Allergies
Allergies...do you suffer from them? Do you sneeze all the time? Hopefully, the following articles will shed some light and give you additional information to discuss with your physician.
Usually, substances such as pollen, animal dander, and dust areharmless. However, some of us have an immune system thatbelieves these ordinary substances are a threat. In response,the body creates antibodies normally reserved for fighting truedangers, such as bacteria and viruses. Since the immune systemincorrectly believes the allergen to be threat, it begins tocreate an immune response as if it were fighting off an illness.The immune system's response is what causes nearly all allergysymptoms. There are a wide range of symptoms associated with allergies,and none of them are very pleasant. Allergy symptoms can rangefrom very mild to life-threatening. If you suffer fromallergies, you are not alone. Allergies, and otherhypersensitivity reactions, currently affect approximately 30%of the population. The following is a list of some commonallergy symptoms: Nasal Symptoms are a common allergic reaction to a variety ofallergens. Sometimes called Allergic rhinitis, or "hayfever",these symptoms afflict 20% of the US population and are often aresult of airborne pollens, dander, dust or other allergens.Some common nasal allergy symptoms include: Nasal Congestion (Stuffiness) Sneezing Runny nose Itchy noseImpaired Sense of Smell Swollen Nasal Membrain Sinus HeadachesSore Throat (caused by nasal drip) Skin Symptoms like hives, contact dermatitis, and exema(charachterized by inflamed, itchy or dry skin) are allrelatively common forms of allergic reactions. Usually thesetypes of skin symptoms occur when the skin comes into directcontact with an allergen, or it can be an immune response toeating food that you're allergic too. Some of these conditionscan cause small, reddish bumps. They are caused by aninflammatory reaction, causing leakage from the capillaries ofyour skin. Eye Symptoms, or Allergic conjunctivitis, is a common allergicreaction to many different types of allergens and can be causedby an allergen physically getting in the eyes, such as dust, oras a side-effect of a food allergy. It is caused when theconjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye)enflames due to allergy. One of the most common causes is hayfever. Symptoms consist of redness (mainly due to the swellingof small blood vessels), itching and increased tear production. Ear pain, especially in children, is often a result of fluidbuilding up pressure behind the eardrum. The middle ear isconnected to the nasal passages by a short narrow tube, known asthe Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube drains fluids out ofthe middle ear, and helps keep the pressure of the earequalized. Allergies can cause inflammation of the Eustachiantube, and cause secretions to build up, preventing the normalflow of fluid. This happens more often with children, becausetheir Eustachian tube is shorter. These accumulating fluids cancause stuffiness, pain, hearing loss, and ear infections. Headaches are not as common as other allergy symptoms, but someindividuals will experience headaches, whether alone or inconjunction with other symptoms like nasal congestion. Fatigue (tired feeling) can be caused by the immune responsethat you body is creating. Just like when you're sick, it takesa lot of energy for you body to get better. Even though you arenot technically sick, your body thinks you are. That's whatmakes you feel so tired. In addition, some allergy medicationscan cause additional drowsiness. Food Allergy Reactions happen when your body mistakes certainfoods as harmful, and the reaction can become more severe everytime the food allergen is encountered, but sometimes childrencan outgrow mild food allergies. Allergic reactions to foodusually happen within a few minutes of eating the offendingfood, but it can sometimes take several hours to develop, whichcan make it hard to know which food is causing the allergy. Itis very important to have it diagnosed if you suspect that youmay have a food allergy, so that you can know for certain whichfoods to avoid. The first symptom of an allergic reaction tofood is often itching and swelling in the mouth, tongue andthroat. Some other common food allergy symptoms are: skin reactions- hives, swelling, itching, eczema and rednessvomiting diarrhea coughing, wheezing or a runny nose swelling ofthe lips sore, red and itchy eyes Severe Symptoms, known as Anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening.It consists of a series of reactions in which the entire body'sresponse to the allergen comes on suddenly. It can begins withsudden itching of the eyes or face and within minutes canprogress to more serious symptoms, including: Swelling of the esophagus which can make breathing andswallowing difficult Abdominal pain and cramping VomitingDiarrhea or bowel irritation Mental confusion and/or dizziness How Can You Know if Your Symptoms are Allergies or a Cold? Allergies, colds and flus all share many of the same symptomslike congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, and sneezing. One wayto tell is that colds do not usually last longer than 10 days.If your symptoms carry on longer than then, then you may beexperiencing allergy symptoms. Another clue can be "itchiness".Allergies often cause an itchy sensation in either your eyes ornose. Your allergy doctor can help determine the cause of yoursymptoms and how to treat them. Here are some simple guidelines. It's probably an allergy if: You have no fever. Mucus secretions are clear and runny. Sneezesoccur in a rapid, multiple sequence. Your nose, ears, and throatfeel itchy (especially the palate or roof of your mouth).Symptoms last longer than the typical duration of a cold (whichis usually 7 to 10 days). Your symptoms get worse when you arein one environment, and get better when you are not in thatenvironment. Your nose, ears, and throat are not as itchy afteryou take an antihistamine. You feel stuffy and congested. Takethe Congestion Test to see if you need treatment. It may be a cold or the flu if: You have a fever. Your symptoms occur all together -- normalallergy symptoms tend to appear more gradually. You have a sorethroat. Your symptoms last only 7 to 10 days. About the author:Utah Allergies is aUtah based allergist doctor office that specializes in We have mugs, prints, cards, calendars and many more custom gift items at our Cafe Press shop
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