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What Are The Allergy Treatment Available |
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Tuesday, 01 May 2007 |
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Allergy treatment usually starts with avoiding the substances (allergens) that cause your signs and symptoms. If you can minimize your exposure to allergens — which may include everything from pollen, mold, pet dander and dust mites to certain foods, drugs and chemicals — you'll have less sneezing, coughing and itching. But because you can't always avoid everything that triggers your allergies, your doctor may prescribe allergy medication.
The right medication or combination of medications depends on the allergy symptoms you have. Allergy medications are available in pill, liquid, nasal spray, eye drop and topical forms, some over-the-counter and others by prescription only. The main types of allergy medications are: Corticosteroids: These medications help prevent and treat the inflammation associated with allergic conditions. Antihistamines: These drugs block histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Decongestants: These drugs relieve nasal and sinus congestion. Leukotriene modifiers: These medications block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. And finally, Mast cell stabilizers: These preparations prevent the release of histamine. Looking for an herbal remedy for your allergies? Some research suggests that the herbal supplement butterbur may relieve allergy symptoms. What is butterbur? Butterbur is a large-leafed, shrub-like plant native to Europe. Extracts from the roots, leaves and stem of the butterbur plant have been used to treat migraine headaches, stomach ulcers, infections and coughs, as well as allergies and asthma. Butterbur has anti-inflammatory effects that decrease histamine and leukotrienes. However, butterbur also contains substances that can be toxic to your liver and may cause cancer. Some butterbur products are processed to reduce the amount of these toxins. Butterbur is most commonly taken as tablets. It's also available in teas, extracts, and capsules containing raw herbs. You can buy butterbur as a tablet or as part of a product that contains a mixture of herbs. While results of studies on butterbur seem positive, the quality of some studies has been a matter of some debate. Other clinical studies have shown no benefit from taking butterbur for allergies. No studies have been done to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of butterbur. |
