Allergy and Asthma
The immune system is one of the most complex systems in the human body, it has the ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders. It can determine foreign from self and can adapt to virtually destroy any antigen. What happens when the immune system is too efficient for its own good? Allergic immune responses are estimated to effect 20% percent of Americans. The word allergy is defined in the dictionary as a "hypersensitive state." The hyper-sensitive state is caused by an exaggerated immune response to normal stimuli in our surroundings. Common stimuli or allergens are pollens, mold, house dust mites, animal dander, and insects (Allernet, 1999). These normal substances stimulate the body to release immunoglobin E (IgE) antibodies that are involved in the recognition of these allergens. IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells are the primary cause of allergies; it is know that these IgE antibodies originated in the body to kill off parasites. Since we hardly ever face attack by parasites, these IgE molecules have focused their attack elsewhere. Individuals that suffer from allergies most likely acquired them by inheritance from someone in there family. The most common diseases associated with allergies are hay f
Exercise induced asthma affects 12-13% of people who suffer from asthma (Nastasi, 1995). The level of activity reached, the intensity sustained, the duration of activity, ant he climatic conditions are important factor affecting the severity of each attack (Nastasi, 1995). Educational and treatment programs have enabled most athletes to participate in strenuous activity without any significant limitations. Many famous athletes have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma including Dennis Rodman and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. These athletes have still been able to not only perform at a professional level but to excel. One way to determine how exercise induced asthma affects a patient is by use of a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is a device that measures lung capacity. It works by taking a deep breath and blowing into a chamber as hard as you can. Peak flow meters are very effective in keeping track of a patients lung capacity. A patient can use it a couple times a day to determine how their lungs are performing. steroids not only control symptoms and improve lung function but they also reduce asthma mortality. They inhibit the activity and recruitment of inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, T lymphocytes, and microphages (Barnes, 1998). These inhaled steroids reduce responsiveness to exercise, fog, cold air, allergens, and inhaled chemicals (Barnes, 1998). A typical brand of inhaled corticosteroid prescribed by doctors is know as Azmacort. Studies have shown that for inhaled corticosteroids to prove effective they must be taken regularly (Barnes, 1998). When inhaled corticosteroids are discontinued, there is a gradual increase in symptoms and airway responsiveness back to pretreatment values(Barnes, 1998). Clinically is has been conventional to start with a low dosage and gradually increase the dosage till asthma control is achieved. Questions however have developed over whether there is side effects to these drugs when they are administered on a daily basis.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3924
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)
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