Foogle Business - Hayfever - Allergies - What is Hayfever - Hay fever - Information and Facts

2006 - Hayfever

2006 is well on its way but the world's 112 million Hayfever sufferers will not be full of the joys of Spring. Because of changing climate and more Global Warming, Spring / Summer 2006 is predicted be worse than ever. The Pollen Count and therefore the Hayfever Count is expected to surge by around 20%, so those blocked up or runny noses, sore eyes and throbbing headaches will be worse than ever. And as normal most affected will be teenagers and young people who are busy living their lives and studying for exams and need this condition like a hole in the Ozone Level.
What is Hayfever?

Hayfever is an allergic reaction, generally triggered by pollen. It is mostly at its most brutal between late May and June. Hayfever is more likely to occur in conjunction with other allergic conditions like asthma and eczema. Symptoms are worse in teenagers and young adults due to a higher sensitivity and this peaks between the ages of 20-30 then declines.

Due to the weather, the climate in your area, air quality and how much pollen Mother Nature will spit into the air, will determine how bad a sufferer will be. The tree pollen season is from February to late May, and the worst culprit is the Birch Tree, and other members of its family.

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MRSA

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Grass pollen season runs from May to September hitting the highest point in late summer. Mould spores, which also cause the condition are present in the air between May and October peaking in August and September.

All these plant want to do is reproduce, it is just that a by-product of flora-kind's sex-life is killing us.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include sneezing, sore red swollen eyes, dark under eye circles, dripping nose, nasal tissue swelling, congestion, blocked sinuses and headaches, with general nausea.

Antihistamines

Histamine, a natural body chemical produced during the allergic reaction, causes the consequential symptoms usually generating an inflammation. Mucus membranes are mostly effected and drugs called Anti-histamines act to block the actions of histamines on the body.

All related conditions like hayfever and asthma get worse every year. Resulting symptoms like wheezing, is also on the increase because increased pollen is getting to victim's chests. This is because the pollens are becoming increasingly effective, and increasing vastly in number.

Preventing Hayfever

You can dab petroleum jelly around the base of each nostril to prevent pollen entering your nose. Or you can buy a tailor made cream called a pollen blocker, these creams can cut symptoms by 60%. The cream or jelly acts just the same way a dog's wet nose protects him from dry dust entering his body.

For serious case, treat outside like a war-zone and your home like a quarantine area. Try to reduce pollen in your home. Whilst it by far healthier to have a good blow through by having all your windows open, it might encorage a pollen build-up. Keep windows closed, especially in your bedroom. OR, leave windows open and spray the rooms with an atomizer to help dust settle. Keep your windows shut when the pollen count is high - first thing in the morning and between 5-7pm. Also close the windows at night. There is more pollen in the atmosphere at night and people tend to leave windows open because it is warm. You can get a mesh covering for the window so that the pollen cannot get through but you can still allow the air in.

Wash your hands regularly to avoid pollen build up, on your skin. Take shoes off before coming into the house and shower at night to get rid of pollen stuck to clothes or hair- wash your hair every night.

You could even change your clothes after being outside to remove trapped pollen. Dry them in the tumble dryer in hayfever season, not outdoors so that pollen cannot stick to them and build up on them.

Blow your nose regularly and take your antihistamine tablets. Clean your teeth well morning and night.

Eat a good diet, take regular exercise and do not smoke. Smoking inflames the mucus membranes anyway and will make things worse. Take Vitamin C - this reduces the symptoms by up to 74% because it helps combat the levels of histamine in the body. Wear wrap around shades, as large sunglasses blocks airborne pollen and when they are wraparound they stop pollen going from the eyes into the nose.

All this will boost your bodily protection and help build up your immune system so you can fight the pollen.

Hayfever facts

More city dwellers suffer from hayfever than their country cousins. This is because the pollution stops pollen escaping into the atmosphere intensifying symptoms.

The pollen season varies from plant to plant. Tree pollen may start as early as February and run to late May. Grass pollen season is from May to September. The whole season begins in the south where it's warmer.

Bacteria - Microscopic single-celled organisms found wherever life is possible. Generally 0.0001–0.005 mm long, they may be spherical (coccus), rodlike (bacillus), or spiral-shaped (spirillum) and often occur in chains or clusters of cells. True bacteria have a rigid cell wall, which may be surrounded by a slimy capsule, and they often have long whip-like flagella for locomotion and short hair-like pili used in a form of sexual reproduction. A few bacteria can use simple chemical substances, including carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, to manufacture their own nutrients, but most require a source of carbon derived from living organisms (i.e. organic carbon) plus other nutrients for growth. Some bacteria can reproduce every 15 minutes, leading to rapid population growth.

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The most important role of bacteria is in decomposing dead plant and animal tissues and releasing their constituents to the soil (see carbon cycle). Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil or sea convert atmospheric nitrogen gas to nitrites and nitrates, which can then be used by plants (see nitrogen cycle). Cheese making and fermentation reactions depend on bacteria. Bacteria also play an important part in animal digestion, especially in ruminants. However, certain (pathogenic) species may cause disease while others, such as Salmonella, can cause food poisoning.

How Does Your Body Fight Infection?

Immunity - The resistance of the body to infection, especially resistance due to antibodies. Babies have passive immunity from antibodies transferred from the mother’s blood through the placenta. Active immunity involves the formation of antibodies after exposure to an antigen - bacteria that invade the body during an infection are antigens. The two different kinds of immune response produced by antibodies involve: white blood cells called T-lymphocytes - produced by the thymus, which produce cells with antibody properties bound to their surface and are responsible for such reactions as graft rejection; B-lymphocytes, which produce cells that release free antibody into the blood.

Leucocyte - lymphocytes - or white blood cell. A colorless cell found in large numbers in the blood. There are several kinds, all involved in the body’s defense mechanisms. Granulocytes and monocytes destroy and feed on bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infection - see also phagocyte. The lymphocytes are involved with the production of antibodies.

Phagocyte - A cell that engulfs and then digests particles from its surroundings: this process is called phagocytosis. In vertebrate animals, phagocytes are a type of white blood cell that protect the body by engulfing bacteria and other foreign particles.

Immunization is the production of immunity by an injection containing antibodies against specific diseases e.g. tetanus and diphtheria, which provides temporary passive immunity, or by vaccination, which produces the longer lasting active immunity.

Antibody - A protein produced by certain white blood cells - lymphocytes that reacts with a particular foreign particle e.g. a bacterium, that has entered the body. The antibody helps to destroy the foreign particle, known as the antigen. If the same bacteria invade the body in future, many more of the same antibodies are produced, enabling the body to destroy the bacteria very rapidly and so resist infection. This provides the basis of immunity. Antibodies are also responsible for the rejection of foreign tissue or organ transplants. See also monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibody - A type of pure antibody that can be produced artificially in large quantities and used, for example, to distinguish the major blood groups. Mouse lymphocytes producing the required antibody are fused with mouse cancer cells; the resulting hybrid cells multiply rapidly and all produce the same type of antibody as their parent lymphocytes.

   Allergy
Allergy    -   An abnormal reaction by the body to certain substances, including pollen, dust, certain foods and drugs, fur, moulds, etc. Normally all foreign substances (antigens) entering the body are destroyed by antibodies. Allergic people, however, become hypersensitive to certain antigens (called allergens), so that whenever they are encountered in future they stimulate not only the normal antibody reaction but also the abnormal symptoms of the allergy, such as sneezing and skin rashes. Allergic conditions include hay fever, some forms of asthma and dermatitis, and urticaria. Treatment includes the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids and desensitization.

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Fungi    -   A group of orgasms usually regarded as plants and including mushrooms, mildews, moulds, yeasts, etc. All fungi lack chlorophyll and therefore cannot manufacture their own food through photosynthesis. Some feed on dead organic matter; others are parasites. The body of most fungi consists of a network of branching threadlike structures (hyphae), forming a mycelium. Sexual reproduction results in the formation of spores, which may be produced in a structure called a fruiting body: this is the visible part of mushrooms. Other fungi consist of single cells, which can reproduce asexually by simple division. Fungi are found worldwide. Some bring about decomposition of dead organic matter, like bacteria; others (e.g. Penicillium and Streptomyces) are a source of antibiotics. Many parasitic fungi cause diseases or destroy timber (see dry rot). Some fungi associate with algae to form lichens.

Fungi on humans are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually are not dangerous to a healthy person. Fungi cannot produce their own food from soil, water, and air, so instead, they get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments, that is they feed off you as they would a rotting tree.

What is An Allergy ?

All About Allergies

Allergy is a physiological outcome or reaction produced when the immune system wrongly identifies normally harmless substances as being detrimental to the body.

Allergy - the classic sign of an allergy is sneezing.

As a rule, the human-body defends itself against harmful foreign bodies, such as viruses, or germs, but sometimes the defense system also aggressively attacks usually innocent substances, such as dust, mold, or pollen.

The immune system generates large amounts of proteins that function as antibodies, these proteins are called immunoglobulin; complex chemical weaponry that attacks, engulfs and destroys any active substance that enters the body. The Immune system presumes that this active substance is the supposed enemy and it does its job through automatic instructions that have evolved over billions of generations. Active means that it is in a state, that can be changed; some plastics or metals will be ignored by the immune system, as being invisible.

Propensity

Occasionally, a propensity arises that makes the immune system attack these innocent substances. Each antibody specifically targets a particular allergen - the substance that causes the allergy. In this disease-fighting process, inflammatory chemicals like histamines, cytokines, and leukotrienes are released or produced, and some unpleasant and in some extreme cases, life-threatening symptoms may be experienced, by the person who has a propensity to be prone to allergies.

It is a fault that happens because it does; in any operation or scenario that is repeated a billion times, chaos theory predicts that something will and almost must go wrong. Ask a factory worker who churns out a million widgets a day, whilst almost all might be perfect there will be some small peculiarity or effect that will happen that will make a small number of them imperfect and therefore rejected.

Ancestry

In our ancestry the immune system evolved to help us, probably more than any other bodily function and because it did it a billion times something altered or mutated, that changed what Mother Nature designed it to do. This fault or propensity was carried on in the genetic line and either got stronger or weaker. This being, if your mother suffers with allergies and so does your father, there is a good chance that you will suffer also, as the condition runs in families.

Physiology / physiological - The study of how living organisms and their constituent parts function. Physiology is closely linked with both anatomy and biochemistry.

Anatomy - The study of the structure of living organisms. Early studies of human anatomy were made by the Greek physician Galen, in the 2nd century AD, but it was not until the 16th century that dissecting human corpses became acceptable and anatomists - notably Vesalius - made valuable contributions to the science. In the 17th century William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood and the development of the microscope enabled advances in the detailed structure of the body to be made by such microscopists as Malpighi, Leeuwenhoek, and Swammerdam. In the 20th century anatomy was greatly assisted by the development of the electron microscope, which allowed much finer detail to be studied. Specialized branches of anatomy include embryology (the study of development), histology (tissues), and cytology (cells).

Biochemistry - The scientific study of the chemical composition and reactions of living organisms. Discovering the complex sequence of reactions involved in the digestion of food, the utilization of energy, the manufacture of new tissues, etc., gives us an understanding of an organism’s metabolism. Biochemists are also concerned with the role of *genes, *hormones, and *enzymes in starting and controlling metabolic reactions.

Learn More, Be More

For this article, the Body n. (pl. -ies) - The whole physical structure, including the bones, flesh, and organs, of a person or an animal, whether dead or alive.

Although hundreds of ordinary substances could trigger allergic reactions, the most common triggers - called allergens - include the following:

pollens
molds
household dust, which is 95% human skin flakes
dust mites and their waste
animal proteins, like dander, urine, oil from skin
industrial chemicals
various foods
nuts
wheat
medicines
Milk
Latex
feathers
insect stings
cockroaches and their waste
parasite bites
ALMOST ANYTHING

Who is affected by allergy?

Allergies can affect everyone, despite age, gender, race, or socio-economic status. Generally, allergies are more widespread in children. However, a first-time occurrence can happen at any age, or recur after several years of remission. The trigger may act in tandem with a psychological event. Such as even being stressed about getting the symptoms; becoming short of breath when you do not know why, does not help.

Psychology - The scientific study of the behavior of man and animals. Different schools of psychology use differing methods and theories. Clinical psychology applies the observations of psychologists to the understanding and treatment of mental illness, see psychiatry; psychoanalysis. Educational psychology studies the ways in which children learn, in order to improve teaching methods. See also ethology.

There is a predisposition for allergies to occur in families, see above, although the exact genetic factors that cause it, are not yet totally understood. In predisposed people, factors such as hormones, stress, smoke, perfume, and or other environmental irritants, may also play a part in this situation, adding to its intensity . Often, the symptoms of allergies develop gradually over a period of time, and it is said that if, we knew what could potentially cause an allergy, that substance could be avoided by the patient.

Some allergy sufferers become so accustomed to some chronic symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, eyes watering, or wheezing, that they do not consider their symptoms to be unusual, or even due to having an allergy. They go through life living with unnecessary suffering.

Many cold like symptoms are presumed to be colds or flu, when in fact they are the reaction to some substance that the body considers alien. So when you believe that you have caught another cold yet again, the truth is that you might not have had a cold for years, it is just that the symptoms of being allergic are similar to having a cold.

Allergists

With the support of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or at least controlled; diminished enough so that the quality of life is greatly improved.

With clear thinking, it is possible to take control of the situation and manage the problem. Anti-Histamine tablets are good, avoiding the allergen, taking quick action, when you feel the symptoms coming on.

How is allergy diagnosed?

In addition to performing a clinical examination and taking a medical history, a doctor may also use:

A skin test
The skin test is a method of measuring the patient's level of reaction to antibodies to specific allergens. Using diluted solutions of a specific group of common allergens, a doctor or nurse can either inject the patient with the solutions, or apply them to a small scratch or puncture. A reaction appears as a small red area on the skin, the intensity of this gives you an idea about how severe an allergy might be. However, a reaction to the skin test does not always mean that the patient is allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction.

a blood test
The blood test is used to measure the patient's level of reaction to antibodies to specific allergens. One common blood test is called RAST or radioallergosorbent test .

When you know what you are allergic to, you can avoid this allergen, or at least steer clear of it to the best of your ability. Sometimes knowing what you are allergic to, gives you a psychological edge, and improves your situation.

Treatment for Allergic Reactions

Specific treatment for an allergy will be determined by your medical representative and is based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history
The extent of the condition
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the condition
Even your opinion or preference

Whether it be drugs or counseling, whatever regime you take will help you control this problem, as there is not a cure. We predict that by the year 2100, if we are all still here, 90% of the Western Civilization will suffer from one kind of allergy or another. It is reckoned that by 2015, 50% of the population of Europe and the USA, will be sufferers. With the increase of diseases like asthma and increased stress levels, and the propensity to suffer this predicament that is carried in our genes, we can see no end to it at present.

Also, if you are having problems with any skin complaints always use 'soap' made of Pure Ingredients. Pure ingredients are natural ingredients, made or grown by nature. This may be more expensive but cheap soap contains a lot of manmade stuff, chemicals, that do not agree with a particular minority of people.
For children if you can afford it, always use pure ingredients, like glycerin, natural oils, rosemary, cedar and thyme. Use soap that use a natural forming agent; saponifying has been used for hundreds of years.

Don't Panic !!!!

There is no shame in having an allergy to something, but they all tend to get worse before they get better, so prevention, or quick action, is better than alleviating the symptoms.

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