ABPA refers to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a condition in which the immune system exhibits a hypersensitive response to the fungus, Aspergillus. The most common species of Aspergillus that elicits ABPA is fumigatus, which is...
Recent interest in the use of bee pollen to treat certain allergies has been growing and has been partly responsible for fueling the interest in collecting, marketing and selling bee pollen. While the studies that indicate it may be useful for...
Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon basin. Guarana seed extract is generally safe, although there is a very small amount evidence to suggest that it may cause seizures. Consult with your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any...
Histamine can be released by mast cells during a wide variety of activities, including exercise. The conditions associated with exercise-induced histamine release include urticaria and asthma. Urticaria, or hives, can develop on the skin....
The most common leg rashes that occur from exercising are heat rashes and cholinergic urticaria. Considering the similarities between the symptoms of these two rashes, it may be difficult to determine which you are experiencing without a doctor's...
Angiotensin II is a potent hormone that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing and constricting the blood vessels and resulting in high blood pressure. Angiotensin converting enzyme, or ACE, inhibitor...
Glucosamine hydrochloride, a substance used by the body in the manufacture of joint connective tissues, is widely used as a nutritional supplement for improving joint health. Though not an essential nutrient, supplemental doses have been found to...
Drawing on centuries of painstakingly accumulated knowledge, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have remedies for almost every conceivable ailment, including sinusitis and its related disorders. Contemporary medical researchers have...
Shilajit is a pale-brown to blackish gummy substance found on steep rocks in the mountains of India, the Himalayas and Afghanistan. It contains a mixture of microbial substances and at least 85 minerals and has been used in traditional folk...
Honey is much more than just a sweetener. It has been used for centuries for healing and rejuvenation. Most of the honey sold in stores has been heated and pasturized. This processing destroys many of the enzymes and beneficial compounds that...
About 50 million Americans have allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat associated with allergies affect one in three Americans. Allergies are the...
There are four types of allergic reactions, classified according to the way in which the allergen activates the reaction. Type I sensitivities are the most common, according to the Beltina Encyclopedia of Health, and arise from exposure to...
Antihistamine therapy is your first line of defense against allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, according to Capital Allergy and Respiratory Disease...
All of the necessary vitamins and minerals in your diet play a role in the functioning of your body -- and vitamin K is no different. Vitamin K is typically known as a blood-clotting nutrient. The human body gets vitamin K from certain foods and...
Coagulation refers to the process your body goes through to arrive at a blood clot that is designed to stop your body from bleeding when it suffers an injury. The two main pathways to coagulation are extrinsic and intrinsic. Both mechanisms rely...
An allergic reaction to clothes is quite common and is typically caused by the textile dyes, glues, formaldehyde finishing resins and chemical additives present in the fabric. The allergic reaction typically results in a type of allergic skin...
Overview
An allergy is your body's response to a substance that is usually harmless. The immune system is a highly complex defense mechanism that helps us fight infection. It does this by identifying "foreign invaders" and then stimulating...