About Allergies

Do you or someone you know suffer from allergies? Perhaps you think you've come down with a case of the common cold, yet time and time again you find you have difficulty getting rid of the sniffles.

Or, perhaps you find that your sniffles soon result in asthmatic symptoms that persist, even after you've overcome the sinus congestion you normally associate with having a cold. Maybe you have flu symptoms but no fever. You may even find you have the sniffles after biting into a piece of your favorite pie.

You may not have a cold at all… in fact… the chances are much higher you suffer from allergies.

More than 40 million people suffer from allergies in the U.S. alone, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Think that is surprising? Think again. Studies also suggest that the number of people suffering from allergies is on the rise. Why? There are many reasons. Some researchers believe increased pollution, both indoors and outdoors, is clouding or bodies ability to fight off known irritants.

Still others blame our poor lifestyles, lifestyles that include consumption of excess fats and overly processed foods, which over time can weaken our immune systems. All of these things can influence your susceptibility to allergies, it's true.

The truth is, there is no one reason allergies are on the rise, or that more and more people are exhibiting allergy-like symptoms later in life. That is why it is important you take the time you need to learn everything you can about allergies, while you still can.

If you weren't concerned about allergies before, let this site be your wake up call. Allergies are invading the earth like aliens from another planet. But you don't have to be an allergy victim. In fact, you can win the battle for earth. How? First, find out what allergies are, how they affect you, and what you can do about it.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies are our immune system kicking into high gear. They are our body's way of fighting off what the body perceives to be "foreign" offenders. Typically, an allergy occurs when the body over-responds to a substance one would normally consider benign or harmless. You can have an allergy to just about anything, though some objects and irritants more commonly cause allergic symptoms than others.

Consider, for example, pollen. Pollen is a natural substance produced by budding plants, flowers and tress. For some, pollen is nothing more than a nuisance, or a sign that spring is on the horizon. For others however, pollen can bring on a host of unwelcome symptoms, including:

• Itchy or watery eyes 
• Sneezing 
• Persistent runny nose 
• Sinus congestion 
• Respiratory problems including asthma or wheezing 
• Coughing 
• Hives 
• Hay fever 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 

In severe circumstances, allergies can produce a life-threatening, anaphylactic reaction. Are you prepared to take action in the event you experience the unexpected? Don't worry, we'll help prepare you. Read on to find out how to deal with this life-threatening complication.

Anaphylaxis

This is among the most severe reactions a person will have when exposed to a substance they are allergic to. A typical anaphylaxis response is so serious, it may result in death. If you aren't prepared, you risk your life, or that of a close family member or friend. But you don't have to. Arm yourself with the right information. Learn what anaphylaxis is - and how to address it.

Anaphylaxis - Tough word, tough symptoms. It is a severe reaction to a common allergen.

An Anaphylactic reaction may be accompanied by throat constriction, swelling, an inability to swallow or breathe and shock.

Typically anaphylaxis occurs in a small percentage of the population that is consistently re-exposed to allergens they are extremely sensitive to. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis may include heart palpitations or low blood pressure and fluid in the lungs.

Many people lose consciousness. Some allergens are more likely to produce this type of reaction than others, including:

1.  Stings or bites from insects.
2.  Consumption of certain foods, including shellfish or peanuts.
3.  Use of medications including antibiotics or sulfa drugs in some patients.
4.  Exposure to latex, and
5.  Certain vaccines, including those containing egg proteins.

You may not realize you are hypersensitive to a substance (like a medication) until you take it. The good news is with prompt treatment and care, the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction can be reversed. Typically emergency care is sought to open airways or restore consciousness in individuals.

Many hospitals will offer patients epinephrine and other medications that will reduce inflammation. If you know you are super sensitive to a particular allergen, your doctor may prescribe an "at-home" care kit which may include a pre-loaded dose of epinephrine you can use in the event you are exposed to a known allergen and start an anaphylactic reaction.

Use of this home kit will stabilize you long enough to seek emergency care. If you know you are prone to having this severe of a reaction, you should wear a medical alert bracelet or inform those around you of your condition, so you can take proper precautions to protect your health.

If you use a home kit you should still seek the care of your physician immediately following exposure, as symptoms often return even with treatment a few hours after your initial reaction.

A qualified healthcare provider will monitor you and ensure you are safe before sending you home. You may also need to take medication, including anti-inflammatory medication or antihistamines, if you have a severe reaction for a short time.

The good news is you don't have to suffer through your body's hypersensitive response to allergens. The key to fighting allergies is identifying first what your body is sensitive to, and then finding out ways to avoid these substances to reduce your symptoms in the future.

On the next page we will examine exactly How Allergies Work.