Gillian Shepherd, Marian Betancourt

What's in the Air?: The Complete Guide to Seasonal and Year-Round Airb

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Allergy victims can fight back with up-to-date expert advice on airborne allergies and immunology. Readers can learn the latest techniques for controlling symptoms through conventional medicines and diet, how to make a home allergen-free, and discover the exciting promise offered by lgE blockers and improved immunotherapy.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Pocket Books
• Seitenzahl: 272
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. November 2016
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 203mm x 127mm x 17mm
• Gewicht: 245g
• ISBN-13: 9781451646399
• ISBN-10: 1451646399
• Artikelnr.: 33147446

Autorenporträt

Marian Betancourt has written numerous books on health and women's issues. Her most recent books include What's in the Air?, a guide to managing seasonal and year-round allergies; and Playing Like a Girl: Transforming Our Lives Through Team Sports. She has written for the Associated Press, Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and other national publications.

Inhaltsangabe

Contents
INTRODUCTION: The Allergy Boom and the Hygiene Hypothesis
PART I
An Allergy Primer
1. WHY YOU ARE ALLERGIC
Defining Allergens
THE MAIN INHALED ALLERGENS
The Genetic Setup
THE IGE MOLECULE
SENSITIZATION AND EXPOSURE TO ALLERGENS
The One-Two Punch of an Allergic Response
The Age When Allergies Begin
Allergic Rhinitis (a.k.a. Hay Fever)
HOW YOUR NOSE WORKS
WHY YOU SNEEZE
Do You Have an Allergy or Just a Hyperactive Nose?
NONALLERGIC RHINITIS
Allergic Conjunctivitis
The First Step to Relief: Keep a Symptom Diary
Some Risk Factors You Can Change
Allergy Checklist
2. POLLEN AND THE MATING SEASONS OF PLANTS
Tree Pollen: It Doesn't Take a Forest
BIRCH TREES
THE MIGHTY OAK
ELM TREES
CEDAR TREES
EVERGREENS IN NEW ENGLAND
LESS ABUNDANT POLLINATORS
Grass Pollen: Fields of Allergens
BLUEGRASS
TIMOTHY GRASS
BERMUDA GRASS
Ragweed: The King of Pollens
Other Bad Weeds
SAGEBRUSH
TUMBLEWEED
DOCK WEED
How the Weather Affects Airborne Allergens
IS GLOBAL WARMING CHANGING THE POLLEN SEASON?
The Effect of Ozone and Pollution
DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICLES
MORE TRAFFIC AND MORE RAGWEED POLLEN
PARTICULATE MATTER
Allergy Checklist
3. STRATEGIES FOR MINIMIZING YOUR EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE POLLEN
Know When to Go Out and When to Come In
More Prevention Tips
WEAR A MASK
STAY IN YOUR SHADES
WEAR NATURAL FIBERS
EXERCISE INDOORS OR BEFORE SUNRISE
IN THE GARDEN
What the Pollen Count Really Means
Avoid Foods that Cross-React with Pollen
Allergy Checklist
4. MOLD SPORES: AIRBORNE MOST OF THE TIME
THE VARIED LIFE OF MOLD SPORES
How to Find Out If You Are Allergic to Mold
TESTING FOR MOLD
Getting Rid of Mold: Lower the Humidity
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
INSIDE THE HOUSE
SOME MOLD BUSTERS
IF YOU BUY A DEHUMIDIFIER
GET SOME PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Toxic Molds Are Not Allergens
FOOD MOLD IS NOT AN ALLERGEN
Allergy Checklist
f0 5. DUST MITES: THE PERENNIAL SCOURGE
SEPARATING DUST MITES FROM DUST
Banishing the Skin Eaters
BEGIN WITH A NEW PILLOW
STOP SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY
BARE YOUR FLOORS
OTHER UPHOLSTERED PLACES
MAKE THE CAR CAREFREE
Bigger Bad Bugs: Cockroaches
WAYS TO KEEP ROACHES OUT
Allergy Checklist
6. CATS AND DOGS AND OTHER FURRY CRITTERS
IIt's Not the Dander or the Fur
MALE CATS ARE WORSE
CAT ALLERGY WITHOUT A CAT
If You Won't Give Up Your Pet
KEEP THE PET OUT OF THE BEDROOM
KEEP THE LITTER BOX FAR AWAY
GIVE YOUR CAT A BATH -- VERY CAREFULLY
ONCE THE CAT HAS GONE
The Hairless Dog Theory
Little Rodents, Big Allergens
Birds of a Feather
ISOLATE THE CAGE
A BIRD'S BATH
Horse Allergy
Allergy Checklist
PART II
How Your Doctor Can Help You
7. WHEN YOU NEED AN ALLERGIST
How to Find an Allergist
WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR
TELLING YOUR ALLERGY STORY
PHYSICAL EXAMS AND TESTS
When You Need Allergy Tests
PRICK TESTS
BLOOD (RAST) TEST
INTRADERMAL TEST
Allergy Checklist
8. THE RIGHT MEDICATION AT THE RIGHT TIME
The Priming Effect
Nasal Steroid Sprays
INTRANASAL IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE (ATROVENT)
INTRANASAL CROMOLYN (NASALCROM)
SIDE EFFECTS
USING NASAL SPRAYS CORRECTLY
Antihistamines
NONSEDATING AND LIGHTLY SEDATING ANTIHISTAMINES
SIDE EFFECTS
OVER-THE-COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINES
PRESCRIPTION ANTIHISTAMINES
Decongestants
Medications for Treating Allergic Conjunctivitis
EYE DROPS
OPHTHALMIC PREPARATIONS FOR ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS
USING EYE DROPS CORRECTLY
Pregnancy and Allergy Medications
IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER
PREGNANCY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY
Alternative Allergy Remedies Are Not Proven
Allergy Checklist
9. IMMUNOTHERAPY: THE CLOSEST THING TO A CURE
How It Works
GRADUALLY BUILDING IMMUNITY
Are You a Candidate?
WILL YOU PERSEVERE?
WHICH ALLERGIES RESPOND BEST?
WILL YOU REMAIN IMMUNE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
THE COSt
New Treatments in the Works
Allergy Checklist
PART III
The Allergic Person's Survival Guide
10. WHEN YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO YOUR JOB
Occupational Rhinitis and Asthma
AIRBORNE LATEX PARTICLES
THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS
ARE YOU AT RISK?
HOW TO KNOW: DIAGNOSIS
AVOIDANCE IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
TIPS FROM NIOSH (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH)
CROSS-REACTIONS WITH FOODS
EMERGENCY TREATMENT
Allergy Checklist
11. HELPING YOUR CHILD COPE WITH ALLERGIES
All in the Family -- or Not
Dust Mites
YOUR CHILD'S BEDROOM
Avoid Having Pets
Working with Your Pediatrician and Allergist
MEDICATIONS AND CHILDREN
Middle Ear Disease (Otitis Media)
The Link to Asthma
Information That Children Can Use
Allergy Checklist
12. AIR MANAGEMENT 101: MAKING YOUR HOME ALLERGEN-FREE
Clarify Your Goal
Get Hip to HEPA
Central Heating and Cooling Systems
Effective Use of Air Conditioners
Window Fans
Dehumidifiers
Room Air Purifiers and Cleaners
Keep the Air Free of Irritants
Housekeeping Hints for the Allergic
THE HEPA VACUUM
SURFACE DUSTING
CLEANING SUPPLIES
PROTECT YOURSELF WHILE CLEANING
Allergy Checklist
13. THE ALLERGIC PERSON'S GAZETTEER
Traveling in Reverse of the Pollen Seasons
If You Are Allergic to Tree Pollens
Watch Out for the Parietaria Weed
OTHER WEEDS IN EUROPE
A POLLEN OF INDIA
A Guide for Avoiding Indoor Allergens
HOTELS FROM ALLERGY HELL
VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ON THE ROAD
WHEN YOU'RE AIRBORNE
ON A SHIP
Visit Your Doctor First
CARRY YOUR MEDICATIONS
ALLERGY SHOTS AWAY FROM HOME
Get the Facts First
Allergy Checklist
EPILOGUE: Don't Let Chronic Allergies Interfere with Your Life
SINUSITIS
TREATMENT
Depression and Stress
One Last Allergy Checklist
Glossary
Appendix A: Resources
Appendix B: Shopping Guide
Index