The effects of pollen and allergies on the body
From GeoClasses
This is a project looking at the Effects of Pollen and Allergies on the Human Body.
Audio Narration by Taylor Bertin: Media:Taylor bertin allergies.wav
Contents |
Abstract
Many individuals are able to relate to the early spring season with the green film of pollen dust that covers their vehicle or even the large mounds of pollen located along campus property. Unfortunately, like many other people I am extremely allergic to pollen. Most importantly the human body reacts to many of these certain types of allergies in different ways. The brief history of allergies is important to understand if a person should be tested for certain allergens or the medications that a person may seek to control an allergy. The role of pollen in our enviornment is cleary stated and how different insects utilize pollen for survival. Another factor that is important is the testing and treatment of allergies which is clearly stated on this page. Listen to all the people sneezing in class and around campus, there are many other possible effects of pollen on the human body such as runny nose, watery eyes, itching along the interior of the nasal passages and congestion. I hope many readers are able to identify with these chacteristics and benefit from the information and use this knowledge to control their allergies.
Introduction
The purpose of this article is to describe and inform the public of the physiological, personal, and how different types of allergy medications effect the human body. Like many other people I have suffered from severe allergies due to pollen, ragweed, mold/mildew, and other grass allergens. As a young child I experienced many of the common effects of pollen; sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and an itchy throat. Dr.Levy, a medical doctor of allergies recommended weekly allergy shots that would build up my immune system; therefore, my body would not allow ragweed, pollen, mold, and other grasses to effect my normal body patterns and would help prevent any possible irritations.
Many Americans who suffer from this seasonal allergy problem experience the same severe symptoms that I do when the spring season arrives with most of the plant life pollinating. Antihistamines, commonly known medications, can be prescribed or bought over the counter at pharmacies and they perform many functions to keep allergy sufferers from extreme irritation. Antihistamines include the active ingredient diphenhydramine and hydrochloride in various milligrams. I have found through many studies that this allergy medication is helpful to people who sneeze often, have runny nose or watery eyes and possibly suffer migraine headaches in the allergy season.
When an individual suffers from allergies and uses this product it is recommended to: -Avoid alcoholic drinks -Marked drowsiness may occur -Excitability may occur -Be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.
Factors of pollen on the Southeastern region of the United States have recently reached record highs according to pollen counts. Some critics believe that global warming is one of the major factors and it could very well be the single most factor according to some studies. The content of pollen and its role in the animal kingdom has a vital impact for the survival of some insects. Medications have played a tremendous role in helping society cope with the seasonal battle of pollen allergies.
Explanation
Pollen, the tiny yellow grains or seeds that are located inside flowers are used by insects. Pollen is formed in the saclike anthers of the flowers. "The anthers are considered the male organs of reproduction." By contrast, the female organs include the pollen-receiving stigma leading to the ovary. Pollination is merely the transfer of pollen by the anthers to the sigma. Pollen joins the egg cell in the ovule, which then divides and grows into an embryo. This is the process called pollen fertilization. Pollen grains have different shapes in different plants, but they are the same in like plants. Some kinds are smooth, while others are covered with spines or knobs.
The most important carriers of pollen are honeybees, which gather the nectar for honey and pollen for food. The hummingbird also carries the pollen of certain plants.
The wind scatters the pollen of many flowers and weeds that have light dry grains. Remember that an allergy is the name of a diseased condition caused by substances which are harmful only to persons who are sensitive to them. These substances that cause the allergy are called allergens. One of the most important classes of allergens is made up of substances, such as pollen, which are inhaled into the nose or throat. Hay fever is one of the best-known allergic disorders from pollen. Other illnesses for which allergens are blamed include asthma, hives, eczema, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes of the eye, and migraine headaches). Some medical specialists in the field of allergy believe that almost any of the internal organs may be affected by allergens. Authorities believe that about one of every ten persons suffer from distressing allergic symptoms, and about six of ten persons have shown allergic reactions at one time or another. By contrast, it is easy to overestimate the importance of allergies and thus neglect treatment, allowing the condition to become infected. Studies have shown the presence of allergic aliments in several generations of the same family.
How Allergies Develop In The Human Body
It is not yet thoroughly understood how the body of an individual becomes sensitive to a substance which is harmless or even wholesome for the average person. At first, the body of the individual is not likely to be harmed by coming into contact with this substance. Gradually, however the body becomes sensitive to it. After a time the body may react to even a tiny quantity of this material with an attack of frequent sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes due to pollen, hayfever, and other allergens that cause allergic disturbance.
It is believed that the contact with the offending substance causes histamine to enter the blood stream. Histamine is a substance normally found in the cells of the body, therefore; the medication that most people take during allergy season is an antihistamine which is used as a blocker of the allergy substance. When histamine occurs in the blood in large amounts it causes the blood vessels and the surrounding tissues to swell. As little as one-millionth part of histamine in the blood is believed capable of producing allergic symptoms. If the histamine causes swelling in the mucous membranes of the nose, an attack of rhinitis, which is commonly called hay fever, may occur.
Swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes may produce asthma. Such an oversupply of histamine in the blood vessels and tissues of the brain may cause that organ to swell, with results of epilepsy or common headache. Always consult a physician or pharmacist in the case of an individual who is not aware of the affects of the medication or unsure that mixing an allergy medication with blood pressure medicine like Lipitor can be life threatening. A combinations of medications can cause issues and the histamine in turn may cause the walls of the digestive organs to swell and could potentially rupture resulting in possible death or other fatal reactions. Always be careful not to over medicate a simple cold or sneeze. When a person sneezes this is a reaction within the body because a grain of pollen has been inhaled and the human body reacts by eliminating that grain of pollen by exhaling it through an individual’s nasal passage.
Diagnosis of Allergy
Allergic ailments often closely resemble other types of diseases. This makes them difficult to treat or diagnose. Hay fever, for example, is often mistaken for a cold in the head. But it is not the result of the same causes and is not at all contagious, as a cold is. Allergic disturbances of the digestive system are often mistaken for ulcers and other diseases. The earlier the allergic nature of the illness can be diagnosed and treated, the more likely the patient will get some relief.
Testing for Allergic Substances
The symptoms of allergies are very irritating. The reason for testing can be contritbuted to the symptoms of allergens; however, a great deal of detective work may be required to determine just what these allergens are. All sorts of things in a patients home, place of business, or school must be suspected. Some of the factors are pets sheding, irritating hair or dandruff, face powders and perfumes, the fibers of which clothing is made, the stuffing and padding used in bedding and upholstery, dyes used in treating furs, medicines, insecticides, foods, and a great deal of many other materials. The most common irratant is grass and tree pollens. There is often such a little amount of a substance that causes a person to be highly sensitive to that substance that unfortunately it is overlooked. But by careful questioning and observation of the patient the doctor can often learn of possible sources of trouble. One of the most common methods of testing is the SCRATCH TEST, performed in the doctor's office. A number of small, light scratches are made on the patient's skin, usually on his arms, back, or forearm. On each scratch is placed a small amount of one of the substances for which the patient is being tested.
After a short time the scratches are examined. Any scratch that has developed into a reddened, swollen, itching area gives evidence that the patient is allergic to the particular substance placed on the scratch. In this way, the patient's sensitivity to a large number of substances may be tested quickly and with little discomfort or inconvenience. Dust, feathers, pollens, foods, and many other types of substances can be tested by this procedure.
The PATCH TEST is quite similar to the scratch test, except that a small quantity of the substance is placed on the on the skin and retained there under a bandage for several hours or days. By another method, a bit of the substance is injected just under the skin with a hypodermic needle.
These three tests are all very useful in determining the outcome of the substances causing the allergic irritaion. They are simple and painless and ultimately effective in most patients.
The Treatment of Allergies
The most effective and obvious cure for allergic symptoms is the patient's careful avoidance of this particular allergen, whenever possible. But many allergens are almost impossible to avoid entirely. For example, someone who is allergic to pollen should stay indoors as much as possible during the spring months but that is almost impossible since you have to walk to class and other activities that make a person get outdoors. '''Desensitization''' is the usual treatment for allergic reactions to substances that are hard to avoid. This consists in making the patient less sensitive to the offending substance by giving him or her injections of the substance in small doses and gradually increasing the doses. By building up the immune system, such injections make the patient's body better able to combat allergic reactions when it comes in contact with those substances by the skin, nose, or the digestive system.
References
Wikipedia, 2007. Pollen, http://www.en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Pollen (accessed 3:29pm April 7th, 2007).
Wikipedia, 2007. Paranasal Sinus, http://www.en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Paranasal Sinus (accessed 3:30pm April 7th, 2007).
The United States Department of Health and Human Services,2007. Allergy tests, http://www.hhs.gov (accessed 3:32pm April 7th, 2007).
