Spring and fall are peak allergy seasons in many areas, with spring trees still pumping out millions of grains of pollen each day and the summer grasses already starting to contribute their share. Sneezing, running nose, and itching – itchy eyes, itchy nose, itchy throat – wouldn't it be great to be able to prevent allergies before they even got started.

Preventing asthma and allergies is possible, according to a study in the June 2003 issue of Thorax. Children at high risk for asthma and allergies were recruited in 1990 to be part of this study. Half of them went about life as normal, and the other half had a low-allergy diet as infants – starting with breast milk (with moms on a low-allergy diet) or Nutramigen formula (no milk or soy-based formula). This group of families also undertook significant measures to avoid exposure to house dust during infancy.

Allergies happen when the body is tricked into thinking that harmless particles are dangerous invaders. The immune system tries to get rid of these allergens by sneezing them out, flushing them out with tears or mucus, or dislodging them with nose rubbing. It tries to prevent them from getting into the lungs by constricting the airways. These are all normal responses to toxins and viruses. They are allergies if the trigger is not really a problem.

Avoiding inhaled allergens, though, may be another story. Other studies have shown that babies who are exposed to dogs and cats before the first birthday, for example, are far less likely to develop allergies later. It seems to me that the nose is designed to detect changes (which is why you often no longer notice even very strong odors if you are around them long enough). It seems to me that maybe a baby’s nose learns what is "normal" to have around them in the air during the first year or so, and then begins to consider some later arrivals as dangerous invaders – the body develops an allergic response to them.

There may have been other differences between the two groups in the study. One half certainly worked harder and paid more attention to allergy issues. We still have a lot to learn. What’s exciting about this breakthrough study is that it demonstrates that preventing allergies, asthma, and eczema is truly possible. Now we just have to learn how best to do it.

RSIs are caused by repeating the same task over and over again, such as constantly clicking your mouse or striking your keys too hard. These tasks can cause wear and tear on your body's soft tissues (tendons, nerves, etc). If care isn't taken to rest these parts, permanent damage can result.

Some of the more common RSIs are:

• Tenosynovitis – inflammation of the tendon sheath
• Tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon
• Epicondylitis – an inflamed tendon that attaches itself to the bones at the elbow
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome – compression of the ulnar nerve where it passes the elbow near the "funny bone."
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – affectation of the nerves and blood vessels of the neck and shoulder

• Tightness or soreness
• Throbbing or sharp pain
• Numbness / tingling / burning sensation
• Loss of strength in the hands, arms, shoulders or neck

Some of these symptoms may not reveal themselves while you're at work. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for instance, sometimes manifests as hand numbness or tingling while you are trying to sleep. Usually, however, your first symptom of an RSI will be localized fatigue (aches, pains, loss of strength or trembling) in the affected limb. These sensations will increase if you continue the damaging activity, but usually decrease after stopping the task. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. A day or two could make a significant difference.

Factors known to contribute to RSIs:

• Monotonous or Repetitive Tasks – performing the same action with the same body part
• Posture – placing a joint toward its extreme end of movement in any direction away from its neutral or centered position
• Force – performing a task with excessive muscular exertion
• Static Exertion – holding an object or part of the body in the same position for an extended period of time
• Contact Stress – direct pressure on nerves or tendons from resting a body part on a hard or angled surface
• Exhaustion – infrequent or inflexible breaks while performing repetitive tasks

• Keep frequently-used items within arm's reach so that you needn't stretch uncomfortably to get them
• Adjust your chair so that your feet lie flat and your thighs are parallel to the floor
• Be sure to have proper support for your hands and forearms when you use your keyboard (either on a tabletop, wrist rest or the arms of your chair)
• Avoid bending your wrists for any lengthy period of time
• Adjust your typing style and keyboard position to avoid striking the keys too hard
• Get up from your desk at regular intervals and move around for a few minutes
• Knowing the risk factors and symptoms of RSIs can go a long way toward preventing them. For more information on this topic, consult your physician.