Is it an allergy or is it a cold?

Is it an allergy or is it a cold?

After successfully surviving this winter without a cold or even a sniffle, I was feeling pretty good about things. Finally, I write articles about staying healthy with good nutrition and am a distributor for a company that also offers really great nutritional products. This is how I should stay healthy and not be sick.

Then it happened! Suddenly I felt a bit puny, started sneezing and had a runny nose. As a person who doesn't normally have allergies, I was confused. I hadn't even been around anyone with a cold. Oh, but one afternoon while cleaning for a friend who had been in the hospital for several months undergoing rehab, I kicked up a lot of dust mixed with powder and cat hair that had been there for many months. At first I just thought I was particularly tired from spending a few long, hard days doing physical labor.

However, when the sneezing and runny nose appeared, I began to analyze. What is that? Do I have a cold? Have I developed a new allergy that I've never had before? So I examined common symptoms of colds and allergies. My conclusion was that I had most likely developed a dust mite allergy, which went away within a few days.

COLD SYMPTOMS

Normally it takes between 3 and 14 days

Usually occurs in winter

Frequent coughing

Sometimes the person hurts

Sometimes fatigue

Often a sore throat

Itchy, watery eyes are rare

Often a runny nose

overload

Sneeze

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Could last days to months as long as you are exposed

Can occur at any time or be seasonal

Sometimes cough

No pain

Sometimes fatigue

Often itchy, watery eyes

Sometimes sore throat

Often a runny nose

overload

Sneeze

A cold is caused by a virus and is contagious. An allergy can be caused by many things, but it is not contagious. What really causes an allergic reaction is your own immune system. Allergies start due to exposure. Even though you've been there many times before, this time the body marks him as an intruder for some reason. At this point, the immune system investigates the allergy and prepares for the next exposure by developing antibodies, which are special cells designed to protect it. This activates other cells called mast cells. The mast cells are responsible for allergy symptoms in the lungs, skin, nasal mucosa and intestines.

There are different types of allergens:

Airborne allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold.

Certain foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk.

Insect bites.

Medications like penicillin.

Latex or other things that touch you.

Many people become allergic from time to time. If you are one of these people, you should check out some natural ways to avoid this annoying condition.

When starting out, there may be certain foods you could avoid, like dairy and sugar. Otherwise, don't eat the kinds of foods that contribute to mucus and constipation. There are also certain foods that can be helpful, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and flaxseeds. You may need to drink more fluids, especially water.

There are also things you can do in your environment to reduce the likelihood of allergies:

* Wash your bedding every week to avoid dust mites

* Use non-toxic cleaning products

* Wear a mask when gardening, gardening, or working in dusty conditions

* Clean your living environment.

* Clean or replace your carpet

* Eliminate clutter that collects allergens

* Check your home for mold and pollen. Get a dehumidifier

* Wash your clothes after working outside

The above lists of what to do and what not to do could probably go on and on. Of course, as with most problems in life that impact our health, the better you take care of yourself on a daily basis, the fewer problems you should have with other problems such as allergies. In my opinion, the standard advice applies here too. Eat your vegetables, take your vitamins, exercise and get plenty of sleep.

Inspired by Judy Thompson