A week after having Sasha at home I started experiencing a ticklish throat and a heavy chest. I had been around animals most of my life and I have never had an allergic reaction to animals; therefore I assumed I was developing a cold. However, a week went by and my ticklish throat turned very itchy and I also had a very noticeable wheeze. Now it was obvious that what I was experiencing was an allergic reaction to animals, in particular to this fluffy little kitten. Still, not willing to face the truth and hoping for the best I started taking some antihistamines and waited a few more days.  The antihistamine did not help, my breathing became more laboured and I was developing hives. 

I finally faced reality and went to see my physician. I was diagnosed not only with allergies but also with adult onset asthma brought on by the kitten. I was prescribed a bucketful of medications mainly for asthma, but also to calm my immune system down. There was no question that we had to find a new home for Sasha. I thought that once Sasha was gone, everything would go back to normal but this was not so. I now was sensitive to many things that I had never been before, particularly animals. Our ten year old labrador retriever, with whom I had lived in harmony for the past ten years, was now causing chaos with my immune system.

Giving up Sasha was a gut wrenching experience, but she was very young and would easily adjust to another home. However, we have loved and lived with our dog for ten years and he is a part of the family. Giving our dog up was not an option; therefore I needed to find another solution to the allergic reaction to animals that I was experiencing.

My first step was to inform myself about pet allergies and how to deal with them. Once well informed I was ready to act.

• I created a pet free zone in my home. Our dog is not allowed in the areas I spend most of my time in, my bedroom and my office.  
• Our house is vacuumed daily to reduce the amount of fur and allergens.                                             
• I invested in a HEPA filter and placed it in the living room where our dog is allowed to roam. The HEPA filter reduces the amount of allergens in the air.
• Finally, we started shampooing our dog with allergen reducing shampoo twice a month and also applying a dander removing spray daily. The spay/shampoo treatment has been very effective in reducing my allergies and asthma.

These simple steps have worked well for me. Living with an allergic reaction to animals can be a simple task if one is willing to make the necessary adjustments. Pets make great companions and loving and living with an animal is one of the greatest things in the world. Seeking the proper treatment and health advice from a doctor can make it possible to live with an animal even if you have an allergic reaction to animals.

Very few studies have proved that cough and cold medications work on children; meanwhile, over a 13-year period, Canadian officials have received reports of 164 negative reactions from children. Those reactions included heart problems, hallucinations and convulsions. Worse yet, 5 deaths have been linked to cough and cold OTC (over the counter) medication.

These concerns are very real, but for parents with young children what does this mean? Many parents are finding themselves at a loss. Western culture has become so dependent on popping pills for all minor ailments that we are left helpless without them.

There are many more effective alternative remedies for coughs and colds in children. These home remedies are safer for your children.  Many of the products you will already have at home so they are convenient and inexpensive.

 Rest and stay warm: Make sure your child rests when he first comes down with the cold. This allows his body to direct all of its energy towards the immune “war”. This battle is hard on the body so help it out by making your child stay warm under a blanket. It will also make him feel more comfortable.

Blow the nose often:  Gently blow your child’s nose frequently rather than allowing him to sniffle the mucus. If your child blows his nose hard this can cause an earache.  Sniffling mucus causes the accumulation of secretions in the back of your child’s throat which promotes bacteria to thrive and can lead to secondary infections.

Drink plenty of hot fluids: Fluids keep the mucus thin and they can soothe the uncomfortable inflamed membranes that line your child’s nose and throat. Colds can dehydrate your child so have him drink at least eight ounces of fluid every two hours. A great home remedy is to make a tea with lemon juice (squeeze real lemons), lots of honey and some ginger.

Bring out the chicken soup: One of the best hot liquids your child can consume when he has a cold is chicken soup. Doctors aren’t sure why chicken soup helps to clear nasal passages but in the tests performed it always works well. Press a clove or two of fresh garlic into his bowl of soup - garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties (helps kill those pesky viruses!)

Hit the spice rack for Thyme: For a cough that won’t clear up then place a tablespoonful of thyme in a bowl, add boiling water and breathe in the steam. Thyme is a potent anti-spasmodic herb which suppresses the cough. It also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Use a saltwater wash: The inflammation and swelling in the nose is caused by molecules called cytokines. If you wash out the cytokines it reduces the swelling and fluid production.  Fill a clean nasal-spray bottle with diluted salt water (one teaspoon salt water to one quart water) and spray each nostril three to four times. Repeat four to five times daily.

Vaporize it: The steam from a vaporizer will loosen mucus, especially if it is thick, and this will help make your child feel more comfortable.

If your child develops a fever, which is considered to be a temperature over 36.4C (97.7F), it is a sign that his body is fighting an infection caused by bacteria, a virus or other foreign organism. The following steps will help reduce a fever and help your child feel more comfortable:

• Dress your child in light cotton clothing;
• Keep the room temperature at a comfortable level;
• Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids;
• Gently wipe your child’s face with a damp lukewarm cloth of sponge.  Baths are not recommended because they can cause discomfort and shivering;
• Never use an alcohol rub since the alcohol can be absorbed through the child’s skin.

Never use ASA (Aspirin) to treat your child’s fever. This medication has been linked to a rare but serious disease called Reyes Syndrome when it is given to a child with a fever.

Fever treatment in children with a low grade fever (under 101F or 38.5C) includes acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).  These should be used only if the child is in pain or great discomfort. The fact is that a fever can do the body some good since it helps the body defend itself against invading organisms. A slightly elevated body temperature gets the immune system revved up!!  Also, the bacteria or virus will not function as well in higher temperatures, so your child will heal quicker if he has not been medicated.

Please be aware there are times when you definitely should seek medical help for a fever.                                        

In the first three months of life call for help immediately or go to a hospital emergency if your baby has a fever over 39C (102.2F) for more than half an hour.  A baby under two months old with a fever should be seen by a doctor. Also, call if a fever lasts more than six hours in a baby under six months old.

After dinner, when you’ve calmed down, you sit down in front of the TV to relax before you, the taxi-driver mom, have to drive away for the evening. On the couch you snuggle in beside your husband all lovey-dovey and you think what a wonderful guy you have.  As you watch some no-brainer comedy and you glance at your aging dog you start to cry and suddenly the crying turns into uncontrollable sobbing.

Although this is a fictitious scenario, this woman is experiencing menopausal mood swings. If you are experiencing a similar emotional roller coaster ride and you are in your 40’s then you are probably entering into a new phase of your life-menopause.  For some women these menopausal mood swings can be devastating not only to themselves but also to their family and loved ones.

Menopausal mood swings can be significantly reduced by improving your lifestyle.  A weekly regimen of exercise, specifically yoga and meditation, has been proven to relieve mood swings.  Do not take this for granted.  You must be kind to yourself and do the necessary things for yourself that will ensure that you remain happy and healthy.   If you are simply running about the day looking after everyone else, as most women tend to do, then you will surely suffer the feelings of rage that come with menopausal mood swings.  Your husband and children will not understand your behavior and you will end up with unnecessary feelings of guilt and depression as part of the whole cycle that could have been avoided.  Equally important is to have a support group, either loved ones or friends that can help you navigate through this time while having a positive effect on your overall well-being.  Stick to a good diet, eat wholesome foods and avoid caffeine loaded drinks which will exacerbate your symptoms.

If you feel you are stressed out and losing control, take a break, make a cup of herbal tea with chamomile and passionflower.  These herbs are calming and may help you get back into control where you will feel better about yourself.   Slow down, enjoy your tea, do a few yoga stretches and enjoy your family.  If a cup of tea isn’t sufficient then you may want to consider St. John’s Wort and Chasteberry which help some women with menopausal mood swings or a depressed mood. 

Women with a history of depression or other mental disorders may find that menopause can lead them into serious depression or other psychological conditions.  If your emotional symptoms are severe, see your physician and request that he/she do a careful evaluation or send you for a psychological or psychiatric consultation to differentiate menopausal mood swings from those due to a psychological condition. This will enable the best and most effective therapy to be selected.