CONDITION: Allergies

DESCRIPTION:
Approximately 50 million Americans, or 1 in 4, suffer from some form of allergic disease, and the incidence is increasing. When most people think of allergies, they think of sneezing, a runny nose or watery eyes. While those are symptoms of some types of allergic disease, an allergic reaction is actually a product of several events occurring within the immune system.

How do allergies develop?
The immune system serves as the body's defense mechanism against the countless different substances present in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the things we touch. The term "allergen" refers to any substance that can trigger an allergic response. This reaction (the allergy) is a symptom of the larger underlying problem of immune system or metabolic imbalance and can cause a staggering array of conditions — conditions that can often be reversed or cured, once that balance is restored. Common allergens include pollen, mold, animal dander, food, and cockroach and house dust mite droppings. Antibodies circulate in the bloodstream and are present in almost all bodily fluids. They help to capture unwanted invaders. People who have allergies have an antibody called Immunoglobulin E, or IgE. When allergens first enter the body of a person predisposed to allergies, a series of reactions occurs and allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. It is not yet fully understood why some substances trigger allergies and others do not, nor why every person does not develop an allergic reaction after exposure to allergens. A family history of allergies is the single most important factor that predisposes a person to develop allergic disease. If one parent has allergic disease, the estimated risk of the child to develop allergies is 48%; the child's risk grows to 70% if both parents have allergies.

What are the symptoms of allergies?
The symptoms of an allergic reaction depend on what allergen the body is allergic to. Symptoms for seasonal allergies to pollen or other airborne things are runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, coughing, and wheezing. Food allergies have symptoms that vary in severity. Some symptoms include, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and asthma. A severe allergic reaction would have symptoms that include difficulty in swallowing, rash throughout the body, or a sudden drop in blood pressure. For all of the hundreds of other allergies the symptoms range from mild to severe. A person with an allergic reaction can feel heart palpitations, throbbing in the ears, weight loss or gain, hives, swelling, loss of bladder control, itching, or several other symptoms not mentioned.

Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to help restore the body's balance in the natural environment, minimizing or even permanently eliminating the sensitivities.

Learn about the treatments for Allergies