Allergy-Free Naturally: 1,000 Nondrug Solutions for More Than 50 Allergy-Related Problems [Paperback]

Rick Ansorge (Author), Eric Metcalf (Author), Editors Prevention (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2001

Allergy Free Naturally begins by providing important information on oft-hidden allergy triggers and brings to light surprising, connections between foods, pollen, and chemicals. Next, Allergy Free Naturally offers hundreds of effective, nondrug treatments and easy-to-follow action plans for hay fever, asthma, food allergy, pet allergy, and other allergy-related conditionsfor both children and adults.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To the millions who suffer from allergies--about 38 percent (or 100,000,000) of the U.S. population alone--chronic sneezing, wheezing, itching, and other unbearable ailments are no joke. Yet keen humor lightens the dark side of this "silent epidemic" in Allergy Free Naturally, where writers Rick Ansorge and Eric Metcalf, plus a host of Prevention Health Books editors and writers, dissect allergies in a way that both entertains and informs. Seeking to transform each reader "into an allergy sleuth and an allergy enforcer," Ansorge and Metcalf present thorough background checks on the conventional, environmental, and alternative approaches to allergy. Diagnostic tests, typical prognoses, and recommendations from each of these three disparate schools of treatment are clearly presented, applauded, or questioned here. Then, swollen chapters on topics from asthma to sinusitus detail specific steps for uncovering and outwitting allergy triggers in the home, the yard, at work, and elsewhere. While this comprehensive information draws from each school of thought, sensible action plans help readers create their optimum combination of nondrug solutions to allergy symptoms. The history, research findings, sidebar essays, and helpful suggestions flow simply across the book's 500-plus pages. Consider it a semester's worth of reading for a class titled "The Biography of Allergy," team-taught by a well-educated, rather witty staff (who, incidentally, chose cover art obviously inspired by a certain prescription antihistamine.) --Liane Thomas

From Publishers Weekly

This comprehensive look at allergies first distinguishes between traditional allergy treatments and environmental and alternative treatments. Rather than focus on specific causes or stresses (cat hair or mold spores), alternative allergists focus on how all of a range of stresses from environment, physical and emotional can cause a body to react in a variety of ways. Heredity, nutrition and emotional or physical makeup might determine a type of allergic reaction. The book identifies and explains an enormous number of common allergic reactions to pets, foods and outdoor elements such as pollen. Especially useful are the detailed summaries on creating an allergy-free environment at home; an allergy-free diet, with a special focus on children; and solutions to common allergies, such as what to do to combat reactions to insect bites. Traditional physicians might argue that the book goes too far in its focus on natural treatments, but since diagnosing and curing allergies is difficult, anyone suffering from severe allergies will find this book beneficial, both for self-diagnosis and when dealing with physicians. Detailed but accessibly written, this book is a solid addition to all home medical libraries.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579543928
• ISBN-13: 978-1579543921
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathe Easy Again, September 17, 2002

By 

J.W.K (Nagano, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allergy-Free Naturally: 1,000 Nondrug Solutions for More Than 50 Allergy-Related Problems (Paperback)

Of course, I bought this book because I am an allergy victim. I still remember when they broke out. It was like having the rug pulled out from underneath my feet. One day you are carefree, the next you are sneezing your brains out. Work was out of the question. Everything was out of the question. My life was a living hell, and I wondered what I could do to regain some semblance of health and sanity. With this book, I found out that I am not the only one, and that my immune system is not evolutionary backwater. Something else is happening here. 38 percent of Americans have at least one kind of allergy. That is over 100 million people. Make no mistake, allergies have reached epidemic proportions. However, it wasn't always this way. Allergies, along with asthma and various other strange immune system diseases, have been one the rise ever since industrialism went overdrive circa 1950. The link is undeniable: Allergies are correlated with the Western Lifestyle. People from the so-called Third World have fever allergies, and when they immigrate to America or other industrialized countries their allergy rate quickly blends in with the population. In other words, we are not talking about genetics. Environmental factors are clearly at play. The authors of this book have done a wonderful job tracing both allergies and asthma. Anything you might possibly want to know about the two is in this book. Their approach is broad. Instead of focusing merely on conventional methods, they take a "blended" or "integrated" approach, embracing traditional, environmental and alternative practices. As they say, this gives patients more options, thereby providing more potential remedies to stem the burgeoning epidemic of sneezing and wheezing. Why limit yourself to pills, which often have absurd side-effects? From Chinese herbalism and acupuncture to medical prescription drugs, this book has it all. They have integrated thousands of university studies, and quote MDs across the board. Does drinking wheatgrass help? How does it measure up to the gold standard conventional methodology of double-blind, placebo controlled studies? Do carotenoids, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids affect our immunofunctioning? Do allergy shots work? From mind-body techniques to sinus irrigation and detoxification, you will be exposed to all; and the authors always detail everything in terms of science, making sure to note risks, side-effects, and other potential concerns. With this book, I learned so much. Without it, I would not have been able to integrate an approach that includes lifestyle, environmental, and conventional medicine options.

Imperative for those with allergies.

j.w.k.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK FOR ANYONE WITH ALLERGIES!, October 18, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Allergy-Free Naturally: 1,000 Nondrug Solutions for More Than 50 Allergy-Related Problems (Paperback)

With over a third of the population having an allergy to something or other, this book will definitely be beneficial to those who are searching for relief from means other than prescription medication. Often doctor prescribed medication can cause more side effects than the original problem itself, especially used on a long-term basis.

As one who has a number of allergies ranging from feather pillows to a variety of antibiotics and pain medications, I understand the frustration a person can have in dealing with various allergies. Herbal supplements, adjusting one's diet, and eliminating pollens in the home (I use a filtered air exchanger)can help certain allergies. As the book points out, there are a number of tests which can pin-point allergies, some are helpful and others are outright nasty to endure. The book provides information on allergy testing as well as ways to relieve symptoms.

Each person is different and responds differently to medications. What works for one may or may not work for another, but for allergy sufferers searching for alternative methods for dealing with their symptoms, they may find a helpful solution here.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, something that makes sense, April 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Allergy-Free Naturally: 1,000 Nondrug Solutions for More Than 50 Allergy-Related Problems (Paperback)

I'm a seasonal rhinitis sufferer so I only feel really bad for about 6-8 weeks a year. But that is enough to make me want to find a real solution, not one that costs hundreds of dollars and numerous trips to the doctor. I've done all that with no real success. I liked the authors approach to allergy prevention and treatment. I have been following their advise in regard to diet changes and the addition of some supplements and I feel better.
I've read the book, in sections, several times, and still refer back to it. I found it to be an excellent resource.