MOST COMMON

- Milk
Being allergic to cow’s milk isn’t the same as being lactose intolerant.

- Eggs
You can be allergic to either the whites of the yolk. This type of food allergy is more prevalent in children, but does affect some adults.

- Peanut
Most people, adults and children with food allergies, are allergic to peanuts too.

- Tree nut
More children have nut allergies than adults. The symptoms of nut and peanut allergies are the same, but being allergic to one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re allergic to the other.

- Seafood
This is more common in, but not limited, to children. The fish allergens can be passed through the air by people eating or cooking fish near you.

- Shellfish
Similar to seafood allergies. But having one doesn’t mean being allergic to the other.

- Soy
People allergic to soy need to be especially careful when eating Asian foods or using Asian sauces.

- Wheat
This is most commonly a food allergy, but can also bea respiratory contact allergy.
In the United States these are referred to as “the bigeight”. Over 90% of U.S. food allergies consist of these foods.


Allergens differ in other countries, but these 8 make the top 10 in many places through out the world.

Food allergies may be based on contact. In East Asia where rice makes up a large part of the diet, rice allergies are more common, as are celery allergies in Central Europe.

It’s estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy. That’s 1 out of 4. It’s the 5th highest chronic disease in America and the 3rd most common chronic disease in children.

Many people suffer from more than one allergy type.

Pollen from trees, grass and weeds are in theindoor/outdoor allergy category. Other common indoor/outdoor allergy triggers are mold spores, dust mite and cockroach allergen and cat, dog and rodent dander.

About 75% of people with allergies have indoor/outdoor allergies. The most common pet allergy is cat dander.

Skin allergies are another common allergy. The most common causes of skin allergies are plants like poison oak, ivy and sumac.

Allergic reactions can also be caused by skin contact with latex, cockroach and dust mites and even somefoods. Skin allergies are the main allergy for about 7% of allergy sufferers.

While we here a lot about food and drug allergies, they’re the primary allergy of only about 6% of allergy sufferers. Food allergies are more common in children.

Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish are responsible for 90% of all food allergies. Food allergies claim over 200 lives yearly. When it comes to common drug allergies, penicillin is the winner.

Almost 400 Americans die every year from allergies to penicillin.

Latex and insect allergies both claim around 4% ofallergy sufferers. Latex allergies result in 10 deaths a year and nearly 100 deaths a year are the result of insect allergies.

There’s a lot of talk about allergies. But just whatis an allergy and what causes them? Why do some peoplehave them while others don’t? And why are people withone allergy more inclined to have many?

The immune system is set up to protect our bodies fromharmful, foreign substances. Like viruses and bacteria(dirt and germs). Sometimes the immune system doesn’tdevelop properly or is just oversensitive and doesn’treact right.

In these cases, it reacts to things that aren’tharmful and don’t usually cause people any problems.These things are called allergens. The term allergensis just an easier way to say “things that causeallergies”.

When the oversensitive or improperly developed immunesystem sees these allergens, it sends out chemicalslike histamine. It’s the histamines that cause thesymptoms that are common with allergies.

Symptoms like itching, watery eyes, runny nose,swelling, hives or rashes. Different people havedifferent symptoms, but the causes are the same.

The symptoms that are displayed depend on the part ofthe body the allergen comes in contact with. Allergensthat are breathed in, like pollen or dust causecoughing or wheezing, stuffy or runny noses and anitchy nose and throat.

Plant allergies usually come in contact with the skin,so they cause rashes.

Food allergies usually result in nausea, vomiting,stomach pains or in severe cases, life threateningreactions. Drug allergies tend to involve the entirebody, so they have a variety of symptoms.

Low back pain is a usual symptom among the modern civilised people. It affects mainly the middle aged and young adults of both sexes. People who work on the chair with out exercise and those who carry heavy loads regularly are prone to get this complaint. We can hardly find a person who has not suffered from back pain at least once in life. The causes of low backpain ranges from simple reasons like muscular strain to cancer of spine and hence backache should not be ignored. The pain is felt in lumbar and sacral region and may radiate to nearby sites.

The following are some causes for backache.
1) Backache due to diseases in the back.
2) Backache due to gynaecological problems.
3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the body.

Explaination
1) Backache due to diseases in the back:-
- a) Injuries :-
i) Compression fracture of the vertebral column.
ii) Rupture of intervertebral discs.
iii) Injuries to ligaments and muscles of back.
iv) Lumbosacral strain.
v) Intervertebral joint injuries.
vi) Fracture of processes of vertebra.

- b) Functional backache due to imbalance:-
i) During pregnancy.
ii) Pot belly.
iii) Diseases of the hip joint.
iv) Curvature in the spine due to congenital defect.
v) Short leg in one side.

- c) Backache due to inflammatory conditions:-
i) Infection of the bone due to bacteria.
ii) Tuberculosis of the spine.
iii) Arthritis.
iv) Brucellosis.
v) Lumbago or fibrositis.
vi) Inflamation of the muscles.
vii) Anchylosing spondylitis.

- d) Backache due to degenerative diseases in the back.
i) Osteoarthritis.
ii) Osteoporosis in old people.
iii) Degenaration of the intervertebral disc.

- e) Tumour in the spine:-
i) Primory tumour of the bones in the spine.
ii) Metastatic tumours from other sites like prostate, lungs, kidneys, intestine etc.

2) Backache due to gynaecological problems:-
a) After childbirth.
b) After gynaecological operations.
c) Prolapse of the uterus.
d) Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
e) Cancerous lesions of the pelvic organs.
f) Endometriosis.

3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the body.
a) Renal stones.
b) Ureteric stone.
c) Cancer of prostate.
d) Pancreatitis.
e) Biliary stones.
f) Peptic ulcer.
g) Inflammations of pelvic organs.
h) Occlusion of aorta and illiac arteries.


Investigation of a case of backache:-

1) Complete blood count.
2) Routine urine examination.
3) Ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis.
4) X-ray of the lumbar and sacral region.
5) MRI of the spine.
5) CT scan of abdomen and pelvic region.
6) Examination of rectum,prostate,genito urinary organs.

Treatment of back ache:-

1) Removing the cause for backache.
2) Symptomatic treatement.
2) Back exercises.
3) Traction.
3) Yoga.
5) Surgery.
7) Homoeopathy.

The race to fitness is on and a lot of people are getting into the band wagon. Some people do it to achieve a sexy body, some people just do it because they are embarrassed with the body they have now, while others do it simply to remain fit and heatlthy. As such, many fitness programs are out in the internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centers all over. Some are too expensive to afford that one may even lose weight just by trying to work out the money needed to pursue these fitness programs.

One may not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend much just to slim down to obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the bookstore which offer weight loss programs which are convenient and for free, of course the books are not though. These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity with so much publicity, testimonials and reviews that one may be confused which exactly to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading these summaries about the most popular diet programs out today.

Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins. This weight loss program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the carbs. One can feast on vegetables and meat but should fast on bread and pasta. One is also not restricted against fat intake so it is okay to pour in the salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, after the diet, one may find himself lacking on fiber and calcium yet high in fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan advocates low carbohyrate eating. Approves on eating meats, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. however, warns against taking in too much carb. "Reward" meal can be too high on fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose by Dr. Goor. Restrains fat intake. One is given a "fat" budget and he is given the liberty on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafoods is okay. A go signal is also given on eating vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, good amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated fats. Watch triglyceride levels though; if high, trim down the carbohydrates and tuck in more of the unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Advocates moderate amounts of fat and protein intake and high on carbs. Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, the diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages high intake of whole wheat grains as well as fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy. Some dieters think it advocates too much eating to procure significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Gives the go signal on the "glow" foods but warns to watch it on non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet is poor in calcium and retricts consumption of healthy foods like seafoods and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type. Interesting because it is based on the person's blood type. recommends plenty of mest for people with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. And for the record, there is even no proof that blood type affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle. Focused on trimming the calorie density in eating by suggesting watery foods that make one feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is okay. Although limits protein sources to lean meat, pseafood and poultry. Although it is healthy by providing low amounts of saturated fats and rich amounts of vegetables and fruits, it is also low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics. For low-density calorie eating. Recommends the same foodstuff as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is reasonably healthy given the high amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as being low in calorie density and saturated fats.

The Zone. Moderately low on the carbs yet moderately high on the proteins. Encourages low-fat protein foods like fish and chicken plus veggies, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers. High carbohydrates, moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet plan and very flexible too. it allows the dieter to plan his own meal rather than give him a set to follow.