Search This Blog

Top Online Information Sources for Seasonal Allergies in Kids

THIS IS NOT AN ARTICLE but a list of online resources that carry useful information about SEASONAL ALLERGIES IN KIDS. This list should prove useful for parents and guardians: 



https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies

Healthline provides a good overview of the basics of allergies. It quickly summarizes the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment for allergies along with a takeaway for the discussion. The page does not have too many hyperlinks. The information is easy to understand, written in simple English. Not too many advertorial graphics or banners that could spoil your reading experience. However, you might not find the detailed analysis you were looking for. Still, worthy of being bookmarked as a handy resource for understanding allergies, and yes, it features at the top of Google search results for this subject. This piece of information has been up and running since 2018 and since it still features impressively at the top end of Google search results, there must be some serious trust that the readers have invested in this information resource. Please save it if you are a parent or a guardian who is taking care of kids with allergies that just don't seem to go away - every chance of more updates appearing on this web page!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343

Mayoclinic puts highlight on stopping and treating seasonal allergies. It does dwell too much on the reasons for the allergy but instead, this web page is more focused on triggers and types of allergies - highly recommended to folks who are still perhaps trying to identify their allergy patterns and history. A good discussion that combines everything, ranging from home remedies to manage allergy symptoms to common medications. Worth saving and recommending. Very easy-to-understand publishing standards and the clarity of information is worth recommending!

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/seasonal-allergies.html

Although this information source usually provides very handy data for such subjects, the information on display here is not the best if you have been searching about ""seasonal allergies in kids"". The information is rather limited and does not explain a lot about how these allergies come about and the different options possible. The page was reviewed and updated about a year ago so it has not aged. It perhaps needs a bit more information to hold on to its spot in Google's search results and to become a trusted source of information about kids' allergies for parents and guardians.

https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/seasonal-allergies/

A short discussion that seems like it was drafted by a healthcare specialist or an allergist. There is a YouTube link to a video within the page and the information in the video too is rather good. Not a lot of systematically embedded sub-headings throughout the page like some of the sources quoted above but a good read for sure. I was wondering why did they use the banner image of the outdoors though - is this saying that the outdoor environment is the source of most allergic reactions?

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance

A good discussion that helps you understand the science of allergies rather than merely dwelling on the most common symptoms and over-the-counter medications. This is expected since the data published by NIH is not the usual type of article or blog that you find elsewhere. For instance, the bit about the Nutritional Approach to seasonal allergy might not be found anywhere else!

https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/seasonal-allergies-keeping-symptoms-check

I was expecting more from Chop.edu since it has been a good source of information about various topics related to health, medication, drugs, lifestyles, and diseases. Surprisingly, it does not talk about the dangers of people overusing and self-using common anti-allergy kids and it does not touch upon things like how some specific allergy meds can interact and the resulting problem could be a big problem for the parents. The bit about eliminating seasonal allergy triggers could be helpful. Negligible levels of advertorial banners or links - very easy on the eyes format and recommended for a quick read.

https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-in/home/immune-disorders/allergic-reactions-and-other-hypersensitivity-disorders/year-round-allergies

I am not sure what does MSD Manual for Consumers means but I am guessing it means that the information has been simplified for the untrained, average reader like you and me. You might say that this page talks about Perennial Allergies and not Seasonal Allergies. However, just scan the on-page navigation options on the left-hand side and you will find a clear distinction between the two topics - something that no online information source bothered to do. A great effort to make the information easier to understand for everybody.

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies

There cannot be an instance where the discussion is about a disease or medical condition and Web MD does not contribute - however, this time the information is slightly shorter than our expectations. I would have loved a para explaining if seasonal allergies subside on their own as we age or do childhood allergies persist into adulthood. The platform could have written about how some of the allergic reactions might seem too similar to flu symptoms and how parents should try differentiating between the two.

https://greatist.com/health/best-ways-beat-spring-allergies#tl-dr

A surprising information source for me, the Greatist.com really detailed the subject so well. This web page talks about the subject in detail. A few more than anticipated banner ads were created by user tracking systems perhaps but overall, the presentation is good and the information is helpful. There seems to be something wrongly coded at the top of the page where you can see ""tl;dr"" but overall, worth saving and revisiting if you really want to know more about seasonal allergies in kids.

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/allergic-rhinitis

I recommend it more for the video that explains the subject of allergic reactions rather well. Not very sure about the publishing standards here since there is a slider type of method to read the text along with videos and in places, the words seem so densely packed that the readability of the data becomes an issue. This page perhaps needs a better presentation but the information captures it all.

https://www.choa.org/parent-resources/allergy/managing-seasonal-allergies-in-kids

Very handy for understanding unknown and lesser-known allergens and allergy-causing factors at home or work that we tend to miss.

https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/health-and-safety/seasonal-allergies-babies-toddlers/

Worth saving and revisiting for parents who are worried about repeated allergies among their kids. The resource links at the bottom are also good and just might take you deeper into the subject.

https://www.aspireallergy.com/blog/stop-ignoring-symptoms

Only an allergy specialist could have spoken about it - about the problems associated with leaving allergies untreated. This is important for people with recurring and perennial allergies. The information is provided by an institution that seems to have all the diagnostic tools and experience needed to fix allergies and similar problems. The bit about developing mood disorders due to untreated allergies was a big realization and something I can understand.

https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/five-things-you-may-not-know-about-seasonal-allergies/

The information here was enlightening, carrying information about seasonal foods - seasonal changes and hence, seasonal allergies! I am sure not many people will see this connection.

Electric cars are changing a lot...Past, Present, Future

image says Electric Cars are the future
Reuters reported that European Union countries gave final approval to a significant law aimed at ending the sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035. This approval follows Germany's securing an exemption for cars running on e-fuels. The EU energy ministers' endorsement means that this major climate policy for cars can now be implemented, despite delays caused by last-minute opposition from Germany. The new law mandates that all new cars sold from 2035 onwards must have zero CO2 emissions. Additionally, it requires a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2030 compared to 2021 levels. These targets are set to accelerate the decarbonization of new car fleets across Europe. In 2020, most people around the world liked the idea of electric cars. More and more people were becoming aware of the benefits of electric cars, such as lower carbon emissions and lower operating costs. Governments and private companies all over the world were putting money into making electric cars and charging stations, and automakers were putting out new models with better performance and longer battery life. Consumers were also becoming more interested in electric cars, and many saw that they could help protect the environment and make transportation more sustainable. Many cities and countries have also put in place things like tax credits, subsidies, and access to HOV lanes to encourage people to buy electric cars. But electric cars were still not widely used because they were expensive up front, had a short range, and some places didn't have the infrastructure to charge them.

Best workout tips (Series B)

Best workout tips for people who exercise at night

For people who exercise at night, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your workout is safe and effective. Here are some workout tips that may help:

  1. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout to stay hydrated. This is especially important if you are exercising in a hot or humid environment.

  2. Warm-up: Begin your workout with a warm-up to prepare your body for exercise. This can include gentle stretching or a low-intensity activity such as walking.

  3. Wear reflective clothing: If you exercise outdoors at night, wear reflective clothing or use reflective gear to make yourself more visible to drivers.

  4. Use proper lighting: If you are exercising in a poorly lit area, use a headlamp or other light source to help you see and be seen.

  5. Avoid heavy meals: Avoid eating heavy meals before exercising, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Opt for a light snack such as fruit or a protein bar instead.

  6. Be aware of your surroundings: If you are exercising outdoors at night, be aware of your surroundings and avoid dangerous areas or poorly lit locations.

  7. Cool down: End your workout with a cool-down to gradually bring your heart rate and breathing back to normal. This can include gentle stretching or a low-intensity activity such as walking.

Remember, it's important to listen to your body and stop exercising if you experience any pain or discomfort. Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Workout tips for people with arthritis


Bing AI image man attempting squats gym
It would be foolish to interpret arthritis as a condition that affects only the aged population. People as young as 35 years are developing arthritic symptoms - at least in the cities, at least among people who are always doing the balancing act, trying their best to be a good son, husband, father, and office colleague. Arthritis can show up with the most silent symptoms, in the form of that slight backache that tends to send a slight shiver along the spine when you are getting out of the car after reaching the office. It can be more pronounced in one limb of the body. For instance, if you are a banker and do a lot of document signing throughout the day, the fingers and wrist can be unusually sore due to an underlying arthritic condition and not just the volume of physical work. If you have arthritis, it's important to exercise regularly to maintain joint mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall health. Here are some workout tips that may help:

elbow joint pain arthritic pain doctor man
Consult your doctor or a physical therapist: Before starting any exercise program, it's essential to consult your doctor or a physical therapist to determine the best exercises for your specific type of arthritis and its severity. You might realize that the usual family physician is perhaps not understanding the severity of the problem. If you repeatedly feel cramped in the mornings and if getting up from a seated position, at home or the office, seems increasingly painful, just vitamin D supplementation is not good enough. Just consider consulting an orthopedic and not just a general physician. A specialist here will also be able to guide you about the small things to manage arthritis when exercising, such as using hot and cold presses alternatively or perhaps, not using one of them based on the symptoms you share during the consultation. GET HELP, BUT THE RIGHT TYPE OF HELP!

Start slow: anybody suffering from arthritis or a medical condition that interferes with physical activity will know that there is nothing out there that can take away the pain immediately. Exercising with arthritis presents the same predicament - you know there will be very bad days, some ugly days, but there will be many occasions too when exceeding your expectations in terms of the weighted military press will leave you with a sense of triumph. There is only one way to increase the density of good days and avoid instances of overtly exerting your body. You need to know more about low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or cycling and buy the gear that might be necessary to manage no-gym days when you need to listen to your body and go slow. Being slow is perhaps the big summary of managing physically exerting exercises despite having arthritis. Whether you are just starting your journey in the gym or you have bought an expensive spin cycle for home, gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as your joints become stronger. You have to admit that your body needs a bit more caring than others at the gym. So adding some lighter, walking days when exercising is just about adding miles on foot, is a great idea to mix it up and to ensure that you don't trigger more arthritic symptoms.

Use proper technique: Grip it better - that would be my big advice to anybody who is trying to master the kettlebell overhead movement or the deadlift. While gymgoers are preached about keeping the back straight or breathing properly, nobody seems to emphasize the need to grip the rod or a dumbbell better. Proper technique is crucial to avoid joint damage and reduce pain. You don't need an appointment with a physical therapist or trainer to learn the correct form for each exercise - the information is out there on the web. The real effort lies in following what is shown via social media videos and training modules. Someone with arthritis needs to be more careful about the basics of posture when doing weights, such as not going down to a squat position when lifting a weight off the floor as compared to someone with better mobility who can conventionally bend and lift the object. If you are someone with more grit over precaution, a strong grip will also help you complete the movement through the discomfort - squeezing hard via the fingers helps to perform better when you are already in some pain. You might want to Stretch before and after exercising. Stretching helps to warm up the muscles and increase flexibility, reducing the risk of injury. Make sure to stretch after your workout as well to prevent muscle soreness.

Listen to your body: If you experience pain or discomfort during exercise, stop and rest. Pushing through the pain can lead to further joint damage and inflammation. Arthritic pain can have serious seasonal swings. Winters and humidity seasons can be more demanding. The typical painkillers might not provide relief. If you are pushing 50, the pain can be excruciating. You need to know that taking a day off from the gym is a good idea only to come back stronger. This is when even the treadmill might not be a good idea. When your body seems too heavy, when the same pair of dumbbells suddenly seems immovable, and the joints are sore, you know that somewhere deep down, your body is not going to listen to you. Don't force it. A couple of days away from the gym can be calculated as the number of extra time you have to put in over the next 10 days to clear the deficit - this is easy but you have to keep the patience.

Incorporate strength training
: people with arthritis have a typical problem when planning their exercise regimen. They tend to be more vulnerable to developing exercise-related injuries and to get stronger, they need to train harder but with arthritis, heavy-duty training exercises aren't always possible. This suggests a change in approach to get the desired result. The solution lies in more core-building exercises and strength training so that overall, they are more adept at lifting weights without suffering from pulls, pains, and tears. Resistance training and kettlebell exercises are good examples of things to do to boost strength without spending infinite hours or risking a serious injury around the joints. Strength training that involves the entire body, like the Hindu push-up, is great to warm up the body too when done without keeping a count - the more you do, the bigger the chance of keeping away gym injuries even if you have been diagnosed with arthritis.