Understanding and Treating Allergies - Allergy Medicine
Allergies affect more than twenty percent of the adults
and children in the United States, which means that
millions of people are affected each year. Allergies can
affect people at different times of life, and during
different seasons, depending on the source of the
reaction. There are a number of different culprits that
can cause an allergic reaction in people, including
pollen, dust mites, mold and foods. If you think that
you are suffering from allergies, you should make an
appointment with your doctor to find out what you are
allergic to and what your best options in treatment
plans are.
Allergies are generally
inherited, which means that if one or both of your
parents suffer, you stand a good chance of having them
also. The allergen can vary however, so you cannot
assume that because your mother is allergic to dust, you
will be also. You may instead develop a reaction to
pollen or mold. The genetic link is simply in whether or
not you are prone to developing an allergy. Another
possible reason for developing a reaction to a
particular substance is exposure to that substance when
your immune system has been weakened. For example, many
people can develop a reaction after a viral infection or
during pregnancy.
What is an Allergy?
Allergies occur as a result of your bodys immune system
reacting incorrectly to some sort of foreign substance.
Your immune system will see pollen or mold as a harmful
substance to your body and react accordingly. The end
result can be sneezing, watery eyes, itching, hives, and
even trouble breathing during more severe reactions. For
many, the reaction will be mild and require little or no
medical intervention. During an extreme allergic
reaction, called anaphylaxis, you may initially feel
itching which will quickly progress to swelling, pain
and vomiting. Anaphylaxis is a potentially
life-threatening condition that requires immediate
medical assistance.
Most allergies can be managed with the help of your
doctor, by using antihistamines, decongestants and nasal
sprays. There are also lifestyle modifications that you
can make to help reduce your exposure to your allergen,
such as keeping pets out of the home or maintaining a
dust-free environment. If your allergies begin to get in
the way of your daily life, your doctor may also
recommend immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, to
cure your allergies and help you to have symptom-free
days. The good news with allergies is that there are
many options for managing them effectively. If you
suspect that you are suffering from some type of
reaction to a particular substance, talk to your doctor
today about your choices in allergy treatment. |
