Allergy, otherwisely called Hypersensitivity, is an abnormally exaggerated body response to contact allergens – naturally-occurring protein substances that are generally not harmful.
In non-allergic people the immune system only launches self-protection mechanisms whenever there is bacteria and/or virus intrusion. As for allergens, which are mostly harmless substances –their visits are ignored.
However, if an allergic person is exposed to an allergen – his/her supersensitive immune system overreacts and takes immediate defensive actions against the pseudo-dangerous substance.
Now, let’s find out How? and When? exactly does this immune system false alarm go off…?
When an allergen attacks for the first time, B-lymphocytes or white blood cells produce an antibody against the intruder. This antibody binds to the surface of the allergy cell, or mast cell, thus equipping and preparing it to fight off the next attack. The described process is called sensitization.
Once the sensitization phase is over, there is an allergic response each and every time the body is openly exposed to an allergen whatsoever. Upon its second visit the allergen automatically sticks to the already at-call & ready-to-protect antibody on the surface of the mast cell. This pairing provokes the granula in the mast cell to release histamine – a biogenic amine responsible for the actual emergence of physical allergic symptoms. Depending on the quantity of allergen substance, the longevity of exposure to it and the body location it targets – there will be an allergic reaction in the form of asthma, hay fever or nettle rash.
How exactly does histamine produce its malicious effect…?
Let’s illustrate its mechanism of action on the example of an asthma attack… The chain reaction histamine launches looks something like this:
As blood vessels get dilated > mucous membranes in the nose swell due to the liquid leaking > glands situated in the nose and the respiratory airways start to overproduce mucus, or phlegm.
Substances responsible for evoking musculature contractions in the respiratory airways are released at the same time as histamine. As a result, it gets harder to breathe and an asthmatic attack may follow.
What is an allergen??
An allergen is a tiny protein substance that your body’s immune system erroneously interprets as a health-threatening aggressor. The occurring allergic response is in effect a triggered defense mechanism.
- dust & house dust mites
- mould and mould fungus
- animal parasites (e.g., on cat & dog fur)
- venoms (e.g., honey bee, wasp)
- chemicals.
- foods (e.g., strawberries, nuts, milk etc.)
The sneezing, the sniffling, the coughing, the watery eyes … hay fever can make life miserable. And with side effects ranging from drowsiness to high blood pressure and diabetes, allergy medication is often a solution worse than the condition itself. Chiropractor is concerned about the upswing in marketing and use of allergy medications and encourage patients to seek natural solutions, including chiropractic.
How can a Chiro help? The answer lies with hay fever’s origins. In hay fever sufferers, the immune system overresponds to harmless substances and launches an assault.
Since hay fever is tied to a dysfunction in the immune system, the chiropractic office is a great place to start in the battle against this condition.
Preliminary research indicates that chiropractic strengthens immunity by influencing the nervous system. Researchers speculate that, because the spinal column houses the spinal cord, dysfunction of the spinal column may influence the nervous system. This, in turn, impairs immune function.
Dr Steven Lockstone is a Chiropractor in Melbourne with a passion for health and chiropractic.
Comment by stevloc — October 17, 2008 @ 7:52 am