Allergies

Definition: a reaction of the body’s immune system to a substance such as a food, airborne particulate, or chemical

Causes: The original cause of the reaction of the immune system is unknown, and why some people are allergic to one thing and not another. Some people become sensitized to certain substances and then react to them. Sometimes allergies are life-threatening, such as peanut allergies, causing massive responses by the immune system. Sometimes the reaction is mild, and is often called a “sensitivity”, such as reactions to certain foods. While not true allergies, some people group food intolerances such as lactose intolerance with allergies. Many food allergies/intolerances may be due to lack of proper digestion from lack of digestive enzymes or damage to the intestinal lining known as “leaky gut syndrome” in which substances such as antibiotics or other medications have made the intestinal tract more porous than it should be, allowing absorption into the body of bigger particulates that the body identifies as foreign and then attacks.

Signs and symptoms:

Symptoms include not feeling “well”, nasal discharge/sinus problems, itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes, sore throat, asthma, eczema, and hay fever, as well as headaches. Grass, pollen, dust, molds, certain foods, some metals, animals, and some chemicals can all be allergens. They all provoke a release of histamine in the body, which results in the symptoms. Some people react to many substances, and this is often known as multiple chemical sensitivity.

MANY health conditions have been linked by researchers or authors to allergies, from arthritides and gastrointestinal problems to depression and other neurological problems. Faced with any health condition, lowering the stress on your body by eating a low allergen diet will probably be helpful.

Treatment:

Medically, various antihistamines and decongestants are available. Many are available over the counter now as side effects are generally very mild. For people with life threatening allergies, medications such as epinephrine should be kept ready at all times.

A food rotation diet or food elimination diet is helpful for those with allergies to see if the offending substance(s) can be determined. Correcting underlying bowel problems with the use of digestive enzymes with meals and healing the intestinal tract by using probiotics such as acidophilus or Florastor and the amino acid glutamine will also help immensely in conditions such as leaky gut syndrome. Other vitamins that heal linings in the body, such as vitamin A, are helpful. Some people have found that bee pollen or alfalfa have helped with cases of hay fever or other airborne allergic responses.

Other therapies may be helpful, including homeopathics, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments.

Prevention:

Prevention starts with avoiding irritating substances such as allergenic foods and then substances that would harm the intestinal or respiratory lining, such as chemicals, antibiotics, and medications such as aspirin or Ibuprofen. Use dehumidifiers in basements and ridding the house of mold, having air ducts cleaned and using HEPA filters on furnaces and air conditioners, avoiding smoking, cleaning carpets and bedding, no pets, and avoiding activities such as mowing can all help. If you have a lot of allergies, consider being tested for thyroid dysfunction.