Tag: To breathe is to live

Is it Hay Fever or a Common Cold?

Published on by Nikken

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms. These may include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to a harmless outdoor or indoor substance the body identifies as harmful, known as an allergen.1

Common allergens that can trigger hay fever symptoms include pollen and dust mites. Pet dander made up of tiny flecks of skin or fur shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with “hair” or feathers also can be allergens that cause hay feverlike symptoms.

Hay fever cannot be transmitted. In other words, it’s not contagious; however, hay fever can rage for weeks, months or even year-round. Colds generally last a week or less. Why is that?

If you are allergic to a seasonal environmental trigger such as pollen, your hay fever symptoms may be limited to particular seasons of the year. If you’re allergic to dust or smoke, symptoms may last all year long.

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Colds are generally caused by rhinoviruses and are highly contagious. Colds spread easily from one person to the other via coughing, sneezing and touching infected surfaces.

Cells in the nasal cavity recognize foreign substances and once they detect a bug or irritant, they activate “T cells” (a type of white blood cell that helps protect the body from infections) to search, find and destroy the culprits. This process is known as an immune response—and it occurs whenever you catch a cold or any other virus.

With hay fever, the irritant triggers the same T cells as it does with viruses. But with hay fever, the irritant also causes the release of IgE antibodies and histamines which produce ongoing symptoms, such as a plugged nose, losing the sense of smell and even nasal inflammation. Hay fever also produces itchiness on the face, especially near the eyes and throat, something colds do not.

Hay fever and colds share other symptoms: extreme fatigue, postnasal drip, coughing and runny noses. Hay fever sufferers tend to have watery runny noses, while those with a cold may have yellow or thicker discharge. Hay fever produces a dry cough whereas colds may have “productive” coughs that are phlegmy. 

One major difference between hay fever and the common cold is the sore throat. Hay fever may produce the effect of an itchy throat; in fact, the whole mouth, from roof to throat may itch. The sore throat is virtually always a precursor to a full-blown cold.

Symptoms can be similar, so it can be difficult to tell hay fever from a cold, especially since some people don’t develop hay fever until adulthood. This can result from a genetic predisposition that pops up when there is an unusually high level of airborne pollen, a major change in your lifestyle, moving to a different city, state or country, and even changes to what and how you eat. Although hay fever recurs and may last a very long time, about 50% find symptoms decrease as they get older and 10-20% outgrow it at some point in their lives.2

Anyone who suffers from hay fever or frequent colds can attest to how important it is to be proactive to help minimize symptoms. One tried and true method is to use an air filter year-round to improve air quality. At Nikken, we offer an effective and eco-friendly air filter known as the KenkoAir Purifier®.

The KenkoAir Purifier helps improve your indoor air quality to a higher level with an ultra-clean three level filtration system that captures up to 99.95% of 0.3 micron particles in the air. A pre-filter acts as a physical barrier or trap to remove large particles, an activated carbon absorption filter removes airborne gas and solution molecules, while the HEPA filter helps to remove ultra-fine particles such as airborne allergens. Negative Ion Technology replicates the clean, refreshing air found in natural settings, such as by a lake or a forest.

You can replace the filter every six months and the prefilter is re-usable, leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Environmentally-friendly, the KenkoAir Purifier is made with recyclable materials. At Nikken, we believe “To breathe is to live” and to live well is to be in harmony with nature!

1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039

2 https://theconversation.com/health-check-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-hay-fever-and-the-common-cold-104755#:~:text=How%20you%20tell%20the%20difference,in%20hay%20fever%2C%20it’s%20clear.

When a Negative is Actually a Plus

Published on by Nikken

Being out in nature is good for us. From forest bathing to surfing, a simple walk outdoors to swimming in lakes and the ocean—it’s the combination of movement and breathing in fresh air that gives our entire body and mind a healthy boost! It’s especially important to seek some time with nature when we spend so much time indoors during the winter months.

What is it about fresh air that makes us feel happier and invigorated?  They’re called negative ions.

Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale freely in natural environments,  such as forests, waterfalls and beaches. When inhaled, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that help relieve stress and increase energy levels.

Ions are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge. They are created in nature as air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation and moving air and water. The air circulating in the mountains and the beach is said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions —much more than the average home or office building, which contain dozens or hundreds, and may even register a flat zero.

Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy. They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.1

It’s estimated that one in three people are sensitive to the effects of negative ions. If you are one of them, simply opening a window and breathing in fresh air can cause an immediate effect of feeling lighter and almost euphoric. According to Dr. Howard, you may be one of them if you feel sleepy when you are around an air-conditioner, but feel immediately refreshed and invigorated when you step outside or roll down the car window. Air conditioning depletes the atmosphere of negative ions and natural air replenishes it.

Negative ions provide more benefits than just freshening the air. They can help clear the air of allergens such as pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses, as well as dust, pet dander and cigarette smoke. This occurs when negative ions attach themselves to positive ion particles in large numbers and negatively charging those ions. When that happens, those allergens become too heavy to remain airborne and are prevented from being inhaled!2

Natural energy sources of negative ions come from five main areas: 1. radiant or cosmic rays in the atmosphere, 2. sunlight including ultraviolet rays, 3. discharges of electricity in the air after thunder and lightning, 4. the shearing forces of water (as in a waterfall), and 5. plant-generated ions from natural growths.3

When indoors, the use of an air purifier can help to freshen stale air affected by dust, pet dander, cooking fumes, poor room air circulation, heat and humidity, and the proximity of grounded devices that may emit counteracting positive ions (such as computer monitors and other electronics).

We encourage everyone to experience the KenkoAir Purifier® for themselves. Once you do, you’ll want to share your experience with those you care about, because as we say at Nikken, “to breathe is to live” and living well means breathing clean, refreshing air filled with negative ions! Ask your Nikken Consultant how to take advantage of special pricing on the KenkoAir Purifier by ordering through the Yes! My Wellness Home link through the end of March.

1 https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/negative-ions-create-positive-vibes

2, 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213340/

Inhale Positive Energy, Exhale Stress

Published on by Nikken

Did you know that our respiratory system works hard for us by taking in 20,000 breaths daily? Deep breaths are more efficient: they allow us to fully exchange incoming oxygen with outgoing carbon dioxide. They have also been shown to slow the heartbeat, lower or stabilize blood pressure and lower stress.1 That’s why it’s so important to make sure the air we breathe in is clean and energizing.

According to a two-year study led by researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah, outdoor air pollution is a major contributor to indoor air pollution, but HEPA filters in the home may significantly reduce fine-particulate matter in the air compared with non-HEPA air filters. They found over a 12-week period of time that HEPA filters reduced indoor particulates by 55% and outdoor pollutants coming inside by 23%.2

HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air” and the HEPA standard is defined by the United States Department of Energy. First developed in the 1940s, HEPA filters were used to trap potentially radioactive particles found in facilities containing nuclear materials. By the 1960s, HEPA filters expanded into the consumer market for air conditioners, vacuum cleaners and stand-alone air purifiers.3

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended air purifiers as an effective tool to combat viruses and smoke, noting that the airborne particles from smoke and respiratory aerosols that contain viruses are often in a similar size range, mostly between 0.1 and one micron. Authentic HEPA filters are able to trap particles of this size range effectively.4

HEPA filters are not all the same. Because these filters are designed to run 24/7, they can run up your energy costs. Therefore, an Energy Star qualification is recommended.5

Air filter construction is another consideration. If air can flow around the filter, it is less efficient. Some filters are labeled “HEPA-style” and these generally are not air-tight.

Nikken supports clean air every day with eco-friendly KenkoAir Purifier® and its HEPA replacement filters. To celebrate the global effort for “healthy air, healthy planet” Nikken is offering two specials for the entire month of September. You save significantly when you purchase the September Exclusive Pack (Item 4445) by receiving the KenkoAir Purifier® and HEPA replacement filter for the price of the KenkoAir Purifier. In addition, all KAP HEPA filter replacements (Item 1445) are 20% off.

Here are some specific benefits of the KenkoAir Purifier that go above and beyond a standard HEPA filter and that Nikken is proud to share:

• The KenkoAir Purifier® (KAP) houses an advanced, multiple-stage HEPA filtration system that actually exceeds the measured efficiency of capturing up to 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles in the air. (0.3 microns is approximately 3% of the diameter of a human hair6)

• The KAP operates ozone-free so it is non-toxic and environmentally-friendly.

• The advanced system is designed to generate negative-ions, similar to those found in natural environments, such as forests and lakes.

• Energy Star qualified, the KAP is 35% more efficient than standard models and saves at least 215 kilowatt-hours annually. Its power consumption is designated at 55 watts and covers 313 sq. ft./29 sq. m.

• Having a re-usable prefilter reduces the KAP’s carbon footprint.

• Replaceable filters extend the longevity of the KAP.

• In addition to environmentally-friendly active carbon and microfibers, even the body of the KAP is made of recyclable materials, such as polyurethane, polypropylene and ABS plastic.

• The KAP allows you to select manual or automatic operation, and you can clearly see the condition of the room air from the air quality display on the top of the unit.

To breathe is to live and the KenkoAir Purifier helps us on our path to Active Wellness.

1 https://www.uchealth.org/today/understanding-breathing-and-the-importance-of-taking-a-deep-breath/

2, 3, 6 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180925110030.htm

4 https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter-1

5 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/why-hepa-air-purifiers-are-the-best-in-fighting-indoor-pollutants/2021/08/20/70aa6888-ec06-11eb-8950-d73b3e93ff7f_story.html

Do You Have Allergies?

Published on by Nikken

Allergies are irritating, but they can be managed, especially if you stick to an Active Wellness lifestyle. An allergy is when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, called an allergen. It could be something you eat, inhale into your lungs, inject into your body or touch. Allergens can cause coughing, sneezing, hives, rashes, itchy eyes, a runny nose and a scratchy throat. Although there is no cure for allergies, you can manage them with prevention and treatment.

More than 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies each year.1 That’s why it’s important to know what you are allergic to and avoid those allergens as much as possible. Some allergens are easier to avoid than others—the main sources of allergens are drugs, food, insects, latex, mold, pets and pollen.2

Many people suffer from allergies but don’t know the causes. Because many allergies are irritants but not life-threatening, it’s common practice to take any number of over-the-counter allergy medications. If the medication helps stop the symptoms, then people simply keep taking them without knowing the root cause. The most common side effect to taking allergy medications is sleepiness, so over the years, new formulas have popped up that are “non-drowsy.” Most commonly used are antihistamines, cortisone ointments, decongestants and epinephrine—people with severe allergies carry “epi-pens” so they can self-inject epinephrine to counteract serious allergic reactions.

An Active Wellness lifestyle may not be able to get rid of your allergies; however, being healthy can certainly bolster your overall immune system to help you cope with them. For example, with seasonal allergies from pollen or certain trees, sometimes the allergic reactions disappear. Whether this is your body’s way of adapting over the years or the result of healthy living can’t be proven, but it certainly might be helpful.

There are treatments without using medications. For example, people with airborne allergies may choose to wash out their noses daily with a nasal saline solution, plain water or by using a Neti pot. Others may choose to diffuse natural scents to help the nasal passages open.

With food allergies, avoiding the primary offenders generally takes care of any issues. The most common food allergies are to milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.3 Food allergies are different from food intolerances. For example, you can be lactose-intolerant but not allergic to lactose—food intolerance does not involve the immune system. To determine any possible food allergies, track what you eat, when symptoms occur, and what seems to be helpful.

Insects that may cause allergies are generally divided into three groups: stinging, biting, and non-stinging/biting. Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants inject a toxic venom when they sting. Biting insects such as mosquitoes, bedbugs, fleas and certain flies may cause itchiness, swelling, rashes and/or pain.

One particularly unusual development that may result from a Lone Star tick bite is becoming allergic to meat. This is because a tick transfers alpha-gal, a sugar, into the person’s bloodstream. When the person’s immune system reacts to it, the meat allergy develops because alpha-gal is also found in beef, lamb and pork.4

Your indoor environment plays an important role in keeping allergens away. Dust mites and pet dander are common offenders that can be filtered out with a good air purifier. There are still a few days left in May to take advantage of the outstanding promotion for the KenkoAir Purifier® and get 30% off the regular price! Tell your friends about it and share the benefits with your family! To breathe is to live!

1, 2 https://www.aafa.org/allergy-facts

3 https://www.aafa.org/prevent-allergies/

4 https://www.aafa.org/insect-allergy/