Allergy. The name is scary enough for those who suffer from it. Unfortunately, the allergic ailments are not uncommon these days. Going by the numbers, one in five Australians suffers from at least one allergic condition in his life. Hay fever is one of the commonest allergies among the children in the continent affecting one in ten of them. The figures are one in five for asthma and one in six for eczema. Equally disgusting is the fact that conventional treatment therapies provide only temporary relief that fail to cure the malady. The patient is bound to avoid allergy-triggering factors and often has to take life- long medications.
Getting into the details of the physiology involved in allergies, it is an exaggerated response of our immune system when exposed to certain factors which are called ‘allergens’. This hyperactivity can be triggered by any of the following factors :
- Environmental factors likechange of season, haying season
- Dust particles
- Parts of plants like pollens
- Animal fur
- Certain fabrics like silk, latex and polyester
- Some foods like peanuts, cheese, wheat, shellfish, mushrooms and soya etc.
- Stings by insects like wasps and bees
- Moist conditions, molds
- Perfumes and cosmetics
- Certain chemicals like formaldehyde
The allergens vary for different patients, and so do the symptoms. Different persons react with different symptoms when undergoing allergic conditions. The common symptoms noted during an allergic attack are :
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Skin dermatitis, redness, itching, rashes, swelling
- Stuffed nose
- Running nose
- Difficulty in breathing
- Asthmatic conditions
- Gastric disturbances like diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting etc.
The conventional treatments for allergies are antihistamines, anti-allergic drugs and corticosteroids which may not uproot the cause.
Homoeopathy has a different approach in tackling allergies of all common types-chronic, acute and seasonal. A good Homoeopath aims to cure the patient and not the disease. Once the body is cured, symptoms go away gradually. As in case of allergies, it is the immune system which behaves abnormally. Homoeopathy strives to ‘calm down’ the system and restore the balance of the vital forces within the body so that they can begin the process of self-healing. Advanced Homoeopathic formulations strengthen the immune system and make it tolerant enough to withstand allergens. Once achieved, this strength helps the body to cure itself. Such an approach ensures complete cure. The Homoeopathic medications are not habit forming either.
Homoeopathy theorises on the philosophy of ‘law of similars’ and reinforces the viewpoint of stimulating the hidden capabilities of the body to heal itself. One of the widely accepted treatment modalities across the world, Homoeopathy believes in eradicating the root cause of the ailment, rather providing short-term symptomatic relief to patients.
Advanced Homoeopathy is highly individualized and capable of getting to the roots of the disease-causing factors and coming out with the personalized prescription. Homoeopathy considers the body as a whole and takes into account all factors that contribute towards maintaining a healthy life. A trained Homoeopath, thus, asks several questions like lifestyle preferences, stress levels, genetic factors, family history, food aversions, psychological status, phobias, social behaviour and ways the person reacts to different life situations. If needed, the family is also interviewed. A firm diagnosis is reached after a thorough investigation of all contributing factors. One size does not fit all in Homoeopathy and a detailed study of all parameters about the patient is made and recorded. It is after the proper interpretation of the required questionnaire that a diagnosis is reached and optimum and personalised prescription is recommended for the patient. Homoeopathy, thus, takes an edge when it comes to efficiently treating allergies of varied types.
Homoeopathic Medical Centre has extensive experience in treating acute, seasonal and chronic allergies through safe and potent Homoeopathic preparations.