antihistamines Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Long-term Benadryl Use Takes Scary Toll on Brain Health, New Study Suggests

AHA Publisher — Wed, 01 May 2024 05:05:26 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – Allergies seem as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. Trusty antihistamines, like Benadryl, have long been a go-to solution. Yet, beneath its comforting relief lies a potentially harrowing reality. A new study has emerged, shedding light on a startling revelation: prolonged Benadryl use may exact a terrifying toll on brain health. As millions reach for this seemingly innocuous medication, the findings prompt a sobering reconsideration of the long-term consequences lurking within our medicine cabinets. Did You Know? Benadryl May Pose Serious Risk to Your Brain The study referenced, conducted on a Korean national cohort, examined the management of overactive bladders primarily with anticholinergics. Researchers analyzed nationwide population cohorts consisting of those newly diagnosed with overactive bladder syndrome who started medication use in the half-decade between 2015 and 2020. What does Benadryl have to do with this, you ask? While Benadryl was not specifically included in the study, it’s important to note that antihistamines like Benadryl share similar anticholinergic effects with the drugs examined. Findings from this analysis revealed an increased risk of new-onset dementia associated with anticholinergic usage, which could extend to medications like Benadryl due to their anticholinergic properties. This raises concerns about the potential cognitive risks associated with long-term use of such medications. Alarming Study Links Anticholinergic Medications to Dementia Risk In total, the study analyzed data from 3,452,705 individuals. Among them, 671,974 participants used a beta-3 agonist, while 1,943,414 strictly used anticholinergics. Additionally, 837,317 study participants received both treatment modalities in combination. The unexpected findings revealed that using anticholinergics alone increased the risk of dementia when compared with the use of beta-3 agonists. Furthermore, the risk of dementia was found to increase with higher doses of anticholinergics. Moreover, the study identified other anticholinergic medications, such as propiverine, fesoterodine, tolterodine, and solifenacin, as also associated with an increased risk of dementia. Additionally, the combination of different treatment modalities taken together significantly heightened the risk of dementia. Alleviate Seasonal Discomforts Without Pharmaceuticals As the seasons transition, so do the allergens in the air, often leading to seasonal irritations for many individuals. Natural remedies provide a gentle and holistic alternative for those seeking relief without resorting to conventional medications. Here are some natural ways to alleviate seasonal irritations and boost your health: Local honey: Many swear by consuming local honey as a natural allergy remedy. The theory is that taking small amounts of local pollen through honey may help desensitize the body to allergens over time. Incorporating a teaspoon of local honey into your daily routine may relieve allergy symptoms. Saline nasal irrigation: Saline nasal irrigation, neti pot, or saline nasal spray are simple yet effective ways to flush out allergens and irritants from the nasal passages. Regular irrigation can help reduce nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose associated with allergies. Steam inhalation: Steam infused with essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint can help open nasal passages and relieve congestion. Quercetin-rich foods: Quercetin, a natural plant compound with anti-inflammatory properties, is found in foods like onions, apples, citrus fruits, and berries. Adding these foods to your diet may help reduce allergy symptoms by stabilizing mast cells and reducing histamine release. You may also want to supplement with vitamin C and quercetin. Butterbur: Butterbur, an herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia, has traditionally been used to treat allergies and migraines. Studies suggest that butterbur extract may help by reducing inflammation and inhibiting histamine release. While seasonal allergies can be a nuisance, there’s no need to suffer in silence or rely solely on drugs like Benadryl. Natural remedies can help alleviate allergy symptoms while nurturing your body and promoting overall health. Sources for this article include: Sciencedirect.com To read the original article click here.

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Allergy ALERT: Here Is How to Reduce Your Exposure to Allergens Plus 5 Natural Solutions

AHA Publisher — Fri, 14 May 2021 07:00:26 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience allergies of some sort every year. And with spring in full swing, millions of us are about to experience the hallmark sneezing, itchy throats, and watery eyes that signal hay fever in full effect. Want to find relief that doesn’t depend solely on the pharmacy? Let’s review some of the most effective natural allergy options we know about. HEPA Filters, Probiotics, and These Additional Allergy Solutions Might Give You Relief This Spring and Summer If you’re trying to stay away from prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines, consider adding a variety of natural allergy relief remedies into your daily routine. Some may work for you better than others, so experiment with a few. HEPA filters: It’s not clear if HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters always or significantly improve allergy symptoms, but we do have some studies that support their use. For instance, one 2018 study from the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology found that the use of HEPA filters improved clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis as well as reduced the amount of particulate matter in the air. Probiotics: In 2015, a systematic review of 23 studies concluded that “probiotics may be beneficial in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis,” but note that further research is needed to clarify recommendations. Currently recommended amounts for probiotic supplements range widely, from 1 billion to 10 billion or more colony-forming units (CFUs). The scientific plausibility of probiotics alleviating allergy symptoms is considerable, given that probiotics support gut and immune health. Acupuncture: Ever tried acupuncture? A 2015 review of 13 papers, including 2,365 participants, published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, found that acupuncture appears to be a safe and valid natural remedy for allergy relief. Frankincense oil: Inhaling this fragrant essential oil (either by putting it in a diffuser or placing it in a carrier oil and dabbing it behind the ears) may reduce fatigue, ease symptoms, and improve quality of life in people who have seasonal allergies, according to a 2016 randomized controlled trial. Other essential oils touted for their allergy-relief benefits include peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil. Quercetin: Laboratory studies have found that this nutrient — found in foods like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, citrus fruits, grapes, and green tea — prevents the release of histamine, which is a key compound involved in the body’s allergic response. We don’t have strong human data to prove its effectiveness at reducing allergy symptoms, but anecdotal evidence suggests it offers benefits. Other nutrients and supplements said to promote allergy relief include vitamin C and the blue-green algae spirulina. Here Are 5 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to Allergens Treating allergies, whether with medications or natural remedies, is important for improving your quality of life. But preventing an allergic response in the first place matters, too. Here are five simple ways to avoid your exposure to allergens in your home and community: Check the pollen forecast: Input your town and zip code at Pollen.com or a similar resource, so you’ll know how bad the pollen is in your area and will be prepared to take more preventive action. On high pollen count days, stay indoors and close the windows. When going outside, wear wraparound sunglasses to block allergens from your eyes, and try putting some Vaseline around your nose to trap pollen particles! Shower before going to bed to avoid bringing pollen and debris onto your pillowcase and bed linens. Vacuum and dust regularly. And, finally, as a “bonus tip,” many integrative healthcare providers will remind you to avoid conventionally-produced dairy products, sugar or flour-based food products because they tend to cause mucus buildup. Sources for this article include: Pollen.com AAFA.org NIH.gov APJAI-journal.org NHS.uk NIH.gov EPA.gov Harvard.edu Hindawi.com MountSinai.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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