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Allergies

Overview

An allergen is a protein that provokes an allergic reaction. This reaction occurs because the body judges this specific protein to be foreign and dangerous. Allergies fall into two categories: those caused by environmental factors and those caused by food. The allergens enter the body through breathing, skin absorption, eating and drinking certain foods, injection, insect bites, or vaccinations. Reactions that are mediated via the immunoglobulin IgE, are usually immediate and consist of a runny nose, watery eyes, itching and skin rashes. More severe cases manifest with constriction of the bronchial tubes and difficulty breathing. The more delayed reactions can occur up to 72 hours post-exposure and are mediated through the immunoglobulin IgG present with seemingly unrelated side effects such as lethargy, attention-deficit disorder, fatigue, hyperactivity, acne, itchy skin, mood swings, insomnia and inflammation of the joints. Even autism, diabetes and psoriasis have been associated with IgG-mediated allergic reactions.

The environmental allergens include pollen from various sources, household mites, tobacco smoke, cosmetics, perfumes, household cleaning agents, heating and cooking gas, fabrics, and dental fillings. Food allergies have to be distinguished from non-allergic reactions to food such as enzyme deficiencies and food poisoning. The most common foods to cause allergies are wheat and gluten, dairy products, chocolate, tomatoes, corn, egg whites, soy, peanuts, food dyes and additives. On occasions, a true allergy does not exist; however, a sensitivity to certain foods does. Food sensitivities are usually immediate and consist of belching, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, and lack of mental clarity. The additives that may precipitate "sensitivity reactions" include MSG, aspartame, food dye #5 and sulfites.

There is also a causal relationship between food allergy and addiction. Individuals tend to migrate towards foods that they may be allergic to. The underlying mechanisms in the development of a food allergy are an imbalanced immune system, barrier function default, or "leaky-gut" syndrome, and toxic overload. Immune imbalance may occur given any or all of the following factors:

• excessive toxic burden
• hereditary nature
• pollution
• numerous repeated childhood vaccinations
• antibiotics
• monotonous and repetitive diet
• chemicals in the food chain
• an underlying infection such as candidiasis

Mothers also may pass on allergens in utero to their children through the placenta (IgG-mediated). Conventional wisdom now leads us to believe that standard vaccinations permanently disturb the developing immune system, setting the stage for a hypersensitive reaction to foods. The immune system needs to be tempered by a cell-mediated response which typically happens in an infectious childhood disease.

Allergy Prevention

The Houston Wellness Clinic and its staff are strong proponents of allergy prevention strategies for children. We believe it is better to prevent the problem all together versus trying to treat it once it's already in full force and doing damage to the body. Suggestions for preventing childhood allergies include:

• Breast feed babies if at all possible
• Allow time for immune system to mature before introducing solid foods
• Avoid as many early immunizations as possible, utilizing only the most essential.

  Discuss this technique with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, who has children and strongly believes in the possibility of adverse reactions to immunizations.

• Allergy-proof your house

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Symptoms

• Congestion
• Rash
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Acne
• Headache
• Mood swings

This is not a complete list, and if you are experiencing these symptoms, it is not guaranteed you have allergies, or are suffering from an allergic reaction.

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Treatment

Testing at our center includes a variety of blood tests. Under certain circumstances, biomechanical testing is undertaken and occasionally, the Igg-Elisa test is employed. Once the results have been analyzed by our specialist, a specific treatment plan will be developed that may include a combination of some of the following:

• Advice on proper food combining, i.e. protein with non-starchy vegetables, carbohydrates with all vegetables and legumes, fruits and dairy products on their own
• Provide nutritional supplementation where needed, i.e. vitamins A, B, C and D3, zinc, magnesium and essential oils (zinc and vitamin A play essential roles in IgA-production)
• Recommend digestive aids if needed, such as gastric acid, B12, probiotics and digestive enzymes
• Vitamins, bioflavonoids, and certain herbal supplements such as goldenseal, astragalus root, echinacea, red sage and Brazilian ginseng; cayenne pepper and other inflammatory herbs such as quercetin, stinging nettle, ginko biloba, licorice, chinese skullcap, and feverfew are often employed in the regimen as well
• Homeopathic solutions that are diluted with the offending substance are gently introduced. Consideration of mega-dose administration is often helpful, whereby necessary nutritional and vitamin supplementation is rapidly achieved. This mode of therapy is also extremely useful in cases of relieving bronchial spas.

At the Houston Wellness Clinic, the first step is to find out exactly what allergen the patient is suffering from. After this has been confirmed, the doctor can properly recommend the full treatment therapy that will work best for each individual patient.

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