Allergies - Living In Our World

By: Michael Russell

What are allergies? Allergies are a response of the immune system to outside influences, whether environmental or ingested. In an immune reaction, the body mobilizes itself to fight off a perceived threat. This reaction generates inflammation. Approximately one third of Americans suffer from allergies, although immune system responses vary from mild, as in sneezing or coughing, to severe, as in an anaphylactic reaction (affecting one's lungs). Allergies can be exacerbated by both physical and psychological stress.

Things that cause an allergic reaction in one person cause no reaction in another person. Almost anything in the world can cause an allergic reaction for someone somewhere in the world. There are a common set of "allergens”, however and these include pollen, dust, mold, animal fur, insect venom, chemicals found in household products, chemicals found in foods, certain medications and various foods.

Types of allergies: Allergies can be classified by the body part or function they affect. Some allergies affect the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing or generating coughing and sneezing. Other allergies cause external inflammation such as skin rashes or eruptions or eye irritation. Finally, others disturb the gastro-intestinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning and makes people more susceptible to other illnesses.

The role of inflammation in degenerative diseases of aging a system response that causes inflammation is the primary characteristic of an allergy. We now recognize that inflammation contributes to earlier onset and more rapid progression of many diseases of aging, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, some forms of cancer, heart disease - and even, according to Dr. Perricone (The Perricone Promise), skin wrinkling. A person who is striving toward good health must therefore pay attention to any systemic issue that results in inflammation and find ways to eliminate, reduce or control that inflammation. Many medical specialists and health advisors, one of them Dr. Irwin Weil, are now recommending and outlining "anti-inflammatory diets" as part of basic good health.

Western medical approaches to treating allergies: The first step, and this step is common to both medical and alternative natural approaches, is to figure out what generates allergic responses. This can be done in consultation with a doctor and/or by keeping a diary of negative physical reactions.

The second step, another common to both medical and alternative natural approaches, is avoidance. Increasingly potential toxins and allergens surround us. Reduce exposure as much as possible by examining every aspect of your life with particular attention to those substances, which you know are troublesome to you. Be aware of what is in the substances used to clean clothing, clean your home, in the air and water in your particular location and at various seasons of the year, added to foods that you eat, especially processed foods. Become a label reader.

The third step is medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter. Of course any prescription is done in consultation with a doctor, possibly an allergist.

The fourth and most major step is immunotherapy, that is, a program of allergy shots.

Natural approaches to treating allergies: Again, the first step in treating an allergy - or even reducing the chance of developing one - is determining what generates the response. The second step is avoidance. Limit the potential allergens in your environment with purified air, purified water, non-allergenic, environmentally friendly household and clothes cleaning products, etc. Check your car and your ventilation system. Remove yourself from those things, which are known allergens for you.

Along with the idea of detoxifying your environment is the idea of detoxifying yourself through fasting, hydrotherapy or other methods. Also avoid stress and stimulants.

For allergies affecting the respiratory system, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can be helpful. Most of us think that breathing comes naturally - that we don't need to focus on it or do anything special. Yet as anyone knows who meditates or does yoga, one of the first steps is to learn how to pay attention to the breath, how to take deep, and cleansing breaths. This kind of relaxation and deep breathing can help to open-air passageways - and can reduce the stress that intensifies allergic responses.

For food allergies, a helpful step is to vary the diet - do not eat the same foods repeatedly, day after day. Another step is to engage in an elimination diet, a systematic approach to eating in order to identify foods that cause allergic or proto-allergic responses.

A program of immunotherapy with an environmental physician might include vaccines to help the body make antibodies against particular allergens.

Another step is to take supplements, especially those supplements that help build the immune system: vitamins A, C, D, E, B Complex, selenium and others. Essential fatty acids play an important role in restoring immunity. Magnesium relaxes the bronchial tubes so can be helpful in respiratory system allergic responses. Astralagus and ecchinacea increase the number and activity of immune cells.

Conclusion Allergies can be somewhat annoying and inhibit one's lifestyle minimally - or they can be dangerous, as in asthmatic attacks or anaphylactic reactions. There are many steps a person can take on his or her own to determine what environmental or food factors are acting as allergens and to eliminate them from one's environment. It is good general health practice to make the surroundings and foods one eats as allergen-free and toxin-free as possible. As we reduce sources of inflammation that surround us in today's world and in the food supply, we improve our health and longevity.

On the other hand, at some point and in some cases, it may be necessary to consult with a physician, either a western-trained medical doctor or one who offers alternative and/or natural therapies. You will know when the time is right for this and the information you have gained through observing your own reactions and cleaning up your environment and lifestyle will help when you see that doctor.

Whether your allergies are mild or severe and life threatening, identifying them, monitoring them and reducing or eliminating the inflammation that accompanies them will prolong your life.