Neti pot solution: Can I make my own?

A neti pot is a container designed to rinse the nasal cavity. Neti pots are often used to treat nasal congestion, sinus problems and colds. When you use a neti pot, a homemade saltwater solution is just as effective as an over-the-counter nasal saline rinse or buffered neti pot solution. To make your own neti pot solution, simply dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of table salt into 8 ounces of distilled or purified water — which contains no chlorine or other impurities. You can also use tap water, as long as you bring it to a boil and then cool it to room temperature before you add the salt. . read more.

Ozone air purifiers: Can they improve asthma symptoms?

Despite manufacturers' claims, ozone air purifiers don't remove asthma triggers from the air. In fact, inhaled ozone can make asthma worse. Ozone generators sold as air purifiers intentionally produce the gas ozone. Ozone can mask odors by changing the chemical composition of particles or other gasses in the air, making the air seem fresher and cleaner. However, ozone generators don't actually filter out the small particles that trigger asthma. Inhaling ozone, even in small amounts, can irritate the lungs. Specific effects may include throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infections. . read more.

Asthma treatment: 3 steps to better asthma control

Follow this three-step approach to keep asthma symptoms under control and prevent asthma attacks. Effective asthma treatment requires routinely tracking symptoms and measuring how well your lungs are working. This information can then be used to adjust your asthma treatment according to the plan you made with your doctor. Taking an active role in managing your asthma treatment will help you maintain better long-term asthma control, prevent asthma attacks and avoid long-term problems. . read more.

Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?

There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed, although some breeds may cause fewer allergy symptoms than others. Many people think that pet allergies are caused by a dog's or cat's fur, but the real source of pet allergies is often a protein that's in the saliva and urine of dogs and cats. This protein sticks to the dead, dried flakes (dander) from your pet's skin. Some dog breeds, such as the soft-coated wheaten terrier, or mixed breeds such as the goldendoodle, are marketed as hypoallergenic dogs because they don't shed fur or they shed very little. . read more.

New Rules for Food Allergies: Fewer Children May Be Diagnosed as Doctors Told Not to Rely Solely on Standard Skin and Blood Tests

Parents who have eliminated foods from their children's diets based on allergy tests alone may find that some are safe to eat after all. The National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases issued the first clinical guidelines for diagnosing and treating food allergies Monday, saying that blood or skin tests aren't sufficient when making a diagnosis. An allergy should be suspected if someone has a reaction within minutes or hours of eating a food, according to the guidelines. Physicians should then take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical exam and confirm the allergy with a skin-prick test, in which tiny drops of the suspected allergen are pricked into the skin, usually in the forearm, to see if red wheals form. None of those steps is definitive by itself, the recommendations say, which will likely to lead to fewer diagnoses. . read more.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: What's in It for Patients

Approximately 1 in 20 children and about one in 25 adults have a food allergy. If you have a food allergy, then the more you know and understand about the disease and its diagnosis and management, the better you will be able to discuss your care with your doctor. The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-sponsored Expert Panel is a report developed by a 25-member expert panel to help healthcare professionals, including family practice physicians, medical specialists, and nurses, to better care for their patients with food allergy. The guidelines are based on the most up-to-date scientific and clinical information about food allergy and the consensus expert opinion of the panel members. . read more.

The Claim: A Cup of Coffee can Ease the Symptoms of Asthma

Caffeine is known more as a pick-me-up than a home remedy, but for years scientists have wondered whether it may have benefits for people with asthma. The suspicion stems in part from its chemical structure, which resembles that of theophylline, a common asthma medication that relaxes the airway muscles and relieves wheezing, shortness of breath and other respiratory problems. Indeed, when caffeine is ingested and broken down by the liver, one byproduct is small amounts of theophylline. . read more.

Food-Allergy Fears Drive Overly Restrictive Diets, Study Suggests

Many children, especially those with eczema, are unnecessarily avoiding foods based on incomplete information about potential food-allergies, according to researchers at National Jewish Health. The food avoidance poses a nutritional risk for these children, and is often based primarily on data from blood tests known as serum immunoassays. Many factors, including patient and family history, physical examination, and blood and skin tests, should be used when evaluating potential food allergies. . read more.

Many Coaches Unprepared for Student-Athletes' Asthma

Only one in three children's athletic coaches reports being adequately trained to deal with asthma symptoms in kids, a new study found. What's more, just one in two coaches knew more than one asthma symptom, according to the study. . read more.