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 dehabilitating 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.