Articles

Prepare Mentally and Physically For Your Year - End Exams

There are numerous tips and tricks out there on how to prepare for year- end exams. From "mind food" milkshakes to hand stands between studying chapters, numerous activities, foods and sleeping patterns claim to provide the answer to the question: how can I best prepare for my year- end exams?

The truth of the matter is that every person's body and mind works differently. We all sleep differently, we all react to foods and stimulants differently and therefore could not possibly all follow the same "recipe" to success. Whether you are in High School, busy with your last year of High School or busy with your Tertiary Education, preparing for your year- end exams is certainly something that should be started sooner than later.

read more

HAY FEVER

What is hay fever?

The term hay fever is a misnomer: the condition is not caused by hay, nor does it produce fever. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to small particles of plant or animal protein that weigh little enough to be carried through the air and get deposited on the membranes of the eyes, nose and throat. In some people the immune system is overactive and identifies normally harmless particles as dangerous, producing an excessive reaction.

This reaction results in the release of powerful chemical agents of which histamine is the best known. These substances cause very severe swelling of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages and conjunctiva of the eyes, intense itching and sneezing and the production of large amounts of watery mucus.

Allergic nasal disorders are divided into two main types: the seasonal form which is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or more commonly as hay fever, and secondly the year-round form known as perennial allergic rhinitis.