Allergies

Monday, June 10, 2002

 

One in four Americans has them, do you? All this week, Dr. Ken Davis will discuss allergies. In today’s Sixty Second Housecall, Dr. Davis discusses how your immune system reacts to allergens.

 

The immune system is our body’s primary defense against disease and infection. But allergies can cause your immune system to go haywire.

 

An allergen is a harmless substance ordinarily that the immune system recognizes as a foreign object. Allergens can be inhaled, eaten or absorbed through the eyes or skin. The allergic reaction may be minor, such as sneezing, watery eyes or itching, or may be much more serious with breathing problems or low blood pressure and may even lead to death.

 

We don’t know why some people react to allergens and other people don’t. Unfortunately, if you’re allergic to one thing, you’re likely to become allergic to others. Almost anything can be an allergen, but the most common are pollens, particularly from grasses, trees and weeds. Many foods can also cause allergic reactions, too, especially strawberries, cantaloupe and citrus fruits.

 

You can develop allergies any time, but most are acquired during childhood, puberty and even during pregnancy. Allergies are controllable. Your physician can help determine your allergy triggers. You can then avoid the allergens and find medications that work for you. For little-known facts about allergies, log on to wtva.com and click on Sixty Second Housecall. For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.

 

Join us tomorrow when Dr. Davis offers tips for coping with allergies.

 

Little Known Facts About Allergies

 

In one survey, allergy sufferers were asked to rate the speed of their average allergy sneeze. Forty-six percent compared it to a “gale force wind.” Twenty-five percent compared it to a “gentle wind,” 16 percent compared it to a “mild breeze” and 11 percent compared it to a “hurricane.”

 

Fifty-nine percent of sufferers report that people respond to sneezing with “bless you,” but one in four allergy sufferers (26 percent) reports that most people say nothing at all.

 

Seven is the average for the most number of sneezes sneezed in a row.

 

Seventy-three percent of sufferers report that allergies have caused them to sneeze in a place that should be quiet.

 

More than half of the respondents (55 percent) say they have experienced a sneezing fit while driving.