ALLERGIES
SYMPTOMS
- Sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion and coughing indicate Asthma, or Drug on Respiratory Allergies.
- Itchy eyes, mouth and throat are symptoms of respiratory allergies
- Stomachache, frequent indigestion, and heart burn are signs of food sensitivities.
- Irritated, itchy, reddening or swelling skin associated with drug, food and insect sting allergies.
- Stiffness, pain and swelling of joints may indicate food and drug allergies.
CAUSES
Allergies come in much distinct form and are typically grouped in general categories according to the type of substances that cause them or the parts of the body they affect.
Skin Allergies
Contact dermatitis is accused by direct topical exposure to specific allergen, atopic dermatitis has no known cause, but is usually hereditary. Hives or Urticaria , is an eruption of itchy , swollen , reddened welts that can last for minutes or days. Angioedema is characterized by a deeper swelling around the eyes and Lips and some times of the hands and feet as well. Both hives and angioedema stem form the body’s adverse reaction to certain foods , pollen ,animal dander, drugs, insect stings, cold, heat, light or even emotional stress.
Respiratory Allergies
Some 20 million Americans suffer from hay Fever( Allergic rhinitis). Typical symptom include itchy eyes, nose, and roof of mouth and throat, along with nasal congestion, coughling, and sneezing. If you ( or members of your family) have other allergies such as dermatitis or Asthma, you are more likely have Hay Fever apply specially to reaction caused by the pollens of Ragweed, grasses and other Plants whose pollen is spread by the wind. But the same symptom can produced by other airborne substances that you inhale. These can include molds, dust, and animal dander.
Asthma
Asthma has various causes, but the chief ones are allergies to pollen, mold spores and animal dander and dust mites.
Food Allergies
An estimated 70 percent of the people with food allergies are under 30; most are children under the age of 6.It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the specific allergies responsible for a food allergy, because reactions are often delayed or may be caused by food additives or even by eating habits. However, approximately 90 percent of food allergies are caused by proteins in cow’s milk, egg whites, peanuts, wheat or soyabeans. Other common food allergies include berries, shellfish, corn, beans, yellow food dye no 5 and gum Arabic. The classic symptom of food allergies include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. In more severe cases, there may be vomiting, swelling of the face and tongue and respiratory congestion as well as dizziness, sweating, and faintness.
Drug Allergies
The most common drug allergy is to drugs in the Penicillin family. Other common drug allergens include Sulfas, Barbiturates, Anticonvulsants, Insulin, local Anesthetics and Dyes injected into blood vessels for x-rays. Almost one million Americans have reactions to aspirin; these responses are not true allergies but rather sensitivities.
Insect Sting Allergies
Some studies speculate that people who have other allergies ( Food, Drug or respiratory) may be more susceptible to insect sting allergies, which affect about 15 percent of the populations. Venom in sting of bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants is a common allergen.
DIAGNOSTICAND TEST PROCEDURE
After taking a full family and personal medical history, your physician will ask you a series of questions about your exposure and reactions to various allergens to eliminate and identify your allergies’ causes. You may be asked to keep track of potential allergens and your allergic reactions for a week to aid in diagnosis. After this, your physician will choose a testing method.
The most common test for respiratory, Penicillin, insect sting, skin and food allergies is a skin test. A small amount of the allergen is placed on, or injected just underneath, the skin and the physician watches for allergic symptoms. The symptoms- swelling, itchiness and redness- generally appear within 20 minutes. Skin test are not completely reliable, because if too much of the allergen is administered, even a non allergic person may react. Also, extremely sensitive people may go into anaphylactic shock from skin tests. An alternative for Respiratory allergies is RAST( for radioallergosorbent test) which measures the levels in blood stream of the antibodies associated with allergies.
TREATMENT
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
Since allergies can be difficult to diagnose, and are in many cases incurable, alternative remedies for them have become quite popular.
ACUPRESSURE
To relieve symptom associated with respiratory allergies, try Large Intestine 4, the highest spot of the area between the index finger and the thumb; rub firmly for one minute, then repeat on the other hand. Do not use this point if you are pregnant. To fortify the immune system firmly massage Triple Warmer 5, two finger widths from your wrist on the top of your forearm, specially the area between the two arm bones.
AROMATHERAPY
To relieve nasal congestion, try mixing 1 drop of Lavender ( Lavandula Officinalis) oil and 1 tsp of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or sunflower oil; massage into the skin around your sinuses once a day. Eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus Globulus), Cedarwood and Peppermint ( Mentha Piperita) oils also act as decongestants, dab on a handkerchief and inhale.
CHINESE HERBS
Ephendra ( Ephedra sinica) acts like the decongestants epinephrine, which opens up the lung’s air ways when breathing is difficult. But be careful: Lrage quantities of this herb are equivalent to large quantities of the drug epinerphine and can have serious side effects. Do not use ephedra if you have High Blood Pressure or Heart disease. Prepare an infusion by combining 5 grams Ephedra 4 grams, Cinnamon ( Cinnamomum Cassia) sticks,1.5 grams Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza Uralensia), and 5 grams apricot seed ( Prunus armeniaca); let steep in cold water, then bring to a boil. Strain and drink hot.
HERBAL THERAPY
Infusions of Chamomile( Matricaria recutita), elder ( Sambucus Nigra) Flower, Eyebright( Euphrasia Officinalis). Garlic ( Allium sativum), Goldenrod( Solidago Virgaurea), Nettle ( (Urtica Dioica) and Yarrow ( Achilea millefolium) have anti mucus and anti-inflammatory effects.
HOMEOPATHY
For a runny nose, itchy throat and sneezing a homeopathic practitioner might suggest Arsenicum Album (6c) ; for chronic thick mucus, Pulsatilla ( 6c); for runny nose, sore upper lip and itchy eyes Allium Cepa (6c).
NUTRITION AND DIET
Vitamin C and bioflavonoids ( fund in the white pith of citrus fruits) act as natural antihistamines, so you should increase your citrus intake or take 500 mg of Vitamin C three times daily. Vitamins A and B Complex are thought to be powerful stimulants to the immune system. Products made with bee pollen and royal jelly may alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of respiratory allergies but should not be taken if you are allergic to bee stings.
PREVENTION
Respiratory Allergies : Install a high- efficiency air cleaner to help remove pollen and mould spores, and use an air conditioner in your home and car during warm season to keep pollen out; regularly clean damp areas with bleach to kill moulds consider hiring a special cleaning service to rid furniture and upholstery of dust mites. Isolate (or if you can stand it, get rid of ) your pets and keep them outside as much as possible. Regular baths for your pet will help reduce dander.
Food Allergies : Instead of dairy products, try tofu based foods. Always check foods labels for additives that are known allergens, such as yellow food dye No.5 and gum Arabic.
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