Allergy Symptoms and Relief

Allergies are caused when the immune system responds negatively towards a type of food, substance inhaled, or other chemical that enters the body. Detecting allergies and then eliminating the source of the allergy is often a difficult and time-consuming task that can even be impossible without the assistance of a specialist.

Some doctors believe that many health conditions are directly related to allergies. While this may be true, any relationship between a condition and the allergy should only be considered under the direction of a qualified physician. Health conditions with possible allergy connections include the following:
  • Asthma
  • Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
  • Bladder and Urinary Tract infection
  • Candidiasis (vaginal)
  • Canker sores
  • Celiac disease
  • Colic
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's disease
  • Depression
  • Diarrhea
  • Duodenal Ulcer
  • Ear infections that reoccur
  • Eczema / Dermatitis
  • Gallbladder attacks
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Glaucoma
  • Hay fever
  • High blood pressure
  • Hives
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Infection
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Migraine headaches
  • MSG sensitivity
  • Obesity
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Psoriasis
  • Sinusitis
  • Sinus congestion
The following conditions may also be related to allergic reactions:
  • Autoimmune kidney disease
  • Bed-wetting
  • Cyclic vomiting syndrome
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Multiple Food Protein Intolerance (MFPI) of infancy
  • Multiple chemical sensitivity
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Leaky gut syndrome
Nutritional supplements that may be useful for treating allergies

Because of their ability to ease digestion, probiotics are considered to be useful in controlling certain food allergies. Probiotics improve digestion by allowing the intestines to more effectively control the absorption of food allergens and also by inhibiting the immune system's response to allergens. Some in the medical profession suggest that probiotics may also help with some forms of non-allergy related food intolerance and sensitivities.

Thymomodulin, a compound derived from the thymus gland of calves, has been shown to prevent some skin allergies caused by certain foods and is reported to have the ability to lower the level of antibodies that respond to these foods.

It has also been suggested that many allergies may be caused in large part by undigested food proteins in the human gastrointestinal system. Some studies suggest that the stomachs of people with regular allergies may not produce sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid, a substance required to digest protein. Proteolytic enzymes may help individuals with allergies as these enzymes can help the stomach brake down undigested protein into amounts that are too small to cause allergic reactions.

Many of symptoms associated with allergies are caused by histamines. Vitamin C and flavonoids, including quercetin, have shown to exhibit antihistamine effects in some animal studies.