What People Need to Know About Fibromyalgia

Although drug companies love to push the condition fibromyalgia, few of them will tell you it is a catch all condition doctors often suggest when no clear diagnosis can be given. This does not mean the ailment is psychosomatic but a word of caution must be taken before starting any treatment especially if it does not apply to you. Not only can the side effects of the medication be worse than the original problem but the possibility of a misdiagnosis could have far greater consequences.

Since many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are common among different conditions, the potential for a misdiagnosis of a more serious condition like hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or a malignancy can have grave impact. Likewise, two or more unrelated ailments often get grouped together and incorrectly labeled as fibromyalgia. Before panicking though, there is one more possibility. In the first episode of House MD, a patient tells Dr. House he heard about a condition called fibromyalgia that matches his symptoms. To that House responds that it is kind of the definition of getting older too.

Note: Robert Haskell does not make any claim to be a medical expert. Information pertaining to health and medical conditions does not necessary reflect the opinions of Haskell New York Inc.

References

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/common-misdiagnoses-of-fibromyalgia
http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus/
http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm
http://www.health.com/health/chronic-pain

Windows 9 Delivers

In the much anticipated technical preview of Windows 9, Microsoft appears to have made progress listening to customer feedback. Annoying features like the Charms bar that make Web browsing awkward on a mouse/keyword device are now suppressed. Users on a touch screen will still have access to this feature. Likewise, Windows 9 also does not force the user into full screen mode. Instead, such programs now operate in windows to encourage multitasking. The pinnacle of course is the return of the Start menu. The new Start menu combines the best of the old and new. On the left side, a traditional view of the program hierarchy appears while the right shows a more modern live tile display. Also noteworthy is the addition of voice enabled applications through Cortana. Though not exactly cutting edge anymore or particularly reliable on any device, voice enabled applications are a major selling point and Windows 9 appears to have embraced it well.

In short, Microsoft has finally tamed Windows again by rolling back annoying features while not losing track of the future. In all, Windows 8 was a mistake but its faster load speed over previous versions cannot be ignored. Hopefully Microsoft will continue to work on this as they move forward. With this major upgrade to the operating system, users should feel comfortable again using their PCs. In Windows 9, users can easily find programs and get up and running quickly. Experienced users will no longer feel like novices again. Most important of all, Windows 9 appears to have been designed to restore consumer confidence so end users can leverage their knowledge of previous versions to keep being productive while they learn new features.

References

http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/28/free-windows-9-for-some-isnt-too-crazy/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000591
http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/09/windows-9-everything-revitalize-microsoft/
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/everything-know-windows-9-microsofts-151417099.html

Secret to Immortality Discovered?

Although it may sound like a sensationalized headline, this tiny pond dwelling creature known as the hydra may very well have achieved immortality. Provided the animal is not deprived of life sustaining water or other important nutrients, hydras have the capability of repairing what would be irreparable damage in other species. If fact, they seemingly live forever due to a key difference in their anatomy. Unlike human beings and other animals, most hydra cells are unspecialized. Instead of cells for skin, bone, hair, etc., these cells exist in an embryonic-like state. After a few weeks of living, virtually every cell in their bodies is replenished with new cells as the old cells flake off given the hydra increased vigor like it has just been born. See the NPR YouTube video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNVc2xC2O0

Are Computer Devices Becoming too Slim?

iPhone 6 Exhibiting Inadequate Durability

With some users reporting that iPhone 6 can potentially bend under minimal pressure, you have to wonder how quality controls were conducted. Although consumer-electronics typically undergo durability tests before going to market, somewhere along the line, testing either was insufficient or never conducted on some phones. Was this the result of trying to race to market?

In the old days, product testing on similar devices like PDAs always included a drop test. Understandably though, many people would not be happy about their particular phone being dropped so only select phones probably endure this test. Nevertheless, the sample phones put through this scrutiny were inadequate for the durability test.

Personally, I prefer Android-based Samsung products because they are cheaper and still get the job done. Samsung devices are slim but comparatively, their Galaxy 3 tablet looks like a tank. It may not seem as sexy, but sometimes being slimmer is not always better.

Solving Speed Issues in Windows 8

Not long ago, I wrote a post showing how to make your PC faster. Today, I am supplementing this with some specified instructions for Windows 8. Startup programs can be particularly annoying by hogging resources when they are not even needed. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and consumer/electronics dealers love to ship boxes loaded with software that comes with the unit. While startup software can be useful especially in the case of virus and malware detectors, inevitably some programs will interfere with one another making your computer lag.

In Windows 7, the procedure to disable startup programs is fairly intuitive. Windows 8 hides this functionality much to the dismay of its users. To determine which programs are running at startup on Windows 8x in the Desktop view:

1. Right click the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen. Be sure not to click on any program icon.
2. Choose the Task Manager.
3. Choose the Startup Tab.

The last column on the right shows the Startup impact rated from High to Low. If you are sure a particular program does not have to be auto-loaded, click the row of that process and choose the Disable button. Be sure not to accidentally disable your network or security protection.

Smile, Black Jesus Loves You

Black Jesus and his "Followers"

In this hilarious series airing on Cartoon Network / Adult Swim, a black man living in the hood believes he is Jesus reborn. Upon deciding to grow a community garden on an abandoned lot, Black Jesus finds his marijuana crop has failed but magical tomatoes have grown in its place. Truly one of the funniest shows I've ever seen! Filled with witty street lingo and a great contrast between his loving godly ways and human shortcomings. Is Black Jesus really the son of God as he prays to "pops" or merely a delusional man that tends his goats in back of an apartment complex? Regardless, I'm hooked now and can't wait to see the next episode.

Microsoft Set to Preview Windows 9

With Windows 8 on its last breath, Microsoft hopes to invigorate the company with a preview of version 9. Leaked previews of the Start menu shows a much more traditional version of the product with an updated spin. Although the company appears to be making progress, only time will tell if this is enough.

http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/09/windows-9-microsoft-success/

Secret Service Blunder

How it could even be possible that someone could breach White House security like this befuddles me. Maybe we should just give them some slack. After all, it was Friday and nobody wants to work then.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/09/22/prosecutor-white-house-intruder-had-800-rounds-ammo-machete-in-car/

Woman Gets Third Breast Implant

Although she claims the third breast implant was intended to make her unappealing to men, the possibility of her still being attractive back on her home planet still remains:

http://gawker.com/woman-gets-third-boob-implanted-wants-to-be-unattract-1637586099

Flesh Eating Spider Needs New Publicity Agent

brown recluse spider

Just the thought of this creepy, crawly thing is enough to stir most people. Add to this the notion that it can disfigure a person by "eating flesh" and it is time to call the paramedics or is it? Although brown recluse spiders do contain some venom, 90% of bytes heal without complications though scaring can occur and in extreme cases, possibly even death. However, they are often blamed for mysterious splotches even when no spider has been seen. Moreover, most severe cases are the results of failing to keep the wound clean. While I am not a doctor, just thought it would be nice to point out that there is another side to this story.

Russians March in Silent Protest

On Sunday, opposition parties in Russia organized a protest in Moscow. The allowance of some dissent to ease tensions comes with the caveat that the organizers would not be permitted to speak. Despite this, Russian polls show the majority of Russians do not support a war with Ukraine. Once again, this event demonstrates you cannot blame the people for the actions of their leaders. Although some would disagree on this point, even in the United States we often disagree on policies. It is almost like America is two countries. We may not agree on everything, but the right of free speech at least allows us to voice our opinions. Russia though is still experiencing growing pains. The hope of a democracy has been overshadowed by the ambitions of a few that would rather turn back the clock and set their own agendas than do what it takes for the country itself to move forward.

AbilityOne Reports 2013 Fiscal Year

In fiscal year 2013, the AbilityOne program employed nearly 48,000 people with major disabilities including many with severe visual impairment. The program provides employment as well for 3,000 veterans.

Originally implemented through the Wagner Act in 1938, AbilityOne was started as a means to help the blind. Over the next several decades, the program has grown to support many new products and services. Their quarterly newsletter, Opportunity Magazine, highlights success stories of the AbilityOne program. When you buy AbilityOne products sold through the Skilcraft brand, a portion of each sale is donated to the AbilityOne cause.

OfficeSalesUSA.com, a service of Haskell New York Inc., is an authorized AbilityOne participant.

The Truth of Vladimir Putin Finally Revealed

Vladimir Putin

With NATO allies around the world reporting record breaches of airspace by Russian bombers and fighter jets, the possibility of a 3rd world war is no longer just the product of post-cold war paranoia. From the covert takeover of the Crimean Peninsula to his provocative nuclear tests, Mr. Putin is becoming more and more like Vlad the Impaler than the man western leaders hoped they could work with. While world powers are scrambling to meet the challenges of this emerging threat, even the prospect of mutually assured destruction is not enough to deter this madman. My personal belief is that all this warmongering is just a smokescreen to cover up his real ambition - to become the ultimate game show host! Whether it is "Who Wants to Rule the World?" or a remake of "The Gong Show", Vladimir Putin is a man on a mission that won't stop until he is on every cable and network station and the Bank of China is funding his venture with Asad as his wingman.

Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research Solves Ethical Issue

Recent breakthroughs in stem cell research now make it possible to have all the benefits of stem cells without using embryos. In a breakthrough procedure, pluripotent stem cells have been used for the first time in a medical procedure. A Japanese woman in her 70s received the treatment for macular degeneration, a condition that can lead to blindness. Like embryonic stem cells, pluripotents can regenerate any type of cell in the body. However, pluripotent stem cells do not require a fetus. Moreover, as with regular stem cells, they also do not require taking medication for life to avoid tissue/organ rejection. See full story at http://www.nature.com/news/japanese-woman-is-first-recipient-of-next-generation-stem-cells-1.15915.

One Hundred Years of Turmoil

The Great War

The Great War, "the war to end all wars" or so it was to be. A hundred years forward and little has changed. We still fight like madman and selfishly ignore our brothers' plight. The resolution of one conflict leads to another and nothing is ever fully resolved. How foolish we were then. How foolish we are now. Always on the brink of disaster, what did we learn? A hundred years of turmoil and the story never changes.

Aftermath of World War II

After World War II, the United States embarked on an ambitious plan to help veterans returning from combat achieve employment. The G.I. Bill helped veterans go to college and borrow for a home or business in the post-war environment. Some citizens as well took matters into their own hands like the founders of the Home-O-Nize Company or HON Company. By providing employment to veterans, HON is one of the great success stories of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Today, HON is the second largest office furniture manufacturer in North America.

Through both public and private efforts, opportunities arose that put America back on track as businesses also gained from the large stimulus provided. Those opportunities were there for the willing and able but today the same cannot be said. Veterans need our assistance but are largely underappreciated. Programs like Wounded Warriors can help, but more needs to be done. Many representatives support a bill like the G.I. Bill. We need legislation to help returning solders reestablish a foothold so they can be given the same opportunities that made this country great.

Why is My PC so Slow?

You buy a new PC and are stunned by its speed. A year later, that speed has diminished. Possible causes include:

• Startup programs or plug-ins on your PC or browser are slow loading, running or hogging resources.
• Too many tasks running simultaneously.
• Insufficient RAM (Read Access Memory) for your needs.
• A slow or unreliable Internet connection.
• A misconfiguration in Windows or your browser.
• A fragmented hard drive.
• A local area network running slow.
• Overly intrusive firewall, PC or network security software.
• Automatic system  or virus protection updates.
• Out of date software causing inefficiencies.
• Malware has infected your PC.

Disabling startup programs and plugins temporarily or permanently may be advisable for diagnosing speed issues and improving performance. The commands to disable startup programs and plug-ins varies widely depending on your platform and software installed. In Chrome, you can check what programs are running in the address bar by typing:

chrome:plugins

In Internet Explorer:

A. Click the gear icon (top right).
B. Click Tools.
C. Click Internet options.
D. Click Programs tab.
E. Click Manage add-ons.

Assuming your computer is not infected by a virus, a fragmented disk can cause a normally fast machine to operate significantly slower at times. Microsoft recommends defragmenting periodically. In the past, this tool was known as the Disk Defragmenter tool. In Windows 8.1, the tool has been renamed as Optimize Drives. Both Windows 7 and 8x run defragmenting automatically. For most people, the default works fine but you may have unusual needs that require changing the frequency of the scan.

After changing settings, it may be necessary to restart your browser or Windows if you have disabled Startup programs. If you continue to experience a latency issue, there are diagnostic programs that can help. Some popular tools for diagnosing, fixing problems including network related issues and virus protection include:

http://www.mycleanpc.com/
http://us.norton.com/
http://www.pcboostcleaner.net
http://www.whatsupgold.com/

While I cannot endorse any particular product, online reviews can tell you what others are thinking. Below are some commonly used review sites but there are plenty others. Search Google on "pc diagnostic software reviews" or visit the links below:

http://pc-system-utilities-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://download.cnet.com/windows/
http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/software

Solar Panels Leaving People in the Dark

Think solar panels will help you in the event of a blackout? Think again! A dirty little secret is that many solar panels are connected to the grid and simply cannot operate without them. Solar power advocates like to push the idea that you can sell power you do not use back to the grid. With this comes a tradeoff. Likewise, solar power though free is not without its limits. A connection to the grid is still necessary when solar power is insufficient to meet energy demands. Full story at http://www.npr.org/2014/09/17/348987688/when-the-powers-out-solar-panels-may-not-keep-the-lights-on.

Signs You May Have an Electrical Problem

Although I have been known to dabble in minor electrical matters, knowing your limits is important. I'll change a light fixture, electrical receptacle or doorbell with no problem. Beyond that requires real expertise. Unfortunately, some do it yourself homeowners go too far. Some things to watch for include:

• Having to constantly reset circuit breakers could be a sign of an overloaded electrical panel.
• Lights should not dim when vacuuming or using an appliance such as a microwave.
• Electrical receptacles should not be hot to the touch, charred, cracked, smoke, make noise or have missing covers.
• Frayed or cracked wiring could be a sign of danger and should be replaced by a qualified electrician.
• Exposed wiring throughout the house. Other than pendant lights, there are few acceptable situations where electrical wires should be exposed.
• Electrical work should always be done to code. Before buying, always make sure all proper permits were pulled.

Licensed electricians do not come cheap but they are there for a reason. I'm all for saving money if the job is simple but electrical work is not for everyone. Paying more for a qualified professional may well be worth the price knowing the work will be done right.

For great deals on consumer-electronics, home and office needs, please visit our main site at OfficeSalesUSA.com.

Butterfly between the Eyes

In the midst of an international music competition, a butterfly lands on Yukie Ota as she tries not to miss a note. Despite the major distraction, she manages to keep her composure. See video at:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2014/09/16/348986742/watch-a-sweet-little-butterfly-nearly-crush-a-womans-hopes-and-dreams

Multi-Seasonal Retail Push Begins

There used to be a time when the end of summer simply marked summer clearance sales. Today, a visit to any major retailer reveals a very different story. Walk into any home improvement store and you will see fertilizer to prepare your lawn for autumn, winter and even turf builder all in the same package. While normally you would expect four seasonable products for maintaining your lawn, a single product today can act as a catch all. This may be smart marketing, but does the one shoe size fits all strategy really work? Well maybe.

Grant it there are some advantages of specialized products that require exclusivity. For years, shampoo manufacturers tried selling shampoo and conditioner both together. With too much resistance both ways, the combination product neither cleaned nor conditioned well. Regardless of whether you are fertilizing in the summer, fall or winter, the product must supply an ample amount of nitrogen to strengthen roots and keep grass green. In this regard, virtually any fertilizer that has a time release will work. Although a product with turf builder will help grass grow better undoubtedly, some of this is just marketing and the difference between these products often are not that great. So whether you walk into a store and see Halloween decorations mixed with Christmas decor or reading that "service notice" for your furnace on a post card, the fall sends mixed signals in every way. After summer vacations, most retailers look forward to an aggressive holiday and seasonal push. It may be a little annoying at times, but that push gets businesses back on track so they are not operating in the red and are seeing green again.

For a great selection of personal and business holiday cards, please visit our holiday cards site at http://haskell.holidaycardwebsite.com/holiday/most-popular-cards.

Why Does Dry Ice Not Melt?

Sublimation of Dry Ice

If all matter can exist as a solid, liquid or gas then why does dry ice not liquefy? Actually, this is a trick question. Under laboratory conditions, dry ice or frozen carbon dioxide turns to a liquid when air pressure is 870 pounds per square inch. At normal air pressure, dry ice will go directly from a solid to a gas through the process of sublimation. Likewise, at sea level, water normally boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit but at a higher elevation, water can boil at a much lower temperature. The same also holds true for freezing temperatures. In the absence of high salinity (salt), water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Salt actually reduces the freezing temperature of water hence it is commonly used to melt ice.

Is Limb Regeneration Possible in Humans?

Not long ago, stem cell and gene research made it possible for human beings to regenerate fingertips right down to the fingerprint if an ample amount of the fingernail remained intact. An accidental discovery also showed lab mice could regenerate holes in their ears and the tips of their toes when the Lin28a gene is enabled. Both mice and human beings have this gene but it is normally disabled after the embryonic state. Further research conducted at the University College London on salamanders shows that the ERK pathway or way proteins communicate from the receptor of a cell to the nucleus is largely responsible for how salamanders can regenerate limbs and certain types of organs. Normally, the ERK pathway is not completely active in mammalian cells. When forced on, the ERK pathway produces greater potential for cell regeneration. The combination of stem cell research and genetic manipulation offers great hope that limb regeneration will eventually become a reality in human beings.

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-limb-regeneration-ins/
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/musculoskeletal/extracellular-matrix.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140619125218.htm

Why Does Water Condensate on my Glass?

You're in a restaurant drinking a beverage and again as if by magic, water condensation appears on your drinking glass. While everyone is familiar with the phenomenon, few people actually realize what is happening. The reason why condensation appears is that water vapor exists all around you in the form of humidity. A vapor (or gas) has fast moving particles. The cold glass causes the molecules around the glass to slow down and become semi-obstructed. This partial obstruction forms a different state of matter known as a liquid. If the glass is cold enough, the molecules will become completely obstructed and form a solid (ice). Likewise, if you re-heat the glass, the water molecules become liberated again forming a gas. Heat it up enough and the glass itself will vaporize as the molecules break down entirely into their essential elements to produce the forth state of matter know as a plasma.

Government Inefficiency Increasing Costs

Despite probably the worst rollout in US history, it would be disingenuous for me to say the Affordable Care Act is government inefficiency at its best. Truth be told, GSA (General Services Administration) is even more challenging to deal with. Nevertheless, I just received another notice regarding the status of my healthcare policy. This time, AmeriHealth Insurance has informed me as a courtesy that the documentation I have provided the government is insufficient. After sending in documentation now several times, I have to wonder, is it me or are they just that disorganized?

How many times do I have to send Marketplace (a.k.a., Big Brother) a copy of my W2, paystub and tax return before they are satisfied of my earnings? Do I have to start digging up deceased relatives now to verify who I am? You would think they would finally realize that it would save money to provide a simple explanation why documentation is insufficient. Allowing them to reject documentation without a reason almost guarantees the problem will recur. Each time that documentation is rejected, we as tax payers pay for their lack of clarity. Noting a general message is absolutely pointless and that seems to be their standard method of handling feedback. Calling Marketplace rarely solves anything because the person who rejects the documentation never gives any information leaving the representatives answering questions based on conjecture.

A single line explaining why a person's tax return, W2, etc. are not suitable for establishing income would likely avoid repetitive processing and save tax payer money but even if this was not the case, each reoccurrence would at least provide some additional feedback leading to a solution faster. A proper system would also require that after repeated rejections, a manager would automatically be assigned to help resolve the issue. Not doing this shows poor accountability and an unwillingness to handle matters properly.

Unfortunately, Marketplace is not alone in their unproductive policies. Inefficiencies in government persist across virtually all agencies. Anyone who has a GSA schedule knows how annoying it can be to not have a way for the schedule holder to remove line items from their schedule without having to first get formal approval and then spend countless hours, days and sometimes even weeks rebuilding the schedule, checking it and uploading all the products and images via SIP (Schedule Input Program). Even government programs that have been easier in the past like the DOD (Department of Defense) EMALL are becoming difficult to work with. Initially DOD EMALL supported the use of image servers but dealers with large feeds may need to provide these images on a recordable DVD now as they are often too large to email or fit on a single CD. Trying to validate DOD security certificates can also be a hassle but all this pales in comparison to the aggravation of working with FSSI (Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative). As many applicants have found in the past, FSSI is very meticulous about whom it works with and that effort is in no way a guarantee of acceptance.

Although government programs can be a great asset when everything is working, critical thinking must be done to establish more streamlined processing. The first step though in resolving issues is listening and it is not always clear even that much is being done.

How Worried Should we be About Ebola?

Although the Ebola virus has dominated the headlines in recent months, the truth is, the outbreak has been contained almost entirely in just a few countries in Africa. Despite this, some airlines and shipping suppliers have become so paranoid that they refuse to go anywhere near these areas. With tourism down, the economic and political consequences may prove to be even more devastating over time. Africa is a large continent and such fears may be overstated. As Anders Kelto of the NPR blog notes:

"...geographically speaking, canceling a trip to Kenya is like canceling a trip to Disney World because of an Ebola outbreak in Alaska."

Nonetheless, paranoia reigns supreme making an already bad situation worse. Without proper medical assistance and sanitation, the possibility of the virus spreading increases dramatically as these countries are left to their own devices. Air drops would help but hypodermic needles are not exactly something you want to send sailing in the wind.

Without containment, refugees will flee to neighboring countries and beyond. Even a single carrier can bring the virus to the western world. Today it is "their problem" but eventually an outbreak like Ebola may become pandemic. How the international community deals with these outbreaks is a reflection on us all. Maybe this time it will not be the big one, but an uninformed person in charge of decisions can do more damage to a sinking ship than the actual hole itself.

Microsoft Blunders Again?

Rumors of Microsoft's latest naming strategy for the Windows re-launch has many befuddled. Although they clearly wish to move beyond Windows 8 ASAP, strangely, the company is reported to be considering dropping the version information from their flagship product. Instead of Windows 9, Microsoft is considering calling the next release simply, Windows. This would be extremely confusing to anyone trying to determine software compatibility especially in the case of Windows RT which does not run most Windows applications. Trying to emulate the competition, Microsoft is pondering no version information like the Apple OS X. Such a risky move could prove helpful in the long run reducing the ever-expanding group that refuses to move onto newer versions but that assumes the new version will be accepted. If the strategy backfires, Microsoft will be digging itself out of an even bigger hole than it has now.

Houdini the Spy

Most people are aware that Houdini was an amazing magician and perhaps the greatest escape artist of all time. Unbeknownst to many, he also doubled as a spy for the U.S. government. Well versed in the art of deception and a master illusionist, Houdini had many talents but espionage was a whole other thing. Considered the perfect cover for acquiring information abroad, Houdini toured Europe and infiltrated the Kaisers and Czar's inner secrets. In fact, so successful at espionage, the US and London recruited him twice for his services. Upon the untimely death of his mother, Harry Houdini also went undercover exposing mediums who claimed the ability to contact the dead. The History channel provides an inside look at the master magician in the 2-part mini-series Houdini, staring Adrien Brody and Kristen Connolly. A definite must watch for any history enthusiast though brief sexual content may be unsuitable for family viewing.

Do Allergy Medications Really Help People?

Having suffered from allergies all my life, I have come to the conclusion, I am better off without any allergy medication. For me, the side effects are often worse than the original problem. Add to this the fact that many allergy medications are either ineffective or lose their effectiveness after a while and you have to wonder, is there a better way?

If you find yourself constantly sneezing when air ducts are in operation, cleaning those ducts can help but do not forget to vacuum above door trims, under furniture and especially under your bed. Washing linens regularly is imperative and preferably should be done after vacuuming to avoid dust settlement. A vacuum with a HEPA filter can also help alleviate the unpleasantness of flying particles. Although these filters are an added cost, a vacuum that just displaces dust, does not really clean. Likewise, carpeting is notorious for trapping allergens and hardwood floors are definitely much better for controlling allergies.

Although you have less control outdoors than in your house, there some precautions that can be taken. When hiking, try to avoid being downwind of areas known to bother you. Pollen is less likely to affect you when you are not directly being assaulted by allergens. If pollen has you by the ropes when driving, try closing the window after the air-conditioner has vented. Replacing your air-filter regularly can also reduce allergens.

If pets are a problem, do not overlook the importance of a good bath and be sure to clean all parts of your home. Pet dander can be extremely irritating but a good cleaning regiment will alleviate some ill-effects. Although I am not a doctor, I know what works for me and allergy medications are certainly not for everyone. For more hygiene and cleaning tips, visit OfficeSalesUSA.com and check out our Facilities/Cleaning products, medical supplies and articles regarding healthcare.