Is it an Allergy?

These days we seem keen to attribute many of our problems to an "allergy." But is this really the case? Can there be other causes of our symptoms?

Let's first take a look at the terms we use.

• Allergy
• Intolerence
• Sensitivity

The allergic reaction involves a whole range of immune responses, creating "anaphylactic shock." This is an instant and violent reaction, the lips tingle and swell, the eyes swell, there may be a skin rash, the breathing quickens, the throat may swell making breathing impossible and may well result in death if not treated swiftly. This can be caused by bee stings, peanuts, rubber etc. It involves the IgE reaction (Immunoglobin E)

Intolerance and sensitivity are interchangeable terms used for lesser reactions (ie not fatal) A sensitivity to grass pollen, or house dust mite may cause sneezing, a runny nose and catarrh (Hayfever /Rhinitis.) These reactions can also take longer to develop, a food intolerance, for example, may cause a kind of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) where symptoms may not occur until the day after eating the offending food. These reactions involve the IgA reaction (Immunoglobin A)

Now lets consider other reactions. Baked beans are renowned for causing wind, people often burp after eating cucumber, people can sneeze after inhaling dust while cleaning, the dust particles acting as an irritant. Some skin rashes are due to poison in plants irritating the skin as in a nettle sting. Dust, or washing powder can irritate the nasal lining and cause us to sneeze. Sudden diarrhoea can be caused by eating tomato skins, where the gut is unable to digest them and they serve as an irritant. These are not allergic reactions but other chemical reactions.

Many people are disappointed when no allergies are found and find it hard to accept there is another cause of their problems. Many of their symptoms can actually be caused by stress. It is a proven fact that our stomachs change colour when we are stressed, the stomach lining turns red when we are angry and white when we are afraid. Recent scientific research has found emotional receptors in the gut. So stress does affect our digestion. Stress can also affect the immune system, causing us to become more intolerant, or sensitive, or even allergic. Stress increases our histamine levels.

Many people are simply producing too much histamine generally and suffer random allergic responses, nothing specific. This can be brought on again by stress, or just an imbalance.

IBS for example, can be caused by a food intolerance, stress, hormonal imbalances, spastic colon, a magnesium deficiency and a whole host of other causes.

So please think carefully when blaming everything on an allergy!!