Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them: Health care screwups are one of the leading causes of death in America, killing as many as 750,000 people annually. That’s more than heart attacks or cancer. And yet most people don’t know this, including most physicians. From diagnostic disasters to deadly drug interactions, the bestselling authors of The People’s Pharmacy expose the alarming epidemic of medical mistakes in America—and offer a lifesaving prescription to make the healthcare system safe again. Only $26.00 +s/h
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Q. My sister is highly allergic to cats. I have an indoor cat, so when my sister comes to visit she is miserable. I vacuum before and during her visit but she still suffers. Is there anything she could take before she comes that would help make her stay more enjoyable? How can I make it more comfortable for us all?
A. This sounds counter-intuitive, but vacuuming during your sister’s visit may actually make her symptoms worse. Some vacuum cleaners actually spew small particles into the air and make the environment more allergenic.
The next time you shop for a vacuum cleaner, why not consult Consumer Reports (Oct. 2007)? The magazine’s experts chose the following upright machines as good values for picking up tiny allergy-causing particles: Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 35922, Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870, Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900. In canister-style vacuums, they chose Kenmore Progressive 27514.
An over-the-counter allergy nasal spray that can be helpful is NasalCrom. If your sister starts using it a few days before her visit it may prevent some of the symptoms that make her miserable.
We discuss many other strategies against allergies in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available from libraries, bookstores and online.
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Every time I read about vacuums and allergies, I am surprised that no one mentions Rainbow vacuums. We've had one in our households ever since I can remember. My parents first purchased one because of my terrible allergies to house dust. I discovered it also works well for vacuuming up airborne animal dander.
One of my cat-owning friends whom I visited also had a Rainbow. Just before one of my visits, her husband vacuumed the entire house with it, and I didn't have to take an antihistamine the entire weekend, even with her two cats inside the house most of the time. (People with allergies to mold may want to discuss Rainbow vacuums with their allergists or a Rainbow dealer, because the vacuums do require water to operate, and that may cause mold to proliferate unless the vacuum is diligently cleaned and dried after every use.)
I hope this suggestion helps people who fear they've run out of options. (One caveat: Rainbows are expensive, but they last, literally, for decades if they're properly cared for.)
There is a product that you spray ON THE CAT that reduces dander (what most people are allergic to) you can get it through some mail order catlogs and I THINK at Petsmart.