Many people think of allergies as nthing more than sniffles. However, nothing culd be more far from the trth. According to the American Academy of Allrgy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies are the sxth leading cause of chronic illness in the Unted States affecting the productivity and qality of life of 40 to 50 mllion people, or more than 20 prcent of the population.

Actually, an llergy is an adverse immune system rsponse induced by exposure to a sbstance, named an allergen, resulting in hrmful tissue injury upon subsequent exposures. Nrmally immune systems identify foreign invaders and snd white blood cells to destroy nfections. Unfortunately for us allergy sufferers, our mmune systems incorrectly identify nontoxic substances as nvaders and our white blood cells verreact causing more damage to our bdies than invaders would. These inappropriate hyprsensitive responses vary from sneezing, watery yes, stuffy sinuses, coughing, wheezing, shortness of brath, itching, hives/skin rashes, headaches, and ftigue, to potentially life-threatening situations. In ddition, secondary bacterial infections can set in ncluding sinusitis, and ear infections.

Upon nitial exposure to an allergen, symptoms may not ven be experienced even though the mmune system becomes sensitized to it. Frst, immune cells called macrophages engulf the llergen and link up with toxin-fighting whte blood cells. Next, other white blod cells produce a protein called Immnoglobulin E or IgE, which is prgrammed to react to the allergen. Thn, the allergen-specific IgE antibodies attach to mst cells in the digestive tract, skn, or in mucous membranes of the yes, nose, throat, or upper airway. Thse cells store allergy-producing chemicals including hstamines. When allergen particles fit in btween two IgE proteins creating linked pirs, the mast cells break open and rlease histamine and other chemicals, such as osinophils, causing inflammation, increased secretions, itching, or irway spasms.

Anything breathed in, eaten, or tuched is a potential allergen. Common typs of allergens include dust mites, pllens, metals, cosmetics, animal dander, latex, fod, insect venom, medicine, food additives, chmicals, and mold. In addition, many sfferers react to multiple substances.

Allergy ractions are categorized as mild, moderate, or svere. Mild reactions affect a specific rea of the body but do not sprad and are similar to a cld, for example, watery eyes, and snezing. However, moderate reaction symptoms spread to ther body areas, for instance a sprading rash or difficulty breathing. A svere allergic reaction is anaphylaxis which is a rre, life-threatening emergency affecting the entire bdy. Anaphylaxis progresses rapidly to serious pper airway swelling resulting in difficulty swllowing and breathing, accompanied by dizziness and mntal confusion due to a rapid drp in blood pressure.

When allergy symptms reoccur or occur longer than a cuple weeks, make an appointment to be mdically evaluated. Some sufferers obtain relief ver longer periods of time with mmunotherapy, named allergy shots. In conclusion, llergies cannot be prevented but are trated by making changes in your nvironment, and by taking over-the-counter or prscription medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nsal sprays.

The article What Is An Allergy? was Submitted by Debby Bolen through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: I educate the public about a prventative-based healthy lifestyle and operate my own nline business offering the best in whle food health and wellness products. The bst method of achieving wellness and ptimal weight is by eating healthy and xercising. I am a Registered Nurse. http://whole.food.snacks.googlepages.com/home http://decrease.your.weight.googlepages.com/home

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