Do Allergy Shots Help in Reducing the Allergy Symptoms?
December 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
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Neelima Reddy asked:
Itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and redness are some of the common symptoms that majority of the people experiences as allergy symptoms.
The most effective way to fight against particular allergen is immunotherapy or allergy shot, but some people will get frightened to get allergy shot.
Allergy shots hold a little amount of substance that fights against the particular allergen. For example, if the person is allergic to pollen, a small amount of substance called pollen will be added to the shot.
A small amount will be given so that the body will get used to fight against the allergen and if the body comes in contact with that substance next time, body will be familiar with that.
Who are not eligible to take allergy shot?
Allergy shots are not safe for everyone. Although most of the people experienced positive results from these shots, they are not suitable for all. People who are suffering from asthma, heart attack, and respiratory problems, pregnant women, and children under age of five are not recommended to receive allergy shot.
Alternatively, certain individuals are experiencing some side effects such as:
• Feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
So, for these reasons, the patient should stay in the doctor’s office for at least fifteen to twenty minutes after receiving the shot.
Benefits of allergy shots:
• Allergy shots improve allergic rhinitis, hay fever, bee sting allergies, drug allergies, and eye allergies.
• In some cases, allergy shots improve asthma symptoms also. The most common reaction to allergy shot is swelling at the place where the shot is given.
The success of this immunotherapy varies from person to person depending on the severity of the person’s allergy and the number of substances the person is allergic to.
In addition to the traditional allergy shots, there are new approaches to immunotherapy procedures to treat allergies.
Oral immunotherapy works similar to the allergy shot. In this method, increasing doses of allergen will be given to slowly build up the patient’s tolerance. The only difference with oral immunotherapy from allergy shot is with oral immunotherapy extract of allergen is used as drops. In this method, generally the drops are placed under the tongue and then swallowed.
Intranasal immunotherapy method involves intranasal administration of grass and house dust mite allergen extracts, which reduces the nasal symptoms such as “nasal allergy”.
The side effect with intranasal immunotherapy is nasal irritation. When compared to the traditional allergy shots, intranasal immunotherapy has no long lasting benefits.
Rush immunotherapy involves quick build up to the maintenance dose of extract. In this method of treatment, during early phase increasing doses of allergen will be given every few hours rather than a few days. Since there is a great risk involved with this rush immunotherapy, this should be done in hospital under close supervision.
Some people will experience severe reaction to the allergy shot, which is called “anaphylaxis”. In case of bad reaction with this shot, physicians will do appropriate treatment to stop this reaction.
Since allergy shots are not good for everyone, talking to the physician before taking this shot is more advisable. Visit Allergy Symptoms
Itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and redness are some of the common symptoms that majority of the people experiences as allergy symptoms.
The most effective way to fight against particular allergen is immunotherapy or allergy shot, but some people will get frightened to get allergy shot.
Allergy shots hold a little amount of substance that fights against the particular allergen. For example, if the person is allergic to pollen, a small amount of substance called pollen will be added to the shot.
A small amount will be given so that the body will get used to fight against the allergen and if the body comes in contact with that substance next time, body will be familiar with that.
Who are not eligible to take allergy shot?
Allergy shots are not safe for everyone. Although most of the people experienced positive results from these shots, they are not suitable for all. People who are suffering from asthma, heart attack, and respiratory problems, pregnant women, and children under age of five are not recommended to receive allergy shot.
Alternatively, certain individuals are experiencing some side effects such as:
• Feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
So, for these reasons, the patient should stay in the doctor’s office for at least fifteen to twenty minutes after receiving the shot.
Benefits of allergy shots:
• Allergy shots improve allergic rhinitis, hay fever, bee sting allergies, drug allergies, and eye allergies.
• In some cases, allergy shots improve asthma symptoms also. The most common reaction to allergy shot is swelling at the place where the shot is given.
The success of this immunotherapy varies from person to person depending on the severity of the person’s allergy and the number of substances the person is allergic to.
In addition to the traditional allergy shots, there are new approaches to immunotherapy procedures to treat allergies.
Oral immunotherapy works similar to the allergy shot. In this method, increasing doses of allergen will be given to slowly build up the patient’s tolerance. The only difference with oral immunotherapy from allergy shot is with oral immunotherapy extract of allergen is used as drops. In this method, generally the drops are placed under the tongue and then swallowed.
Intranasal immunotherapy method involves intranasal administration of grass and house dust mite allergen extracts, which reduces the nasal symptoms such as “nasal allergy”.
The side effect with intranasal immunotherapy is nasal irritation. When compared to the traditional allergy shots, intranasal immunotherapy has no long lasting benefits.
Rush immunotherapy involves quick build up to the maintenance dose of extract. In this method of treatment, during early phase increasing doses of allergen will be given every few hours rather than a few days. Since there is a great risk involved with this rush immunotherapy, this should be done in hospital under close supervision.
Some people will experience severe reaction to the allergy shot, which is called “anaphylaxis”. In case of bad reaction with this shot, physicians will do appropriate treatment to stop this reaction.
Since allergy shots are not good for everyone, talking to the physician before taking this shot is more advisable. Visit Allergy Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Navneet Brar asked:
Getting desperate to breathe in the real sense?
Want to eat all that you crave for?
Want to do anything to get rid of a handicap-like inhalers and medicines?
Do not worry!
Here is a complete guide to free you from this trap FOREVER!
But first of all, let’s join to gather the needed information about your problem Asthma!
Asthma is a chronic condition in which narrowing of the nasal or air passage causes periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These changes occur with the changes in the environment, including weather, allergens (such as dog or cat dander or dust), foods, or respiratory infections (flu, colds).
Asthma is also popularly known as Bronchial asthma, Exercise induced asthma – bronchial.
Causes of Asthma:
1. Inhaled allergens like pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens
2. Respiratory infections
3. Exercise
4. Cold air
5. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants
6. Stress
7. Food
8. Drug allergies
9. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
10. An individual and/or family history of allergies such as Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) or Eczema
11. strong emotions
Asthma attacks can last from minutes to days and become really dangerous if the flow of the air becomes severely restricted.
Recent researches show that asthma occurs in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Usually, half of the people with asthma develop this disease before age 10, and the rest before age 30. These symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Asthma Symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath
Your chest feels tight and you start feeling that you can’t catch your breath anymore or get all the air you need.
2. Frequent Coughing
If you cough very frequently every day or if this cough starts interrupting your sleep at night that won’t quit, it could be a symptom of asthma.
3. Wheezing attacks
A whistling sound heard when a person with asthma is breathing. It happens when mucus causes the small passageways in your lungs called alveoli start to narrow. It happens all of a sudden and not constant. It may worsen at bedtime or early morning or by breathing cold air or by exercising.
4. Intercostal Retractions
These retractions stand for the inward movement of the muscles in the spaces between the ribs. The reduced pressure in the chest cavity is the reason for this pulling of the muscles. This is a sign of difficult breathing.
5. Tightness in the Chest
This can be quite threatening to the asthma sufferer. It gives the feeling of a steel band or a weight that is keeping your lungs from fully expanding as your breathe in.
6. Pallor or Cyanosis
Pallor is a whitish color and cyanosis is a bluish color in the lips and face. If either one of these is followed with severe shortness of breath, are danger signs of asthma attack. You need to get help right away if you notice this symptom.
7. Anxiety or Discomfort
A feeling of intense fear and uneasiness occurs when you find it difficult to breathe. If your anxiety is accompanied by short of breath and / or pallor or cyanosis, then undoubtedly, its time to get emergency help.
8. Fast pulse rate
If you find that your pulse is running extremely fast and you are sweating badly, then do not waste even a single moment and visit your doctor.
If you notice any of these symptoms in you or any of your near and dear ones on a regular or ongoing basis, then you might consult a doctor about whether you have asthma. And if already an asthma sufferer then do not waste time and immediately visit your doctor. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms.
May God bless you!
Getting desperate to breathe in the real sense?
Want to eat all that you crave for?
Want to do anything to get rid of a handicap-like inhalers and medicines?
Do not worry!
Here is a complete guide to free you from this trap FOREVER!
But first of all, let’s join to gather the needed information about your problem Asthma!
Asthma is a chronic condition in which narrowing of the nasal or air passage causes periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These changes occur with the changes in the environment, including weather, allergens (such as dog or cat dander or dust), foods, or respiratory infections (flu, colds).
Asthma is also popularly known as Bronchial asthma, Exercise induced asthma – bronchial.
Causes of Asthma:
1. Inhaled allergens like pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens
2. Respiratory infections
3. Exercise
4. Cold air
5. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants
6. Stress
7. Food
8. Drug allergies
9. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
10. An individual and/or family history of allergies such as Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) or Eczema
11. strong emotions
Asthma attacks can last from minutes to days and become really dangerous if the flow of the air becomes severely restricted.
Recent researches show that asthma occurs in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Usually, half of the people with asthma develop this disease before age 10, and the rest before age 30. These symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Asthma Symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath
Your chest feels tight and you start feeling that you can’t catch your breath anymore or get all the air you need.
2. Frequent Coughing
If you cough very frequently every day or if this cough starts interrupting your sleep at night that won’t quit, it could be a symptom of asthma.
3. Wheezing attacks
A whistling sound heard when a person with asthma is breathing. It happens when mucus causes the small passageways in your lungs called alveoli start to narrow. It happens all of a sudden and not constant. It may worsen at bedtime or early morning or by breathing cold air or by exercising.
4. Intercostal Retractions
These retractions stand for the inward movement of the muscles in the spaces between the ribs. The reduced pressure in the chest cavity is the reason for this pulling of the muscles. This is a sign of difficult breathing.
5. Tightness in the Chest
This can be quite threatening to the asthma sufferer. It gives the feeling of a steel band or a weight that is keeping your lungs from fully expanding as your breathe in.
6. Pallor or Cyanosis
Pallor is a whitish color and cyanosis is a bluish color in the lips and face. If either one of these is followed with severe shortness of breath, are danger signs of asthma attack. You need to get help right away if you notice this symptom.
7. Anxiety or Discomfort
A feeling of intense fear and uneasiness occurs when you find it difficult to breathe. If your anxiety is accompanied by short of breath and / or pallor or cyanosis, then undoubtedly, its time to get emergency help.
8. Fast pulse rate
If you find that your pulse is running extremely fast and you are sweating badly, then do not waste even a single moment and visit your doctor.
If you notice any of these symptoms in you or any of your near and dear ones on a regular or ongoing basis, then you might consult a doctor about whether you have asthma. And if already an asthma sufferer then do not waste time and immediately visit your doctor. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms.
May God bless you!
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.
