What are Allergies? Types, Symptoms and Causes of Allergies
Peter sams asked:
What are Allergies?
Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When you’re allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body. (Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.)
Types of Allergies
1) Dust Mite Allergy-A dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in most buildings and houses. Dust mites are a common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.
2) Corticosteroids — These anti-inflammatory agents are used to treat the itching and swelling associated with a variety of allergic disorders. The most commonly used forms are corticosteroid nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis (such as Flonase, Nasalide, Nasocort, Nasonex, Rhinocort), over-the-counter topical corticosteroid creams for hives, dermatitis, and insect sting reactions, and inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Oral or injected corticosteroids are used less frequently for more severe cases of asthma, dermatitis, or other allergic reactions.
3) Epinephrine — Epinephrine (adrenalin) is used for emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis due to insect sting, food, or drug allergies. It is most commonly administered with a device called an EpiPen, which is a self-injectable shot of epinephrine. Epinephrine constricts the small blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes, which increases blood pressure and heart rate back to normal levels. Epinephrine also is an antihistamine.
4) Immune complex allergies-Medication allergies are often type-III reactions. Foreign substances in the blood – such as medication – bond with antibodies, and then with the blood vessel walls in the smaller blood vessels, for instance, in the skin or kidneys. This leads to local inflammation, for instance, a skin rash, often in conjunction with haemorrhaging, skin damage, and itching.
5) Mold Allergy-A person can develop an allergy to the molds and yeasts that are commonly found indoors and outdoors. This eMedTV segment offers an in-depth look at the specific types of molds that cause allergies, as well as several ways to prevent mold allergy.
Symptoms Of Allergy
1) Tingling in the mouth
2) Hives, itching or eczema
3) Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body.
4) Watering eyes.
5) Cramps
6) Vomiting
7) Diarrhea
Cure for Allergies
1) Vacuuming the Right Way-If the carpet can’t be replaced by a solid surface such as linoleum or hardwood, then it must be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. Also remember to vacuum upholstered furniture, draperies, and other fabric items that cannot be washed, removed, or replaced. The trouble with vacuuming is that the allergenic dust mite and mold particles become airborne during the process. Dust mite particles can remain airborne for about 15 minutes and be redistributed throughout the home environment. Allergic persons clearly should not be doing The vacuuming and should also stay out of the area until the dust particles resettle
2) . Antihistamines- are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and other allergies. Antihistamines prevent the effects of histamine, a substance produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines come in tablet, capsule, liquid, or injection form and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
What are Allergies?
Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When you’re allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body. (Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.)
Types of Allergies
1) Dust Mite Allergy-A dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in most buildings and houses. Dust mites are a common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.
2) Corticosteroids — These anti-inflammatory agents are used to treat the itching and swelling associated with a variety of allergic disorders. The most commonly used forms are corticosteroid nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis (such as Flonase, Nasalide, Nasocort, Nasonex, Rhinocort), over-the-counter topical corticosteroid creams for hives, dermatitis, and insect sting reactions, and inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Oral or injected corticosteroids are used less frequently for more severe cases of asthma, dermatitis, or other allergic reactions.
3) Epinephrine — Epinephrine (adrenalin) is used for emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis due to insect sting, food, or drug allergies. It is most commonly administered with a device called an EpiPen, which is a self-injectable shot of epinephrine. Epinephrine constricts the small blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes, which increases blood pressure and heart rate back to normal levels. Epinephrine also is an antihistamine.
4) Immune complex allergies-Medication allergies are often type-III reactions. Foreign substances in the blood – such as medication – bond with antibodies, and then with the blood vessel walls in the smaller blood vessels, for instance, in the skin or kidneys. This leads to local inflammation, for instance, a skin rash, often in conjunction with haemorrhaging, skin damage, and itching.
5) Mold Allergy-A person can develop an allergy to the molds and yeasts that are commonly found indoors and outdoors. This eMedTV segment offers an in-depth look at the specific types of molds that cause allergies, as well as several ways to prevent mold allergy.
Symptoms Of Allergy
1) Tingling in the mouth
2) Hives, itching or eczema
3) Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body.
4) Watering eyes.
5) Cramps
6) Vomiting
7) Diarrhea
Cure for Allergies
1) Vacuuming the Right Way-If the carpet can’t be replaced by a solid surface such as linoleum or hardwood, then it must be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. Also remember to vacuum upholstered furniture, draperies, and other fabric items that cannot be washed, removed, or replaced. The trouble with vacuuming is that the allergenic dust mite and mold particles become airborne during the process. Dust mite particles can remain airborne for about 15 minutes and be redistributed throughout the home environment. Allergic persons clearly should not be doing The vacuuming and should also stay out of the area until the dust particles resettle
2) . Antihistamines- are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and other allergies. Antihistamines prevent the effects of histamine, a substance produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines come in tablet, capsule, liquid, or injection form and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
How To Identify An Allergic Asthma?
June 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Non Fiction
Eddy Kong Ww asked:
An allergic asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung airways. It’s symptoms are made worse by exposure to an allergen (e.g., dust, mold, pollen, dust mite allergens and animal dander) to which the patient has been sensitized.
A simple sneeze could trigger allergic asthma or a simple cough could lead to that as well.
What are the symptoms of allergic asthma?
The symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same. They include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness. These symptoms are often provoked by an identifiable trigger.
What factors can cause or trigger allergic asthma?
A family history of allergies is the most important predictor of whether a person will develop asthma. Environmental substances (allergens) can trigger an exacerbation – or attack – in patients with allergic asthma.
The allergens include tree, grass, and weed pollen, plus molds, animal dander, dust mites and cockroach droppings. Asthma attacks can also be triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air and non-specific irritants.
How many people suffer from allergic asthma?
Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of the 17 million asthma sufferers in the United States, 10 million (approximately 60 percent) have allergic asthma. Three million are children and 7 million are adults.
What is the relationship between allergies and allergic asthma?
Most people with asthma also suffer from other allergic disorders. In fact, research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that at least 70 percent of asthmatics also suffer from allergic rhinitis or “hay fever.”
Nasal allergies and allergic asthma are both triggered by exposure to allergens, initiating a series of events that result in tightening of the airways, swelling of the lining of the airways, nose and eyes, and mucus production.
What is IgE and why is it important in allergic asthma?
IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is an antibody in the human immune system that plays a critical role in the allergic process.
When an individual is sensitized to an allergen, he or she produces an IgE antibody directed against that allergen. The IgE antibody attaches to mast cells.
When the individual is exposed to that same allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE on the mast cell causing it to release substances such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which cause symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.
What treatments are available for people suffering from allergic asthma?
It is important for people with asthma to seek treatment. First, patients are evaluated to identify their specific allergic triggers and a program of allergen avoidance is recommended.
Asthma is treated with medications including anti-inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids and anti-leukotrienes that decrease inflammation in the lungs, and bronchodilators used for relief of symptoms.
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a program of injections that reduces allergic sensitization.
A new drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as anti-IgE, concentrates on short-circuiting the allergic reaction in the body before it even begins.
Anti-IgE therapy stops the allergic reaction before it starts, allowing the patient to avoid allergy symptoms that often trigger an asthma attack or lead to the development of asthma attacks.
Researchers are looking for targets for new forms of treatment. Future therapies may focus on cytokines, substances that maintain the chronic inflammation responsible for asthma.
Other research may also lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs, which may retain the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids but cause fewer systemic side effects.
As the more and more developing countries are emerging, more and more air pollution is arising, whether asthma or allergic asthma, the number of people having is rising.
They could have acquired this chronic illness rather than having it genetically as the environment is getting more and more dirtier.
An allergic asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung airways. It’s symptoms are made worse by exposure to an allergen (e.g., dust, mold, pollen, dust mite allergens and animal dander) to which the patient has been sensitized.
A simple sneeze could trigger allergic asthma or a simple cough could lead to that as well.
What are the symptoms of allergic asthma?
The symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same. They include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness. These symptoms are often provoked by an identifiable trigger.
What factors can cause or trigger allergic asthma?
A family history of allergies is the most important predictor of whether a person will develop asthma. Environmental substances (allergens) can trigger an exacerbation – or attack – in patients with allergic asthma.
The allergens include tree, grass, and weed pollen, plus molds, animal dander, dust mites and cockroach droppings. Asthma attacks can also be triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air and non-specific irritants.
How many people suffer from allergic asthma?
Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of the 17 million asthma sufferers in the United States, 10 million (approximately 60 percent) have allergic asthma. Three million are children and 7 million are adults.
What is the relationship between allergies and allergic asthma?
Most people with asthma also suffer from other allergic disorders. In fact, research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that at least 70 percent of asthmatics also suffer from allergic rhinitis or “hay fever.”
Nasal allergies and allergic asthma are both triggered by exposure to allergens, initiating a series of events that result in tightening of the airways, swelling of the lining of the airways, nose and eyes, and mucus production.
What is IgE and why is it important in allergic asthma?
IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is an antibody in the human immune system that plays a critical role in the allergic process.
When an individual is sensitized to an allergen, he or she produces an IgE antibody directed against that allergen. The IgE antibody attaches to mast cells.
When the individual is exposed to that same allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE on the mast cell causing it to release substances such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which cause symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.
What treatments are available for people suffering from allergic asthma?
It is important for people with asthma to seek treatment. First, patients are evaluated to identify their specific allergic triggers and a program of allergen avoidance is recommended.
Asthma is treated with medications including anti-inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids and anti-leukotrienes that decrease inflammation in the lungs, and bronchodilators used for relief of symptoms.
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a program of injections that reduces allergic sensitization.
A new drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as anti-IgE, concentrates on short-circuiting the allergic reaction in the body before it even begins.
Anti-IgE therapy stops the allergic reaction before it starts, allowing the patient to avoid allergy symptoms that often trigger an asthma attack or lead to the development of asthma attacks.
Researchers are looking for targets for new forms of treatment. Future therapies may focus on cytokines, substances that maintain the chronic inflammation responsible for asthma.
Other research may also lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs, which may retain the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids but cause fewer systemic side effects.
As the more and more developing countries are emerging, more and more air pollution is arising, whether asthma or allergic asthma, the number of people having is rising.
They could have acquired this chronic illness rather than having it genetically as the environment is getting more and more dirtier.
