ALLERGIES

PART 1. 
UNDERSTANDING ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN CHILDREN

Runny noses and constant sniffles are a common recurrence among adults and children alike. This phenomenon is inevitably labeled as a 'sinus problem' and often this guess is confirmed after checking with their respective doctors. However, it is really easy for many of my patients to confuse infections; both viral and bacterial, with actual allergies, subsequently leading to a less effective treatment option. For your reading pleasure, I will now explain the truth on alergies in this TWO-PART series of commonly asked questions.

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?

An allergy occurs when the body's immune system, or the intrinsic defence system, reacts against substances or antigens to many people. These can be separated into two categories: harmful antigens and harmless antigens (allergen).

Viruses and bacteria fall under the HARMFUL category while although dust-mites, cat and dog fur and plant pollens may seem like the enemy, they are indeed harmless.

In simplified medical terms, when in contact with an allergen, your child's immune system celss would release antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin E (lgE). These antibodies bind to the allergen molecules, which eventually leads to the release of the chemical histamine. This chemical is known to cause the symptoms associated with allergy such as the common sneeze and sniffle.

Allergies are commonly suffered through the generations, as there is a genetic or hereditary basis that governs why the immune system reacts against allergens.

WHAT, THEN, IS ALLERGIC RHINITIS?

It is the condition where an irritation or allergy happens in the 'carpet lining' or mucosa, of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The sinuses are eight hollow cavities within the facial bones and each has a connecting doorway into the nasal cavity.

Allergies may also occurs in the lungs, skin and eyes, known respectively as asthma, eczema and allergic conjunctivitis. A child may be susceptible to one or more of the above types of allergies.

When a particular allergen is inhaled into the nose, it comes into contact with lgE that is specific for it. Histamine release leads to swelling of the mucosa and copious mucus production, causing typical sysmptoms of nose block, sneezing, itch and runny nose.

Naturally, there is avariation in severity and frequency amongs a range of patients. Some may only have blocked noses, some only sneezing and itching, but others may be faced with the full hand of symptoms.

AT WHAT AGE DOES ALLERGIC RHINITIS START?

It is believed that allergic rhinitis starts at the tender age of four, in contrast to the other allergic problems of asthma and eczema that tend to begin in infancy. However, runny and blocked noses are very common in children below four years of age. making it hard not to believe that in fact allergic rhinitis starts earlier than this in some children.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ALLERGIC RHINITIS?

The fundamental causes vary from country to country, depending on climate and degree of urbanisation, but only inhaled allergens directly cause allergy in the nose.

Examples of allergens for tropical climates like Malaysia include dust-mite excretions, fungal material and dog or cat dander. Even cockroaches can be a threat to your child's environment. In temperate climates with the four seasons, there are also plant pollens of tree, flower and grass varieties that contribute to this.

DOES WEATHER AND AIR-CONDITIONING MAKE ALLERGIC RHINITIS WORSE?

Parents commonly report that their child's sneezing and runny-nose worsens when spending a day out under the sun or when cooped within an air-conditioned room. They are half right.

Changes in humidity, temperature and certain air pollutants have an independent irritant effect on the nasal mucosa. This irritation makes the mucosa swell up, making the symptoms of allergic rhinitis appear to be worse. This is in fact a separate reaction not to be confused with allergic rhinitis.

Air pollutants may be divided into indoor and outdoor categories. An example of an outdoor air pollutant is diesel fumes while indoor pollutants include household products, pesticide and even tobacco smoke.

WHAT ABOUT FOODS THAT WE TAKE?

Food subtances may cause oral and systemic (asthma and eczema) allergic symptoms. It is said that food substances only rarely directly make allergic rhinitis worse.

Once again, it is inhaled substances that serve as allergens for allergic rhinitis. However, certain foods may modify the immune system, so that it becomes more reactive, thereby also making allergic responses more intense. This is an indirect way, in contrast to the direct allergen way.

HOW ABOUT SWIMMING?

Most swimming pools are chlorinated and it is only this chemical that would contribute to an allergic while swimming, if at all. Chlorine-related gas sits just above the surface of the water. This gas serves as an irritant, just as the weather and air-conditioning would. I truly hope you would understand that your child's allergic rhinitis is actually not make worse. What he/she might experience is a temporary irritation due to the chlorine.

Swimming is an excellent form of sport and excercise. I think a child should not be deprived of the opportunity to do so.

Continue reading on Part 2 which will be posted soon.

Human Body Part 4

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Hormones are chemical messengers that influence virtually every body cell and function. Often working in concert with each other, as well as with the nervous system, hormones control growth, metabolism, digestion, blood pressure, reproduction and response to stress, among many other functions. Understandably, hormonal imbalances can have profound effects throughout the body.

Although scientists know that hormones are key to almost every body process, much remains to be learned about how they work. For example, we still do not understand how the thymus and pineal glands and their hormones work. And from time to time, yet another hormone is discovered.

In addition to being produced by various endocrine glands, hormones are secreted by other organs, including the lungs, intestines, heart and kidneys. Regardless of their origin, however, they all travel through the bloodstream in very small amounts, seeking out target organs or cells, which they then stimulate to perform a particular function. Some hormones, such as insulin are too large to actually enter a cell; instead, they attach themselves to a preprogrammed receptor that triggers the desired response. Other hormones, such as the steroids produced by the adrenal glands, are small enough to penetrate target cells and elicit the desired response from its genetic material.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproduction remains one of life’s most profound wonders. Just the notion that two barely visible cells can merge and form a new human being in just nine months is nothing short of a miracle. Of course, many things can go awry along the way, but most babies are healthy at birth with all the organs needed to grow into a normal adult.

Sex hormones – principally testosterone in men and estrogen in women – directly control reproduction. But many factors influence both the male and female reproductive system including overall health, nutrition and stress. Genetics are also instrumental. Both the mother and father contribute half of the genes needed to make a new human being and it is this genetic material that determines many of the off-spring’s characteristics, such as eye and hair color, height, body build and blood type.

Sex is also determined at the moment of conception and depends upon which sex chromosome is donated by the father. Female cells have two X chromosomes; thus, when an egg divides, it must have an X chromosome. In contrast, males have an X and a Y chromosome and a sperm can carry either one. So if an egg is fertilized by an X sperm, the baby will be a girl with two female X chromosomes; if the father contributes a Y sperm, the offspring will be a boy with the characteristic male XY chromosomes.

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The human body is constantly bombarbed by millions of viruses, bacteria and other disease – causing microorganisms, or pathogens. Fortunately, most of these are thwarted by the body’s own protective physical and chemical barriers, such as the skin, saliva, tears, mucus and stomach acid. The millions of bacteria that live on the skin and the body’s mucus membranes also help protect against certain invaders. When a pathogen does manage to evade these defences and enter the body, it is attacked almost immediately by one or more components of the immune system.

The immune system uses extremely sensitive chemicals sensors to recognise a foreign organism or tissue, especially one that can cause disease. Sometimes it over reacts to a harmless substance, such as pollen or a certain food or medication; this can set the stage for allergic reaction. In other cases, the immune system mistakenly attacks normal body tissue as if it were foreign, resulting in an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Most of the time, however, the immune system holds fast as our first line of defense against a host of potentially deadly diseases.

End of Human Body Part 4/4.

Tips to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays

1. FILL UP ON MORE SENSIBLE FOODS
Foods that are high in fiber or water fill you up quickly and help keep you from overindulging on the "bad" stuff. Take an extra scoop of vegetables and fruit when filling your plate, and by the time you finish, you won't have room for the other foods which are higher in calories and more likely to cause you to gain weight.


2. EAT SMALLER PORTIONS
No doubt, everything at the table looks good, and it's all you can do to keep from filling your plate 2-3 times so that you can sample everything. An easy way to combat this urge is to simply take a smaller portion than you normally would of those dishes you're most interested in, especially belt-bursting desserts. Split a piece of pie or cake with your spouse, child, or another family member who may be watching his or her waistline.

3. DRINK AROUND, DURING, AND BETWEEN MEALS
Drink a fair amount of water or other unsweetened beverage before each meal, as well as during and between them. The liquid in your stomach will help trick your mind into not feeling as hungry, which reduces the tendency to gorge yourself on potentially fattening foods.

4. POSITION YOURSELF AWAY FROM THE SNACKS
If you take a seat within an arm's reach of the snack table, you're going to have a tough time keeping yourself from unconsciously grabbing handfuls of party mix, candies, and the like and picking at them all day. By sitting on the other side of the room, getting to the snacks involves a conscious effort into getting up and walking over to get at the snacks.

5. TAKE AN EXERCISE BREAK
If the weather permits it, go out and take a quick walk around the house or block. If your celebration is taking place in a colder climate, you'll be more inspired to quicken your pace and burn a few extra calories in the process. If the weather is bad, do 10-20 squats, stretches, or other brief exercise each time you go to the restroom. You only want to do just enough to elevate your heart rate, but not break out into a sweat. Chances are, no one will know what you're doing, and you won't have to feel self-conscious about trying to maintain your figure.

Finally, if you still manage to put on a few extra pounds, don't stress over it. If you've been following a sensible diet and exercise plan, the chances are good that any weight you do gain is going to come off shortly after the holidays are over.