Professionally cleaned air ducts can cut down on allergens in your home.

(NAPSI)—More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year and for many of them, there are some added anxieties. For example, many people don’t realize allergies can be deadly. Or that eating local honey, living in a dry climate or avoiding cut flowers won’t cure allergies or prevent an allergic reaction. And these days, there’s often the question: Is it allergies or is it COVID-19? Fortunately, there are tests doctors can perform that can help them make that distinction. Here are a few facts that can help you, too.

What To Look For

Allergy symptoms can include watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, vomitting and/or stomach cramps, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness or feeling faint, pale or blue skin, weak pulse, hives, repeated cough and tight, hoarse throat, trouble swallowing, swollen tongue.

What is an Allergy?

Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. An allergy is an overreaction of the body’s immune system to an ordinarily harmless substance. Allergies exist throughout the year, indoors and out, and affect people of all ages. Animal dander, house dust mites, foods, grasses, trees, weeds, and molds can all trigger an allergic reaction.

Autumn Allergies

Some allergies are seasonal and more likely to occur at different times of the year. The most common culprit for fall allergies is ragweed, which grows wild almost everywhere, generally between August and November. A number of plants that thrive during cool nights and warm days also trigger fall allergies.

Who is Affected?

Twenty to 40 percent of the population—including at least one of every four children—suffers from allergies*. People with allergies are often sensitive to more than one allergen. Prevention or treatment can make the difference between chronic illness and a productive, healthy life.

Diagnosing Allergies

Unfortunately, many of these also show up when someone has a cold, the flu or even COVID-19 but doctors do have ways to tell the difference. The first step is to identify allergen-specific antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This can be done two ways. 1. Skin Prick Testing: Commonly performed on the forearm and sometimes the back, the skin is cleaned with alcohol and an allergen extract is pricked into the skin. If an allergy is present, a small itchy bump and surrounding redness often referred to as a “wheal and flare” will appear in about 15 minutes. This indicates the specific allergen. 2. In-Vitro Testing: The doctor simply draws a small amount of blood and has it tested in a lab. It is a less invasive method and receives test results within 24 hours. Many professional medical societies recommend also using in-vitro tests such as the OPTIGEN® Allergy Test. So, once you know you have allergies, what can be done? Here are some options.

Treatments

Allergy management falls into three main categories: avoidance, medication and immunotherapy. Avoidance: Once the source of an allergy is identified, a solution may be to simply avoid it. This is most effective with food and animal allergies. Medication: Prescription drugs can reduce allergy symptoms. Many are effective immediately, though some may have side effects or not work for everybody. Immunotherapy: Allergy shots are given frequently in scheduled doses of gradually increasing concentrations using extracts containing relevant allergens. The idea is to slowly desensitize the body to the offending allergens. Ideally, an injection program can be discontinued after some years.

Learn More

For additional facts and tips on dealing with allergies, visit www.henryschein.com/MinarisMedical.

For the brightest smile, make sure you use safe and effective products.

(NAPSI)—Taking care of your smile with a daily brushing and flossing routine is the best way to keep teeth clean and healthy. But more and more people in search of an ultra-bright smile are turning to the growing number of over-the-counter teeth whitening products—leaving many confused about the most effective methods and if ongoing use can damage teeth.

“Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches, which break stains into smaller pieces, making the discoloration less concentrated and your teeth brighter,” said Kyle Dosch, DDS, a licensed dentist and Delta Dental of Washington’s dental director. “There are several methods of bleaching, including in your dentist’s office or by using over-the-counter bleaching products and whitening strips. As with most medicaments, patients should use caution and not overuse whiteners. Excessive overuse of these bleaching agents may damage tooth enamel or gums, so always follow directions and talk to your dentist to brighten your smile safely.”

Teeth Whitening—What You Need To Know 

When deciding the best way to get your teeth whitened (also known as bleaching), consider these points, and have a conversation about your whitening goals with your dentist.

Do whiteners work on all teeth? Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. Whitening is only effective on natural teeth and does not work on veneers, caps, crowns or fillings, or tooth discoloration caused by medications or an injury.

What are my teeth bleaching options? Whitening options include stain removal toothpastes, in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching, over-the-counter bleaching products, and even LED lights. For the safest and quickest results, most dentists recommend professional whitening performed in-clinic by a licensed dentist or with at-home kits available through your dentist, which use custom bleaching trays molded to fit each person’s mouth. While over-the-counter trays are available, they often fit incorrectly, causing the bleaching agents to spill onto soft tissues or to be ingested.

Is whitening toothpaste safe to use? Whitening toothpastes are more abrasive to help with surface stains, but they can be damaging to enamel over time. It’s important to discuss with your dentist and, if using, be sure to limit use. Similarly, many whitening chewing gums contain abrasives which scrub the surface of teeth to help remove some surface stains. Because of potential abrasion over time, sugar-free whitening chewing gum should be used only in moderation.

Everything from mouthwash to rinses to dental floss are now offered with whitening ingredients, do these really work? Because effective teeth whitening results from the length of time teeth are in contact with active bleaching agents, mouthwashes, rinses and dental floss are a less-effective whitening choice. Similarly, rinsing with hydrogen peroxide is dangerous if ingested, and therefore is not recommended.

Do natural alternatives such as charcoal really whiten teeth? Activated charcoal whitening products are becoming increasingly popular as people aim to reduce their exposure to chemicals in health and beauty products. As a short-term solution to whitening, it can come with serious long-term damage and is not recommended. With its abrasive properties, it may lead to enamel erosion which may cause tooth sensitivity and make your teeth appear more yellow in color because it will expose the dentin of your teeth. The potential enamel deterioration can also lead to increased susceptibility to cavities.

Will I have side effects from teeth whitening? You may experience tooth sensitivity when beginning to use whitening products. In that case, stop using the product and have a conversation with your dentist about a better approach for you and your teeth. Temporary tooth sensitivity and gingival inflammation are the most common adverse effects of teeth whitening.

There are many reasons for teeth discoloration, including what you eat and drink. Coffee, tea and red wine are staining agents that can affect the white enamel portion of your teeth. Tobacco use, which includes tar and nicotine, can also stain teeth. Aging, some medications, and even injury or trauma to a tooth, can all make our teeth more yellow and less white.

Luckily, some surface stains can be removed during a regular cleaning and don’t require additional whitening treatments. To keep your smile bright and healthy, schedule regular visits to your dentist, maintain a daily dental health routine with brushing and flossing, and avoid foods that can stain your teeth.

Learn More

For additional information about teeth whitening, including an overview of in-office versus at home procedures, how white spots on teeth can potentially be treated through whitening procedures, and other bleaching questions, visit www.deltadentalwa.com/blog.

Good news, there are lots of summer gym deals to help you get fit.

(NAPSI)—Summer is here, and Floridians seeking the best deals to help them get beach-ready and fit for swimming, surfing, biking, or family travel adventures have a variety of options to get active and fit. Here are three ways to take your fitness to a new level while saving some dough:

1.Take advantage of summer gym savings.

Many gyms are offering summer discounts to help you start a new fitness program or maintain your current one at a more affordable rate. You can search for individual deals at your favorite gym or fitness studio. Or, if you’re thinking about switching gyms but aren’t sure which gym is best for your needs, visit an “online market” or gym aggregator site that offers thousands of gym choices for one price, with no long-term contracts. For example, the Active&Fit Now™ program offers a fitness membership that lets you choose from more than 7,900 gyms for $29/month. Programs like this allow you to try multiple gyms and cancel at any time to find the one that suits your fitness goals without long-term contracts or any hidden fees.

2.Explore boutique fitness studios.

(NAPSI)—Summer is here, and Floridians seeking the best deals to help them get beach-ready and fit for swimming, surfing, biking, or family travel adventures have a variety of options to get active and fit. Here are three ways to take your fitness to a new level while saving some dough:

1.Take advantage of summer gym savings.

Many gyms are offering summer discounts to help you start a new fitness program or maintain your current one at a more affordable rate. You can search for individual deals at your favorite gym or fitness studio. Or, if you’re thinking about switching gyms but aren’t sure which gym is best for your needs, visit an “online market” or gym aggregator site that offers thousands of gym choices for one price, with no long-term contracts. For example, the Active&Fit Now™ program offers a fitness membership that lets you choose from more than 7,900 gyms for $29/month. Programs like this allow you to try multiple gyms and cancel at any time to find the one that suits your fitness goals without long-term contracts or any hidden fees.

2.Explore boutique fitness studios.

If you’re more motivated by the idea of joining a smaller, more specialized, and personal gym, a boutique studio may be the perfect option. Boutique studios tend to offer a more tailored fitness experience with like-minded people who want a focused approach. These studios are surging in popularity and offer specialties like Pilates, or yoga, or even spinning. Others focus on dance, barre, or strength training. The point is, a boutique studio can help you find your fitness vibe and maybe even your workout “tribe.”

If you think you can’t afford a boutique studio, shop around for summer discounts. Or check whether fitness membership programs include studios, too. If you shop around, you’ll likely find a program that offers the right boutique option for you with discounted rates ranging from 20%-70% off. Be sure to look for no long-term contracts, or initiation or cancellation fees. You’ll want the flexibility to find the focused fitness activity that meets your needs.

3.Train in the cool comfort of home with online classes.

Sometimes you just don’t have time to make it to the gym, but you don’t want to skimp on your workout routine—so, let technology be your workout buddy. Many fitness programs allow you to train in the comfort of your home with on demand workout videos you can tailor to your needs. Some programs even offer free workout classes on streaming platforms like YouTube. Simply go to YouTube and put in your gym or program’s name to see if they offer a workout playlist. The Active&Fit® family of programs, for example, offers hundreds of free YouTube classes, including dance, cardio, strength training, and yoga. By joining one of the Active&Fit programs, like Active&Fit Now, you can gain access to more than 5,500 videos from top video workout producers like Les Mills, Shift, and Cycling Fusion.

It’s not too late to get active and fit for summer fun. Take the first step today by exploring the many gym and fitness program offerings and summer deals in your area.

Always remember to consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine and to discuss what types of exercises are safest for you. Persons depicted are not Active&Fit program members.

A happier, healthier you can start with a quality fitness program.

by Yiqing Song, Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Fairbanks School of Public Health

At this extreme moment, we began working from home, away from campus, and keeping social distance for as many people as possible. As we stay home and are stuck with the foods that have been in our fridge or pantry for a while, we are temporarily living a sedentary lifestyle with increased odds of physical inactivity, excessive eating and sitting, stress, anxiety, and depression. In particular, many of us will gain some weight during the pandemic and may keep the extra weight permanently, which may carry considerable health risks for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.

Here, I’d like to share some basic tips and resources for how to maintain your healthy lifestyle, body weight, and overall well-being while staying home and engaging in social distancing.

1. Measure and Watch Your Weight

Keeping track of your body weight on a daily or weekly basis will help you see what you’re losing and/or what you’re gaining.

2. Limit Unhealthy Foods and Eat Healthy Meals

Do not forget to eat breakfast and choose a nutritious meal with more protein and fiber and less fat, sugar, and calories.

3. Take Multivitamin Supplements

To make sure you have sufficient levels of nutrients, taking a daily multivitamin supplement is a good idea, especially when you do not have a variety of vegetables and fruits at home. Many micronutrients are vital to your immune system, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, as well as zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and magnesium. However, there’s currently NO available evidence that adding any supplements or “miracle mineral supplements” to your diet will help protect you from the virus or increase recovery. In some cases, high doses of vitamins can be bad for your health.

4. Drink Water and Stay Hydrated, and Limit Sugared Beverages

Drink water regularly to stay healthy, but there is NO evidence that drinking water frequently (e.g. every 15 minutes) can help prevent any viral infection.

5. Exercise Regularly and Be Physically Active

At this time, at-home workouts may be a good idea. But you can also walk your dog or run outside.

6. Reduce Sitting and Screen Time

Exercise can’t immunize you from your sedentary time. Even people who exercise regularly could be at increased risk for diabetes and heart disease and stroke if they spend lots of time sitting behind computers.

7. Get Enough Good Sleep

There is a very strong connection between sleep quality and quantity and your immune system. You can keep your immune system functioning properly by getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

8. Go Easy on Alcohol and Stay Sober

Drinking alcohol does not protect you from the coronavirus infection. Don’t forget that those alcohol calories can add up quickly. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation.

9. Find Ways to Manage Your Emotions

It is common for people to have feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty.

10. Use an App to Keep Track of Your Movement, Sleep, and Heart Rate

A reminder: People with serious chronic medical conditions, including extreme obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are at a higher risk of experiencing complications and getting very sick from the COVID-19 infection. They should talk to their medical providers and listen to their advice.