AllERGY

AllERGY                                     An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that's harmless to most people. But in someone with an allergy, the body's immune system treats the substance (called an allergen) as an invader and reacts inappropriately, resulting in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly harmful to the person.

An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people

You need to learn how allergy relates to the immune system. You need to begin understanding how and why certain people become allergic. The most common allergic diseases are discussed here.
Causes of Allergies

    * The root cause of many allergies is actually your very own immune system.
    * When the immune system mounts an attack on certain proteins in certain foods.
    * Your immune system mistakes the known allergens as a serious threat and attacks them - the result is an allergy that can cause you to suffer for years and years

Types of Allergies

    * Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.
    * Hives (Urticaria)
    * Poison Ivy and Plant Allergies.
    * Cosmetic Allergies
    * Drug Allergies
    * Pet Allergies.
    * Milk Allergy 
Signs and Symptoms of Allergy:

The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to child. Allergies may show up as itchy eyes or an itchy nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, throat tightness, trouble breathing, and even shock (faintness or passing out). Symptoms can range from minor or major seasonal to year-round problems (from allergens like dust mites or food).

Ayurvedic treatments and tips for Allergy
    * Exercise every morning.
    * Drink three or four cups of ginger root tea per day.
    * Drink plenty of warm water.
    * Nasal medication is recommended for prevention of seasonal allergies.
    * Do sip boiled warm or hot water about every half hour during the day around the change of seasons, to help your body purify and to support good digestion.
    * Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food.
    * Yogas asanas and meditation are very balancing to all aspects of mind and body and have been used by many people to reduce allergy symptoms.

Food Allergies
Symptoms

Food allergies can occur at any age. Almost all people with food allergies will have a skin symptom, such as hives, swelling, itching or redness of the skin, as a result of eating the culprit food. These symptoms typically occur within a few minutes of eating the food in question, although they can be delayed up to a couple of hours.

Other symptoms of food allergies can include nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, diarrhea, breathing difficulties (asthma symptoms), runny nose, sneezing, and lightheadedness. In some cases, children can experience a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

Find out more about:

    * Basics of Food Allergies

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of food allergies is made when typical symptoms occur after eating a specific food and a patient receives a positive result after undergoing an allergy test to the food in question. Testing for the allergic antibody is best accomplished with skin testing, although can be done with a blood test as well.

The blood test, called a RAST, is not quite as good of a test as skin testing, but it can be helpful in predicting if a person has outgrown a food allergy. This is especially true since, in many cases, the skin test can still be positive in children who have actually outgrown the food allergy.

If the diagnosis of food allergy is in question despite testing, an allergist may decide to perform an oral food challenge. This involves having a person eat increasing amounts of the suspect food, over many hours, under close medical supervision. Given the potential for life-threatening allergic reactions, this procedure should only be performed by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.

Common food allergies include:

    * milk/lactose
    * gluten
    * nuts/peanuts

Treatment

The primary treatment of food allergies involves avoidance of the specific food to which a person is allergic. If the culprit food is accidentally eaten, aggressive treatment of the subsequent reaction with antihistamines and epinephrine may be necessary. Being prepared to recognize and treat an allergic reaction from food allergies may be the most important aspect of the treatment of food allergies.

Nasal Allergies
Symptoms

Allergic rhinitis occurs in up to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and eyes and nasal congestion. Some people may also experience post-nasal drip, allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes), and a line across the nasal bridge from an upward rubbing of the palm of the hand on the nose, a sign called the “allergic salute.”

Find out more about:

    * Basics of Allergic Rhinitis
    * Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Diagnosis

In many cases, allergic rhinitis is diagnosed when a person has convincing symptoms and physical exam findings consistent with this disease. However, in order for allergic rhinitis to be properly diagnosed, allergy testing is needed. Positive allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic rhinitis; negative allergy testing suggests non-allergic rhinitis. While allergy testing can be accomplished with skin testing or blood tests (RAST), skin testing is still the preferred method of testing.

Treatment

There are, in general, three options for the treatment of allergic rhinitis:

    * Avoidance of triggers
    * Medications
    * Allergy shots

Avoidance of allergic triggers is always the primary treatment method for allergic rhinitis. This form of treatment essentially costs nothing and has no side effects; however, avoidance of triggers is not always possible. Pet and house dust mite avoidance is possible; avoidance of airborne pollen and mold spores is not.

There are numerous medications available for the treatment of allergy symptoms. In general, a medication that works particularly well for one person may not work for another, especially when the allergy symptoms are different. Medication options include nasal steroids and nasal antihistamines, oral antihistamines, oral decongestants and oral antileukotrienes, such as Singulair (montelukast).

When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoidance of the trigger is not easy or possible, allergy shots are another treatment option. This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, 80 to 90% of patients have less allergy symptoms and, in many cases, allergy symptoms are completely resolved.