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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Allergies - "Just the Facts Ma’am"

Dedicated to Allergy Sufferers: 

It’s allergy season. Again family, friends and neighbors, are all suffering with a variety of symptoms, all “treating” the symptoms with otc and prescription drugs. So patiently, I listen to the complaints, first, the weight loss, due to lot’s of apple kites. Pounds of graphic details continue ringing my ears; the queasy stomach up thru both sides of the congested chess game, over runny dells and, past red itchy eyes, the sneezing, … the farmer in the clogged nasal hi ho the passages O the red eyes, coughing merry in the dell …! Sorry I drifted away, you were saying …?

Alright, enough already, no longer can I pretend listen to the litany of symptoms. The Town Crier at TheHealthAlert.blogspot.com is presenting “just the facts Ma’am. Just the facts,”  (Sgt. Joe Friday; Dragnet, 1951-1959. 1967-1970.)

There is tons of empathy [*in 2005 over 11 million tons grown in …] in the way I try and listen to the words through sneezing, clearing the throat, blowing the nose and coughing. “Just the facts …” I hear the suffering see how badly you look; yes I feel for you but I do not know how badly you feel.

Get rid of allergies; here are “just the facts:
Fact 1
Allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to foreign entities i.e. pollen, foods, chemicals, etc. aka allergens.
Fact 2 
Histamine, a chemical released when the body is exposed to allergens - the Immune System’s natural ability to rid body of allergens. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5705045_histamine-release-symptoms.html
Fact 3
Antihistamine blocks histamine reception – temporarily relieve symptoms and traps allergens in body – Stops the body’s natural ability to get rid of allergens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywdk3BTjK2s
Fact 4
Side effects of top 3 otc allergy medications:
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/allegra-side-effects.html = Side effects to Body Systems: Gastrointestinal - Nervous – Genitourinary (affecting the genital and urinary organs) – Hypersensitivity - Respiratory – Musculoskeletal   Regular Side effects: Vomiting – Pyrexia - Cough – Diarrhoea – Rhinorrhoea - Upper respiratory tract infection – Myalgia – Dyspepsia – Dizziness - Pain in extremity - Back Pain – Somnolence - Otitis media – Dizziness; headache; stomach upset -   Severe allergic reactions= rash; hives - itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue – earache – fever - severe or persistent coughing or vomiting  This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

http://allergies.emedtv.com/benadryl/benadryl-side-effects.htmlbenadryl/benadryl-side-effects.html Sedation - anxiety -Dizziness - Coordination problems – Indigestion - heartburn - Sensitivity to the sun - Thickening of bronchial secretions -  chest mucus - Dry mouth, nose, or throat - Fatigue - Excessive sweating and/or chills – Restlessness - irritability – Shakiness - Insomnia - An unusual, pleasant feeling (euphoria) - Nervousness - Unusual sensations, tingling or numbness - nausea, vomiting – tremor - Loss of appetite (Please See: Site reference for children’s side-effects and recall products list

Zyrtec for allergies – Loss of appetite - Migraines - Gas – Hemorrhoids - urinary tract infection - Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) - Ear infections - Flushing – vertigo - Dehydration - Arthritis - Muscle pain - Hair loss - Decreased sex drive (see Zyrtec Effects on Libido) – Drowsiness - Acne – Fatigue - Dry mouth - Sore throat - Nasal stuffiness – Diarrhea - constipation - Early menstrual period - Insomnia – unusual, pleasant feeling (euphoria) - nausea or vomiting - Weight gain (see Zyrtec and Weight Gain)

Fact 5
Extended use of antihistamine lessens the immune system’s ability to prevent disease, naturally. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/allergies 
Fact 6
Experts still don't know a lot about allergies, including what exactly triggers them. However, it is known that the prevalence of allergic hay fever (or rhinitis) in the United States and around the world is increasing.
Most theories as to why allergy symptoms have increased focus on "higher concentrations of airborne pollutants, rising dust mite populations, less ventilation in homes and offices, dietary factors, and sedentary lifestyles," explains Deborah Pockross, MD, a physician at Kenilworth Medical Associates in Kenilworth, Ill., and staff doctor at Northshore University Health System in Evanston.

Another theory is the hygiene hypothesis — meaning "a more sanitary environment and less exposure to bacteria increases susceptibility to allergic disease by suppressing the natural development of the immune system," Dr. Pockross adds. In other words, our living conditions and food are so clean they don't offer our immune systems enough to do, so our systems overreact to allergens instead. http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/understanding-adult-onset-allergies.aspx?xid=aol_eh-allergy_39-_20110613&aolcat=ABO&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk1%7C70513

The reference above is dated 6/6/2011. How can Dr. Pockross say that our living conditions and foods are “so clean…?” If anything, allergies is on the increase as our bodies continue rejecting allergens in the environment and the foods we consume. Processed and micro waved foods, like 2nd hand cigarette smoke are toxic. (see: TheHealthAlert.blogspot.com, April 22, 2011. Processed Food as Toxic as Tobacco) Here is my hypothesis: could it be that our immune system’s been compromised by the repetition of disease and by treating [allergy] symptoms with otc and prescription drugs.  Let’s call it the BID hypothesis, battered immune disease. Look for: “AID & BID versus GIB” garlic immune builder, post coming soon)  
Fact 7
Removing excessive toxins from the body help alleviate seasonal allergies. Prescription and otc drugs often work against the body’s natural immune response in exchange for temporarily suppressing symptoms while trapping allergens in the body. http://www.ehow.com/way_5194678_garlic-good-allergies_.html
Fact 8
Garlic attracts free radicals, such as allergens - safely remove toxins from the body. Garlic is known for its antiviral properties. It was known as Russian Penicillin for centuries, and used repeatedly for treating respiratory ailments. It is the immune-boosting properties that make garlic an effective treatment for allergies. Including garlic into your diet can help ward off heart disease, certain types of cancer, and yeast infections as well as help fight off allergies. It is advisable to not use raw garlic for medicinal purposes, without physician's supervision. Is Garlic Good for Allergies? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5194678_garlic-good-allergies_.html#ixzz1QOjru6bo


*[In 2005 - 11,093,500 tons of garlic grown in China ] Excerpt from: Barks Herbs Roots Twigs  The Earth Pharmacy©

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