Allergies

Adults with a history of allergic disorders as well as asthma have an increased risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, finds a study. The study led by teams at Shenzhen Peking University in China showed that individuals with a history of allergic disorders between ages 18 and 57 had a higher risk of high blood pressure. A higher risk of coronary heart disease was seen in study participants who were between ages 39-57 and males. Asthma contributed most to the risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. "For patients with allergic disorders, routine evaluation of blood pressure and routine examination for coronary heart disease should be given by clinicians to ensure early treatments are given to those with hypertension or coronary heart disease," said Yang Guo, from the University's Department of Dermatology. Previous studies reported an association between allergic disorders and cardiovascular disease, which remain controversial findings, the team said. The current study aimed to determine whether adults with allergic disorders have increased cardiovascular risk. The team included 34,417 adults, over half of whom were women and averaged 48.5 years old. The allergic group, with 10,045 adults, had at least one allergic disorder, including asthma, respiratory allergy, digestive allergy, skin allergy and other allergy. "Further large cohort studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm our findings," Guo said. "Additionally, appreciating the underlying mechanism may help future management in such individuals." The study will be presented at ACC Asia 2022 together with the Korean Society of Cardiology Spring Conference on April 15-16. Read More► Not Just Lungs, Smoking Affects Every Cell of Human Body: AIIMS Professor

Motherhood comes with its own mixed bag of emotions; we want to save our child from every little peril that comes their way, including allergies. The most common allergen in India are milk, egg and peanuts. According to the IAP survey, 11.4 per cent children under the age of 14 years suffer from some form of allergies and they usually peak around the month of May. The symptoms of allergy range from runny nose, sneezing, coughing, rashes, watery and red eyes to swollen tongue and breathing difficulties. A child experiences serious discomfort and it leaves the parents hopeless at times. Allergies develop slowly over time; parents need to have patience and commitment towards managing them. However, there are certain ways in which we, as parents, can contribute in prevention and possible alleviation of the problems. Do Not Stress Staying stress-free and calm is very important during this time. Creating panic will only add to the misery. Once we know about the symptoms, our mandate must be to keep a first-aid antiallergic kit at home. We can make this kit with the help of our paediatrician. Let Them Get Dirty We are all kids of mother nature. Nature has its own way of strengthening our immunity. Being over-protective about children, not letting them get their hands dirty increases their sensitivity response. Let them play in the park and get dirty once in a while. Gut Microbiota Correction As claimed by ayurveda, all allergies develop from a leaky gut syndrome. Excessive use of antibiotics and MSG-laden packed foods has made microscopic holes in our intestine. These holes get bigger with time allowing more allergens to pass into the bloodstream, eventually a runny nose becomes asthma overtime. Full Research of the Allergen Once we know our child is experiencing allergy symptoms, parents need to work like Sherlock Holmes. They need to take down a detailed history about their food, clothes and skin care products. Anything can trigger the allergy response. Natural Aloe Vera-based Products As far as skin allergies are concerned, Aloe Vera aka the Plant of Immortality is a healer. We recommend using natural, organic and purified Aloe Vera-based products for children so that their skin remains smooth, calm and fresh. DON'T WORRY MOMMIES!!!! (Dr Nidhi Gupta completed her MD from the DY Patil University, Pune. She is a cardio metabolic expert for seven years with a keen interest in mother and child nutrition and hormonal imbalance. She is the co-founder of AloeMaa. She writes several blog posts on emerging nutrition and skin problems and the solutions on the same on her website www.aloemaa.com) Read More► 10 Ways to Get Fit This Year

New York, April 20 (IANS) Severe allergic reactions to Covid-19 vaccines remain exceedingly rare, thus people with high-risk allergy histories can safely take the jabs, according to a study of 65,000 people.Individuals with severe allergies to foods, oral drugs, latex, bee stings or venom can safely receive the Covid-19 vaccines, stated the experts led by allergists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the US."Our main goal is to enable as many individuals as possible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine safely and avoid unnecessary vaccine hesitancy due to a lack of knowledge around allergic reactions to vaccines," said lead author Aleena Banerji, clinical director of the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit at MGH.However, people with a recent severe allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol (PEG) -- an ingredient in the vaccines -- should see an allergist before getting the jabs, they recommended. The findings are published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.The study examined possible allergic reactions to Covid vaccinations in more than 65,000 people who have become fully vaccinated, with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid vaccines. PEG is the common excipient in both the mRNA Covid vaccines, whereas polysorbate 80 is the excipient in the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described the rate of anaphylaxis after receipt of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines as 4.5 cases per million doses administered, with 89 per cent occurring within the 15- to 30-minute observation period. However, Polysorbate 80 caused anaphylaxis is extremely rare. If a person is allergic to PEG, he or she should not receive an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, instead speak to the physician about receiving the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine, the team suggested. On the other hand, if you are allergic to polysorbate 80, you should not receive the Janssen vaccine and instead speak to your physician about receiving the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.The CDC, has since April 13, placed the Janssen vaccine on "pause" while investigating adverse events of thrombocytopenia and central venous thrombosis.--IANSrvt/rs

Aligarh, April 5 (IANS) Experts of Ayurvedic, Unani and modern medicines said life style changes were necessary to control obesity and allergies. They were deliberating upon how to combat obesity - through prevention and medications and therapies commonly used to treat allergies in a multi-disciplinary online seminar on 'Obesity and its Prevention, Allergic Diseases' organised by the Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). We need to find ways to combine both the traditional and modern medicine systems for a major role in the fight against lifestyle diseases, said AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor. "Of course, we cannot adopt these procedures for all diseases, but for chronic diseases there is a lot of scope," he added pointing out that since the spread of Covid pandemic, the government is also encouraging multi-disciplinary research in various systems of medicine," the Vice Chancellor said. Stressing the need for joint traditional and modern medicine research, Prof Mansoor said that AMU is a multi-disciplinary university and we can take advantage of the facilities for collaborative research. Speaking on the treatment and prevention of obesity in Ayurvedic medicine, Prof Jonah S (All India Institute of Ayurvedic, New Delhi) recommended lifestyle changes and appropriate modification in daily diet to improve health along with oral medications to help optimizing the metabolism. He elaborated how Ayurvedic plants and herbs help in controlling obesity. "Because Ayurveda focuses on healthy nutrition, stress reduction, and cultivation of a balanced lifestyle, many people look to its dietary principles and natural remedies when they want to lose weight. People in many Western countries are using the Ayurvedic regimens and remedies as part of their overall healthcare," said Prof Jonah. Dr Paras Wani (Incharge, GTB and IHBAS Unani Unit, Director of Ayush, GNCT, New Delhi) explained how Siman-e-Mufrit (obesity) is considered as a Phlegmatic (Balghami) disease in Unani medicine. She added that obesity can be prevented by maintaining Asbab-e-Sittah Zarooriyah (essentials of life) namely the proper and balanced diet, physical activity, balanced retention and evacuation. Dr Paras explained the various modes of treatments with Ilaj bil Ghiza (Dietotherapy) and Ilaj bit Tadbeer (regimental therapies). Dr Uwais Ashraf (Faculty of Medicine, JNMC) described how obesity is the root cause of all lifestyle diseases in modern medicine. "Obesity leads to coronary artery disease, hypertension, fatty liver and PCOD among other health problems. Obesity has a strong genetic and biochemical basis and these areas are being looked into for newer therapeutic modalities," he said. Dr Uwais added that diet, lifestyle and behavioural therapies are necessary in the management of obesity. He also gave a slide presentation on preventing and treating obesity. Speaking on preventive measures to avoid allergies, Prof Rubi Anjum (Chairperson, Dept of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib, AMU) discussed various Unani therapies of Ilaj-bil- Tadbeer. She spoke about treatments through special regimens and methods to maintain general health through modulation in 'Asbaab-e- Sitta Zarooriya'. Prof Rubi also shared a list of foods to try to avoid allergies such as ginger, citrus fruits, turmeric, oily fish and onions. Dr Divya Kajaria (All India Institute of Ayurvedic, New Delhi) discussed how Ayurvedic allergy treatment focuses on pacifying the imbalanced dosha, restoring digestion with herbal preparations, and advising supporting diet and lifestyle. "Allergic reactions manifest themselves in the form of commonly seen skin and respiratory disorders such as eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma and food allergies. In Ayurveda, allergy treatment is done by first diagnosing the individual root-cause of every patient," she added. Dr Nafees A Khan (Dept of TB and RD, JNMC) stressed the importance of increasing awareness on the relevance of allergic diseases as a major public health problem. "Programs to increase awareness of allergic diseases should focus on the causes, prevention, control, and economic impact," he said. Dr Nafees further spoke on Type I hypersensitivity (or immediate hypersensitivity) as an allergic reaction provoked by re-exposure to a specific type of antigen referred to as an allergen. "Type I is distinct from type II, type III and type IV hypersensitivities. Exposure may be by ingestion, inhalation, injection, or direct contact," he added. In the welcome address, Prof Rakesh Bhargava (Dean, Faculty of Medicine) said that this programme will help build a better understanding of lifestyle as a pattern of individual practices and behavior related to elevating or reducing health risks.