Allergies
Allergies: Introduction
A respiratory allergy or allergic reaction is an over-reaction by the immune system to a particular substance, or allergen. The immune system is made up of special cells that circulate throughout the body to defend the body against foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. This is a normal protective response, but for people with allergies, the immune system gets overzealous in its job and reacts when they inhale, swallow or touch harmless substances, such as pollen or dust. Almost any substance can become an allergen and cause an allergic reaction in a person who is sensitive to that particular substance. People with allergies are often allergic to more than one substance.
A severe reaction, also called an anaphylactic reaction, can become life threatening and requires immediate medical intervention. Respiratory allergies can also become serious for people with asthma. Allergens can trigger an asthma attack which results in constriction of the airways in the lungs, inflammation, and build up and blockage by mucus. This results in wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, which can become severe and life threatening.
Symptoms of Allergies
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symptoms of Allergies
Home Diagnostic Testing
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Allergies: Complications
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Disease Topics Related To Allergies
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Medical Textbooks Online about Allergies
Medical Books Excerpts
- Urticaria
- "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Urticaria
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Anaphylaxis
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Urticaria
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Urticaria
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Urticaria
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Wrongly Diagnosed with Allergies?
Allergies: Medical Mistakes
Allergies: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
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Allergies: Undiagnosed Conditions
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Misdiagnosis and Allergies
Psoriasis often undiagnosed cause of skin symptoms in children: Children who suffer
from the skin disorder called psoriasis can often go undiagnosed.
The main problem is that psoriasis is rare...read more »
Chronic lung diseases hard to diagnose: Some of the chronic lung diseases
are difficult to diagnose.
Even the well-knowns conditions such as asthma...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Allergies
Allergies: Research Doctors & Specialists
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Allergies: Rare Types
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Causes of Allergies
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Treatments for Allergies
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Latest Treatments for Allergies
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latest treatments for Allergies
News Archives for Allergies
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Source: HealthDay News
Videos for Allergies
Millions suffer from springtime allergies. But experts do have a handle on what sufferers can do to cope with this common problem. Allergies no...
Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children...
What is an allergy and what is it that causes some people to suffer from them? Why do allergies flare up during certain times of the year? Learn...
Sneezing in the sitting room? Coughing in the kitchen? Many common allergens occur primarily indoors and can make your life miserable. Join our panel...
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Reseach about Allergies
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Statistics for Allergies
Allergies: Broader Related Topics
Types of Allergies
Types of Allergies
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Types of Allergies
Curable Types of Allergies
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Rare Types of Allergies:
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Stories from Users Related to Allergies
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Article Excerpts about Allergies
Something in the Air Airborne Allergens: NIAID (Excerpt)
An allergy is a specific immunologic reaction to a normally harmless
substance, one that does not bother most people. People who have allergies often
are sensitive to more than one substance. Types of allergens that cause allergic
reactions include pollens, dust particles, mold spores, food, latex rubber,
insect venom, or medicines. (Source: excerpt from Something in the Air Airborne Allergens: NIAID)
Allergies: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Allergies involve an immune response in the body to things such as
plant pollen, other grasses and weeds, certain foods, rubber latex, insect
bites, or certain drugs. Estimates suggest that allergies affect more than
50 million people in the United States. Nearly 10% of American women have
pollen allergies. Allergic drug reactions, commonly caused by antibiotics
such as penicillin, occur in 2%-3% of hospitalized patients. Severe
allergic reaction to insect stings occurs in up to 5% of the population.
Although most people have experienced a reaction to something they have
eaten, only 1% of the adult population suffers from true immune reactions
to food. (Source: excerpt from Allergies: NWHIC)
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