Health News and Information

People who are sensitive, or susceptible, to chemicals are often unable to eat cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, spinach, beet greens, and certain other leafy vegetables. Often such people will simply think such vegetables “do not agree with them.” This may be the case—that is, they may be suffering from allergies to one or more [...]

Corticosteroids are often used in chronic asthma, if the problem of bronchoconstriction is being worsened by inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchi and the production of mucus. In such cases, bronchodilators (see Section 4) may be effective most of the time, but exercise or cold air brings on an asthma attack. Corticosteroids can be [...]

The fact that the neutralizing dose seems to turn off symptoms which have already begun is truly remarkable, but this has regularly been observed, and many sceptics have been convinced by such a demonstration. How it might work is not known. Dr Miller has speculated that when the neutralizing dose is used, the food extract [...]

The first, and most essential step, is to see your doctor, describe your symptoms fully, and ask for a medical check-up. As explained in Chapter Seven, many of the symptoms of food intolerance can be due to other causes, and some of these may be serious – your doctor can examine you for such problems. [...]

If cow’s milk does turn out to be the problem you can try drinking sheep or goat milk instead, after a few weeks. But keep an eye on the baby’s symptoms -it may have problems with these milks too, because of cross-reactivity (see p295) between the proteins. If so, give up all animal milks for [...]

The standard test for allergy is the skin-prick test, which looks at how the skin reacts to a range of common allergens – or to the suspect allergen where the likely cause of the trouble has been identified but confirmation is still needed. Allergen extracts are used, these being prepared from pure samples of foods, [...]

Chemical sensitivity can also be exacerbated when pollens and moulds are high in the atmosphere, even if you are not actually allergic to these things themselves. Chemical molecules adhere to the surface of the larger molecules of pollens and moulds, and are inhaled in greater concentrations and absorbed at higher levels into the bloodstream. You [...]

Wood very rarely causes sensitivity. If it does, the cause is most likely to be solvents from varnishes or paints used to seal the wood. Fresh wood used on building sites is often mouldy. It can cause reactions if you are highly allergic to moulds. Once dried out, the moulds will disappear. Some extremely sensitive [...]

It is not normal, however, for a baby or very young child to have a constantly runny nose, persistent catarrh, and blocked ears, even if they do not appear unwell with it. Many very young children do pick up colds and viruses easily, particularly if they have siblings at school or go to nursery or [...]

Skin tests for allergy are reasonably reliable at detecting allergy to house dust mite inhalants. YOU can ask your GP for a referral for such tests. Another way to identify allergy to house dust mites is to analyse the pattern of your symptoms by answering the series of questions. If you answer ‘yes’ to several [...]