Archive for the ‘Allergy’ Category
Food Allergies
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Introduction
Food allergies (FA) cause the immune system to release cytokines, lymphokines, and interferon’s influencing all tissue physiology; toxins initiate similar reactions; food allergy and toxicity are intimately connected; FA is the culprit behind ‘mysterious’ undiagnosable symptoms; allergy testing uncovers causes of illness, reveals unsuspected food sensitivities in asymptomatic patients; bronchial hypersensitivities doubled in the last decade; atopic dermatitis in 10-15% of population, provoked by food antigens; adverse food reactions in 25% of younger children; the leading cause of most undiagnosed symptoms.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder seen in general practice, and represents 30-50% of all referrals to gastroenterologists. It has been estimated that approximately 15% of the population has complaints of IBS, with women predominating two to one (it is likely that an equal number of males have IBS but they do not report symptoms as often).
The etiology of the increased colonic motility seen in IBS has been attributed to physiological, psychological, and dietary factors. A diagnostic summary of IBS is described as a functional disorder of the large intestine with no evidence of accompanying structural defect; characterized by some combination of; abdominal pain, altered bowel function (constipation or diarrhoea), hypersecretion of colonic mucus, dyspeptic symptoms (flatulence, nausea, anorexia), varying degrees of anxiety or depression. (more…)
Skin Allergies
Friday, March 6th, 2009
Urticaria/Swelling/Redness/Itching/Rashes
Erythema multiforme (EM) can occur as primary skin disorder or as skin manifestation of systemic infection or chronic inflammatory disease; often a manifestation of hypersensitivity to drugs (penicillin, barbiturates); vaccinia, BCG, and poliomyelitis vaccines, herpes simplex, food allergens, and infectious organisms can induce EM; hypersensitivity is a common factor.
Bacterial Sinusitis
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Diagnostic Summary
History of acute viral respiratory infection, dental infection, or nasal allergy; nasal congestion and purulent discharge; fever, chills, and frontal headache; pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling over involved sinus; transillumination shows opaque sinus; chronic infection may produce no symptoms other than mild postnasal discharge, musty odour, or non-productive cough.