Our body’s natural protection system is called the immune system. It protects us from external and internal threats by initiating different kinds of chemical reactions. But at times, when these reactions turn out to be undesirable, they are technically called hypersensitivity. Such conditions indicate disorder of the immune system.
Based on the severity, there are four types of hypersensitivity and allergy belongs to type 1 category. This article covers the basics of the query, what is allergy.
Symptoms of Allergy:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Allergic sinusitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Redness
- Asthma
- Laryngeal edema
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Dyspnea
- Bronchoconstriction
- Pain
- Feeling of fullness
- Impaired hearing
- Hives
- Rashes
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain in abdomen
Causes of Allergy:
Type 1 hypersensitivity is triggered in humans by substances from the environment called allergens. Some of these environmental factors of allergy are pollution, dietary changes and changes that took place due to exposure of infectious diseases in childhood. Apart from this gender, age, race and heredity are also some of the significant factors.
Statistics of Allergy in the United States:
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Diagnosis of Allergy:
In the initial stages of diagnosis, other possible causes associated by the presented symptoms are studied. Once it is confirmed that the symptoms pertain to allergy, the allergen is discovered. Skin test is preferred as it is simple, less expensive, more sensitive and specific.
Antibodies are proteins used by the immune system in our body to identify foreign substances. One such antibody associated with type 1 hypersensitivity is IgE. It activates the release of large amount of protective cells called the white blood cells which cause the symptoms of a particular type of allergy. Blood test is carried out to identify IgE in the liquid portion of the blood called serum.
Treatment of Allergy:
Allergens which cause a type of allergy should be avoided as much as possible. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a class of drugs anti-leukotrienes like singulair and accolade to treat allergic diseases. Mast cell stabilizers, decongestants and anti-cholinergics are meant to treat severe form of type 1 hypersensitivity.
Hyposensitization, monoclonal anti-IgE antibodies intravenous injection and sublingual immunotherapy are some of the advanced treatment options of the chronic form of allergy.
Allergic diseases are treated in the United States by doctors known as Allergists. They are certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) and require completion of nine years of training to start their practice.
Home Remedies for Allergy:
- Drinking half a cup of fruit juice or even plain water with five drops of castor oil in it on empty stomach every morning can treat skin, intestinal and nasal passage allergies.
- People suffering from asthma, digestive disorders and skin rashes can eat two to three banana to curb the allergy.
- 300 ml of carrot juice and 100 ml of cucumber and beet juices can be mixed together. Drinking this juice every morning is beneficial.
- Consuming basil tea is very beneficial as it contains a component called the caffeic acid which fights against allergens.
- Drinking peppermint tea can be one of the best home remedies to deal with allergies as it contains anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and decongestant components.
- Breathing steam for five to 10 minutes every day can provide relief from sinuses.
- Soaking half a cup of baking soda in warm bath for 30 minutes can provide relief from hives.
- Rinsing the eyes with cold water can reduce the itchy and irritated sensation caused by allergens in the eyes.
- Wearing glasses on windy days can protect the eyes from airborne allergens.
- Fasting for four to five days on only fresh fruit juices can develop tolerance towards allergies.
- The fasting practice should be followed by vegetable or fruit diet for a week.
- Protein food should be taken after four weeks of the diet.
- Regular exercise and practicing meditation are found to enhance mind control, reduce stress and increase allergy tolerance ability of the body.
- Anuloma-viloma pranayama, ardh-matsyendrasana, yogamudra, shavasana, sarvangasana are some of the yoga postures can be effective in treating allergy.
