All about allergies
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Approximately 50 million Americans, or 1 in 4, suffer from some form of
allergic disease, and the incidence is increasing. When most people think of
allergie, they think of sneezing, a runny nose or watery eyes. While those are symptoms of some types of allergic disease, an allergic reaction is actually a product of several events occurring within the
immune system.
How do allergies develop?
The immune system serves as the body's
defense mechanism against the countless different substances present in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the things we touch. The term
"allergen" refers to any substance that can trigger an allergic response. This reaction (the allergy) is a symptom of the larger underlying problem of immune system or
metabolic imbalance and can cause a staggering array of conditions — conditions that can often be reversed or cured, once that balance is restored.
Common allergens include
pollen, mold, animal dander, food, and cockroach and house dust mite droppings. Antibodies circulate in the bloodstream and are present in almost all bodily fluids. They help to capture unwanted invaders. People who have allergies have an antibody called
Immunoglobulin E, or IgE. When allergens first enter the body of a person predisposed to allergies, a series of reactions occurs and allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. It is not yet fully understood why some substances
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