MAY HEALTH BLOG

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month.  I don’t know about you, but my allergies have started earlier in the season.  Allergies are caused when the immune system overreacts to substances, such as dust, pollen, mold, etc.   Tree, grass and ragweed pollens thrive during cool nights and warm days.  Did you know that seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is the most common eye allergy? 

A rainy season will speed up plant growth which also leads to an increase in mold, which can intensify allergy symptoms and make the symptoms last longer.  Mold also grows quickly in heat and high humidity. 

Although stress doesn't cause allergies, clearing your mind of things that are stressful may mean less allergy flare-ups!  Try to make time for fun and relaxation.  Check out the event calendar and participate in “stress free” activities at the Complete Health Store, https://www.rialtocompletehealth.com/

Here are some natural remedies for allergy sufferers:

• Raw Bee Pollen – my personal preference!  Bee pollen is produced by flowers and collected by honey bees.   Bee pollen is considered to be the most complete food found in nature.  Amino acids present in bee pollen include: cystine, lysine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamine, proline, glycine, alanine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.
• Butterbur - works as a leukotriene inhibitor, blocking chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages.
• Quercetin - found in wine and many fruits and vegetables, helps block the release of histamine that causes inflammation.
• Bromelain - helpful in reducing nasal swelling and thinning mucus, making it easier to breathe.
• Phleum pretense - can reduce some pollen allergy symptoms, such as eye irritation.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/allergies-allergy#1

Stroke Awareness - http://www.stroke.org/

Suffering a stroke is not as recognizable as it used to be.  Now you can suffer a stroke as early as 13 years old.  What is a stroke??  There are two types of stroke. 

• Ischemic – the most common occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (the blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart), or interrupts the blood flow to the brain. The interruption of blood to the brain will result in the death of brain cells, contributing to damage to the brain.  
• Hemorrhagic - a blood vessel breaks or a vessel in the brain leaks causing increased pressure in the brain.

What are some of the major causes of stroke?

• High blood pressure – Hypertension
• Heart attack – Myocardial Infarction
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol, obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Heredity

Here are a few quick tip-offs to recognize the symptoms.  Once you recognize the symptoms, it’s paramount that you act FAST!

• F – Face – Does one side of the face droop when the person is asked to smile?
• A – Arms – Does one arm drift downward?
• S – Speech – Is the speech slurred when the person is asked to repeat a phrase? 
• T – Time – Note the time the symptoms were first noticed. 

Call 911 immediately – every minute matters!

How do we combat Stroke??  Always consult your medical professional.  Eating a healthy diet is always a recommendation.  The increase of fruits, vegetables, fish and certain herbs will assist in reducing the stroke threat.  Here are a few sample herbs.

• Pomegranate Juice - Drink a glass of pomegranate juice first thing in the morning, empty stomach to prevent stroke.  A compound found only in pomegranates called punicalagin is shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels.
• Garlic - 300 to 500 mg of aged garlic twice daily reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol.
• Fish oil - A daily dose of a fish oil product containing l,000 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA reduces inflammation in the arteries and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride
• Green tea - Green tea contains a rich source of antioxidants and substances that assist detoxification.
• Vitamin E - prevents cholesterol oxidation and is a natural blood thinner.
• Reishi - a mushroom extract that reduces cholesterol
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids - eating fish several times per week reduces risk of thrombotic stroke (a type of ischemic stroke that occurs when a blood clot forms in arteries in the neck or brain).
• Nutmeg - thins the blood, reduces blood fats, cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.  

Other beneficial herbs for stroke prevention and remedy include: Cayenne, Ginger, Cinnamon, Butcher’s Broom, Gotu Kola, Cranesbill, Goldenseal Root, Manjistha, Holy (Blessed) Thistle, Gingko Biloba, and Mullein Leaf.