What are "Allergies" really?

So today let's talk about allergies and what they really are.

An "allergy" is simply an immune system response to a foreign substance that's not typically harmful to the body. These foreign substances are called "allergens" and can include aeroallergens such as dust mites, mold, pollen, grass pollen or pet dander. As well as food allergens such as milk, egg, soy, wheat, nuts or fish proteins.

And more than 50 million Americans have experienced various types of allergies, with allergies coming in 6th in chronic illnesses in the United States.

Some of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction include: sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose, itchy skin, red - watering eyes, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, a cough, itchy - red rash called hives, or swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face.

Okay . . . science states that when a harmless substance such as dust, mold or pollen is encountered by a person "who is allergic" to that substance . . . the immune system "overreacts" by producing antibodies that "attack" the allergen.

But . . . is that really what's going on?

So the question for today is this . . . Is it the "allergen" that's actually causing the allergic reaction? Or is it the "immune system" that's causing it?

For years I suffered from allergies from dust, mold, pollen, food . . . you name it. And I tried everything. Yes, I'd get some relief . . . but not a cure.

Well . . . in researching the "mechanics" of the human body for my cancer 11 years ago . . . I had discovered that the real reason we have an allergic reaction to a foreign substance that enters the body . . . wasn't really because of the substance itself . . . yes, it triggered it . . . but rather it was the body's "inability" to "react normally and properly" to that foreign substance.

You see . . . science is correct in saying the immune system with its "histamine" and "inflammation" respond when certain elements are presented to the body like allergens. This is just a normal defense reaction of the body. And if we didn't have that respond . . . we'd really be in trouble.

But it's not really the "supposed" allergen . . . it's actually a "faulty" immune system that causes the "over respond" to that foreign substance. We all come in contact with these foreign substances on a daily basis.

So we really need to ask . . . why do some of us have an allergic reaction and some not?

Well . . . we need to think logically on this one . . . if any particular foreign substance was that dangerous to the human body and its immune system . . . then everyone would have an allergic reaction to that foreign substance. But that's not the case. So how can these foreign substances single out certain people and not others???

Well . . . the answer to that would be . . . only the people with a weakened immune system are the ones that can't defend the body from this normal foreign substance.

Confused yet???

Well . . . let's break it down so we better understand the body's natural function.

When any of us come in contact with something the body thinks is a foreign substance. The normal reaction of the body is to "rev" up the immune system to get rid of it. In doing this, the body starts to produce a protein which are antibodies called "Immunoglobulin E (IgE). (I did an Health Tip on this awhile back) As these antibodies are released, they travel to the cells that have come in contact with the foreign substance and release "inflammation", which in this case is an "alarm" mechanism that says "mayday, mayday we have a foreign invader in the body! At this time . . . "histamine" is released into the blood. Now "histamine" acts like a bouncer at a club to help the body get rid of the foreign substance with "no" allergic reaction.

That's how the body and immune system are supposed to work.

But . . . When the immune system is weak and compromised . . . it over reacts and tomorrow we'll find out why . . .

As always, feel free to contact me here