Immune Health - Allergies Flashcards
- What is an allergy?
Answer: An allergy is an immune system reaction to harmless substances like pollen, food, or pet dander, causing inflammation and symptoms such as asthma or eczema.
- What is allergen sensitisation?
Answer: It’s the process where the immune system becomes sensitised to an allergen, triggering allergic reactions upon future exposure.
- What is the ‘hygiene hypothesis’?
Answer: It suggests that lack of early exposure to microbes increases the risk of developing allergies, as the immune system doesn’t properly train itself.
- How does the microbiome influence allergies?
Answer: A healthy microbiome helps regulate immune response, preventing overactive reactions to harmless substances.
- What role does the Th2 response play in allergies?
Answer: A heightened Th2 response triggers the production of cytokines and IgE antibodies, which lead to allergic reactions like histamine release.
- How does histamine affect allergies?
Answer: Histamine increases inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to symptoms like itching and skin barrier dysfunction in allergic dermatitis.
- What genetic factors increase allergy risk?
Answer: Variants in genes like FLG, VDR, HLA, and TNF-α increase susceptibility to allergies by affecting immune tolerance and inflammation.
- How does birth method impact allergy risk?
Answer: C-section births and formula feeding reduce microbial diversity, increasing the risk of allergies like eczema and asthma.
- How can food sensitivities affect allergies?
Answer: Food sensitivities, particularly to dairy and eggs, can trigger allergic reactions and worsen conditions like eczema and asthma.
- What functional tests help diagnose allergies?
Answer: Tests like peak flow (for asthma), patch testing, ELISA (for allergen-specific antibodies), and food sensitivity tests (e.g., Cyrex 10) are commonly used.
- What naturopathic treatments help manage allergies?
Answer: Treatments include reducing environmental triggers, supporting gut health, balancing blood glucose, and using supplements like quercetin, probiotics, and vitamin D.
- How does quercetin help with allergies?
Answer: Quercetin stabilises mast cells, reduces inflammation, and alleviates allergic rhinitis and eczema symptoms.
- How do omega-3s benefit allergies?
Answer: Omega-3s, especially EPA, reduce inflammation and help decrease symptoms of asthma and eczema.
- How does magnesium support asthma?
Answer: Magnesium improves bronchial reactivity, helping to reduce asthma symptoms.
- How does vitamin C help with allergies?
Answer: Vitamin C supports histamine detoxification by aiding the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which breaks down histamine in the gut.
