Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

A way to eradicate allergy

by Medindia Content Team on Aug 19 2002 5:26 PM

"Millions of people suffer unnecessarily because they really don't have allergies," said Sheryl Szeinbach, a study co-author and a professor of pharmacy at Ohio State University. "They're often prescribed antihistamines that don't help the problem." A recent study of 246 patients showed researchers that nearly two out of three patients treated for allergies were not allergic. Sixty-five percent of the patients tested negative for allergies; the blood samples from only 35 percent of the subjects showed true allergic reactions.

" This means that two-thirds of the patients were on the wrong kind of medication to start with," Szeinbach said. This led to other problems, such as an increased use of anti-depressants. People with allergies or allergy-like symptoms tend to use antidepressants at a higher rate.

Allergy symptoms mimic the symptoms of other upper respiratory conditions that affect the nasal cavity and sinuses, such as a runny nose and eyes. Almost anything can cause allergy-type symptoms - perfumes, sinus infections, exercise, dust, cold air - whether it's an allergy or not.

Allergy tests come in many shapes and forms. One of the better-known methods is the skin prick test. It's imperative that doctors have the right kinds of tools to diagnose allergies, Szeinbach says, and not all commercial tests are created equal.


Recommended Readings
Latest General Health News
View All
Advertisement