If left untreated, hay fever can lead to asthma
Almost one in four adults suffers from allergic rhinitis. If the hay fever If left untreated, the risk of Asthma bronchial disease. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chances of success.
Just a few grains of pollen from hazel, alder or birch are enough to trigger a violent immune system reaction in an allergy sufferer. After the first contact with the allergen in question, the next contact releases histamines in the body, which lead to a defensive reaction. The mucous membrane of the nose and the conjunctiva of the eyes are primarily affected. This leads to inflammation with swollen mucous membranes, watery eyes, a runny nose and sneezing attacks.
Allergies to pollen are on the rise and can lead to further allergies (atopic march). "Almost one in four adults today suffers from hay fever, the so-called allergic rhinitis. If not treated appropriately, this often develops into allergic asthma after a few years," reports Dr. Reinhold Lunow from the Practice Clinic for Diagnostics and Preventive Medicine near Cologne and Bonn. If left untreated, an estimated 30% of those affected will develop bronchial asthma from allergic rhinitis within 10 years.
Hay fever: annoying symptoms to general feeling of illness
If the body reacts sensitively to pollen, the immune system produces antibodies (IgE) that target this allergen. In hay fever, cross-linked IgE antibodies attach themselves to immune cells in the nasal mucosa. An inflammatory reaction occurs. Inflammatory substances such as histamine, tryptase, leukotrienes and prostaglandins are released, which expand the blood vessels, stimulate the production of nasal secretions and irritate the fine nerve fibers in the mucous membrane. Itching and redness occur, and the nose swells up. The mouth and throat, sinuses (sinusitis) and the conjunctiva of the eyes (conjunctivitis) are also affected.
The range of hay fever symptoms is wide. For some sufferers, it is just a nuisance and quickly disappears on its own after the pollen season. Others, however, suffer from a massive impairment of their quality of life: sleep and concentration problems, headaches, impaired hearing and flu-like symptoms all add up to a general feeling of illness. This often results in weakness, tiredness and fatigue.
If the inflammatory process is left untreated, it can spread. Additional immune cells release antibodies in the nasal mucosa, causing cells to die. "Micro scars form in the mucosa, changing its structure: cilia and mucosal glands are lost. The nose loses its filtering function, and the air we breathe is no longer warmed and moistened," says the internist Dr. Lunow.
This allows many pollutants to spread through the air we breathe into the bronchi and lungs. This leads to a so-called change of level: seasonal hay fever in the upper respiratory tract develops into chronic, currently incurable bronchial asthma in the lower respiratory tract. Contact with allergens then causes the respiratory muscles to cramp. The mucous membranes of the bronchi produce more mucus, which in turn narrows the airways. If the inflammation is left untreated, lung function decreases: the lung tissue becomes stiffer and breathing becomes significantly more difficult.
Treating hay fever early can prevent asthma
To prevent hay fever from developing into bronchial asthma, treatment of allergic rhinitis should be started early. This involves avoiding the allergen, medication and hyposensitization.
Particularly in the case of a pollen allergy, it is often almost impossible to completely avoid the allergen. Acute and highly effective anti-inflammatory drugs such as decongestant nasal drops or nasal sprays (decongestants) are suitable for initial relief. They have a purely symptomatic effect. Over a longer period of time, they can damage the nasal mucosa and should therefore only be used for a few days.
Antihistamines weaken or completely eliminate the effect of the body's own messenger substance histamine. They can be administered topically in the nose or eyes or are available for systemic use as tablets, drops and juice.
Against hay fever with conventional medicine and natural remedies
Glucocorticosteroids (GCS) can also help in an emergency against hay fever and asthmatic symptoms. Cortisone preparations reduce mucus production, inhibit allergic reactions and reduce the hypersensitivity of the bronchi. While locally applied cortisone sprays are harmless, systemic cortisone tablets carry the risk of serious side effects in the long term (e.g. Diabetes mellitus, Osteoporosis).
“Cortisone should be the exception for emergencies and only after a health check-up Natural healing methods can also be used to Allergy successfully contain the disease,” says Dr. Lunow. Using certain methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicine, microbiological therapy (symbiosis control), relaxation techniques and treatment with vital substances (orthomolecular therapy), the medical director of the practice clinic had positive experiences.
Hay fever therapy through hyposensitization
Treatment with medication only treats the symptoms and does not cure the allergy. After stopping the medication, the symptoms return, which is why those affected have to take the soothing medication again every year when the pollen season begins.
Specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization, SIT) promises causal therapy to clearly identify the allergen and eliminate the allergic reaction in the long term. Around 80% of pollen allergy sufferers respond to hyposensitization.
Increasing doses of the respective allergen are injected under the skin at increasing intervals. "The aim of this method is to reduce hypersensitivity to the allergen: getting used to the allergen should prevent an excessive reaction of the immune system in the future," says Dr. Lunow.
Hyposensitization usually takes one to three years. It can now also be carried out using tablets. Children and adolescents in particular benefit from this therapy. But adults can also benefit if treatment is started as soon as possible after the allergy occurs.
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