Jun 23, 2009

Allergic reaction

Description
Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) represent the reaction of the immune system, accompanied by damage to the body's own healthy tissues. The mechanisms by which the immune system protects the body from the «strange», and the mechanisms of hypersensitivity reactions, in which damaged «their» tissue are similar. Thus, antibodies, lymphocytes and other cells, which are components of normal immune system, in addition to combat infections are involved in the development of allergic reactions, as well as in reactions to blood transfusion in autoimmune diseases and rejection of transplanted organs.

Generally, the term allergic reaction indicate processes that are involved in antibody class immunoglobulin E (IgE).
These antibodies combine with the specialized cells, such as basophilic in the blood and mast cells in tissues. When meeting with the antigen (in this case it is called the allergen) cells associated with IgE, are beginning to provide substance, damaging the surrounding tissue. Theoretically allergen can be anything that acts as an antigen, causing the immune response: dust, plant pollen, medicine or food.

Sometimes, to describe a group of diseases, which is involved in the development of IgE, for example allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma (often hereditary), use the term a topic disease. Such diseases are characterized by the development of IgE in response to various substances in the air, like pollen, mold, animal fur, as well as the mites present in the dust. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is also related to a topic diseases, although the role of IgE in the development of the disease less clear. A person with a topic disease, however, not increased risk of IgE in the ingestion of allergens in the skin (ex, drugs or insect venom).

Allergic reactions are mild and severe.
Typically, they are limited and itching eye irritation, lacrimation, and sneezing, but may become a threat to life if suddenly impeded respiration, heart function is disrupted and drastically reduces arterial blood pressure (eg, is a shock). This condition is called anaphylaxis and may occur in sensitive people in a variety of situations, for example, shortly after the consumption of certain products of certain medications or bee sting.

Jun 12, 2009

Allergies — immune system on overdrive

If runny nose and sneezing linger for more than a week or two, there's a good chance it's allergies
Dr. Deborah Wiancek

If your runny nose and sneezing linger for more than a week or two, there's a good chance it's allergies. If you have allergies, your immune system, your body's defense system against bacteria and viruses, is on overdrive. It's reacting to a normally innocuous substance such as pollen, trees, grasses or ragweed as if it's a foreign invader. Often it's bugged by more than one thing such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or even food.

In order to defend the body, the immune system produces antibodies called immuno globulin E, or IgE. These antibodies attach to the body's mast or tissue cells and basophils, or blood cells. When an allergen like pollen encounters its unique IgE, it fits like a key into a lock and releases histamines that result in inflammation and all the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies like a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, rash, swelling and even asthma.

If your parents are allergy prone, you may be too. Or you can develop them when your resistance is low when you're under stress. A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.

The most common substances that can provoke seasonal allergies in Colorado include trees such as elm, cottonwood, cedar, juniper, pine and aspen. And other plants such as ragweed, pollen, thistle and sage.

Other substances that can provoke an allergy include: Nickel, cosmetics, lanolin, animal dander, dust, dust mites, some common drugs such as penicillin, aspirin and sulfa drugs, some food additives such as benzoic acid and sulfites and chemicals found in soap and laundry detergents.

Many people are allergic to molds. Molds can live throughout the house, under the sink and in the bathroom, basement, refrigerator or any dark and damp place. Mold spores are carried in the wind and are predominate in the summer and early fall. Cutting grass, harvesting crops or walking through tall vegetation can provoke a reaction.

Foods can also provoke allergic reactions. Some of the most common allergenic foods include chocolate, dairy products, eggs, shellfish, strawberries, citrus fruits, corn, wheat, food additives, preservatives and dyes.

What kind of natural treatments are available for environmental allergies? I use homeopathy to desensitize a person from their specific environmental allergies. I also use natural anti-inflammatory products and Chinese herbs depending upon how severe the reaction.

What is the difference between a food intolerance and food allergy? A person with a food intolerance is unable to digest and process food correctly, usually due to a lack of a certain enzyme or enzymes. A food allergy occurs when a person's immune system generates an antibody response to the injected food. Food intolerance can lead to an allergy, if particles of undigested food manage to enter the bloodstream and cause a reaction.

There are many symptoms related to food allergies these include: Recurrent colds, sore throats, chronic tonsillitis, ear infections, ringing and buzzing in the ears, chronic nasal congestion, postnasal drip, Meniere's syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, irritable bowel disease, migraines and other headaches, hives, canker sores, psoriasis, eczema, acne, asthma, frequent urination, teeth grinding, bedwetting, colic, muscle aches, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, unexplained fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, food cravings, obesity etc.

Most of these disorders have more than one cause, but food allergy is a relatively common and frequently overlooked cause.

Food allergies are best tested through a blood test. The skin scratch test is used mainly for environmental allergies. A person can become allergic to almost any type of food and any combination of foods. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is important.

Environmental and food allergies do not go away on their own. If left untreated, allergies tend to get worse every year. Allergies can be treated successfully by improving your overall immune function, desensitizing a person from environmental allergies, eliminating the allergen and improving digestion and overall intestinal health.

Jun 8, 2009

Natural Allergy Remedies

Unartificial allergy remedies are numerous, safe, beget few side effects if any, and can be a lot more effective than individual of the over the counter remedies that do sooner a be wearing side effects and in several cases do not start the desired results.

What actually is an allergy?

All allergies are inoculated reactions that are not normal, are reactions to something that is generally speaking harmless in the environment for most people, but for those that are artificial they are called allergen. The list of allergens intention almost always be different, depending on the person, and they ordain affect 20% of all people worldwide at some apt.

It is the job of your vaccinated system to protect you against allergen, but when your untouched system lets you down, you naturally be struck by a reaction. Allergies are also thought be an inherited medical scramble in several circles. But whatever the actual ground is, they can be range from mild, to sheer annoying, and in some cases, severe.
But what absolutely causes an allergies reaction?

Causes:

Your body's defense to fight allergen includes your nose, mouth, eyes, lungs, and your stomach, and with an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollens, mold, dust, mites, pets, second hand smoke or whatever the pollutant is causing the reactions, they will all basically start through one of these major vessels in your body.

When your defense systems let you down, there is a series of events that happens. Your trunk produces an antibody that is called IgE that binds allergens. These antibodies Nautical bend together in forms of blood cells that are called mast cells, and are base in your major vessels or entry ways that can put allergies. The presence of the cells make you vulnerable to the allergens, as they can dilemma to Ige which sets off reactions that allows the mast cells to unfetter a wide variety of chemicals such as histamine. Histamine causes most of the symptoms in allergies and it contributes to rousing responses as well as constriction of smooth operating muscles.

Thus the creation of several prescriptive medications as well as several that have now become available without prescriptions, or over the counter allergy medications. But with these antihistamines, as with any type of drug, there are potential dangerous side affects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, interactions with alcohol, or the actual effects of alcohol like intoxication in some cases.

Overdose is also a major concern.

But there are several alternatives ranging from herbs, foods, vitamins, minerals, and solutions. Here are several alternatives to over the counter and prescription drugs for allergies.

Quercetin:

This is mix that is derived from a plant and is referred to as a bioflavonoid. It is outrageously effective in stabilizing mast cells, and as a result, slows down or stops the publicity of the chemical histamine. It is also very effective as an antioxidant and is a logical free radical in the prevention of cell damage. It is set abundantly in citrus, apples, tomatoes, onions broccoli, lettuce, and wine. Manner, if you have liver conditions, check with physician earlier using this.

Stinging Nettle:

This herb has almost exactly the same effects as over the counter drugs in slowing the conditions, but without the side effects. It is a common weed in many parts of the United States and is usually sold freeze dried or in capsule form. It is also very effective in stopping the release of histamines.

Butterbur:

This is also a common weed, but this one is found in Europe. It has the same effects on allergies that the drug cetirizine has, which is one of the active ingredients in Zyrtec. It is marketed like stinging nettle.

Eucalyptus:

This is a put, and the leaves and the oils from this plant are a illegitimate allergy cure, and it is found in several cough and depressing medications. It acts as both an antiseptic as well as a pick-me-up with several antibody properties. It is especially goods with steam as it helps the production of salvia which reduces coughing. Noting is as comforting to your lungs as this plant.

Red Clover:

This is a meadow herb found throughout Europe and the United States and is a natural remedy for asthma. It is most often used in tea form, and it has antispasmodic as well as expectorant qualities. You can also find this in a wine form, and in this form it is an excellent cough remedy.

Alfalfa:

This is a natural remedy for hay fever, as it slows down sneezing and itching as well as calming the nervous system, especially important in the mucus membranes. This can be ground up and mixed with a small amount of water as a liquid.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

This contains healing properties that help in easing the symptoms of a sinus infection as well as allergic reactions to pets. It is very high in Vitamins A, E, B1, B2, and B6. It helps to reduce mucus in sinus cavities and soothes sore throats as well.

Licorice Root:

This has been used for centuries as a cough medication and is still used in many cough syrups. This can be purchased in dried or powered forms, as well as capsules, tablets, or pills.

Omega 3 and Allergies:

The essential fatty acid of Omega 3 is a natural anti inflammatory drug. Great sources of this Omega 3 include salmon, flaxseed oil, haddock, cod, and several other cold-water fish.

Foods:

Fruit juices of all types are very rich sources of antioxidants that help in reducing inflammation. Berries are also very effective. Yogurt and Kefir are extremely effective with food allergies, as they contain live bacterial cultures that directly attack most all types of food allergies.

Minerals:

The mineral magnesium and zinc have also shown to be very effective in fighting allergen. A deficiency of magnesium is believed to be one of the major causes of asthma. Foods that are rich in magnesium include spinach, navy and pinto beans, tofu, artichokes, and black eyed peas.

Zinc deficiency is also suspected with asthma, and foods rich in zinc include yogurt, tofu, lean beef and ham, oysters, crabs, and dark meat in both turkey and ham.

Solutions:

Saline solutions are also quite effective, as salt water helps to soothe upper respiratory allergies by removing the allergens before they can take hold. You can purchase saline solution, or you can make your own by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a pint of warm distilled water and adding just a touch of baking soda.

Neti Pots:

These have also been around for centuries and originated in India. It can really be any kind of compact glass container, but they only cost about twenty dollars to purchase and are designed especially to flush naval cavities. Naval flushing using these pots is a very effective way to eliminate the allergen as it neutralizes them by direct inhalation.

You can simply fill it with warm water, or add Eucalyptus to it, and follow the instructions of filling both nostrils one at a time with the steam. Perhaps one of nature's purest forms of antihistamine.