 60 seconds then try to do one more set of 8 to 10 reps. Don't freak out if you can't complete the entire second set. That only means that your muscles are sufficiently fatigued. Move on because you're done with that exercise.

Whey protein supplements are safe and used casually by people for an additional method of antioxidant intake to bodybuilders with a conscious effort of weight gain. Whey is best know for its ability to assist in building muscle mass. Increased muscle mass also produces weight gain as muscle out weighs fat. Body builders work extremely hard at turning that additional weight gain into a ripped body.

The weight gained from whey protein supplements should be managed through a ridged workout schedule combined with a formatted protein diet. By following a regulated workout routine, the increased muscle mass can produce awesome results. You must stick with the exercise and workout routine to prevent the possible heavy weight gain from ending up in places you rather it not be. Stay driven and the whey protein drinks and bars will pay off.

Because whey protein supplements can produce negative effects when not properly managed through a good diet and exercise program, it is advised to seek advice on your whey protein diet. Bodybuilding trainers and diet professionals can provide answers to whether or not a protein diet is right for you. Remember, most name brand manufacturers have websites. They normally reply to any email question concerning their products.

NOTE: It is advised to consult a health care practitioner before starting any diet.

To see the possible results of whey protein supplements, you should visit a local gym. Talk to the manager and find a few regulars that maintain a thorough workout program. Without getting to personal, you can ask about their consumption of whey protein supplements. You will surely find that many combine whey protein with a ridged workout schedule to cultivate weight gain and turn it into ripped muscle mass. remaining devoted to the program is generally the answer to how they get positive results.

Devotedness to the routine as well as to the supplements remains at the top of the success factor list. Anaerobic workouts are used for sculpting the abs, pectorals, triceps and deltoids. Remember, you will not get the body of the hulk by consuming whey protein and talking about circuit training. You must stay devoted to the workout program as well as the protein diet.

It should not be an issue finding the right workout program and protein diet for you. Determine what you goal is and your available time. Set a schedule and stick to it. Devotion is the name of the game. Continue working out no matter what supplement you decide on. The proper workout routine combined with whey protein supplements will provide you with the ability to develop the ripped body of your dreams.

A dedicated electrical outlet is strongly recommended for an infrared sauna in most manuals. Infrared sauna heaters consume a lot of electrical power (although less than a steam sauna heater), and improper power supply increases risks of damage to your home and health (i.e. by inflammation). Quality electrical wiring and outlets help to reduce these risks to a minimum.

The best solution is to ask a professional electrician to install a dedicated outlet for you. However if you have skill and knowledge you can do it yourself. Here is a list of things you should think of:

* Check the outlet type your sauna requires. Most probably it will be 120V 15Amp, but it can be 120V 20Amp, 240V 15Amp or 240V 20Amp, also some infrared sauna models can require two electrical outlets instead of one. Non-US readers should look on the outlet types that are common in their country.

* Choose a right cable to power an outlet. You should check that wire section and insulation are enough for required voltage. If the cable will be too thin it can heat up and even inflame.

* Consider the possibility of putting a wire in a wire way. Especially if you have home animals who can bite the exposed wire.

* Consider the possibility of using GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet. It will protect you from short circuit and ground fault while operating your sauna. It is often required by law in possibly wet places such as a bathroom or outdoors.

* You may want to install an additional switch to turn your sauna off. Check if your sauna has an on/off switch. If it hasn’t, then you can find it convenient to install one, so you will be able to turn the sauna off completely.

* Check before and after. Before installing an outlet check that all components you have (outlets, switches, wires) don’t have any type of defects. Re-check when you finish, there can be damage you’ve done while working.

Treadmills have long been a favorite choice of exercise equipment in both homes and gyms. Other forms of exercise equipment come and go, but the treadmill has never lost its popularity. Thanks to its versatility and simple design, it is sure to remain at the top of the list for the best way to get and stay in shape.

Why has the Treadmill Remained so Popular?

There are many reasons for its continuing popularity. One of these reasons is that treadmills are suitable for just about everyone. From reformed couch potatoes to hard-core athletes, everyone who uses a treadmill can reap from its many benefits. Other reasons include:

Ease of use-There's nothing complicated about operating it. Just step on and start walking.

The ability to quickly change levels of exertion. No matter what your fitness level, you can easily change from a stroll to a hard jog with ease. This makes it great for the whole family.

Size-Many treadmills are foldable and fit easily in small rooms.

What are the Benefits of Using a Treadmill?

Walking is a great form of exercise. Doctors and fitness experts recommend walking as one of the best exercises for people of all different fitness levels. It helps you lose weight, strengthens your heart and joints and builds muscle. It's also great for pregnant women and people who have other health issues that might make it difficult to use other forms of equipment. Of course, you can always go outside to walk but there are many benefits to walking on a treadmill as opposed to walking outside. These include:

Never having to worry about the weather.
A constant smooth walking surface.
Treadmills keep you moving at a steady pace.
You can do other things while you use it, like watch television, read or talk on the phone.

What Type of Treadmill Should You Buy?

There are many types of treadmills, from simple walking machines to state of the art equipment. The important things to look for are:

Reliable motors. Make sure the motor is "Continuous Duty" as opposed to "Peak Duty". The Peak Duty motors do not ensure an ideal performance rate. It is also best to get a machine with a large motor, since they last longer.

The treadmill should be sturdy and durable. Test it before you buy it.

Make sure it has a good Warranty.
Make sure it has good safety features.
Make sure the speed range and incline are suitable for your needs.
Measure the space that you are going to put it in. If you're going to have to move it, get a foldable one with wheels.
Decide if you really need extra features like cup holders and built in televisions. This will help you save money.

Studies have shown that meditation can help improve a person's energy and can even put them in a calmer state. However, the benefits of meditation can only be realized when it is done properly.

There are two common meditation techniques. These techniques are best practiced an hour before a person goes to sleep.

The first one concerns mindful meditation. The first step in this technique is to find a quiet and comfortable area where meditation can take place. This is important because it will build the overall mood of the activity. Once a place has been found, the person should sit flat on the floor with his or her head preferably placed against the wall. Afterwards, the person should start focusing on his or her breathing. In doing this, he or she has to observe the gush of air through his or her nostrils and the rise and fall of his or her stomach. The changes in the patterns of breathing should be given careful attention.

During this time, the person may feel that certain things may begin to bother him or her. These may actually be worries about what would happen tomorrow or what has happened in the past. The person, should by no means, try to suppress these thoughts. Just let them pass by and if a certain thought brings the person's mind somewhere else, try to refocus the mind on the breathing pattern. Do this for about thirty minutes until such time when the breathing pattern has been given primary attention. Once relieved, gradually return the focus to the present events and slowly stand up.

The next meditation technique involves relaxation. Just like mindful meditation, a quiet and comfortable place is also necessary. The process begins with the person sitting down and trying to relax his or her muscles. Once relaxed, the person can start thinking of words or phrase that bring joyful emotions to him or her. Alternatively, a person can use the words "Ham Sah," which is a Sanskrit statement that means "I am that." While repeating the chosen statement, try to focus on the breathing pattern. Do this for up to thirty minutes. Once focus has been lost because of a certain thought, simply go back to the chosen statement and begin giving attention to the breathing pattern again. The process ends once the person feels calm and totally relaxed.

There are still other meditation techniques available. Some are specific to certain types of meditation like Taoist meditation. But all these techniques have the same aim, and that is to put a person in a more relaxed and peaceful state.

The busy lifestyles of people today have paved the way for the rise in popularity of meditation. It is a pleasant way of quieting the minds of people who are constantly exposed to noise and stress.

The whole objective of meditation is to allow people to concentrate their senses on one particular element. This can be their breathing, their sight or the sounds they hear. According to Dr. Joan Borysenko, a mind and body medical specialist, meditation can refer to any activity that focuses the mind on the present. This can refer to any activity that frees a person from the fears of the past or worries of the future.

There are two basic approaches to meditation. The first is called concentrative meditation. It involves focusing the mind to one particular natural element such as sound or breathing. It can be comparable to a camera lens that has the ability to zoom in on a particular object. A famous example of concentrative meditation is breathing meditation. Here, a person tries to concentrate on his or her breathing until such a time when it becomes slow and calm. This state of breathing reflects a relaxed consciousness, one that is free from any anxieties or worries.

The second approach to meditation is called mindfulness meditation. Unlike concentrative meditation, the aim of mindfulness meditation is for the person to be able to pay attention to every detail of his or her surroundings. However, the challenge is for the person not to react to any of these happenings. The idea is to just let these things pass by the person's mind, like a wind that smoothly swifts through the air.

Meditation is known to bring a lot of benefits to an individual. For instance, it has been found that it can improve a person's breathing and pulse rate. It also sharpens people's reaction to their surroundings, making them more alert to various factors in their environment.

This is the common perception of Knee Osteoarthritis in our country where Primary Hip Osteoarthritis is rare. However in the recent past, it has been realized that not only are the elderly at definite risk of Osteoarthritis but many more of the middle aged and even young. Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of joint disease (arthritis) and is a leading cause of disability in older individuals in India and many countries. It is the common perception that wear and tear inevitable with aging alone leads to Osteoarthritis, but this is not the whole truth. As we shall see not only the elderly, but others are also vulnerable to Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) in peripheral joints, most frequently involves the knee joint, and the disease may affect one or more of the three compartments of the knee. The knee joint acts to transfer force from the thigh muscles to the leg to move the body. Loads exerted on the surfaces of the knee during normal daily activities are two to seven times the body weight. It is therefore no wonder that the knee is so vulnerable to wear and tear (Osteoarthritis). Osteo-arthritic changes in the joint decrease the effectiveness of load transfer during these activities. Overall health is impaired and Knee OA has been to shown to account for more limitations in walking, stair climbing or other daily activities than any other disease. The form of the disease in the elderly is called primary osteoarthritis whereas the affliction of the young and middle aged is called Secondary osteoarthritis. Let us take a look at the risk factors for developing secondary osteoarthritis, which encompasses other age groups of people in the general population.

These are of two categories, General or systemic and local risks.

General risks

Evolution

Man along with two more mammals, the Elephant and the bear are the only animals to have straight knees. Evolutionarily straight knees are invaluable to minimize energy expenditure during walking so that the body does not tilt from side to side as it would do if the knees were bent in a two legged creature. The price or side effect of the erect posture is weight transmission occurring through the inner half of the knee joint. Therefore the inner half of the knee is susceptible to wear in the normal course of time.

Genetic factors

These play a major role in a generalized form of the disease known to affect some communities and families. Research is on to identify the exact genetic location that increases the susceptibility to OA.

Diet

Many degenerative diseases like Osteoarthritis are the result of tissue damage from “Free Oxygen radical” attack. Normal cartilage cells are known to reduce free radicals. Anti oxidants such as Vitamin A, C and E have the potential to protect against such tissue damage. It was found in a study that people consuming High amounts of Vitamin C have a 60- 70 per cent reduction in risk for progressive OA. High vitamin C intake levels were also found to be associated with a reduced risk for knee pain according to the same study.

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone mineralization. Results from the above study show that high levels are protective against progression of disease.

Bone mineral density

About three decades ago surgeons removing the head of the upper end of the thigh bone from elderly patients with hip fractures in the operation of partial hip replacement, observed that the end bone rarely showed arthritic changes. Since then, many studies have confirmed the inverse relationship between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. Currently research is on to determine if the medicines prescribed for Osteoporosis such as Calcitonin and Bisphoshphonates prevent the x- ray changes of OA and prevent cartilage breakdown.

Female hormonal deficiency (estrogen)

The incidence of Knee OA increases in Post menopausal women suggesting that estrogen deficiency might be a risk factor and that post menopausal women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis. Despite the obvious correlation, more research is needed to understand the relationships between bone mineral density, estrogen and OA. As females are the preponderant sex to suffer from OA knees, Female specific Knee implants or Prostheses have been developed for a Total knee replacement as the majority of people (two thirds) undergoing a knee replacement are women.

Local risk factors

Obesity

Increased body weight contributes to the increased load transmitted across the weight bearing knees by a factor of three to seven times the body weight and leads to accelerated wear of the articular cartilage. The relationship between obesity and Osteoarthritis is stronger for bilateral than unilateral disease and is greater in women than men. Since the load transmitted to the knees varies between three to seven fold the body weight, one fold reduction of weight leads to a three to seven fold decreased pressure on the knees. In addition the knee alignment may affect the impact of body weight on the knee joint. Knees with bow legs are more stressed by body weight resulting in more severe inner compartment arthritis.

Physical activity

There is no evidence that participation in light or moderate levels of physical activity (walking, running, dancing, cycling, gardening, and outdoor sports) throughout the life cycle will increase an individual’s risk of developing knee OA. This means that even middle aged people can safely participate in these activities without risk of developing osteoarthritis.

However participation in high intensity contact sports is strongly linked to development of knee OA in elite athletes. Many tennis players, runners, professional soccer players are more likely to suffer from knee arthritis and Patello-femoral OA than age matched controls.

Occupational activity

Men in occupations that require repetitive overuse of the knee joint for example, carpenters, painters, miners, dock workers have an increased risk of developing knee OA. Crouching, kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs and lifting heavy loads all cause abnormal joint loading across the knee joint and lead to cartilage damage. The risk factors are similar in both men and women.

Injury

Several studies in Europe and America have confirmed that knee injury is a strong predictor for the development of knee OA. Most Knee injuries involve the ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament and ACL rupture is often associated with meniscal damage or a tear in the medial collateral ligament. ACL injuries occur after two wheeler accidents, domestic and outdoor accidents. Both ACL deficiency and meniscal rupture are strongly linked to early degenerative arthritic changes. Although at present it is not clear to what extent the common operation of ACL reconstruction can delay the onset of arthritis, some studies show that early ACL reconstruction with meniscal preservation and not menisectomy provides the greatest protection. A poor outcome after knee injuries is seen in patients who have undergone a partial or total menisectomy an operation which is commonly performed by surgeons. Meniscal suture and Meniscal transplant are ways to protect against osteoarthritis. The former operation is available but the later is yet to kick off from early teething problems. A meniscal transplant facility was announced in Chennai last year but supply of grafts has not been forthcoming.

Mechanical environment of the knees

It is easy to comprehend how any joint or bearing can wear out quickly by understanding what happens to your car tyres if the alignment and balancing is not perfect or if the pressure is more or less. The treads on the overloaded portion of the tyre wear out more. The same analogy applies to the knees. Knees which have a bend like the one shown in the picture will wear out faster. Increased joint laxity an accompaniment of age contributes to OA.

Muscle strength

It is a well known observation that people with OA have weakness of the quadriceps muscles. It was assumed that decreased muscle strength is the result of disuse atrophy secondary to knee pain; however it has been noted recently that many patients with asymptomatic knee arthritis have weak muscles. Therefore it makes sense to develop the thigh muscles to prevent arthritis or ameliorate the symptoms after its development, but is to be noted that increasing muscle strength will not arrest progression of the disease.

In summary Knee Osteoarthritis once considered an inevitable consequence of aging is now recognized to be multi-factorial, resulting from the interaction of a variety of general and local factors like age, genetic predisposition, obesity, trauma and mechanical properties of the joint. The traditional surgical treatment of OA “a total knee replacement” is the best long term cost effective solution. However other operations like an osteotomy to correct the alignment of the bones around the knee, ACL reconstruction, cartilage surgery, medications are available to different affected groups of patients. They will not condemn the patient to developing Osteoarthritis in earlier age and become a candidate for a total knee replacement.

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a well-recognized but little known condition. It is characterized by burning sensation or mouth pain and swelling when they eat specific foods that cross react to pollens to which you are allergic. Interestingly, the specific foods causing this reaction are well established to cross react with certain trees, grass, or weed pollens, house dust mite or latex. There are common groups of foods that cluster with certain nasal allergies. For example, ragweed allergy commonly causes an oral or gut reaction after eating melons or bananas but usually not other foods. Birch tree pollen is commonly associated with reactions to numerous foods as is latex allergy. The explanation for these reactions include similarities in protein structures as well as some chemicals in the foods.

Though this reaction is well documented in the allergy literature it is not commonly recognized or diagnosed by most doctors including some allergy specialists and many stomach specialists. Various allergy sites include lists of the common foods associated with certain pollens, dust mite or latex. However, a comprehensive list that is easy to read or interpret can be difficult to find. Also, the names of some of pollens or the common links between a group of pollens and a group of foods can be confusing.

In its classic form OAS should be easy to recognize. After eating a food associated with a pollen to which you are allergic you experience near immediate burning sensation in your mouth or throat with or without swelling. However, it is commonly recognized that frequently in medicine, symptoms do not occur in the “classic” or typical manner in a specific person. Worded another way doctors are taught "patients don't read the textbooks". Therefore, you may experience variations of the reaction such as throat swelling or tightening, burning when swallowing, a lump in the throat or a sense of swallowing difficulty but not make the connection to what you ate or what is happening to you.

You or your doctor may misinterpret your symptoms. Frequently people just assume it happened because they were having a choking spell on food that was poorly chewed, swallowed too fast, or eaten or drank while too hot or cold. Commonly, it is assumed that an esophageal (swallowing tube) disorder, especially acid reflux with a hiatal hernia is the cause. Acid reflux can cause an esophageal constriction called a stricture or ring that can result in food sticking sensation but this is usually associated with heartburn symptoms or food getting stuck prompts an upper endoscopy or scope exam. Other times, especially if occurring in an elderly person, a neurological condition like stroke or Parkinson’s disease is blamed. Sometimes doctors decide that your symptoms are due to a nervous reaction or neurosis that historically was called as globus hystericus. The hystericus portion of the term is usually dropped these days to the shorter term globus or globus sensation especially since it is not proven it is due to a psychiatric problem. However, globus may be the diagnosis arrived at if your complaint is you feel a lump in your throat and an ‘evaluation” appears to turn up nothing even if OAS was not considered or excluded.

An unusual condition that has been more recently recognized in the field of gastroenterology (diseases of the stomach and intestines) that may be related to or a variant of OAS is called eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) or allergic esophagitis. It was first described in the pediatric population but is now known to occur in adults. Classically described in teenage boys and young men who presented food sticking episodes without heartburn or acid reflux symptoms, it is associated with a strange appearance of the esophagus on endoscopy (lighted scope exam of the upper gastrointestinal tract). What the doctor doing the scope sees is your resembles a cat’s esophagus. That is it looks like it has rings (cats have cartilage rings in their esophagus, we do not) and this is referred to as "ringed esophagus" or felinization of the esophagus. On biopsy of such a ringed or felinized appearing esophagus (that is also often narrowed resulting in food sticking) microscopic signs of allergy are noted. The lining shows numerous eosinophils, a reddish pink appearing white blood cell, characteristic of allergic conditions. These eosinophils release chemicals like histamine that trigger swelling, pain, and damage to tissue.

Food allergies are commonly found to present in EE though sometimes the search for a food allergy by traditional skin tests or IgE blood tests is negative. Treatment is avoidance of known food allergens and swallowed nasal steroids sprays that are designed for use in the nose for nasal allergies. Though not specifically proven yet, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) may be a variant of the OAS.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic or allergic colitis also exist and can be diagnosed by biopsies of the stomach, small intestine and colon respectively. Allergic colitis is typically seen in infants who have cow’s milk protein allergy. It presents as colic type abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bloody diarrhea in an infant on cow’s milk formula or sometimes in breast-fed infants whose mom is drinking a lot of cow’s milk.

Allergic gastroenteritis occurs in any age group presenting typically as abdominal pain, with or without intestinal blockage or perforation; diarrhea; anemia; weight loss; and microscopic bleeding in the intestinal tract also known as occult blood in the stool. Such bleeding is detectable only by special stool chemical tests known as fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) or stool guaiac testing.

At least some people with food intolerance that does not make sense on limited diet diary information, blood tests, biopsies, or allergy testing, may have a form of OAS. In other words, the presence of known pollen or latex allergy may be predisposing to reactions to foods known to cross react with allergies noted in OAS. However, instead of classic oral allergy syndrome symptoms other stomach and intestinal symptoms or even non-gastrointetinal symptoms may result.

Support of this concept can be found in detailed screening of individuals for food intolerance. Those with known pollen or latex allergies, any known food allergies or intolerance including gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and casein intolerance, are asked to complete a series of symptoms assessment and severity rating scales followed by a strict elimination diet. This is followed up by re-assessment of response of symptoms while re-introducing foods one at a time while monitoring for recurrence.

This type of analysis is the basis for the Neopaleo Specific Diet. In the near future online symptom assessment and screen for food intolerance along with dietary recommendations specific to individuals will be available at www.thefooddoc.com. An online diet symptom diary will also available. A simplified table illustrating the common foods that may cross-react with the broad categories of pollen allergens and latex allergy is available. Food intolerances are more commonly being recognized as a common cause of illness and symptoms. Individualized specific diet recommendations and elimination diet trials may be more helpful in discovering any possible links to what you are eating and how you feel.