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For other articles and previous issues click here. April 25, 2005 Allergies—Nothing
to Sneeze At It’s that time of year again. While some people emerge from a winter’s layabout to explore nature, others tread lightly—if at all—to avoid annoying allergens. Feel a case of the sniffles coming on? You’re not alone. More than 50 million Americans have allergies and 20 million more have asthma, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But that doesn’t mean you should have to needlessly suffer from one or both of these conditions. As the healthcare community recognizes May as National Allergies and Asthma Awareness Month, there is an ongoing debate between the benefits of traditional allergy therapies and those of newer therapies considered more “natural.” In an industry where change and technological upgrades occur on a fast and furious level, the traditional methods of treating and testing for allergies have remained relatively unchanged over the past two decades. However, a wave of natural remedies that stress the importance of herbs has increased the number of options available to those afflicted with allergies. Rush immunotherapy is another emerging trend in the field that has its own set of supporters and detractors. The decision of which therapy to follow could be important this year, when spring allergies may be particularly harsh. “There’s no doubt that nature has created a wonderful greenhouse effect this year,” says Zab Mosenifar, MD, director of the Cedars-Sinai Center for Chest Diseases at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. “The heavy rains and occasional higher temperatures have produced an impressive growth of vegetation, which is wonderful to enjoy if you don’t have allergies. But if you have a history of allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma [the most common type of asthma], you need to be careful in terms of when and where you exercise during this season.” Over the years, a variety of drug therapies have come and gone. Currently, the allergic antibody Zolaire has been shown to be effective for many seasonal allergies but remains a cost-prohibitive option that some physicians will only prescribe for severe allergic conditions, including those experienced by asthmatic patients. Also known as autoimmune diseases, allergies can involve any system in the body, although some organs and tissues appear to be more susceptible than others. There are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, psoriasis, pernicious anemia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Twenty percent of the American adult population is afflicted with one or more autoimmune diseases, with two-thirds of those being women. Allergies are usually diagnosed in early adulthood, generally after a bout of illness or severe stress. Frequently, people affected by autoimmune disorders will experience alternating periods of remission and acute episodes. Others will see their symptoms progressively worsen and their condition deteriorate. “There are seasons where an individual will experience few allergic symptoms but the next season might be worse than they’ve ever experienced before,” says Mosenifar. Hereditary factors are involved in a predisposition to the disease. However, studies involving twins have revealed that if one twin is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, the other has a higher risk but does not necessarily acquire the disease. Many other factors are involved in why the immune system turns against the body. The types of treatments available include avoidance, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, scheduled allergy shots, and natural remedies, which are receiving more attention than ever before. Avoidance Indoors is a different story and that is where many allergens reside. The most common of indoor irritants include pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches, and mold, according to Shelly M. Harvey, MD, allergy/immunology specialist at Medical City and Medical City Children’s Hospital in Houston. Pet dander can be a touchy subject because people are so attached to their pets. But beyond keeping the pet out of bedrooms, there is little that can be done outside of relocating the pet. “People think just because their pet doesn’t shed much fur that they won’t be adversely affected by an allergic reaction. But the real danger is in the dander,” says Harvey. “Dander is comprised of skin cells that all animals and humans shed and is invisible to the naked eye.” Dust mites are a major irritant in the bedroom and Harvey recommends allergen encasements, which can be purchased in most furniture stores. While dust mites also live in carpet, furniture, drapes, and more, individuals are most commonly affected in their bed when they are in close contact with the mites that live in and around mattresses. Cockroaches are common irritants and there is little that can be done to help alleviate this situation outside of a comprehensive extermination. “One thing that people need to be aware of is that just like ants, if they see one cockroach that could mean there are hundreds more around,” Harvey says. Although mold affects those with allergies, Harvey doesn’t worry too much about it except in extreme cases where its growth has occurred after a major water leak. While the media has hyped the harmful and even tragic effects of black mold, Harvey says it is rare but that extreme headaches and fatigue could be a sign of a serious allergy. Medications There are few side effects for either option and both are extremely safe and time-tested. The only typical side effects of a nasal steroid spray are local irritations such as minor nosebleeds, says Mosenifar. Individuals taking over-the-counter antihistamines should be aware that they contain ingredients that can be found in many sleep aids, says Harvey. Prescription antihistamines are more powerful but don’t have the same sleep-inducing ingredients. Allergy Shots A person’s immune system can respond to an allergen such as pollen in one of two ways: it can mount an allergic response or ignore it. Harvey says that over time these shots would essentially educate the body to ignore a particular allergen. When the shots are first introduced, the patient typically receives weekly shots for up to two consecutive months followed by a gradual reduction in frequency. Harvey says taking allergy shots is often a three- to five-year commitment and the patient generally sees the first benefits within the first six to 12 months. “In some instances, they are able to stop medication altogether after a certain time period,” she says. As its name implies, rush immunotherapy is a speedier way of accomplishing the same objective as more traditional allergy shots. In this scenario, a large chunk of treatment is given to an individual within a few days. When rush immunotherapy works properly, it can produce the same positive results as several months of traditional shots would take. Potential drawbacks include a greater chance of the patient developing an allergic reaction to this type of therapy. In addition, insurance plans often don’t cover the cost of rush immunotherapy. Natural Therapies “What many people don’t realize is that the immune system is involved in promoting the allergy,” says Vanderhaeghe, who has researched and written about nutritional medicine for more than 20 years. “The concept of natural therapies is to repair the immune system by getting inside of a person’s cellular system rather than just supplying a defensive mechanism.” One of those natural treatments is Aller-7, a patented, proprietary blend of seven standardized herbal extracts clinically formulated and tested to promote good health and reduce the effect of allergic reactions. For the past decade, Aller-7 has been manufactured as a unique, three-stage extraction process resulting in an all-natural, safe, effective, and well-tolerated formula that in many cases promotes respiratory health and normal breathing throughout the year. Vanderhaeghe says patients today are looking for permanent rather than temporary solutions to autoimmune diseases. Treating allergies with natural remedies in effect helps “calm down” a person’s immune system, often without some of the minor side effects seen in more traditional methods. “There are a number of things that I would tell those afflicted with autoimmune diseases, such as if a parent has a serious allergy to pollen, they wouldn’t want to have their child born in the spring when pollen season could attack an infant’s immune system assuming the child has that gene,” she says. “In addition, parents should be careful exposing their young children to any foods one or both parents might be allergic to, particularly before the age of 3.” Other natural remedies include plant sterols and sterolins, which Vanderhaeghe says are so effective at modulating the immune system (putting it back in balance) that autoimmune disorders may eventually be “laid to rest in medical history texts.” Moducare, the combination of plant sterols and sterolins, regulates the functions of the T cells by enhancing their ability to divide, giving the patient more T cells to battle allergies. They also promote the secretion of Interleukin-2 and Gamma interferon. “Sterols and sterolins are a revolutionary approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases,” says Vanderhaeghe. Regardless of what a person may be allergic to, moving to a new location likely won’t solve their long-term allergy problems. “I am very much against people moving in hopes of finding an allergy-free environment,” says Mosenifar. “Once you move, your allergies are not going to go away. If you have a propensity for developing allergies, you might buy some time in a new location but you’ll eventually find new allergens.” — Mike Scott is a freelance writer who has contributed to more than 70 magazines, newspapers, and Web sites on numerous topics—from business to healthcare to technology. He lives in Waterford, Mich. Spring Allergy
Season The allergic condition known as hay fever is triggered by allergens, substances such as pollen or molds that initiate an allergic response, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Many trees, grasses, and weeds have small, dry pollens that are easily carried by the wind. Some of the major outdoor allergens that cause allergic reactions during this time of year are trees such as oak, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, cypress, walnut, and western red cedar and grasses such as timothy, Bermuda, orchard, red top, and sweet vernal. In late summer and fall, weeds such as ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, Russian thistle, and cocklebur become problematic for allergy sufferers. People with allergies experience symptoms resulting from a reaction triggered by allergens to which a person is sensitive. The typical reactions cause inflammation in the nose and airway, leading to symptoms of itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, a runny nose, drowsiness, and headaches. An important component of any allergy management plan is avoiding the pollens and molds that make you sneeze and wheeze. The AAAAI recommends the following tips to help lessen your exposure to seasonal allergens: • Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into the home. • Use an air conditioner and dehumidifier to keep air clean, cool, and dry. • Keep car windows closed when traveling. • Minimize outdoor activity on days when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high or on windy days when mold and pollen are blown about. To find out the pollen count for your area, visit the National Allergy Bureau Web site at www.aaaai.org/nab. • Take vacations to a more pollen-free area such as the beach or sea. • Use a paper mask when mowing the lawn or raking leaves, activities that stir up pollens and molds. • Avoid hanging sheets or clothing out to dry—pollen and molds collect on them. • Take medications as prescribed in the recommended dosage. Do not take more medication to alleviate severe symptoms. • Take a shower after spending time outdoors to remove pollen and mold that may be on your skin and hair. — MS |
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