Allergic Reactions
There are a countless number of things that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. The body’s own defense system creates a reaction to certain substances. White blood cells produce antibodies that are designed to seek out and destroy substances that can harm the body. The allergic reactions are simply a result of the body’s line of defense. As the antibodies spill out to destroy the threatening substances, symptoms appear.
The antibodies produce and release a kind-of army that serve to protect the body from harmful substances. The army is made up of chemicals and hormones that work as mediators between the body and the substance. One of the most well-known mediators is histamine.
Even thought histamine is designed to protect the body, most people feel allergic reactions to a substance once the histamine mediator appears. The actual symptoms do not appear directly because of the substance, the symptoms result from the mediators, like histamine that are released into the system. When too many mediators or too much of a certain mediator develops in the system, severe allergic reactions can occur.
Since histamine is such a common mediator that tries to help our bodies fight off threatening substances, many people choose to take an antihistamine to control the symptoms. Ironically, we take a medication that is designed to control the symptoms caused by a mediator that is designed to help us.
Our bodies have a strong line of defense and we often find ourselves fighting our own systems to relieve the symptoms of allergic reactions. These reactions can be quite severe and in some cases, life threatening. It is very important to have a comprehensive examination if you experience severe allergic reactions.
Part of the extensive examination should involve your family history as well as a physical. The purpose of the family history information is to establish if you are prone to certain allergic reactions to substances. For example, someone who is suffering from itchy eyes and congestion may communicate that her parents are allergic to cats. This person may also have a physical aversion to cats.
Unfortunately, allergic reactions can interfere with our ability to do the things that we love. They can interfere with our ability to own certain pets unless we are willing to make significant sacrifices. My sister owns three cats. She loves her pets but she has severe allergic reactions to them. Her doctor gives her an allergy shot every month to relieve the symptoms. This may seem extreme but anyone who has loved a pet would understand.
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