Allergy, or as it is called, a disease of civilization, is a hyperreaction of the body to various irritants like pollen or certain food products. Research on allergies and their treatment is now given special attention, and according to the custom paper writing service – MasterPapers.com, the number of medical and nursing students seeking help in writing essays and research papers on this topic in 2024 has increased significantly.
This pattern is not accidental because, according to the World Health Organization, the increase in the number of allergic reactions, especially in developed and urbanized countries, is growing every year, and now about 40% of the world’s population is allergic to at least one irritant.
Why Are There More Allergic People in Developed Countries?
Scientists have long noted the tendency for countries with a higher standard of living and better medicine to have more allergy sufferers. Also, even within the same countries, people who grew up in cities are, on average, more prone to allergies than children who grew up in rural areas.
The central hypothesis for this relates to excessive hygiene. According to this theory, children’s excessive cleanliness and constant hand washing at an early age limit their access to microbes that help develop the immune system. Rural areas have more of these contacts on average, which theorizes that those who grew up in urban areas are more likely to suffer from respiratory and food allergies.
The Main Types of Serious Allergies
Atopic dermatitis
This allergic disease usually develops at an early age. Symptoms include dry skin, itching, redness and cracking. Allergens can come from a wide variety of pathogens, and the allergy belongs to the so-called atopic diseases, including bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Causes may be genetic and external, but this disease is not fully understood. At this stage, treatment mainly involves combating symptoms. The main medications prescribed for atopic dermatitis include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching, interference therapy using monoclonal antibodies, and creams to protect the skin.
Food allergies
At least 20th of an allergic reaction is realized in the body of a particular food. These responses are mild, like skin, eczema, and digestive problems. Also, on the one hand, it may be severe, like anaphylaxis, which in some cases may lead to death. The most frequent food ingredients responsible for allergic reactions are nuts, milk, seafood, soy, and wheat. Gluten intolerance has given rise to more and more reports and has gradually become one of the common health problems. Because of this, food producers were forced to embrace this trend, and many businesses were forced to mark their products as “gluten-free,” for example.
Food allergy treatment is not yet fully developed, and prevention is to avoid food that is not tolerated by the body. This is one of the therapies saving some food allergies. It includes oral immunotherapies, where patients are injected with a small amount of the allergen, and the body receives a lesser reaction to it, which is not as severe as in the earlier case.
Allergic rhinitis
This is also one of the most common types of allergies, and it is presented in medical advertisements as the main form of the disease. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffy nose, tear discharge, and mucous membrane swelling. The main allergens are plant pollen, dust, and animal fur. Symptom management involves taking antihistamines and nasal steroids to reduce swelling of the nasal mucous membranes, as well as eye drops, with the same effect.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is The most rapid and severe type of allergic reaction to an irritant. This can come from an allergen type of food, the sting of an insect, or even touching a plant. Symptoms include:
• A rash.
•. Swelling of the lips and throat.
•. Difficulty breathing.
•. A drop in blood pressure.
The first line of emergency treatment for anaphylactic shock is epinephrine, which is eliminated as soon as the first symptoms are observed. Patients who are at risk of anaphylactic shock should bring with them disposable epinephrine pistols specifically for treatment in case of emergency.
Allergy Diagnosis
Not all allergies cause severe reactions, but significant discomfort. It is not always possible to identify the allergen on one’s own, which is why quality diagnostics is one of the main points in preventing severe and unpleasant consequences of prolonged exposure to the allergen. Modern diagnostic methods include skin tests, performed when the patient is injected with samples of different allergens under the skin to determine the reaction. In addition, enzyme immunoassay is actively used to detect specific IgE antibodies in the blood, as well as molecular diagnostics. In recent years, the so-called genetic method of allergy testing has proved its effectiveness, which helps identify predisposition to reactions in children and develop effective preventive strategies. However, even though all these methods do not provide a 100% guarantee of allergen detection, this area still needs to be fully understood.
At the same time, if allergies are not paid attention to and do not take attempts to cure it, it is fraught with the development of much more serious diseases. In particular, studies show that people suffering from atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Allergy Prevention
We all know that disease prevention is much cheaper and more profitable than treating it. Recommendations for prevention are similar to general recommendations for health promotion. Doctors recommend a proper diet with sufficient saturated fats like omega 3, which help the immune system work more correctly. Regular house cleaning and mold prevention are also critical. In infancy, breastfeeding is an allergy preventative. Studies show that babies fed on their mother’s milk suffer less from food allergies and dermatitis.
Conclusion
There are diverse ways to avoid and heal allergies in this era, ranging from lifestyle changes to advanced medical products. The significance of a comprehensive strategy for allergy management that embraces diagnosis, prevention, and current treatments cannot be measured in terms of increased patient satisfaction. The results of these studies and the awareness programs will contribute to more effective and available allergy management.
