Tag Archives: Symptoms

Christmas Tree Syndrome 

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The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Holiday Décor

A Christmas tree lights up any room or space and brings with it joy, cheer and happiness. But did you know that the Christmas tree for some allergy sufferers brings nothing but misery? If you are an allergy sufferer and find that the annual Christmas tree can spark a collection of allergy issues from a runny nose, sneezing, coughing to itchy, red eyes, then you could be suffering from what is termed – Christmas Tree Syndrome.

Pharmacist Sultan Dajani an advisor to GoldenEye – the experts behind a range of pharmacy eye drops and eye ointments to treat conjunctivitis, styes and blepharitis – explains: “Christmas Tree Syndrome is a real thing.[1] It describes allergic reactions people may experience when a real Christmas tree is in the home.  As a result, it can cause symptoms just like hay fever where  people experience runny noses, sneezing and coughing as well as itchy, watery and/or red (pink, aka conjunctivitis) eyes and in some cases blepharitis. Itchy eyes can sometimes lead to styes too as it is often very hard not to rub an eye once it starts itching. 

“Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin skin on the inside of the eyelid. It is often caused by infection from a virus or bacteria or an allergen. When it happens, the blood vessels of the sclera (the white of the eye) become dilated, giving us that red-eyed appearance. The eyes may also feel gritty, itchy, sticky, burning or be watering more than usual.”

Sultan Dajani continues: “Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids. This can either be anterior blepharitis, inflammation at the base of the eyelid which can be caused by bacteria like staphylococci, or seborrhoeic dermatitis (a condition that causes a red, flaky and itchy rash on your skin. It affects areas of your skin that tend to be greasier, like your face, scalp and chest), or posterior blepharitis, an inflammation of the meibomian glands, which help to produce tears.[2]

“Symptoms may include soreness, itching, a gritty feeling, flakes, or crusts around the roots of the eyelashes and eyelashes sticking together in the morning when you wake up. Such eye conditions are very uncomfortable and require immediate treatment to prevent them from getting worse.”

For those with asthma, being around or having a real Christmas tree in the home can trigger asthma symptoms too. In addition to this, people can also develop a skin rash which is known as Christmas Tree dermatitis.”

Sultan Dajani adds: “It’s worth noting that artificial Christmas trees can also steal the Christmas joy and cause allergy symptoms to flare up as well.  They tend to be stored away for around 11 months of the year, and during this time, artificial Christmas trees can amass dust and mould.  They are then unpacked and put up in the home where the allergens from dust and mould spores can become airborne triggering allergy symptoms.”

But Why Does The Humble Christmas Tree Cause These Allergy Symptoms?

Pharmacist Sultan Dajani explains; “There are several reasons why Christmas trees can cause these allergic reactions, but it is mainly down to pollen, mould and dust. 

“Before they are cut down, Christmas trees collect pollen from other plants around them which stick to them and are then brought into the home. 

“Mould is a huge issue and is most likely to be the cause of watery, red, and sore eyes, runny nose or trouble breathing.

“Real Christmas trees carry mould[3], and it thrives in warmer conditions – and during the winter months when the central heating is on, it has the perfect environment to grow.

“In fact, research[4]  found a 6-fold increase in mould when a Christmas tree was brought into the room – and mould levels did not fall until the tree was removed. Another study [5] found more than 50 kinds of mould on samples researchers brought in from their own Christmas trees.”

Sultan Dajani continues; “Dust mites are one of the most common respiratory allergens as well. They can be carried into the house on real and artificial Christmas trees as well as on the decorations and lights.

“And while pollen, dust and mould from a Christmas tree cause challenges for allergy sufferers, so too does the scent. Many of us love the smell of a real Christmas tree, but the characteristic pine scent is down to a class of chemicals called terpenes, which are found in tree sap – and some people can be allergic to these compounds too.

“Chemicals used at Christmas tree farms may also trigger allergic reactions. Whilst such chemicals may not be true allergens, they can cause similar symptoms.”

Helping To Soothe And Treat

If Christmas Tree Syndrome does strike,  Sultan Dajani suggests: “It’s really important to treat the symptoms straight away, to help stop them from developing further, so see you pharmacist for advice.”  

For eye health issues such as red, itchy, watery eyes, styes, conjunctivitis or blepharitis, sparked off by an allergy borne out of a real or artificial Christmas tree then GoldenEye® Eye Drops can help to soothe and treat. They contain propamidine isetionate which work by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying, which controls the numbers of bacteria causing an infection.[6] This eye drop also has antifungal properties. 

There is also GoldenEye® Eye Ointment: Containing dibrompropamidine isetionate, GoldenEye® Eye Ointment is for conjunctivitis (red eye), styes and blepharitis (infection of the lid margins and eye follicles). GoldenEye® Eye Ointment contains antiseptics (not antibiotics) which help to stop bacteria from growing and multiplying.

Both are available over-the-counter from the pharmacy. 

GoldenEye® Antibiotic Eye Ointment contains the antibiotic chloramphenicol. This product is intended for acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged 2 years and over. It should be reserved for acute infection to limit the spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics (antibiotic resistance).

Sultan Dajani adds: “Consult your pharmacist also for symptoms of runny, itchy nose which may require treatment with a non-drowsy antihistamine or a steroid nasal preparation.”

Jingle All The Way: 7 Self Care Tips On How To Tackle Christmas Tree Syndrome

  1. Shake It. Shake down the tree to remove as much dust, mould, and pollen as possible before bringing it in the house.
  1. Hose down. Hose down live trees before bringing them in the house. Mould spores thrive in the damp so dry your tree thoroughly by leaving it in the sun if possible.
  1. Dust free. Wipe artificial trees and ornaments with a soft dry cloth to make sure they are dust free. Ornaments made of glass or plastic are easier to clean than those made of soft material.
  1. Treat eyes quickly. If you are an allergy sufferer and whether a real Christmas Tree or artificial Christmas Tree sparks a reaction then you can easily self-treat at home with products from the pharmacy. Conjunctivitis, blepharitis and styes are some of the incredibly common conditions that can easily affect the eye and cause misery to boot. If you have a minor eye health problem, the pharmacy should be your first port of call.  The pharmacist can use their clinical expertise and practical knowledge to provide advice and treatment recommendations.
  1. Timings. Minimise the time you keep a natural tree in the house, so not too long before and after Christmas. Mould spores continue to multiply when the tree is in the house.
  1. Storage. Store artificial trees and decorations in a cool, dry place. Seal tree sections and decorations in well-sealed boxes to prevent the accumulation of dust.
  1. Mask-Up. Wear a mask when you retrieve artificial trees and decorations ready for Christmas.

Meningitis By Dr Patricia Thompson

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A new vaccine, for Meningococcus B, will soon be available for babies. What, another vaccine? Do we really need it?

I would say – absolutely yes.

Meningococcus causes meningitis, and blood infection (septicaemia) – sometimes leading to limb amputation or brain damage. Approximately 1:10 people affected die.

As a paediatrician, I’ve seen healthy children become seriously ill within hours. Most recover, but, inexplicably, some don’t, and I’ve had to tell shocked parents that their child may not make it through the night.

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges – the thin protective layer covering the brain and spinal cord. It can affect any age, but predominantly under fives, and, particularly, under ones. Teenagers/young adults are also susceptible.

In the UK, it’s usually caused by a virus –and recover is generally complete. However bacterial meningitis is far more dangerous – and the Meningococcus bacteria, of which there are several strains, is the main culprit. It normally lives harmlessly in the nose and throat, but sometimes invades the blood, causing the illness.

The UK vaccination programme already protects against some meningitis types – the bacteria – Haemophilus, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus strain C, and the viruses – Measles and Mumps.

A new vaccine against Meningococcus A, C, W and Y will soon be offered to young adults, plus the new B vaccine for infants.

Meningococcal vaccines are between 85 -100% effective initially – much less so in young children. They are usually safe but can cause pain/redness, vomiting, headaches, drowsiness or irritability. Occasionally, allergic reactions, or, rarely, neurological problems may occur. Protection wanes over time, so teenagers are given boosters. However, vaccination reduces the number of people carrying the bacteria, thus reducing infection risk for the whole community.

If you think someone may have meningitis, look out for:

Headache, stiff neck, photophobia (dislike of bright light), vomiting, drowsiness or confusion and fever. The typical rash (called petechial) is red but doesn’t fade when pressed. It isn’t always present, but if you see it, you must seek medical help urgently.

symptonsof Meningitis By Dr Patricia Thompson

Sometimes, particularly youngsters, are so ill, that the classic signs aren’t obvious. The child may have a temperature, but, equally, may seem cold. They make look blue, cry incessantly (often high-pitched), refuse feeds, have convulsions or become unconscious. In young babies, their fontanelle (‘soft spot’) may bulge and feel tense.

It is important to treat rapidly. Antibiotics will kill the bacteria, but, if severe, intensive care may be necessary.

To give some perspective – approximately 3000 people will get bacterial meningitis/septicaemia in the UK this year. The incidence has decreased due to vaccination.

Knowing the signs could save a life. Always have a low index of suspicion – an unnecessary visit to A&E is far better than delayed treatment. I myself rushed my young son there, late one night. Embarrassingly, he made a miraculous recovery a soon as the doctor (my colleague) examined him – I did eventually live it down at work.

Further Information:

http://www.meningitis.org

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

How To Delay The Menopause

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how to delay the menopause, menopause, health, According to the NHS, the most common age for menopause to start is 51 – which is when we start to experience symptoms; aching joints, depression, lack of energy, lack of libido, weight gain, concentration problems, headaches and, most commonly, hot flushes and night sweats.

Although the onset of menopause is strongly influenced by our genes and ethnicity, the good news is that there are simple lifestyle changes you can make to delay it.

We asked Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist, fertility and women’s health expert and an author of Natural Solutions to Menopause: How to stay healthy before, during and beyond the menopause, to give us her top tips on how to delay the menopause.

Choose low-fat dairy

Low-fat dairy is not only beneficial for a diet but it can also delay the menopause.
Cow’s milk may contain a number of metabolites — or enzymes formed possibly during the process to remove the fat — which boost the amount of oestrogen (female sex hormone) in a woman’s system, helping to keep her reproductive organs working for longer. “Try and stick with organic milk and cheeses and put the emphasis on eating more yogurt because of the beneficial bacteria.”

Stop using old pans

It’s not just what you eat that can delay the menopause but also what you use and how you cook your food.

It’s wise to choose your cookware carefully, especially as PFOAs (a synthetic chemical used to repel grease and water) appear to build up in the body over the years and has been identified as a hormone disruptor. We don’t yet know how big a factor these chemicals are, but they may have a cumulative effect over a woman’s lifetime. “Using the right kind of pots and pans to cook your food may be important because the actual surface of the pan that you are using can end up being absorbed into your food when heated to high temperatures.”
“Try to avoid any non-stick pans or utensils completely as it’s just not worth having the possibility of that toxic exposure. It’s just as easy to cook with stainless steel, cast iron or glass cookware.”

Eat more fish!

Don’t just save fish for Fridays, eat it through the week to keep menopause at bay. It’s thought that omega 3 oils in fish help the pituitary gland in the brain to stimulate a woman’s ovaries to keep producing eggs and can help with many of the symptoms. “The Omega 3 fatty acids should be added separately because they are not usually included in a multivitamin and mineral and if they are, the levels will not be high enough.” If you find it hard to include fish in your diet, try taking NHP’s completely natural Omega 3 Plus (available from www.naturalhealthpractice.com, £27.77).You will also notice the difference in your skin and hair condition.

Use natural products

A key area of concern is phthalates, found in four out of five beauty products. Mostly found in foundation, face cream, lipstick and nail varnish, they can disrupt hormone balance.
“Think more carefully about the products you regularly put on your skin. As your skin is the most absorbent organ of the body, do you really need or want all these chemical entering your blood stream?

Check the ingredients list properly and, where possible, stick to natural, plant-based products.”

Stop using the clingfilm

Not only we use cling film on daily basis to keep our food fresh but these days much of our food comes wrapped in plastic.

This could have an effect on our hormones because these pliable plastics contain chemicals, which have been found to disrupt the reproductive and hormonal systems in animals and children.

“Although it’s not yet clear how this would affect the hormones of older women, some experts advise a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach — pointing to the rise in health problems such as breast cancer and other oestrogen-dependent conditions like fibroids or endometriosis, which are possibly linked to these chemicals.”

“Remember to never heat food in plastic — and if you must buy food wrapped in it, remove the packaging when you get home. Instead, store food in the fridge in a dish with a saucer covering it or use greaseproof paper.”

Expand your mind

“Help keep your mind sharp before reaching menopausal age. Daily crosswords, Suduko or even learning a new skill or fitness class will help keep the mind sharp and help increase concentration levels.” Or take a good supplement designed specifically for supporting brain and memory function, such as NHP’s New Brain and Memory Support (available from www.naturalhealthpractice.com, £27.77). This includes Amino acid tyrosine, which increases attention and mental physical focus and B6, B12 and folic acid that support normal psychological function.

Reduce your family stress

A falling menopause age is not just due to workload, but also to women being caught up in the sandwich generation — caring for parents and children — and feeling they are being constantly bombarded physically and emotionally. For women over 40, there can be the pressure of everyday life coping with caring for elderly parents as well as children who are staying at home for longer. At this time of life, the hormones are constantly changing. This constant pressure can act as the last straw — and their periods stop and never come back.

Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD is the UK’s leading nutritionist specialising in fertility and women’s health. She is Former President of the Food and Health Forum at the Royal Society of Medicine and author of a number of internationally bestselling books including Natural Solutions to the Menopause, The Natural Health Bible for Womenand Fat Around the Middle: How to Lose That Bulge – For Good. Dr Glenville runs clinics in Harley Street, London Tunbridge Wells and Ireland www.marilynglenville.com. If you are interested in a consultation, call Dr Glenville’s clinic on 01892 515905 health@marilynglenville.com.

 

 

Understanding IBS

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flickr-3705507804-hdWhat is it?

Dr. Wendy Denning, GP and one of Tatler’s top 150 private doctors for the last three years, explains: “Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a sporadic and unpredictable disruption of the digestive system. Everyone suffers the odd upset, but if you regularly experience painful abdominal spasms, bloating, or attacks of constipation or diarrhoea, then you could be suffering from IBS.”

 

Causes

Dr. Denning, says: “Doctors are not exactly sure what causes IBS, and symptoms can vary in type, frequency and severity from person to person. However the condition can be painful, embarrassing and inconvenient to deal with. IBS occurs when the nerves and muscles of the bowel are not working properly. The bowel can become extra sensitive to pain and easily or frequently upset, and, unfortunately, IBS is a chronic condition – often recurring after long periods of calm.”

 

Symptoms

  • Abdominal pain and cramping – often relieved by emptying your bowels
  • A change in your bowel habits – such a diarrhoea, constipation, or both
  • Bloating and swelling of your abdomen
  • Excessive wind
  • An urgent need to go to the toilet
  • A feeling that you need to open your bowels even if you have just been to the toilet
  • A feeling you have not fully emptied your bowels
  • Passing mucus from your bottom

 

Stats

  • IBS affects 15-20% of the population, particularly women aged 20-4
  • 25-50% of all hospital gastroenterology appointments are for IBS
  • Studies have shown that approximately 2/3 of IBS patients have at least one food intolerance and some have multiple intolerances
  • Over 50% of those surveyed* had missed work with almost one quarter of 24-34 year olds taking over a month off
  • 43% reported their IBS impacted their confidence, with 24-34 year olds most severely affected (46%), and well over 1/3 (38%) reported low mood
  • 1 in 10 said that their condition had significantly impacted their love life

 

Treatments

  • The YorkTest IBS Diet Programme includes analysis reaction to more than 158 different food and drink ingredients. The new programme is specifically designed for IBS sufferers because it provides a personalised list of suitable low FODMAP foods which take into account your food and drink intolerances, the low FODMAP diet has been shown to be effective in reducing IBS symptoms.
  • Eliminate foods that patients are intolerant to
  • Probiotics
  • Eight glasses of water per day
  • Advice on eating + / – digestive enzymes
  • Stress reduction
  • Exercise
  • Glutamine
  • Fish oils
  • Cut down on FODMAP foods

 

*OnePoll survey of 1,000 IBS sufferers