Allergies: Can Your Child Outgrow Them?

An allergy is an adverse diagnosis, but it is not a sentence. Many parents are concerned that allergic reactions can be hazardous to health. Also, they wonder if allergies can restrict children from leading a full life. There is no universal answer as every kid is different.

Actually, some children learn to live with the allergy, whereas others forget about allergies when they become adults. There are some major issues, which cover the subject of the allergy and the chances of children to overgrow them.

Allergy: symptoms & allergens

Allergy is the disorder of the immune system, which implies a specific reaction to substances, which are found in the environment, food, and medications. Usually, these allergens do not pose a risk to other people, but the organism perceives them as aliens. Therefore, an allergic reaction develops. It manifests itself through certain symptoms: sneezing, a stuffy or running nose, cough, watery eyes, swelling, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, swelling of the throat, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

The triggers may be ingested through the air: dust, pollen, vapors, animal dander. Also, the allergens may be chemicals, insect bites, medicines and foods.

What Allergies Can Be Outgrown?

There are some allergy types, which disappear in the adulthood, but there are those, which can’t be cured, but still they may be managed.

Food Allergy

Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and an associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern Medicine in Evanston, Ill. States that a food allergy is likely to be outgrown. For instance, the symptoms of egg, milk, and soy allergy are eliminated in 85 percent of children. Also, 50 percent of kids can dispose of a wheat allergy, a little amount (roughly 9 percent) can get rid of a tree nut allergy.

As for the shellfish and fish allergies, they cannot subside with the age.

Pollen allergy

Researchers have not reached a final conclusion about seasonal allergies. In some children, symptoms change from season to season. Besides, some signs disappear, while others develop after exposure to specific allergens (different types of pollen, e.g. from trees, grass).

Insect sting & venom allergy

These allergies develop in childhood and can’t be outgrown. However, there is an approach, which can cut down the allergy symptoms, it is called immunotherapy. It allows people not to suffer from exacerbation of allergies, even when a person is in contact with the trigger. The body adjusts to allergens and does not respond to them so strongly.

Dust mite and mold allergy

They cannot be outgrown, however, still with the help of doctors they are controllable. Necessary drugs, immunotherapy and preventive measures are paramount in the allergy treatment. Besides, they cannot be ignored since a constant exposure to triggers leads to the development of asthma.

Drug allergy

Statistics, provided by a National Center for Health Statistics, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology show that about 15 percent of children are prone to some types of the drug allergy. Yet, 70 percent of patients with a penicillin allergy overgrow it.

Allergy treatment

Many children can get rid of allergies. But this process does not happen by itself, parents should closely monitor the child's condition and consult a physician. Take a proactive approach to the allergy treatment by following these tips:

1. A decline in allergic sensitivity may be proved only by medical tests, so the child should undergo a medical examination regularly. Only doctors prescribe medicines and conduct a desensitization.
2. Steer clear of the contact with allergens. If a child is allergic to the food, do not let him or her consume triggers. But the kid should receive a necessary amount of vitamins and nutrients, so find alternatives to unsafe products. Also, avoid a cross – contamination. Be very careful while eating out.
3. Learn to manage airborne allergies. If the kid suffers from a pollen allergy, stay away from allergens during the peak of the season. Wash the clothes after every walk.
4. If you are struggling with a pet allergy, then keep pets away from the child’s place.
5. Ventilate the room and carry out a wet cleaning at home. Also, get rid of the carpets, and use special pillowcases and sheets, if your child is allergic to dust.
6. Don’t let the kid enter dump areas and keep the bathroom clean and dry if a mold allergy bothers him or her.
7. A drug allergy may be avoided if you use alternative medicines.

Thus, some allergies can be outgrown. All you should do it to take necessary precautions as a parent and the child should undergo a regular allergy evaluation and medical treatment. Then, the allergy will be controlled, its manifestation reduced and the kid will enjoy an allergy – free life.

This Article Courtesy of Jimmie Greer

 
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Eating to Live Part 5: Making the Choice

Choices. So many things can be said about them. The most important: that no one else can ever make your choices for you. However, that’s not to dismiss the fact that they won’t try and influence your choices. That happens everywhere (yes, especially when it concerns eating). Ever purchased food? Then you both made a choice and were influenced (assuming you read the label, at least). Everyone can be influenced, that is completely natural. Problems occur when that influence is overextended into persuasion, and that’s when one’s choices can potentially suffer. When it comes to choosing what to eat, making the best choices can be difficult (as explained in the previous part of this series), especially when poor choices masquerade as good ones.

The best choice is a very subjective thing, unique to each individual’s perspective and personal experience. That’s why certain dietary preferences and restrictions may work well for some, but aren’t for everyone. There are guidelines that can be applied to anyone’s diet, and the closer they are followed, the better the results (health and happiness both increase). If you have been following our blog, you have probably noticed that the basic goal of “eating to live” is to eat foods high in nutrients, and avoid those that are not. The chart below breaks down how nutrient-rich a food is, and thus how frequently it should be consumed. 

The focus is to incorporate a greater number of whole, plant-based foods into one’s diet, while significantly reducing animal products and processed, refined foods. The very structure of these guidelines will inherently reduce non-essential fats, salt, and sugars, which will result in improved health. Making the choice to eat healthier is even easier to do when you follow the basic premise of the chart. What’s even more attractive about making that choice is that the guidelines are open-ended and adjustable. One can adapt to the “eating to live” lifestyle quite easily, as there are no rigid restrictions or strict requirements (i.e., eat more good foods, avoid more bad foods). The greater number of nutrient dense foods consumed, the more profound the results will be (simple as that). As the dieter’s focus is shifted away from less healthy foods, the taste buds will naturally acclimate and begin to favor the increased number of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Over time, the human palate will shift, and one’s unhealthy cravings will ultimately be replaced with new beneficial ones.  

While the promised results are certainly appealing, choosing to eat healthy is not always an easy choice to make. Know that if your goal truly is to live a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle, the choices that help you to do so will become easier as you set your mind to that purpose. Simply follow the basic guidelines outlined in the Eating to Live series as much as comfortably possible, and you will get there quicker than you would imagine. Noticeable results will begin to occur, making progress easier to maintain, as satisfaction will also continue to grow. As with most things, when you feel better and happier about something, you should seek to add more of it to your life. The improved clarity, equanimity, and enjoyment gained from eating to live will create enough of its own momentum, that it will perpetuate a cycle of continued benefits. The initial difficulty of the change is easily absolved, as eating to live and making the right choice becomes second nature. It really is a lifestyle, one that is easily obtainable for anyone. As with all big choices, if you have to take time to make a choice, take time. Then make the choice. 

Eating to Live Part 4: Hungry for Truth

Making the right choices about your diet usually comes down to one simple thing: knowledge. While it’s not exactly simple, it is the biggest factor that dictates our decisions. In order to make a good resolution, one has to know the potential consequences. It’s not so easy to make those good decisions when you don’t know what’s good, though. Perhaps if you know what’s bad, it makes it easier to find the good (or at the very least, avoid the bad). Knowing the reason why something is what it is makes it easier to make decisions regarding one’s diet. With so many foods to choose from, it can become confusing as to what is healthy and what should probably be avoided. Let us identify a particularly common and widespread type of food, and illuminate the truth behind it.

When it comes to misleading foods, nothing is more deceptive than foods that are refined or heavily processed. You may already know that you should minimize or eliminate processed and refined carbohydrates in your diet, but you might not be familiar as to what they are exactly, or why they should be avoided. So then, what exactly is a ‘refined’ food? To create refined carbohydrates, three basic processing steps are needed:

1.      Eliminate the water

2.      Eliminate the fiber

3.      Eliminate the nutrients

Much of the processing is done with heat (don’t mistake that as the same thing as cooking your food, these steps involve far more intense processing). When you do those steps to the food, you are left with a very dense (hence the word heavily), low nutrient food. Why would anyone want to make food like this if it gets rid of most the nutrients? Well, that’s a pretty complex answer, but the short response would be something like this: Why? To make money. And how does that work? Economies of scale (not to mention they are addicting). At any rate, heavily processed and refined foods aren’t made with your own health in mind, and the consumption of them is not encouraged by nutritionists or medical professionals. In fact, it is even suggested you should probably avoid them.

Processed and refined foods are notorious for containing high levels of fats, salt, and sugars, as well as preservatives. There is a general consensus that too much fat, salt, or sugar can be extremely detrimental to one’s health. As we mentioned in part 2 of our series, there is a significant correlation between diets poor in nutrition and debilitating conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The bigger problem is that processed and refined foods make up a huge portion of the Standard American Diet (or the Western Diet). The greater intake of processed foods translates into a higher amount of calories consumed. It is especially true as these foods are typically heavy and calorie dense (contain a large amount of calories in proportion to their size).

The high caloric density of heavily processed foods is actually what makes them the most dangerous of all (ex. Doughnuts). These foods tend to be ideal for over-consumption, because they are so dense. It simply takes more of that food (as opposed to less dense foods) to satisfy hunger. Because they are so dense in calories, it is very easy to over-eat (by the time you feel full, you would have eaten too many calories). Obviously, some foods are more hunger-satisfying than others. It turns out that filling foods have three basic traits in common:

1.      High in water

2.      High in fiber

3.      High in nutrients

Good examples of filling foods that meet those criteria would be vegetables, fruits, unrefined grains, and legumes. When you get right down to it, it is easy to see why heavily processed and refined foods are so dangerous (just take a second look at the three basic processing steps). They actually encourage overeating, which directly leads to weight gain (and a whole host of other problems). To make matters even worse, these foods saturate our stores and restaurants, many of them disguised as healthy foods. It’s an ugly truth that the current situation in the food industry is the biggest problem and such an obstacle in dealing with the obesity epidemic. Rather than spreading blame, let us opt for cheer: the demand for healthier food options is growing and will continue to do so, especially as more and more people seek to learn the facts about their diets.

Eating to Live Part 3: That Is the Question

“To be or not to be.” The beginning of Hamlet’s soliloquy is the most frequently quoted line from any of Shakespeare’s work, without a doubt. We all know it is a famous question (or as its proponents prefer, THE question). It’s pondered often, and the best part about it, is the meaning. Although succinctly perfect the way it is written, many interpret it as “to live or not to live.” That really is a question that should be considered more frequently, and may be most appropriately contemplated in a fast-food drive-thru (As in: Should I be eating this?). We will analyze the popular Shakespearean quote, and will contemplate the two alternatives.  

To Live: Life, and the many benefits to be experienced thereof. Starting with the pros, the reasons to live (eating to live) certainly seem compelling. Unless you have a complex dilemma like Hamlet, choosing to live seems like a no-brainer. Milestone events such as graduation, marriage, buying a home, or having a child are difficult to achieve without being alive. Actually, just about any experience or action requires that one be alive, and the list of reasons to advocate so is staggering. Let’s just say that happiness is best experienced with life, and that is reason enough for most. 

Not To Live: Death, and the cessation of the events of life. Usually averted by most, death is considered tragic. As we discussed in previous entries to this series, not eating properly can send you to an early grave. Still skeptical? Well, unless you have been able to live in seclusion the past decade or so, you are certainly familiar with what is now being called the “obesity crisis.” Driven by poor diet and over-consumption of less than ideal foods, obesity is a problem that plagues more than one-third of American adults. Aside from the obvious physical disadvantage of being overweight, obesity leads to a host of problematic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer (these four aliments are the leading causes of death). As mentioned in part 2 of the Eating to Live series, those conditions are derivatives of the “live to eat” mindset, which poses a serious threat to health and longevity. Needless to say, “Living to eat” is not the ideal philosophy for one seeking to avoid death or death-inducing symptoms.

While the deterring factors of the “live to eat” mindset are quite evident, there has to be a rational explanation as to why it is as widespread as it actually is. There are usually many social, emotional, psychological, and even financial incentives to this lifestyle. Conversely, there are a flock of disincentives as well. Yes, we are making the assumption that the reason to consume a doughnut bacon cheeseburger is not because one seeks to induce bodily harm. So what are some of those common incentives/motivators to eating not-so-healthy foods? In a nutshell:

• Tastes good
• Friends do it (Peer pressure)
• Background (raised on it)
• High stress levels
• Addiction
• Misinformation (seems healthy)
• Availability (more common)
• Less expensive
• Effective marketing
• Lack of alternatives

There is no denying the fact that some (if not all) of those reasons are legitimate, and it makes sense how an improper mindset and poor diet can pervade a culture. But try a different mindset (the one advocated in this blog series), and your perspectives will change. If health really is your goal, and you set your intentions towards it, those reasons will become excuses (which lack validity). The “eat to live” mentality will expose you to new thought processes.  Suddenly, the question you have been pondering becomes clearer: you simply must decide the weight of importance of your priorities. If you want to choose the former option, you will recognize that you have to put your health first. With that in mind, eating right (to live) suddenly becomes much easier. Not only that, but it becomes exponentially more attractive. 

Eating to Live Part 2: The Solution Is in the Problem

The goal of this series is about as simple as the title makes it out to be, which is to inform individuals of the importance of eating well. Moreover, it actually attempts to illuminate the point of that new paradigm, and to demonstrate the value of a healthy lifestyle and good dietary choices. It includes the principle that health is king, for without it you may be left with nothing. As simple as it may sound, there is yet more to the story than that. Before jumping into the “Eat to Live” philosophy, an explanation of the polar opposite, “Live to Eat,” is in order.

So what does “living to eat” actually mean? Does it mean that food is the number one priority in life? No. Is it when a person loves food more than anything? Nope. Is it that the reason for a person’s existence is to consume food? NO. “Living to eat,” to put it simply, is a mindset. Yes, it is the sort of mindset where a person eats what they please, and does not care to change one’s eating habits, regardless of how detrimental or unhealthy they may be. It does not mean that a person is lazy, weak, or lacking in willpower. It only means that they don’t want to change, because they are happy enough eating what they please. Quite often they are unaware of the facts of the alternative choices (and/or the facts about what they do eat).

Yes, the “live to eat” mindset can have many unintended consequences and problems. Perhaps one of the biggest is chronic disease (heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis among others). It’s a pretty big deal too, since 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States are due to chronic disease (according to the CDC). Nearly all chronic disease is caused by one (or more) of four different risk behaviors: Lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and poor nutrition. Well, if you get out enough, don’t smoke, and limit your drinking, you are just about there. Sadly, that’s usually where the buck stops, since almost half of American adults have had one or more chronic illnesses, and poor nutrition is the overlapping culprit in many cases.

To quote one astute observer: “The very thought that the diet could have such a profound, powerful effect on the human body, it simply boggles the mind.” Sure, most of us can relate that to the phrase “you are what you eat,” but forming a causal relationship between the foods we eat and the sicknesses we get might be pushing the envelope. It’s even more astonishing when we learn of reports claiming that nearly 75% of health care costs are tied to the top 5 chronic diseases. That’s almost the same as attributing blame of the US health care crisis on the poor diets of Americans! Now don’t get started on some food conspiracy, ya’ hear, we aren’t here to spread blame, rather cheer. And the truth is this: chronic diseases, the most common and costly of all medical treatments, are also some of the most preventable. Additionally, heaping amounts of evidence (also known by many as proof) suggest that many of these illnesses are also reversible with the proper diet. Food can also be the solution; it just depends on the mindset.

The meaning of that phrase “you are what you eat” is certainly more evident when you consider the facts. That tends to happen when the truth is explored. So then, consider this: If the impact of one’s diet can have both positive and negative effects on one’s health, wouldn’t it also be logical that the validity of an excuse for one’s health be considered rational, regardless of the status of one’s actual health? Athletes, nutritionists, bodybuilders, doctors, and others will be the first to tell you that diet plays a role in good health. Not as frequently do we hear from those with chronic illnesses suggesting that their diet has an impact on their health. And why would they? Even if one was aware of the fact (as many are not) that their diet is a huge contributing factor to their predicament, they would still find it difficult to openly address. Human psychology of the self explains it pretty well: we identify ourselves with positive things, and a poor diet and lifestyle does not meet the standard. There are elements of the self that inherently try to prevent a negative identification of one self. Fortunately, learning the truth is the best way to overcome that, as well as any obstacle that may stand in the way of your health. The bottom line: food is the most powerful tool for your health, period.              

Eating to Live Part 1: Let History Be Thy Lesson

“Survival of the fittest.” The phrase was first coined by philosopher Herbert Spencer in 1864 as he drew parallels to Charles Darwin’s explanation of ‘Natural Selection,’ which remains one of the cornerstones of modern biology. Unfortunately, today it is often used in contexts that are not accurate to either of the meanings that the original proponents intended, nor is the basic meaning of the term entirely accurate when describing the way evolution in nature actually occurs. Why mention it then? Perhaps a different definition can be applied, one in which the meaning is both true and accurate.

When breaking down the phrase, let us assume the meaning of the base word fit is a synonym for health (ex. if one is in good fitness, they are implicitly in good health). Therefore, the phrase can also be interpreted as “survival of the healthiest.” Of course, one can still raise objections to that statement, such as the possibility that individuals in good health may not survive because of numerous other causes (homicide or natural disaster being examples). Rather than diving into a philosophical wormhole, we will assume the basic implication of the phrase, suggesting that those in good health are more likely to survive. To the surprise of some, being healthy may actually increase your odds of survival (Revisit Part 4 of our Eating Local series for more information on the potential benefits of good health). In all seriousness, everyone prefers to be healthy and well, that’s a given (increased longevity and quality of life are only added benefits).

Well then, what must one do in order to survive and be healthy? For starters it’s common knowledge that one must eat in order to survive. In fact, it has been documented nearly 2500 years ago, when Socrates counseled “Thou shouldst eat to live, not live to eat.” That wisdom seems to be in conflict with the modern day self-proclaimed gourmands, as well as the omnipresent force of marketing in the food industry, which encourages different motives for the consumption of food than what Socrates advises. Believe it or not, marketing is actually used as a tool to create more business for the company which uses it. How else would you care to explain the unparalleled success of today’s restaurants, such as that of the lauded golden arches, which happens to be the most widely recognizable restaurant logo in the world? Hint: It’s not because their food products are a key to vitality, and promote health and well-being. The success of the golden “M” is another example of how the power of marketing once again triumphs over science (Please see the Surgeon General’s 1964 Report on Smoking and Health for a similar example). 

It definitely creates a problem when the modern food industry is saturated with foods that are not designed or manufactured with the intent to promote good health. Actually, look a few words back, and you have the source of the problem right there. Too much of the “food” in today’s world is heavily processed, unnaturally manufactured, genetically modified, or in other words, not real food. That shouldn’t be news, as it has become quite the hot topic in recent years to talk about eating foods that are natural and good for you. Unfortunately, the beloved use of marketing has taken many of our favorite buzz words (organic, all-natural, whole-grain, etc.) and polarized them to the point where some even view them as a bad thing (or are at least skeptical). 

So how can you find food that is actually good for you? We plan to discuss that more in depth in upcoming entries. But for starters, if it did not exist before 1946, you would be playing it safe (to say the least) if you avoided it. It was after that year when chemical fertilizers, genetically modified seeds, pesticides, and agribusiness really began. Always remember that history can be a great lesson, especially when it comes to something as commonplace as food. After all, being healthy and surviving is nothing new; plenty of people have done it before.

Eating Local Part 5: Our Reason

Rea·son (ree-zuhn) - The basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction.

When asked to do something, most people require one. Even if it is not spoken aloud, we still think about the reason, and we all have one (or many) for every action we make. It’s true, although it is not always so obvious, especially when it comes to things that we do frequently in routine, or out of habit. Eating is one of those things. While the primary reason to eat is to satisfy hunger, it is possible to find yourself eating for pleasure, as a solution to boredom, as a substitute for love, as a reward to oneself, or as a remedy against stress or frustration. Some reasons are more important than others (psychologists state that the willingness to survive and the willingness to reproduce are the two primary reasons that explain basic human behavior). Whatever the reason, there is always one present. When it comes to eating local, we have worked to provide you with some reasons to do so. We will be giving you one last reason in the concluding part of this series, and to many this reason will prove invaluable (If it does not already do so).   

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell exactly what that reason will be for you, as it is a different story for everyone. Well, the reason for our story is apparent in and of itself: Buying locally grown food is the perfect fodder for a countless number of inspiring stories. Those stories and discoveries are different for everyone, and enrich the entire process of buying local. That is a benefit that you won’t get anywhere else. It’s also an experience that yields intrinsic benefit, as the simple relationship between buyer and seller can grow to hold a much deeper meaning. As are many things, the purposes of such benefits are more easily observed over time, and the appreciation of them can only grow.

There really is no promise that can be made as to what sort of experience you may have, and there is no foretelling the benefits it may hold to you. This is the sort of promise that must be measured on the past, and on the experiences of others. As people often do when considering a course of action, they will look to others who have favorable results (such is the case with a role model, looking to one who gives inspiration). We would suggest asking others about their experiences buying local, as they are certain to provide unique perspective. If you prefer the first-hand approach, visit a farmers’ market near you, and talk to your farmers. Ask them about their land, why they grow what they do, and begin to learn their story. Ask as many questions as you like; farmers love to share their passion as much as anybody.

It is true that most of our behavior can be explained by the choices we make. We all know that we must eat to survive, but choosing what, where, when, and how we eat are individual choices that are unique to ourselves. When you find yourself faced with those choices before your next meal, take a second to consider the reasons behind your potential decision. It should become clear that when possible, try to eat local. There’s just no good reason not to.