Allergy-Proof Your Life. Michelle Schoffro Cook
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Название: Allergy-Proof Your Life
Автор: Michelle Schoffro Cook
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Здоровье
isbn: 9781630060756
isbn:
There are various types of tests for allergies. The most common medical ones include:
Blood testing for IgE antibodies. These blood tests show the specific substances to which your body had a full-blown allergic response involving IgE.
Allergy skin tests. Sometimes called prick tests, they involve a quick prick of the skin with a minute amount of a specific allergen to determine whether the skin will become inflamed and irritated. If it does, it means you have an allergy to this substance.
DO ALLERGY DRUGS SCARE YOU? THEY SHOULD!
There are several types of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications used for treating allergy symptoms. These medications are classified as antihistamines, decongestants, a combination of antihistamine and decongestants, corticosteroids, and allergy shots.
Antihistamine Drugs
Antihistamine drugs block histamine receptors in the body, thereby reducing the symptoms of allergies. Released by part of the body’s immune system known as mast cells, histamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body that causes blood vessels to dilate. In an allergic reaction, the immune system becomes hyperactive and overreacts to common, everyday substances such as pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, and so forth. When histamine is excessively released, it results in a runny nose, watery eyes, tissue swelling, and a constriction of the passageways of the lungs. Antihistamine drugs block receptors in the body so the histamine has less of an effect. Taken as eye drops, liquids, pills, and nasal sprays, antihistamines are largely OTC treatments used to diminish symptoms such as itchy eyes and nasal congestion. Although they can reduce symptoms, they do not address the causes of allergies.
Some of the most common antihistamine drugs include Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Claritin (loratadine); however, there are dozens of antihistamine drugs on the market.
Allegra (fexofenadine). Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that is often used to treat sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. The most common side effects include headaches, earaches, vomiting, back pain, body aches, chills, coughing, diarrhea, dizziness, fevers, joint pain, muscle aches, nasal congestion, painful menstruation, runny or stuffy nose, sleepiness, sneezing, sore throat, and weakness.2 You may notice that the drug can cause some of the same symptoms it is used to treat. You should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this drug, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness and increase the risk of injury. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Fexofenadine should not be combined with the herb St. John’s wort, as the herb increases blood levels of the drug. Conversely, ingestion of apple juice, grapefruit juice, or orange juice can decrease the blood levels of the drug, reducing its effectiveness.3
Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Also known by the names of Benylin, Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Tylenol Flu, Excedrin PM, and other brand names, diphenhydramine is primarily used to reduce the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes as well as to reduce swelling associated with allergic skin reactions. Although it is available on its own, it is also frequently combined with other drugs to address colds, flus, and other respiratory infections. Some of the side effects can include sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, thickening of respiratory mucous secretions, depression, impaired motor skills, confusion, neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing, dementia, rash, eczema, nausea, tachycardia (quickening of the heart beat), heart palpitations, reduced blood pressure, anemia, and gastrointestinal (GI) upset.4 You should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this drug, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness and increase the risk of injury. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication, as it can significantly increase the drowsiness caused by the drug. This drug interacts with many other drugs, so you should consult your pharmacist if you’re taking other medications. I’m unaware of any drug-herb interactions with diphenhydramine, but in theory, the drug may interact with the herb henbane (Hyoscyamus niger).5 Because the herb can be toxic, it should only be used by a skilled herbalist, if at all, so it is not found in most herbal formulations.
Claritin (loratadine). Used to reduce the effects of histamine in the body, Claritin primarily reduces symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, hives, or skin rashes. Some of the side effects can include headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, abdominal pain, eye inflammation, flu-like symptoms, stomachache, earache, viral infection, impaired motor skills, and heart arrhythmias.6 Because food can slow the absorption of the drug, it is usually recommended to take the drug on an empty stomach. Like other antihistamines, loratadine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication, as it can increase the drowsiness caused by the drug.7
Zyrtec (cetirizine). Like other antihistamines, cetirizine is used to alleviate the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, and hives. Some of the side effects of this drug can include drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, abdominal pain, irritability, nervousness, aggressive reactions, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma.8 You may notice that the drug can cause some of the same symptoms it is used to treat. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.9
Decongestants
Decongestant drugs do exactly what you’d expect based on the name: they reduce congestion in the nose and sinuses by constricting blood vessels in these areas. The vasoconstriction reduces swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, thereby making it easier to breathe. They are taken either in pill form or by nasal sprays or drops to target the nasal and sinus region. Although there are other types of decongestants, most are known as pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a synthetic, laboratory-derived version that is similar to the body’s own hormone adrenaline, which is also known as epinephrine.10 Ephedrine, which is available in prescription or nonprescription strengths, dilates the bronchi in the lungs, making it easier for asthmatics to breathe; pseudoephedrine is an OTC drug that has similar effects. Their brand names include Drixoral, Sudafed, Chlor-Trimeton, Suphedrin, and Suphedrine.
Some of the side effects of pseudoephedrine can include irregular or troubled heartbeat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hallucinations, seizures, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, headaches, increased sweating, weakness, trembling, nausea, vomiting, fast or pounding heartbeat, and difficult or painful urination.11
Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were originally derived from a plant known as ephedra, or by its scientific name, Ephedra gerardiana. The Chinese have been using this herb, which is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Ma Huang, for thousands of years. The plant is a highly effective decongestant with far fewer side effects than the drug versions; however, it is not available in many places. Regulatory officials state diet pill abuses, many of which included ephedra, as the reason. Although some companies definitely abused this herb for profit and there were consumers who took far more than the recommended dosages, I suspect that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine sales are in the billion-dollar range, giving the pharmaceutical industry a significant reason to lobby regulators against ephedra. The herb provides stiff competition for these synthetic drugs and has far fewer side effects, giving Big Pharma cause for concern. СКАЧАТЬ