Combating Allergy Naturally E-Book

Dr. A.K.Sethi

• Herausgeber: V&S Publishers
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 124

Beschreibung

Control & manage without medicine

Leseprobe

Combatting

Allergy

Naturally

A K Sethi

Published by:

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05723-1-3

DISCLAIMER

While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.

All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.

Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.

It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.

Preface

Allergy is the bane of our modern civilisation and has assumed epidemic proportions in all parts of the world. It poses one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century, because no curative treatment has been found so far. Moreover, with scientific advancement, the menace of environmental pollution has also contributed towards the problem of Allergy.

Allergies are of several types. Some individuals are allergic to dust and changes in temperature; others are adversely affected by certain food substances or medicines. A few people suffer from skin allergy and a handful develop allergic symptoms due to insects and even their pet animals.

Since Allopathic treatment has failed to find a cure for the curse of Allergy, it is worthwhile trying other alternative forms of treatment like Ayurveda, Yoga, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Magnetotherapy, Colour Therapy, Acupressure, Music Therapy, Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui.

I have ventured to write this book in order to educate the layman about the different aspects of Allergy and hope the readers will find it useful and enjoyable to read. For any queries and clarification, readers are free to contact me on telephone no. [phone] or 9811506972 or mail to [email protected].

Acknowledgement

At the outset, I must thank my publishers M/s Pustak Mahal for giving me the opportunity to write this book for the layman on an ailment which is widely prevalent around the globe, but there is no known cure for it.

I am grateful to the patients who came to our clinic for treatment of Allergy and benefitted from the alternative forms of treatment. I am indebted to the following experts in the Alternative therapies, i.e. Shri RLJaggi - Colour Therapy, Swami Ananta Bharati - Yoga, Shri NS Dabas - Vastu Shastra and Magnetotherapy, Dr Ruma Banerjee - Naturopathy and Physiotherapy, Dr RK Kumar - Homeopathy.

My special thanks to Shri SK Gaba for providing me the latest material on the modern as well as alternative therapies of Allergy. Mrs Kiran Arora has done the tedious task of computer typing, scanning and compiling the book.

My wife Dr. Sunanda Sethi, an Ayurvedacharya and a Reiki Grandmaster, has been a continuous source of inspiration for me. I thank my children Rupal and Mitali, without whose cooperation this book would not have been completed.

–Dr AK Sethi

Contents

1. What is Allergy

2. Types of Allergies

3. Effects of Allergy on the Body

4. Signs and Symptoms of Allergy

5. Complications of Allergy

6. Effects of Seasonal Changes on Allergy

7. Diagnostic Tools for Detecting Allergy

8. Role of Changes in Diet and Lifestyle in the Treatment

9. Conventional or Allopathic Treatment

10. Does Yoga have an Answer to this Problem49

11. What is the Role of Naturopathy (Nature Cure)74

12. Role of Ayurveda in Controlling Allergy85

13. Homeopathic Treatment of Allergy

14. Is Magnetotherapy the Solution to the Treatment

15. Benefits of Acupressure and Reflexology

16. The Wonders of Colour Therapy (Chromotherapy)

17. Can Music Therapy be of Some Benefit

18. The Role ofVastu Shastra and Feng Shui

1

What is Allergy

When we mention the word “Allergy”, majority of people correlate it with “Aachoo” - sneezing, running nose, watering of eyes, cough, etc. Some people think of allergy to medicines like Penicillin, Sulfa drugs, etc. and others connect it to food substances like milk, meat, cheese, etc.

Unfortunately, allergy has become the bane of modern civilisation and we find ourselves allergic to several substances like pets, insects, perfumes, wheat, food preservatives, latex (gloves), plants, metals like arsenic, etc. Allergy is also a complicated and enigmatic subject for doctors and scientists, since neither the causative mechanism is clear, nor the treatment is satisfactory.

In order to understand what allergy is all about, we must first understand its basic mechanism. Allergy is closely related to our Immune System - the system which protects us from sickness and diseases. Our body is so designed that whenever a foreign invader (bacteria, virus, chemical, heat, cold, wind, water, etc.) or inner enemy (tumour, aged cells, etc.) attacks our body, the immune system gets activated to protect us from this invader.

The innate (inborn) immune system consists of barriers such as skin and mucous membranes, enzymes and white blood cells (WBC) called neutrophils in its armamentarium. If the innate immune system is unsuccessful, the adaptive immune system takes over.

This system consists of cells such as lymphocytes and monocytes and their products such as antibodies, cytokines and antigen-specific cytotoxic (killer) cells. This system does not damage the body tissues, but destroys the abnormal material (invader). It also remembers the encounters with specific invaders such that subsequent encounters by the host with the same agents activate the immune response more quickly and vigorously, preventing recurrence of the disease caused by the invader.

In contrast to the adaptive immune system, in certain individuals there is an over-reactive immune system, i.e. there is an abnormal reaction to the ordinarily harmless substances (invaders). This disorder is called an Allergy or Hypersensitivity.

What Happens During an Allergic Reaction

When a person with a hypersensitive or hyper-alert immune system is exposed to an invader (an allergen), a series of events take place :-

The WBC of the body start to produce a specific type of antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight the allergen.

These antibodies attach to another types of cells called mast cells, which are found in the airways and in the digestive system where the allergens enter the body.

The mast cells release a variety of chemicals like histamine, serotonin, etc. which produce localised effects like sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, diarrhoea, vomiting, etc. or generalised effects like breathing difficulty, low blood pressure, swelling of body, weakness, loss of consciousness, shock or even death.

There are two major differences between the normal immune reaction and allergic reaction:-

In a normal individual there is an antigen-antibody reaction, which protects the individual (host) while in a person with allergy, the reaction of allergen with tissue-bound antibody (IgE) can lead to several unpleasant symptoms to the body and causation of disease.

In an allergic person, the body does not produce antibodies (IgE) unless he has been sufficiently exposed to the allergen earlier and for a prolonged period. Hence in cases of Food Allergy, the person who has been eating the (allergic) food substance regularly is more prone to develop a reaction than to a new substance recently added to his diet.

There is another type of allergic reaction seen in allergic individuals, which is known as Delayed Hypersensitivity Reaction or Cellular Allergy. In this case, the body, instead of producing IgE antibodies, has overreactive lymphocytes produced by thymus gland. When exposed to certain allergic substances which come into direct contact with the skin, this type of allergic reaction is observed. The lymphocytes while reacting to get rid of the foreign material or toxin give rise to certain skin changes causing a disease called Contact Dermatitis.This type of allergic reaction is also seen when the body rejects the organs transplanted in the body.

2

Types of Allergies

As written earlier, allergy is of different types depending -Z~A.!jon the mechanism of action and the offending agent (allergen). For a layman it will be easier to comprehend if allergy is classified based on the causative agent. Thus the types of allergy may be classified as given below:-

Dust Allergy

Food Allergy

Drug Allergy

Insect Allergy

Skin Allergy

Allergy due to other substances

Dust Allergy

Dust allergy refers to allergic symptoms caused by inhaling (breathing in) certain microscopic particles found in the environment surrounding us. These allergens (also called aeroallergens) may be found either at home, in our place of work or while travelling from one place to another. The common aeroallergens are as follows:

Dust, smoke, fumes and gases emitted by polluting vehicles, industries and factories are most common aeroallergens in India.

Climatic conditions like high humidity, sudden changes in temperature, especially from warm to cold and smog formation are also important factors causing allergic symptoms.

Active and passive smoking is equally responsible for causing allergy and other symptoms of the respiratory system.

Pollen grains of different plants suspended in air especially on windy and rainy days.

Fungi and moulds found in damp and moist areas also cause allergic diseases.

Dust mite found at home that collect in the mattresses, furniture, carpets and rugs, bedding draperies, clothes and floor, which are inhaled while dusting or cleaning the house.

Inhalation of insect parts and droppings of cockroaches, flies, moths, butterflies, rats, mice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, houseflies, etc.

Animal allergen in the form of epithelial scales (dander), hair or feathers of animals like dogs, cats, cattle, horse, sheep, goat, duck, etc.

Occupational allergens like silica, asbestos, lead, nickel, coal, cotton, wool, fibres, paints, varnishes, resins, grain flour, formaldehyde, insecticides, pesticides, dyes, drugs, spices, printing ink, etc.

Food Allergy

Foods are mainly composed of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Usually, the major food allergens are the glycoproteins found in the food.

About 2-3% of infants suffer from cow’s milk allergy, which is the most common food allergy of childhood. This seems logical since cow’s milk formula is usually the first foreign substance a baby consumes, and also the digestive and immune systems of the infant are not fully developed. Most children outgrow milk allergies by the age of four and food allergies that develop after this age are usually permanent. The major allergens in milk are the caseins and the whey protein - beta lactoglobulin. The milk from goats and sheep has almost similar proteins as cow’s milk and cannot be used as the latter’s substitute.

Allergy to eggs is usually observed in young children and like cow’s milk allergy, fades with time. The main allergens are the egg-white proteins, ovomucoid, ovalbumin and ovotransferrin. The eggs of other poultry such as ducks are similar to that of hens and also cause allergy.

Seafood allergy is more common in adults than children and is more prevalent in countries with a high consumption of fish and shellfish. The major allergens in fish are flesh-proteins called parvalbumins, which are similar in all kinds of fish. Cooking does not destroy the allergens in fish and shellfish and some individuals may be allergic to the cooked and not raw fish.

Certain fruits and vegetables are also capable of causing allergic reactions, though very mild and often limited to the mouth (oral-allergy syndrome). The commonly allergic fruits and vegetables are apples, bananas, tomatoes, soyabean, peas, and beans. Many of these allergens are destroyed by cooking and are thus safe in allergic individuals.

Peanuts are one of the most allergenic food and frequently cause very severe reactions, including death. This allergy is established in childhood and is usually maintained throughout life. Traces of peanuts found in processed oils or in utensils used for serving foods, can be enough in some individuals to cause an allergic reaction.

Tree nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashewnuts, hazelnuts and pistachios can cause very severe allergic symptoms, which can occasionally be fatal. Roasting or cooking cannot destroy the allergens.

Certain cereals like wheat, rice, barley, rye, oats and maize are also associated with allergy. The more we eat these cereals the more likely we are to suffer an allergy. Seed storage proteins such as wheat gluten and other proteins present in grain to protect it from bacteria and fungi have been found to be major allergens.

Food additives and preservatives like sulfites, tartrazine, monosodium glutamate are also responsible for causing food allergy.

Drug Allergy

Almost everyone in his lifetime has undergone certain unpleasant effects due to medicines. Some may develop drowsiness, others develop stomach disorders like diarrhoea or constipation or hyperacidity and a few develop headache, giddiness, etc. These are usually the known side-effects due to overdose or drug-interactions. Drug allergy usually refers to serious adverse effects in a person, which may not have occurred while taking the same medicine earlier. The mechanism of these effects are due to production of Immunoglobulin E as in the case of other allergies. Usually people with drug allergies have a family history of allergies and may be also suffering from dust allergy or food allergy.

The medicines to which people usually develop drug allergy are as follows :-

Penicillin group and Cephalosporins

Insulin

Vaccines like DPT, Influenza (HIB), Tetanus, MMR, Chickenpox

Sulfonamides (Sulfa drugs)

Intravenous contrast, dyes used in tests like CT Scan, MRI, IVP, etc.

Aspirin and other painkillers

Local and general anaesthesia

Insect Allergy

Usually insect bites and stings cause mild and temporary pain and swelling at the site of the bites. In sensitised individuals, allergic reactions may result in more severe local reactions as well as generalised symptoms ranging from mild to fatal responses.

The insects which usually cause allergic symptoms are as follows :-

Bees - honey bees, bumble bees