Allergies
An allergy is a hypersensitive response by the body’s immune system normally attributed to environmental, substances, foods, or drugs. The typical allergic response can include some or all of the following: runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes (especially in children), congestion, asthma, rashes, stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, headaches fatigue, fever, or anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction which can result in breathing, should be reported to a healthcare practitioner; if it’s accompanied by hives, call the doctor immediately.
While difficult cases may take time, proper diagnosis and tracking of allergic responses can often lead to control prevention of undesirable symptoms. Some allergies are simple, such as cat dander, while others occur only if a combination of allergens is present. Confounding the effort to identify allergens are the multiple points of entry to the body; allergens may enter via the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. Identifying the allergen and the point of entry can be challenging for the healthcare professional, but it’s necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis may be further complicated by a viral, bacterial, or yeast infection that can mimic symptoms of allergens. In some cases, both problems may be causing symptoms. Because knowledge of the various immune and non-immune system triggers are still far from complete, it may be necessary to try various treatments in combination before the right treatment for any individual can be identified. Severe allergies that can cause serious health problems should be documented in you medical records.
Here are the four general categories of allergens that affect people most:
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products: Drug allergies and drug reactions are fairly commonplace today with the advent of so many new types of drugs. While most drug reactions are not life threatening, some individuals experience an anaphylactic reaction (generalized swelling, breathing difficulties, and a drop in blood pressure), which can be fatal. Most individuals and parents of children older than seven generally know if they have allergies to medications. The obvious solution is avoiding drugs and the family of similar drugs when medical attention is required. It’s especially important that a drug or sensitivity is recorded in your permanent medical chart.
Chemicals: Environmental chemicals and foods additives, including pesticide residues, are two major sources of chemical allergies. Some chemicals may actually weaken the immune system’s ability to function optimally, further complicating allergic symptoms.
Foods: Allergens include dairy (lactose, a mile sugar, or tyramine from aged cheeses), eggs, shellfish, nuts, corn, yeast, wheat-and gluten-containing grains, and chocolate (theobromine). These types of allergies can run in families, so knowing your relatives can help with diagnosis. Most food allergies are minor, but some individuals experience severe life-threatening reactions. Since most of the trigger foods are so prevalent, determining which food or foods are the anaphylactic requires diagnosis by a knowledgeable healthcare professional.
Environmental allergens: Pollen, mold spores, fungus, grass, poison ivy, dust mites, animal dander and hair or the protein residue from salivary licking of hair, and insect bites are hard to pin down and eliminate. Most of these triggers produce reactions that affect the respiratory system and are quite bothersome.
The obvious way to avoid allergic reactions is to reduce exposure to the triggers. However, that’s not always possible. There are a number of healthcare processionals who believe that a combination of detoxification and immune system rebuilding or support can reduce or eliminate allergic relations. Eating a healthier diet while limiting troublesome foods and supporting the immune system and digestive system can have dramatic positive effects.
Lifestyle suggestions:
- Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid airborne triggers including pollution and chemicals, and stay away from smoking areas.
- Consume a healthy diet that supports the immune system. Don’t eat highly refined foods, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, reduce saturated and hydrogenated fats and replace with olive oil, high-oleic safflower oil, and omega-3 oils
- Drink plenty of purified water: one-half your body weight in ounces per day. If you weight 100 lbs., then drink 50 oz. Or more every day to help flush allergens out of your system.
- Remove any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, drapes, or rugs that can be dust catchers or harbor dust mites. Replace with good-quality hypoallergenic products. If removal or replacement isn’t possible, wash frequently I hot water, or occasionally put the stuffed animal the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.
- Change air filters regularly and have heating and air conditioning ducts professionally cleaned.
- Use chemical cleaners carefully and cautiously. It may be prudent to use gloves and a respiratory mask when using cleaners; if latex gloves irritate your skin, use vinyl.
- If the dog or cat is a problem, get rid of the animal. If that’s not possible, do what you can – stay away from the animal, or at least keep it out of the rooms you spend the most time in.
- During allergy seasons, stay indoors, especially on windy days, and away from any areas with a dense plant growth.
- Invest in an air-purifier system for your office, home, and especially your bedroom.
Daily supplementation plan for allergies (adults age 14 and up)
Note: please do not be intimidated by this, the longest table of supplements, and don’t add all these supplements at once. Start with the highlighted supplements, then add more until condition improves.
· Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: Begin with 1,500 – 5,000 mg per day for 7-10 days; then reduce by 500-1,000 mg per day for 7 – 10 days; then reduce to 500 – 1,000 mg. Per day.
· Whole garlic extracts: 700 – 1,400 mg/day. ***Anyone taking a blood thinner such as Coumadin must not take garlic supplement***
· Echinacea: 150 – 900 mg. For 45 days. ***Do not take more than 8 weeks***
· Nettle root: 1,000 - 1,500 mg to reduce inflammation and mucus.
· MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): 500 – 2,000 mg: Especially good for skin, inflammation, and arthritic conditions.
· Omega–3 fatty acids: take at least 3 g (3,000mg) fish oil or 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil at bedtime with calcium and magnesium supplements.
· Vitamin B complex: Take as directed on label. Natural and/or phosphorylated B complex containing 100% of the RDI. (Use a B complex with 25 mg of each of the primary B vitamins: Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Pantothenic Acid. Higher amounts of certain B’s may be needed in certain cases and should only be taken when suggested by a qualified healthcare professional.)
· Vitamin B6: up to 25 mg
· Vitamin B12: 50-2,000 mcg. For amounts over 600 mcg, injections may be administered by a healthcare professional.
· Vitamin E: 400 IU
· Selenium: 100-200 mcg
· Vitamin A (retinal): 5,00-25,000 IU; or Natural beta-or multi-carotene: 25,000-50,000 IU. Caution: Take no more than 5,000 IU of retinal if pregnant, lactating, or there is a potential to become pregnant. Use 15,000-25,000 of a natural beta- or multi-carotene product instead.
· Fiber: 25-40 grams from all sources. Most people need 5-15 grams per day in addition to dietary intake.
· Mixed bioflavonoids: 250-500 mg. Start with 250-1,500 mg. Reduce to 250 – 500 mg per day after 2 weeks. Should include Quercetin and Catechin.
· Calcium: 800-1,200 mg. Use one that synergistic with magnesium.
· Magnesium: 300-600 mg. Note: Increase calcium intake to keep a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium (2 or 3 times as much calcium as magnesium). If loose stools occur, reduce magnesium until problem stabilizes.
· Zinc: 15-30 mg. Start with up to 50 mg. Reduce to 15-30 mg after 30 days.
· Digestive enzymes: Take as directed on label. For digestive problems. Product should include: Amylase, Lipase, Protease, and Alphagalactosidase. Caution: Do not take a product containing HCL or betaine if you have digestive ulcers or bleeding.
· Thymus gland supplement: As directed by your healthcare professional. For frequent immune system problems. See your healthcare professional for testing.
Daily Supplementation Plan for Allergies (Children age 6 to 14)
- Mutivitamin-multimineral: Take as directed on label. Designed especially for a child’s needs according to age. Product should include vitamin D, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
- Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: 40-200 mg, or as recommended by a healthcare professional.
- Echinacea: 150-250 mg, or according to a healthcare professional’s recommendations. Do not exceed 8 weeks.
- Vitamin B complex: Take as directed on label. Use natural and / or phosphorylated B complex containing 100% of the RDI of all B vitamins.
- Odor-free garlic extract: 100-350 mg or as recommended by a health care professional. Caution: anyone taking a blood thinner such as Coumadin must not take garlic supplements.
My husband recently took some of these Clear Guard (video below) and it helped clear up his allergy quite a bit.
April 28 2008 03:45 pm | Health