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Allergies - Diagnosing and Treating Allergy Symptoms

Allergies affect a large percentage of both adults and children in the United States and are considered the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in this country. Symptoms can lead to loss of productivity and an increased amount of sick time taken in schools and work. If you suffer from an allergy you may notice that your symptoms interfere in your daily life and cause you to miss out on activities that you normally enjoy doing. The good news is that there are many options for diagnosing allergy symptoms and with your doctor’s help you can be on the path to more symptom-free days and a higher overall quality of life.

Allergic reactions...

Allergies occur when the immune system recognizes a normally harmless substance as a harmful one and malfunctions in one way or the other . When the body comes in contact with the substance that the immune system has determined is harmful the body produces a large number of immunoglobulin E, or IgE’s antibodies. These antibodies will cause the body to release chemicals such as histamine that will result in itching, increased secretions, swelling and tightening of the airways. The symptoms of this biological process include watery eyes, runny nose, hives, and coughing. Severe reactions can cause the symptoms to worsen and produce difficulty breathing and dizziness. If allergic symptoms become severe it is called anaphylaxis. While rare, anaphylaxis is also a life-threatening situation. Emergency medical care is required in these circumstances.

Types of allergies...

There are many things that a person can be allergic to. Hay fever is caused by a reaction to pollen and can be seasonal or year-round depending on exactly what plant pollen you are allergic to. Another common culprit are dust mites which live in dust and other fibers of common household objects. Animal dander is another frequent cause of allergy symptoms and is mostly caused by the family pet. Mold, latex and some types of foods can also cause differing levels of discomfort. Most people will have a reaction to only one or two allergens but there are people that will suffer symptoms from exposure to a large number of things. You will have a greater likelihood of developing allergies if you have a parent that suffers from them or if you suffer from another chronic condition like eczema or asthma. You can also develop an allergy if you are exposed to an allergen while you immune system is compromised, such as during a viral infection or while pregnant.

Diagnosing allergy syptoms is a job for a professional. Although allergies are a common complaint there are a number of treatment plans available for most sufferers. These can include antihistamines, decongestants or nasal sprays that are all taken to relieve the symptoms. You can also consider immunotherapy, or allergy shots, which will essentially “cure” your problems and allow you more symptom-free days with less medication. Talk to your doctor about the best course of action to treat your allergy symptoms.

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