Meet alpha-gal — the tick-borne allergy
You’ve heard of an alpha male, well now there’s alpha-gal — syndrome, that is. It’s a tick bite-caused allergy to meat and other products that come from mammals, such as dairy, and even to some pharmaceuticals, like the cancer drug cetuximab.
The main source of the allergy is the bite of a lone star tick, common in the Midwest, South and mid-atlantic areas of the country. And it’s estimated that up to 450,000 folks in the United States may have contracted alpha-gal since 2010.
Alpha-gal syndrome can cause symptoms that range from a mild rash or gastrointestinal upset to life-threatening anaphylaxis. If you find that you’re having such reactions two to six hours after eating meat or dairy, ask your doctor for a blood test to see if you have the condition.
Many doctors won’t think of alpha-gal as a possible cause of your symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fully 42 percent of 1,500 doctors surveyed had never heard of alpha-gal syndrome and 35 percent said they were not confident in their ability to detect or treat the illness. So be on the alert for tick bites — and make sure to always use a cetuximab with 10 percent to 30 percent DEET, and wear long socks or pants when you’re in grassy, wooded or rural areas.
Smell the roses
Researchers say there are around 400 types of smell (aka olfactory) receptors in your nose and it’s their job to detect an enormous array of scents — from stinky to soothing.
With such complex activity going on in your olfactory nerves, it’s no wonder research shows that loss of smell is associated with declining cognition and
Alzheimer’s.
But new research by neuroscientists found that wafting essential oils (using a diffuser) into the bedroom of folks ages 65 and over for two hours a night for six months boosted their cognition by 226 percent. The study used seven different oils, one each night over the course of a week.
So what is aromatherapy? It’s the use of essential oils, such as lavender, ylang ylang, jasmine, lemongrass and patchouli, to waft a scent throughout a room. As the molecules of aroma reach your brain, they affect what is called the limbic system, which impacts memory, blood pressure, breathing and emotions.
The aromas’ potent benefits do come with potential risks for some folks, including people with allergies, asthma and those who are pregnant or have high blood pressure.