Hay Fever and Allergies
It is that time of year again …… Sales of Antihistamines, Hay Fever tablets, decongestants, nasal sprays and allergy shots are through the roof, being advertised on TV, on posters in chemists or supermarkets and whole displays of ‘NEW and improved formulas’ to help ‘put those symptoms at bay’ !!
Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions according to the NHS with almost 13 million people affected in the UK. Allergies and Pollen related health complaints are common all year round but particularly so during the end of spring/ summer. Whether it is grass pollen or tree pollen, airborne pollen is the most common cause of seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
I am sure whilst reading this you can think of someone who suffers from hay fever, or it may even be you. On the NHS website it states under ‘Hay fever Treatment’ that the most effective way to control hay fever symptoms is to …… avoid exposure to pollen! Not really possible unless you want to stay indoors all summer?! Other treatments available are antihistamines which are stated to help prevent an allergic reaction from happening or corticosteroids which help to reduce inflammation and swelling.
The sciencey bit:
Histamine – is an organic nitrogenous compound involved in local immune responses as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter for the uterus. Histamine is involved in the inflammatory response and has a central role as a mediator of pruritus – meaning an itch, a sensation that causes a reflex and a desire to scratch! As part of an immune response to foreign pathogens, histamine is produced.
Antihistamine – is a type of pharmaceutical drug that obstructs the activity of histamine receptors in the body. There are 2 different types – H1Antihistamines and H2 antihistamines. H1 are used to treat allergic reactions like runny nose, itching, sneezing and H2 are used with gastric acid conditions. H1 antihistamines work by binding to H1histamines receptors in mast cells and smooth muscle in the body as well as the tuberomammillary nucleus in the brain while H2antihistimine work by binding to H2histamine receptors in the upper gastrointestinal tract – primarily in the stomach.
Corticosteroids – a class of steroid hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex of vertebrates. There are 2 main classes of corticosteroids – glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids that are involved in a wide range of physiologic processes including stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation, blood electrolyte levels and behavior.
Unfortunately there is no ‘cure’ as such and many people find that most, if not all of the medication available may reduce symptoms to begin with but can cause significant side effects and in the long term do not make the symptoms disappear – meaning they will be back next year !
How and Why Do Allergies Develop?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to allergens (particles your body considers foreign)
This is a sign that your immune system is working overtime. The first time your body encounters an allergen, your plasma cells release an antibody called immunoglobulin (IgE) specific to that allergen. IgE attaches itself to the surface of your mast cells.
Mast cells are found in large quantities in your surface tissues (i.e., those with close proximity to the external environment, such as in your skin and in the mucous membranes of your nose), where they help mediate inflammatory responses. Mast cells release a number of important chemical mediators, one of which is histamine.
The second time your body encounters a particular allergen, your mast cells become activated within a few minutes and release a powerful cocktail of histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandins which trigger the entire cascade of symptoms you associate with allergies: sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, hacking cough, itchy eyes, etc.
Histamine can cause your airways to constrict, like with asthma, or cause blood vessels to become more permeable, leading to fluid leakage or hives. Leukotrienes cause hypersecretion of mucus, which you commonly experience as a runny nose or increased phlegm.
Pollen is an extremely common mast cell activator, but other common agents that can trigger similar responses are: Dust, Pet hair, Mould spores, airborne contaminants, dust mites, environmental chemicals, cleaning products, perfumes and foods can all cause allergic reactions. Everybody is different with what they react to, just because you haven’t reacted to something in the past doesn’t mean you won’t react to it in the future—you can become sensitized at any point in time.
The history bit:
The incidence of asthma, allergies such as hay fever, food intolerances and skin reactions like eczema have all increased largely in the last 50 – 80 years. Conditions such as these were actually quite rare and the sudden increase in such a short time frame does not indicate it has anything to do with genetic changes as this would take hundreds if not thousands of years to change this dramatically.
The one BIG thing that has changed in that time frame though is our diet and lifestyle. So what has changed …? Could it be the way children grow up today? Compared to that of years ago where children were left to play outside, in the mud, parks and gardens, socialising within the community and neighbourhood with their peers and would stay out all day until it was time for ‘tea’
In contrast to today’s world, childhood is slightly different – only 2 generations later and children are rarely left to go off and explore by themselves. The culture of childhood has changed; technology has grown with television, phones and social media and generally we are not outside ‘getting dirty’ as much.
Please watch this if you want a giggle and a little break from reading …..
Film THIS IS 40 – Build a Fort!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D5JVvcQ07w
THE HYGIENE HYPOTHOSIS – Basically is a Theory that Modern Life is much more ‘CLEAN’
Children have considerably less time in contact with germs, other children outside, farm animals and dirt. There is a hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipe for everything. We have become scared of germs.
A knock on effect from this is that our immune systems have actually become weaker and powerless against anything we do encounter – our immune systems are not being given the opportunity to ‘exercise’ and get stronger at fighting off germs and dirt. Our immune systems therefore become weaker and over reactive. (This can sometimes come out as an over response like asthma, allergies and eczema)
Allergies May Also Be Linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut is a condition that occurs in the gut, due to the development of gaps in the membrane lining your intestinal wall. These tiny gaps allow substances such as partially digested or undigested food, bacteria and metabolic wastes to escape into your bloodstream – hence the term leaky gut syndrome. Once your intestinal lining is compromised, and there is a flow of toxic substances “leaking out” into your bloodstream, your body experiences significant increases in inflammation.
Besides being associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease, leaky gut can also be a contributing factor to allergies, skin conditions and more. Largely due to today’s diet and lifestyle the number of cases of Leaky Gut Syndrome have risen.
“Healing and sealing” your gut has been shown to help alleviate allergy symptoms. The key lies in altering your diet to eliminate the offending foods and reintroducing healthier foods and traditional methods of food that will restore your gut health such as fermenting and bone broths! The overuse of antibiotics also impacts and disrupts your gut flora considerably prolonging the problem.
Recommended Natural Ways to help with allergies like Hay Fever
- Apple Cider Vinegar – a good quality organic apple cider vinegar has many health benefits – it is said to create an environment in the gut that parasites and fungus do not like. It has been known to improve digestion and reduce mucous production in the body, which can help with allergies such as hay fever. I have a spoonful of ACV in a glass of water every morning.
- Diet and overall health – Reducing any inflammatory foods from the diet will give the body a chance to ‘breath’ and reduce any added inflammation in the gut and body. Research has shown that following a GAPS Diet can improve and reduce symptoms of allergies and chronic conditions.
- Eucalyptus Rubs and steams help to ease congestion
Recent Comments