Archive for the 'Allergies' Category

Sinobronchial Allergic Mycosis

Monday, September 22nd, 2014 No Commented
Under: Allergies

The five convincing case reports of patients with concomitant AFS and ABPM reviewed here clearly demonstrate that these diseases occur together and constitute a syndrome of sinobronchial allergic mycosis (SAM). A classification of sinopulmonary syndromes is presented in Table 2. Patients with SAM are atopic individuals who have asthma, rhinosinusitis, and high levels of total and fungal-specific ige.

The common histopathologic findings of eosinophilic mucin with layers of cellular debris and scant degenerating hyphae in both the upper and lower airways support the conclusion that these are similar hypersensitivity reactions to fungal elements occurring at different locations in the same airway.

Other data also suggest that the pathogenesis of these diseases is similar. In a review of the his topathologic features of AFS, Kahn et al 24 noted the histopathologic similarities between ABPM and AFS. There is evidence for the active contribution of both eosinophil-derived and neutrophil derived products, including eosinophil major basic protein and neutrophil elastase, like that seen in late-phase cutaneous reactions. Australia viagra information

Their findings support earlier suggestions that ubiquitous fungal spores induce a robust, IgE-mediated inflammatory response that induces the viscous mucous secretions these patients experience. Eosinophil derived and neutrophil-derived toxic proteins have the capacity to induce tissue destruction leading to the layers of eosinophil and epithelial cellular debris that are component parts of the allergic mucin. The mucin obstructs the airways leading to ongoing infection. Since the presence of only small quantities of fungal hyphae in the airway is necessary to initiate the eosinophilic inflammatory process associated with the disease, obstruction to normal drainage of the airway seen in both asthma and chronic sinusitis could be a common feature predisposing an individual to the development of these conditions.

Oral Allergy Syndrome. Clinical Manifestations of Food Allergy

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Oropharyngeal symptoms may be isolated or part of a systemic IgE-mediated food-allergic reaction. These symptoms often present quickly due to direct contact of the allergen with the oropharyngeal mucosa after ingestion. When oropharyngeal symptoms present alone, potential reasons may include that the underlying food
Clinical Manifestations of Food Allergy
allergy is mild, a low dose of food allergen was ingested, or the food allergen is labile, as is the case with oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
OAS, also referred to as pollen-associated food allergy syndrome, is a form of IgE-mediated food allergy characterized by immediate pruritus; tingling; or mild swelling of the lips, tongue, palate, and throat after eating certain raw fruits and vegetables.22 It affects up to half of pollen-allergic patients. The underlying mechanism involves heat-labile food proteins of plant origin, which are structurally similar and thereby cross-reactive with pollen allergens. For example, an individual with birch tree pollen allergy may experience these oropharyngeal symptoms upon eating fresh apple, pear, and cherry, while a ragweed-allergic patient may develop symptoms after eating melons and banana. The causative fruits and vegetables can usually be tolerated in cooked or heated forms due to the heat-labile nature of the proteins.
Case Study
A 35-year-old male reports that he develops itching of his mouth and throat whenever he eats raw apples, especially during the early spring. His symptoms have never been more severe or widespread than oropharyngeal itching, but he worries whether they can become more serious in the future and whether he needs to carry an epinephrine autoinjector. What advice would you give him? These symptoms are consistent with OAS in a birch-allergic individual. It is common that symptoms are more prominent during the relevant pollen season. OAS typically causes a mild localized reaction limited to the oropharynx, which subsides within minutes of ingestion. Less than 10% of patients experience more systemic symptoms, and only 1% to 2% progress to anaphylaxis.23 In the absence of any prior systemic reactions after apple ingestion, epinephrine would not be indicated.

All About Allergies: Homeopathic Allergies Treatment

Thursday, June 9th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Studies indicate that one out of four Americans suffer from one or another form of allergy. Right now there is not a more suitable treatment choice than the allergies homeopathy treatment to eliminate allergies. Whether you are suffering from food allergies or respiratory allergies or skin allergies, homeopathy can guide you to cure just about all varieties of allergies. Here, we’re going to check out allergies homeopathy therapy.

Precisely how homeopathy treatment works?

The allergies homeopathy treatment method boosts the functioning of your body’s immune system. As a result this improves the threshold level of your body towards the materials that can cause allergies. Due to this, you must make a few dietary modifications that will enable you to boost the mineral in addition to vitamin quantities in your body. While allergies homeopathy therapy calls for making some changes in your diet plan, its principal objective is always to give you the total freedom to eat anything at all without getting an allergic reaction. Additionally, allergies homeopathy treatment also includes making some beneficial lifestyle changes such as including low impact exercise with regard to obtaining an overall excellent health and well-being.

To make this happen, in homeopathy, the affected individuals also are given constitutional treatments. These solutions not only have a positive impact on a portion of the system of a person but on the constitution in the complete system of the individual.

Exactly how homeopathy helps to treat food allergies?

Food allergies or even food intolerance triggers plenty of problems to the individual who is allergic. It’s mainly because; someone, that is allergic to food, is afflicted with a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, heartburn, nasal congestion, gas, diarrhea as well as constipation. A person struggling with food allergies also exhibits some distant signs and symptoms including headaches and leg soreness.

Homeopathy helps you to cure food allergies from its underlying issues. This is apparently in large contrast than the standard medical strategy which usually focuses largely on digestive aid in addition to eradicating the food which causes an allergy. Homeopathy considers food allergies as a disturbance which happens in individuals as a consequence of inefficiency of the operating of the body’s defense mechanisms. The immune system is mainly responsible for maintaining the organs in addition to the tissues and intellectual together with emotional well-being of a person at ordinary levels. The disturbances which occur because of food allergies aren’t anything but a reflection of a deep breakdown. Homeopathy improves the performance of the excessively busy immune system and thus helps to treat allergies.

The fundamental strategy of homeopathy in treating allergies is it thinks that when an element can produce certain symptoms in a healthy individual, then the same compound might also cure the same symptoms.

Ways to get the most from allergies homeopathy treatment?

The simplest way to effectively treat allergies by using homeopathy is simply by doing it within the guidance of an experienced homeopath. This really is mainly because; a homeopath is normally aware of the power of a certain homeopathic therapy as well as the frequency in which it should be given so as to get an effective final result.

This was some fundamental information about allergies homeopathy therapy. If you don’t wish to go through the trauma that happens because of the unwanted effects that you experience from the medicines it’s recommended that you simply undergo a homeopathic therapy to cure your allergies.

Dealing With Allergies Naturally

Thursday, March 17th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Having allergies can be one of the worst, most maddening conditions to strike an otherwise happy, healthy individual. Allergies are doubly bad in the sense that they make a person dread the change in seasons, which by all rights, should be a something to look forward to. Depending on how much you trust statistics that govern large groups of people, it seems as though persons suffering from allergies are on the rise, or at least persons buying medication to help alleviate the symptoms of allergies. But many people don’t like having to rely on medicine, especially powerful prescription drugs that often come with a variety of unwanted side effects. But are there any natural ways to deal with allergies that are actually effective? The answer is yes, but some of them may take a little bit of time to have effect.

There are a number of different steps a person can take to start dealing with their allergies in a proactive, though not prescriptive measure. One of them is to eat lots of raw honey that’s locally produced. Honey that comes from your local area will have trace amounts of the allergens that are causing a negative reaction from your body. By eating the honey year round that contains these allergens, you’re allowing your body to build up an immunity to the allergies that flare up each year. Now, depending on how strong your allergies are, this method can take quite a long time to start really having an effect. If you are a major sufferer of allergies, this method can actually take up to 2 years, according to some reports, to really begin to lessen the effects of allergies. So if you’re going to go this route, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into, and make sure the honey you’re eating is both raw and produced within 50 miles of where you live.

Another good method for dealing with allergies is to buy the right kind of air purifier. Air purifiers and the technology behind them have come a very long way in the last decade, and some air purifiers out on the market today can very effectively remove allergens from the air you breathe. In years past, this has been an area that many air purifiers have struggled with. But in recent years, air purification technology has been pioneered by some unlikely entities, most notably NASA, who engineered an air purification technology for use in their space stations that attacks and removes just about every kind of containment from the air.

Another tip for dealing with allergies naturally is to eat natural herbs that are known for there anti-histamine and other effects. Among them are the herbs marshmallow, nettles, acerola cherry, cayenne, and ginger. These natural herbs and spices promote an overall state of health and wellness in the body, as well as give the body a boost in its ability to deal with allergies. Eating these herbs and spices on a regular basis, along with eating raw honey that’s locally produced can be a powerful way to help your body get used to the allergens in the environment and not have such a strong reaction to them in the future.

Get The Right Allergy Relief

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

It is often surprising how we can handle situations of a personal health nature when we know a few tricks to be able to make the battle a bit more fair for us. This is definitely the case when it comes to allergy relief and you will discover that it is far easier to find real relief than you might think right now – if you know about a few tips to help you beat those allergies quickly.

Symptoms such as clogged up sinuses, itchy eyes that water and redden, these are only a few of the miserable things that people with allergies have to go through, but the good news is that you can dodge these and finally feel like yourself again. Of course, you should make sure that you know about the variety of different medicines out there which you can use that are either prescription based or over the counter treatments, but you can also stay away from these if you are worried about the potential for side effects that some people genuinely believe they will suffer if they take them.

If you would prefer not to take those kinds of medicines for any reason then you do want to know that the things you eat can and do have an effect on how your allergies operate so it is a good idea to try and cope with those in ways that you can. What you might look into is getting yourself more spicy, hot foods that will actually affect your nasal passages and cause your sinuses to release some of what is triggering your allergies. The foods that can often work the best are fairly common, such as cayenne or jalapeno peppers, but some people say that they can get relief even from garlic or onions if it is heavy in the foods they are consuming. You can certainly get a good deal by taking this advice if you suffer heavily from sinus related allergies that are just driving you up the wall.

In addition to foods, you might want to give a shot to some of the vitamin store supplements that can help you take a natural path towards allergy easing that works for a lot of people out there today. Many get very good results from this type of approach, but you may need to experiment with some different remedies to find the one that offers you the most relief. Goldenseal and butterbur are two commonly used herbs that are definitely going to give you results if you ask many who rely on them. In the end, you are the one who has to decide what works best.

How to Choose the Best Air Purifiers

Saturday, February 26th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Nowadays, indoor pollution has become a serious problem. Modern buildings are designed to be energy efficient, keeping warm and cool air inside. Because of this the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. And this dirty air is trapped in the home. With the average American now spending a lot more of their time indoors, it is more important than ever to keep the air in the home or office as clean as possible. The best air purifiers will remove allergens and other pollutants to help you breathe cleaner, fresher air.

The Most Common Indoor Pollutants

In the average home, molds and dust are very common pollutants. Bacteria and viruses, along with pollen are also major problems. And if you are a pet owner you will know the problems that this brings.

VOC’S or Volatile Organic Compounds, like solvents, pesticides or cleaning materials all hang about in the air. Even fragrances from perfumes can cause allergy and other health problems.

What To Look For In An Air Purifier

The best air cleaners will be able to remove dust, smoke, odors and pollen from the home or office. To ensure you have the best air purifier for the job you will need to consider some options.

  • The air cleaner should have a high Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, which is a measure of how many cubic feet of clean air the unit can deliver per minute. You will get best results if you choose an air cleaner which has a CADR rating of at least 50 for every 80 square feet of space in the room.
  • HEPA filters in an air cleaner are best at removing airborne allergens and other pollutants. These filters are known to remove at least 99.97% of pollutants measuring as little as 0.3 microns.
  • There are some air purifiers now which have electrostatic ionizers, enabling them to charge the airborne particles and trap them, or make them heavy enough to fall to the floor. But this can bring it’s own health problems, as during operation the cleaner produces small amounts of ozone.
  • Many of the best air purifiers are fitted with activated carbon filters that take away unwanted smells, tobacco smoke, toxins and gases. They will also trap VOCs.

Do your homework when you are researching your air cleaner. Some purifiers can be annoyingly noisy, so make sure you check out the reviews.

The Best Air Purifiers

Look for online reviews of air purifiers that you are interested in. Top selling HEPA air purifiers include IQAir, Honeywell, Allerair, and BlueAir. The variety of brands and models to choose from is huge, and can become confusing to consumers. But reviews written by people who are actually using the product provides you with valuable information, and can help you to make your mind up on the make and model that is best for you.

Food Allergy Blood Test

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

We all know that most of us have an allergy to something. But finding out what the allergy really can be a discouraging job. Performing a food allergy blood test is something that you and your physician can do by eliminating foods from your diet and figuring out the symptoms of allergies.

  1. However, there are 3 kinds of tests, it’s the skin prick, CAP-RAST and ELISA test. Each test has its own pros and cons. Some tests are good for kids or people with skin orders such as eczema. Some may take longer than the others, and some perhaps may not include the allergens you have gone through. These tests look for particular antibodies within the blood to spot an allergy. There are 2 types of antibodies; IgG and IgE. IgG antibodies get longer to respond, normally for about 48 hours. IgE antibodies typically react faster, in about two hours or less.
  2. The skin-prick food allergy blood test is an easy type of test that is done at the physician’s office. This form of test is normally less costly compared to CAP-RAST or ELISA tests. It also takes a smaller amount time to determine outcomes. The skin-prick test is done through applying a small drop of allergen to a particular extort on the skin, then pricking it using a needle. In case an individual is allergic to that particular allergen, a wheal (looks like a mosquito bite) will form in 15 minutes. For the CAP-RAST blood test, it needs a blood sample, which is sent to a laboratory where it is being tested to determine if the blood has IgE antibodies to that particular food allergy. CAP-RAST test is best for small kids that were having hard time with skin-prick test. This is also good for individuals, which are suffering from skin problems such as eczema that tends to make it more difficult to read the outcomes. It takes about a week to obtain the outcomes from this test.
  3. The ELISA test is another type of food allergy blood test. This test contains more allergens compared to other tests, for about 190 various food allergies. It helps detect the amount of IgG antibodies. On the other hand, if you haven’t eaten a specific suspected allergen for the last three weeks, one downfall may produce a false negative. ELISA test sample is gathered and dealt with much like the CAP-RAST test.
  4. The best test is indeed a lifesaver for people who continue suffering with strange allergy symptoms. Several people who have allergies never recognize that they could stay away from the symptoms through removing particular food from their diet.

Nevertheless, one major problem to all food allergy blood tests is the fact that they cannot tell you the kind or severity of symptoms an individual will acquire.

This indicates that two individuals could have each test positive for an allergy to peanuts.

  • One individual may perhaps have the ability to eat peanuts, but includes a gentle reaction.
  • Even though the other person would consume peanuts and go into anaphylaxis.

Allergist Advice for Stuffy Heads

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 No Commented
Under: Allergies

If you have allergies it can be miserable just to get out of bed in the morning. The sniffling and sneezing, the watery and scratchy eyes are enough to drive a person crazy and they often go on for days on end with know clear cause. Unfortunately, often the symptoms don’t end there. Many people get asthma, hives, rashes, and infections as a result of their sensitivity to a variety of different environmental triggers. The only way to effectively address and treat the problem is to see an allergist. They will go beyond the basic regimen of Benadryl and Sudafed to get to the source of their patient’s reactions.

An allergist is a physician who specializes in the treatment, diagnosis, prevention and management of all different types of allergic diseases. This means things like hay fever and sinusitis but also people with sensitivities toward pet dander, certain foods and medications. A doctor like this will also be able to address acne or eczema that is caused by makeup or certain soaps. They test their patients of a variety of different allergens and then determine what the best course of treatment is. They also offer a few at home tips for helping alleviate some allergic reactions.

 

When it is hot run the air conditioning in the house. Not only will it feel better because of your stuffy nose but also it will filter and scrub the air of particulates. This can help reduce the amount of allergens in the air that may trigger a reaction.


If you already have a stuffy nose or headache or sore throat your allergist may recommend you brew yourself a nice hot cup of herbal tea. The warmth will help loosen your constricted airways and the steam will help alleviate some discomfort. A bit of honey and lemon will help soothe a sore throat and generally make you feel better.

Take a warm bath or hot shower. It is the same reason as inhaling steamy tea it will relieve muscle aches and headache and the warm moist air will be welcome in your inflamed and stuffed head. If possible add some bath salts or oils to enhance the relaxing effect. Prilosec online pharmacy

An allergist will tell you another good way to clear out allergies is to run warm salt water through your sinus cavity twice a day. This will help flush out any pollutants and will have a cleansing effect, although the sensation is a little hard to get used to.

If these problems are recurring you really should make an appointment to see an allergist as soon as possible. Something in your life seems to be making you sick and the sooner you can determine what the sooner you will start feeling better.

Urticaria Treatment

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Who Needs an Urticaria Treatment?

For many people Urticaria is a straight forward allergy…or is it? Through most peoples lives they will at some point experience an episode of Urticaria, the cause of such an outbreak might be something as simple as eating fresh berries such as strawberries, or perhaps an occurrence of Urticaria may be attributed to the use of a cosmetic or perfume, either way an Urticaria treatment is seldom required or sought.

In most cases these types of Urticaria outbreaks are referred to as acute. The Urticaria symptoms may appear as the direct result of a specific allergen and may dissipate just as quick. As mentioned most people will develop an allergic reaction such as skin hives (Urticaria) at some point.

The problems begin when Urticaria starts to become more frequent, and perhaps more worrying for no obvious reason, this type of Urticaria is normally referred to as idiopathic Urticaria. Even infrequent episodes of acute uticaria can be cause for some concern as they are often an early warning sign of the more serious condition called chronic Urticaria, which may become a problem later in life, this is when people start looking for an effective urticaria treatment.

This is how things developed for me, It started out with the occasional acute uticaria outbreak and then proceeded to grow worse as I got older, until my condition turned into chronic Urticaria and became a real problem, one I had to live with on an almost daily basis to varying degrees.This was when I began my search for an Urticaria treatment that would help my condition.

The following details are some of the methods I tried or had prescribed in pursuit of an Urticaria treatment. I will say that although some offered me some relief others weren’t as helpful, but that’s not to say they wont help you with your condition or at least offer some relief or reduction in your Urticaria symptoms.

Traditional Urticaria Treatment:

As far as traditional medicine goes, urticaria treatments are limited. In actual fact these aren’t even real urticaria treatments at all, what they are, are methods of reducing symptoms of the condition. While these symptomatic methods may seem like a good idea at the time of the urticaria outbreak they seldom achieve any lasting results, plus it’s also true to say that prolonged use of certain drugs can actually make chronic uticaria far worse.

Symptomatic urticaria treatments include the following:

Antihistamine is always at the top of the list of medication used to control urticaria outbreaks, there’s nothing wrong with antihistamines and they can prove effective in treating acute uticaria, but they are no match for an ongoing condition.
The chronic version of the condition may respond better to a course of steroids, although this still isn’t a long term option for a chronic condition.
For very quick relief & in limited cases your doctor may even give you a cortisone injection to disperse a serious attack when nothing else is working. However in my experience it is difficult to get your doctor to go straight for a shot, my doctor preferred to keep prescribing further courses of steroids (UK)

An urticaria treatment which might help:

I still wouldn’t call the following method a real cure, but as a short to medium term urticaria treatment this might help. I used the following combination for several weeks with some degree of success, until I found something better.

Use a combination of H1 & H2 Antihistamines to control your urticaria:

  • Taking a combination of prescribed H1 and over the counter H2 antihistamines worked well for me for some time, I know it has also helped many more people suffering with urticaria in the short term. You could try this method to control your chronic urticaria, especially if you have any type of event or special occasion coming up.
  • I would point out however that this method should not be continued over long periods as the toxins from the medication may do you more harm than good.

Although, not a long term urticaria treatment-this may help.

The Causes Of Hives

Thursday, November 11th, 2010 No Commented
Under: Allergies

There are a many causes of hives. This skin condition is generally characterized by bumpy and swollen red patches on the surface of your skin.

Hives also known as urticaria is very common in both adults and children and can affect any person regardless of age or race at anytime.

If a certain part of your body becomes free from hives then they may appear and affect some other body part. In general this skin condition is not dangerous however the symptoms can be infuriating. The itching that is worst at night sends many people round the bend.

Common Causes Of Hives

Hives usually occurs together with viral fever. You should see a doctor if your condition lasts for more than a day. Here are common causes of hives which if you avoid can greatly help you in preventing future outbreaks.

Medicines


Hives can be the result of taking certain medications which trigger an outbreak. There are a lot of people whose immune system is sensitive to certain medicines like aspirin and penicillin.

Food Allergies

Eating nuts, shell-fish and egg-shell can also cause a person to develop hives.

Bug Bites And Plant Life

Hives can also occur if the person comes into contact with pollen grains. A lot of people may get hives (typically in the shape of mosquito bites) after going to a garden or any environment filled with plant life.

Animal Dander

Animal dander is also one of the causes of hives. Therefore it is a good idea to find out if the people in your household have an allergy to animal dander before bringing in a pet.

Being Stung

There are some instances wherein people would develop hives because they have got stung by an insect (bee, wasp, etc.) Welts and protrusions develop on the skin due to the body’s reaction to the chemical substances in the sting itself.

Stress

Although it is uncommon there are times wherein people would experience a hives outbreak because of too much stress. Stress usually brings about the development of various autoimmune disorders which can cause hives as one of the side effects.

Other Causes

Cancer-related illnesses like leukemia may also trigger hives. Exposure of the skin to drastic climatic extremities such as extreme cold or hot weather conditions may also trigger the development of hives. Wearing tight-fitting clothes when the weather is hot and humid is also one of the causes of hives.

Hives Treatments You Can Try

There are a lot of hives treatment products out there that you can try to help ease the itchy and irritating symptoms brought about by hives. Just make sure to look for a hives treatment that has all-natural ingredients.

It is also best to consult your doctor as they can provide information as to what are the causes of your hives, and possibly give you recommendations on what treatment to use to get rid of this skin condition.

Understanding Winter Allergies

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 No Commented
Under: Allergies

You’ll be able to better understand the idea of hypersensitivities of winter season if you know what allergies are. Simply put, allergies are common disorder of human immune system. A sizeable part of American population is affected by sensitivity of one kind or the other. When your immune system is not as strong as it should be, it’s vulnerable to developing allergies. On being allergic to any item the body reacts to produce histamine, a substance that causes swelling and or itching in body. This reaction in the body takes place as it comes in physical contact with allergens, externally or internally.

The reasons for developing winter hypersensitivities are the same as any other kind of aversion. An interesting feature of winter allergies is that one most often experiences these within the house. And, there are reasons to it. You should understand that mold also gets inside the house that you keep warm for yourself. And if you are using a furnace for heating, you are improving the chances of dust being indoors. Similarly, pets also like to remain within your heated house. So, you have the entire allergy causing materials within the house in the form of dust, animals and mold. Another contributing factor is more frequent use of perfumes during winters. During winter holidays you attend more of social gatherings and parties and like to wear your perfumes. That explains why people are more prone to having allergies during winters.

Most of the symptoms of these kinds of aversion are nearly the same as the other kinds of vulnerabilities. Running nose or sneezing and itchy eyes are the most commonly experienced symptoms. The other symptoms include frequent coughs, watery eyes and developing dark circles beneath the eyes. The intensity of symptoms may vary from extreme to very mild, depending on the caused.

Diagnosis of such seasonal aversion is not easy, and the physician would take normal allergy precautions and conduct certain tests to ascertain the cause of allergy. One test is to inject small quantity of allergen in your body and see how it reacts. Positive results confirm that you have allergy to certain items and the doctor would most likely prescribe certain medicines.

Encountering such allergies could make one’s life miserable. The worst part is that winter allergies attack while you are within the house, and in winters one likes to remain indoors in a warm comfortable house. Keep in mind that sneezes or sniffles that one often bears in winters are not necessarily connected to colds. One sure way of confirming whether you have weather connected allergy or not is to call upon your doctor. He is qualified and experienced to assess your sensitivities and suggest remedial measures.

Common Treatments For Allergy Relief

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 No Commented
Under: Allergies

Allergies affect about 20% of the US population and can affect human lives due to the discomfort they bring. Children who suffer from allergic reactions all throughout the year may miss schooldays due to the discomfort of frequent sneezing, itchy eyes, throat and nose, hives, and sometimes stomach pain and vomiting, if the allergy is caused by food. Adults become unproductive at work during allergy attacks.

Allergies can be caused by a variety of substances, from food to pollen, animal dander (cat and dog hair), dust mites, cotton fiber, and so on. Although allergens can differ from one person to the next, the physical reactions are often the same. Allergic reactions happen when the body’s immune system releases antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which secrete histamines that cause the symptoms. It is the body’s way to get rid of the allergens which it considers as invaders.

Patients are often treated with anti-histamines, nasal sprays and decongestants. However, there are some adverse side effects observed with some patients who take these medications. Some of the most common side effects observed are sleepiness, headaches, blurred vision, dryness in the throat, mouth, nose and eyes, upset stomach, dizziness, nausea and constipation.

Oftentimes, the side effects happen because of overdosing or taking the medicines with other medications prescribed for other diseases. Nasal sprays, for example often provide immediate relief, with their albuterol and beta based content, which relieves difficulty in breathing. However, a patient can also suffer from the side effects mentioned, if nasal sprays are used too frequently.

Doctors may also prescribe corticosteroids, to lessen inflammation in the bronchial area. However, some people may also have reactions to it such as blurry vision, abdominal pains, swelling of eyelids, stuffy noses, acne or skin rash and muscle cramps and general fatigue. In other instances, use of medications with corticosteroids for a long time, may also lead to weight gain and liquid retention. Cataracts may also develop as well as high blood sugar which can lead to diabetes.

Alternative Treatments For Allergy Relief

With all the possible side effects that a person can get from frequent use of anti-histamines, anti-inflammatory drugs and nasal sprays that are often prescribed for allergy relief, it is no wonder that people are looking for alternative treatments for allergies. Keeping yourself informed on the pollen level of the area where you live will also help you avoid exposure to pollen, which may trigger allergies.

A change in diet and lifestyle can work wonders for allergy relief. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in natural vitamins can increase your body’s resistance to allergies, without necessarily taking anti-allergy medications. Avoiding foods that you know will trigger your allergies is also a practical solution. Using dehumidifiers and air filters can also clear your environment of allergy producing substances such as pollen, dust, mold and mildew.

You can also try doing some breathing exercises. These will come in handy during an allergy attack, which can severely constrict the airways and make breathing difficult. Yoga is an effective means to distress which can also teach you proper breathing techniques. Acupuncture is another alternative treatment to allergies. The main objective of using acupuncture is to keep the balance in the body, which can make it more resistant to diseases.

Regularly doing housekeeping to keep your home free from dusts and mold is the most practical solution to allergies. There are many mold and mildew chemicals, however, read the labels to make sure that there are no elements that can also trigger an allergic reaction.

Prevention still remains the best treatment for allergies. Know the causes of your allergies by getting medical attention and following your doctor’s instructions to cure allergies.

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