ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – More than 100 million Americans have allergies, making it the sixth leading cause of sickness in the U.S. Allergies are the body’s response to foreign items in your system. Traditional ways to treat it include antihistamines, dietary changes, or herbal remedies, but a researcher at the University of Central Florida has discovered a new approach at treating allergies that could possibly eliminate them. Allergy treatment
Coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing are all signs and symptoms of allergies.
Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Burnett School of Biomedical Science at the University of Central Florida, Justine Tigno-Aranjuez, PhD, explains, “We are exposed to allergens, we mount a specific kind of immune response – it’s called a Type 2 response.”
Professor Tigno-Aranjuez and her team at the University of Central Florida are looking into redefining allergy treatment with a technique called LRC TriCeps – which identifies a cell receptor for common allergens. The research demonstrated the allergen and a common receptor, LMAN1, binding together to inhibit the allergic reaction. This discovery was groundbreaking.
“We have the potential to, potentially, you know, modify the disease course, or there’s a potential for it to have a greater affect than just trying to, basically, suppress the symptoms,” Professor Tigno-Aranjuez adds.
Currently, the best way to prevent your allergies from flaring up is by avoiding those allergens. Also, vacuum and dust often, and change out your air filters at least two to three months.
Contributors to this news report include: Adahlia Thomas, Associate Producer; Fernando Jimenez, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/natural-remedies-for-seasonal-allergies/
https://sedera.com/blog/health-wellness/seasonal-allergies
https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-researchers-innovative-approach-could-redefine-allergy-treatment/
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: REDEFINING ALLERGY TREATMENT: MEDICINE’S NEXT BIG THING?
REPORT: MB #5284
BACKGROUND: Allergies are a widespread health issue in the United States, affecting millions of people of all ages. An allergy is an abnormal immune response to substances that are typically harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain foods. The prevalence of allergies in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, making it a significant public health concern. More than 50 million people in America have an allergic reaction every year and they are the sixth leading cause of long-term illness in the United Staes. Allergies can affect any person, but you are more likely to experience or develop allergies if your parents have them as well. The most common food allergies adults are include milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and shellfish.
(Sources: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergies)
DIAGNOSING: Diagnosing allergies in adults involves a systematic approach to identifying specific allergens that trigger allergic reactions and allergies can manifest in various ways. Healthcare providers begin by conducting a comprehensive medical history interview. They ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, including the nature, duration, and severity of allergic reactions, as well as any known triggers or patterns of symptoms. A physical examination is performed to assess the patient’s general health and look for physical signs of allergies, such as skin rashes, nasal congestion, or swelling. Various allergy tests can include skin prick testing, intradermal testing, blood testing, and challenge testing.
(Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1112683/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21495-allergy-testing)
NEW TECHNOLOGY: According to John Hopkins Medicine, an alternative to allergy shots is sublingual immunotherapy. This can provide relief from symptoms of some common allergies. Sublingual immunotherapy works by exposing the body to small amounts of the substance you are allergic to. It is available as tablets that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and drops that are not approved by the FDA. The drops are however customized for each person and can be taken at home by placing them under the tongue. Sublingual immunotherapy can help patients address various airborne allergies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Christin Senior
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