Allison Janse
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Allison wrote for HealthCentral as a patient expert for Allergies, Asthma, and Cold & Flu.
Latest by Allison Janse
Using Water to Boost the Immune System
We all know that staying hydrated can help keep us healthy, but it turns out that an age-old secret to good health this season could begin by turning on your water faucet – the cold water faucet, that is. Alexa Fleckenstein, M.D., coauthor of the boo...
How to Build A Natural Cold-Fighting Kit for Your Family
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over-the-counter products are ineffective for treating coughs and colds in children under six, and shouldn’t be given because of the risk of side effects.
Asthma and Allergies at Summer Camp
Flashlight, Bug Spray, EpiPen, Check: Here Are Tips For Preparing Your Children for Summer Camp with Asthma and Allergies Ah, summer camp. It either brings back fond memories of sing-alongs by the fire and archery lessons with new friends – or swatti...
Spring Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers
It’s the week I dread. No, not because I need to cook an edible Easter meal for a house full of guests or attempt to keep the kids busy during spring break. With the heralding of spring comes spring cleaning, and I can’t say I enjoy the task. If you’...
Allergy Relief through Food: Inflammation-Fighting Foods and Allergies
With new research supporting that a Mediterranean diet can help alleviate asthma and allergies in children and in adults, many people are left wondering how to reap the rewards if they live in Kansas, not Cannes, and lunch in a cafeteria, not a canti...
Flu Season 2008: 9 Tips For Protecting Yourself
With Problems Marring This Year’s Flu Season, What’s a Person to Do? The flu season is underway, with widespread activity reported in the Northeast U.S., the South and in clusters of elderly people, college students, and children. But what really has ...
Phthalates: Your Soap May Be Hurting You
When it comes to fighting germs, do you think that a little dab of soap will do ya? Well, new research shows that a little dab may just be doing you in. That’s right, in addition to getting rid of germs, the soap you’re using on your skin-and your ki...
Natural, Doctor-Approved Ways to Treat Kids' Colds Without OTC Meds
Thanks to the FDA, I now have a clutter-free, neatly organized medicine cabinet for the first time since stockpiling it for the arrival of twin babies. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit (aka “cram”) into a tiny medicine closet. Now I’m left lik...
Are You Guilty of the Worst Cold and Flu Habits?
January is the month when millions of people make an effort to revamp their health habits. Coincidentally, it’s also the month when many variants of cold and flu viruses - including sinus infections causes by bacteria – rear their ugly heads. Now may ...
Wipe Out the Germs in Your Home
As cold and flu viruses make their rounds, you may want to kick your germ-avoidance tactics into high gear, making sure that if one person in your house gets sick, the illness doesn’t spread, taking everyone-including you-out of commission. Here’s a ...