The Immune system is our major defence system, protecting us against disease-causing agents such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses and other foreign bodies. The Immune system recognises such substances as pollen as an allergen – something that is foreign and can trigger an allergic reaction. The Immune system responds by producing antibodies of which there are different types. The immune cells respond to an invading allergen by releasing anti-allergen chemicals, causing a reaction. The result of this response causes symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach and/or on the skin.
Antibodies have a special and specific attraction to every type of allergen. Hence the reason why some people are allergic to a single allergen, while others may have multiple allergies. The individual with one allergy has antibodies to one type of allergen. Those with more than one allergy have multiple types of particular antibodies. Organs and tissues contain immune cells which must be able to handle any or all of the following:
? The air around us that contains bacteria; viruses; fungi and fungal spores.
? Chemical particles from exhaust fumes, dust, hair, pollen, mites, industrial pollution and faecal dust. We inhale this air along with its many pollutants. Furthermore, we are in permanent contact with the air around us through our skin.
Rule of thumb: when flushing always close the lid on the toilet. Faecal matter can become air borne because of the flushing action.
Solid and liquid substances can be ingested or come into contact with the skin. These substances include:
? Bacteria, viruses, fungi and fungal spores.
? Corrosive chemical substances, poisons, particles of faecal dust from house mites, vermin such as mice, rats, insects, parasites, plant substances e.g. leaves, stems, thorns of some plants and animal dander.
? Insects that inject a local anaesthetic into the skin before drawing blood, flies use their saliva to ‘mush’ up food and saliva from domestic and farm animals.
? Consumed foods and drink which contain man-made chemicals: dyes, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, bacteria, viruses, fungal spores and chemical poisons;
? Worms, parasites and protozoans, which are a group of microscopic one-celled organisms that cause diseases.
? The sights, sounds and smells in our environment that cause us much stress, affecting our physical and emotional well-being.
There four types of Immune responses to allergies:
? Type 1 is an Anaphylactic Hypersensitivity: this is an immediate reaction. The signs of this type of hypersensitivity are shock, urticaria, which is a skin reaction with red, itchy welts, asthma and flu-like symptoms. These reactions occur within a few minutes of exposure to an offending allergen. Certain immune cells release anti-allergen substances. A first exposure may not produce a reaction – it may be mild and can go unnoticed. Within minutes there is itching, hives and skin flushing, followed by breathing difficulty – due to constriction in the lungs and increased production of mucous, swelling of throat and further obstruction of the upper air passages. The muscles of the entire intestinal tract is affected. The result is diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. The person can die within minutes if immediate emergency care is not sought.
? Type 2 is a Cytotoxic Hypersensitivity. This is an antibody triggered response. Antibodies bind with antigens. An example of this type of hypersensitive reaction of antibodies/antigens is a blood transfusions that doesn’t match, or a newborn whose mother has become sensitised to her foetus’ blood cells, resulting in a low platelet count and any number of autoimmune conditions.
? A third type is an Immune-Complex-Response Hypersensitivity. If the immune system is not doing its job, for whatever reason, the immune cells that normally destroy an offending allergen will not function properly, if at all. As a result, the offending allergens accumulate in the tissues – resulting in an inflammatory condition.
Immune-Complexes are allergens bound antibodies. There are three groups of Immune-Complexes e.g. those due to persistent infections, those due to autoimmune diseases and those caused by inhaling an allergen substance. As the number of complexes accumulates in the blood, the systems responsible for the removal of such complexes become overwhelmed. The Immune-Complexes are deposited in the tissues. The combined effects of a low-grade, but persistent infection and a weak immune response, leads to such chronic immune conditions as dengue hemorrhagic fever and viral hepatitis. Other conditions include leprosy and malaria. Immune-Complex diseases are complications of autoimmune diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus and polymyositis, a condition of the muscles resulting from irritation and inflammation.
? The fourth type is a Delayed Hypersensitivity which can take up to several days to show up. This category includes skin reactions from inhaled allergens coming in contact with certain metals or plants. Inhaled allergens cause reactions in the lungs e.g. Farmer‘s lung resulting from allergies to molds, Coeliac’s disease, an allergy to gluten. These are all examples of a Delayed Hypersensitive allergic reaction.
People showing intolerances to cow‘s milk, and wheat, can fall under all or any one of these four types of Immune reactions. Allergies should not be ignored. They are a crux of many disease conditions – but are not addressed unless they become obvious.
Next week we would look at triggers for specific allergic reactions – the symptoms and what to do to reduce your risk for allergic reactions.
To contact Dr. Stan Horne:
1-264-582-7045
1-784-531-1150
Email: naturopathyplus@yahoo.co.uk
