The immune system is our main line of defence against infection and disease, and it also defends the body against foreign invaders in the form of an allergic reaction or intolerance. In fact, it can sometimes be a little overzealous in that respect, producing antibodies that lead to itching or rashes in response to things that are otherwise harmless. Like cat dander…or peanuts! The list is long. If left untreated, these overreactions may lead to chronic health issues. This is where Immunotherapy comes in.
While most people turn to over the counter antihistamines, The Marsden Centre’s approach to reducing the severity of allergies and food sensitivities may even get rid of these irritating and sometimes life-threatening symptoms for good!
Immunotherapy for Allergies
Allergies and sensitivities happen when the immune system thinks the body is under attack and overreacts to things that are otherwise harmless, causing inflammation, itching, rashes, and other symptoms. During the process of immunotherapy, allergens are incrementally introduced to a patient’s immune system throughout a series of sessions. The potency of the allergen increases with each session with the goal of achieving a diminished response, and potentially even eradicating the allergy.
What Are Allergies?
Mold, dust, pollen, even scents and certain foods can all potentially trigger the immune system. There is an infinite number of potential allergens, however, it’s the body’s response to them that produces the symptoms we associate with allergies.
“True Allergies”
Sometimes, this response can be quite dangerous, causing symptoms that range all the way from a mild itch to anaphylaxis (severe inflammation that can cause the throat to close). This type of allergy can only be diagnosed in your medical doctor’s office.
Food Sensitivities or Intolerances
Although not considered in the same realm as anaphylactic type allergies, food sensitivities can cause mild to severe reactions in the body from rashes and hives to headaches and digestive issues, with many possible symptoms in between. Identifying a food intolerance in order to ease these symptoms often takes a fair amount of detective work, and is an area of specialty at the Marsden Centre.
Not The Same For Everyone
Everyone is not allergic or sensitive to the same things at the same level. Certain people who are sensitive to cats can’t be in the same room as our feline companions without their eyes swelling shut and itching severely, while others may only feel a slight tickle in the throat.
Allergies Can Change Over Time
Allergies, sensitivities and intolerances can also develop over time. Some people don’t know what they’re allergic to until their throat is swelling up from eating a Brazil nut for the first time, for instance. This is why it’s important to get tested for allergies or sensitivities to see what you’re up against.
You may be surprised by what you find out.
Addressing the Gut
One aspect that is often overlooked when it comes to allergic reactions and sensitivities is gut health. For most people who suffer from allergies, and perhaps particularly obvious in those who develop allergies later in life, the health of the gut is a key contributor to allergic illness.
Gut Health and Allergies
We are seeing a shift away from healthy microorganisms inhabiting the gut in many of our patients. This imbalance leads to a lack of diversity in the microbiome, bringing with it inflammation of the gut’s delicate mucous lining. This leads to poor absorption of nutrients and can affect the functional integrity of the intestinal wall.
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Having a “leaky gut” means that molecules from the food eaten are traveling between the cells that make up the intestinal wall rather than being absorbed properly through them. These molecules are then identified by the immune system as foreign invaders and removed.
However, in the process of identifying and removing the invading molecule, an immune response is created which can flare up any time the same food is eaten.
First Heal the Gut
At the Marsden Centre, we consider working on intestinal health and integrity to be a fundamental part of your long term plan for reducing allergic reactions or intolerances and preventing the development of new ones. In fact, improving the gut microbiome and resolving intestinal inflammation can lead to increases in secretory IgA (an antibody blood protein which binds and protects us from allergens) and can provide its own low dose antigen therapy leading to the body being better able to tolerate the allergen.
The Problem With Antihistamines
Over the counter antihistamines such as Benadryl and Claritin, as well as prescription antihistamines such as rupatadine can relieve active allergy symptoms such as sneezing, hives or itching by temporarily suppressing the body’s histamine response. They are generally harmless, but they don’t address the root cause of the allergy.
In the case of anaphylactic allergic reactions, antihistamines can not open a blocked airway – an Epi-Pen and an emergency trip to the hospital are necessary.
Side effects of many antihistamine medications can include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Confusion
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
Immunotherapy is an effective long term solution for allergy sufferers who do not want to continue using daily medication, as well as those who want to reduce the severity and frequency of big allergic reactions.
Low Dose Immunotherapy Drops: Allergy Desensitization
Immunotherapy is essentially allergy desensitization. During each treatment session an allergen is introduced to the patient’s system via sublingual drops. It is combined with a special enzyme which encourages the immune system to tolerate the allergen. The potency of the allergen is increased with each session, so that by the time treatment is complete, the patient will tolerate the allergy.
Is Low Dose Immunotherapy the Best Allergy Treatment Available?
Once you discover what it is that you’re reacting to, you can decide on the best course of action for alleviating and even treating your allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamines may provide immediate relief from symptoms, however immunotherapy is an approach that can give you much longer-term and even permanent results.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy is an effective and viable means of introducing allergens to the immune system to reduce your reaction over time. unique when compared to traditional allergy shots
After all, allergy symptoms are caused by the immune system’s response to a foreign body. If that foreign body, or allergen, is introduced often enough the immune system starts to recognise it and ceases to overreact.
With immunotherapy, you can hope to finally pet your aunties cat!
Side Effects of Low Dose Allergy Drops
Patients should wait up to 30 minutes after receiving your immunotherapy treatment before leaving the doctor’s office, just in case rare but more serious side effects occur. While severe reactions to low dose allergy therapy have not been observed, possible severe side effects from immunotherapy drops we watch for may include:
- Wheezing
- Swelling in the throat
- Tightness in the chest
- Dizziness
- Nausea
How Well Will My Allergies Respond To Immunotherapy?
Allergies Low Dose Immunotherapy Treats Best
The type of immunotherapy we do at the Marsden Centre helps with a much wider range of allergic illnesses. This makes Low Dose Immunotherapy unique when compared to traditional allergy shots
The following allergies can usually be treated very successfully via a series of sublingual immunotherapy appointments.
- Hay fever
- Certain animal allergies
- Insect stings
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Drug allergies
- Feather allergies
- Skin conditions such as hives or eczema
A Note on Food Sensitivity Testing
Food intolerance can lead to a variety of health conditions, and there are many warning signs. However, food sensitivities can be hard to pin down because symptoms sometimes arise days after the food is eaten. If a person continues to eat food they’re reacting to, over time, these sensitivities can lead to chronic health conditions.
Chronic Conditions of Food Intolerances
It’s important to know what foods you are reacting to in order to avoid some long-term health problems such as:
- Migraines
- Weight gain
- Atherosclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- ADHD
How To Get Tested for Food Sensitivities in Ontario
Food allergies (peanut allergy is a good example) can only be diagnosed by careful history and then provocation in a doctors office.
Most people suffer from food intolerances rather than allergies, and many patients come to our centre after receiving a negative result to an allergy test for a food they are reacting to.
Determining A Food Sensitivity
Elimination Diet
Carrying out an elimination diet under the guidance of your Integrative health practitioner is the first step in uncovering which foods you are reacting to. Often this is enough to identify the issue and put together a successful treatment plan.
Food IgG Screen
food IgG testing is a blood analysis which can often uncover possible intolerances that an elimination diet might miss. The Marsden Centre offers Food IgG Screen to help you uncover what foods may be linked to allergic reactions you are experiencing. determine specific food allergies.
This is a blood test that measures the immune system’s response to a large selection of commonly consumed foods. The information you take away from this test is invaluable in helping you
Why let allergies rule your life? Contact the Marsden Centre and schedule your allergy therapy appointment now!