A 1984 WHO Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ). Often this condition is temporary, but some buildings have long-term problems. Frequently, problems result when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air problems are a result of poor building design or occupant activities.

Indicators of SBS include:

• Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
• The cause of the symptoms is not known.
• Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.

Indicators of BRI include:

• Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough; chest tightness; fever, chills; and muscle aches
• The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes.
• Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building.

It is important to note that complaints may result from other causes. These may include an illness contracted outside the building, acute sensitivity (e.g., allergies), job related stress or dissatisfaction, and other psychosocial factors. Nevertheless, studies show that symptoms may be caused or exacerbated by indoor air quality problems.

Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

The following have been cited causes of or contributing factors to sick building syndrome:

Inadequate ventilation In the early and mid 1900’s, building ventilation standards called for approximately 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of outside air for each building occupant, primarily to dilute and remove body odors. As a result of the 1973 oil embargo, however, national energy conservation measures called for a reduction in the amount of outdoor air provided for ventilation to 5 cfm per occupant. In many cases these reduced outdoor air ventilation rates were found to be inadequate to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants. Inadequate ventilation, which may also occur if heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do not effectively distribute air to people in the building, is thought to be an important factor in SBS. In an effort to achieve acceptable IAQ while minimizing energy consumption, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently revised its ventilation standard to provide a minimum of 15 cfm of outdoor air per person (20 cfm/person in office spaces). Up to 60 cfm/person may be required in some spaces (such as smoking lounges) depending on the activities that normally occur in that space (see ASHRAE Standard 62-1989).

Chemical contaminants from indoor sources Most indoor air pollution comes from sources inside the building. For example, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. Environmental tobacco smoke contributes high levels of VOCs, other toxic compounds, and respirable particulate matter. Research shows that some VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also produce acute reactions. Combustion products such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, as well as respirable particles, can come from unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.

Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources The outdoor air that enters a building can be a source of indoor air pollution. For example, pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts; plumbing vents, and building exhausts (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings. In addition, combustion products can enter a building from a nearby garage.

Biological contaminants Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants. These contaminants may breed in stagnant water that has accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain pans, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, carpeting, or insulation. Sometimes insects or bird droppings can be a source of biological contaminants. Physical symptoms related to biological contamination include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, muscle aches, and allergic responses such as mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory congestion. One indoor bacterium, Legionella, has caused both Legionnaire’s Disease and Pontiac Fever.

These elements may act in combination, and may supplement other complaints such as inadequate temperature, humidity, or lighting. Even after a building investigation, however, the specific causes of the complaints may remain unknown.

Solutions to Sick Building Syndrome

Solutions to sick building syndrome usually include combinations of the following:

Pollutant source removal or modification is an effective approach to resolving an IAQ problem when sources are known and control is feasible. Examples include routine maintenance of HVAC systems, e.g., periodic cleaning or replacement of filters; replacement of water-stained ceiling tile and carpeting; institution of smoking restrictions; venting contaminant source emissions to the outdoors; storage and use of paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy; and allowing time for building materials in new or remodeled areas to off-gas pollutants before occupancy. Several of these options may be exercised at one time.

Increasing ventilation rates and air distribution often can be a cost effective means of reducing indoor pollutant levels. HVAC systems should be designed, at a minimum, to meet ventilation standards in local building codes; however, many systems are not operated or maintained to ensure that these design ventilation rates are provided. In many buildings, IAQ can be improved by operating the HVAC system to at least its design standard, and to ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 if possible. When there are strong pollutant sources, local exhaust ventilation may be appropriate to exhaust contaminated air directly from the building. Local exhaust ventilation is particularly recommended to remove pollutants that accumulate in specific areas such as rest rooms, copy rooms, and printing facilities. (For a more detailed discussion of ventilation, read Fact Sheet: Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices)

Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation but has certain limitations. Particle control devices such as the typical furnace filter are inexpensive but do not effectively capture small particles; high performance air filters capture the smaller, respirable particles but are relatively expensive to install and operate. Mechanical filters do not remove gaseous pollutants. Some specific gaseous pollutants may be removed by adsorbent beds, but these devices can be expensive and require frequent replacement of the adsorbent material. In sum, air cleaners can be useful, but have limited application.

Education and communication are important elements in both remedial and preventive indoor air quality management programs. When building occupants, management, and maintenance personnel fully communicate and understand the causes and consequences of IAQ problems, they can work more effectively together to prevent problems from occurring, or to solve them if they do.

References:

• Indoor Air Facts, U.S.Environmental Protection Agency
• SBS topic issued by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The primary function of the sinuses is to warm, moisten, and filter the air in the nasal cavity. The sinuses  also play a role in our ability to vocalize certain sounds. Sinusitis, which is common in the winter, may last for months or years of inadequately treated. Although colds are the most common cause of acute sinusitis, people with allergies may also be predisposed to developing sinusitis. Allergies can trigger inflammation of the sinuses and nasal mucous linings. This inflammation prevents the sinus cavities from clearing out bacteria, and increases the chance of developing secondary bacterial sinusitis.

Structural problems in the nose – such as:

• narrow drainage passages,
• tumors or polyps, or
• a deviated nasal septum (the wall between the left and right sides of the nose)

– may be another cause of sinusitis. Surgery is sometimes needed to correct these problems. Many patients with recurring or chronic sinusitis have more than one factor that predisposes them to infection.

Blood group B and to a somewhat lesser extent, blood group O are most susceptible to sinusitis that is provoked by allergies.

Sinus Health Protocols:

Blood Groups A & AB

• Stone Root (Collinsonia Canadensis), 200g: 1-2 capsules, twice daily
• Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica), 500mg: 1-2 capsules twice daily away from food

Blood Group B

• Magnolia Flower (Magnolia lilflora), 50mg: 1-2 capsules, twice daily
• Wild Indigo (Baptista tinctoria) tincture: 3-7 drops, twice daily

Blood Group O

• Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica), 500mg: 1-2 capsules twice daily away from food
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), 500mg: 1-2 capsules, twice daily

Non-Secretors Add:

• Vitamin A, 10,000 IU: 1 capsule daily
• Elderberry Concentrate, “Proberry”: 1tsp, twice daily

General Recommendations Usable By All Blood Groups

• Vitamin C (from Acerola cherry or rose hips), 250mg: 1 capsule twice daily
• Neti Pots, the natural way to keep your sinus passages clear and healthy
• Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon califonicum) tincture: 10-15 drops, twice daily in warm water
• Anise essential oil (Pimpinella anisum): added to a nebulizer or vaporizer

If  you are trying to find out natural way to relief and heal sinusitis, I recommend you to visit another fresh post titled Sinusitis and Neti Pot.

Source:

• Peter D’Adamo’s Newsletter, August 2010

Related posts:

1. Blood Type Diet: A Celebration of Individuality
2. Blood Type Diet: The Genetic Fingerprint

I believe that all of you want beautiful, glowing skin and there are hundreds, if not thousands of products on the market that promise to restore your skin to its youthful beauty.

A wise consumer knows that most of those products fail to deliver on their promises and contain ingredients that can disrupt hormone function or can be toxic.

To stay beautiful on the outside, start on the inside by following the diet that is right for your type – be sure to include healthy fats and oils, fruits and vegetables.

Drink six to eight glasses of water daily to flush toxins from your body. Make sure you’re getting enough exercise, which improves circulation and gives you a healthy glow. Here are a few more tips to get your skin in tip-top shape for summer:

Sun Protection – Staying out of the sun during peak hours and wearing protective clothing and a hat with a wide brim are the best all-natural “sunscreens.” When you can’t help being out in the sun, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with fewer chemicals that can penetrate the skin. The Environmental Working Group’s website, www.ewg.org has a list of the top rated sun protection products with the fewest hazardous chemicals.

Stop Scrubbing – When washing your face, begin with warm, not hot water and use an all natural cleanser. Avoid cleansers that contain abrasive ingredients as they can cause tiny tears in the skin. Use your hands, not a washcloth, to gently wash your face in a circular motion without pulling or tugging at the skin. Rinse with cool water and pat skin dry. Don’t rub as this can irritate skin.

Trap Moisture – Applying moisturizer after a warm face wash or shower is one of the best remedies for skin. Using a good quality, all natural moisturizer helps to restore the oils that our skin has lost and helps to keep skin hydrated. Hydrated skin is plumper and has a more youthful appearance than dry, flaky skin.

Avoid Petrochemicals – Avoid products that contain petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin. Toxic and environmentally unfriendly, these chemicals are created from petroleum and don’t belong on your skin!

Say No to Fragrance – Artificial fragrances, which frequently contain phthalates, may trigger allergic reactions, irritation, and other health problems are often found in cosmetics and skin care products. Be mindful of the hidden dangers that “fragrance” or “parfum” listed on the ingredient labels can pose and choose fragrance free products.

Do you know that there are 20 times more bacteria than cells in your body, or that you have more bacteria in your body at this very moment than the total number of people who have ever lived on the planet? This may sound alarming, but these tiny organisms are crucial to good health.

What is Probiotic

A probiotic is an organism which contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract.These “friendly” or “beneficial” bacteria live in your small and large intestines, support your immune system, and contribute to healthy digestion.

A number of companies have recognized the importance of these friendly bacteria and are supplementing their yogurt products with probiotics. Turn on the TV during the traditional mid-morning and afternoon programming hours aimed at women, and you’ll be invited to take the “challenge” that one company is offering—your money back if you don’t see improvement in digestion after one month. While it’s great that people are becoming more aware of how these good bacteria contribute to digestion, they don’t mention that specific strains of bacteria are beneficial or harmful in the gut of people with different blood types.

What does blood type have to do with friendly bacteria? According to Dr. D’Adamo, there are three things:

• Your blood type antigens are prominent in your digestive tract and in about 80% of individuals (secretors), are also prominent in the mucus that lines your digestive tract. Because of this, many of the bacteria in your digestive tract actually use your blood type as a preferred food supply. In fact, blood group specificity is common among intestinal bacteria with almost 1/2 of strains tested showing some blood type A, B, or O specificity. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the blood type influence on intestinal microflora, it has been estimated that someone with blood type B will have up to 50,000 times more of some strains of friendly bacteria than either blood type A or O individuals.
• Some strains of beneficial bacteria can have lectin-like hemagglutinin activity directed against your blood type, so avoiding those is a good idea.
• Polyflora Blood Type Specific Probiotics also blend prebiotics (foods which provide special growth factors for probiotic bacteria) that are right for each blood type.

In a recent blog, Dr. D’Adamo referenced two recent studies that link type II diabetes, obesity, and the lack of intestinal flora. He says, “Increasingly, studies are showing that changes in the microflora content of the digestive tract can be linked to metabolic illnesses, including type II (adult onset) diabetes and obesity. Blood group and secretor status play an important role in conditioning the overall characteristics of the digestive tract, including influencing the appearance and frequency of many strains of bacteria.”

Routinely taking probiotics that are Right for Your Type improves digestion, enhances bioavailability, promotes detoxification and better absorption of nutrients, and enhances immunity. There is also evidence that routine use of probiotics lowers LDL (bad cholesterol), inhibits Candida (yeast), and may even prevent nitrates from being converted into cancer causing nitrosamines.

As a point of interest, the word probiotic means, “in favor of life.” I’m in favor of that!

Source:

• Dr. D’Adamo Newsletter of June 2010

Related posts:

1. Secretor, Non-secretor, and Syndrome X

Secondhand smoke is being investigated for promoting a large number of other health problems as well. The current case-control study examines the potential link between secondhand smoke and chronic rhinosinusitis among adults.

Secondhand smoke exposure is linked to chronic rhinosinusitis, according to the results of a matched case-control study reported in the April issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

“Most studies of the associations between SHS [secondhand smoke] exposure and respiratory disease in adults have investigated odor and irritation, respiratory symptoms, lung function, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer,” write C. Martin Tammemagi, DVM, MSc, PhD, from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues. “Few studies have focused on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), although evidence suggests that such a relationship may exist.”

The goal of this study was to evaluate the association of secondhand smoke with chronic rhinosinusitis using conditional logistic regression odds ratios (ORs). At the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, 306 nonsmoking patients diagnosed with an incident case of chronic rhinosinusitis were matched by age, sex, and race/ethnicity to 306 nonsmoking control subjects. The primary endpoints were exposure to secondhand smoke for the 5 years before diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis in case patients and before study entry in control subjects, in the home, work place, public places, and private social functions outside the home.

Among case patients and control subjects, respectively, 41 (13.4%) and 28 (9.1%) had secondhand smoke exposure at home; 57 (18.6%) and 21 (6.9%) at work; 276 (90.2%) and 258 (84.3%) in public places; and 157 (51.3%) and 85 (27.8%) at private social functions. This yielded ORs of 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 – 3.10) for secondhand smoke exposure at home; 2.81 (95% CI, 1.42 – 5.57) for exposure at work; 1.48 (95% CI, 0.88 – 2.49) for exposure in public places; and 2.60 (95% CI, 1.74 – 3.89) for exposure at private functions, after adjustment for potential confounders including socioeconomic status and exposures to air pollution, chemicals, or respiratory irritants.

There was a strong, independent dose-response relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and the number of venues where secondhand smoke exposure occurred (OR per 1 of 4 levels, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.55 – 2.66). Secondhand smoke appeared to account for approximately 40.0% of chronic rhinosinusitis.

“Exposure to SHS is common and significantly independently associated with CRS,” the study authors write. “These findings have important clinical and public health implications.”

Limitations of this study include retrospective design, possible recall bias, inability to determine whether the associations between secondhand smoke and chronic rhinosinusitis differed by causal subtype, and lack of biologic measurements of secondhand smoke exposure.

“On the basis of our findings, physicians should recommend that patients who are susceptible to CRS or who have CRS avoid exposure to SHS,” the study authors conclude. “The dose-response relationship between SHS and CRS indicates that even modest levels of exposure carry some risk.”

Source:

www.medscape.com, May 2010 Newsletter

Appendix, the common name for the vermiform appendix – a wormlike sac approximately 3.5 inches long attached to the cecum (the beginning of the large intestine). The appendix is called a vestigal organ – that is to say, it no longer has a function in the body, being simply a vestige of an organ in an ancestral species. It is usually on the right side of the body in the groin area. Substances in the intestine may find their way into the appendix and then may be removed by the involuntary contractions of the abdominal muscles (peristalsis).

Sometimes, material – such as undigested food particles and fecal matter – collects in the appendix and blocks its opening. When this happens, the appendix begins to swell and becomes infected, a condition known as appendictis.

Well, you know medical science sometimes changes and now scientists indicate in the recent online version of the Journal of Evolutionary Biology that the appendix, often thought to have no real medical value, does have its benefits after all. I don’t have my appendix anymore after its removal by a surgery (appendectomy) in 1981, due to acute appendicitis. It is estimated that millions of people don’t have their appendix after surgical removal.

Dr. William Parker, an immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and his colleagues suggest that the vermiform appendix serves to repopulate the gut with good bacteria after a bad case of diarrhea, by being a store chest of good bacteria.

…vermiform appendix serves to repopulate the gut with good bacteria after a bad case of diarrhea…

The Controversial Practice So Far

It is ironical that sometimes, the appendix is removed during abdominal surgery for other purpose even though it is perfectly normal. This practice is controversial; some surgeons feel that most people, sooner or later, will develop appendictis and will have to have an appendectomy performed. Therefore, they reason, the appendix should be removed during abdominal surgery to obviate the necessity of a second operation at a later time. They assume that since, in their opinion, the appendix serves no proven useful function in the body, its removal has no adverse effect on the patient.

I hope, after this information, from now on you have your right to keep  your appendix exists in your body if you are sure there is no acute infection (appendictis).

FDA Warns Against H1N1 Flu Supplements

October 19, 2009 — Beware fake “Tamiflu” sold over the Internet, the FDA warns.

The FDA recently bought five different products advertised online as “Tamiflu” or as treatments for the 2009 H1N1 swine flu.

Some of the pills contained only talc and acetaminophen. Some had various amounts of oseltamivir, the active ingredient in Tamiflu. None was the real thing; all are illegal in the U.S.

Moreover, all the fake “Tamiflu” products arrived by mail too late to do any good — even if they had been the real thing.

“Medicines purchased from web sites operating outside the law put consumers at increased risk due to a higher potential that the products will be counterfeit, impure, contaminated, or have too little or too much of the active ingredient,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, says in a news release.

There are only two drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of H1N1 swine flu: Tamiflu and Relenza. Both drugs are available only by prescription.

SOURCES:

News release, FDA.

(a  lyric written by John Denver).

I got interesting information from sport news recently  that a professional footballer whose severe feet injury for a long time eventually had the right treatment and healed completely after his doctor found out  certain  problem with the athlete’s teeth and fixed it.

Your teeth and gum, it seems, may speak volumes about your well-being. For starters, there are conditions that affect oral health. Researchers continue to look at the associations between cavities, gum disease, and heart disease, but a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been established.

There are some disease that are associated with an increased risk of infections. Diabetes increases the risks of gingival and periodontal inflammation and infections.  Also, loose teeth could be a sign of osteoporosis.

When there’s an underlying condition in play, your dentist may be able to draw an important connection between your oral health and your overall health. So sit back, relax, and open wide. Here’s what you need to know about the mouth-body connection.

Oral Health and Diabetes

Bleeding gums, dry mouth, fungal infections, cavities — these oral signs might clue your dentist into a serious health issue: diabetes. And these symptoms also might suggest other serious conditions, such as HIV and leukemia.

“Diabetes is the one disease that we know can have a direct impact on infections in the bones and gums around the teeth,” says Sally Cram, DDS, consumer adviser for the American Dental Association.

Diabetes and your mouth have blood sugar in common. If blood sugar levels are out of control in your body , they’re out of control in your mouth. With sugar to feed on, bacteria find a happy home in which to grow and thrive. The bacteria then attack the protective enamel layer on your teeth, and over time as the enamel breaks down, cavities develop — one of the dental signs of diabetes.

A person with diabetes has more mouth woes to worry about: Uncontrolled diabetes reduces the body’s first line of defense against infection, white blood cells, which can then put a person’s oral health at risk. With bacteria teeming around the gums from high blood sugar levels, periodontal or gum disease is an easy next step.

Unfortunately, because diabetes lowers a person’s resistance to infection, managing periodontal disease isn’t easy.

“If you have diabetes and periodontal disease, you have to get your blood sugar levels under control for both the sake of your body and your mouth,” says Cram.

Your dentist should be one of your best friends if you are among the 24 million Americans living with diabetes.

Frequent professional cleanings are important in helping to prevent or control periodontal disease, and home care requires flossing and brushing after every meal.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

If on your last visit to the dentist you were told you had gingivitis or gum inflammation, cavities, missing teeth, molar infections, and/or decay so severe it’s left only the roots of a tooth, your dentist may say your mouth isn’t the only thing being attacked.

The jury is still out, but according to research from the American Heart Association, poor oral health could increase your chances of developing heart disease. The exact way that periodontal infections are linked to heart disease are not known. There are no studies that show that maintaining good dental health improves heart disease outcomes such as heart attacks or strokes.

“We think it’s the bacteria, or the inflammatory response from the bacteria, that might cause inflammation of the heart and more plaque buildup in the blood vessels,” says Rick Kellerman, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Unfortunately, neither your dentist nor your doctor fully understands how your mouth is connected to your heart. So while you wait for more research related to the impact of oral health on heart health, your dentist will recommend you do two things: brush and floss.

Oral Health and Osteoporosis

Has the tooth fairy recently paid you a visit? That’s a problem, since you stopped believing in mythical characters decades ago. Your dentist may tell you that osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to become less dense over time as the body loses calcium, could be at the root of tooth loss.

“Bones are bones, and that includes the jaw,” says Kellerman. “As the anchor point for the teeth, if your jaw becomes less dense and weakens, losing teeth becomes more and more likely.”

Though more research is needed to establish a link, osteoporosis and gum disease could turn out to pack a one-two punch, leaving you with some holes to fill in what used to be a picture-perfect smile.

“You want to be very conscientious about brushing and flossing if you have osteoporosis, because if you get periodontal disease, and you are already losing bone mass, you’re at a higher risk of losing teeth,” says Cram.

The risk of tooth loss is three times greater for women with osteoporosis than for women who do not have the disease. “Women in particular should take calcium and vitamin D, exercise, eat right, and do all of the things necessary to help prevent osteoporosis, which down the road could help prevent losing teeth,” Kellerman tells WebMD. “Every time you lose a tooth it’s like losing a pearl.”

Oral Health and Women: The Female Factor

About half of all people, no matter how healthy they are, are more likely to develop oral health problems: Women.

“Women need to be aware that they are at higher risk for periodontal disease and gum disease during puberty, pregnancy, their menstrual cycle each month, and then menopause,” says Cram. “We know there is a correlation between high hormone levels in the body and inflammation in the gum surrounding the teeth.”

When hormone levels are very high, explains Cram, women can be more sensitive to a small amount of plaque or bacteria.

“For example, if you weren’t pregnant, and you forgot to floss for a couple of days, it probably wouldn’t be an issue,” says Cram. “But if you are pregnant and forget to floss, and plaque collects, you can get these swollen, painful growths in your gum that you otherwise probably wouldn’t have.”

Being pregnant and having periodontal disease may also put your baby at risk. While a cause and effect relationship is still being studied, maternal periodontal disease has been linked with preterm delivery and low birth weight infants in small studies.

Oral Health and Smoking

If you smoke, your dentist knows it. Along with tinted-yellow teeth, smokers are at greater risk for a long list of unpleasant oral issues, with tooth loss leading the pack. A smile-killing 41% of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless. If that’s not enough to make you snuff out the habit, smoking can also raise your chances of calculus — plaque that hardens on the teeth and can only be removed during a professional cleaning; deep pockets between the teeth and gums; loss of the bone and tissue that support your teeth; mouth sores; and oral cancer. Bottom line? The risk of not caring for your teeth far outweighs the effort required to keep your mouth clean — so get brushing!

Reference:

• www.webmd.com