|
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 |
