The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and the noses are sneezing. Yes, it’s that glorious time of year again, so here are 5 natural strategies and solutions for seasonal allergies!   1: Hygiene Seasonal allergies are caused by many things, and to add to the complexity, not everyone will experience them, some may only react to certain things, at certain concentrations, etc. The most common culprits are grasses, weeds such as ragweed, sagebrush, and tumbleweed, and trees such as birch, cedar, and oak (AAFA, 2015). What can you do to avoid or lessen your exposure?   Avoid going outside when pollen counts are high. You can check this by searching “pollen counts near me” on Google. Common resources will be weather.com and weatherbug.com.   Wash bedding and clothing often. Bedding including blankets, sheets, and pillow covers should be washed in hot soapy water at least once a week. Make sure to remove and wash clothing worn outdoors as soon as possible. Also, dry your clothes in a dryer instead of using an outdoor clothesline.   Shower/bathe and wash your face before bed every night. This will help ensure that your linens, skin, hair, and face are clean from […]

Tooth decay comes in many forms, from many causes. The dental term used for decay of teeth is CARIES. Caries is the # 1 enemy for dental health. You may have heard about Bottle Mouth Caries when you raised your children. It is an early childhood issue promoted by the sugars, acid, germs, or even breast milk in a bottle or just left in contact with a child’s primary teeth. Many times, young children fall asleep sucking on a bottle or just after nursing. Older adults present different dental challenges to be aware of. Some are preventable and some are not. The first sign of any should mean a trip to a dentist. TOOTH DECAY can lead to cavities. Those cavities can cause pain, infection, and even the loss of the tooth. Decay is often caused by a build-up of plaque and food debris. Combined with a diet with sugary foods, a tendency to snack between meals, and a decrease in saliva production all contribute to the build-up of sugar and acid in the mouth. Tooth brushing can be difficult and painful for those with arthritis and even more difficult for those suffering with dementia. A change in diet, better […]

It’s Spring and that is a time to get out there and revive your garden, get back to enjoying the great outdoors and renew your own spirit! Except for that pesky pain in your hip, or is it your knee? If you have gone from doctor to doctor in all different modalities of medicine. Chiropractor… Physical Therapist… Pain Management… Orthopedist…they may have told you the same thing. You need a joint replacement. Dr. Marshall P. Allegra performs both partial and total joint replacement surgical procedures for patients from Monmouth County and surrounding areas. In many cases, Dr. Allegra can perform total joint replacement surgery in an outpatient setting, or same day surgery in a hospital or surgical center. Partial and total joint reconstructive surgery procedures can relieve severe pain and loss of motion in joints that do not respond to more conservative treatment. Replacement surgeries are most usually performed on the hip, shoulder, or knee. Prosthetic replacement joints are made of durable materials designed to fit together smoothly and move like regular joints. Ninety percent of people who go through hip or knee replacement have osteoarthritis. Other possible issues leading to hip replacement surgery may be to correct problems related […]

Struggling with chronic pain? You’re not alone. According to the CDC, one in five Americans suffers from chronic pain conditions. For many of those individuals, prescription pain medications are one of the only available options to help alleviate their discomfort. But there are other choices people with pain can utilize—therapies that are complementary treatments to their current relief regimen, including Epsom salt. Not sure what Epsom salts are or how they might be used? They are part of holistic treatments that can work as a great assistant due to its complex and natural composition. What Is Epsom Salt? Epsom salt comes from the city of Epsom in the United Kingdom. However, it is not salt as most people believe it to be. Instead, it is magnesium sulfate—a combination of magnesium, oxygen and sulfur. Naturally occurring, this salt has an extensive range of uses that ultimately aid healing. Epsom salt is very bitter and isn’t recommended for eating. Why Use Epsom Salt? Epsom salt has been used for thousands of years for its healing and restorative capabilities. When you dissolve it in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions and is dense when mixed with water, similar to the Dead Sea. […]

(BPT) – When improving your health and wellness, it’s essential to take care of your eyes too. For African Americans, this is especially important because of increased risk factors for eye disease and vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma — a disease that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss — is three times more likely to occur in African Americans. The risks of glaucoma are magnified further when you consider that the disease strikes, on average, 10 years earlier and progresses faster among African Americans, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. The good news is that with early detection and treatments, including a wide range of eye drop medications, laser treatments and several types of incisional surgery, the majority of patients with glaucoma maintain their vision. By becoming aware of your risk factors and taking preventive steps, you can help protect your eyes. 1) Finding answers in your genes While the risk factors for eye disease continue to be studied, the ophthalmology community believes genetics can play a role. “Aside from the access to care challenges that confront members of minority populations, African Americans have a range of genetic predispositions that make them more […]

Dryer sheets are part of the laundry routine for millions of people. Most of us don’t think twice about tossing a sheet or two into the dryer — it’s just part of the clean clothes process. And while pulling a warm, fresh load of scented laundry out of the dryer may make you feel warm and fuzzy, there’s likely something not-so-good happening inside of your body. What if I told you those dryer sheets are caked with ingredients you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. And those “blossoms and flowers” depicted on the dryer sheet box? Don’t buy it. Dryer sheets are really a toxic ripoff. That means you’re paying more for a product that could actually be making you sick. I’m talking about things like known carcinogens, hazardous pollutants, endocrine disruptors and things that target specific organs in the most unpleasant ways. Let’s examine what we know about dryer sheets and your health, then get into simple alternatives for a safer laundry routine. Dryer Sheets: The Facts Ever look at a box of dryer sheets? You’ll probably see images of flowers or line-dried laundry and claims of freshness, fabric softening, static reduction and wrinkle fighting power. What you won’t see? A comprehensive list […]

How to break old habits and create new ones with meditation (BPT) – Trying to lose weight, exercise more or start on a difficult project? As Lao Tzu says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Sometimes that first step doesn’t even require standing up. Studies show that even 11 minutes a day of Kundalini meditation can boost mental health, promote mindfulness and increase gratitude. MRI imaging has demonstrated that meditation changes your brain; specifically, the regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing and perspective taking. This simple daily practice, when repeated for 40 days, may be exactly what you need to reach all your goals. Why 40 days? Because it takes 20 days to break old habits, and 20 days to start new ones. There’s a reason Christians fast for 40 days during Lent, and Judaism teaches that those seeking answers to prayers should pray for 40 days in a row. Did you know that your skin cells renew, on average, every 40 days? Meditation is easy. It’s quick. It works. And guess what? You can do it with your eyes closed. Where to start? 3HO, an organization dedicated to sharing […]

(BPT) – Three years ago, Alex Lamb, an active retiree just shy of 80 years old, was happily preparing for a big move to be closer to his son. Then he received a prostate cancer diagnosis. “It was a total shock to me. I found out by going in for a regular check-up,” said Alex, who didn’t experience any symptoms. “I was lucky because otherwise, I may not have found out until my cancer progressed. The news was hard to hear at first, but I didn’t let it get me down. I believed there would be a way forward.” Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, behind skin cancer.1 Compared with many other cancers, prostate cancer grows slowly and is most often found in early stages. Some cases may not require treatment while others are highly treatable through options such as surgery and/or radiation therapy.2,3 In Alex’s case, his physician felt that his best option was radiation, an approach that more than 60,000 American men opt to treat prostate cancer with every year.4 While the various treatment options have proven to be effective, they can come at a cost to some patients’ quality of life in […]

(BPT) – Your pets are part of your family, and you would do just about anything for them. From the tail wags and face licks to the head bumps and purr fests, your pets show their unconditional love in many ways, every single day. If you’re looking for ways to reciprocate, consider the following tips for things you can do to show your pet some extra love. 1. Have a “yes day” with your pet When was the last time you devoted time to solely focusing on your pet and doing the activities you know they love to do? The truth is, your beloved pets love nothing more than hanging out with you — so why not make a whole day of it? Start by making a list of all the activities your pet enjoys or saying ‘yes’ to your pet’s cues to see where the day takes you. One more treat after a walk through the park? Yes! One more minute of scratches behind the ear? Yes! Whatever you end up doing, know that any time spent with your pet is time they’ll love. 2. Feed them nutritious, delicious food One simple, yet important, way to keep your dog […]

(BPT) – While most Americans may say they’re environmentally conscious and care about recycling, their daily habits haven’t caught up with their good intentions. In fact, the EPA reports that the recycling rate is currently only at about 32%. Part of this is due to confusion about what and how to recycle. If you’re one of the growing number of people with a pet at home, your recycling habits may be even more complex by adding pet product packaging into the mix. With so much packaging produced today, your choice between the recycling bin and the trash can feel inconsequential in the grand scheme. But the truth is, every day consumers play a crucial role in reducing waste. In an ideal world, we would operate in a “circular economy,” where the materials we now consider waste instead serve a secondary purpose. Some companies are committing to the environment by switching to more sustainable manufacturing processes and using recyclable — and recycled — materials in their packaging. But it takes more than just what companies can do alone; businesses rely on consumers to recycle correctly, fueling the supply of materials used to produce more environmentally friendly packaging. “Many consumers engage in […]

(BPT) – Imagine nightmares limiting you to a few hours of sleep a night, feeling too scared to drive or take a walk, and staying inside your home week after week due to anxiety. This was the reality for Tishawna of St. Louis, Missouri, a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD. “I can go weeks without leaving my house. I have an 11-year-old child still at home and there are things she wants to do and I feel like I’m letting her down,” said Tishawna. “PTSD has taken a lot of my life.” Tishawna is not alone. Over 3 million veterans suffer from PTSD. Having tried a variety of mental health treatments with limited success, she then learned that PTSD service dogs are proven to reduce the symptoms of PTSD, even when traditional therapies cannot. PTSD service dogs are not the same as emotional support, therapy or companion dogs. Like service dogs for the blind, deaf and physically disabled, PTSD service dogs for veterans must be specially trained to help their handler perform tasks they cannot otherwise perform on their own. Unfortunately, it costs over $20,000 on average to train and care for one service dog […]

Grief can be an overwhelming emotion and one that can severely impact our lives. Studies of this emotion have revealed that species does not limit our experience of grief. Losing our companion animals has been shown to be just as devastating as losing a friend or family member. Managing our experience of these emotions is, therefore, just as essential to our well-being. The grieving process is very personal and is influenced by both our social groups and culture. As a result, everyone’s grieving process will look different. Steps You Can Take To Help Process Grief After Loss Of A Pet Self-care is vital during periods of emotional distress. Grieving can be a long, painful, and exhausting experience both physically and emotionally. The grieving process helps us adjust to a life without our loved one’s presence. While precious, the memories of our pets can be painful as we try to adjust to a life without them. With these steps, you’ll be able to work through your grief and be able to hold those memories dear while moving on. Give Yourself Time – Grieving doesn’t have a set timeline, and there’s no way to rush it. Our busy lives don’t often give us […]