Allergy is defined as a particular sensitivity of the organism to various kinds of substances, such as chemicals, human or animal protein, medicines, plants, grass pollen and food. The organism forms antibodies against the substances (antigens) entering the blood on the respiratory tract, through the skin and mucous membranes, or during food intake.
Causes
Allergies are defined as a particular sensitivity of the organism to various types of substances, such as chemicals, human or animal protein, drugs, plants, grass pollen, and food. In the case of a repeated encounter with substances to which the body is sensitized by the formation of antibodies, a reaction between antigen and antibody theoretically occurs. In the process, certain substances, including histamine, are released, the effects of which result in general reactions in the organism:
For example, itchy skin wheals, eczema, bronchial spasms, increased secretion of mucus, temperature rises and circulatory symptoms, the intensity of which can increase to a total collapse of circulatory function. The frequency of such diseases may depend, in the broadest sense, on the body constitution of the person. Thus, there are families in which the tendency to allergic diseases, such as eczema, bronchial asthma, hay fever and others, is widespread due to a particular permeability of the mucous membranes. In such cases it is necessary to try to achieve a change in the reaction state of the organism, i.e. the disposition to allergy, already in childhood by systematic drug therapy, climatic treatment and other physiotherapeutic measures. Frequent confrontation with certain materials or substances can also eventually lead to allergy; one thinks especially of professions in the chemical industry. The hypersensitivity to such allergens (i.e. substances that trigger allergic clinical pictures) can go so far that they can still trigger allergic phenomena even at a dilution of 1:1,000,000. Incidentally, this is the basis of the principle of allergy testing, in which high dilutions of substances that may cause an allergy are introduced into the skin. Careful habituation to such dilutions, the concentration of which is gradually increased, can make the person concerned insensitive to these substances. Such a process is called desensitization. All these connections were already explained in detail after the first investigations by Richet, who in 1902 for the first time observed the regularity of allergic reactions in animal experiments at the occurrence of shock states. However, both in animal experiments and in humans, it has been observed that the occurrence and course of allergic reactions can vary with the same degree of allergen exposure. For example, the symptoms of hay fever that has been present for years may worsen considerably under the influence of professional and private conflicts. However, the opposite can also occur, as we observed, for example, in a patient whose hay fever symptoms disappeared completely for some time during a death in the family. Here, the influence of central nervous excitations on blood vessel permeability (permeability), on allergic reaction, and possibly also antibody formation is already apparent.
Examples
Under certain conditions, allergic patients also experience physical sensations that resemble those of allergic reactions and yet in which no allergen can be detected, indeed in which allergen involvement can be safely ruled out. There is a real allergy to certain substances, but it can also be feigned by other moments. Here are the following examples:
A girl suffers from a food allergy to strawberries, which is expressed in itchy red skin squiggles. For this reason, she has been forbidden by her doctor from eating these tasty fruits. When visiting acquaintances, she therefore has to watch a strawberry meal with whipped cream much to her chagrin. And yet, already towards the end of the meal she feels itching and the same skin wheals form as after a real consumption of the fruit.In this case, the allergy could also be assumed to be caused by the smell of strawberries, since we know that even minimal amounts of the allergen can cause a pronounced allergic manifestation. To check this, we put the patient, who was interested in clarification herself, under hypnosis and suggested that she eat strawberries. She happily reached for the fruit present in her imagination. After a short time the same skin symptoms appeared as after a real consumption of strawberries. The triggering of an asthma attack as an expression of hypersensitivity to bed feathers or molds present in bed feathers can also occur in the same intensity with all the manifestations of bronchial spasm and increased mucus secretion if the touching of moldy bed feathers is only feigned. However, the most famous is the following much-cited example: a patient who reacted to the smell of roses with an asthma attack, suffered a violent attack when he smelled paper roses. From our examples it becomes clear that besides a real allergy other factors cause the triggering of an allergic attack, namely nervous reflexes, which become more and more developed with longer duration of the disease. In such patients it is a formation of the “conditioned reflexes” described by Pavlov, but here to pathologically conditioned reactions, which are triggered solely by the imagination, i.e. via the central nervous system, such as salivation at the mere thought of a tasty meal. However, the influence of the central nervous system on the course of allergic reactions becomes much more complicated by the inclusion of further factors, as explained at the beginning with the example of hay fever. This is true for bronchial asthma as well as for allergic skin symptoms. Eczema can disappear completely in a state of mental relaxation. In addition to the existing physical changes, the psychological attitude to the suffering, especially in connection with the triggering of the individual attack, also plays a major role. Even the fear of the seizure in the first place is likely to cause the seizure disorder. The repeated experience of an asthma attack in the parental home can also significantly increase the tendency to a real attack, especially in children. Periods of mental and physical exhaustion can also cause an accumulation of attacks, while a balanced mood at the vacation resort or joyful excitement can act like an “asthma medicine”.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms and complaints of an allergy can be very different and also depend very much on the particular allergy. In the worst case, an allergy can also lead to shock, in which case treatment in a hospital is mandatory. In the case of an allergy, most patients suffer from itching and reddened skin. The itching intensifies when the affected person scratches himself. Swelling or breathing difficulties can also occur due to the allergy and have a very negative effect on the patient’s quality of life. Often the breathing difficulties are so severe that there is a loss of consciousness. Swelling can lead to restrictions in movement. Furthermore, the eyes are often red and itchy, and they may also water. The symptoms intensify if the allergen continues to be ingested or inhaled. When the allergen is removed, the symptoms usually disappear on their own. An allergy can also cause discomfort in the abdomen or stomach. Many sufferers therefore also suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. Heart palpitations can also occur. Often, sufferers also exhibit rhinitis and severe headaches, with frequent sneezing.
Complications
Allergies have a significant impact on the nervous system and thus can cause a number of complications. In type I, immediate-type allergy, there is a risk of an immediate allergic reaction. Such an anaphylactic shock is accompanied, among other things, by a severe drop in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, as well as asthmatic complaints, and can subsequently lead to fainting or even death of the affected person. As a result of allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma may develop, which is associated with coughing, shortness of breath and consequent anxiety.Type II, the cytotoxic allergy, can cause immune disorders, circulatory problems and, as a result of cell destruction, anemia. Type II, the immune complex reaction, can lead to inflammation in the joints and organs in the course of a few days. As a consequence, vascular inflammation and organ damage may occur. Typical sequelae are serum sickness and avian lung. Similar complications are caused by type IV, the late type allergy. In addition, there is an increased risk of severe rashes, nervous system diseases, and the formation of new allergies, which may become more severe as the disease progresses. Regardless of type, actual allergy also leads to multiform complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
When an allergy first occurs, a doctor should determine the exact cause. The medical professional can diagnose the allergen using an allergy test and suggest appropriate treatment options. Most allergies are easily treatable with allergy medications and avoidance of the triggering substance. If symptoms persist, a physician must determine whether other therapeutic methods or preparations are more appropriate. In the case of acute symptoms that last longer than two to three days or become more severe during the course of the day, a doctor should be consulted immediately. This is especially true for children and people with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women and patients with pre-existing nervous system disorders should consult a doctor regularly in case of allergy. In the event of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock), an emergency physician must be consulted. Accompanying first aid measures must be given. After initial treatment, the allergy must be diagnosed and, if necessary, the medication adjusted. Occupational allergies require rapid clarification simply because of the risk of accident. Treatment can be provided at the expense of the statutory accident insurance.
Treatment and therapy
From the scientifically researched connections between the cerebrum, the vegetative switching points in the diencephalon and the triggering of allergic reactions, essential conclusions could be drawn for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Even if in many cases the physician cannot do without anti-allergics, anti-asthmatics or adrenal hormone preparations, he will always take into account the influence of central nervous regulation, which can alter vascular permeability or cause bronchial spasm. By eliminating harmful psychological influences, it may be possible to prevent mental and physical stress, anxiety, and shortness of breath from providing the final impetus for triggering an asthma attack. Knowledge of these physical-mental connections takes away the fear of the attack and thus often saves the person from the attack itself. Similar prophylactic educational methods have also made it possible for us to take away the fear of childbirth from pregnant women and thus to bring about pain relief during the birth process. This prophylaxis should also be combined with physical relaxation through breathing exercises and remedial gymnastics. If necessary, patients can learn exercises for self-relaxation. Such exercises can also be successfully performed in groups. Children of parents suffering from asthma should be given prophylactic relaxation gymnastics at an early age so that they do not copy the complaints of the sick father or the suffering mother and adopt them as “exemplary”. The mechanism of origin and the course of allergic diseases show us with striking clarity the close connection and the mutual influence of a hypersensitive reacting defense mechanism with the respective state of excitement and the regulatory processes in the central nervous system. Most allergy sufferers are still unaware of the interrelationships and thus often do not understand the recommendations of the treating physician. Some patients simply do not understand why they are not prescribed any medication, even if this measure is completely correct from the medical point of view. Possibly it looks for still another physician, who sends it from ignorance over its total illness picture with a prescription to the pharmacy and acts thereby more badly than right.
Outlook and prognosis
Allergy can have a very negative impact on the life of the affected person. As a rule, it significantly restricts the patient’s everyday life.In this case, contact with or ingestion of the allergen often results in respiratory distress, rashes or other symptoms. In many cases, the complaints and symptoms are relatively different and vary from patient to patient. If contact with the allergens is not avoided, the internal organs and vessels can also be damaged, resulting in a significantly reduced life expectancy of the affected person. Direct treatment of an allergy is usually not possible. With the help of medication, the complaints and symptoms can be limited in some cases. Sensitization of the affected person is also possible. If the patient avoids contact with the allergen and otherwise does not expose himself to any particular dangers from the allergy, there is usually also no reduced life expectancy.
Follow-up
In the case of complaints or diseases that affect an allergy and the nervous system, the measures of an aftercare are in most cases severely limited, and the affected person is primarily dependent on an early detection and on the further treatment of these complaints. The further course and the exact possible measures of an aftercare depend thereby very strongly on the exact illness, so that thereby no general prediction can take place. In most cases, such diseases or complaints do not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person if they are detected and treated at an early stage. The affected person should first and foremost avoid the triggering substances or substances and foods that are responsible for the allergy. Alternative substances can be used. If this involves medications, one medication can be discontinued or replaced by another after consultation with a physician. It is not uncommon to be able to take medications that can significantly alleviate or completely eliminate the symptoms of an allergy. Such medication should be taken regularly and in the correct dosage. Also the contact to other affected persons can be meaningful thereby, since it comes thereby frequently to an exchange at information.
What you can do yourself
If you know your body and the substances that trigger allergic reactions, you must avoid them. However, to a limited extent, the nervous system can be supported and strengthened so that the allergies do not appear at all or only to a small extent. This includes taking high doses of calcium tablets or beta-carotene for sun allergies. The way in which the central nervous system is partly responsible for allergic reactions becomes apparent in stressful situations. Then sudden reflexes occur, which are also known as “nervous reactions”. The rule then is to avoid stress as much as possible and to use rest periods more often. Stress at work often manifests itself in the form of itchy skin rashes and even asthma attacks. Then it is not an allergen that is the trigger, but the overload at work or in the family. In his test with dogs, Pavlov showed in what way certain ideas trigger a reflex in the central nervous system. In his dogs, it was the flow of saliva, which was shown in connection with certain sounds. This is also the case with allergies, which manifest themselves in connection with the nervous system. People who suffered from hay fever or itching for many years could therefore also be cured if they changed jobs, for example.
