I myself had allergic rhinitis for many years. I was able to gain control over my condition without medication. The problem is gone, and the allergy has disappeared. I didn’t treat the allergy; I simply detoxified my body, adjusted my diet, changed my lifestyle, and used supplements. Gradually, the allergy season became shorter, and I had seasonal allergies from August until the first snowfall. My experience proves that the problem can be completely resolved, but it is a lengthy and meticulous process. Moreover, this applies not only to allergies but also to many other issues that can be resolved by restoring the immune system.
Now let’s delve deeper into the issue of allergic rhinitis.
What is an allergy?
It is a reaction of the immune system to a substance that usually does not cause such a reaction. Our immune system is designed to protect us from bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. However, an imbalance in the immune system can cause it to react to things it usually doesn’t. This can include dust, pollen, dead skin particles from your pets, mold spores, or certain foods.
Some statistics
According to the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation of Canada, every fourth or fifth Canadian (20-25% of the population) suffers from allergic rhinitis (also known as “hay fever”). The prevalence of food allergies among the Canadian population is 6%-8%.
What are allergic reactions?
Types of allergic reactions In response to an external irritant, the body reacts by producing antibodies. These antibodies can be IgE antibodies, which trigger a sudden reaction. This is what is usually referred to as an anaphylactic shock. If you have experienced such a reaction at least once in your life, it is crucial to know what caused it. Repeat reactions can be much more severe, as the body is already familiar with the allergen and will react more aggressively. Examples of such reactions include:
- Inhalation (e.g., airborne tree pollen, chemicals)
- Entry into the body (e.g., bee sting, injected medication)
- Ingestion (e.g., food allergens, oral medications)
- Contact (e.g., latex gloves)
Another type of reaction occurs when the body produces IgG antibodies, which do not trigger an immediate response. This type of reaction is less dangerous but can still cause many problems. Most commonly, IgG allergy is a reaction to food, also known as food intolerance.
Some common types of inhaled allergens in Canada are as follows:
Allergies can be seasonal or year-round (perennial).
Seasonal allergens that increase at certain times of the year
Pollen is carried by the wind on hot and windy days. In most regions of Canada, the following general trend is observed:
- Spring: Tree allergens
- Summer: Grass pollen
- Fall: Ragweed pollen.
Year-Round Allergens
These are allergens that are not specific to a particular season but are present in the environment throughout the year:
- Dust mites: These are tiny insects that live in carpet fibers, soft furniture, curtains, mattresses, pillows, and bedding.
- Cockroaches: These insects inhabit certain homes and workplaces, especially areas with ample food and water, such as kitchens. Cockroach allergens are a major trigger for asthma in some individuals, particularly in densely populated areas. You don’t necessarily have to come into direct contact with them; they just need to be somewhere nearby.
- Mold: Mold is a type of fungus whose spores float in the air. It thrives in damp environments and feeds on decaying plants and soil. Mold can also affect structures.
- Animal allergens: People with allergies to pets typically react to pet dander (shed skin flakes), saliva, and urine rather than fur. These animal allergens exist in the form of very tiny particles that can be airborne, even if the animal is not present nearby. Animals can also carry pollen and mold on their fur from the outdoors into the house.
- Other substances or chemicals in the air, such as smoke, fragrances, and solvents.
Food Allergens
Allergic reactions can also occur to substances that we ingest (e.g., food) or introduce into our bodies (e.g., insect bites/stings). For individuals with severe allergies, these types of allergens often elicit a rapid and severe reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
Asthma
An allergic reaction in the lungs can cause asthma symptoms. Inhaling an allergen into the lungs leads to inflammation and swelling, which can result in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. While allergens are common asthma triggers, many people experience worsened asthma symptoms due to non-allergic triggers such as infections, smoke, cold air, and physical exercise.
The Relationship Between Allergy and Asthma
Asthma Asthma and allergies are related, but they are not the same thing. However, since many key processes in the immune system are similar, allergies increase the risk of developing asthma. Similarly, asthma increases the risk of developing allergies. For people with both allergies and asthma, inhaling allergens can often trigger asthma symptoms.
Following the same principle, individuals with atopic dermatitis often receive diagnoses of food allergies and asthma over time. However, many people have allergies without having asthma. It is also possible for asthma to be caused by other factors such as cigarette smoke or respiratory infections, in which case people have asthma but no allergies.
As you can see, there is a connection, but it is not direct. The main factor is the condition of the immune system. When the immune system is functioning properly, there is no asthma, allergies, or dermatitis. If the immune system is not functioning correctly, any combination of these problems can arise. That’s why it is often said that those who had dermatitis as children may see it disappear but develop allergies, asthma, or both. I hope you understand the idea.
Can allergies disappear?
No one is born with allergies, but as mentioned before, there may be a genetic predisposition to them. Allergies usually manifest in childhood. In adults, allergies typically occur if they had them as children.
What is commonly referred to as “outgrowing” a childhood problem is actually a transition from one form of the problem to another. However, it would be better to discuss this in a separate article. I can only say that childhood eczema often transitions into allergies, and allergies can transition into asthma.
More severe allergies, such as peanut or tree nut allergies, usually do not disappear. They typically persist throughout life.
Now let’s get back to where we started the conversation.
What Is Allergic Rhinitis?
What is allergic rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is the inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes due to the exposure to allergens. The symptoms include:
- Itching in the nose and throat;
- Runny or congested nose;
- Sneezing;
- Ear congestion.
Often, these symptoms can be caused by other factors, but if your symptoms disappear shortly after taking an antihistamine, it is likely an allergic reaction. This method is recommended by some specialists in the USA as a simple and quick way to differentiate allergies from other causes of such symptoms. Allergic conjunctivitis, which can make allergic rhinitis resemble a common cold even more, can be particularly misleading.
What are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are soft, painless, benign growths on the mucous membrane of the nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes in your nasal passages. They can give you a feeling of having a cold. If the polyps are small, you may not have many symptoms. However, large growths or clusters of polyps in the nose can block the nasal passages, leading to a loss of smell, breathing difficulties, or frequent infections. Blocked nasal passages and sinuses can also worsen asthma symptoms.
Researchers do not fully understand what causes nasal polyps. It is believed that polyps in the nasal sinuses can develop as a reaction to chronic irritation of the mucous membranes.
However, it remains unclear why polyps grow in some individuals but not in others. This may be related to an individual’s immune system response or the presence of specific chemical markers on their mucous membranes.
Some of the symptoms of nasal polyps include:
- Stuffy or blocked nose and a feeling of congestion
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring, or mouth breathing (as polyps obstruct the airflow and prevent nasal mucus drainage)
- Frequent sneezing
- Dependence on nasal sprays for prolonged periods
- Runny nose
- Problems with sense of smell – it may be reduced or absent
- Loss of taste sensation
If nasal polyps are small, you may not experience many symptoms. However, if you have large nasal polyps, you are likely to have more symptoms. If your polyps are not removed, they can worsen asthma symptoms if you already have asthma.
Nasal polyps are often associated with allergic rhinitis, asthma, aspirin allergy, sinus infections, acute and chronic infections, and mold exposure. They can occur at any age but are more commonly found in young and middle-aged adults.
How Are Allergic Rhinitis And Polyps Traditionally Treated?
Traditional treatment consists of three components:
- Patient education:
- Nasal lavage saline;
- Avoiding triggers that may cause a reaction;
- Use of impervious mattresses and pillows;
- Stop smoking and eliminate other triggers;
- Medication use:
- Intranasal corticosteroids;
- First generation antihistamines;
- Sometimes standard immunotherapy is used if there is a desire to try to stop medication or if there is still a diagnosis of asthma.
Surgery To Remove Polyps
The same methods are used in treating polyps, but if nothing helps, they are surgically removed.
What alternative treatment methods can be used for allergic rhinitis and polyps?
It is always good to avoid triggers that can overload the immune system. Dust mites, mold, and smoking should be removed from your environment, even if you don’t have any problems yet.
Using nasal irrigation is always beneficial. It is a traditional method that originated in Ayurvedic medicine.
Identifying and eliminating food allergies from your diet is also helpful in relieving the burden on the immune system and allowing it to function properly.
Like how long after xyzal can i take benadryl? In general, doctors recommend waiting at least four hours after taking Xyzal before taking Benadryl.
Supplements that normalize the immune system can be used. For example, using a good probiotic (note: not every probiotic is suitable for infants!) for newborns can significantly reduce the risk of allergic diseases in the future.
Regeneration cryotherapy can be used to reduce inflammation in the sinuses, help decrease the reactivity of the nasal mucosa, and even attempt to reduce polyps. This therapy reduces blood flow to the nasal mucosa, thereby reducing swelling and secretions. If this therapy is suitable for you, you may see the effects after the first procedure, but it needs to be repeated periodically until the underlying immune system issue is resolved. Each case is individual, so I cannot say how often it needs to be repeated. Specialists suggest that one procedure every one to three months is necessary to achieve a lasting result.
Bee venom therapy can be used as a distraction for the immune system. For example, apitherapy (subcutaneous injections of bee venom at very low concentrations) has historically been used in European countries to treat allergies. However, unfortunately, such injections need to be repeated periodically.
Low Dose Allergen (LDA) immunotherapy. As we know, the immune system has memory. Once it recognizes something as an allergen, it is very difficult to change its opinion. That’s why all the therapies mentioned earlier need to be continued, at least until the reason behind the immune system imbalance is identified. However, there are therapies that can help retrain the immune system. One such therapy is Low Dose Allergen (LDA) therapy. This therapy originated when EPD therapy, for which the medications were imported from Britain, became unavailable in North America. Those who had been conducting this therapy for many years started making the medications themselves but had to rename the therapy. Later it was discovered that injections were not necessary, and the prepared solutions could be given orally. This made the therapy even easier to administer.
LDA is used to treat inhalation allergies, food allergies, and food intolerances. Symptoms of these allergies and heightened sensitivity can include asthma, hives, and a skin condition called eczema.
During LDA, the amount of allergen is constantly reduced, which is the complete opposite of standard immunotherapy, where the amount of allergen is constantly increased. Standard immunotherapy often stops working once it is discontinued.
Despite the feeling that LDA is the therapy you need, don’t rush into it. Allergies don’t develop out of nowhere; first, you need to address the underlying issue that initially led to the allergy and only then retrain the immune system. Otherwise, disappointment awaits you.
Method of cryogenic treatment of adenoids
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