Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Allergy shots useful for asthmatics, not others

A new study has revealed that allergyshots that reduce symptoms of asthma, use of inhaled medications and allergy-related asthma attacks may have side effects. 

The side effects could range from a stuffy nose to fatal anaphylactic shock. 

The study shows about 30 percent of asthma patients experience improved breathing after receiving a series of injections that desensitize their immune systems to specific irritants. 

The number of patients experiencing systemic reactions of any severity nears 20 percent, the reviewers said, although they noted that more than eight percent of patients receiving placebo experience similar reactions. 

"Whilst inhaled corticosteroid therapy remains the mainstay of asthma management, any reduction in this type of treatment while maintaining good asthma control would be welcome," the authors wrote. 

The review provides evidence to help patients and their doctors have a "sensible discussion" about the benefits versus risks of immunotherapy, said co-author Michael Abramson of Monash University. 

Immunotherapy is most risky for patients with poorly controlled asthma and people with treatment-resistant asthma are not candidates for allergy shots," said Harold Nelson of National Jewish Health. 

Allergists should also review each patient's symptoms before every injection, Nelson said. 

"Patients shouldn't be actively wheezing, they shouldn't be waking up at night due to asthma symptoms and their pulmonary function should be relatively normal." 

"Among allergists there's no question that asthma caused by allergies is responsive to immunotherapy. 

"The advantage of immunotherapy is that it causes long-lasting, if not permanent, improvement," Nelson said. 

Abramson described the risk of side effects as acceptable but definite for both adults and children. 

The review authors said that allergy drops, which patients place under the tongue, might offer effective asthma control with a reduced risk of serious side effects. 

"During my training as a respiratory physician, I was taught that this was a potentially dangerous form of therapy that was of no benefit in asthma. 

"I personally have changed my views since working on this series of reviews" Abramson said. 

The review appeared in the The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. 


BABY FOOD RECIPES

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN HEARTS APPLE
Baby food recipes

Material:
250 grams of chicken liver
2 apples, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and cut into pieces
3 pieces potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 tablespoons green peas

Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)

BABY FOOD RECIPES - FISH APPLE
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 pieces of fish fillets
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces

Directions:
1. Boil the ingredients until cooked. Drain and puree.

Note:
For children 8 months, the food should not be crushed but only finely chopped. It is good to stimulate the growth of teeth and to train the muscles of the mouth and gums to bite.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CARAPPEAR
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 stalks carrots, peeled, cut into pieces
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces
2 pieces of pear, peeled and cut into pieces

Directions:
1. Kl Boil carrots for 10 minutes, then amsukkan apple and pear. Cook until soft.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)

BABY FOOD RECIPES - steamed fish
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 snapper fillet (or other fish species, according to taste)

Directions:
1. Steam the fish until cooked and then mashed.
2. Can be mixed with pureed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, etc.).

BABY FOOD RECIPES - Broccoli POTATO
Baby food recipes

Material:
7 broccoli florets, discarding the stem
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without salt or other seasonings)

Directions:
1. Steam the broccoli and potatoes until cooked.
2. Blend the two ingredients with the processor / blender.
3. Give the broth to taste.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - VEGETABLE INTERFERENCE
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
1 piece of potato, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas (can be replaced other green vegetables, eg broccoli,
zuchini, celery, etc.)
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without garammaupun other seasonings)

Directions:
1. Boiled / steamed until cooked all the ingredients and puree.
2. Give the chicken broth / meat taste.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN SOUP
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 piece of chicken thighs, remove skin, cut meat into pieces (bones were not removed)
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
1 stick carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas
500 ml water

Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Discard the chicken bones, then puree all ingredients

BABY FOOD RECIPES - puree CARROT
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 medium carrots, peeled
Boiled water to taste

Directions:
1. Steam the carrots until tender then puree. Add water as needed.
2. Presentation: Give the carrot puree as single or mixed foods
with pulp POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - pea puree
Baby food recipes

Material:
250 grams of fresh or frozen peas

Directions:
1. Boil peas until cooked and then mashed.
2. Strain the rough skin so do not take part inedible.
3. Presentation: Give peas puree as a single food or
mixed with porridge POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.