Allergy
The word allergy is derived from the Greek, allos ‘the other’ and ergon ‘action’ which is to mean a state of the organism, of the body, with differences in its reactivity. Allergic conditions are well spread and on the rise in the world nowadays. In the developed world, 15-20% of the population suffers from some form of an allergic condition. 80% of the population will undergo at some stage in life, an allergic reaction/condition. 25-30% of the younger population suffers from allergic conditions, and the frequency of occurrences is lower in mountainous populations. Allergic conditions also affect women in greater degrees than men.
Allergic conditions are not localized to a single organ. They may affect different organs, and thus affect several organ systems simultaneously.
Allergy is the term used to define the immunological sensitivity of an individual towards an allergen (an irritating substance which causes allergies). This may come as a consequence of:
Upon entry into the organism, they cause a cascade of chemical reactions which lead to the appearance of allergic symptoms.
Allergies may emerge in the very first months of one’s life. If one of the parents of a child suffer from an allergy, the child has a 40% chance of developing an allergy, and if both parents suffer from an allergy the chance increases to 80% chance. An important role in determining the chances one has for developing an allergy is assigned to environmental factors.
There are two types of allergies: infra-clinical, and clinical. Infra-clinical when only biological signs can be observes (elevated IGE), clinical when clinical signs can be observed (runny nose, inflammation etc).
Individuals predisposed to allergic conditions are also referred to as atopic individuals (the allergen is introduced into the body from the external environment). This can be verified through scratch tests with allergens which are performed on the skin:
Allergy is the term used to define the immunological sensitivity of an individual towards an allergen (an irritating substance which causes allergies). This may come as a consequence of the inhalation of allergens or consuming food which may contain allergens.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually develop within a few minutes of being exposed to something you're allergic to, although occasionally they can develop gradually over a few hours. Some symptoms include; sneezing, runny nose, teary eyes, coughing, etc.
Treatment of allergies includes actions to be undertaken by the patients (washable furniture, shut windows, etc.) and pharmacological therapy. The actions that must be undertaken by the patient to begin treatment like; they must wash their pillow each month, must not have plants indoors, or any domestic animals, etc.
Common questions on allergies include what occurs during a reaction, which tests to take, etc.