If you are one of the many millions of people that sneeze and sniffle as the cool breeze starts to set in for the year, you may have wondered what, exactly, triggers your seasonal allergies. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are many potential culprits. Fortunately, there are also a few ways that you can mitigate the effects of pollen throughout the late summer and into the fall.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies are usually caused by pollen released from maturing plants from August through November. Ragweed is one of the most predominant culprits throughout the United States. Marla Ahlgrimm says that burning bush, tumbleweed, mugwort, and sagebrush are also common seasonal allergy triggers. In addition to these, Marla Ahlgrimm says some people are allergic to grass and mold, each of which gets kicked around its time to mow.

Factors That Affect The Severity Of Allergies

For most of us, our allergies are little more than red, watery eyes, a stuffy nose, and sneezing. Some people, however, may have a stronger immune reaction to some irritants. Marla Ahlgrimm says that those in areas of high heat and humidity or that have periods of drought followed by high winds may experience stronger allergies than others.

Allergy Management

Although many of us think that we just have to stay inside throughout the season, this isn’t true. Marla Ahlgrimm says there are a few ways that we can lessen the negative effects of allergies, especially in our homes. These include:

• Listen to the radio or watch the news each morning so that you know your local pollen and mold counts along with what’s blooming.

• Drive with the windows shut. It’s very tempting to roll the windows down, open the sunroof, or take the top off of your Jeep or convertible, that now is not the time unless you’d like to drive down the road sneezing and wiping the tears off your cheeks.

• Avoid the outdoors when pollen is high. During the spring and summer, pollen is highest in the evening. During the fall, especially during ragweed season, mornings are the hardest on those with allergies.

• Wear a mask when mowing the lawn. Marla Ahlgrimm says that an N-95 mask works wonders at keeping tiny pollen particles from entering your respiratory system when mowing the lawn or doing other outdoor chores.

• Shower often. A quick shower can help take pollen off of you so that it’s no longer an irritant indoors. This is especially important for women with long hair, as dust, pollen, and other debris can get caught only to be shaken out later.

• Look for unusual allergens. Some people are allergic to certain insect bites, chlorine, pine trees, and even smoke from campfires and bonfires. If you notice your allergies are worse around these, avoid them.

• Take over-the-counter antihistamines. One of the most important things you can do to lower the effects of allergies is talk to your pharmacist about antihistamines. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that these affect people differently, and what works for one person may not work for the other. You also want to ask your pharmacist about which ones cause drowsiness and which are less likely to affect you during your work day.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that there’s no way to completely prevent seasonal allergies. However, by knowing what you’re allergic to and taking steps to reduce the severity, you can get through the fall to enjoy your pumpkin spice without sneezing until the first snowfall.

Foot pain is a major concern among women who tend to wear less-than-comfortable shoes more often than not. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, however, there may be more to foot pain than high heels.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there are many reasons that a woman’s feet may be achy and painful. 

Fallen Arches

One is a fallen arch. This happens when the tendon between the inside of the foot and the calf muscle is damaged from overuse. A fallen arch can radiate pain up into the ankle. Orthotic shoes (or an orthopedic insert) can help, although Marla Ahlgrimm recommends visiting a podiatrist for a consultation.

Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid syndrome is another condition, which can also be attributed to a fallen arch. When an arch collapses, it puts pressure throughout the entire foot. Sometimes, it can pinch joints together and trigger pain in the cuboid bone. The cuboid is the bone that sticks out just a bit to the bottom of your pinky toe. Cuboid syndrome is often mistaken for plantar fasciitis and, like fallen arches, may be corrected with orthopedic inserts.

Arthritis

Women who are approaching “a certain age” may also experience pain due to arthritis. This is most common in former athletes that experienced multiple foot injuries. Marla Ahlgrimm says this is caused by overuse and inflammation. Arthritis can also trigger a condition known as turf toe, a term coined by its most common cause: cleats getting caught in turf on the football field. Turf toe can also develop in women who wear heels that are higher than three inches.

Calluses

Calluses are a much more common cause of foot pain, but many women don’t think of them as a problem. Calluses, says Marla Ahlgrimm, are typically not harmful. But, if they become cracked or the skin underneath becomes exposed, a woman’s feet may feel sore and tender.

Bunions

Another extremely common cause of foot pain is the normally overlooked bunion. Although Marla Ahlgrimm says these are often attributed to the types of shoes we wear, the truth is that shoes can aggravate but not cause bunions. Bunions, which are essentially red and painful bumps at the base of the big or pinky toe, can happen when we overpronate or have flat feet.

Strains And Sprains

We like to think that we would know when we’ve sprained an ankle, the truth is that these can happen without us even realizing it. Stretching your ligaments and tendons can happen slowly, but so does the healing process. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the best cure for a strain or sprain is simply the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons of the foot, and Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s sometimes caused by normal usage gone wrong. Other times, tendonitis is triggered when you use your feet and a new way, such as if you start running or practicing yoga. Tendonitis is typified by slight swelling and a dull ache immediately following a move you should not have made.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the best way to take care of your feet is to wear properly fitting shoes. Women should also take their nail polish off often and clean under the toenails. The feet should be moisturized, and Marla Ahlgrimm also recommends leaving the flip-flops at home unless you’re heading to the beach. Shoes should be well-fitted and support the foot’s natural arch.

If you are experiencing foot pain, Marla Ahlgrimm says it’s best to consult with a podiatrist, which is a healthcare provider trained specifically in issues of the feet and ankles.

Many women are overjoyed to see a positive pregnancy test. However, some experience what’s known as an ectopic pregnancy. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, an ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants anywhere other than the uterus.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the most common occurrence of ectopic pregnancies happens in the fallopian tubes. Essentially, the egg gets “stuck,” and a fertilized egg grows into a live embryo. Often called tubal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy does not result in a viable birth. The fertilized egg does not have what it needs to survive and, should it continue past about six to seven weeks, the mother’s life is in danger.

Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy results in many of the same signs as a typical pregnancy. Women may experience missed periods, nausea, breast tenderness, and a positive pregnancy test. Unfortunately, unlike a healthy pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy is usually discovered when a woman reports significant pelvic pain and unusual vaginal bleeding, leading to her doctor. Women with an ectopic pregnancy who experience blood leakage from the fallopian tube may experience shoulder pain or have an unusual urge to push a bowel movement through.

Sometimes, Marla Ahlgrimm says that an ectopic pregnancy can result in life-threatening symptoms, such as shock, fainting, and heavy bleeding.

Causes And Risk Factors

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, all women are at risk of an ectopic pregnancy, despite the number of healthy pregnancies they’ve had before. However, there are some risk factors that might make one woman more susceptible than another. These include having had a previous ectopic pregnancy. Marla Ahlgrimm also explains that women with gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted infections are at a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy due to increased inflammation throughout the reproductive system.

Marla Ahlgrimm also notes that women who are currently undergoing IVF treatments or who use an IUD may experience tubal pregnancy at a higher rate than others. Even women who have been “sterilized” through tubal ligation are at a higher risk of tubal pregnancies since a fertilized egg can’t pass to implant in the uterus. Further, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that women who smoke are also at a greater risk.

Prevention

Unfortunately, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that it is not possible to prevent every potential instance of a tubal pregnancy. However, she advises that women refrain from having multiple sexual partners. She explains that this reduces the risk of certain conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Those who smoke are also advised to quit.

How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

If you suspect that you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, contact your doctor as soon as possible. They will first do a physical exam. Marla Ahlgrimm says that your doctor will feel for a mass in your ovaries or fallopian tubes. They will also ask you to pinpoint any pain or tenderness that you feel. You will also be given a blood test to determine levels of hCG in the blood. Your doctor may also order an ultrasound to check for implantation location and/or internal bleeding.

Treatment

Unfortunately, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there is no treatment for ectopic pregnancy that would result in a live birth. The pregnancy must be terminated, and this is often done by providing a dose of methotrexate, which works to halt cellular growth and then dissolve existing embryonic cells. Emergency surgery may be necessary for those experiencing heavy bleeding.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that an ectopic pregnancy is a heart-wrenching experience for women. There is no way to move an implanted embryo, and, unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies can be fatal for the mother. Marla Ahlgrimm urges women who believe they are pregnant to be seen by a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm knows how excruciatingly long it takes to discover, test, and release a drug for human trials. However, while this can take 15 years or more and cost more than $1 billion, she says there have been a few serendipitous breakthroughs in medical science that were discovered by accident.

Viagra

Many men who pass their 50th birthday rely on Viagra to keep their love life active. However, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that sildenafil was originally developed to treat angina. Unfortunately, the drug causes significant and potentially fatal side effects in individuals who had to continue to use nitrates. However, during the first trial, many men reported unintentional erections. By 1998, Viagra was on the market and has continued to have positive vasodilation effects on men across the world.

Valium

Diazepam, which is marketed under the brand name Valium, is used to treat withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and seizures. It’s also often used as a medication to sedate individuals before surgery. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the compounds that would eventually lead to the discovery of this important medication were part of the efforts of New Jersey chemist Leo Sternbach who, in the 1930s, used it to develop synthetic dyes.

Digoxin

Digoxin is a crucial medication for people suffering with congestive heart failure. It’s derived from the foxglove plant, which has been used by humans since at least the mid-13th century. In 1785, an English physician named William Withering had a patient with significant heart problems that he was unable to fix. The patient, whose name has been lost to history, visited a local herbalist and began drinking a tea that was later found to contain digoxin. Today, the medication is also used to treat bronchitis and a number of other conditions.

Topamax

Topamax was originally used to help treat diabetes. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this oral hypoglycemic agent was subsequently found to have a positive effect on people with epilepsy. Today, Topamax is used as an antiepileptic and also to treat migraines. Marla Ahlgrimm says that this is one time when history repeats itself, and Topamax has recently been studied again to help treat diabetes and to assist with weight management for chronically obese individuals.

Lithium

If you ask the average person what lithium and urine had in common, the answer would probably be: nothing. But, thanks to World War II psychiatrist Dr. John Cade, who injected guinea pigs with the urine of healthy and mentally ill patients as part of the medical experiment, we now have this effective mood stabilizer. Urine from individuals suffering from mania killed guinea pigs faster than urine from healthy people. Marla Ahlgrimm says the doctor began adding a lithium solution to the urine of healthy individuals. He realized that the guinea pigs were soon calm, and he injected himself with lithium (which was then used to treat bladder stones) to make sure that it was safe for those with psychiatric disorders.

Penicillin

Marla Ahlgrimm says that the most famous accidental medical breakthrough was penicillin. Sometime in the 1920s, Prof. Alexander Fleming went on vacation. Like most excited people do, he left his workspace an absolute mess. Upon return, he noticed one Petri dish free and clear of bacteria. The mold on the glass excreted a substance that would later be used to treat infections.

Botox

One final medication on Marla Ahlgrimm’s list: Botox. Botulism is a dangerous disease that comes from eating spoiled meat. But, in the 1970s, a research team of ophthalmologists determined that this neurotoxin could treat involuntary eye movements. Fast-forward to the 1980s, and Botox became one of the most popular drugs used in cosmetic procedures.

28 million. That’s the number of Americans Marla Ahlgrimm says has experienced an eating disorder at some point. The vast majority of those who have an unhealthy relationship with food are women.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm there are many different types of eating disorders, but the most common are anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, pica, rumination disorder, and food avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Anorexia

Perhaps the most well-known of the eating disorders, anorexia is typified by highly restricted eating patterns. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women (and even men) with anorexia are fearful of gaining even small amounts of weight. They are typically several pounds underweight and go to extreme lengths to maintain what they perceive to be the perfect body type.

Bulimia

Marla Ahlgrimm describes bulimia as a cycle of binge eating and purging food. In other words, a person will eat large quantities of foods they tend to avoid and then induce vomiting to rid themselves of the “guilty” calories. People with bulimia may also take diuretics, laxatives, or enemas to rid their body of excess material.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder is different from bulimia in that people who binge eat with this mental health condition do not purge. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm says they typically slip into a type of depression where they feel disgusted, ashamed, or guilty about their indulgence.

Pica

Unlike the three eating disorders previously mentioned, pica is typically not associated with any type of body dysmorphia or attempt to fit into a societal mold of the ideal physique. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm describes pica as a potentially serious mental health condition that tells the sufferer’s brain to crave things like soap, hair, rocks, metal, or cornstarch. A person with pica will consume these non-food items and is at a significant risk of poisoning and severe gastrointestinal disturbances.

Rumination disorder

A newly recognized eating disorder, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that rumination occurs when a person routinely regurgitates, re-chews, and re-swallows previously consumed food. This disorder can take hold during infancy and, in severe cases, may be fatal as it triggers malnutrition.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (previously known as feeding disorder) is another mental health condition that changes a person’s eating habits. People with this condition avoid or severely restrict some or all foods based on anything from temperature to smell. This can result in nutritional deficiencies that Marla Ahlgrimm notes may need to be compensated for with dietary supplements or a feeding tube.

Other types of eating disorder

While the eating disorders listed above are by far the most common, there are at least three other named eating disorders. These include:

• Purging disorder: Similar to bulimia, people with purging disorder believe that vomiting after a meal will help them reduce calories. The difference is that people with purging disorder do not binge.

• Night eating syndrome. Marla Ahlgrimm acknowledges that it is not uncommon to wake up hungry in the middle of the night, especially for teenagers hitting a growth spurt. However, people with night eating syndrome wake up several nights each week and may consume an entire day’s worth of calories before going back to bed.

• Orthorexia. Orthorexia is not classified as a standalone eating disorder as yet. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this condition is characterized by an obsessive-compulsive urge to check nutrition labels and ingredient lists.

People with eating disorders are likely to suffer from malnutrition, hair loss, weight fluctuations, depression, fatigue, and a host of other conditions. Marla Ahlgrimm suggests that people who suspect that they or someone they love has an eating disorder seek help. Eating disorders are mental health conditions (like depression or anxiety) and may be treated with education, behavioral therapy, and by addressing the underlying cause of body dissatisfaction.

If you’ve recently had a baby, you may have noticed that your hair isn’t quite as full and luxurious as it once was. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says this is not unusual, and dermatologists do not consider this temporary shedding to be true hair loss.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that hormone changes caused by pregnancy and birth can result in what the medical community calls excessive shedding. Fortunately, although it can be scary during a time when you are also learning to acclimate to life as a new mom, this type of hair loss typically resolves itself within the first 12 months after giving birth. 

Although you cannot stop post-pregnancy related hair loss, Marla Ahlgrimm says there are a few things that you can do to take better care of your hair until it begins to grow back. These include:

• Invest in quality, volumizing shampoos. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that volumizing shampoos contain a higher number of protein particles, which make the hair appear fuller by coating them in a protective layer.
• Use a weightless conditioner. Look for a conditioner formulated specifically for fine hair. Even if your hair is normally thick, the lighter formulation is better for thinner hair.
• Only condition the ends. Marla Ahlgrimm says her hairdresser gave her great advice many years ago: condition the hair, shampoo the scalp. Avoid heavy conditioners on the scalp, which can push the hair down further, making it appear even thinner than it is.
• Change up your style. Speaking of a stylist, Marla Ahlgrimm says that yours may even be able to recommend a new hairstyle to make your thinner hair look fuller. More importantly, shorter hair isn’t as easy for the baby to grab, and your little one is less likely to get strands of hair wrapped around their fingers or toes.