Watery Diarrhea|Vomiting And Diarrhea|Toddler Diarrhea

Feline bloody stool is a frequent occurrence, particularly for cats that spend a great deal of time outdoors.  Digesting unusual or spoiled food items can cause a number of problems for your cat's delicate intestinal system.  In order to prevent these issues and help your cat to live a long, healthy life, you'll want to consider using all-natural products to treat and maintain good intestinal conditioning. 

For the most part, our pets get a regular diet of carefully blended foods designed for the specific needs of their internal systems.  Unfortunately, we can't always be with our cats twenty four hours a day and sometimes they'll end up eating things they shouldn't, such as garbage and road kill.  As a result, they can end up displaying a range of symptoms which include feline bloody diarrhea.

Bloody stools and diarrhea are not usual and they should be cause for concern as they can be an indication of a more serious underlying condition such as pancreatitis, parasites or cancer.  If your cat begins experiencing feline bloody stool or diarrhea, you should take them to the vet immediately to be sure that there isn't a more serious cause for their symptoms.

If your vet determines that the feline bloody diarrhea is simply caused by poor diet, then it will be necessary to cleanse your cats system by cutting off all food for 24 hours and then slowly reintroducing it using a bland diet of rice and skinless chicken.  Once the immediate threat has passed there are steps you can take to make sure that your cat remains healthy.

Just like humans, cats need to eat a well balanced diet containing all the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals and get plenty of fluids.  It is vital that you make sure your cat has continual access to a clean water supply, which means cleaning their water bowl frequently.  It is also important to keep your pet vaccinated and make sure they are free of worms, as this can be another cause of feline bloody stool.

Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can help your cat to remain healthy by using medications made from all-natural, plant based ingredients.  If feline bloody diarrhea is an issue for your cat, herbs such as plantagomjor (plantain) and alchemilla vulgaris (Lady's Mantle) can help to promote good digestive health.

Medications which contain these and other natural ingredients are now readily available and can provide a safe, gentle alternative for ensuring good health in cats and dogs.  Feline bloody stool can be a serious problem but it can be easily avoided by keeping your cat healthy and happy and using the healing power of nature to help the process along.

They say cats have nine lives, but if your cat is healthy inside and out, then one is more than enough.  You can be sure that one life is a long and happy one by using safe, gentle, all natural products to treat your cat.  Your pet depends on you, make sure you are giving him what he needs for a naturally healthy life!  

Digestive system is a term that all of us are quite aware of. In school, we had to read about it. What was then just a chapter or assignment for the exam, has turned out to be something very crucial for life. Digestive system is that system of the body which allows us to retain our health and provides longer and disease free life. So, digestive system health problems are important, and you should not ignore them. Every other system in the body gets fueled by the digestive system, and so keeping this system clear, healthy and active is really important.

Common digestive problems

Digestive problems are common in people. A huge percentage of the society suffers from various digestive problems. Those problems can be simple or complicated, but very few people are there who can say that they never faced any problems regarding their system. The two most common digestive system health problems are diarrhea and constipation. There are other problems too, but most of the human race experiences these two in a routine basis. Both of these are caused by water, though the outcome differs. In the case, of diarrhea food moves too fast through the system and water do not get to be absorbed. In the case, of constipation, food moves slowly and excess amount of water is drawn from it.

Reason behind these problems

It is suspected that one's diet is the spoilsport in this matter. If you are not going through a healthy diet, it can cause irritable bowel movement, abdominal cramps, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and many more. Along with that you will also experience the birth and growth of various intestine bacteria which will make you rush to the toilet. There are a few glands that are parts of the digestive system. They are the source of various enzymes and substances that help in the digestion of food. The diseases and problems affect those glands and stop their natural functions. As a result, foods that you eat cannot be digested and various complications crop up.

Some of the common digestive problems are gastritis, heartburn, indigestion, hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer, colonic cancer, rectal problems, ulcerative colitis, stomach cancer, food intolerance and many more. All these diseases are caused by the seemingly simple problem of digestion. By now it has become quite clear that if you want to lead a healthy life you have to take real good care of your digestive system.

Conclusion

The simple problems are curable with simple changes in lifestyle and some medication. Sometimes home remedies prove to be really helpful in this matter. The bigger and more crucial problems, though, need elaborate treatment procedure, which includes visiting the doctor, taking medicine regularly, sometimes operation and prolong stay in the hospital. All these may not be needed ever if you take good care of your digestive system health problems in time. The first step you can take is the easiest one, eating health food. Instead of the junk food if you eat more vegetables and healthy food items it will be good for your digestive system. Along with proper diet, dealing with stress and following a routine life will be of much help.

Although the number of people who have bee pollen allergic reactions are few the severity and seriousness cannot be ignored. The problem begins when people rush into using this supplement. It is with sincerity that we encourage new bee pollen converts to start slowly. Use the tolerance testing system to make sure you can handle the substance before taking the full dosage.

To avoid bee pollen allergic reactions you need to start small. This test that we are about to tell you of can be taken even if you have bought capsules. Since with capsules it is a simple matter of either twisting them open or using a sharp small blade to slit them open. These are the steps to follow:

1. Place one small granule beneath your tongue and allow time for it to dissolve completely. By placing it under tongue you are facilitating an increased absorption rate. The mucous membranes beneath the tongue are the best option to facilitate this form of testing.

2. If after taking the small dose you feel no change then put two grains under your tongue and wait for a reaction.

3. Continue in this manner until you have reached the maximum amount. If after taking a full dose you do not have a reaction, wait a day or two to be on the safe side. If nothing happens you are not allergic.

Now on the other hand the symptoms you are to look for are the following.

1. Pruritus - Itchy skin, but not just any itch this is an incapacitating itch that can lead to a very ugly rash. This problem can be solved simply by discontinuing the use of the pollen.

2. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is also another of the common bee pollen allergic reactions. The intestinal tract gets saturated by eosinophils, which is a type of white blood cells. They are normally at a level of 1-3% but in cases of allergic reaction they can get much higher. This overload can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Stop taking the pollen and seek medical attention.

3. The most severe bee pollen allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. This is the most dangerous reaction you can get. It happens immediately so if you are performing the tolerance test it will happen when you take the first granule. The person gets hives, a narrowing of the sir passages, a rapid or weakened pulse, vomiting, nausea, dizziness and fainting. If any of this happens seek medical attention right away.

As you can see we are holding nothing back. A fully informed person can decide for themselves what risks to take. The testing for bee pollen allergic reactions is one way to make sure you do not endanger your life. Another way to make sure that you get the the best possible supplement is to buy from a pristine source.

This is where we can help you once again, the people we buy from get their pollen from New Zealand. The reason we like this pollen is that it has the least possibility of being contaminated. To get a supply of this precious pure substance follow the link below. Http://about-bee-pollen.com

For years fruit juice has been considered a healthy drink of choice by parents. It does not have all the unnatural ingredients of fruit-flavored drinks, and soda-pop. It also has been recommended as a good source of calcium, vitamin C, and other nutrients by family doctors. In a day and age when children rarely get the recommended daily values for fruits and vegetables, juice can seem like a good strategy to help your children at least get a few servings of something nutritious.

But as it turns out, fruit juice may not be all that helpful.

Not long ago the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a warning about fruit juice and its misuse in pediatrics. The AAP's major concern was that doctors were only considering the benefits and not the potential problems with it. The reports says that parents should be aware that juice is not without its problems, and parents should be aware.

So, what is the big, unhealthy deal about juice? Well, for one, kids are drinking way too much of it-which should not surprise any parent, because kids love it! The AAP report says that while children under age 12 only account for 18% of the total population, they consume 28% of all fruit juices in the U.S. (On average, that is about 9 gallons per person are consumed every year.)

• From a nutritional standpoint, fruit juices, especially fruit juice concentrate, has all of the sugar of soda, but without the nutritional value of whole fruit. The AAP states that commercial fruit juice offers no nutritional value or benefits over whole fruit.


• Over-consumption of fruit juice may be a factor in dental problems and digestive problems like diarrhea and gassiness-and should not be a food source in a child with diarrhea or dehydration due to illness. In other words, telling kids with fever and flu to drink cups of juice to acquire Vitamin C and stay hydrated may not be the best option.


• In some families without access to proper nutritional resources, increasing fruit juice has meant an increase in malnutrition, as children prefer to drink it over consuming real food.


• While the data is controversial, some studies have found a connection between drinking juice and obesity in children. (More likely than not it has to do with overwhelming consumption of sugars eaten in the Standard American Diet, which includes refined grains and sugary drinks in general.)

So, what is a parent of juice-loving kids supposed to do with that fact that juice is not healthy when consumed only in moderation?

Here are a few important tips:

• Instead of drinking fruit juices as a source of vitamin C and calcium, parents should choose whole fruits for their children.


• If it has already become a regular source of hydration, parents can easily reduce the amount of juice consumed by adding water to the child's cup.


• If parents want to increase vitamin C in children with cold and flu-like symptoms, water with a high quality chewable vitamin C supplement may be more helpful than increasing the child's consumption of sugary juice.


• Consider becoming a family that juices. With just a small investment your family can bring home an efficient juicer that you use to create your own healthy, natural cocktails-out of both whole vegetables and fruits. Juicing is a great way to get more of your daily recommended values of these important foods, in the convenience of a beverage that can be just as sweet as a juice box, but offer more nutritional content.


• Finally, Whatever you do, stay away from "fruit juice drinks" or "fruit juice cocktail" which contains very little real juice, and mostly contains sugars and fillers.

Is fruit juice healthy for kids? In moderation it may not be harmful, but as the concern of the American Academy of Pediatrics has shown, fruit juice is not healthy in the the quantities that many American children drink it. While fruit juice can potentially count as a serving for fruit in your child's diet, he or she would do better nutritionally to simply eat a whole fruit. So, here's to putting down the orange juice, and picking up an orange!

If you are like most professional dieters, you are absolutely aware that "eating less and exercising more" is an exercise in futility. After all, if expending more calories than we consumed worked for everyone, the dieting industry would, well, starve.

But it isn't that simple.

There are many health conditions that create a hostile environment for weight loss. From thyroid disorders to oxidative stress, these conditions signal your body to hold on to fat in hopes of creating a fuel reserve that may be needed until conditions in the body are more stable.

And there are other conditions too, conditions you may not be familiar with that are sabotaging your weight loss efforts and making you feel truly unwell. Those conditions can be spawned by... intestinal parasites.

Known as the "great mimickers", parasites commonly create symptoms within its host that mimic other disease processes. During an interview with chiropractic neurologist Dr. Shane Steadman, I learned that in addition to mimicking disease, these little suckers are often overlooked by medical professionals. This leads to mis-diagnosis and mis-treatment with prescription and other medication.

Here are a few of the symptoms that parasites can create in their host... also known as YOU:

• Gas and bloating


• Reflux and indigestion


• Diarrhea and foul smelling stools


• Difficulty in losing weight, or weight loss


• Urinary tract infections


• Vaginal infections


• Skin disorders, such as eczema


• Chronic fatigue or low energy


• Brain fog


• Achy joins


• Achy muscles


• Itchy feet


• Anemia

Once introduced into the host, parasites change the whole digestive track in order to create an environment in which they can thrive. This change disrupts the entire gut and creates inflammation and conditions such as leaky gut syndrome.

How do they get there?

There are many modes of transportation that parasites use to get inside of you. Some common ones are:

• Unwashed salads, vegetables and fruits


• Undercooked meats


• Unwashed hands after playing with a dog or being outside


• Travel to foreign country, where water isn't treated diligently

What do you do?
To determine if parasites are, in fact, the source of your ill health, you must first be properly diagnosed. Ask your health care professional to conduct a parasite test to determine which type of parasite is to blame. Then, based on your belief system, choose an alternative medicine treatment, or as Dr. Steadman suggests, have your physician prescribe you with an appropriate anti-parasitic medication.

But be sure to treat the entire family...the parasite's family that is. Parasite's reproduce quickly so you must make sure that your treatment eliminates the grandparents and the eggs as well as the relatives in between. And be patient as some treatments can take three to six months.

Finally, be sure to receive a follow-up test to insure all of the critters are gone.

What else can you do?
Dr. Steadman provides a wealth of information on how you can attain and maintain an optimal digestive system, which then makes it easier to lose weight and gain health. From understanding what the perfect stool looks like to learning how to keep it that way, you'll be thrilled to know that many of your digestive issues are easily solved.

Looking for how to get rid of uric acid crystals naturally? Then you've come to the right place. Here you'll discover 3 simple tips on how to get rid of gout crystals without drugs.

The uric acid crystals that cause your horrible gout symptoms are formed when your body has high uric acid levels in the blood.

Uric acid is produced when purines in your body's cells metabolize during the process to provide you with your protein and energy needs, as well as protecting your cells from cancer-causing agents, and other great benefits.

The uric acid produced, as a result of purines breaking down, is processed through your kidneys with most being excreted through urine. The relatively low level left in your blood is beneficial.

But if your kidneys aren't working efficiently for some reason, or, too much uric acid is being produced, then not enough acid is being expelled. Excess is then retained and circulated in the blood at higher-than-normal levels. Crystals are then deposited in your joints causing agonizing gout.

Drug-based treatment uses things like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), colchicines, and corticosteroids to help reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. Other drugs such as allopurinol and probenecid are used to lower uric acid blood levels.

This mainstream treatment works very well most of the time for most people, but, it does have some pretty serious side effects. These are things such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, ulcers, bleeding, skin allergies, lowered immunity to fight infection, bone thinning, etc.

So, many more gout sufferers are seeking natural remedies for their gout. Natural remedies that can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, lower uric acid levels, and, get rid of gout crystals. And there are very many home remedies out there, far too many to describe here. But here are three for you to take a look at...

WATER

This has got to be one of the most important home remedies for gout. Most people are dehydrated on a daily basis and this is particularly bad for someone with gout. Gout crystal formation is easier under these conditions.

Water can help prevent uric acid crystals forming, but even once the crystals have formed, water can aid the process to excrete them from your body. Drink at least 12 glasses (8oz) of water on a daily basis, distributed evenly throughout the day.

VITAMIN C

Studies have indicated that vitamin C can lower uric acid in the blood. You can get plenty through fruit such as oranges, tangerines, mandarins, etc. But you can also get it through vegetables like potatoes, red cabbage and red bell peppers, etc.

Another way, especially if you are in the middle of an attack, is to take vitamin C supplements. Talk to your doctor about how much to take for your particular case and background.

HERBS

Some herbs, such as nettle, contain alkaloids which can help to neutralize uric acid. Others, such as hawthorn and bilberry, contain anthocyanosides which have anti-inflammatory powers. Others, like black cohash, have shown to be able to control blood acidity to help fight gout.

These are a very small sample of natural home remedies that can help ease gout symptoms, lower uric acid levels, and, get rid of uric acid crystals from your body.

An important issue, though, is to prevent recurring gout. This can cause serious complications over time if not addressed, e.g. permanently damaged joints and kidney problems such as painful kidney stones.

One of the most important aspects of being a responsible cat owner is providing your cat with a healthy diet, one that delivers all the nutrients your cat needs to live a long and healthy life. This usually comes in the form of a well-balanced, nutritional cat food that is formulated especially for the dietary needs of a cat or kitten. However, some cat owners see no harm in allowing their fluff ball to partake in the family mealtime, providing them with scraps of foods from their plates. This type of consistent indulgence could lead to long-term health issues resulting from poor nutrition, not to mention that a number of very common human foods are toxic to cats, causing anything from an upset stomach, to a much more serious illness and even death. An occasional treat from the table should be fine as long as it is safe for your cat to consume.

Here is a list of some common foods that you should keep away from your cat and in most cases your dog as well. This list is not exhaustive; there are just too many toxic foods to include all of them in this article. If you don't see a specific food on this list, don't assume that it safe for your cat. If you are not certain about the safety of an item that your cat has consumed, please consult your veterinarian.

Alcohol - If you really care for your cat, do not under any circumstance give it alcohol. If you want to see your cat tipsy, try some catnip. Alcohol can not only cause intoxication and intestinal distress, it can also cause more serious issues including respiratory distress and even death.

Avocado- Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin, and while safe for humans, is dangerous for domestic animals. Persin is found in all parts of the avocado, and ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress and in some cases, a buildup of fluid around the heart which can result in death.

Chocolate- In addition to caffeine, chocolate contains the alkaloid theobromine. Theobromine can be toxic or lethal to domestic animals, because animals metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans, affecting the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. Theobromine poisoning can result in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Advanced symptoms include cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.

Coffee & Tea - Any item or beverage that contains caffeine can be dangerous to cats and dogs. When ingested, numerous symptoms could manifest including, hyperactivity, vomiting, elevated heart rate, hypertension, abnormal heart beat, tremors, hyperthermia, seizures, and possible death may occur.

Grapes and Raisins (all types) - Still unknown is the exact chemical or circumstance that make grapes and raisins toxic, however what is known is that domestic animals that ingest either will likely experience renal failure, and possible death.

Macadamia nuts - The toxic element in macadamia nuts is unknown, as is the exact amount that is needed to cause a reaction. Symptoms usually develop within 12 hours after ingestion. The most common presenting sign is weakness and inability to walk, especially in the hind legs. Other signs include: vomiting, staggering gait, depression, tremors and elevated body temperature.

Milk - Some might find this surprising, since cats are so often associated with milk. While milk will probably not kill your cat, some cats are lactose intolerant, and will develop stomach distress after drinking cow's milk. If you would like to give your cat milk, there are some milk products available at pet stores which are especially formulated for cats.

Mushrooms- Since there are a variety of poisonous mushrooms lurking about, it is advisable not to offer mushrooms to your pet just to be on the safe side.

Onion and Garlic - Onions and garlic belong to the allium species. Consuming the blubs, stems, or flowers of the allium plants or products made from them can trigger changes in red blood cells, causing a serious illness called Heinz body anemia. Any form of onions or garlic, powdered or cooked, can be dangerous to your pet.

Potatoes -The green parts and eyes of potatoes contain solanine glycosides, which have fungicidal and pesticidal properties. If ingested, symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest.

Tuna - Some cat owners believe that they are providing their cat with a healthy meal of tuna; however, tuna produced for human consumption can be dangerous for cats if eaten on a regular basis. Tuna does not provide a cat with all the essential nutrients its needs, which can result in malnutrition. In addition, if fed on a regular basis, a diet of tuna can lead to Steatitis also known as Yellow Fat Disease. It is OK to offer tuna on occasions as a treat, but a steady diet can be dangerous.

Again, this list contains only a few of the more commons foods that are bad for your cat. You should always feed your cat a well-balanced nutritional cat food, and if you would like to offer a treat every now and then, make sure that it is safe for your cat to consume. It is always best to check with your veterinarian as to the best cat food, and the safest and healthiest treats to give your cat.

Food choices can lead to serious health problems. These serious health problems often are indicators of digestive problems. It is important that your digestive tract is working properly if you expect to stay healthy or overcome most all health problems.

I find it very frustrating when people (and many in the medical field) only seek relief from the discomfort of their illness rather than seeking the underlying cause of their health problem. Covering up symptoms is big business in the medical business world. A problem with only covering up symptoms is that often it only makes the problem worse.

Let's take a deeper look into the causes of many health problems.

What are some of the most obvious indicators of digestive problems?

繚 Use of Tums or antacids

繚 Heartburn, belching, burping, and GERD disease

繚 Bloating and/or gas

繚 Constipation

繚 Diarrhea

繚 Obesity

繚 Celiac disease

繚 Food allergies

繚 Arthritis

繚 Skin problems

繚 Frequent colds, flu, & other poor immune functions

Certain food choices can complicate digestive problems. These food choices may react differently for different people depending on the health of the food and the health of the person. Let's take a look at some of these foods.

Cow's Milk

Cow's milk is a common food not tolerated by many people. My background of growing up on a ranch and drinking raw cow's milk protected me from lactose intolerance for a good part of my life. However as I have grown younger (late 60's now), I have noticed some symptoms of lactose intolerance. Unfortunately most people today do not have the opportunity to have access to safe raw cow's milk especially in their youth.

What is wrong with homogenized, pasteurized cow's milk? Raw cow's milk has natural enzymes which help digest the sugar and lactose in milk. However these enzymes are destroyed during the homogenization and pasteurization process mainly because of high heat processing.

Lactase is an enzyme naturally produced in the digestive tract of a healthy person that helps us digest the sugar or lactose in milk. However as we grow older our bodies ability to naturally produce enzymes decrease.

Symptoms of lactose deficiency are bloating, diarrhea, stomach or intestinal cramps, gas, and the potential of bacterial overgrowth as a result of food not digesting. Bacterial overgrowth can set up our bodies for a risk of bacterial toxins and serious illness.

What can we do?

Milk products are the foundation of an important food group. In addition, dieticians and government agencies tell us the only way to obtain sufficient calcium is by the consumption of generous amounts of dairy products on a daily basis. This can cause problems even when we are only slightly lactose intolerant.

The enzyme lactase from a natural source of beet stems and roots which will improve the digestion of dairy products.

Damage to the surface of the digestive tract can cause the loss of important natural enzymes necessary for proper breakdown of food. Damage to the digestive tract may be caused by bacterial toxins, food allergies, or gluten intolerance. Other causes of damage to the digestive system can be excessive alcohol, hot drinks, iced drinks, and carbonated beverages. I cringe when children and teens have a regular habit of drinking soft drinks. These carbonated beverages not only have an abundance of sugar but also cause long term damage to their young digestive systems. They are being set up for illness later in life.

Bacteria in the digestive system hinders the breakdown of food as well as slowing down the repair and healing process. Undigested carbohydrates encourage bacteria growth.

Gluten intolerance is a frequent source of serious damage to the digestive tract and is known as Celiac disease.

Sensitivity to gluten has increased dramatically over the last few years. This may be because of the treatment of gluten with acid at high temperatures or with enzymes to make the gluten easier to mix with other food products like milk. This process called deamidation may be a factor in the increase of allergies to gluten.

Wheat gluten is found in foods such as soy sauce, modified food starch, the coating materials of many drugs and vitamins, vinegar, beer, wine coolers, tea, ketchup, flavored chips, ice-cream, and processed cereals.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that can lead to a severe inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory reaction interferes with the use of nutrients and the breakdown of carbohydrates. The only known medical treatment for Celiac disease is life time avoidance of gluten. An interesting note: frequent canker sores can possibly be an indicator of gluten intolerance.

Supplemental enzymes may provide the enzymes necessary to break down gluten. These enzymes are often missing or are deficient in people with a damaged small intestine.

Listen to your body as you take charge of your food choices.

Approximately 8% of children and 2% of adults suffer from true food allergies. When the culprit food is eaten, most allergic reactions will occur within minutes. Skin symptoms (itching, urticaria, angioedema) are the most common, and occur during most food reactions. Other symptoms can include nasal (sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and eyes), gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea), lung (shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness), and vascular (low blood pressure, light-headedness, rapid heart beat) symptoms. When severe, this reaction is called anaphylaxis, and can be life threatening.

Allergy or Intolerance?

Most reactions to food are probably not allergic in nature, but rather intolerance.

This means that there is no allergic antibody present against the food in the person. Intolerance can be classified as toxic and non-toxic. Toxic reactions would be expected to occur in most people if enough of the food was eaten, examples include alcohol, caffeine or in cases of food-poisoning. Non-toxic food intolerance occurs only in certain people, such as lactose intolerance, which is due to the deficiency of lactase, the enzyme which breaks down the sugar in milk and dairy foods. Patients with lactose intolerance experience bloating, cramping and diarrhea within minutes to hours after eating lactose-containing foods, but do not experience other symptoms of food allergies.

Non-allergic Immunologic Reactions

A less common form of non-allergic reactions to food involves the immune system, but there are no allergic antibodies present. This group includes celiac sprue and FPIES (food protein induced enteropathy syndromes). FPIES typically occurs in infants and young children, with gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and weight loss) as the presenting signs. Milk, soy and cereal grains are the most common triggers in FPIES. Children typically outgrow FPIES by 2 to 3 years of age.

Common Childhood Food Allergies

Milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish compromise more than 90 percent of food allergies in children. Allergy to milk and egg are by far the most common, and are usually outgrown by age 5 years. Peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies are typically the more severe and potentially life-threatening, and frequently persist into adulthood.

Cross-Reactivity and Cross-Contamination

Cross-reactivity refers to a person having allergies to similar foods within a food group. For example, all shellfish are closely related; if a person is allergic to one shellfish, there is a strong chance that person is allergic to other shellfish. The same holds true for tree-nuts, such as almonds, cashews and walnuts.

Cross-contamination refers to a food contaminating another, unrelated food leading to a "hidden allergy". For example, peanuts and tree nuts are not related foods. Peanuts are legumes, and related to the bean family, while tree nuts are true nuts. There is no cross-reactivity between the two, but both can be found in candy shops and in a can of mixed nuts, for instance.

Diagnosing Food Allergies

The diagnosis is made with an appropriate history of a reaction to a specific food, along with a positive test for the allergic antibody against that food. Testing for the allergic antibody is typically accomplished with skin testing, although can be done with a blood test as well.

The blood test, called a RAST test, is not quite as good of a test as skin testing, but can be helpful in predicting if a person has outgrown a food allergy. This is especially true since in many cases the skin test can still be positive in children who have actually outgrown the food allergy.

If the diagnosis of food allergy is in question despite testing, an allergist may decide to perform an oral food challenge for the patient. This involves having the person eat increasing amounts of food over many hours under medical supervision. Since the potential for life-threatening anaphylaxis exists, this procedure should only be performed by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. An oral food challenge is the only way to truly remove a diagnosis of food allergy in a patient.

Managing Food Allergies

Treat the reaction: If a reaction to the food is present, the person should seek immediate emergency medical care. Most patients with food allergies should carry a self-injectable form of epinephrine, or adrenaline (such as an Epi-pen®, with them at all times. These medications can be prescribed by a physician and the patient should know how to use this device before an allergic reaction occurs.

Avoid the food: This is the main way to prevent future reactions to the culprit foods, although can be difficult in cases of common foods such as milk, egg, soy, wheat and peanut. Organizations such as the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network offer help and support to patients and parents of children with food allergies.

Allergy physicians can also offer additional information and advice on avoidance.

Read food labels: Since accidental exposure to the allergic food is common, reading labels on foods and asking questions about ingredients at restaurants is important and recommended.

Be prepared: Patients with food allergies should always be prepared to recognize and treat their reaction, should one occur. Remember, since exposures to the allergic foods are frequently accidental, being prepared to treat the reaction with epinephrine is paramount. Emergency medical care should always be sought if an allergic reaction to food occurs, whether or not epinephrine is used.

Communicate with others:Communication with family members, friends, and school staff about the patient's medical condition and knowledge of how to administer epinephrine is also important. It is also recommended that the patient wear a medical alert bracelet (such as a Medic-Alert® bracelet) detailing their food allergies and use of injectable epinephrine, in the case the patient is unable to communicate during a reaction.

Delirium Tremens: everybody knows the word, but not a lot of people know what it means exactly. It is important to look into cures for alcohol withdrawal as soon as possible, in order to avoid a very hard and difficult process! Delirium Tremens is the phase after drinking with highest change of risk. It is vital to act fast!

1. Risk Factor

Delirium tremens usually happens with people above 40 years of age that have been heavy drinking for over 8 years. Under heavily drinking we understand around 翻 litre (1 pint) of liquor or 2.5l (96 oz) of beer, which equals around 100 grams of alcohol a day. The patient which experience withdrawal symptoms when abstinent, and suffer from Hepatic Cirrhosis (chronic liver disease) already.

2. Timing

The symptoms last typically around 5 to 7 days after you quit drinking alcohol, with its peak around 1-3 days. It is essential to look for a good follow-up as some of the symptoms are very dangerous for your health.

3. Symptoms

The time after starting your cure for alcohol withdrawal can be divided into three stages. The first three days are crucial: if you don't pass those well, you risk of going into a Delirium Tremens! Here you can find a chronological description of the first days after you stopped alcohol, divided in the 3 main stages:

a) 6-12 hours after abstention

This is the initial stage, where the body feels something is different than usual. The main symptoms are anxiety or panic attacks, shakes, fevers, chest pain, vomiting,... Those symptoms are not life threatening, but can be very annoying.

b) 24-72 hours after abstention

In this phase the body really needs alcohol, and is demanding it. Here the symptoms are a lot worse and include confusion, hypertension, vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness and so on.

c) 72-96 hours after abstention

This is the phase where someone can go into Delirium Tremens. The body can't cope any more without alcohol and blocks out completely. The symptoms here are very dangerous, and can lead to death. The less severe symptoms during this stage are visual hallucinations, disorientation and delirium, hypertension and fever.

4. Treatment

The best remedy for Delirium Tremens is a treatment with Benzodiazepines. In case of acute danger, high doses may be necessary. In the past, the mortality rate of people suffering from Delirium Tremens was 35%. Nowadays this number has change significantly to 5-10%, due to intensive care and advanced pharmacotherapy.