What is an Allergy?
People often associate allergy only with hayfever, eczema, anaphylaxis, unusual rashes or an upset tummy. Allergy is: Any
abnormal response by the immune system - the body's protective mechanisms - to the environment, where the body's environment is
defined as anything that can be touched, eaten, drunk, breathed or injected.
Allergic conditions include hayfever, eczema, dermatitis or other itching skin conditions, food allergies or intolerances, chemical
allergies, hyperactivity, asthma, a persistent cough or respiratory problems, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, chrons disease,
bloating, wind, stomach cramps or pain, acid indigestion, persistent tiredness, brain fog, recurrent thrush infections... and in
many cases allergies are responsible for any other symptoms that you simply cannot get to the bottom of.
What causes allergies?
An 'atopic' individual has inherited their allergy - it's in their genes, for example many babies are born with an inability to
digest dairy. An atopic individual can also develop allergies later in life and there is usually a trigger such as a change in
diet or other environmental factor that leads to the allergy developing.
You may be surprised that
'STRESS' is the next largest factor in the development of
allergies! Stress causes an increase in the hormones cortisol and adrenalin which in turn have a very significant effect on
digestion and ultimately on the immune system, they exacerbate existing conditions such as eczema and IBS and create an environment
that can lead to the development of many kinds of allergies.
Other factors that can contribute to allergies include past or present viruses such as Glandular Fever, bacterial infections,
overgrowth of Candida Albicans in the gut, bad diet and lifestyle! All of these can be addressed by Natural Allergy Therapy.
