Allergies Essay, Research Paper

"I wondered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o’er dales and hills,

when all at once I saw a crowd-a host of golden daffodils." William

Wordsworth I hope he was taking an antihistamine. If he were not, he would

develop signs and symptoms of allergies. These include, but are not limited to a

sore throat; red, itchy, watery eyes; nasal congestion and drainage; coughing

and sneezing. There are many remedies, from grandma’s kitchen to the allergy

research center. The allergy season is usually from late February to mid-May.

Grass is the biggest offender during the latter part of the season. Pollens from

trees and plants are released each year during early spring. There are cells

floating around in your body and when the allergen is inhaled, it attaches

itself to a specific cell. Then, it produces histamines (which stimulates

gastric secretion and dilates blood vessels.) Your body reacts to this invasion

with the signs of allergies. There are many over-the-counter medications to help

reduce the symptoms. Benadryl, Tavist and Cholortrimeton are called

antihistamines, which reduce the symptoms of allergies. Antihistamines make it

difficult for the histamines to be released in the bloodstream. However, there

is a drawback to this, and that is it will produce drowsiness. Prescription

medication can be given to combat symptoms also. Allegra, is the newest of these

medications. Claritin and Hismanal are non-sedating. There is, by prescription,

a nasal spray that can be given to reduce sneezing. Of course, the last resort

is by injection. A tiny amount of the same allergen that you are allergic to is

injected under your skin. This, hopefully, will slowly desensitize you. The

combination of these drugs should fit into many lifestyles. Briggite Mars, a

well-known herbalist states, "I generally view allergies as an indication

of a weakened immune system." She also believes that stress is a major

factor and should be reduced. This, in turn, will boost your immune system. A

diet rich in beta-carotene, lamb, and even violets can improve the sufferer’s

allergic response. Every year around the same time, Michelle Robertson, who

worked for a doctor as a medical assistant thought she had developed a cold and

would then miss work. She would go in with the red eyes, nasal congestion, and

cough. It was really her allergy. There are many kinds of pollen from trees,

plants, weeds, flowers, mold, and ragweed being the worsts of all. Pollen, which

looks like a sphere with spikes can travel hundreds of miles away. It has been

found as far as Antarctica. There is no getting away from it. However, there is

a meter that reads the pollen count. It has been read from zero to as high as

four hundred in mid-September. In comparing the articles, the treatments were

the same, with the Cooper article, "More treatments available for those

with hay fever, allergies." The Wood article, "Ragweed hits hard at

pollen suffers," gives just over-the-counter medications. It also talks on

avoidance being the best policy of allergies. Cooper, talks more about diet and

homeopathic remedies. There is a difference on the allergy season between the

articles. The first being the February to March season. Wood made a statement of

the pollen count meter reading as a high as 400 in mid-September. This could be

due to the meter’s geographic location. Overall, the Cooper article was much

more informative. It had a pleasant even flow to it starting with the poetry,

what allergies are, the treatment, and the diet. It had high points that helped

keep the article in perspective that the Wood’s did not.

Cooper, Cynthia. "More treatments available for those with hay fever,

allergies." Knight- Ridder/Tribune News Service 16 May 1997, p516k8337

Wood, R. Anthony. "Ragweed hits hard at pollen suffers." Knight-ridder/Tribune

News Service 29 Aug. 1997, p829k4377 "