Allergy has been called the great imitator because it can cause almost any symptom in any part of the body. An allergy is an out of control immune response to something that is not in itself harmful to the body.
Allergies can vary from annoying to life threatening and everything in between. When we think of allergy we usually think of itching nose and burning eyes, but there are really several kinds of allergies. Allergies are an important cause of inflammation which is now thought to be a major cause of all chronic, degenerative diseases including everything from heart attack to dementia. The drug approach is, at best, treating symptoms and will not solve the problem of inflammation.
FOUR TYPES: "Allergies" are not one thing
Allergies = Seasonal hay fever, itchy eyes and runny nose, or hives and itching and swelling types of allergies are those reactions which produce immediate inflammation. This includes airborne allergies, such as reactions to pollens and molds, immediate allergic reactions to foods including anaphylactic reactions to such things as peanuts and shellfish. This is the only kind o of allergy recognized by most medical doctors and especially by most allergy specialists. It is caused by the IgE antibody response and causes a release of histamines.
Food Intolerance includes any negative reaction to foods. These may be immediate or delayed by up to several days, which can make diagnosis difficult. These are usually mediated by a different part of the immune system (IgA, IgG or IgM). Many conventional tests for allergies only test for one of these antibody types and may miss significant problems caused by other mechanisms. Many conventional doctors dismiss any non IgE reaction, although this is changing because of the overwhelming amount of information and clinical experience supporting these other types of "allergy,"
Chemical sensitivities include both problems with processing chemicals -- for example trouble with perfumes, gasoline, cigarette smoke -- reactions to smells in the air or to chemicals contacting the skin. These may involve a true immune system allergic reaction or can be a problem with your body's ability to process chemicals which can often be corrected nutritionally or through desensitization.
Hapten response. This is a newly recognized type of response that some people have to chemicals, metals and other substances. Unlike classical allergies this is not a response to foreign protein. Unlike chemical sensitivities this is a true immune system response. A good example is the reaction some people have to nickel. Some individuals can have an immune reaction to virtually anything in their environment.
Non Drug Treatment Options
You don't need to take drugs or get allergy injections to solve these problems.
1. Reducing exposure - but it's not always possible.
The first step is identifying the offender. I have found kinesiology to be the quickest, least expensive and most reliable screen for allergens. Lab tests are available, but are often not reliable and are quite expensive. It may be necessary to avoid offenders for a time. In most cases the immune system will gradually come into balance, of the in a relatively short time. In some cases complete avoidance is the only option. Other options can include air purifiers, using the Neti pot, upgrading household air handling systems, etc.
2. Desensitization procedures work extremely well for some.
There are a number of approaches to desensitization based on kinesiology. NAET is one of the most well known. I use similar techniques I have learned from Drs. John Brimhall and Michael Lebowitz. Many medical allergists use injections, but there is some good evidence that oral desensitization may be just as effective. Another name for this is homeopathy.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, February 2003
3. Reducing the inflammatory response naturally.
Identifying which biochemical pathways are involved allows for specific nutritional interventions. One example: omega 3 fatty acids balance prostaglandins with the same results as anti-inflammatory drugs but with no side effects and many positive health benefits.
4. Healing the Digestive System - well supported by clinical studies.
Fully Half of your immune system is in the lining of the digestive system, from the tonsils to the intestines. What you eat is the greatest exposure to outside antigens. Stress, drugs and poor diet can all irritate the gut allowing allergens to enter the blood stream. This is called Leaky Gut Syndrome. Healing a leaky gut can be an important part of solving allergies.
5. Balancing the immune system - correcting the source of the problem.
Nutritional imbalances, chronic dysbiosis, emotional stress , environmental exposures all stress the immune system. Often one part of the immune system is suppressed, while other parts, often those creating the allergic response, go into overdrive. For example, people with chronic fatigue rarely develop cancers but are frequently allergic and chemically sensitive -- their immune systems are out of balance. Glandular extracts and other nutraceuticals, such as immunoglobulins, can provide an immediate boost to the parts of the immune system which have been suppressed, resulting in greater balance and reduction in allergic symptoms.
The Great Imitator -- Allergies Can Produce Almost Any Symptom, Anywhere in the Body
Allergic Effects on Mind and Mood
Allergies frequently affect the brain. They are often part of addiction syndromes, including addictions to alcohol and foods and can even contribute to mental illness. It is estimated that 7% of schizophrenics have no symptoms if they adhere to a strict wheat free diet. The diagram below is from the pioneering clinical ecologist, Theron Randolph, MD. What he noticed was that allergens can cause either a + reaction with hyperactive symptoms or a - reaction with depressive symptoms. Combinations are common.
Allergies are suspected in many disease processes.
Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic disease in the United States, costing the health care system $18 billion annually. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Allergies are part of the spectrum of immune system problems which include well known named diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and suspected to be part of many other conditions including asthma, hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, brain and mood disorders such as depression, addictions, including alcoholism and, ultimately, aging itself.
Hormone and other reproductive imbalances
may be caused by an allergic reaction.
New studies suggest a link between antibodies to estrogen and progesterone in women with symptoms that include asthma, migraine, dermatitis and pain.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Volume 55, Number 4, April 2006, pp. 307-313(7)
There may be allergic component to polycystic ovary disease.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Volume 55, Number 4, April 2006, pp. 301-306(6)
New research suggests that diabetes may be an autoimmune reaction specifically to cows milk and soy milk.
Pediatrics, Vol. 110 No. 4 October 2002, pp. 826-832
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Why We Need Alternative Health Care
We Don't Have a Health Care System, we have a disease care system and it's not working. Americans spend more than any other country on health care and have the worst outcomes of any major industrialized country. The medical system in not only an economic disaster but has been fundamentally corrupted by its financial ties to the drug and insurance industries.
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Dr. George Manlove
© 2010 George Manlove, DC All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Manlove, unless otherwise noted. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Manlove. Dr. Manlove encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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