This system comprises specialized cells, chemicals and organs that help in fighting infections or antigens. The primary components of the immune system include antibodies, the spleen, white blood cells, complement system, bone marrow, the lymphatic system and thymus. These are the key parts of the immune system that actively destroy the pathogens that invade the body by triggering cascades of immunologic reactions.

However, abnormalities that may occur in the immune system can lead to immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, and allergic reactions.

What are allergies? An allergy refers to a wide range of conditions resulting from immunologic reactions. These occur when the immune system becomes hypersensitive to substances commonly known as allergens. People become exposed allergens when they are inhaled, injected, swallowed or come in contact with the skin, airways or eyes. The immune reaction that occurs is not caused by the toxic nature of the allergen, but as a result of the immune system (wrongly) recognizing the allergen as harmful to the body. In essence, an allergy is caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system.

The impact of the allergies to the immune system. At this point, we can see that allergies are a manifestation of a malfunctioning immune system. The latter mistakes an innocuous antigen for a potential threat, initiating a response that often puts the body in harm’s way. But the damage does not stop there as allergies can also put the immune system itself at risk. Repeated allergic reactions can weaken the body’s defenses and leave it more susceptible to harmful microbes. Some allergy symptoms can also get in the way of a good night’s sleep, which is one of the things your immune system needs to hone its capabilities.

Treatment for allergies. Prevention is the best form of treatment as far as allergies are concerned. Try to keep away from substances you know you are allergic to. And if you suffer from allergic symptoms but are not sure of what triggers them, make an appointment with an immunologist for an examination.

They will identify your allergens and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

It is worth mentioning that allergies are not actually curable — treatments are meant for easing symptoms and preventing allergic reactions from causing harm to the body. Common treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers which both block the release of histamine and are ideal for seasonal and indoor allergies, corticosteroids which refers to a class of drugs that provide relief for inflammation and are available in several forms. Nasal sprays can help in relieving the swelling that causes stuffiness and itchiness and are effective for nasal allergies and creams are usually prescribed for skin allergies, while oral corticosteroids can help with severe reactions. And decongestants are sprays that can help with nasal discomfort.

In a nutshell, an allergy is a long chain reaction that begins and ends with the immune system. It starts when the body responds to a mosquito bite with a hammer, so to speak. This not only paves way for opportunistic illnesses, but it also impairs the immune system. Nonetheless, there are treatments that can mitigate the damage and help you lead a more comfortable life. Just be sure to consult an immunologist prior to using these treatments.

In conclusion, getting a clear understanding of allergic diseases is a great step towards realizing the prevention, treatment and control modalities. It is also essential to know the specific triggers to hypersensitivity to aid in its prevention. Luckily, the solution lies in establishing the impact that the allergies put on the immune system. Understanding these effects will be essential in managing and alleviating the symptoms caused by hypersensitivity.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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Every day, I see patients that are having trouble with their allergic symptoms. For some individuals, over the counter medications such as antihistamines help but does not give sufficient relief for the comfort of the patient. Others have tried prescription medications which include stronger antihistamine and medications that reduce the inflammatory process, such as montelukast or steroids, with varying results and side effects.

Understanding seasonal allergy triggers. To achieve effective treatment, it is important to understand the cause or triggers of the symptoms you are experiencing. Avoidance or reducing exposure is the first step in treatment.

In Texas, that is almost impossible. There are airborne pollens year-around, differing in spring, summer, fall and winter. Winter brings Mountain Cedar in December, January and February. In spring, pollens are in grasses and trees. Summer has carryovers from spring and then ragweed begins in August thru October. Fall pollen contains different trees from spring tree pollen and weeds.

The most significant weed is ragweed that carries over from late summer. Molds are present year around with levels elevating with wind and damper conditions. Additional allergens that may add to the individual’s allergic load are dust mites and animal dander, such as dog, cat and feathers (birds or pillows).

Reactions for some individuals may be very specific, such as dust mite or ragweed. Others may have more extensive allergies and have symptoms year around.

Reducing your allergic reactions. Blood tests for IgE allergy (Type 1 allergic response) can define the worst offenders. Skin tests also define those reactive substances and may be more sensitive picking up the less reactive but troublesome items.

Once a person knows what specific items are causing them problems, reducing exposure is important to decrease symptoms during that individual’s high pollen season. Staying inside during peak pollen times, exercising indoors and traveling with windows up and air conditioner on recirculate helps reduce exposure.

Many newer cars have cabin filters that help reduce the in-vehicle pollen. If your vehicle has one, be sure to change it on a regular basis. Home air purifiers, especially in the room where sleeping, helps also. This gives the person six to eight hours of cleaner air.

Another simple process to reduce exposure is to use nasal saline to rinse out the pollen in the nasal passage before going to bed and after being outside.

Natural substances may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Vitamin C, taking at least 3 grams a day, is reported to have antihistamine effects. Quercetin also is reported to help.

Steroids either by shot or oral administration generally reduce symptoms quickly. Long term use may have significant side effects and are generally only given by physicians once or twice a year for a short period of time for symptoms not resolving with antihistamines.

Immunotherapy, allergy shots or sublingual drops (called SLIT- sublingual immunotherapy) builds up your body’s tolerance to the specific pollens. This therapy is specifically designed for you from your blood or skin testing results and administered on a frequent basis, usually weekly, over three to five years.

Consulting a physician for additional treatment options. If over the counter medication is not helping and you are miserable, consulting a physician to discuss additional treatment options is important to improve your health in a safe and effective manner.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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“Peoples Pharmacy” had a recent article in The Dallas Morning News reporting that dietary intake may increase acne. This stimulated me to add additional information on foods and the potential adverse health effects.

The CDC has numerous articles and guidelines on Food Allergy and Digestive Allergy from foods. The most dramatic and life threatening are the anaphylactic shock reactions such as acute asthma, laryngeal edema, body swelling and hives.

Ninety percent of these reactions are produced by eight foods: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. The main treatment is avoidance and to be prepared to treat with Epinephrine injection and antihistamine with immediate transportation to the hospital for stabilization.

Food allergies link to other conditions. Individuals with this type of food allergy are two to four times more likely to have other allergic conditions like asthma, eczema and seasonal allergies. In this situation often tolerance can be developed over time to the seasonal allergies by using allergy shots called allergy immunotherapy. This is done thru skin testing by physicians to determine the item you are sensitive to and then preparing a specific formula for your treatment protocol. Tolerance to allergic items is achieved over time.

Digestive Allergy involves foods that trigger abdominal pain, swelling, cramping, constipation or diarrhea. Secondary effects of adverse food reactions may also include fatigue, less mental clarity (“brain fog,”) joint pain, rash and itching. The eight foods listed above may be the trigger or other commonly eaten foods such as corn, rice, garlic, onion, pepper and peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, and all the grains that contain gluten. Elimination is again the treatment.

Figuring out which foods are causing you issues. Defining which foods are the trigger is often difficult. The quick onset reacts can generally be determined by skin tests or IgE blood tests. Delayed reactions are harder to be isolated.

One method is the “4 Day Rotation Diet” involving eating two to three foods per meal and not repeating any of the foods in the four-day time period. While doing this it is important to keep a diary of the foods eaten and how you feel recording the reactions. Reactions can be delayed by hours or extend into the next day. (There is help with this diet on the internet).

Celiac Disease is the absolute intolerance to gluten which is in all grains except corn and rice. Individuals with this Disease must strictly avoid all gluten containing foods to avoid the severe symptoms experienced by an exposure, severe abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea that may go on for days.

Other individuals may have gluten intolerance and experience milder symptoms of bloating, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, poor mental clarity, generalized aching, headache, rashes and swelling. Often these individuals have additional foods intolerances or allergies that make the job of getting relief difficult due to the many food variables.

Skin and blood testing for foods can help to define the specific foods. However, this testing often misses many reactive foods and it is necessary to use the “4 Day Rotation Diet” as a challenge method to define which foods for you are causing your symptoms. Then avoid those triggering foods for optimal health. For those individuals with many food allergies/intolerances staying on a rotation with avoidance is the best treatment.

Additional help for digestive allergies.

Help for individuals with Digestive Allergy is available through genetic testing, especially for gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease. Enterolabs at enterolabs.com offers a buccal swab test that will define your specific genetic makeup defining how you handle gluten. You acquire one set of genes from your mother and one set from your father. The combination of these two gene sets determines how your body will potentially handle ingested gluten, true celiac verses intolerance. With a physician’s guidance this can be a big help in how you regulate your diet for optimal health.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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Mysterious Illness

Do you feel sick and can’t figure out why? It might be a food allergy that’s causing your bloated stomach pain or mysterious rash. If it’s persistent and not getting better, there can be an underlying problem like food allergies. When you eat an ingredient you’re allergic to, the immune system overreacts and can cause potentially severe or life threatening symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says food allergies are a growing food safety and public health concern, affecting four to six percent of American children. You can develop food allergies at any age.

Food Allergy Awareness

Right now is a peak time for allergy and asthma sufferers. When you eat a food you’re allergic to, the body’s cells release histamine chemicals. Then the intestinal defense mechanism is breached, and your digestive system doesn’t break down the food and stomach acids properly, absorbing the antigen straight into your system and crossing the gut-blood barrier. Your intestinal tract becomes inflamed. You may also be compromised by a viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Food allergy symptoms vary from itching and swelling in the mouth, skin rash, hives, vomiting, wheezing, trouble breathing, fatigue, diarrhea and gastro-intestinal problems. The allergic reaction can also make your blood pressure drop and affect your heart, eyes, and brain. Kidswithfoodallergies.org finds the most common food allergies for children are eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts like cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and chestnuts.

It is also important to be aware of Gluten issues. It not only causes Celiac disease, but can also manifest in a less severe form (gluten intolerance) that can cause diarrhea, constipation, or bloating.

Test for Food Allergies

There is no cure for food allergies. The best advice is to avoid the food or spice, giving you problems. If you don’t know which ingredient is making you sick, you can come to Johnson Medical Associates for testing. A blood test can measure your immune system’s response to certain foods by measuring the allergy related antibody, immunoglobulin E. The doctor will check for an immediate response and a delayed reaction. Skin intradermal testing can also work. A small amount of the suspected allergen is injected into your arm, and the amount of reaction is recorded. Try eliminating certain foods for a week and then add the foods back into your diet one at a time. The doctor will also look at your symptoms, family allergy history and a physical examination.

Immunotherapy Treatment Option

At Johnson Medical Associates, you can get a digestive enzyme analysis. An oral immunotherapy treatment has you consume tiny drops or powder of the trigger food, controlled by Dr. Johnson. Then he slowly increases doses at intervals, and the immune system eventually becomes desensitized, learning to react less strongly to the food allergen. Most patients have to continue treatments to build up their tolerance. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows encouraging results and tremendous progress over the last decade with food immunotherapy to treat child patients and desensitize them.

Treatment depends on the individual. You can heal the gut with nutrient replacement and the right supplements to correct the bad bacteria. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment can help heal inflammation in your digestive tract from Crohn’s Disease and colon inflammation from Colitis. Patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome can also benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Living with Food Allergies

If you have a young child and are concerned they’ll be exposed to a food allergen in the school cafeteria, at an after school program or at a friend’s home, you should have an emergency plan. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can come on rapidly with a swollen airway and even cause death. Quick actions are crucial to prevent a severe health problem or even death. The child can take one bite and end up in the ER. Sometimes anaphylactic symptoms can start out mild and become stronger an hour later. In that case, a doctor needs to be monitoring the child.

Accidental exposure can happen. It’s a good idea to educate class members on the food allergy and what needs to be done if an accident happens. You can also make a laminated chef card listing all food allergens and synonyms for the student to show the cafeteria chef. You must read labels when shopping and beware of ingredients.

LABELS 101

The Food Safety Modernization Act has increased importance on controlling major food allergens and making sure labels are not confusing. It’s important to recognize different terms for the same type of food because a dairy or peanut allergy can be deadly. For example, manufacturers can use synonyms for milk like whey for the watery part of milk. You should also look out for these words on labels: “may contain,” “manufactured in shared facility” and “processed on the same equipment.”

Act Quickly

Even a trace amount of a food allergen can be life threatening. You should have two EpiPens ready at all times to give you epinephrine. While waiting for the ambulance to come, give yourself an Epi-Pen shot, and have the second EpiPen ready for someone else to administer the shot, in case the ambulance takes too long. Then, you can take an antihistamine and use an albuterol inhaler if you still have breathing problems.

Book your appointment at Johnson Medical Associates for food allergy help here or call us at (972) 479-0400.

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