How To Allergy-Proof Your Home

It’s a jungle out there, but it’s pretty wild inside too. Indoor allergies are just as nasty as the outdoor kind and even harder to evade. Plus, experts estimate that someone born in the 1990s spends almost 90 percent of her life indoors. That’s a lot of QT with dust mites, mould and pet dander, all of which can cause the same delightful symptoms as the most powerful pollen – and, like plant allergies, indoor ones can crop up at any age. Once you know exactly where in-home allergens live, you can evict them.

Bathroom

Mould can grow around leaks from the toilet and tub.
The Fix: Use a solution of one cup bleach to 3.5 litres water, then caulk around the bases to seal cracks.

Kitchen

Gas stoves can emit formaldehyde fumes that can cause headaches, wheezing and rashes.
The Fix: An exhaust fan that vents to the outside. Don’t have one? Cook during the evening (when pollen counts drop) and open a window.

Bedroom

Pet dander and dust mites love cosying up to pillows and mattresses. In fact, the latter can harbour up to 10 million mites, according to a US study, while another study found that after two years, dust mites make up 10 percent of the weight of your pillow (shudder!).
The Fix: Use hypoallergenic mattress and pillow “encasements” and wash sheets weekly in hot water (over 54°C).

Lounge

Wall-to-wall carpeting traps dirt, dead skin and pet dander.
The Fix: Leaving shoes at the door curbs the amount of outdoor allergens you track in by up to 80 percent. Run an air purifier, which can absorb nearly 100 percent of home allergens, and switch to washable area rugs (bonus points if you also vacuum twice a weak with a machine that has suction and filtration technology designed to eliminate allergens).

Garage

Mould develops from leaks around windows, walls and ceilings.
The Fix: Clean visible mould (small, musty-smelling spots of any colour) with your bleach and H2O solution, then plug with caulk or spray foam. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity at a mould-inhospitable 40 to 60 percent.

Study

Clutter can collect dust.
The Fix: Purge stuff you don’t need and store what you can in cabinets or sealable bags or bins. Once a week, wipe down picture frames, vases and knickknacks with microfibre cloths, which trap dust instead of launching it into the air.

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Woman Loses Her Vision After Getting Mosquito Bites on Vacation in the Caribbean

According to Live Science, a 69-year-old woman lost the vision in her right eye after contracting the chikunyunga virus from mosquito bites she received while on vacation in Grenada. It took six days after her original symptoms for doctors to diagnose and treat her, but by that point, her optic nerve had been permanently damaged.

Chikungunya is transmitted solely to people from mosquitos, the CDC reports. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain, but headaches, muscle pains, joint swelling, and rashes have been associated with the virus as well. Though vision loss had been seen in late stage chikungunya before, doctors first began testing the woman for HIV, syphilis, Lyme disease, and dengue fever when she originally complained of the symptom, Live Science reports.

Though they were able to diagnose the chikungunya in six days and began her on a high dose of steroids to calm her swollen optic nerve, Dr. Abhijit Mohite told Live Science that the patient's vision loss would be permanent.

There is no way to prevent chikungunya and there are no treatments or vaccines specifically for the virus, according to the World Health Organization, but when caught early, chikungunya can be dealt with completely. Those who are traveling to Africa and Asia are encouraged to prevent mosquito bites as best they can through bug spray and covering up.

This woman was the first patient to be treated in the United Kingdom for the virus; Last year, a man contracted chikungunya for the first time in the United States. Lindsay Lohan contracted it while on vacation in Bora Bora earlier this year.

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In addition to pregnant women may be delayed due to other periods

The period of the normal process of the female body. Usually there is a period of 8 days after. But sometimes this can be changed in time. A week later periods may never be. Sometimes a month or more after the time may be. If you are not at the scheduled time period, many women are worried.Married women have been particularly nervous about unwanted pregnancy. Besides other reasons, may delay pregnancy period. Check considerations.
Sudden weight loss or excessive exercise

The diet is very difficult due to any sudden or unusual weight loss period may be delayed. The period may be delayed due to the extra exercise. If suddenly falls below a BMI of the 18/19 period is likely to be delayed.
Thyroid hormone imbalance

If the thyroid gland in the throat that helps the body maintain all karyaprakriyake. If the thyroid gland than usual, or if it is low thyroid hormone in the body affect the operation and the period may be delayed.
Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a Hormonal problems. Estrogen hormone in the body of the three, can reduce yields tesatosterana projesterana and the Polycystic ovary syndrome.

As a result of the delay period. Polycystic ovary syndrome in women, and can rise to a plethora of hair around the nipples. This problem should contact a doctor as quickly as possible.
Additional stress

Suddenly the extra stress can delay the period. Ayamenoriya hypothalamic may suddenly collapse mentally. As a result, the period of hormones and disrupt normal operation are likely to be delayed. Loved subtraction, brekaapa, flunk or other major trauma can cause this problem.

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Breast Pain

Most women develop breast pain at some stage in life. In most cases the pain develops in the days just before a period. In some cases the pain is not related to periods. The pain is often mild but in some women it is more severe and can affect the quality of your life. Treatment options include painkillers and rub-on (topical) anti-inflammatory drugs.
What are the types of breast pain?

Breast pain (mastalgia) is usually classed as either:

    cyclical breast pain - where the pain is related to periods. Typically, it occurs in the second half of the monthly cycle, getting worse in the days just before a period; OR
    non-cyclical breast pain - where the pain is not related to periods.

Up to 7 in 10 women develop breast pain at some stage in their life. About 2 in 3 cases are cyclical breast pain, and about 1 in 3 are non-cyclical. If you are not sure which type of breast pain you have, it may be worth keeping a pain diary for 2-3 months. Record the days when you have breast pain, and highlight the days when the pain  is severe enough to affect your lifestyle. See what pattern emerges.

Cyclical breast pain

Cyclical breast pain is very common. It can first occur at any age after periods start, but most commonly first develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It does not occur in women past the menopause when the periods have stopped.

What are the symptoms of cyclical breast pain?

In many women the symptoms are mild. Indeed, it can be considered normal to have some breast discomfort for a few days before a period. However, in around one in ten women the pain can be severe and/or last longer - up to 1-2 weeks before a period. The 3-5 days prior to a period are usually the worst. The pain usually eases soon after a period starts. The severity usually varies from month to month. Typically, the pain affects both breasts. It is usually worst in the upper and outer part of the breast, and may travel to the inner part of the upper arm.

Your breasts may also feel more swollen and lumpy than usual. This lumpiness is generalised so does not lead to a single definite lump forming. This swelling and lumpiness then improve soon after your period starts.
Quality of life for some women can be significantly affected. Physical activity such as jogging can make the pain worse. Such things as hugging children and sexual activity can be painful.

What causes cyclical breast pain?

It is thought that women with cyclical breast pain have breast tissue which is more sensitive than usual to the normal hormonal changes that occur each month. It is not due to any hormone disease or to any problem in the breast itself. It is not related to any other breast conditions. Although it is not serious, it can be a nuisance

What are the treatment options for cyclical breast pain?

No treatment may be needed if the symptoms are mild. Many women are reassured by knowing that cyclical breast pain is not a symptom of cancer or serious breast disease. The problem may settle by itself within 3-6 months. Studies have shown that cyclical breast pain goes away within three months of onset in about 3 in 10 cases. However, in up to 6 in 10 women where the pain has gone, it develops again sometime within two years. So, in other words, cyclical breast pain may come and go over the years.

If the pain is more severe, or for the times when it may flare up worse than usual, treatment options include the following:

    Support your breasts. Wear a well-supporting bra when you have pain. It may be worthwhile having a bra fitted for you, as many women actually wear the wrong size of bra. Some women find that wearing a supporting bra 24 hours a day for the week before a period is helpful. It is best to avoid underwired bras. Wear a sports bra when you exercise.
    Painkillers and anti-inflammatory painkillers. For example, paracetamol or ibuprofen. Take regularly on the days when the breasts are painful.
    Rub-on (topical) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For example, topical diclofenac or topical ibuprofen. You can buy various topical NSAIDs or get them on prescription. Topical NSAIDs have been shown to help relieve the pain of cyclical breast pain.
    Consider your medication. The contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may make cyclical breast pain worse. Other drugs may also worsen cyclical breast pain. For example, some antidepressants and some blood pressure drugs. If appropriate, it may be worth stopping or changing your medication to see if this helps. Discuss this with your doctor.
    Medicines to block hormones. Medicines such as danazol, bromocriptine, tamoxifen and goserelin injections can ease pain in most cases. These medicines work by reducing the level, or blocking the effect of, female hormones such as oestrogen. You need to take them regularly (not just when the pain occurs). However, significant side-effects are common with these drugs. So, they are not usually tried unless you have severe pain which occurs during most months and does not ease with other treatments.
    Evening primrose oil. This used to be a very popular treatment. Some research studies suggest that this has little effect. However, some women still seem to find benefit from it. You can no longer get this on prescription. There are many different preparations of evening primrose oil containing varying amounts of the active ingredient gamolenic acid. The dose is usually 120-160 mg of gamolenic acid twice daily. Evening primrose oil is unlikely to give instant relief and it needs to be taken for up to four months before you can decide if it is helpful or not. If it has not helped by the time four months is reached then it is not going to be effective.

Note: in the past, water tablets (diuretics) used to be popular. However, they do not work, as the pain is not caused by fluid retention.

Non-cyclical breast pain

Breast pain can be present all the time, or come and go in a random way. This type of breast pain is not related to periods and is most common in women aged over 40. The pain may be in just one breast, and may be localised to one area in a breast. Sometimes the pain is felt all over one or both breasts. There are various causes; for example:

    Pain coming from the breast tissue itself in the absence of any lumps, tumours, or other abnormality being detected. The reason why this type of pain occurs is not known.
    Pain coming or radiating from the chest wall under the breast rather than the breast itself. Muscular or bony problems of the chest wall account for some cases.
    Infection is a cause in a small number of cases.
    Shingles may cause pain before a rash develops.
    Breast tumours, cancer and lumps are a very uncommon cause of breast pain.
    The cause is often not clear.

As there are various causes, it is best to see a doctor for assessment.

What is the treatment for non-cyclical breast pain?

In many cases the pain goes after a few months without any treatment. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may ease the pain. Rub-on (topical) NSAIDs may also work. Other treatments may be appropriate, depending on whether a cause is found.

Breast pain and breast cancer

Women with breast pain often worry that the pain is caused by breast cancer. However, the first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. Pain is not usually an early symptom.

However, even though breast pain is not likely to be caused by cancer, you should see your doctor if you have any concerns about breast pain or any other breast symptoms.

In particular, see a doctor promptly if you have breast pain and any of the following:

•     A lump in your breast or under your arms.
•     Discharge from a lump or nipple.
•     A family history of breast cancer.
•     Swelling and redness in your breast.
•     Any symptoms of pregnancy, such as a missed period.
• 
  

Source :patient.info

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