Allergies & Immune System - Allergies Message Board

Howitt44 · 05-01-2004, 10:36 AM

I have a question that maybe someone out there can answer. I have allergies and through the years have had numerous colds, bronchitis, you know the story. Well, I have always heard that if you have allergies you have a low functioning immune system. Well, my allergy doctor says, "no, its actually working TOO well, because it is OVEREACTING to things it shouldn't." My thought is maybe low immune system is not the term to use, maybe it should out of balance immune. If it working properly it shouldn't react to pollen, dander, etc. So should we still take supplements, nutrients, etc. to build our immune system or suppress it? It sounds wrong to suppress it. What does everyone else think?
Cindy

jerrie97 · 05-01-2004, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitt44

I have a question that maybe someone out there can answer. I have allergies and through the years have had numerous colds, bronchitis, you know the story. Well, I have always heard that if you have allergies you have a low functioning immune system. Well, my allergy doctor says, "no, its actually working TOO well, because it is OVEREACTING to things it shouldn't." My thought is maybe low immune system is not the term to use, maybe it should out of balance immune. If it working properly it shouldn't react to pollen, dander, etc. So should we still take supplements, nutrients, etc. to build our immune system or suppress it? It sounds wrong to suppress it. What does everyone else think?
Cindy

Your doctor is right in saying that it's overreacting to things. There are antibodies called IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE.

IgM antibodies are produced when something like a virus or bacterium enters the body.

IgG is produced after exposure to viruses or bacteria. I'm not sure, but I think this is the antibody that prevents people from getting the same strain of a virus or bacteria repeatedly.

IgA helps the body attack microorganisms in the mucous membranes like the eyes, lungs, and nose.

The role of IgD antibodies are not very well understood as it is present in very small amounts in the blood.

Finally, the part that you've been waiting for is IgE. This is the antibody that causes acute allergic reactions. In very allergic people, this antibody level is high. It's really the only antibody that is more of a nuisance than anything. Some studies have shown it to be helpful with fighting infections caused by parasites though.

Some studies have shown that supplements aren't helpful for anything, others have shown that they are MIRACLE DRUGS. Lol. I personally have no idea; the only supplement I take is a B-complex vitamin. My guess is that because IgE antibodies are so different from the other ones, supplements have no effect on them. I could be wrong though. Taking vitamins is important though because you need a certain amount of each nutrient a day to prevent anemia, etc. Or hey, maybe you're not even talking about the supplements I'm thinking of (colloidal silver maybe? herbs?) Heh. Oh well.

If you have any questions, post again.

Blondee15 · 05-01-2004, 03:45 PM

Yup the immune system is overreacting..ever had a rash that swelled? That's basically white blood cells all gathering underneath your skin, that's what swelling is. This is why asthma/allergies are often hard to treat, your immune system is working so hard to fight off something that isn't really bad, that it isn't getting to fighting off what it should be. Add on to that that your body needs energy to do all this and many times people don't take the time to rest and recover. Believe it or not rest is probably the best thing you can do for stubborn asthma flare ups..my asthma was completley going downhill for about 6 months last year until december & january where I struggled with pneumonia bronchitis attacks etc etc..then I fortunately had the chance to take 3 weeks off to rest & recover. I got much much better..it was the best thing I could have done.

april in pain · 05-02-2004, 04:14 AM

Dear Cindy,
I am a severe allergy suffer. Please be careful with suppliments due to your allergies. You may accually be taking something that is causing your immune system to react to the suppliment. Thus giving you a reaction. Your allergist should be able to give you a heads up on all related "cousins" to your allergies. This will help you to avoid any cross over reactions.
Hope this helps.
April in Pain

april in pain · 05-02-2004, 04:19 AM

If your asthma is really bad, check with your allergist about the new vaccine called Xolair. I will be recieving it and it is suppose to cure those pesky asthma related reactions. My asthma related reactions have escalted to the near fatal level and my allergist assures me I will die without it. Good luck getting your insurance to pay for it, it is very expensive. But, the alternative is not so good either. I much perfer to live and be able to breathe.

Hope this helps
April in pain