Knowledge/Allergy Health Care

Statistics of Allergy

Allergy is a common problem in the Western world. Epidemiologic studies have shown patients suffering from allergies are increasing significantly from year by year. * One-third of UK population is affected by allergies in their life time. Unfortunately, this number is rising now, and only few national sources allocate into diagnosis and treatment of this multi diseases.

* One-third of UK population is affected by allergies in their life time. Unfortunately, this number is rising now, and only few national sources allocate into diagnosis and treatment of this multi diseases.

* In the United States, allergies are the sixth leading of chronic disease and cost the healthcare system $18 billion annually. About half of all America test positive for at least one of the 10 the most common allergen.

* In 2005, 30 million people living in the United States has Asthma, resulting in more than 480,000 hospitalization and approximately 4200 deaths.

* One fourth of all American households faces restrictions in their diet due to a family member suffering from food allergies.

* About 50 % of asthmatics older than 30 years of age are concomitantly allergic. Younger asthmatics have an even higher incidence of allergies.

* Studies in the United States and United Kingdom have estimated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis to be between 24-28%. Almost 80 % of these patients report difficulty sleeping and thus increased daytime fatigue. 2 million school children and 100 million worker are absent from allergic rhinitis. These adult and children have been found to have decreased level of cognitive functioning.

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What is allergy?

Inheritance and environmental factors are the two major causes of allergies

nheritance Factor: According to epidemiological studies, if both parents suffered from allergies, the possibility of their offspring suffering from allergies is over 2/3. If one of parents suffered from allergies, there is a 1/4 of the chance that their offspring would suffer from allergies.

Environmental Factors:
Inhale：House dust mite, cockroaches, pollen, animalfur/hair, air pollution…etc
Ingestion：Milk, shellfish, food additives, drugs…etc
Contact：Detergent, cosmetics…etc
Injection：Drugs, insect bites…etc
Non-specific：Mood, pressure, cold air…etc

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Common Allergies in Taiwan

Asthma:
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchi. When the trachea and bronchi are stimulated, it will lead to bronchospasm and contractions, swelling of the mucosa and secretion of large quantities of mucus, causing symptoms like respiratory tract obstruction and difficulty in breathing.

Allergic rhinitis：
Allergic rhinitis is an antigen-mediated inflammation induced by IgE in the nasal mucosa. Clinical symptoms include: rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, itchy nose, sneezing.

Allergic conjunctivitis：
Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye) due to allergy. Clinical symptoms include: ocular itching, tearing, burning, redness and watery discharge.

Atopic dermatitis：
Atopic dermatitis means recurring pruritic dermatitis which is often hereditary. One of the most common skin disorders for infant and young children.

Urticaria：
Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised highly itchy red welts on patients’ skin. Although it will disappear spontaneously, it tends to be recurring. The usual cause of urticaria is due to special body condition, where the immune system is allergic to particular foreign substance.

Food allergy：
A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Immune response was thus elicited, causing adverse effects to the body. Symptoms include diarrhea, rash and itching.

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Conventional treatments for allergies

Treatments Adverse Reactions and Side Effects

Pharmaceutical approaches Steroid (long-term use): gastric hemorrhage, recurring infections, osteoporosis, growth retardation, swollen face

Anti-histamine: dry mouth and drowsiness

Nasal decongestants: palpitations and blood pressure elevation

Desensitization Soreness at injection parts, possible systematic allergy, shock

International literature reviews on the benefits of probiotics in relieving allergy symptoms

* JCPsis patients were given yogurts containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and their Th reactions could be modulated to relieve the discomforts of JCPsis (J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol.2006;16(2):86-93.)

* The production of IL-12(p70) was stimulated after the oral administration of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus gasseri to reduce antigen-specific IgE which might cause allergy symptoms. The ingestion of the probiotics also could prevent allergy occurrence. ( J Dairy Sci.2006 Aug;89(8):2846-55.)

* Atopic dermatitis in children over 2 years old could be improved by applying Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 and prebiotics. (Allergy.2006 Apr;61(4):431-7.)

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