This year, seasonal allergies seem to be worse than usual. If you have heard your family or colleagues sneezing a lot lately, count it up to the unseasonably warm winter this year and an abundance of pollen earlier than normal. While sneezing and all the symptoms of allergies can be quite annoying, they may actually be serving a purpose.
Allergy or Defense Mechanism?
The incidence of food allergies seems to be on the rise in industrial countries. It appears that more and more children have allergic reactions to peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs, soy and shellfish than in the past. While it is still a mystery why this is occurring only in industrial countries, researchers are beginning to develop a theory about why allergies exist in the first place.
In the journal Nature, Ruslin Medzhitov, professor of immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine outlines his theory. He believes that the immune system sees pollen and other substances as things that the body must purge in some form. It may very well be that by forcing the body to get rid of potentially harmful substances further damage is prevented. However, in some people, allergic reactions are so extreme that they are potentially fatal. Medzhitov believes these cases are the immune system out of control and overreacting to potential threats.
It may very well be that our immune system is trying to protect us during seasonal allergies or if we eat a food that could potentially harm us. The good news is that for the most part, seasonal allergies pass and it is possible to avoid foods that trigger and allergic reaction. If you notice that your allergies seem to be extreme, consider going to a medical specialist to find out precisely what you are allergic to and methods to alleviate or prevent your symptoms.
– The Alternative Daily
