Severe Weather Conditions and Allergies

It's normal to feel under the weather every once in a while. But if you suffer from mold allergies, these words may have taken on deeper meaning in recent months. Weather disturbances in different regions have left behind a trail of health-related problems.

Global warming has led to more dangerous weather conditions in the United States, including more hurricanes and tropical storms, heavier snow fall, and other extreme weather conditions. If you live in an area affected by any of these situations, long after the storm has passed you could still be left grappling with related water damage, flooding, and mold allergies.

When there's dampness in your home, this enables mold (a type of fungi) spores to breed and grow. Therefore, what starts out as a small problem from water damage can quickly become much more serious. In fact, it only takes a day or two for mold spores to reproduce in the right environment. Some places where mold may flourish is beneath your floorboards, behind wallpaper, and inside your sheetrock and ceiling tiles. It can also grow on your furniture and clothing, too. Often you won't notice the mold, which gives it a chance to take hold. As the mold reproduces, it releases spores into the air. When you inhale these spores, this can trigger your immune system into overdrive and make you feel pretty miserable.

Some mold allergy symptoms include itchy throat, ears, and eyes, nasal symptoms, coughing, difficulty breathing, and headaches. If you're prone to allergic asthma, exposure to mold can also trigger this chronic respiratory condition.

The best way to fight against mold allergies is to identify any areas that could be affected by mold in your home and your workplace and then take steps to get rid of it completely. Just remember that it's important to do this carefully, since coming in contact with the mold during this process can also worsen your mold allergy symptoms. Ideally, you should hire a professional trained in mold removal to handle the clean up, or ask family members or friends for help. If you must do it yourself, though, be sure to put on a mask over your mouth, and wear gloves and goggles to minimize your contact.

Here are some tips to help you wash away mold allergies:

Dry out and cool down any wet areas, since the wetness and humidity provide a breeding ground for the mold to grow quickly. Remove wet furniture or other items immediately. Dry clean wet clothing and soft items.Throw away anything that can't be thoroughly cleaned. Scrub contaminated areas with a mixture of warm water and detergent.Dry surfaces thoroughly once they are clean. Remember that time is of the essence after a flood. The longer you wait to dry wet areas, the more likely it is that mold will have a chance to grow.

If you do suffer a reaction from mold during the cleanup, antihistamines may provide relief. When your discomfort is severe, you should also talk to your allergist about using an oral or nasal form of a steroid. If the effect of weather on your allergies becomes a chronic problem, your doctor may also recommend trying immunotherapy to desensitize your body to mold and other allergens.

Sources:

"Emergency Preparedness and Response." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC.gov, 25 June 2007. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

"Global Warming and Hurricanes." National Wildlife Federation (NWF). NWF.org, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

"Science News: Allergy Expert Has Advice For Flood Victims." Science Daily.  Washington University in St. Louis, 20 June 2008. Web. 6 Oct. 2011.

"What Can I Do about Mold in My Home?" Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health Environmental Health and Injury Prevention Branch. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.

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5 Health Conditions That Steal Your Sleep

Like thieves in the night, physical and mental health conditions can rob you of valuable dreamtime. To solve the problem, you have to get to the root of it, and treat it.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), approximately 35 percent of people who suffer from chronic insomnia have a mother or other family member with a history of sleep problems. UMMC also points out that 10 to 15 percent of chronic insomnia cases are caused by alcohol or drug abuse.  In addition to these circumstances, and sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, a host of medical and psychological conditions can rob you of many much-needed hours of sleep.

Psychological conditions. Anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all cause insomnia. Since chronic insomnia can also cause or worsen emotional problems, you may be confused about which came first. It is also possible that insomnia and psychological problems stem from the same source. If you suffer from any type of emotional disorder, speak to your doctor about professional counseling.

Gastrointestinal conditions. Acid reflux may affect you while you sleep because symptoms are often worse while you are lying down. You may be able to avoid this simply by making sure you eat your last meal or snack several hours before you go to bed. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic condition commonly known as GERD, you may be able to control the symptoms that keep you up at night by changing your diet,  losing weight, or raising the head of your bed four to six inches. Your doctor can help you decide if medication is also necessary.

Respiratory conditions. Not only can conditions such as allergies, asthma, emphysema, and the common cold keep you up at night because they interfere with breathing, but often the medications used to control the symptoms of these disorders can also sleep problems. If you have a chronic respiratory condition, you should be under the care of a physician

Rheumatoid conditions. The chronic pain of arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other muscular-skeletal conditions can make it difficult to fall asleep and is likely to wake you up at times during the night. The only way to take back control of your sleep is to take control of the pain with prescription or over the counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, or other treatments and remedies recommended by your doctor.

Neurological conditions. When Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or stroke occur, brain cells and neurotransmitters that play a role in maintaining normal sleep-wake cycle patterns can be affected. Medications used during rehabilitation, especially hypnotics, also affect quality of sleep.

Most people have lost at least a few hours sleep over a stomachache, sinus headache, coughing fit, or pressing problem that hasn't been resolved. If you are a woman approaching menopause, your sleep may be disrupted by hot flashes, night sweats, and other problems associated with hormonal changes. Any chronic condition can cause sleep problems and many drugs used to treat chronic medical conditions can also prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. If insomnia or sleep disruption lasts three or more weeks, it is considered chronic, and a serious sleep shortage can occur. And that's when you need to seek help.

Sources:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Pain Management; Web 4 March 2011.
https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Rheumatology/Treatments/Pain-Management.aspx

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Insomnia; Web. 4 March 2011.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/inso/inso_causes.html

University of Maryland Medical Center: Causes of Chronic Insomnia; 23 Jun 2009. Web. 4 Mar 2011
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_chronic_insomnia_000027_3.htm

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