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Doctors recommend extra care for allergy related diseases

ISLAMABAD: Medical experts advise patients of hay fever and asthma to take extra care in wake of rise in dust particles, pollens and air pollution in the twin cities.

Talking to APP, Dr Shahi Afridi, of Federal Government Services Hospital, said, the most common allergy in Pakistan is hay fever and asthma.

He said, hay fever causes sneezing, nasal and ear congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes and a scratchy throat while asthma symptoms are often like a bad cold, except that they last a lot longer and rarely cause a fever and many of us will suffer from only seasonal allergies in our lifetime, while others will have symptoms all year long.

Dr Shahi said, basically the immune system is overreacting to something in the environment, such as dust particles, molds, animal dander mites, pollens, air pollution and foods.

He said when the immune system uses its weapons to fight off infection, the results are usually good but if the immune system gets confused and mistakes a pollen for a bacteria, it can unleash those same weapons unnecessarily, wreaking havoc in the body.

He said, one of those weapons is a chemical called histamine which is released into the bloodstream, it enhances mucus production, increases blood flow and causes swelling (edema), redness (hives or flushing) and itching or pain. Adding, this process is called inflammation Ñ it feels as if the body has been set on fire.

Dr Shahi said, most conventional treatments are aimed at cooling off this inflammation. Antihistamines dry up mucus and decrease swelling. Decongestants constrict blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to congested members in the nose and lungs. Steroids (available as nose sprays, eye drops, injections or oral tablets) decrease inflammation by short-circuiting the immune response.

Dr Shahi said, fortunately, there are a number of natural alternatives to drug therapy, including lifestyle changes, vitamins, herbs and immune-balancing foods and best of all is to leave the area for some period.

Nasal hygiene is equally important. Try this formula: 1/4 teaspoon salt plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda in 4 ounces warm water. Use a Neti pot or bulb syringe to rinse your sinuses once or twice daily. This also works well for colds.

Keep your immune system healthy by eating colourful fruits and vegetables. Blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and bell peppers are good choices. These foods are rich in flavonoids, which act like antihistamines. They also contain carotenes, which have anti-inflammatory activity.

To further enhance immune function, take a supplement containing the full range of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene complex and selenium.

Quercetin is a particularly effective flavonoid found in the skins of red onions and apples. Taken in doses of 1,000-2,500 mg daily, it helps block the release of histamine from immune cells, thus gently decreasing swelling and mucus production.

Essential fatty acids are also excellent for the immune system. Try to eat flax oil and cold-water fish on a regular basis.ÑAPP