Beat
Back Your Allergies!
Because of the genetic
peculiarities and histamine reactions to allergens that encompass the
entire bodily defense system, there is no known cure for allergies.
However, there are several different kinds of medications that help
arrest the symptoms that cause allergies – most of which are over the
counter though there are many that are prescription. Most allergy drugs
fall into corticosteroids, decongestants, and antihistamines though many
allergy sufferers may opt to receive a short for the allergies which
will interact with the histamines, making it easier to cope with the
allergens and lessening the symptoms.
For the most part, the
medical advancements associated with providing relief for allergy
symptoms and flare-ups are more advanced in the last decade than they
have been in a century, bringing relief to the allergy sufferer in a
myriad of forms. Most medications are able to reduce the effect of
anaphylactic shock that the body encounters when dealing with severe
reactions to allergies. The reaction to these medications is usually
done with skin prick tests, various food allergen tests as well as what
is known as an atopy patch test. Insect bites and stings are tested
using an insect sting simulator and a type of epinephrine tablet that
quickly circulates in the bloodstream and is able to normalize the
conditions.
Treating Seasonal Allergies
Often
times when winter fades into spring or summer gives way to fall you'll
notice the people around you being to change as well as a host of
environmental allergens is released into the air. This includes a bevy
of itchy and water red eyes, sneezing, runny noses and wheezing as the
bronchial tubes begin to inflame and constrict. In most cases these
problems can be solved via over the counter medication, but for the most
part it's a combination of home remedy as well as prescription and over
the counter drugs.
In an article published by the
British Medical Journal, butterbur was found to be just as effective as
an antihistamine drug used to control the effects and manifestation of
hay fever with none of the drowsy side effects usually associated with
the drug. Most herbal supplements may provide needed relief in many
cases, which include goldenseal and dried nettles, as well as saline
sprays that help dry out the mucus membranes of the nasal passages.
Those
that suffer from debilitating seasonal allergies may want to include
an air filtration system in their home to help reduce the amount of
allergens in their home, as well as making sure that the food you are
cooking is helping fight the allergens and not inviting more into your
home. Some people even go as far as wearing dust filters or masks while
out and about to help combat the effects of these allergens. In some
circles, even alternate medicine such as acupuncture helps restrict and
regulate the effects of allergens in the system. By using needles the
acupuncture practitioner is able to help regulate the immune system so
that it does not react so strongly to the presence of allergens.
In
the Journal of Chinese Medicine there was a study conducted that had 26
hay fever patients with extremely high cases of allergen reactions.
Throughout the study, all 26 patients experienced a drop in their
allergy symptoms without any of the negative side effects that usually
accompanies patients that must maintain a strict drug regimen. In the
second phase of the study, 72 hay fever patients were treated via
acupuncture and the results showed more than half were completely
relieved of their symptoms.