An Allergy is a hypersensitivity to foreign substances which are normally harmless but which produce a violent reaction in the allergy sufferer. Allergies are generally the body’s effort to eliminate something it considers unsuitable. Typical allergic reactions are hay fever, migraine, asthma, allergic rhinitis, digestive disturbances, coeliac disease, conjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema, drowsiness, CFS, hyperactivity in children, tinnitus, recurrent sinusitis and ear infections. In a few people, the histamine (anaphylactic) reaction can cause muscle cramps, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death from shock or suffocation.
Types
There are different types of Allergies, the most common being type1. When an allergen encounters cells capable of antibody formation, they then form IgE antibodies, which bind to the surface of other cells, called mast cells and basophils. In response to the attachment those cells release chemicals, called mediators of anaphylaxis, among them histamine. Those chemicals cause allergic reactions such as swelling or the secretion
of mucus.
Almost any substance can be an allergen for an individual. Common allergens include certain foods, especially milk, wheat and eggs, pollens, dust, moulds, cosmetic and certain food additives.
An Allergy is not the same as intolerance. Allergies always involve the immune system, whereas intolerance, e.g. lactose intolerance, is caused by a lack of lactase, the enzyme that converts lactose into glucose.
Causes
Allergies may have many different causes-from pets to pollen to certain types of medicine and foods. In addition, allergic symptoms may be just as varied. While no one can predict when or how an allergy will develop, you can learn how to keep allergies under control by following a treatment plan and avoiding the things that aggravate your allergic symptoms.
Symptoms
When allergies flare up, they may cause a considerable amount of discomfort and inconvenience, but having allergies does not mean you have to struggle with your symptoms. Understanding how to help keep allergies from interfering with the things you want to do may make a big difference in how you feel and how you live.
For more information visit: http://www.AllergiesInfoCenter.com
Related posts:
- Parasites In Your Colon Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms to breed and live. Many are harmful to your health and enter the body in various ways - foods we eat, through the bottom of your feet, air you breathe,...
- What is A Balanced Diet For Losing Weight and Good Health The total calories that you should be consuming depend on whether you are a women or a man. It depends on your body structure and your activity level. So you need to make some adjustment on the numbers I present.If...
- Top 40 Health Quotations "Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year."-- Franklin P. Adams"He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything."-- Arabian Proverb"To get rich never risk your health....
- Gastric Bypass Patients Should Include Tomatoes in Their Diet After weight loss surgery it is important to include as many healthy foods in our diet as possible while still respecting the the restrictive nature gastric bypass system. One of the foods that many patients report having a high tolerance...
- The Relationship Between Meditation and Self-Analysis These are two very powerful tools for self-improvement, but how can you use them in harmony? For example: Self-analysis and meditation cannot be performed at the same time. After all, multi-tasking runs contrary to what meditation is all about.So where...
