50% of U.S. Population Has Allergies, Most Don't Realize It & Suffer Unnecessarily ... Do You?
by www.SixWise.com
If you live in the United States, chances are you have allergies.
At least, that's the finding from the third National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
It found that 54.3 percent of Americans between the ages
of 6 and 59 tested positive to one or more allergens. A positive
test also means that the person has a greater risk of asthma,
hay fever and eczema.
While it would seem that, with so many people suffering from
allergies, we would be well prepared as a population to handle
them and know their causes, this is not the case.
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Staying indoors when pollen counts are high is one
of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms.
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Americans Fail Allergy Awareness
When it comes to allergy awareness, triggers, symptoms, prevention
and treatment, the American population received largely failing
grades, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America's (AAFA) first National Allergy Awareness Test.
Says Mike Tringale, director of marketing and communications
at AAFA, "When it comes to our health, we need to strive
to do better than average. To raise the allergy grade, Americans
need to learn how to manage symptoms so allergies do not impact
their quality of life, by disrupting daily activities or preventing
attendance at important events."
Some of the most important findings of the survey, which
included over 1,000 Americans, were:
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Only 28 percent of allergy sufferers reported they
were "very knowledgeable" about their allergies.
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Most people are unaware of less talked about allergy
triggers, like cockroaches.
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Although most people believe their allergy symptoms
are controllable, eight out of ten reported that allergies
disrupt their lives.
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Nearly half (49 percent) of allergy sufferers wait
until symptoms occur to take action, rather than using
preventative measures.
Most Common Allergens
According to NHANES III, the top four most common allergens
include:
- Dust mites
- Rye
- Ragweed
- Cockroaches
About 25 percent of Americans tested positive to each one.
Least common was the peanut, with only 9 percent reacting
positively.
As for food allergies, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
says that eight foods account for 90 percent of all food-related
allergic reactions:
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.)
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Wheat
Fall Season is Ripe for Allergies
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Some people face worse allergy flare-ups in the fall
than the spring.
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While most people know that spring is the prime time for
allergies to flourish, many do not realize that sniffling,
sneezing, congestion and wheezing in the fall may be due to
allergies, not a cold.
"Unfortunately, seasonal allergies are not just about
springtime. In some cities, the pollination of different plants,
changing weather and other environmental factors can cause
a greater impact for allergy sufferers during the fall than
in the spring," said Derek Johnson, MD, an allergist
at Temple University Medical Center and a medical advisor
to AAFA.
Tips to Combating Allergies
No matter what the season, one of the best ways to fight
allergies is with prevention. And, the following tips can
help keep allergy flare-ups from occurring at all.
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When pollen and mold counts are high, spend more time
indoors.
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Keep windows closed to keep pollen out.
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Wash bedding once a week in hot water--it will help get
rid of dust mites and other allergy triggers.
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Keep your home as dust-free as possible. The
PerfectClean line of mops, dusters, towels and more,
which is used by leading hospitals and other health care
organizations, is ideal for this. Rather than just pushing
dust around, or worse, stirring it up into the air, PerfectClean's
EasyGrip Mop and Flexible Duster are made with positively
charged ultramicrofibers that pick up everything in their
path--including dust and all of its microscopic attachments.
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Make Your Home's Air Cleaner With
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hospitals and health care organizations use for several
reasons:
-
The ultramicrofiber construction picks up far more
dust, dirt and biological contaminants than any
other cleaning tool, so your home is significantly
cleaner
-
Unlike chemical cleaners and typical mops and sponges,
which are loaded with germs, PerfectClean products
are 100% safe due to their ultramicrofiber construction
-
Hospitals and other organizations use them 100
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Includes:
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Due to the positively charged ultramicrofibers, these
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If you spend time outside, change your clothes and wash
your hair when you come inside to remove pollen and other
allergens.
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Filter your home's air--many allergic reactions are triggered
by airborne particles.
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If pet dander is a problem for you, keep pets out of
the bedroom (or don't get any pets to begin with).
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Use dehumidifiers in basements and other damp areas of
your home where mold could grow, and be sure to clean
them once a week.
Tips for Food Allergies
Fighting food allergies can be a bit trickier, as hidden
ingredients, particularly wheat and peanuts, can be anywhere.
Be sure to read food labels carefully and if you eat out,
let the server know that you absolutely cannot have certain
ingredients.
Also, be sure to check out "The
Food Allergy Survival Guide Book," our top-recommended
source for anyone with food allergies.
You'll learn what your food triggers might be, how to avoid
them, easy-to-use alternatives, and even great-tasting allergen-free
recipes.
Looking for even more allergy prevention tips? Read the past
Sixwise.com article, "25
Simple Steps to Prevent Allergy Flare-Ups."
Recommended Reading
The Top 8 Foods
People Are Most Sensitive To--Without Even Knowing It!
Sources
Health
Orbit August 4, 2005
Eurek
Alert: When it Comes to Allergies, Americans Don't Make the
Grade
Top
50 Fall Allergy Capitals
The
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Allergy
Action Plan