Pollination and Allergy
Pollens, tiny particles that travel in the air or carried by insects, are male cells of flowering plants and essential to plant fertilization. However, if it is windy while pollination is in progress, there exists a higher tendency of wind-borne-pollen induced allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and asthma.
In the United States, most wind-pollinating plants, those not attractive to insects, release pollens during one of the five pollen seasons: early spring (February-March), late spring (March-June), early summer (July-August), late summer to autumn (August- October), and winter (November-January). Here in Florida, if one’s symptoms worsen during early spring, the probable cause is tree pollens. In the late spring and early summer, tree and grass pollens would be the likely culprits. From late summer to autumn, weed pollens, especially ragweed, are high. During the summer and fall, but also year-round, mold spores are quite active. During the winter, most areas of the country are typically pollen
free, with the exception of Florida, South Central Texas, and South California, which have some pollen activity including a few trees, weeds and mold.
While warm air encourages pollination, cool temperatures reduce pollen production and rain washes it away. Humidity affects the pollination process; a combination of low humidity and wind increases the amount of pollen in the air, which can increase the misery of allergy sufferers. Tree, grass, and weed pollens account for almost all pollen-induced allergies; grass allergy being the most common in the world. Levels of pollen can be calculated, with the use of a special device, by counting the average number of pollen grains in a cubic yard of air during a period of 24 hours. Even though it may be critical for very sensitive people to avoid large doses of allergenic plants, many times it is almost impossible. Pollen can travel many miles on a breeze, and can also be present in the home, often blowing indoors through open windows and doors. Direct contact to allergens can be minimized by avoiding intense outdoor activity during the early morning and late afternoon hours, when pollen counts are high, and by wearing a dust mask while cleaning. Other prevention methods are closing windows, utilizing a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrester) or ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) air purifier, cleaning and replacing air-conditioner filters regularly, and monitoring the community pollen count report to know what to expect and how to prepare for it.
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A deep dive into musculoskeletal pain…
In this book, Dr. Tsai aims to offer readers a wider and deeper view of osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, and osteoporosis. Musculoskeletal pain is very common, but often misdiagnosed, and, therefore, treatment can be misguided. Not all pain should be dismissed as osteoarthritis, as several other conditions exist that may be the source of pain. To clarify the subtleties of this issue to readers and health providers, Dr. Tsai grouped the chapters anatomically and emphasized the similarities and differences of their symptoms, unique locations, and different treatment options. The main goal of this book is to help prevent patients and healthcare providers from being misguided by relying on X-ray, CT scan, and MRI findings alone.
This book is broken into three parts:
Part 1 focuses on the causes and symptoms of osteoarthritis and soft tissue rheumatism. Topics are organized anatomically, discussing OA and soft tissue rheumatism in various sections of the body.
Part 2 lists some treatment options for osteoarthritis, including pharmacological treatments, dietary supplements, exercise, and regenerative treatments.
Part 3 discusses osteoporosis, going through causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Osteoarthritis, Soft Tissue Rheumatism, & Osteoporosis was written to be easily read by anyone, no matter their level of medical knowledge. Additionally, several illustrations are included to help visualize concepts and make them easier to grasp.
This book can be purchased online as an eBook or as a physical copy at our main office at the checkout desk or over the phone.
Arthritis, Autoimmune Disorders, & Allergy
eBook Verison - $10 | Paperback - Call for pricing (386) 676-0307
Dr. Tsai organizes several of these articles together to discuss common arthritis, autoimmune, and allergy conditions. The goal of this book is to help those who may be suffering from arthritis, autoimmune disorders, or allergies gain a better understanding of what they’re feeling and how their condition may be treated.
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For several years, Dr. Tsai has been writing bi-weekly medical columns for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. In this book, Dr. Tsai organizes several of these articles together to discuss common arthritis, autoimmune, and allergy conditions. The goal of this book is to help those who may be suffering from arthritis, autoimmune disorders, or allergies gain a better understanding of what they’re feeling and how their condition may be treated.
This book is broken into three parts:
Part 1 focuses on inflammatory arthritis conditions and their treatments. These include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. (For information about osteoarthritis, check out Dr. Tsai’s second book:
Osteoarthritis, Soft Tissue Rheumatism, & Osteoporosis)
Part 2 looks at some autoimmune disorders and analyzes their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Topics in this section include lupus and vasculitis.
Part 3 discusses allergies. The section explains types of allergic reactions, how they work, types of allergies, and how they can be treated.
Arthritis, Autoimmune Disorders, & Allergy was written to be easily read by anyone, no matter their level of medical knowledge. Additionally, several illustrations and photos are included to help visualize concepts and make them easier to grasp.
This book can be purchased online as an eBook or as a physical copy at our main office at the checkout desk or over the phone.