How Antihistamines Work

Antihistamines counteract the effects of histamine released by the body when disease-causing microorganisms or antigens such as bacteria, fungi or virus attack it.

The body's immune system recognizes its own organs and tissues by the distinctive "self marker" the body cells carry and does not attack it. The system is able to recognize "non-self" molecules, or antigens, and responds by producing antibodies to counteract them. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that chemically 'read' surface proteins of every cell they encounter and 'stick' to any that are foreign, thereby marking the antigen for destruction by leukocytes (white blood cells). When the body comes in contact with an antigens, the antibodies release histamine to "kill" the invader.

The release of histamine brings more blood and lymph fluid to the site of invasion, which acts to bring more immune cells there to help fight the infection and more blood flow to help carry away poisons. The swelling and fluid caused by blood and lymph vessel swelling results in the symptoms of stuffy nose and watery eyes. What to do? Take an anti-histamine, of course.

Even transplanted organs and tissues can cause the body to release histamine. Sometimes innocent and harmless bodies (proteins) such as pollen, peanuts, milk, penicillin etc. may not be recognised by the immune system and provoke it to set off the inappropriate and harmful response known as allergy; in these cases the antigens are known as allergens.

Histamine can also cause breathing difficulties by contracting the smooth muscles in the walls of the lungs and blood vessels and cause wheezing.

Antihistamine drugs prevent histamine carrying out these actions. They are most often used to treat allergic reactions, although they can also be used to treat other conditions such as migraines, travel sickness, and stomach ulcers. Antihistamines dry up mucus and decrease swelling, but unfortunately, the drying up the normally moist sinuses can make you more susceptible to infection. Antihistamines can also interfere with - and perhaps weaken - the immune system and can lose their efficacy on the body with long-term use.

Antihistamine drugs are available as tablets, creams, and injections. The older, first-generation antihistamines tend to cause drowsiness and heart arrhythmias, but the more recent, new antihistamines, cause less drowsiness. Some antihistamines, such as creams for insect bites, and some tablets for hay fever, can be bought over-the-counter from your pharmacist.

Despite widespread concern about the risks, most cold remedies available over the counter contain antihistamines. Reading labels or consulting a pharmacist can help people identify cold remedies containing antihistamines. Cold remedies containing antihistamines should not be taken with alcohol, sleep aids, tranquilizers, or other drugs that also cause drowsiness and decrease alertness. Such a combination may intensify the sedating effects of the drugs.

Anyone who drives, operates heavy equipment, or performs other activities that require alertness should not take the antihistamines included in OTC products. Children, older people, and people with brain damage may feel nervous, restless, and agitated with pronged use of antihistamines. People with glaucoma, heart disease, or an enlarged prostate gland should consult a doctor before they take any drug that contains an antihistamine.

Uma Shankari is a Bangalore-based freelance journalist. She is passionate about writing. She writes regularly on development issues, health and fitness, yoga/meditation, life and relationships. Read some of her articles on Here

SEO Guide

Bonnie Raitt, Hashbrownes & Mo

"Howdy, dude." Ernie the morning cook at Papa Ray's Family Restaurant in Centralia greeted me as he slid into my booth. "How's everything?" When Ernie sees me come in he throws potatoes on the grill. I always ask for my hashbrowns "burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them." Ernie always complies, but likes to make sure that I got them like I want 'em. "Perfect," I said between crunchy, gravey covered bites.

This particular morning in late April Ernie had news for me. We both share a love for music. Ernie scours the thrift shops for rare "platters." I go to concerts. "I just heard that there's going to be a concert in Seattle with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Keb Mo." It sounded like a strange paring, but I like strange things. Ernie knows that in addition to well-done hashbrowns I like Keb Mo and his Delta Blues.

As soon as I could get online I started looking for the concert. I found zip. I continued looking for the next couple of days and then cursed Ernie for his worthless, erroneous information.

A week before the concert in late May I saw a listing in Seattle paper for the concert at the Paramount. Ernie had been right and once again I had been let down by missing concert information on the internet. I tried to book tickets from the Paramount webpage (where there had previously been no information), but got no response. Phone calls to the Paramount only resulted in busy signals. My wife Peggy finally got tickets via scalpers at twice the listed price of $48.50 for the best seats. We had almost the same luck with accomodations. We like to stay in Seattle when we attend concerts rather than drive back to our home in North Tacoma.

Peg called our favorite hotels. They were all full. There were several conventions in town. She finally found a Bed & Breakfast, but they would only rent to us if we stayed for two nights. Later in the day after booking at the B & B we received word that another place could accomodate us for Friday evening, the night of the concert. We were amazed they had a vacancy especially after we checked into The Gaslight Inn.

We were up-graded to a very nice suite on the third floor of an old Capital Hill home. The suite is the third floor. The stairways get narrower and narrower as you climb from floor to floor. It was worth the climb. There is a picture window in the sitting room that looks out over Seattle. The furnishings are a nice mixture of antiques and modern. The kitchen came with tea bags, coffee, and a pint of half and half in the fridge.

The Gaslight is actually two homes that sit side by side. The main building has a nice pool is the backyard. Our building had a parking lot as a backyard. I'm not complaining. We could have used the pool. We did use the parking lot.

Both homes had plenty of art, on the walls, on the furniture and hanging from the ceiling. In our room there was a chandelier. It was wrought iron with a circular base. There were no actual lights on it. There was a round piece of clear glass with three pieces of overlapping hand-blown glass plates sitting on the base. Spotlights from the ceiling shown through the glass art. Other pieces of hand-blown glass (matching) are found throughout.

If you're going to attend a concert in Seattle, you just have to eat in Seattle. We had dinner at the Desert Fire. We were short of time so we only ordered an appetizer plate. We've had it before, so we knew that it would be enough. It was served quickly. We ate and hurried off to the concert.

The concert was a benefit for the Songbird Foundation. The forests of Central and South America are being cut down. Some of our local songbirds winter in Brazil. Without their habitat, we may lose the songbirds. The forests are being cleared so that coffee can be grown. The best coffee is grown in the shade, but of course you can get a better yield by growing coffee in the sun. We can save the songbirds by drinking coffee that has been grown in the shade. Voting with your cup. That's my kind of support.

The concert was one of the best concerts Peg and I have ever attended. The mood was relaxed, fun, and spontaneous. Keb Mo (Kevin Moore) was introduced early before the stage hands had the mics and stands set up. Kevin came out and started speaking into a microphone which was whipped out from under him. He moved to the next one and said, "Usually they just tell me to get out of the way."

Almost everyone performed accompanied only by their own guitar. Instead of sounding hollow with missing background singers and instrumentation, however the music took on a homey feel. It felt like the performers were good friends who stopped by not to entertain, but to share their music. The concert felt comfortable. At one point Bonnie mentioned that she had changed the lyrics of one song. "I'll be right back, " she said as she ran off the stage. She came back a few seconds later and explained that even though she's over fifty she doesn't need glasses. She placed the lyrics on the floor about five feet in front of her and sat down at an electric piano.

Near the end everyone joined together. Bonnie called Kevin out to sing even though he didn't know the song. Then Bonnie made Jackson take a verse that started out, "When I was a young girl." The crowd as well as the performers were enjoying themselves. My favorite song was done by Keb Mo. It was "Victim of Comfort". Aren't we all?

The music was wonderful. The concert was fun. I owe Ernie an apology and my thanks. The next time I order hashbrowns I'll make sure he gets a decent tip, if they're "burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them."

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Infrastructure For Electronic Business On The Internet

Like any other business, online and electronic business also needs skillful sales and service, merchandising, and marketing. Actually, careful application of all these business concepts is crucial in e-commerce than in any other business, considering the inertia of online buyers. Even a single bad online experience can discourage a customer from visiting that particular website again.

Create your website:-

In an ecommerce business, you must have a website that could be transformed into an online store. Thus, the first step is to register your URL through a registration company online. Second, select e-commerce software that has all the essential features like minimum maintenance and easily order processing. You must also check whether the software can place the search engine promptly and provide quality support for promoting and selling your products and services. There are several e-commerce solutions available to create your online catalog, out of which you have to select one that is user-friendly so that you learn it fast. It is advisable that you check the software for flexibility of adding customized features when you need them.

Start Your Online Store:-

A successful e-commerce site comprises three elements a shopping cart, payment getaway, and merchant account.

Shopping Cart: It is a complex software that allows you to take orders, calculate tax and shipping, display products, and build an online catalog. You can select from a range of shopping carts programs depending on what products you sell. Some programs are quite simple and others are highly sophisticated with special features such as true order management, catalog building, wish lists, gift registries, and real-time UPS shipping calculations based on weight, ZIP, and type of shipping selected.

Payment Gateway: It automatically processes sales and authorizations online, reducing processing time dramatically. It is advisable to get payment gateway bundled with a merchant account. By doing so you avail the payment gateway at a discounted rate. If you use Pay Pal, Yahoo! Merchant Solutions store, and some other hosted systems, the payment gateway is already supplied.

Merchant Account: This account enables you to accept payments for the products sold. You can use a bank or any other financial institution to accept and deposit credit card payments into your account. Usually, your bank will have an online facility for your transactions and fees associated with this service.

Make sure that you select your shopping cart first. You can then select a merchant account and payment gateway compatible with your shopping cart.

Get your business rolling:-

For operating your business successfully online, you must get visitors to your site. Majority of them will get your reference through search engines. Hence, do key word research to obtain a list of key words that can be used in your site information so that the visitors find you. Include these keywords in product names and descriptions. You will also have to design a shipping process after selecting a shipper to establish a successful order fulfillment process.

Ensure security and trust:-

Tell your customers who you are and state your privacy policies. Provide secure transactions and make payments easy for the customers. You may also use privacy certificates, escrows, and digital security to promote trust among your customers.

William King is the director of UK Wholesale Suppliers & Drop Shipping UK Wholesalers Directory, Wholesale Australian Dropshipping & Australia Wholesalers, and Dropshipping & Wholesale Dropshippers Suppliers Directory. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

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