Proper exercise will not only help a patient lose weight, it will also help maintain better health and functioning of the body. By exercising, a person gradually increases his or her capacity, as well as lowering the heart rate for a given exercise. This increased capacity is what is known popularly as keeping fit. For asthmatics, however, certain exercises should be carefully monitored by a physician or a physical therapist. Medication is sometimes given just before exercise to prevent subsequent difficulty. Various medications should be tried and coordinated under the supervision of a physician.

Cholinergic urticaria is a special type of urti­caria, or hives, characterized by small, short-term wheals (welts that form suddenly) that develop in response to a combination of factors, including exercise, heat, and emotional stress. Exercise is the most frequent precipitating factor. Cholinergic hives occur most often in the upper limbs and do not have an immunological mechanism.

Airborne grass pollen probably is the most widespread causative agent in allergy, with exposure occurring during much of the year. As is true of most tropical and subtropical areas, few trees shed significant amounts of wind-borne pollen; acacia, eucalyptus, or "Australian pine" (Casuarina) pollen is, however, occasionally suspected of causing an allergy. Fungus exposure is prominent both indoors and out of doors and is responsible for symptoms in many allergic persons, j

Cromolyn sodium (disodium cromoglycate), also called Intal, is a powder that can be propelled into the lungs by a special device called a spinhaler. Unlike the medications discussed above, which produce an immediate bronchodilatory response, cromolyn is a pre­ventive medication. Patients will not benefit immediately, and, be­cause of cromolyn sodium’s occasional irritant qualities, some may develop slight bronchoconstriction. The irritation can be lessened and the penetration improved by using cromolyn after an aerosolized bronchodilator. Occasionally, a trial period of four to six weeks is indicated before the patient can be categorized as a nonresponder.

Many people suffering from rhinitis and asthma experience heightened symptoms when exposed to tobacco smoke. Other clinical conditions have been associated with putative allergy to tobacco smoke, including various forms of dermatitis, cardio­vascular disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headaches. Whether these symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction to smoke allergens or to an irritative effect of smoke has yet to be resolved. Some investigations have demonstrated the presence of positive skin tests to tobacco-leaf extracts, as well as clinical improvement follow­ing immunotherapy in selected patients. Other studies, however, have failed to confirm these results. Most published studies have used tobacco-leaf extract rather than smoke extract and have lacked good experimental design and proper controls. The phrase allergy to cigarette smoke has become a highly emotional issue and is used loosely by the general public. At the present time, specific allergens in cigarette smoke have not been identified conclusively. In view of the irritative effect of cigarette smoke on the respiratory tract, and the sensitivity reported in many patients with respiratory allergies, such patients should avoid smoking and smoke should be eliminated as nearly as possible from home and work environments.

Cross-reactivity is a condition in which the body mistakes one compound for another of similar or identical chemical composition. Thus antigens or allergens that cross-react with one another always share some common chemical structure or group.

/ have had digestive upsets from milk, citric and ascorbic acids, aspirin, coffee, and tea. The doctor told me to eliminate from my diet all foods that disagree with me. Is he right? It is true that the best treatment for a food allergy is simply to avoid eating the food. Other than this, about all that can be done is to find substitutes for the offending substances. Most people who are allergic consider themselves fortunate that they have been able to identify the foods that caused the reactions.

Creams, gels, and ointments containing corticosteroids are useful in treating various rashes, particularly eczema and contact dermatitis.

(egg-free, gluten-free, wheat-free)
Green beans or carrots may be used as a substitute. If allergic to citrus, omit lemon juice and replace with 1/16 teaspoon nutmeg.

Cook vegetable according to package directions. Drain. Combine skim milk and salt and heat over very low flame. Sprinkle in cream of rice cereal and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and beat well. Transfer vegetable to a greased baking dish and pour milk mixture over this. Mix gently with a fork. Combine bread crumbs with oil and sprinkle over vegetable. Add a few shakes of paprika. Bake at 375° F for about 20 min­utes. Serves 4.

Research in humans takes several different avenues. A major area involves the observation of normal body functions and determination of which ranges are to be considered normal and which are devia­tions. A great many people must be studied under a variety of con­ditions before researchers can determine what is normal and what is not among people subjected to various changes in their environments. Once the definition of what is normal has been established, the next step involves observing and comparing differences between normally functioning people and those who are suffering from specific abnormalities. Another major area concerns the pharmacologic modification of disease states —how drugs affect the way people function, as well as how the drugs can be used to improve people’s health. In short, human investigation is a heterogenous subject encom­passing the definition of normal function, observation comparing normal and abnormal functions, elucidation of the way environmental factors affect people, and investigation of how pharmacologic agents modify physiology.