There are many contributing factors leading to an allergic response. Symptoms may vary from person to person. The symptoms represent only part of the whole picture, the tip of the iceberg, while the other two thirds of the problem remain untreated. Some of the outward signs may include hay fever, continuous sneezing, sinusitis, sinus congestion, excessive mucus production, headaches, nausea, vomiting, bloating, skin rashes and irritations, diarrhea, hyperactivity, mood swings and recurrent infections. The first line of defense
It is the job of mucus linings to protect the body from invaders and irritants. The linings provide a good system of protection, but if weak infection or irritants get through the mucus linings, the specialized cells that produce the mucus may become irritated and over stimulated and produce too much mucus. The air passages will then become flooded and the protection system won't work as well, while irritating substances will get into the blood stream.
The second line of defense
The second line of defense is the liver. A naturopath will often look at liver function when treating allergies. The liver is one of the filtering organs responsible for keeping the blood clean. It contains cells that break down chemicals and proteins called histamines that can irritate the sensitive mucus linings, particularly those of the air passages. When the liver and other filtering organs do not clean the blood efficiently, overpowering alarm reactions can affect the whole body. Alfalfa in the form of sprouts contains enzymes that help the liver break down protein.
Full garbage bins
When the body is not able to efficiently rid itself of wastes, it can lead to the 'full garbage bin' syndrome. It is best to move the bowels every day. Otherwise the rubbish piles up in the bins until they become full, eventually overflowing, creating an 'allergic' response.
Sufficient liquid intake of about 6-8 glasses (2lt) a day needs to be consumed, otherwise, the effect is much like doing the washing up with only half a sink of water. The acid system
Too much acid build up in the body can also contribute to allergic reactions. The body naturally produces acid wastes as a part of its normal metabolism. Every time you use a muscle or a nerve, acids are released as a by-product. It is the job of the blood circulation to clear away this rubbish. Very often, these wastes are not cleared away efficiently and stay in the muscles and nerve endings, producing irritation. Typically, an acid-retaining person will come home from work and even though they may be totally exhausted, are unable to settle down and relax. Acidic wastes of the day continue to stimulate the nerves and the person is unable to switch off. When we add this recipe to a very acid producing meal, high in carbohydrate and protein and very little or no alkalizing vegetables, the problem is compounded. The overactive system will begin to overreact to anything and everything, which is common in 'allergic response' such as acidic churning stomach, excessive wind, belching and bloating and diarrhea.
Skin irritations may also occur when the sweat is overly acid and burns the skin as the body tries to eliminate the acid build up inside. The body may also produce more mucus to try to protect sensitive areas from acid irritation, thereby clogging things up more. The lymphatics can also become affected. The lymphatic system is a one-way drainage system that is another part of the body's waste control mechanism and an essential part of the immune system. The lymphatic fluids contain white blood cells that eat up invaders. The fluids are designed to flow freely like water but in a mucus-clogged system they tend to have the consistency of honey. Unable to do its job effectively, recurrent infections can result, antibiotics become more and more ineffective and the whole system becomes slow and lethargic.
Through iris diagnosis the complex set of symptoms and more importantly the underlying body processes can be reduced to simple approaches in many cases. A herbal program and simple dietary changes can successfully treat the underlying causes of allergies. Understanding what the patient's body is telling you will enable you to assess the sufferer, and enable you to shorten their sentence and obtain early release.
Allergies not always what you think they are By Netta M. Hart
Drug companies would have us believe that our natural environment is responsible for the headaches, runny, stuffy noses, itchiness, swelling, sneezing spells and fatigue that many people experience when springtime is finally in bloom. Pharmaceutical ads imply that natural biological life is attacking us, but, not to worry - because their drugs will render us healthy, smiling and happy again.
Hmm ... how can that possibly be true when we are part of the natural universe? How could we possibly be allergic to the very stuff created to sustain us?
Have you ever noticed how these ads will also very quickly recite to the point of incoherence the potential problems with taking these drugs? The western medical answer is to become a shut in. Lock yourself away from outdoor influences and take various drugs to control your symptoms until the outside allergens have passed.
Allergies are mysterious to western doctors. They will tell you that it’s just the way it is and that no one understands why you’re allergic.
What are these allergies and where do they come from? How is it that young children are afflicted and that allergies can suddenly develop seemingly out of nowhere? Can allergies only be controlled or really be cured? Allergy or imitation? All histamine reactions are not equal. While the symptoms may be surprisingly similar - itchy watering eyes, runny nose, sneezing and coughing - these symptoms could really be reactions to irritants such as air pollutants or household chemicals - perhaps a new laundry detergent - which allergy medicines cannot affect.
Therefore, it is important to investigate into the sufferer’s lifestyle and habits in order to rule out possible contact irritants before assuming allergic response.
Reader’s Digest recently ran an article written by a research physician who had suffered for years from diagnosed "allergies." She had tried all kinds of medicines from antihistamines to steroidal nasal sprays and allergy shots without finding relief, only to finally realize that her symptoms were a reaction to the chlorinated pools in which she had been swimming three times a week for years.
She discovered that a little saline solution in her nose prior to swimming was all she needed to avoid the severe sinus reactions she had been experiencing. True allergies According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, environmental allergies are an internal systemic response to a toxic internal condition. This means that our immune systems become weakened by various stresses such as toxic substances in our food, air and water, toxic reactions to medications, improper diet, overeating, additives and preservatives in much of our foods, over-consumption of alcohol, dairy and sugar, overwork, insufficient sleep, and emotional stressors.
Toxic substances build up in the body because the liver gets exhausted from having to filter poisons out of the blood at a rate it cannot sustain. The liver also tires from dealing with the chemical residue of chronic or severe emotional stress.
Our immune system is intimately connected with the liver’s detoxification function, since the lungs are the initial contact with the external world. It will suffer from the liver’s overloaded burden, resulting in a physical condition that will appear as a reaction to the influences of our natural environment.
Our bodies truly do become intolerant. Not because the trees are killing us, but because we are suffocating within our own internal toxic condition. It is a fact that our bodies are now under attack - but not from the external world - this attack is launched from within our own immune systems!
Simply put, toxic substances have accumulated and have weakened organs. A weakened liver affects spleen function, which results in an over production of mucus. The immune system reacts to this threat by attempting to get rid of this mucus by pushing it through the respiratory system.
But the job has become too big, phlegm is clogging much of our respiratory tract and we become walking, talking, exasperated mucus machines with no end to sneezing, itching and nose blowing. This is all an exhausting process, so, of course, we wind up feeling exhausted. Choices, choices So what are your choices? Well, you can continue sneezing all over everyone, you can take drugs to reduce or control your symptoms - drugs that build up in your body creating more toxicity and leading to the need for stronger medications - or you can clean up your internal mess and strengthen your organs and immune system, thereby curing your allergies. Related topics: About allergies
How allergies work |
