Pest Control Company Surpasses Donation Goal For Women’s Shelter Program of SLO County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – San Luis Obispo, CA (Feb. 4th, 2014) – Last month, Brezden Pest Control launched a donation campaign using the Brezden Pest Control Fan Page to help support awareness for Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo county.  Brezden pledged to donate one dollar for every new person who clicked “LIKE” on the Brezden Pest Control in the month of January. 

 

The pest control company also pledged to donate $500 additional if they reached above 300 LIKES.  

 

Brezden Pest Control started this challenge with 237 LIKES on Facebook, and as of January 31st, they had 304 LIKES, which surpassed their target donation goal of 300 LIKES.  As a result, a check was sent to Women’s Shelter Program for $567.00.

 

“We were so glad to see our fans on Facebook joining in and supporting our efforts to raise awareness for domestic violence and child abuse in San Luis Obispo county.  It is our hope that we’ve helped a few people become aware of this excellent resource for women and children in the county who may be enduring the painful trauma of domestic violence,”  said owner John Brezden.

 

Since 1977, the Women’s Shelter Program has worked hard to respond to our community’s need for comprehensive multicultural domestic violence and child abuse services. They understand that domestic violence and child abuse, in their fullest scope, impacts primary victims, family members, society, and future generations. With this in mind, it is their goal to stop the cycle of violence by providing crisis intervention, emergency shelter, advocacy, treatment, prevention and education.

 

Brezden Pest Control’s donations are aimed at helping raise awareness for victims of intimate partner violence and child abuse in San Luis Obispo County.  Do you know someone in an abusive relationship?  The Women’s Shelter Program has a 24-hour crisis line at (805) 781-6400.

 

You can donate directly to the Women’s Shelter Program online through the web page at http://www.womensshelterslo.org/donate or via Mail:  Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo county,  PO Box 125 , San Luis Obispo, California 93406, T: (805)781-6401 

 

About Brezden Pest Control: 

 Brezden Pest Control was founded in Cayucos by John and Maria Brezden in 1980. As the business grew, it expanded to serve all of San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Los Osos, Cayucos, Cambria, Five Cities, Atascadero and Santa Maria. Professional pest control services provided by Brezden include termite treatment, rat control, bird control, and ant control.  Visit the website and Facebook page or call 1-800-464-9446 for a free estimate.

Why Salt Works for Respiratory and Skin Disorders

Salt as Therapy for Respiratory, Skin Disorders

Sodium chloride (NaCl), more commonly known as salt, is found in abundance in nature and is without a doubt the most frequently used condiment around the globe. Its use as a seasoning, as a preservative, and for medicinal purposes has been documented in almost every civilization.
Salt is an essential part of daily life, and this is reflected in several language derivations. In fact, the word “salary,” which comes from the Latin “salarium,” denotes money that was paid to Roman soldiers so they could buy salt rations. Likewise, the Austrian city of Salzburg literally translates as the “salt fortress” and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river.

Background


Regular consumption of salt is necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system, as well as for the regulation of water balance in cells.   

Salt is found in a variety of forms. Sea salt is so abundant that there has been no scientific discussion of reserves. Other salt deposits are scattered around the world in areas thought to have once been ancient oceans that evaporated, leaving large salt deposits. The total world production of salt is estimated to be 290 million tons, with the United States being the largest producer at more than 44 million tons. In folk medicine, warm saltwater gargles for sore throats and salt poultices for soft-tissue infections are two of many commonly used salt therapies. 


Science 


The majority of clinical trials researching the efficacy of salt therapy target respiratory conditions. Therapeutic methods range from spending time in a natural salt cave­ to breathing aerosolized hypertonic salt water.

In the respiratory tract, salt’s mechanism of action is multifaceted. Because salt particles are smaller than most particulate matter in the air, they can be inhaled deeper into the airways. Once in the respiratory tract, salt triggers a cascade of therapeutic events.
Salt acts as a mucolytic, allowing natural ciliary action to improve: it decreases bronchial edema; it is an antimicrobial; and, due to these properties as well as an anti-inflammatory action, salt suppresses bronchial hyperreactivity. 


Aerosolized hypertonic saline has been studied as a treatment for cystic fibrosis. Researchers randomized 24 cystic fibrosis patients to receive either nebulized hypertonic saline (5 ml of 7% NaCl) four times a day with or without pretreatment with amiloride (Midamor), a mild diuretic. Treatments were continued for two weeks with pulmonary function and mucus clearance measured at baseline and periodically during therapy.

At the end of the trial, the study group that used only nebulized saline showed a twofold improvement in both immediate and sustained mucus clearance, and nearly a 7% improvement in pulmonary function (as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]). The hypothesis for the dramatic difference in the two groups was that by allowing the natural water-retaining action of the salt to function uninhibited by diuresis, the mucolytic action was much more effective.  


A study of the effect of dry salt aerosol on lung function focused on 393 patients with severe obstructive pulmonary disease. Participants were assigned to traditional therapy (aimed at bronchodilatation) alone or to traditional therapy coupled with aerosol salt therapy. After one hour, the patients receiving dual therapy showed an increase of 6.5% in oxygen saturation levels and a 26% reduction in respiratory rate compared with only 3% and 19%, respectively, in the standard-therapy group. 


Dermatology is another emerging area for salt therapy. About 2% to 3% of the world’s population is afflicted with psoriasis. In a phase 3 trial, researchers randomized 367 psoriaris patients to either traditional ultraviolet light therapy (UVT) alone or UVT and bathing in a Dead Sea hypertonic salt solution. After 35 treatments, the combination group showed a 46% greater symptom improvement than the UVT-only group.


Salt also may relieve atopic dermatitis in children with severe disease. Researchers compared topical therapies of traditional emollient cream with therapies utilizing cream enriched with Dead Sea salts. Eighty-six children were randomized, and at the end of 12 weeks, participants receiving the Dead Sea salt-enriched cream showed significant improvement in all symptom areas.

Safety 

Although excessive salt consumption has been deemed potentially dangerous — especially for cardiovascular, renal or endocrine conditions — no warnings were found for topical applications.

Cost, How Supplied


Ionic salt generators, used in inhalation therapy, cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars. Topical salt products are widely available and, depending on the concentration and purity, cost $30 to $100 for a one-month supply.


Summary


Data show that the various forms of salt therapy are safe and effective. However, many conditions require more than one type of therapy or medication. Consider salt therapy for patients with psoriasis in particular, as this treatment has shown significant efficacy in reducing sympto­matic lesions.  

This article originally appeared on Clinical Advisor June 21, 2013
About RAMC - Riviera Allergy Medical Center offers comprehensive treatment for the most common food allergies, skin allergy medicine, and asthma prevention. Located at 1711 Via El Prado, Suite 101 in Redondo Beach, the allergy and asthma center is headed by renowned seasonal allergy treatment specialist, Dr. Ulrike Ziegner. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 310-792-9050 for more information or to schedule an appointment for allergy treatment.

Transform Your Yard Into an Allergy Free Zone

The fall is a great time for gardening and other yard work — even better than in the spring and summer. The weather is a bit more temperate. Planting and transplanting your favorite varieties of plants, bushes, trees, and sod becomes a more relaxed activity. If you are an allergy sufferer, you may be thinking that any kind of yard work or gardening is off limits. However nothing can be further from the truth. Just like it is possible to reduce allergens in the home, it is also possible to reduce exposure to allergens around your home. 

Time of day matters

Many people enjoy spending their weekend afternoons raking leaves, transplanting bushes, or planting new trees. However, for people with allergies to ragweed, the afternoon is the worst time of day for this kind of activity. The afternoon is when pollen counts can be at its highest, turning gardening into a miserable activity. It turns out that early morning and evening hours are much more comfortable for gardening for those who suffer with allergies. The weather also plays an important role in pollen count. Rain showers tend to reduce the pollen count making it safer for allergy sufferers to get to work. However, thunderstorms can cause pollen and dust to stir around in the air while stagnant puddles can breed mold.

Wear proper gardening gear

Dressing properly for garden work is important to help keep allergens from entering your nose, throat, and eyes. Wear a mask to keep pollen from entering through your nose and throat. A good pair of garden gloves can protect your hands from touching your eyes and face, transferring pollen along the way. A pair of large sunglasses can block pollen from entering your tear ducts. A hat, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt can keep pollen from sticking to your hair and skin. Keeping covered can also protect you from stinging insects that can cause anything from minor skin irritation to anaphylactic shock.

Pick trees and plants that are least likely to cause allergies

If you are buying plants and trees, you want to make sure you are not purchasing anything you are allergic to. While allergies can express themselves differently in each person, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology offer this list of trees and flowers that tend to be safe for most people:

• apple
• dogwood 
• pear
• plum
• begonia flower
• daffodil
• lilac
• magnolia
• rose
• sunflower

Don’t forget about raking your yard

Mold and pollen tend to collect on fallen leaves due to moisture. Be sure to protect your nose and mouth with a mask while raking. Ensuring that your grass is cut short will keep it from flowering and spreading pollen. When you are ready to return inside the house, be sure to leave your shoes at the door, remove your work clothes, and shower as quickly as possible. Doing so will reduce the amount of pollen transferred from the yard to inside the home. 

Allergy medication can help make gardening and other yard work a much more enjoyable activity for you. Ask your allergist about taking antihistamines, nasal sprays, or even allergy shots before venturing into the outdoors. 

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology is a professional association of 5,700 allergists/immunologists and allied health professionals.

ABOUT

About RAMC: Located in Redondo Beach, CA. Riviera Allergy Medical Center (RAMC) provides a medical facility for a wide range of allergy and asthma related conditions, from nasal allergies and hay fever to skin allergy conditions and scalp eczema. If you or your children are in search of seasonal allergy relief, skin allergy treatment, sinus problems or headaches, or have shown signs of an ibuprofen allergy, you are encouraged to contact the team at RAMC. The office also may be contacted by phone at 310-792-9050.  Visit the site at http://RivieraAllergy.com

Latex Allergies in the Workplace

The American Latex Allergy Association states that about 1% of the US population has an allergy to natural rubber latex. This amount sounds tiny, however that small percentage equates to about 3 million people. Those who are at the highest risk for developing latex allergies include the following:

• healthcare related professionals who frequently wear latex gloves
• people with chronic conditions that require contact with healthcare workers
• people who work in the rubber industry
• some people with certain food allergies

What products contain latex?

Natural rubber latex is derived from the sap of a rubber tree grown in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. People who become allergic to latex do so due to frequent exposure to the proteins in the latex. 

Latex is a common ingredient in many medical and dental supplies including disposable gloves, dental dams, syringes, catheters, dressings, bandages, airway and intravenous tubing, and stethoscopes.

Latex is also found in products like condoms, elastic waist and leg bands in underwear, rubber toys, baby bottles, nipples, pacifiers, purses, sneakers, tires, and some mechanical tools.

What does a latex allergy look like?

An allergic reaction can occur very quickly after exposure to products containing latex. A latex allergy can manifest as hives, itchy skin,  a runny nose, and watery eyes. Symptoms can be more serious for some latex allergy sufferers including an asthma attack to full on anaphylaxis, a reaction where a person quickly falls into shock due to low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is usually accompanied by severe difficulty in breathing. 

Advances in medical technology mean that skin problems and other allergic reactions caused by latex products are becoming less of a problem within hospitals and dental facilities as suppliers are switching to non-latex or low-protein latex gloves. 

How is a latex allergy diagnosed?

In order to officially diagnose a latex allergy, you must go to an allergist for a blood test. Should the blood test turn out to be negative, some allergists will turn to a skin allergy test for final results.

How to prevent allergic reactions from latex

The best way to prevent a latex allergy is to avoid latex materials altogether. It is important to wear a medic-alert bracelet should you find yourself in an emergency room and unable to communicate on your own. Keep an epinephrine (or EPI Pen) close-hand should you have an unexpected allergic reaction.

Severe allergic reactions to latex are mostly avoidable. If you work in an environment where latex products are used regularly, communicate with your supervisor to let them know of your allergy. Most employers can accomodate their employees, or the entire office, with non-latex products. 

The American Latex Allergy Association is a national non-profit 501,(c)(3), tax exempt organization that provides educational information about latex allergy and supports latex-allergic individuals. 

ABOUT

About RAMC: Located in Redondo Beach, CA. Riviera Allergy Medical Center (RAMC) provides a medical facility for a wide range of allergy and asthma related conditions, from nasal allergies and hay fever to skin allergy conditions and scalp eczema. If you or your children are in search of seasonal allergy relief, skin allergy treatment, sinus problems or headaches, or have shown signs of an ibuprofen allergy, you are encouraged to contact the team at RAMC. The office also may be contacted by phone at 310-792-9050.  Visit the site at http://RivieraAllergy.com