Health & Fitness
ALLERGIES.
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Our Immunity Is
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48
ne of the most wondrous
adaptations of the human
body is its ability to protect
itself from foreign invaders, such as
toxins and infectious agents. This is
accomplished by a very well-coordi-
nated process called the
immune system.
When suspicious mate-
rial enters our body, many
chemicals and cells mobi-
lize in order to isolate,
destroy and eliminate the
potentially harmful agent.
This system is generally
quite successful in prevent-
ing the ravages of infec-
tions, poisons and many
other substances that we
are exposed to daily.
Unfortunately, our
response can overzealously attack
harmless substances as well. This
excessive reaction is termed hypersen-
sitivity. A commonly known example
of this is allergy.
At least one-in-five people have
some form of allergy. Michigan's repu-
tation for promoting allergies is due,
in part, to the extremes seen in our
four seasons.
Currently upon us, pollens will last
until the first frost in the fall. In May,
tree pollens populate our air. This is fol-
lowed by grass pollens in June and rag-
weed pollens (which cause hay fever)
in August and September. Dusts and
molds build up in our homes in the
winter. Add to this pets, bees, foods and
drugs, and the problem is pervasive.
Allergic symptoms depend on many
factors, such as the type of provoking
substance (allergens), the system of
the body where the agent enters, and
the patient's individual response to the
offending material. Commonly known
types of allergies are:
• Allergic rhinitis — this often
causes nasal and sinus congestion. It
is probably the most common form of
allergy.
• Allergic conjunctivitis — this is
due to a non-infectious form of pink
eye. It causes watery, itchy eyes.
• Asthma — caused by inhalation
of allergens into the lungs, which pro-
vokes wheezing, cough and shortness
of breath.
• Eczema — this is also known as
atopic dermatitis. This causes skin
irritation and rash, especially in the
inner folds of the elbows and knees.
• Hives (urticaria) and plant aller-
gies — these are other types of skin
reactions to either topical
or ingested agents.
• Drug allergies
— almost any medication
has the potential to cause
a wide-ranging constella-
tion of symptoms, ranging
from a mild skin rash to
life-threatening swelling of
the throat.
• Food allergies — many
foods can cause reactions.
Common ones are milk,
nuts and fruit.
Treating allergies is
challenging because continuous expo-
sure to the allergen does not allow
our hypersensitivity to settle down.
"Avoidance which is the most impor-
tant anti-allergy strategy, is difficult in
many cases.
Medication, the second line of treat-
ment for allergies, aims at blocking the
chemicals that are over-reacting to the
provoking agent. These include anti-
histamines (the substance histamine
is an important component of most
allergic responses), decongestants (they
prevent excessive mucous at the sites
of allergies, such as the nose and eyes),
and steroids (one of the most potent
anti-inflammatory medications. It can
be inhaled, taken as pills, given intrave-
nously or put on the skin).
The third method of treating aller-
gies is shots. They work by injecting
progressively increasing doses of
allergens into our skin, to build up a
tolerance to the allergic materials (our
body gets used to them).
Thus, a vital part of our human sur-
vival, the immune response also can
cause common, life-altering difficul-
ties. Keeping this system of our body
in balance is a continuous struggle,
often requiring various strategies to
keep it in check.
❑
Dr. Lewis is a primary-care internal
medicine physician at Premier Internists/
Millennium Medical Group PC in Southfield.