Allergies - "Just the Facts Ma’am"

Dedicated to Allergy Sufferers: 

It’s allergy season. Again family, friends and neighbors, are all suffering with a variety of symptoms, all “treating” the symptoms with otc and prescription drugs. So patiently, I listen to the complaints, first, the weight loss, due to lot’s of apple kites. Pounds of graphic details continue ringing my ears; the queasy stomach up thru both sides of the congested chess game, over runny dells and, past red itchy eyes, the sneezing, … the farmer in the clogged nasal hi ho the passages O the red eyes, coughing merry in the dell …! Sorry I drifted away, you were saying …?

Alright, enough already, no longer can I pretend listen to the litany of symptoms. The Town Crier at TheHealthAlert.blogspot.com is presenting “just the facts Ma’am. Just the facts,”  (Sgt. Joe Friday; Dragnet, 1951-1959. 1967-1970.)

There is tons of empathy [*in 2005 over 11 million tons grown in …] in the way I try and listen to the words through sneezing, clearing the throat, blowing the nose and coughing. “Just the facts …” I hear the suffering see how badly you look; yes I feel for you but I do not know how badly you feel.

Get rid of allergies; here are “just the facts:”

Fact 1

Allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to foreign entities i.e. pollen, foods, chemicals, etc. aka allergens.

Fact 2 

Histamine, a chemical released when the body is exposed to allergens - the Immune System’s natural ability to rid body of allergens. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5705045_histamine-release-symptoms.html

Fact 3

Antihistamine blocks histamine reception – temporarily relieve symptoms and traps allergens in body – Stops the body’s natural ability to get rid of allergens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywdk3BTjK2s

Fact 4

Side effects of top 3 otc allergy medications:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/allegra-side-effects.html = Side effects to Body Systems: Gastrointestinal - Nervous – Genitourinary (affecting the genital and urinary organs) – Hypersensitivity - Respiratory – Musculoskeletal   Regular Side effects: Vomiting – Pyrexia - Cough – Diarrhoea – Rhinorrhoea - Upper respiratory tract infection – Myalgia – Dyspepsia – Dizziness - Pain in extremity - Back Pain – Somnolence - Otitis media – Dizziness; headache; stomach upset -   Severe allergic reactions= rash; hives - itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue – earache – fever - severe or persistent coughing or vomiting  This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

http://allergies.emedtv.com/benadryl/benadryl-side-effects.htmlbenadryl/benadryl-side-effects.html Sedation - anxiety -Dizziness - Coordination problems – Indigestion - heartburn - Sensitivity to the sun - Thickening of bronchial secretions -  chest mucus - Dry mouth, nose, or throat - Fatigue - Excessive sweating and/or chills – Restlessness - irritability – Shakiness - Insomnia - An unusual, pleasant feeling (euphoria) - Nervousness - Unusual sensations, tingling or numbness - nausea, vomiting – tremor - Loss of appetite (Please See: Site reference for children’s side-effects and recall products list) 

Zyrtec for allergies – Loss of appetite - Migraines - Gas – Hemorrhoids - urinary tract infection - Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) - Ear infections - Flushing – vertigo - Dehydration - Arthritis - Muscle pain - Hair loss - Decreased sex drive (see Zyrtec Effects on Libido) – Drowsiness - Acne – Fatigue - Dry mouth - Sore throat - Nasal stuffiness – Diarrhea - constipation - Early menstrual period - Insomnia – unusual, pleasant feeling (euphoria) - nausea or vomiting - Weight gain (see Zyrtec and Weight Gain)

Fact 5

Extended use of antihistamine lessens the immune system’s ability to prevent disease, naturally. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/allergies 

Fact 6

Experts still don't know a lot about allergies, including what exactly triggers them. However, it is known that the prevalence of allergic hay fever (or rhinitis) in the United States and around the world is increasing.

Most theories as to why allergy symptoms have increased focus on "higher concentrations of airborne pollutants, rising dust mite populations, less ventilation in homes and offices, dietary factors, and sedentary lifestyles," explains Deborah Pockross, MD, a physician at Kenilworth Medical Associates in Kenilworth, Ill., and staff doctor at Northshore University Health System in Evanston.

Another theory is the hygiene hypothesis — meaning "a more sanitary environment and less exposure to bacteria increases susceptibility to allergic disease by suppressing the natural development of the immune system," Dr. Pockross adds. In other words, our living conditions and food are so clean they don't offer our immune systems enough to do, so our systems overreact to allergens instead. http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/understanding-adult-onset-allergies.aspx?xid=aol_eh-allergy_39-_20110613&aolcat=ABO&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk1%7C70513

The reference above is dated 6/6/2011. How can Dr. Pockross say that our living conditions and foods are “so clean…?” If anything, allergies is on the increase as our bodies continue rejecting allergens in the environment and the foods we consume. Processed and micro waved foods, like 2^nd hand cigarette smoke are toxic. (see: TheHealthAlert.blogspot.com, April 22, 2011. Processed Food as Toxic as Tobacco) Here is my hypothesis: could it be that our immune system’s been compromised by the repetition of disease and by treating [allergy] symptoms with otc and prescription drugs.  Let’s call it the BID hypothesis, battered immune disease. Look for: “AID & BID versus GIB” garlic immune builder, post coming soon)  

Fact 7

Removing excessive toxins from the body help alleviate seasonal allergies. Prescription and otc drugs often work against the body’s natural immune response in exchange for temporarily suppressing symptoms while trapping allergens in the body. http://www.ehow.com/way_5194678_garlic-good-allergies_.html

Fact 8

Garlic attracts free radicals, such as allergens - safely remove toxins from the body. Garlic is known for its antiviral properties. It was known as Russian Penicillin for centuries, and used repeatedly for treating respiratory ailments. It is the immune-boosting properties that make garlic an effective treatment for allergies. Including garlic into your diet can help ward off heart disease, certain types of cancer, and yeast infections as well as help fight off allergies. It is advisable to not use raw garlic for medicinal purposes, without physician's supervision. Is Garlic Good for Allergies? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5194678_garlic-good-allergies_.html#ixzz1QOjru6bo

See: http://thehealthalert.blogspot.com/2011/04/allicin-mother-substance.html

*[In 2005 - 11,093,500 tons of garlic grown in China ] Excerpt from: Barks Herbs Roots Twigs  The Earth Pharmacy©

Stop. Smoking. Skull & Cross Bones ...

While scouting the news for “post-worthy” fodder  Radio FREE KJLH 102.3 FM played a commercial beginning with statistics on the disproportionate number of smokers’ in Los Angeles County. There is currently a “Stop Smoking” movement/surge/awareness campaign in motion. The phone number is 1 800 NO BUTTS. http://www.noexcusesla.com/.

New Cigarette Warnings Released (PHOTOS) The article is complete with graphic color photos on packages of cigarettes and polls; the reader can rate the most affective image and register an opinion on (a) They [the photos] should have been more graphic (b) Too much! Please … let people smoke in peace (c) They’re great …good work FDA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/20/cigarette-warnings-labels-photos-fda_n_880885.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C71998

After my vote, the percentages were nearly divided equally; but (b) was favored by 3%.   How did I vote? You already know, I’ll verify it later.

The governing bodies allow addictive lethal chemicals to be combined with the tobacco put into cigarettes. Decades ago a written warning  was put on the packages; should have put a skull and cross bones with the warning. Smoking increased. Maybe these graphic images will do what mere words did not.

You’re right, I voted (a).

(See: http://www.thehealthalert.blogspot.com/ , March 22, 2011. Stop Smoking & Weight Control)

E. coli and Garlic

BRUSSELS/BERLIN - German health officials said there had been a dramatic increase in the number of people infected in an E. coli outbreak which has killed 16 and whose source is still unknown. The outbreak has made more than 1,500 people ill in eight European countries, and led to an international row over the source of the contamination. http://www.lfpress.com/news/world/2011/06/01/18222806.html

The Health Protection Agency said four more people in the UK have food poisoning suspected to be linked to a toxic E.coli outbreak. Those affected have bloody diarrhea and have recently traveled to Germany. In addition to three Britons and four German nationals who are already being treated in the UK, including three for haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) - a deadly complication of E.coli.

Seventeen people have died. The number of HUS cases in Germany has risen to 520 and 1,213 cases have been reported. Globally more than 1,800 people have been infected in the outbreak, and 18 people have died. People in 12 countries have fallen ill. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23956017-toxic-ecoli-cases-increase-in-uk.do

The outbreak is one of the biggest and deadliest in recent world history. In 1996, 12 people died during a Japanese outbreak, while seven died in a Canadian outbreak in 2000. ... The World Health Organization (WHO) says the origin "of the outbreak still remains unknown".

The bug has now been identified in people in the Czech Republic, France and the United States, as well as Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Experts from WHO said the strain of E.coli was extremely rare ... and  is known to be resistant to many antibiotics, making treatment difficult. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23956432-toxic-ecoli-cases-rising-in-uk.do

Antibiotics prohibit viruses from reproducing. Garlic does not allow a virus to socialize, reproduction is not an option. There are no resistant mutations – epidemic defunct. (See: March 22, 2011, Garlic - Better Than Penicillin!) Excerpt from: Barks Herbs Roots Twigs - The Earth Pharmacy© 

HYPOTHESIS
An enhanced solution of garlic can be an effective antibacterial agent.

CONCLUSION
My research supports my hypothesis to determine the antibacterial quality of a garlic plant can be increased by foliar applications of a garlic extract solution by showing limited growth of E.coli bacteria when treated with a foliar garlic solution. …The antibacterial quality of the experimental plants was affected by the garlic spray. They were affected by a percentage of 284% bacteria growth retardation. http://garlicweb.tripod.com/

Garlic has been shown in vitro (in laboratory petri dishes) to kill bacteria also. In some important research done in China garlic was shown to inhibit the growth of all of the following microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium phlei, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus. http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/garlic.asp

The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement contains up to a pound of garlic formulated to deliver maximum protection with absolutely no unpleasant smell. Made from the original centuries-old recipe given to prevent colds and flu; it is a proven panacea for the human body.

This is not medicine or medical advice. Nutritional supplements may react adversely with over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Consult a licensed health-care provider for the diagnosis and treatment of all illness and before taking any nutritional supplement.

You Are Royalty - The Cold Is Common

What is “the common cold” The common cold (aka nasopharyngitis, acute viral rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza, or a cold) (Latin: rhinitis acuta catarrhalis) is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses.

Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever. There is currently no known treatment that shortens the duration; however, symptoms usually resolve spontaneously in 7 to 10 days, with some symptoms possibly lasting for up to three weeks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold

Why it is “common:” Common cold infections are so widespread that there can be very few people who escape the infection each year. It has been estimated that adults suffer 2 to 5 colds per year and is one of the leading causes of missed days at work. Close personal and prolonged contact is necessary for the cold viruses to spread. The viruses must get into the nose where they can infect the nasal membranes. The virus must attach to nasal cells after which the viruses can multiply. Inhaling contaminated droplets produced when someone else coughs or sneezes may be one way to catch a cold. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/common_cold.html

How Garlic Works: Compound break-down, about 15 minutes after ingesting garlic: 1. Empties Lymph System; 2. Stimulate and fortify Body Systems & Organs; 3. Enters Blood System; 4. Digestive Properties. Allicin the “magic bullet” component penetrates the cell walls fortifying existing and new cells. When a foreign cell is penetrated, i.e. bacteria or virus, it is destroyed and flushed from the body. In fortifying the body’s systems, the immune system is strengthened against recurrence. 

4 Times a Year: Ingesting concentrated amounts of garlic when the seasons change or if exposed to germs, will prevent the onset of colds and flu. [Excerpt from Barks Herbs Roots Twigs – The Earth Pharmacy©]

What About the Smell: Allicin and the sulfur compounds of garlic are the
ingredients primarily responsible for its potency as an antibiotic, anti-viral and a fungicide and … use in treating high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and for helping to prevent certain types of cancer, as well as its use as an immune stimulant. http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/garlic.html

The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. The average adult contracts two to five infections a year; the average child contracts about 6–12. Prescription and otc drugs only treat the symptoms not the cause. Why not treat yourself royally; eliminate the common cold.

The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement is made from a centuries-old recipe originally taken seasonally to prevent colds and flu. The combination of organic ingredients contains the power of raw garlic and no unpleasant residue formulated to help maintain Good Health, Naturally.

This is not medicine or medical advice. Supplements may react adversely with synthetic drugs.

Consult doctor for all health concerns.

Phanthom Recall 2009 - Action 2011

The FDA obtained a memo which was first sent anonymously to Oregon state regulators, which instructed a subcontractor on how to go into stores and quietly buy up batches of the bad product, without arousing any suspicions.

Quote:
"You should simply 'act' like a regular customer while making these purchases. There must be no mention of this being a recall of the product!" reads the memo dated June 12, 2009.

The FDA could not identify the other companies involved, named in the memo as WIS and CSCS.

The FDA said it was aware that McNeil was using a contractor to remove a sample batch of the product, but not at such a wide scale.

"Once we learned of the contractor's activities, the FDA asked McNeil to initiate a recall, and the company complied," the agency said in a statement.http://money.cnn.com...ecall/index.htm
                                                                                       
The original date of this trhead is March 18, 2011.

Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Rolaids Recall
The FDA is taking over 3 manufacturing plants operated by Johnson & Johnson McNeil's division, because they have had so many problems with recalls due to slovenly manufacturing processes leading to contamination and mixed up ingredient.

Quote:                                                                                                                                                        McNeil, a division of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, Fortune 500), said it had agreed to put its plants -- one in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, one in Fort Washington, Pa. and one in Lancaster, Pa., under FDA supervision.
McNeil's plants in Puerto Rico and Lancaster will continue to operate, McNeil spokeswoman Bonnie Jacobs said. But "there is the potential for some impact [in production] initially as we implement the additional steps."

… McNeil can continue to manufacture and ship drugs from the Las Piedras and Lancaster plants, but not from the Fort Washington facility.
The agreement also requires McNeil to destroy all drugs under its control that have been recalled from the three facilities since December 2009.

The company shut its Fort Washington plant following a scathing FDA inspection report of the factory last May that cited 20 manufacturing violations.That facility makes all of McNeil pediatric over-the-counter Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin medicines. The other two facilities make adult medicines, including Tylenol. http://money.cnn.com...ction/index.htm

http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/78960-tylenol-motrin-benadryl-factories-taken-over-by-fda-after-drug-recalls/

The paraphrased aphorism ‘if nothing nice to say – say nothing’ is invoked with this post.

$80 Million: Grooming New Addicts?

McNEIL-PPC, Inc., in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), voluntarily recalled all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products. - Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc. will pay $75.37 million to resolve civil allegations under the False Claims Act that it illegally promoted Topomax. - Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, LLC, subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson pled guilty to illegal promotion of Topomax psychiatric drug; sentenced to criminal fine of $6.14 million.

US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said: This case should send a strong reminder that the off-label promotion of pharmaceuticals is illegal, whether it is done directly by company employees, or through programs such as the ‘Doctor for a Day Program.’ We will remain vigilant in our enforcement of these laws regardless of what form the conduct takes. April; November, 2010 http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm213163.htm
Important Recall News: January; March 2011 http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/main.inc

Every year the gigantic drug companies come out with new and improved ways to relieve our symptoms associated with ill health. Americans run for the pharmacy shelves after experiencing the slightest hint of discomfort. Some other cultures understand and embrace the vacillation between well and not well. http://therapistunlimited.com/index/Articles/Drug+Addiction/Over+the+Counter+Drug+Abuse

The [subconscious] addiction to OTC medicines is overwhelming. Are pharmaceutical companies preparing our children to be future addicts? The voluntary recall of Benedryl, Motrin, Tylenol and Zertac for infants and children; adult Benadryl, Sudafed PE, Sinutab, and Tylenol; the ‘Doctor for a Day Program’ illegally promoting the psychotropic drug Topomax leads me to believe that mega-drug companies are greedily grooming future addicts while sustaining current users.

Suggested retail price Motrin PM® 40 Caplets $9.99; relieves the symptoms for a few hours, deposits a myriad illness-causing side effects plus increases the possibility of kidney and liver complications; for all of which there are medicines or invasive procedures that offer yet more relief. To eradicate the cause of illness would not generate repeat customer dollars.

See: Advil, Aspirin, Motrin, Tylenol – Increase Risk of Kidney Failure, May 1, 2011. Trillion Dollar Industry, May 2, 2011.

The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement addresses the cause of illness and fortifies the body against future occurrences. The side effect is Good Health, Naturally.

This is not medicine or medical advice. Nutritional supplements may react adversely with otc and prescriptions drugs. Consult a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment of all illness.                                                                                                                      

Arthritis Is …

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Any part of your body can become inflamed or painful from arthritis. Some rheumatic conditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications or may affect other parts of the body including the muscles, bones, and internal organs.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, including children. The incidence of arthritis increases with age, but nearly three out of every five sufferers are under age 65. If left undiagnosed and untreated, many types of arthritis can cause irreversible damage to the joints, bones, organs, and skin. http://arthritis.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/whatisarthritis.htm

Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of this disease. http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Arthritis.html

Since obesity is increasingly viewed by researchers as a chronic state of low-grade inflammation, the inflammation-related benefits of garlic's 1, 2-DT may eventually be extended into the clinical area of obesity. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=60

Garlic, a food rich in sulfur, plays an essential role in collagen production. Collagen is needed to form cartilage tissue, which cushions joints. The problem is that sulfur levels tend to be lower in arthritic joints than in healthy joints, and the body cannot produce sulfur on its own; therefore, sulfur intake must come from dietary sources. The sulfur in garlic helps to repair cartilage and reduce muscle and joint pain by producing an anti-inflammatory analgesic effect on the affected joints. http://www.livestrong.com/article/108811-arthritis-garlic/

The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement contains concentrated amounts of organic garlic providing All The power of garlic - Absolutely no garlic breath and odor

Nutritional supplements may react adversely with o-t-c and prescription medications. Consult your doctor about including nutritional supplements in your health-care regime. 

This is not medical advice or medicine. Consult a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment of all medical concerns.