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Asthma and Allergy
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| Allergic
diseases or reactions may involve any part or system of
the body. The most frequently affected are the
respiratory system, resulting in hay fever, rhinitis and
asthma. Among other organs skin is involved, resulting
in allergic dermatitis or atopic eczema, or contact
dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy), and hives (urticaria).
Allergic factors may also play a role in causing of many
other diseases. |
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| Hay
Fever |
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Hay Fever is caused by allergy to the pollen of trees,
grasses or weeds or the spores of molds. The name is
actually a misnomer, since hay is not a common allergen
and no fever occurs. It was a term used by English
physicians caring for patients with pollen allergy.
Depending on the section of the country and the
pollinating periods, the hay fever season may occur in
spring or summer or autumn. The sufferer has to go
through spells of sneezing, itching and weeping eyes,
running nose and burning palate and throat. |
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| Allergic
Rhinitis |
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It is a general term used for nasal congestion, sneezing
and a running nose due to allergies. This may be a
seasonal problem as with hay fever or it may be a
perennial problem caused by other allergens, such as
house dust, animal dander and even some foods.
Frequently, this problem gets complicated by
"sinusitis" and patients with constant nasal
symptoms should have an allergy evaluation. |
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| Asthma |
It is a condition characterized by coughing, wheezing
and difficulty in breathing. It is frequently, but not
invariably, associated with a family history of allergy.
Any of the above-mentioned allergens may cause asthmatic
attacks. Infection of the sinuses or bronchial tubes may
also be important factors.
Patients with asthma are affected adversely by many
so-called non-specific factors such as air pollutants,
cigarette smoke, fumes, etc, and at times by emotional
reactions. Asthma may begin at any age and, if
neglected, tends to recur and become chronic. |
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| Allergic
Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis or Eczema |
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It is a non-contagious, itchy rash which often occurs in
the creases of the arms, legs, and neck, although it can
cover the entire body. This condition is frequently
associated with allergies, and substances to which a
person is sensitive may aggravate it. Food may be an
important cause of this problem. Some substances cause a
skin rash by direct contact. Many animals, plants, or
chemicals and minerals are included in this category.
The most common cause of contact dermatitis is poison
ivy. |
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| Urticaria
or Hives |
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It is an outbreak
on the skin of itchy welts of varying size. When the
swellings are large and invade deeper tissues, they are
called angioedema. They may develop on the face, lips,
tongue, throat, eyes, ears, and even internally.
Allergies to foods or drugs, especially penicillin and
aspirin, are well known causes from an underlying
disease state, or occur after exercise. Often the exact
cause cannot be determined. |
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| Allergic
Conjunctivitis |
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When an allergen comes in
contact with the eyes of a susceptible person, it causes
itching, watering and redness in the eyes. |
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Abdominal
symptoms of Allergy
Many food substances cause gastric allergy. Abdominal
pain, nausea and vomiting are important effects.
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| Allergy
manifestation of Organs |
When
a patient has allergic symptoms it is easy to diagnose.
Depending on the organ involved, the patient will have
symptoms as given in the table. In response to allergic
phenomenon, a particular type of white cells called
eosinophils, IgE and allergy cells are increased in the body. Hay
fever includes allergic diseases of all organs.
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| Organ |
Disease |
Symptoms |
Signs |
| Skin |
Urticaria (Hives), eczema, allergic dermatitis,
contact dermatitis. |
Itching, rash. |
Dry skin, scratch marks, wrinkles and a dark area
around the eyes. |
| Nose |
Allergic cold or Allergic rhintis. |
Sneezing, running nose, itching in nose, nose blockade. |
Skin of nose red, dry and excoriated. |
| Eyes |
Allergic conjunctivitis. |
Redness, itching , pain and watering eyes. |
Eyes are red. |
| Airways |
Bronchial asthma. |
Breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, inability to speak
long sentences. |
Thread-like sputum, prominent depressions at the
base of neck during
breathing, wheezing. |
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