What are Allergies? Types, Symptoms and Causes of Allergies

July 5, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

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.



Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis

July 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

Rajesh Nair asked:


Allergic rhinitis is used to describe an inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by an allergy. The symptoms include a ‘runny’ nose and sneezing, nose, roof of the mouth, and the ears, may be itchy.

Ayurveda believes in three doshas, which are vata, pitta, and kapha, an imbalance in which results in a disease. Ayurveda has the faith that allergy or Sheetpitta is variety of unwholesome condition of pitta. In this condition the pitta loses its natural warmth.

It can occur when you eat spices or hot food, drink caffeine, or are exposed to irritant chemicals, such as tobacco smoke or perfume. It also occurs due to airborne allergens, such as pollen of all types, house-dust mites and their faeces, mould spores, animal dander and feather and household sprays.

Allergic rhinitis can best be taken care of by taking certain dietary and lifestyle precautions. Some of them are:

Certain foods are more mucous producing and Ayurvedic medicine recognizes those foods as Kapha foods thus aggravating allergies like dairy, wheat, sugar, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, oranges, and grapefruits. Food additives like artificial dyes and different preservatives also play major factors

Home environment such as forced air, gas heat, pets and carpet which harbors dust mites, molds, bacteria along with many chemicals are certainly aggravating factors.

Dry grains like chickpeas, kala channa, corn, fish like salmon, trout, cod are better choices. Tea with cardamom, pepper and ginger, lemon juice and honey work effectively. Diet rich in lots of fruits and vegetable of different colors are recommended.

Carpets are one of the major contributors to allergies as they breed dust mites. The best choice is to remove the carpet, which eliminates the area for the dust mites to breed also use pillows with micro fiber.

Yoga -The Sheetpitta of respiratory system like Rhinitis can be cured by the regular practice of certain type of Pranayamas like Bhastrika, ujjai.

Panchakarma-Vaman (the emesis therapy) and Virechan therapy (the laxatives therapy) are very effective to detoxify the body.

Allergic Rhinitis from an Ayurvedic perspective is due to the toxins present in the body (ama) and due to the low immunity. Ama aggravates the levels of Pitta and Kapha in the body, giving rise to different symptoms of allergies. Ayurveda considers this as a Kapha-Pitta disorder.

Ayurveda believes in balancing the three doshas present in the human body thus treating the disease on the whole. Therefore it suggests the following approaches to get rid of allergic rhinitis:

1. A slice of ginger, pepper and cardamom can be added while preparing tea. Dried ginger can be also added to coffee without milk and taken.

2. Mix honey with half the amount of lemon juice and take the mixture early in the morning for few weeks.

3. Take two spoons of Apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey to a glass of cooled boiled water and take it early in the morning.

4. Have a diet rich in vitamin C and vitamin B.

5. Take chamomile tea twice a day.

6. Take one cup of Indian gooseberry and mix with two tsp of honey. Have it twice a day.

7. Pouring two to three drops of coconut oil into the nostrils at bedtime could provide relief.

8. Ayurvedic treatment procedure involves inducing therapeutic vomiting which helps in balancing Kapha.

9. Herbs like santalum, cardamom and licorice can be boiled in water (ratio 1:4) and reduced to quarter of the quantity. Drinking this often will help in preventing the aggravation of Pitta dosha.

10. Taking two tablets of guduchi thrice a day or consuming tea made of camphor, cloves and basil for about two weeks will help prevent the aggravation of Kapha.

11. Consuming herbs like Evening Primrose, nettle and Butterbur are also useful in treating allergic rhinitis.

12. Amrutharishta, Sudarsanasava, Dasamoola kaduthryam qwath, Indukantham qwath, Amruthotharam qwath, Septilin tablet and syrup, Step syrup and tablet etc are the commonly used medicines.



Allergies And Snoring

June 20, 2009 by  
Filed under Medicine

Michael Brown asked:


The woman who divorced her noisy partner told her friends that she was allergic to his snoring. What she didn’t realize is that his snoring was due to allergies.

The trumpeting noise associated with snoring is generated by airflow trying to push its way through an obstructed airway. While snoring is not an illness, it can be symptomatic of other health conditions, even an allergic reaction.

Allergic rhinitis is a health condition in which the membrane lining the throat and nose become inflamed. The inflamed membrane lining creates an obstruction in the airway, which in turn causes snoring. This condition is usually triggered by an allergic reaction to an inhaled substance. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually due to trees, grass and other plant pollens, and occurs mainly in spring and summer when pollen counts are high. Perennial allergic rhinitis lasts yearlong, and is generally caused by an allergy to mold spores, animal fur, feathers, dust mites or house dust.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are quite clear:

* Sneezing

* Blocked or runny nose

* Red, watery, itchy eyes

* Itchy, irritated nose

* Headache

* Nosebleeds (not common)

* Snoring

If you believe that you are suffering from an allergic reaction, but you’re not sure of the cause, your doctor can perform a skin ***** allergy test. However, such tests are not fully conclusive, as some allergens will avoid identification.

In the event that you’ve pinpointed the cause of your reaction and taken steps to avoid it, your symptoms should subside very rapidly without further treatment. Some allergens, like pollen, are virtually impossible to avoid. In this case it may be necessary to take an anti-allergy drug to find relief.

Anti-allergy drugs in the form of nasal spray often contain sodium cromoglicate, a substance that blocks the allergy. Nasal sprays can be used as decongestants, but long-term use is not recommended. Corticosteroid drugs are often prescribed for hay fever, although their effectiveness is not instantaneous. Oral antihistamines may be used along with a decongestant to relieve inflammation and itching.

If allergic rhinitis is a persistent problem, your doctor might suggest immunotherapy, a procedure that desensitizes the immune system. Immunotherapy patients are injected with a series of gradually increasing doses of the allergen, to encourage the body to accept the substance without reacting. While immunotherapy can be an effective treatment for some allergy sufferers, it can take as many as four years for the treatment to be completed, and it is not always successful.

If you feel your snoring problem is caused by allergic rhinitis, there are several treatments available to help alleviate the problem. Try avoiding obvious allergens like furry animals. Use pillows and quilts with synthetic stuffing rather than feathers or down. Cover your mattress with a mite proof membrane. Remove soft furnishings and clean regularly to prevent dust collecting. Avoid visiting areas with long or newly cut grass. Purchase a pollen filter for your car and a HEPA filter for your home.

By avoiding the causes, you allergic reactions should diminish, and your allergy-induced snoring can disappear altogether.



How To Identify An Allergic Asthma?

June 19, 2009 by  
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.



Hay Fever – Not Actually A Fever

May 9, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

Kevin Pederson asked:


Hay fever has been given many different names such as allergic rhinitis, pollinosis or nasal allergies. You can contract hay fever due to certain air borne dust particles exposed in the environment. These dust particles can be pollen, dander which can cause allergic reaction. Hay fever problem mainly begins from surroundings by which anyone can be affected. Staying away, from any of the allergy triggering factors is the best solution. Even though in this condition you do not have any fever it is still called hay fever.

The common stimulants which cause this problem are from outdoors as well as indoors. Being surrounded by pollen or animal dander can cause these allergies. It can also be due to the substances found in your home like dust mites, cockroaches, fleas, presence of a pet and many more. Without proper care or treatment it can hinder your day to day life.

The symptoms for hay fever rank from mild to severe. If you are suffering from a mild condition you will face problems like runny and itchy nose, watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. Severe symptoms can last for more than a week. A sense of taste and smell is changed, congestion – causing pain, swelling of eyes which may turn blue due to allergic reaction. This kind of a condition usually develops in an early age and with the passage of time it may worsen.

This condition causes sleeplessness and fatigue which can badly affect you. The chronic condition can cause severe problems like asthma and sinusitis. You may start developing other problems like breathlessness, wheezing and coughing. It may also lead to ear infection due to the fever and pain.

Precautions:

There are no specific remedies which would help. You can follow some precautionary measures to remove the possibility of hay fever.

-Clean your surroundings -Do not allow pets inside your bedroom -Be away from dust -Clean the AC -Have a ventilated room -Do not be in a humid environment

Remedy

Essentials oils are great source to get rid of Hay fever. Oils like basil, eucalyptus blue gum, lavender or peppermint can be used. Two or three drops from any one of these oils on a handkerchief can get you relief.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.



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