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What causes allergies?
In lay terms, allergies
occur when our immune systems get a little off-track. Our immune systems decide that pollens, dust mites, and other harmless
"allergens" are actually a major problem, worthy of an all-out, take no prisoners assault.
The problem is that
the battleground, our bodies, can get pretty torn up in the process. For instance, when allergens land on the lining of the
nose and throat, eyes, or lungs, the allergic person's immune system targets those allergens. It releases several caustic
chemicals, including histamine, to "kill" those allergens. Those chemicals make the linings of our eyes, noses, throats and
airways swell and leak clear mucus.
This swelling can block sinus "drain holes", resulting in pressure headaches,
and, very frequently, sinus infections. Asthma results from the same process in the airways of the lungs. The chemical assault
from the allergic immune system results not only in swelling and inflammation of the airways, but also in spasm of the muscles
surrounding those airways. This causes many individuals to become "addicted" to rescue inhalers like albuterol.
Needless
to say, a war that lasts several months, in the case of seasonal allergens, or year-round, from perennial allergens, takes
its toll. It robs us of energy. Many people don't realize that they are fatigued until they begin treatment. They comment
they feel they have more energy, a testament to the fact that we can become used to feeling marginal. Another problem many
allergy sufferers (especially children) put up with is difficulty concentrating. One of the pleasures of treating people
suffering from allergies is witnessing the change that can occur in their performance, both academically and physically, with
treatment.
So what do we do?
At York Allergy Clinic, we begin by taking a careful allergy history.
We then perform an allergy-specific physical examination, often including lung testing, and skin-testing to determine what
allergens are causing your symptoms. Dr. York has gone to great lengths, combining his years of experience and employing
the services of botanical professionals and experts in the field of aeroallergens, to ensure the most comprehensive testing
to the allergens not only of Texas, but, to maximize protection from pollens traveling on the winds of northers and dust storm
from New Mexico and the adjacent deserts, including not only the Chihuahan, but the Great Basin and Sonoran Deserts as well.
If the testing, history, and examination indicate that you would likely benefit from allergy desensitization injections,
you will be offered that opportunity. The goal of allergy desensitization is to get your health, energy, and ability to focus
back. The intent, medically, is to realign your immune system so that it doesn't waste energy and cause unnecessary inflammation
by attacking allergens.
An Important Note:
When allergies, sinus infections, or asthma begin to flare,
the key to keeping them from draining you of energy (and life) is early intervention. We specialize in same day appointments.
We succeed in that goal by only offering outpatient services. It's our personal opinion that by quickly treating allergy/sinus
and mild asthma problems in our clinic, we're able to stop them before they get so out of control that hospitalization is
necessary. Our patients learn to get in quickly, when symptoms are just starting to flare, so that we can minimize the impact
allergy makes on their lives.
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