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The reduction of the symptoms of the allergy is the goal of treatment and the best way to bring about that is to avoid exposure to allergens. It may be impossible to completely avoid environmental
allergens, but exposure may - at least - be minimized in most cases. Allopathic treatment consists of drug therapies (such as antihistaminics, decongestants and
nasal corticosteroid sprays) which are used to control mild to moderate
symptoms. Medicines are prescribed based on the type of allergic
rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis may require daily medication and
if you have seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), you may be advised
to start medicines - and continue it - a few weeks before the pollen season.
One must be aware that over-the-counter nasal sprays and drops may be addictive and
should be used sparingly. Medications containing steroids will damage the nasal mucous membrane! How
Homeopathy Works in Allergic Rhinitis The homeopathic
treatment of allergic rhinitis offers better results. Many such
allergies can be healed permanently, though it may take more than a couple of seasons before it is completely wiped out. Homeopathic
remedies for allergic rhinitis have been well documented in scientific
research. A study by Taylor et al, published in the British Medical
Journal in 2000 showed statistically significant improvement in
objectively measured nasal air flow for patients treated with
homeopathy. Allergic
rhinitis involves over-responsiveness of the immune system, and is
therefore not limited to a local problem with the nose, but is a systemic
issue. Homoeopathic treatment of allergies is best carried out by an
experienced homeopathic doctor who is also academically sound. As
with any other medical condition, homeopathic medicines are not used to
treat diseases but to treat patients; any successful, long term,
treatment will likely require a complete medical history, evaluation
and determination of the particular "constitutional" medicine, suited
for the patient, and provided by a doctor specialized in homeopathic
treatment and cure. The
objective of taking treatment is to provide comfort. Homeopathy
provides it without any side effects. The homeopathic approach is a
natural way to help the body by stimulating the body's own process of
healing. It
involves the use of extremely diluted substances to heal the body
through the release of vital energy. The rule in homeopathy is "like
treats like". Homeopathic medicines will stimulate the natural healing processes and heal the allergy. Thus, it helps the patients to live in their own circumstances and
environment. There
are 180 homoeopathic medicines which give great relief in allergic
rhinitis or hay fever. However, the correct choice and the resulting
relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the
homeopathic doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking
of the patient. Thus, homeopathic medicines of allergic rhinitis or hay
fever are designer made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive
the same anti allergic medicines, antibiotics, steroids and so on,
although trade names may be different. Please e-mail dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com for any questions/treatment |
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Do
you find yourself having a runny, itchy nose, watery eyes and severe
sneezing episodes? If so, you may be suffering from allergic rhinitis
or hay fever and you are also among the estimated 25% of the Indians
affected by one or the other form of allergies. Pollen seems to be the
main cause. The other main causative factor in this region is the paddy
threshing dust. In rural areas, this is a very common trigger. Commonly
called hay fever, pollen allergies are among the most common chronic
conditions. The most common producers of allergic pollen include weeds,
grasses and trees. These dry pollen are disseminated by the wind and
trigger allergic symptoms. Common symptoms include sneezing,
congestion, a running nose, and itchiness in the nose, roof of mouth,
throat, eyes and ears. Allergic
rhinitis has another type too. The perennial type occurs all throug the
year and is not affected by the time of the year. Dust mites, animal
dander and mold spores are usually the main causes. Early morning
sneezing attacks are quite typical of dust mite allergies. An
allergy refers to an abnormal reaction to certain substances called
allergens. Just as the country's defence forces are trained to identify
the enemy and attack it, our immune system identifies the body's
enemies like bacteria, viruses and so on and eliminates them. The
country's forces never attack our civilians; similarly, our immune
system ignores useful substances like food and drugs and useless or
harmless substances like pollen grains, dust and animal dander.
However, if the immune system goes awry and reacts to such useful or
harmless substances, then the person is said to have developed an
allergy. Such substances, called allergens, may be inhaled, swallowed
or may come in contact with the skin. |
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Allergic
rhinitis can cause many symptoms, including the following :
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Your
family and personal history of allergy is important in diagnosing
allergic rhinitis. Questions you may be asked include the following :
Do symptoms vary according to the time of day or the season? Do you have a
pet or are you exposed to one? Have you made changes to your diet? Are
you on any medication? Allergy
testing may reveal specific allergen(s). Skin testing is the most
common method of allergy testing. A
radioallergosorbent test, or RAST, is usually used to check your blood
for elevated levels of the antibodies produced by your immune system to
guard against specific allergens. In
children, observing behavior is helpful in diagnosis. Symptoms of
allergic rhinitis may cause a child to wiggle the nose and push the
nose upward with the palm of the hand to clear obstruction. |
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Make
your own decongestant by boiling grapefruit, orange, or lemon peels,
including the pith, in water mixed with honey until the peels are
spongy, stirring occasionally. Be
careful not to overcook - you do not want candied fruit. Eat one piece
when symptoms start and one piece each evening at bedtime, during the hay
fever season. Substances
in the peel and white rind act as anti-inflammatory agents and will help dry the
mucus membranes. Lemon
is considered a stimulant expectorant, that may help release mucus from
your lungs. |
Please E-mail dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com for any questions/treatment