14 DAY TRIAL // Allergy is the most common chronic disease in Europe, where the latest statistical data show that about 80 million adults suffer from some form of allergy, and there's a good chance that by 2015, that number will double. The trouble with allergies is that they can become present in a thousand different ways, appear and disappear almost by magic, make you forget they actually are there before taking you by surprise, forcing you to stay home and hide under the blankets of your bed with a bad temper and a box of tissues.
However, most of us often don't know that there's a hidden danger to allergies, one that goes well beyond the irksome coughing, sneezing or skin rashes. That danger is that allergies usually evolve, particularly if they are left untreated or if we simply try to treat each symptom as it comes and fail to see the bigger picture. This evolution is generally known as the "allergy march", meaning that what started as a simple allergy may very well end up turning into allergic rhinitis and even asthma. You'll see then that is it extremely important to know, first of all, if you're suffering from a real allergy or not, and if it's the case, what steps you need to take in order to carefully follow, treat your condition and prevent it from getting worse.
How do we know we have an allergy?
In the broadest sense possible, an allergy is an exaggerated response from you body's immune system to certain "allergens" - that is, substances present in your environment, such as dust, hair from a dog, cat or any other small pet, mold or pollen in the air. These substances only create a problem for the people who have an inborn or acquired sensitivity to them. If you suspect you might be suffering from such an allergy, the first thing to do is consider the symptoms. Check out the three yes / no questions below, and if you happen to answer "yes" to more than one of them, there's a good chance you are suffering from an allergy.
1. Do you have any signs of skin allergies (rashes, hives and itchy skin) or have you had such problems in your childhood?
2. Do any of the allergic symptoms occur at particular times or in particular places (for instance the moment you visit your next door neighbors who just happen to have three cats and a lot of cat hair lying around)?
3. Do other members of your family suffer from allergies?
Allergy symptoms
Now, moving on. It's extremely important to get as specific about your symptoms as possible before going to see a doctor. The more information you offer the specialist, the easier it will be for him to identify the allergens (that is, those elements in your environment that trigger your condition or make it worse) and work out a treatment scheme that will treat and control your symptoms and make your life a lot easier. Below is a list of possible allergy symptoms, and while it's by no means exhaustive, it can help you get an overall idea of what an allergy is and the symptoms you will have to treat. As you go though the list, it's also a good idea to write down those symptoms you might have already experienced along with any other details such as when you experienced them, for how long and how serious they were.
- red, watery, itchy eyes - sneezing, congestion, blocked nose, - runny and itchy nose - throat clearing (mucus secretion in the throat) - coughing - shortness of breath - wheezing - hives (skin wheals) - skin rashes
To the doctor's office, then
As you prepare to go to the doctor's office, it's best to know what to expect. First of all, you will need to give a thorough medical history, including a detailed description of your symptoms. Also, the doctor will most likely undertake a physical examination of different organs, such as your nose (to check for any swollen membranes and structural defects), eyes (check if they are swollen, watery or red, or to assess whether you have other signs of long-term allergies), mouth (to see whether there are any signs of physical changes as a result of breathing only through your mouth), skin (for signs of allergy, such as hives or rashes), chest and lungs. You will most likely be asked to undergo a series of skin or blood tests to determine what substance may trigger your allergy. Don't worry - these tests are completely safe and pain-free. The doctor will then prescribe a treatment and a series of guidelines you may have to follow in order to avoid getting some / all of your symptoms back again, and let you know of any possible side-effects of your medication.
On our next "Learn to Know Your Body" section, we will talk about maintaining a high quality of life when dealing with allergies, as well as about what happens when allergies go untreated - namely their progress to allergic rhinitis and even asthma.
