Allergies
This page on HealthMBA.com is about the body's allergic reactions to potentially harmful triggers. It describes the effects, causes, and treatments of allergic reactions.
EFFECTS
We commonly know allergies as the body's mild reaction with a runny nose or itchy skin to triggers or allergens in the environment, and for millions of people around the world it is a fact of life that they have to learn to live with severe allergy symptoms. The body does its best to protect itself from things it considers harmful by sneezing, watery eyes, skin inflammation and a fever, but sometimes it gets a little confused as to what is a real threat. Some common triggers that can cause allergic reactions a pollen and plant fibers, mold, animal dander and different foods. It's difficult to say why the body reacts this way or how a person will have a new reaction, but it's a small price to pay for the benefits of our robust immune system that protects us from many other real threats around us.
CAUSES
In our body's immune system there is a mechanism to detect and quickly react
to external chemicals or other biological entities that can be a threat.
Sometimes it is a real invader, such as a colony of bacteria or a bee sting,
and the body deploys its agents to do battle and wipe out the invasion. The
immune system deploys white blood cells, destructive free radical and cortisone,
which cause inflammation and an itchy feeling. In the sinuses it causes an
itchy, runny nose, and on the skin it can causes a widespread burning rash.
In sever cases the immune system slips into a reaction so severe that it
threatens the rest of the body, such as swollen airways and shock to the
nervous system, known as anaphylaxic shock or a severe allergic reaction.
Millions of people around the world have to make accommodation's and take
precautions to avoid or decrease the debilitating effects.
TREATMENT
There is rarely a cure for an allergy because the body's misunderstanding is
hard-wired at a genetic level. Allergies are typically passed on genetically
or through great stress to the immune system. In severe cases it is critical
to treat it promptly to avoid complications or even death. Treatment starts
early in a child's life as the parents watch closely for any allergic reactions
around certain things. Once singled out the parents teach the child to avoid
those triggers and to know what to do in case they have a reaction so that
they won't make it worse. With some types of allergies there may be a medication
or even an injection to mitigate the symptoms to help the body get back to
normal. For some reactions, like season hay fever and pollen allergies, it's
best just to take things a little slower and make room for a few bad days.
