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Asthma and Allergies
This program explores the link between asthma and allergies, the most common triggers, how to allergy-proof a home and the latest treatments.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to foreign substances which are normally harmless, but which cause a violent reaction in certain individuals. Allergies affect the lives of millions of people around the world fresh spring flowers, a friend's cat or dog even the presence of dust can make people itch sneeze and scratch almost uncontrollable. Even innocent food items such as peanut butter, milk and fish can bring on an allergic reaction.
How common are food allergies?
Almost two percent of Americans have an allergy to foods. The eight most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish - cause 90 percent of all food allergic reactions. Food allergies can be life threatening. Knowledge about food allergies can help to save a life.
What causes an individual to be allergic?
An allergy is generally your body's effort to eliminate something it considers unsuitable.
What are the most common allergy reactions?
Symptoms of food allergies differ greatly among individuals. They can vary in severity, time of onset, and may be affected by when the food was eaten.
Typical allergic reactions include
- hay fever
- migraines
- asthma
- allergic rhintis
- digestive disturbances
- cyclic disease
- conjunctivitis
- urticaria
- eczema
- drowsiness
- hyperactivity in children
- tinnitus
- recurrent sinusitis
- ear infections
- spots
In a few cases the histamine reaction can cause muscle cramps, disorientation, unconsciousness and even death from shock or suffocation.
What are some of the most common allergens?
Almost any substance can be an allergen for an individual but the most common ones are certain foods, especially milk, wheat and eggs, pollens, dust, molds, cosmetics and certain food additives.
What is the difference between an allergy and intolerance?
Allergies always involve the immune system. An intolerance is caused by a lack of lactase, the enzyme that converts lactose into glucose, i.e. Lactose intolerance.
Are the symptoms of food intolerance the same as an allergy?
Food intolerances do not always cause a specific reaction or symptom. However, often they can cause behavioral problems such as sluggishness, hyperactivity, lack of concentration, tiredness, feeling drained, not feeling 100%, and not always able to say why. Food intolerances upset the body's metabolic processes creating energy imbalances that can impact your quality of life.
What are hidden allergies?
Hidden allergies are those that may be present without causing enough of a reaction to create an awareness. Instead, health is undermined gradually, over a long period of time.
What actually causes hay fever?
Hay fever or allergic rhinitis, is an allergy to airborne substances such as dust, molds, pollens, animal fur and feathers. It is often aggravated by a food allergy, the most common being an allergy to milk.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Hay fever is usually characterized by sneezing, itchy, and watery eyes, a runny nose and a burning sensation of the palate and throat.
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