1. Almonds

A handful of almonds can help you bounce back from stress, as they are chock full of Vitamin E as well as niacin, riboflavin and B vitamins.

2. Grapefruit

This fruit has lots of flavonoids, which help increase immune system activation. Grapefruits also have a good amount of Vitamin C as well.

3. Garlic

Garlic contains antioxidants which help kill bacteria that can invade the immune system.

4. Spinach

Spinach is packed with cell-repairing nutrients like folate, as well as antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C.  Raw spinach is best.

5. Tea

Both green and black tea are loaded with free radical-destroying antioxidants.

6. Broccoli

This veggie contains nutrients that help protect your body from damage as well as lots of vitamins.

7. Low-fat yogurt

The live and active cultures in yogurt are believed to stimulate the immune system.

8. Elderberry

This fruit is thought to help people recover more quickly from the flu.  It is also rich in inflammation-fighting antioxidants.

9. Wheat Germ

Wheat germ contains protein, fiber and good fats as well as other nutrients and antioxidants.

10. Watermelon

Watermelon contains glutathione which strengthens the immune system and helps to fight infection.

11. Button mushrooms

B vitamins, selenium and antioxidants make this vegetable a real super food.  Mushrooms have also been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral effects.

12. Acai berry

This much talked-about fruit is full of antioxidants and is most commonly found in dried or smoothie form.

Bottom line? Incorporate some of these healthy choices into your menu to keep those sick days at bay this fall and winter.

12 Foods That Can Boost Your Immune System is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Symptoms of angina include tightening, pressure, aching, squeezing or heaviness across the chest and behind the breastbone. The pain often spreads to the back, jaw, arms or neck. Weakness, heartburn, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, cramping and indigestion can also occur along with it.

Angina usually occurs after a heavy meal or during exertion or emotional stress. During these times, the heart muscle needs more blood oxygen than the coronary arteries can give. Angina typically lasts 1-15 minutes and can be relieved by rest or by taking a nitroglycerin tablet, which helps lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels.

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of angina, and it is important to establish the diagnosis of angina because people with angina are at risk of having a heart attack.

Angina can be diagnosed by administering an electrocardiogram (EKG) or an exercise stress test.

If for some reason a patient cannot undergo an exercise stress test, medications can be injected intravenously in order to simulate the stress on the heart that is brought on by exercise.

In some cases, stress echocardiography may be done, which is more accurate than an exercise stress test for detecting coronary artery disease.

Cardiac catheterization is another option, which is a technique that allows x-rays to be taken of the coronary arteries.

Other treatment options for angina include medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, as well as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Photo credit: online-medical-advice.com

Men’s Health: What is Angina? is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Head lice are insects that feed on the blood of humans and cling to the neck and scalp. Lice are tiny (about the size of a sesame seed) and aren't always easy to see. Lice eggs (known as nits) are even harder to spot and are found near the scalp.

Who gets lice?

Young children attending elementary school, day care or preschool are most susceptible. At this age, kids play together closely and tend to share hats, brushes and hair clips.

How do they spread?

Lice spread when there is head-to-head contact allowing them to crawl into one person's hair from another's. Lice can also survive for a short time on items such as a hairbrush, but cannot fly or jump from one person to another.

How to spot them?

Lice and nits are visible to the naked eye and can be brown, dark gray or white. They are usually found behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Nits are found on the hairs near the scalp and look like round specks. Parents are often told that combing through hair when it is wet is the best way to spot them.

What symptoms do they cause?

Most of the time, lice do not cause discomfort. The most common symptom is itching that may begin weeks or months after the infestation begins.

How are they treated?

If you think your child has lice, call your doctor so that they can confirm it. Also let your child's day care or school know so that they can check the other children. Other members of the household should also be checked.

Safe lice treatments can be found over the counter, and their instructions should be followed carefully. Sometimes a second treatment is needed a week to two weeks later.  If two treatments do not get rid of the lice, be sure to see your doctor for something stronger.

It is also a good idea to wash clothing that has been worn in the past 48 hours as well as bedding in hot water.

How to prevent lice?

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent head lice. The best defense is to examine your child's scalp and hair on a regular basis to catch an infestation early. Prompt treatment will help prevent the bugs from spreading to others.

Photo credit: WebMD

Back to School: What Parents Need to Know About Lice is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

1. Pollen: Grass, tree and weed pollen can trigger allergies or hay fever. Pollen causes such symptoms as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and congestion--which can be prevented by staying inside when pollen counts are high, running the air conditioning and keeping the windows closed.  Treatments for these allergies include prescription drugs, allergy shots and over-the-counter products.

2. Animal dander: Proteins in an animal's saliva and skin can cause allergic reactions. If you find that your pet is causing allergies, wash them regularly, avoid carpets if possible and keep them out of your bedroom. Allergy shots can also be helpful.

3. Dust mites: Dust mites live in house dust and feed on the dead skin cells of humans and pets. You can prevent dust mite allergies by keeping mattresses and pillows covered and washing sheets in hot water every week.

4. Molds: Molds produce allergens and sometimes even toxic substances. Touching or inhaling mold can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it. Mold needs moisture to grow, so be sure to keep moist areas in the home well ventilated.

5. Food: Foods that commonly cause allergens include nuts, wheat, shellfish and milk. A reaction usually occurs right after eating the allergy-causing food, and symptoms include vomiting, hives, breathing problems, swelling and diarrhea. The best way to avoid these symptoms is to of course avoid offending foods completely--but if exposed and the reaction is life-threatening, an epinephrine injection may be needed.

If you discover you have allergies that begin to interfere with your everyday life, see a medical professional.  In most cases, allergies can become very manageable with the proper treatment and care.

5 Common Allergy Triggers is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Bedbugs are flat, oval and reddish-brown and tend to hide in mattresses, box springs, headboards and bed frames.  They can also be found in the seams of upholstered furniture, under peeling paint or wallpaper or near baseboards under carpeting.

Bedbugs are more commonly found in crowded places that have a high turnover of people, such as dorms, hotels, shelters and apartment complexes.

In terms of bedbug bites, they are sometimes hard to distinguish from other bug bites.  In general, they tend to be itchy and red, often with a darker spot in the middle, arranged in a line or cluster and located on the arms, hands, face and neck.  Bites from bedbugs do not usually require medical treatment, but if you experience an allergic reaction or develop an infection, you will want to visit your doctor.

If you suspect bedbugs, be sure to inspect your home at night, when they are active.  Some of the signs you can look for include empty exoskeletons (they shed their skin as they grow into adults), bloody smears on your sheets (where engorged bugs have been crushed accidentally) and dark specks along mattress seams (bedbug excrement).

You can treat your home yourself to a point, by washing sheets and other infested items in hot water, but professional treatment is usually recommended.

To prevent bedbugs, be sure to inspect any secondhand items you bring into your home (especially furniture), check your mattress when you sleep in a hotel and eliminate any bat or bird habitats neighboring your home that may serve as a refuge for bedbugs.

Photo credit: Mayo Clinic

Bedbugs Are Back! is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Through the middle of July 2010, the CDC said that they had received approximately 2,000 reports of illness from Salmonella, which is the bacteria that is causing the outbreak. According to the acting director of the CDC division responsible for food-borne illness, Christopher R. Braden, MD, that number is three times more salmonella illness than is usually seen at this time of year. Braden also said he expects more illnesses will be reported.

Shell eggs are a common source of Salmonella, and of the 47 billion shell eggs eaten by Americans every year, the USDA estimates that 2.3 million are contaminated with this particular strain of salmonella.

The investigation by the FDA into the outbreak centers on five plants in Iowa operated by Wright County Egg. The company distributes the eggs all over the country, and the eggs involved in the August 18 recall include the following brands: James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Pacific Coast, Albertson, Farm Fresh, Boomsma's, Ralph's, Lund and Kemps (Julian dates ranging from 136 to 229 and plant numbers 1720 and 1942.)

The eggs involved in the August 13 recall include the following brands: Dutch Farms, Lund, Boomsma's, Shoreland, Albertson, Kemps, Sunshine, Mountain Dairy, Hillandale, Lucerne, Ralph's, Farm Fresh and Trafficanda (Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413, and 1946.)

The recall includes eggs in 6, 12, and 18-egg cartons.

So, how to avoid food poisoning from eggs?  The CDC advises that you discard dirty or cracked eggs, avoid eating raw eggs, keep eggs refrigerated at at least 45 degrees, wash all surfaces that come in contact with raw eggs, and avoid dishes at restaurants that are made with raw, undercooked or unpasteurized eggs.

If you think you might be ill from eating eggs, contact your health provider immediately.

Egg Recall: What You Need to Know is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

What causes it?  No one really knows the true cause, and the causes of asthma symptoms can vary from person to person.  Allergies in conjunction with asthma is very common, and the majority of people with asthma have allergies to airborne substances such as weed, grass and tree pollens, animal dander, dust mites and mold.

Although less common, food allergies can also cause asthma. Foods associated with allergic symptoms include wheat, fish, soy, eggs, peanuts, shellfish, fruit, salad, cow's milk and food preservatives.

Strenuous exercise can also be the main trigger for some people's asthma symptoms, as well as severe heartburn or GERD, smoking, sinusitis, respiratory infections such as cold, flu, bronchitis, and sinus infections, sensitivity to medications, weather, irritants and even stress.

People with asthma have airways that are always inflamed and sensitive, and therefore react to a variety of factors, or "triggers." Contact with these triggers is what causes asthma symptoms, where the airways become inflamed and tighten, and mucus blocks the airways. An asthma attack doesn't always begin immediately after being exposed to a trigger--it can occur days or even weeks later.

When possible, recognizing and avoiding what causes asthma is an important way to control it. However, that the best way to control it is with asthma drugs and asthma treatment.

Photo credit: Enviroblog.org

What Causes Asthma? is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Recently, University of Pittsburgh nutritionist Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, shared with WebMD the foods that have us fooled. While many of us think these foods sound healthy, they can actually be wrecking our diets in a very sneaky way.

The first example?  Caesar salad, which sounds like a healthy choice on the surface--until you take a closer look.  The dressing is the real culprit, making just a small bowl a 400 calorie, 30 gram-of-fat diet destroyer.  The fix?  Start with a plain Caesar salad and then add just a tablespoon of dressing and cheese, instead of preparing the salad with large amounts of both ingredients.

Another culprit is the fresh smoothie.  We may think we're getting a healthy dose of fruit with this delicious drink, but the reality is they are often loaded with up to 80 grams of sugar, 350 calories and very little protein or true "fresh" fruit.  Bonci recommends getting a small size and asking specifically for fresh fruit, low fat milk or protein powder to add nutrition.

Energy bars, which are very popular, can also be a real problem. They tend to be small but pack a lot of calories and are often "no better than a candy bar."  Bonci advises looking for bars that are no more than 200 calories and have at least 5 grams of fiber and some protein.

Chicken burritos are yet another food that sounds deceptively healthy.  However, lots of calories and the saturated fat in the cheese, sour cream and flour tortilla can really sabotage your healthy eating efforts.  Instead, go for a soft taco or fajita with grilled meats, veggies, and low-calorie salsa on a corn tortilla.

Other not-so-healthy foods mentioned by Bonci include 2% milk, turkey hot dogs, breakfast muffins, low-fat granola, low-fat yogurt, iced tea, microwave popcorn and cole slaw.

So what can you do to avoid falling prey to these common "food frauds?"  Just be sure to look beneath the surface and know what you're really getting in some of these deceptive choices. Being more aware is the first step to a healthier way of life.

Do You Know These “Food Frauds?” is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

Psoriasis is a chronic disease, and symptoms can alternate between getting worse and going into remission.

Depending on the person, symptoms of psoriasis vary.  Common symptoms include:

* Cracked/dry skin that may bleed
* Red patches of skin covered with scales
* Small scaling spots (common in children)
* Stiff and swollen joints
* Itching, burning or soreness
* Thickened or ridged nails
* Cracked/dry skin that may bleed

While psoriasis may be a minor nuisance to some, more severe cases can be disfiguring and painful.  There are several different types of psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, plaque psoriasis (the most common, involving dry, red skin lesions covered in scales) and guttate psoriasis (triggered by a bacterial infection and marked by small sores).

Psoriasis occurs when a person's T cells attack healthy cells of the skin by mistake as if they were fighting an infection or healing a wound.  These overactive T cells cause new skin cells move to the outermost layer of skin must faster than they should, resulting in dead skin which can't slough off quickly enough and that builds up in thick patches on the skin.  Psoriasis can also be triggered by certain things such as stress, cold weather, infections, skin injuries and certain medications--for example, lithium.

So how can psoriasis be treated?  Generally, treatments can be divided into three main areas:

1) Oral medications, like retinoids or Cyclosporine

2) Topical treatments, for example corticosteroids and topical retinoids

3) Light therapy, such as UVB therapy or brief exposure to sunlight

If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will advise you as to the best course of action to follow.

Photo credit: Mayo Clinic

How to Deal with Psoriasis is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog

WebMD recently gave a rundown of the most fattening summer foods, and it's quite an eye-opening list.  Here are their top 10, along with suggestions for some healthier alternatives:

1. High-fat meats, such as cheeseburgers, pork or beef ribs and T-bone steaks.  Try instead: lean ground beef, skinless chicken breast or pork tenderloin.

2. Hots dogs and sausages, which are not only high in calories and fat, but also sodium.

3. Mayonnaise-based salads, like cole slaw or potato salad.  Try instead: salads with light mayo or chicken stock, or substituting vinegar for oil.

4. Sweet alcoholic drinks, such as a pina colada or Long Island Iced Tea.  Try instead: wine, wine spritzers or mixed drinks with seltzer or 100% fruit juice.

5. High-calorie soft drinks, such as sweet tea, soda, fruit juice or energy drinks.  Try instead: water or light versions of your favorite drinks.

6. Frozen treats, such as ice cream topped with high calorie toppings.  Try instead: low calorie fruit bars, fudge bars or sherbet.

7. Fair foods, like fried mac and cheese, fried cheesecake and funnel cake.  Try instead: grilled meat, or even cotton candy or caramel apples.

8. High-calorie salad toppers, such as certain dressings, cheese, croutons and bacon.  Try instead: veggies, light dressing, eggs and lean meat.

9. Chips and other snacks, like cheese puffs, buttered popcorn or nachos.  Try instead: veggies, fruits or fat-free popcorn.

10. Fried chicken, especially when indulging in more than one piece.  Still want to enjoy your chicken?  Stick to grilled, boneless and skinless chicken and add spices or a marinade to keep it flavorful.

The 10 Most Fattening Foods of Summer is a post from: Allegheny Medical Blog