BlackMD - Allergies

Daily Habits That May Make You Sick

They say that home is where the heart is. But what you may not know is that it's also where 65% of colds and more than half of food-borne illnesses are contracted. The things we do around the house every day have a big impact on both our long- and short-term health. Here are six common household

To Buy or Not to Buy Organic

Organic food was once only available at health food stores, marketed to consumers willing to pay extra for natural, environmentally friendly foods. Today, it's available at most grocers. People who buy organic are seeking assurance that food production is gentle to the earth, and/or they're looking for safer, purer, more natural foods. But with today's shrinking dollar, is buying organic worth the extra cost?

today on BlackMD with Dr. Achampong

Truth About Water

	.

Stop Using Hydroxycut Products Listed at FDA

get tips from BlackMD

Find a Doctor

Find a Hospital

Pill Identifier

Find a Drug

Personal Health Record

Boards & Blogs

Health eHome

slideshows

Father's Day Gifts Swine Flu Pictures Skin Cancer Signs Flat Abs Bug Bites Skin Problems Fast-Food Breakfasts Nasal Irrigation Bladder Stimulators RA Exercises Brain Foods Depression

Allergy Basics. What Is an Allergy?

Allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system. People who have allergies have an immune system that reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment. This substance (pollen, mold, animal dander, etc.) is called an allergen. Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least 2 out of every 10 Americans.

What Is an Allergy? Allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system. People who have allergies have an immune system that reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment. This substance (pollen, mold, animal dander, etc.) is called an allergen. Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least 2 out of every 10 Americans.

The body starts to produce a specific type of antibody, called IgE, to bind the allergen.
The antibodies attach to a form of blood cell called a mast cell. Mast cells can be found in the airways, in the GI tract, and elsewhere. The presence of mast cells in the airways and GI tract makes these areas more susceptible to allergen exposure.
The allergens bind to the IgE, which is attached to the mast cell. This triggers a reaction that allows the mast cells to release a variety of chemicals including histamine, which causes most of the symptoms of an allergy, including itchiness or runny nose.

If the allergen is in the air, the allergic reaction will likely occur in the eyes, nose, and lungs. If the allergen is ingested, the allergic reaction often occurs in the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Sometimes enough chemicals are released from the mast cells to cause a reaction throughout the body, such as hives, decreased blood pressure, shock, or loss of consciousness.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?

Symptoms of allergies can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe (anaphylactic).

Mild allergic reactions include those symptoms that affect a specific area of the body such as a rash, itchy, watery eyes, and some congestion. Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of the body.
Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body. These may include itchiness or difficulty breathing.
A severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which the response to the allergen is intense and affects the whole body. It may begin with the sudden onset of itching of the eyes or face and progress within minutes to more serious symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult. Mental confusion or dizziness may also be symptoms, since anaphylaxis causes a quick drop in blood pressure.

vergie

The New American Diet: Can We Do It? Yes We Can!

The government's new diet guidelines may be hard to swallow.

We can all be healthy, promise the new U.S. diet guidelines. Or can we?

Your father's dinner plate featured a meat or fish entree. Vegetables were side items: something starchy, and something green -- both, like the white dinner rolls, slathered with butter. Maybe there was a salad for starters. Almost certainly there was a dessert.

If this is what your dinner plate looks like, the U.S. health and agriculture departments now say, forget about it. The plate should be alive with colorful vegetables such as purple eggplant, dark green kale, and bright orange winter squash - all without butter. If there's any meat at all on the plate, it will be no more than three lean ounces of beef, chicken, or much-preferred fish.