Aftermath of 9/11 toxins - Mesothelioma Alert

On September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center towers crashed down, around 3017 persons were reported dead officially. However, the aftermath of 9/11 is still continuing and not many know about it.

Know about Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of lung cancer that affects anyone who comes in contact with asbestos. Asbestos dust, when inhaled through the nose or mouth enters the lungs/abdomen and starts corroding the same leading to uncontrollable cellular reproduction. This in turn, leads to mesothelioma. Asbestos is used in building and construction industries as it has high level of fire-retarding qualities. Mesothelioma has no known cure and results in the worst possible form of painful death. The worst part is you don?t need to be exposed to asbestos over a period of time. Even a single exposure can lead to mesothelioma.

The 9/11 Aftermath

During 9/11, the buildings shattered, plastic melted, metals burned and all this has released loads of asbestos dust and asbestos fibers into the atmosphere. However, proper clean-up was not done immediately. While the governments were tending to the dead and injured, the potential dangers to the living was overlooked. People started going to offices and looked around in dismay at the layers of white dust that surrounded them. They just swept it off and carried on with their work unsuspectingly, without realizing the huge amount of asbestos that is bound to exist in that dust. Asbestos clean-up operations by the government were definitely lax.

City Heroes face Mesothelioma risk

The dedicated Ground Zero workers like the firefighters and policemen were not given adequate protection from the toxic substances circulating in the air. These heroes took in all those harmful substances through their nose and mouth. Now, they are facing persistent lung problems. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, around 20-30 years. That means, it may take around 20-30 years for mesothelioma to be detected after the initial exposure to the asbestos fibers/ dust. So, it may take another 15-20 years before the effect of the asbestos exposure on the city?s heroes is known. Till then, they are at potential risk for contracting mesothelioma and various other diseases.

Keeping Dust Under Control with a Dust Spray

For those with allergies or asthma, keeping dust under control is essential to overall health. It is also a good idea for those without any health problems and a buildup of dust can cause cold-like symptoms if breathed in too much. Additionally, too much dust attracts other nuisances such as dust mites, which live in dust and can spread to other parts of your home. A dust spray can help prevent dust from flying around in the air as you clean, making cleanup much more effective and sanitary. Dust mites do not simply live in the layer of dust across the uppermost shelf in your home. They also live in bedding, couches, carpet, stuffed toys and old clothing, and are similar in appearance to spiders or ticks--although they cannot be seen by the naked eye. There are two types of dust mites, American and European house dust mites. As you may know, much of what we see as dust is actually dead skin that we people shed on a regular basis. Dust mites feed off of dead skin and other organic materials in dust. You may have dust mites and not know it--only people who are allergic will react to dust mites. Dust mites also shed their skin, and people who are allergic react to this dead skin and dust mite feces. Reactions can range from a runny nose to a severe asthma attack. Dust mites can be difficult to get rid of, and they prefer humid environments, so avoid using humidifiers if you have a dust mite problem. For people with sever reactions, measures that are more drastic may be required, such as encasing bedding in plastic covers and removing draperies. For those with less serious reactions, a regular control program can make a big difference. Using a spray for dust mites is one method to keep the problem under control. Dust spray binds the dust, making it easier to clean and remove. It can also be used on multiple surfaces, such as floors, shelves, furniture, window blinds, lamps, picture frames, and more. Dust mite spray allows you to clean all over the house and reduce the chances of dust mites spreading. Because dust spray helps keep dust "together," it can be used with a wide range of dusting tools, which makes cleaning easier because you can use a long-handled duster in combination with a dust spray and not worry about the dust falling back to the floor. Instead, it will be trapped in the duster by the dust spray. Be sure to clean your dusting tools effectively, particularly if you have a dust mite problem and are using a dust mite spray. After dusting, take the tools outside away from the house. Give the tools a good shake to remove the dust from the tool. Avoid banging the tools on the wall or concrete, as this can damage them. Depending on the tool you use, you may be able to wash the duster. Using a dust spray in combination with a synthetic duster can be a great solution to a dust mite problem.

A spray for dust mites binds the dust, and the synthetic cleaner can be washed afterward with warm, soapy water. Be sure to store your dusters in a way that keeps pressure off the dusting head, as this can damage them. Dust spray also works great with dusting cloths, and these can be machine washed afterward. Even when using a dust spray, it is a good idea to use top-down cleaning. Start with the uppermost areas and work your way down. This way, should any dust float downward, you can "catch" it as you work from the upper shelves or taller furniture down to the lower shelves and furniture. To minimize "losing" some dust, spray your tool directly with the dust spray rather than spraying the furniture directly.

The pressure from the sprayer can blow dust away on furniture, but this will not happen when spraying the cleaning tool. To keep dust and dust mites under control, dust with a dust spray every time. Even if there is no visible dust, that does not mean it is not there. Dust mites cannot be seen by the naked eye, so regular cleaning is essential. Also, consider using other preventative measures such as an indoor air filter. A filtered vacuum can also help keep the problem under control.

Effected of more Antibiotics

We are overusing antibiotics so that bacterial resistance is becoming a significant threat. The CDC has estimated that treatment of infections due to resistant bacteria costs more than $4 billion annually. There are many factors associated with increasing resistance.

• Increased antimicrobial use in the community and hospital– Increase in empiric antibioticsâ

€“ Prolonged and broad-spectrum antibiotic coursesâ

€“ Repeated antibiotic coursesâ

€¢ Prolonged Hospitalizationsâ

€¢ Severely ill patient statusâ

€¢ Immunocompromised stateâ

€¢ Increase use of intravascular devices and cathetersâ

€¢ Inadequate infection control proceduresâ

€¢ Antibiotic use in animals and agriculture

The medical community can help curb this problem by offering the patient narrow spectrum or older antibiotics, shorter duration of therapy when appropriate and manipulating the dose of antibiotics. Perhaps even more importantly, doctors need to educate their patients regarding the risk of using antibiotics and spend more time discussing prevention. Patients would be wise to ask if there are any other options to consider, if watchful waiting is an option and if the antibiotic is specific for the condition.Together, we can reduce this significant threat of bacterial resistance.

Relief with Allergies- How

What are Allergies?

An allergies is an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substance or substances. These sensitizing substances, called allergens, may be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with the skin.Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.

What are the Symptoms of Allergies ?

An allergy is actually a malfunction of the immune system, which attacks invaders or antibodies.Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be severe, like difficulty breathing.Allergic asthma caused by allergens such as mites and pollens, and stinging insect allergy.Allergic reaction to something that is breathed into the lungs in a person who is susceptible.

What Medications to Treat Allergies?

Medications such as pills or nasal sprays are often used to treat allergies.Many effective medications are available to treat common allergies. AANGAMIK DMG:AANGAMIK DMG is the only pure DMG product that contains no fillers or binders and is therefore pure and non-allergenic.

Allercetin Allergy & Sinus:

Allercetin is a Bio-Aligned Formula that utilizes natural homeopathic remedies for the treatment of allergies.

Allergiemittel AllerAide:Allergiemittel AllerAide temporarily relieves minor allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, eczema, wheezing, and shortness of breath caused by allergies.

How to care with Allergies?

1.Wear a mask whenever dusting or mowing a lawn Stop smoking.2.Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like your bedroom, and bathe them if necessary. 3.Avoid using aspirin, which has been reported to allow food allergens to be more effectively absorbed by the body. 4.Remove carpets or rugs from your room.Install an air-purification system at home.

Treating Allergic Rhinitis-Alternative options

Here in northern California, allergies are a significant health problem leading to fatigue, sick days from work and school, and secondary infections. Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to seasonal airborne allergens. It affects about 7 percent of the population of North America and is a risk factor for 88 percent of asthma patients. We have some excellent prescription medications for treating this, and there are many over-the-counter medications available also. However, BEWARE of the sedating effects of those nonprescription medications!!! Recent studies have shown that an individual on a therapeutic dose of diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a more dangerous driver than one who is legally drunk on alcohol.

Fortunately, there are also some effective alternative therapies for allergic rhinitis.

Remember: no matter what method you use to treat your allergies, nasal rinsing to clear the mucus membranes of trapped allergens is essential. It only takes about 30 seconds, doesn't hurt a bit when done correctly, and makes all the difference. I recommend Nasopure®, a product developed by Dr. Hana Solomon, a pediatrician who has put together in one simple kit all you need for successful nasal rinsing. There is an excellent article about this on the Nasopure website (www.nasopure.com). If you are regularly using your Nasopure®, and still having difficulties, you can try some of the following remedies without significant side effects.

Vitamin and mineral supplements:
* Vitamin A - 10,000 IU/day
* Vitamin B6 - 50-100 mg/day
* Vitamin B5 - 50-75 mg/day
* Vitamin C - 1,000 mg/day in 3 divided doses
* Vitamin E - 400 IU/day
* Zinc - 20-30 mg/day

In addition some herbs and nutrients can help:
Quercetin has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects if you take it 250mg two or three times a day.
Freeze-dried stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis at a dosage of 300mg twice a day.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also called fish oil, can help asthma patients with allergies by stabilizing the airways. They come in capsules and the total dose of the combination should be 2-4 g/day.

Acupuncture has given many patients significant relief. The Chinese medicine paradigm is very different than Western medicine, so I can not explain the mechanism of action. But I know that it is effective!

See your doctor about allergy symptoms if you are unable to manage them on your own - the nonsedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays available today are excellent in treating this significant health problem!

Stacey Marie Kerr, M.D. graduated from the University of California Davis Medical School in 1989 and is currently a board certified family physician. Dr. Kerr is a member of the California and American Academy of Family Physicians. She holds a B.S. in Education/Special Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri. She hosts a website the-doctors-inn.comthat provides personalized answers to medical questions.