8% of adults in the U.S. suffer from environmental allergies and 3.6% from food allergies, that’s roughly thirty-eight thousand Americans. Allergy as defined by Allergies: a General Practice “…refers to the immune system’s hypersensitivity upon re-exposure to a sensitizing agent, an allergen, which results in the release of inflammatory chemicals and development of various symptoms” (Phelps et al. 6). There are factors that have a role in causing environmental and food allergies, as well as internal and external symptoms and health effects of them. Treatment plans have also been created to reduce symptoms and possible cures are being researched.
Genetics increases a persons chances to allergies through DNA inheritance, which increases the risk
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Some of the triggers of these symptoms include pollen, pets, mold, and dust mites. Food allergy symptoms involve a tingling in the mouth, swelling of the face, hives, painful stomachache, and in more serious case anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening reaction where your immune system releases a flood of chemicals into your body causing you to go into shock (Hall). Symptoms common to both environmental and food allergies are inflammation of the skin, frequent sickness, abnormal behavior, and numbness of limbs and face (Phelps et al. 16). Though the only way to be sure about a proper diagnosis is through prick test where “a drop of concentrated antigen is placed on the skin, usually on the inner forearm, which is then pricked or scratched so that a minute amount of antigen is absorbed. The size of a wheal surrounded by erythema compared with the control indicates a response to a problem substance” (Phelps et al. 16), patch test and blood test, “The patch test is used to diagnose contact allergies. A patch with an antigen on it is applied to the skin and is left in place for 24–48 hours. Lesions, a rash, erythema or hardness of the skin under the patch indicate sensitivity to the test substance…The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is a blood test in which IgE and IgG antibodies are labelled with a radioactive substance. The amount of …show more content…
A skin infection can be caused by allergies when someone has contact with same substance repeatedly and can become worse if left untreated. Sinus infections occur when airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and fur enter and affect the respiratory system causing the symptoms of hay fever to occur. Progression will occur if left untreated, causing sinusitis and otitis. If you continue to be exposed to the substance your immune system may weaken and make you susceptible to ear infections or bacterial sinus. Lung infections or aspergillosis is caused by a long exposure period to mold, in which you inhale the spores and they begin to grow in your lungs. Most do not notice that the spores have entered their lungs until there is lung damage, which causes you to cough up blood, trouble breathing, and fever. Is the infection is not to serious the growth can be dealt with medication, but if it has become more severe surgery may be necessary. Allergies left untreated in asthma patients may make them sick more often then not and increase their chance of having a life-threatening asthma attacks, which in the end can cause them to have more allergies left untreated
... immune system. The body’s immune system is beneficial to rid of illness and foreign invader our body note to be a threat such as parasite, virus, or bacteria but sometimes it can also reacts to a harmless substance. As a result to protect out immune system, the body manufacture a protective protein barrier called antibodies. This protective agent exhibit swelling and inflammation of tissues whenever an allergic reaction occurs as a response to eliminate the threat (Burks, Harthoorn,Van Ampting, Oude Nijhuis, Langford, Wopereis, & Harvey, 2015). In addition, the anatomical systems of babies are still developing in the sense that, they have small, sensitive airways in their lungs. In a situation of allergy contact, the airways become swollen as a result to rid virus and bacteria; and in response, babies start to cough, sneeze and can progress to wheezing and asthma.
Following my first sip of milk at the age of one, with the resulting hives and coughing that ensued, I involuntarily joined the community of fifteen million Americans afflicted by food allergies. Living everyday with additional allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish has, out of necessity, sharpened my compulsiveness with ingredients and food preparation, but furthermore has spurred me to intervene on behalf of fellow members in this emerging epidemic. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) national organization has been a source of education and support in my own life, and subsequently has aided my efforts to raise awareness among peers, and to nurture my advocacy involvement. Selected as a member of FARE’s Teen Advisory
Celiac Disease is an inflammatory disease that destroys the lining of the small intestines and prevents the absorption of nutrients and vitamins into the system. The patients' health suffers; their digestive system is unable to process gluten foods that contain wheat, barley, and oats. The cause of this disease is unknown; however, environmental factors and a genetic predisposition are suspected.
...n potential death. What the FDA should do is support funding for more advertising, encouraging all citizens to be more aware with the potentially hazardous products they consume. I’m sure if people without food allergies were more aware of the potential harm their daily snack could cause to someone else, they would start to use a lot more caution.
Anaphylaxis shock occurs when someone who is sensitive to a substance they are exposed to which results in constricted airway and possible inability to breathe. Parents with children that experience any form of allergic reaction most notify the day care provider so appropriate precautionary steps are taken to maintain a safe health environment for these children. As allergy conditions have slowly increased within our society day care providers have taken more aggressive action to protect these children by extending a “peanut free environment” within the school setting. The percentage of children who experience their first allergic reaction outside the home has increased by 77% over past years daycare providers need to be trained and prepared to handle all types of allergic reaction situations. Steps that a provider and parent should take are as follows: 1. Food allergy action plan, 2. Inform all staff, 3. Post child’s name and allergy,
Stoppler, Melissa C., and William C. Shiel. "Food Allergy." Medicinenet.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
You have close relatives with allergy (that is, a mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, or child)
Food allergy or hypersensitivity refers to the abnormal allergic reaction of the body’s immune system to a usually harmless food such as milk, eggs, peanuts, and fish. Food allergens that cause allergic reactions are usually proteins and this can cause adverse effects even if cooked or have been digested. Dairy allergens include milk and milk proteins that are found in cows, sheep, goat, and other grazing mammals that produce milk. Milk allergy symptoms may differ from person to person and it sometimes occur a few minutes to a few hours after ingestion. Principal symptoms are mostly respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological. After consuming milk, some symptoms may immediately surface like hives, vomiting and wheezing. In some cases, signs and symptoms may take longer period of time to develop such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, itchy skin rash and loose stools, which may contain blood. For babies, colic also surfaces much longer than most symptoms thus parents should be more alert for signs of milk allergy. Rarely, milk allergies can trigger anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction that can be life-threatening. It is best to consult your doctor even if there is only mild reaction. This is to avoid potentially worse reaction in the future and also to know the steps in avoiding its recurrence.
Chronic bronchitis is a disorder that causes inflammation to the airway, mainly the bronchial tubules. It produces a chronic cough that lasts three consecutive months for more than two successive years (Vijayan,2013). Chronic Bronchitis is a member of the COPD family and is prominently seen in cigarette smokers. Other factors such as air pollutants, Asbestos, and working in coal mines contributes to inflammation. Once the irritant comes in contact with the mucosa of the bronchi it alters the composition causing hyperplasia of the glands and producing excessive sputum (Viayan,2013). Goblet cells also enlarge to contribute to the excessive secretion of sputum. This effects the cilia that carry out the mechanism of trapping foreign bodies to allow it to be expelled in the sputum, which are now damaged by the irritant making it impossible for the person to clear their airway. Since the mechanism of airway clearance is ineffective, the secretion builds up a thickened wall of the bronchioles causing constriction and increasing the work of breathing. The excessive build up of mucous could set up pneumonia. The alveoli are also damaged enabling the macrophages to eliminate bacteria putting the patient at risk for acquiring an infection.
First, “What are food allergies”? , food allergies are when the body overreacts and become highly sensitive to
In the United States, over three million people are diagnosed with food allergies every year, and over 50 million people have an allergy to some type of food. This number includes one in every 13 children. Most people are born with their allergies; however, allergies can develop at any age, and that is what happened to me. I developed an allergy when I was 14 years old. It was then that some troubling and deleterious side effects started happening to me. When people develop food allergies, their immune systems overreact to normally harmless food proteins. (foodallergy.org). These attacks can affect people in a multitude of ways; they can cause hives, difficulty in breathing, stomach aches, and many more symptoms.
The job of the lungs is to transfer oxygen to t... ... middle of paper ... ... allergic condition characterised by sneezing, a blocked nose or runny nose, itching eyes or a heavy head. It can help to stay indoors when the pollen count is high, particularly in the early morning and late evening. Keep the windows closed and wear sunglasses.
Human race is known to have developed numerous allergies to various known and unknown allergens. An extreme allergic reaction which can be “life-threatening”. (Mydr.com.au, 2014) is referred to as Anaphylaxis.It is a “medical emergency”(Lloyd & Sisman,2013).Statistics indicate that maximum deaths occur due to allergic reactions of various medicines. The other causative agents can be insects, food, latex, hair dye, etc(Lloyd & Sisman,2013). The most common trigger to stimulate anaphylaxis among children are food products such as peanuts, dairy, seafood etc. Exposure to any of these allergens can result in severe anaphylactic attack within 20 minutes.(Australian Resuscitation council, 2012).However the doctors discuss the history of symptoms occurring in children suffering with peanut allergy before declaring them to be anaphylactic and prescribing medication. (Unknown, 2014). Symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur in varied forms depending upon the severty of the reaction. For instance in mild cases swelling of lips, eyes or face occurs along with hives, rash, tingling of mouth and vomitting accompanied with abdominal pain. Nevertheless in extreme conditions the former symptoms may be accompanied with noisy breathing, wheezing, hoarseness and unconsciousness. (Lloyd & Sisman,2013).
Allergies are especially unique in the medical field because they differ among patients. An allergy is a specific immunologic reaction to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. People with allergies are often sensitive to many substances. Common allergens that cause allergic reactions include seasonal, outdoor allergens like tree, grass, and weed pollen, and year-round indoor allergens including dust particles, animal dander, and indoor mold. Most people usually can be cured by various treatments.
Food borne illnesses are caused by consuming contaminated foods or beverages. There are many different disease-causing microbes, or pathogens. In addition, poisonous chemicals, or other harmful substances can cause food borne illnesses if they are present in food. More than two hundred and fifty different food borne illnesses have been described; almost all of these illnesses are infections. They are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be food borne. (Center 1)