The idea of allergies might not seem like much on the surface, but that is just because people don't realize how serious it can be. Allergies happen when a person's immune system identifies a harmless allergen as an invader and fights against it. The source of these allergens are too numerous to count, but some potentials include animal dander, pollen, or certain foods.
Every day, new research is finding that there may be many sources of allergies. Some of these possible sources are a person's diet, the environment, and even where they live. Allergies can be difficult to deal with, but there are steps people can take to improve their quality of life.
The introduction paragraph should read:
Allergies are on the rise in North America.
Every year, more and more people are suffering from allergies. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimated that 40 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, or what we know as hay fever. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), 3 out of 5 kids under the age of 18 have at least one parent with a history of allergies.
How Hay Fever And Respiratory Allergies Can Affect Your Performance
Hay fever and respiratory allergies can really affect the performance of an athlete. Long-term, constant inflammation is bad for your body, and it makes you more susceptible to illness. Short-term, respiratory allergies can cause you to wheeze, cough, and even have trouble breathing during exertion.
Every year, millions of people suffer from hay fever and respiratory allergies. In those who have symptoms year round, these conditions may affect your sleep, school performance due to the sleep deprivation that occurs with an allergy attack, work performance due to the fatigue caused by not sleeping, and not being able to function properly day-to-day or getting in a good workout.
Hay fever and respiratory allergies can make it difficult to perform at work or in school, and may even impact your quality of life. These conditions produce symptoms such as a runny nose, itchiness in the eyes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Regardless of the severity of these symptoms – mild hay fever which produces only occasional symptoms or allergic asthma which causes more frequent symptoms – these conditions can still affect your day-to-day routine.
The Best Way For Treating Allergies With Environmental Control
Allergies are the result of your immune system overreacting to stimuli like chemicals or pollen. The best way to treat allergies is with environmental control. Such a treatment will involve being educated on what triggers your allergies and developing a plan for reducing them. For example, if you're allergic to dust mites, and they are coming from your bedding, then you can use allergen-reducing mattress and pillow covers or wash your sheets in hot water weekly.
Some people believe that the best way to treat allergies is by strictly controlling the environment. The first step in achieving this goal is by using an air purifier. Air purifiers are a type of device that filter the air in a home or office, trapping allergens such as mold spores and dust particles.
Another way to help reduce allergic reactions is with ozone.
The best way to treat allergies with environmental control is by avoiding the allergens. The oversensitivity of the immune system in people with an allergy can be controlled by avoiding the allergens altogether. Studies have shown that some people with allergies are sensitive to certain types of foods, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, or shellfish. These individuals should avoid these foods altogether in order to effectively control their allergies.
