Tuesday, November 6, 2007

What is allergy?

Allergy can be described as a malfunction of the immune system, causing a violent reaction to normally harmless substances in our natural environment. In this context, these substances are generally called "allergens." The reaction creates inflammation which, in turn, can lead to a variety of symptoms such as hay fever, eczema, asthma and other conditions popularly known as allergies. There are genetic and environmental risk factors. To develop allergic symptoms, we must first be exposed to the allergen specific for a certain time to build allergic sensitivity, and then once more to trigger an allergic reaction. Environmental factors, such as smoking and pollution will also increase risk. Initially, allergy often appears as apparently benign, such as hay fever during pollen season. In fact, many people gradually build up an allergic condition over many years before experiencing any symptoms whatsoever. However, for some unfortunate, some food or drugs or a mere insect bites may cause sudden, life-threatening anaphylactic shock. In addition, those who start allergies like eczema or gastrointestinal problems, many develop into asthma, often involving respiratory symptoms such as hyperresponsiveness and airway obstruction. This direct path of development, commonly called "allergy march" (1) is of primary interest to the research and development carried out in Phadia. Our basic understanding of the allergy has evolved from the discovery in 1967 of an antibody previously unknown Immunoglobulin E or IgE, by scientists at Uppsala University and Baltimore. The most important property of IgE is that they can be specific for hundreds of different allergens. Continued research has significantly advanced our knowledge regarding, for example, the interaction between IgE and inflammatory cells. Effective Drugs for asthma, we must look beyond the obvious symptoms. Anti-histamine, for example, can provide temporary relief by masking symptoms, but have virtually no effect on the underlying inflammation. Other pharmaceuticals, known to be effective for seasonal allergies, should be administered weeks before the exhibition. The clinical use of inhaled steroids is now gaining ground because of their anti-inflammatory effects, but overtreatment can have serious side effects. To ensure the lowest effective dose throughout treatment, the laboratory can periodically monitor the event in the serum of PCE (2) release of inflammatory cells. Protein is an eosinophilic cationic protein produced in certain white blood cells actively engaged in the defense of the immune system. Using a diagnostic test developed by Phadia, ECP can be detected in body fluids.

BRAND NAMES: Atarax

DRUG AND MECHANISM OF CLASS: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and anesthetic which is used to treat allergic reactions. Histamine is released by the body for several types of allergic reactions and -- to a lesser extent -- during certain viral infections, such as the common cold. When histamine binds to its receptors on the cells, it causes changes within the cells that lead to sneezing, itching, and increased mucus production. Antihistamines compete with histamine to cell receptors; However, when they bind to receptors they do not stimulate the cells. In addition, they inhibit histamine binding and stimulate the cells. After ingestion, hydroxyzine molecule is slightly changed, things have changed and that hydroxyzine also binds to cells. (This has changed hydroxyzine drew an active metabolite -- is cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is now a drug approved by the FDA.) Although both cetirizine and hydroxyzine act as antihistamines, hydroxyzine causes sedation as a secondary effect, and does cetirizine. Hydroxyzine was originally approved by the FDA in 1957. GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes PRESCRIPTION: yes PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Capsules: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Syrup: 10 mg per teaspoon (5 ml). Suspension: 25mg per teaspoon (5 ml). STORAGE: capsules, tablets and liquids should be stored below 30 ° C (86 ° F). Fluids should not be frozen and should be shaken well before each use. PROVIDED FOR: Hydroxyzine is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of allergic ailments such as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Although antihistamines are the privileged classes of drugs in allergic rhinitis, they only reduce the symptoms of 40-60%. Hydroxyzine is also used as a tool to help with insomnia and induce sedation before uneasy certain diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. DOSING: Hydroxyzine has its maximum effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. Therefore, it is often required to take every 4 to 6 hours as needed to relieve symptoms associated with allergy. When used to combat insomnia, it is required to take 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime as needed. Patients older than 60 years are particularly susceptible to the effects of the sedative hydroxyzine, and the dose should be reduced. Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food. Drug Interactions: Hydroxyzine addition (exaggerate) the sedative effects of alcohol and other drugs that can cause sedation as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (eg, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic Analgesics class and its derivatives (eg, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, codeine, Darvon), the class of tricyclic antidepressants (eg Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), and certain medications (eg, Catapres, Inderal). Hydroxyzine may also intensify the drying effects of other drugs with anticholinergic properties (eg, Bentyl, Urecholine, Probanthine, Elavil, Thorazine.) When using these drugs, the dose of hydroxyzine may require the reduction, Consequently. PREGNANCY: A limited number of studies hydroxyzine pregnant women to think that there might be a link between its use in the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital anomalies in the fetus. Therefore, hydroxyzine should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether hydroxyzine is excreted in human milk. In general, antihistamines are not recommended for use during breast-feeding, since they can cause stimulation or seizures in newborns. SIDE EFFECTS: Hydroxyzine commonly can cause sedation, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, drying and thickening of oral and other respiratory secretions, distress and stomach. Hydroxyzine can also cause confusion, nervousness, irritability, blurred vision, double vision, tremors, loss or appetite, or nausea. Hydroxyzine should be used with caution (if any) of those with a narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate), hyperthyroidism, heart disease, hypertension and asthma.
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Definition of Allergies

Allergies are abnormal reactions to ordinarily harmless substances. Awareness of substances called allergens, can be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with skin. Allergens causing problems most frequently are: pollen, mold spores, dust mites, animal danders, food, insect bites or stings, plants, insects, spores, latex, viruses , bacteria, drugs and environmental conditions (such as cold temperatures). Allergic reactions can occur in a specific area, such as sneezing or a rash or sneezing, or may include more than one symptom. Description of Allergies Normally, the body learns to defend itself through experience by the encounter, battling and remembering one enemy after another. For decades, medical science has taken advantage of this capability through the use of vaccination to create immunity of the immunological "memory" of a disease. Allergic reactions occur after the immune system learns to recognize wrongly innocent foreign substances (allergens) as potentially harmful. The following story illustrates how can develop an allergy: More than a field of ragweed plants floats invisible cloud of pollen grains, quickly swept away by the wind in a nearby city. The pollen is inhaled by a child, whose body has never been exposed to this substance before. Due to some factors of genetic predisposition, this child's immune system and produces an excessively large number of IgE antibodies, all specially designed to respond to ragweed pollen. Several antibodies attach themselves to cells in the child nasal passages and upper respiratory tract. These cells (known as mast cells) contain strong chemicals called mediators, the best known of which is histamine. Later, when the child inspires the same type of pollen, the proteins bind pollen in a lock and key fashion specially designed antibodies on the surface of mast cells. That triggered an explosion of sorts, as mediators burst from inside the mast cells, destroying the pollen and also damage surrounding tissue. The results are sneezing, a stuffy head, sniffling, stuffed-up head and red, watery eyes, a well-known stamps allergies. Causes and Risk Factors of Allergies The fundamental cause of allergy is not yet known. The problem tends to be hereditary. An individual is allergic more likely to have parents who are allergic to be on the basis of chance, but not hereditary factors appear to play a role as well. The proof is the fact that children who are breastfed are less likely to develop allergies than bottle-fed babies. The reason why a person is sensitive to certain substances and not to others remains a mystery. Individuals may be affected by a variety of allergic diseases. The most common allergic diseases are allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and urticaria. (Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic diseases and the main purpose of this profile health. More comprehensive information about other conditions can be found under that term.) Allergic rhinitis is a general term used to ask all those who have an allergy based on symptoms. Allergic rhinitis can be a seasonal problem (commonly known as "hay fever" or pollen allergy) or all year (commonly known as perennial allergic rhinitis). Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergy to pollen from trees, grasses, weeds or mold spores. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by house dust, animal danders, molds and certain foods. Asthma is caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors (inhalation). Intrinsic factors are pollen, dust, mites, animal fur, feathers or animal hair. Extrinsic factors are respiratory infections; A cough, cold or bronchitis; The exercise, and tobacco smoke or other air pollutants, which can be caused by an allergy to a particular food or medication. Eczema, also known as allergic dermatitis, or atopic dermatitis, can be caused by food or other allergens. Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to certain plants (such as poison ivy or poison oak), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, metals and chemicals. Urticaria, also known as "The Hive" is caused by an allergy to foods such as nuts, tomatoes, shellfish and berries. Hives can also be caused by drugs, such as aspirin and penicillin.