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$Pretitle{Circulatory System}
$Title{About Allergies}
$Subject{allergies causes types}
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Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


About Allergies


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QUESTION:  Though I have nursed my allergies for years, and probably spent
more on medications than vacations, I still am not sure what this miserable
condition is all about.  Could you turn your special talent for explaining
about disease to this and tell me about it so that at last I will understand
it all?

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ANSWER:  That's quite an order, but I'll try.  The best one sentence
definition of allergy is that it's an over-reaction of the body's immune
system to something that it probably shouldn't have reacted to in the first
place.
     The immune system is normally great at learning to identify potential
dangers such as bacteria and viruses and then remembering them and attacking
them the next time they show up.  In a person with allergies, the immune
system over-reacts and starts attacking things like pollen, mold spore, house
dust, mites, animal dander, or certain substances that are eaten, inhaled or
touch the skin.  These "allergy causers" are called allergens.
     In the case of an inhaled allergen, antibodies react to the allergen's
presence and attach to the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract and
start attacking.  The antibody destroys the allergen, but also wrecks havoc on
the surrounding tissue, resulting in sneezes, sniffles, watery eyes, and a
stuffed-up head.  An allergic response in the skin may appear as eczema or
hives, while one in the intestinal system may show up as diarrhea, cramps, or
vomiting.
     Allergic responses can vary in intensity from mild sniffles all the way
to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening situation, intense reaction.
Anaphylaxis is most often caused by allergies to insect venom, penicillin, or
certain foods such as fish, peanuts or eggs.
     I've simplified things a bit for you, but the field of immunology is one
of the most exciting in medicine, and research in this area may soon produce
answers to a great many important medical questions.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
