Allergies are disorders of the immune system, which when a foreign substance that is normally harmless in most people causes an extreme reaction within the body. Contact can be with the skin, lungs, oesophagus, mouth, stomach and intestine and can cause a reaction to those organs plus the musculo-skeletal, genoto-urinary system, bowel, cardio-vascular, nose, eyes and brain. The substances that cause these reactions are called allergens and the person who suffers from this, is said to be allergic to the substance. When an allergen comes into contact with the body, the immune system believes it is under attack and produces antibodies called IgE to fight it. The antibodies trigger chemicals (the main one being histamine) to different organs of our body from mast cells which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

The most common allergies are to dust mites, pollen, animal dander in household pets, insect bites, food and drink – the most common being milk, wheat, eggs, fish, soy, citrus fruits, seafood and peanuts, washing powder, cosmetics, toiletries, jewellery, mould and mould fungus, latex and rubber and certain drugs such as antibiotics and anesthetics.

Every individual has their own target organ that has more of an allergic reaction than the others organs. Whatever the substance that causes the reaction, the symptoms occurs in the weak target organs whether this is the same point of contact or not. The symptoms as a result from the allergic reaction will be dependant on the function of the afflicted organ and whether it is depressed or excited.

The main organs that are affected are the brain, eyes, ears, nose, lungs, heart, skin, bowel, genoto-urinary system and musculo-skeletal system.

The brain is the most sensitive of the body’s organs and is easily affected by allergies. Mild forms can be as simple as forgetfulness and severe forms can be as serious as dementia. ‘Woolly brain syndrome’ is a common symptom described by most people who suffer from allergies and this is why most people consider it normal. Other afflictions to the brain are anxiety, depression and panic attacks. The eyes can be affected by becoming watery, red and itchy and also afflicted by conjunctivitis. The mastoid glands in the ears can become affected producing pain and infection. When the nose is affected it can show symptoms such as hay fever, rhinitis, catarrh, blocked nose, sinus pain, sneezing and a running nose. The mouth and throat can be affected by swelling of the lips and tongue, sore throat and coughing. The heart can be affected which can cause hypertension, palpitations and irregular heartbeats. Asthma (wheezing and shortness of breath) and bronchitis can be cause by the lungs being affected and bowel can be affected with Crohn’s disease, colitis, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and vomiting. The skin can be affected becoming itchy, inflamed and having a red rash as with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and urticaria. Urticaria (hives or nettle rash) can be caused by allergies to bee stings, medicines, animals and foods. The genoto-urinary system can be affected with PMT, cystitis, impotency and frigidity. Arthritis, Myalgia and fibrosis can affect the musculo-skeletal. The most extreme allergic reaction is anaphylaxis.

The target organ can change as the body changes, for instance, a child may have eczema as an infant which then changes to hay fever later in childhood which then can change again to migraine attacks in the teenage years which then can change again to arthritis in old age.

In the UK, 1 in 3 people will suffer from one or more type of allergy, 1 in 5 suffer from hay fever, 1 in 5 school children suffer from asthma and 6 million people have eczema.

Natural substances such as mould, spores, pollen, dust mites, animal dander and insects usually cause an allergic reaction in the upper respiratory systems. They cause redness, itching and fluid in the form of water and mucous and can affect the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and bronchial tubes.

A person can be allergic to any food, wheat, milk, eggs, corn, yeast, coffee and chocolate are the most common. Food allergies mostly affect the nervous, respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin areas.

Allergic reaction can be caused by food additives and environmental chemicals such as chemical sprays, pesticides, hydrocarbons, tobacco smoke plus thousands of others.

Allergies to certain foods are associated with certain symptoms. For example, headaches are associated with chocolate and wheat, migraine headaches are associated with milk, eggs, nitrates, alcohol, cheese, chocolate, citrus fruit, nuts, wheat, tomatoes and MSG, eczema is associated with eggs, tomatoes and citrus fruits, hay fever is associated with milk, wheat, cola drinks, chocolate and sulfites, hives are associated with strawberries, nuts, pork, mangoes, tomatoes, eggs, chocolate and shellfish, asthma is associated with wheat and eggs, cerebral symptoms are associated with wheat, corn and Soya beans and childhood allergies are associated with fish, beef, rye, milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, artificial colourings and flavourings and salicylates.

Other factors that can contribute to allergies are bad feeding habits in the baby’s first year of life, poor digestion, excess or repeated contact of a particular substance or food, low nutrients level, presents of candida albicans, parasites, worms or other bacteria, stress and environmental toxins.

To help eliminate or reduce the symptoms of allergies it is best to consume lots of still mineral water, brown or white rice, fruit juices except citrus fruit juices, lots of vegetables except corn and tomatoes, fish except shellfish, turkey and almonds, sunflower seeds and walnuts.

In conclusion, good nutritional health is vital to support our immune systems to help ward off allergic reactions to foods and environmental chemicals. Once a person knows they have an allergy, it is best to avoid that food or chemical, improve nutrition and exercise regime, combat stress and generally support the immune system. It is best not to ignore allergic reactions, as they can lead to further more serious illnesses.

About the Author

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh Advice for a healthier natural life website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

Written By: Stewart Hare

Posted: December 13th, 2007 under Asthma.
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Today, asthma and sinusitis are increasing in frequency and morbidity. When a person has asthma, the patients and his family’s cooperation are very important. Parents must keep an eye on the complex treatment that includes pills, inhalers and exercises. If there is poor medical service, asthma and sinusitis are likely to get worse.

Asthmatic children have higher risk of getting sinusitis from exposure to second hand smoke. On the other hand, people with chronic sinusitis are sometimes at higher risk of developing asthma.

When asthma comes with sinus infection, simple treatment will not do. Since the nose is blocked, the individual is forced to breath through their mouth which can likely hasten an asthma attack. Likewise, air breathed through the mouth is colder than the air breathed through the nose. And cold air is known to trigger asthma attacks. Overuse of antibiotics, environmental factors, bacteria and fungi among others often increases the occurrence of asthma and sinusitis despite the advances made in treating these conditions.

If both asthma and sinusitis are considered as inflammatory diseases, then their treatment is likely similar. Patients should drink enough fluids and bacterial infection should be reduced by means of breathing and coughing exercise, various enzymes, exercise, iodides, guaifenesin and irrigation. However, if the sinus infection does not improve with antibiotics, a CT scan may be necessary. Asthma and sinusitis are often treated at the same time as what affects the sinus affects the entire upper respiratory system.

You are likely to identify asthma if you are aware of its causes and symptoms. Symptoms can generally range from mild shortness of breath to chest pain, coughing and tightness in the chest. Common asthma triggers include indoor and outdoor allergens, infections, tobacco smoke, wood smoke, air pollution, certain medication, weather and even strong emotions. Some episodes of asthma attacks can be very severe and even life threatening. For this reason, education of patients is very important. Also, prompt diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis is important in the long-term management of asthma. And in order to effectively control the symptoms, it is important to know what triggered the attack and then avoid those causes.

Understand that sinusitis can worsen asthma. However, many patients who have successful treatment of their sinus infection find that their asthma also improves. Controlling the inflammatory process in the nose can help to control asthma symptoms. And along with prevention and treatment, maintaining a healthy well-balanced lifestyle and diet is also very important. After all, a healthy body is likely to get sick.

For comments and suggestions kindly visit Sinus Infection Relief

About the author:

Viojieley Gurrobat loves readings books in her spare time. She writes stories and poems about anything under the sun.

Written By: Viojieley Gurrobat

Posted: March 9th, 2007 under Asthma.
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Cold & Flu Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection may lead to middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop these complications. The symptoms of a cold and an allergy are similar and can be confused. Ordinarily, the common cold will cause red, inflamed nasal membranes, with thick, yellow nasal secretions. If there’s a cough, it will be loose and eventually productive. With an allergy, the nasal membranes will be pale and boggy with thin, watery, colorless secretions. If there’s a cough with an allergy, it will be dry and unproductive. There will not be any fever with an allergy, but with a cold there may, of course, be fever. Children who are allergic sometimes exhibit a distinctive appearance. They frequently have dark, puffy half-moons under their eyes and may also have the “allergic salute” from wiping the nose diagonally across the face. Colds may also be passed through direct contact. If a person with a cold touches his runny nose or watery eyes, then shakes hands with another person some of the virus is transferred to the uninfected person. If that person then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus is transferred to an environment where it can reproduce and cause a cold. There are no medicines hat will cure the common cold. Given time, the body’s immune system will make antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold will be resolved without any intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, a great deal of money is spent by pharmaceutical companies in the United States promoting products designed to relieve cold symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, and/or pain relievers. Herbs won’t replace pharmaceuticals, but the research shows that–for many conditions–herbs work well, are cheaper than drugs and cause fewer side effects, Herbs aren’t quite mainstream, but they’re moving in that direction. Patients are interested in them, and doctors are increasingly familiar with herb research. research has shown that the active ingredients in some natural remedies may actually boost the immune system, which may help stave off future infections. These ingredients can be found in medicinal teas, sprays, syrups, extracts, tablets and supplements.

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HerbMark.Com – Alternative Health products, Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs and Beauty products on discount prices. We also offers free Shipping. http://www.herbmark.com/store.asp?filename=seasonal

Written By: Herb Mark

Posted: December 18th, 2006 under Asthma.
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A room humidifier can help raise the level of humidity or moisture in the air. Increasing the humidity in the home helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the respiratory passages in the nose and throat. A room humidifier can help relieve the discomfort of colds and the flu, and help people who suffer from asthma.
When humidified air is breathed in, the water vapor adds moisture to secretions in the upper airway. This makes the secretions more fluid so it may be easier to cough them up. A humidifier can work only for the upper airway. Water vapor droplets made by a humidifier do not usually reach the lower airways, which include the trachea, or windpipe, and the lungs.
In the past, a steam humidifier was commonly used. A newer humidifier, also known as a vaporizer, uses special energy waves to break water down into a vapor. This results in smaller droplets than were possible with a steam humidifier. The energy waves also kill any bacteria or mold that may be in the water or the machine.
A special type of humidifier called a nebulizer can be used to deliver medication to the airway. A nebulizer is often used to treat asthma. It generates smaller water vapor droplets that are able to reach the small airways in the lungs. Certain medications, such as albuterol, can be dissolved in water and given with a nebulizer.
The medications are then able to reach the lungs in greater concentration than if taken by mouth. A new approach is to give some antibiotics by nebulizer. This type of humidifier seems to work very well on lower airway infections in children with cystic fibrosis a serious inherited condition that damages the lungs. A room humidifier may be just the help you need.

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Home health care supplies and equipment http://www.nutritional-supplement-4u.com/medical_supplies_home_health_care.htm

Written By: Rolf Rasmusson

Posted: September 4th, 2006 under Asthma.
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Coughing can be of different kinds and it is basically a provision provided to your body to remove foreign materials. There are two types of coughs one is the productive cough which is a combination of mucus or phelgm produced in your lungs and the other is the non-productive cough which is dry cough as it has no mucus or phelgm.

Cough can be caused by many different reasons. It is caused by smoking and it is one habit which cannot be left that easily. If you want you can get through this too by some rigorous self-treatment. Different kind of allergies also leads to coughing and it can be triggered by dust, smoke and sometimes your favorite pet. Heartburn and asthma are also causes of your cough.

There are different kinds of cough which create problems and they are barking cough, whooping cough, wheezing cough, stridor, sudden cough, nighttime cough, daytime cough, cough along with cold, cough with fever, cough with vomiting, rigorous and persistent cough and can be very annoying.

Even though it is cough which cannot be taken lightly and you have to get yourself checked. The treatment to be used by the doctors is the use of antibiotics. There is also use of antitussives which are drugs and are used to subdue the cough. You can also have various other supplements like vitamins which are very useful. Vitamin C and many other help in preventing the conjunction one has during cough.

About the author:

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on various home and natural remedies which are very useful for in our day to day life.

Written By: Kevin Pederson

Posted: August 7th, 2006 under Asthma.
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