ACHOO! SORRY, I'VE GOT AN ALLERGY

The worst kind of allergy is that to the world at large. 

 Alex Vedov, a Russian writer 

There are numerous kinds of allergies. It can be triggered by certain foods, paint or varnish, medicines, textile fabrics, metals, pets, and so on. I shall discuss the most common type, that is, the seasonal allergy to the pollen of flowering plants.  

Causes of allergy 

Allergy arises from a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to external irritants. 

The term “allergy” was introduced in 1906 by the Viennese pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet, after he noted that some of his patients were hypersensitive to certain substances such as dust or pollen.  

The arrival of spring, when nature wakes up to adorn itself with young leaves and flowers, heralds a nightmare for millions of people. The moment these unfortunate folks go outdoors and breathe the fragrant spring air, they get a runny and congested nose, their throat tickles, they start coughing, their eyes itch and water. 

The only salvation is to lock oneself in an air-conditioned room for a few months until the spring blooming is over. What is this condition? Why does it seem to be increasingly common? This pesky disorder is known as an allergy, the hypersensitive response of the immune system to external irritants. Indeed, the very system that is meant to protect us from the intrusion of foreign matter overreacts to such a degree (one could say reacts so hysterically) that its help becomes counterproductive. In a nutshell, the immune system releases too much histamine, a substance that causes swelling, bronchial spasms, abnormally high mucus secretion, skin reddening, itching, and a drop in blood pressure. These uncomfortable reactions presumably should keep us away from exposure to hazardous substances.  

We could appreciate this kind of protection if the substances in question were a deadly poison. However, when the immune system releases oceans of histamine just because it is suspicious of poplar fluff, it pretty much renders us a disservice.  

Histamine acts through special receptors that can be suppressed to moderate its effect. This is why some patients benefit so much from antihistamines such as Allegra or Claritin. Despite their minor side effects (dry mouth and drowsiness), these drugs may be considered the first line of defense against allergy. Special eye and nose drops can reduce swelling by means of constricting blood vessels. Your physician can always recommend a drug that works best for you.  

Why has it become an epidemic? 

The sneeze center is located in the lower part of the brainstem (the medulla) that also hosts centers for other protective reflexes such as coughing, vomiting, lacrimation, and blinking.  

Why has allergy become the scourge of our century? Why is it that in the old days, when millions died of infectious diseases, hunger, cold, or scorching heat, humans appeared to have had no allergies (at least judging by the available literary and historical sources)?  

The reason is that, until rather recent times, our defense mechanisms were too busy adapting to climate change as well as fighting infections without help from antibiotics and other chemical agents. Like an army in combat, they were continuously suffering losses and getting recruits. Now that the immune system has fewer enemies to take care of on its own, it can afford to deal with whatever irritant catches its attention – and we fall victim to this friendly fire! 

Our comfortable lifestyle, our almost sterile home environment, and the lack of physical stress caused by hunger, cold, heat, and hard work are the factors that make the immune system bored to death and anxious for activity. They also deplete the stock of anti-stress hormones.    

 Physiology makes a good case for this theory. It has been proven that stress activates the natural production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands. Steroids are a powerful remedy against allergies. They are used to treat allergic shock and severe asthma, as well as nasal congestion and a runny nose (as a spray). In the absence of stress, however, only a bare minimum of steroids is produced, so the body has few internal resources to suppress the allergic “fit” on its own. Our comfortable lifestyle, our almost sterile home environment, and the lack of physical stress caused by hunger, cold, heat, and hard work are the factors that make the immune system bored to death and anxious for activity. They also deplete the stock of anti-stress hormones.    

Efficient ways of stabilizing the immune system  

What is to be done? Should we start eating with dirty hands and sprinkle dust on skin scratches? That would be overkill. On the other hand, a heavy workout in the gym two or three times a week or a 24 to 36 hours of fasting twice a month is not too extravagant at all. Another great and simple way of stimulating the adrenal glands is exposure to cold. Try doing it with your feet. Since they are highly sensitive to cold, the procedure itself is pretty stressful. (I bet the very idea of it makes some readers shiver!) On the other hand, reflexologists know that your feet host active zones related to all vital organs. “Freeze” them one by one to make the procedure more palatable. Put one foot under an ice-cold water stream until you feel pain deep inside. Then rub this foot with a towel until dry and with a hand until it is warm. Put a warm sock on this foot and repeat the procedure with the other one. This experience is so pleasant that you will soon forget that it was meant to cause stress and use it several times a day, especially during allergy attacks.  

Last but not least, the leading stimulator of the immune system is pain. The two techniques that can inflict pain without undue suffering are acupuncture and stretching. Acupuncture evokes a false spike of irritation in the nervous system, but the pain is minimal, since the needle is applied to specific locations in the body. In this case, our defense mechanisms are caused to “restart” like a frozen computer.  

Stretching affects pain receptors in one’s tendons. If you have the necessary skills, you can use stretching not only to alleviate muscle spasms and fatigue, but also to combat allergies. Regular stretching to the point of moderate pain makes the adrenal glands release adrenaline (to reduce swelling) and the magic corticosteroids (to stabilize the immune system and relieve allergy symptoms).    

When you choose the most appropriate technique from those described above, you will be able to gradually reduce if not eliminate, those annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies. 

Read book>

a doctor's notebook

Buy Now