Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura - Allergies and Low Platelets

Although most people of the medical community will admit that they don't have a clue about what really causes Idiopathic Thrombopathic Purpura (ITP), there are many astute doctors that have come to believe that the underlying causes of ITP are a combination of genetic and negative environmental factors. It is perplexing, that when exposed to the same toxic environmental stimulus, some people might develop cancer, others might develop Lupus, or asthma and still others may develop ITP disease. Surely this has to point to some sort of genetic predisposition or inherent weakness in the body.

When trying to come to some sort of conclusion as to what might be triggering your ITP, you must seriously consider what outside cause may be the culprit, you can either guess and eliminate potential antagonists bit by bit through trial and error (if you have the time and patience), or you can resort to much more accurate testing data made available through some Naturopathic practitioners, such as hair analysis for heavy metals or DNA testing with equipment such as the Avatar or Bio-tracker. These tests will immediately show what is antagonistic to your being. And then you are able to take immediate action.

If you are able to discern just what has been causing your low blood platelets, either by trial and error or high tech testing, by taking the proper course of action, you may reduce or eliminate completely the need for powerful and potentially dangerous medications, with horrible side effects or even the final insult to the body...spleen removal.

There are several environmental triggers that are known to cause and challenge a chronic immune response. Sad to say, that these factors are very often overlooked when diagnosing and evaluating people who have ITP.

Some of these factors are chronic infections and chronic allergies and food intolerances.

There is a lot to be said about the fact that allergic reactions to foreign substances cause an immediate immune response and that if left unchecked, soon will over load the immune system and cause it to go haywire, as in the case of itp, or other auto-immune disorders. It is unfortunate that most immune responses to allergens and intolerances to certain substances or foods, usually are not noticeable and is like a fire smoldering within, until the problem becomes so serious that dis-ease develops before the person even has the chance to realize it. That is why it is so important to know about your own body and what substances or foods you may or may not be able to tolerate.

Dog Allergies - Here Is My Own Story

When my Golden Retriever Sunshine first came to join our one dog - one woman household I thought that he was the smallest Golden puppy I had ever met. He wasn`t just small - he seemed to be someone who wasn't thriving.

Right from the start he suffered from a bladder infection and presented occasional outbursts of runny tummy.

Since I feed raw beef, tripe and chicken to my older Golden Sebastian and believe in the benefits of a raw meat diet I gradually changed the pup's food from the kibble his breeder had used to a diet of raw meat, vegetables and rice.

Not long after that the trouble started - his diarrhea became more frequent, he'd have me up mostly at night which did not please me at all!

First I put it down to some sort of infection - you know, those tummy bugs that dogs seem to pick up frequently.

As his motions improved I thought all was well again - only to discover the return of the problem a few days later.

As time went by I suspected some kind of adverse reaction to some of the foods I gave him. Indeed he seemed to be worse off after eating hearty chunks of beef but then again, he would also need to run when without beef.

Things became more and more confusing, not only to me but also to my vet. Sunshine was presenting himself with diarrhea as well as frequent vomiting after supper.

Perhaps there was something wrong with his pancreas? Blood tests did not confirm this suspicion.

In the end I took him to Gie?en University Clinic where they did all sorts of blood tests and x- rayed his stomach and intestines - everything was fine, no parasites, no bugs could be found...

They advised me to put him on a diet of just one source of protein plus one source of carbohydrates for eight weeks and see what the results would be.

This didn't sound like a very good idea to me but it set me off in the right direction - why not have a proper allergy test done?

My vet thought it would be a waste of money since she didn't support the allergy hypothesis and advised me to try the eight weeks restriction diet instead.

Of course we followed through with the test sending a blood sample to a lab I had used before for allergy testing. The results which came back after a few days didn't make me happy at all. Sunshine is allergic to beef, cow's milk and dairy products as well as all grains, to potatoes and rice. He can, however, eat chicken, venison and lamb.

With all those allergy triggers it was no surprise that he reacted with diarrhea to most foods I gave to him in the attempt to cure his upset tummy.

The lamb and rice tins for sensitive dogs had given him the runs because of the rice, the lamb and potato treats had given him runs because of the potatoes, all special diets for upset stomachs contained milk protein and so on.

There would have been no way to end his diarrhea without proper allergy testing.

As the results came back my vet insisted that I should feed him on one source of protein for eight weeks in order to set things straight. I did not do this because from allergy research in humans we know that one may become allergic to foods when he consumes them all the time.

Instead I started feeding Sunshine on a diet of venison, chicken, eggs, bananas and vegetables, avoiding grains and potatoes. The diarrhea vanished and has not returned since, the dog put on the much needed weight and is growing stronger day by day.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson. Next time I own a dog who shows signs of diarrhea on a regular basis, checking him for allergies will be one of the first measures I'll take.

The Danger of the Term Gluten Allergy

While more people than ever before are aware of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, a troubling misunderstanding of the condition persists and even seems to be spreading throughout the Internet. A single term embodies this misunderstanding: gluten allergy. Read on to learn why this term is misleading and relying on it could even be dangerous.

What Happens In A Food Allergy?

When someone experiences an allergic reaction, this reaction involves specific types of antibodies and chemicals in a specific type of reaction. The main antibodies in an allergic reaction are immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies circulate your body with your blood and when triggered by the presence of an antigen create an immediate response.

During this response, chemicals called histamines are released. These histamines create the tangible symptoms we associate with allergic reactions. This entire response to an antigen is immediate and represents a Type 1 Hypersensitivity. A food allergy is a Type 1 Hypersensitivity.

Celiac Disease Is An Autoimmune Disease

Celiac disease is not a Type 1 Hypersensitivity. It does not involve IgE or histamines. It is an autoimmune disease with a delayed autoimmune response. When you have celiac disease, your body modifies the proteins in gluten (gliadin and glutenin) in a way that makes them trigger an over-reaction from your immune system. In this reaction, your body produces the excessive antibodies immunoglobulin A (IgA), anti-transglutaminase antibodies (ATA), and anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA).

These antibodies attack the lining of your small intestine, causing damage and inflammation, in particular resulting in the flattening of the intestinal villi. The villi are tiny finger-like protrusions along the wall of the small intestine that reach out and grab nutrients from the food you're digesting.

By causing an inflammatory response in your body, drawing toxins and undigested proteins into your bloodstream and creating worsening malabsorption, celiac disease wreaks havoc on your entire body over time.

But this entire process can take between hours and months to trigger tangible, identifiable celiac disease symptoms.

How Is the Phrase Gluten Allergy Dangerous?

Think of it this way: left untreated and undiagnosed for long, celiac disease can cause other autoimmune diseases, a litany of troubling symptoms and conditions and even cancer. Yet celiac disease often does not trigger an immediate or obvious reaction.

If you have celiac sprue disease, you may be able to eat a large piece of gluten-dense whole wheat bread and not experience an immediate reaction... or even a reaction within several days. This is counter to how many people (perhaps even most people) understand the disease.

If you use the term gluten allergy, you imply an immediate response to consuming gluten. An allergy is a type 1 hypersensitivity, and most laymen think of an allergy as an immediate reaction to an antigen.

So if you rely on this inaccurate term to encapsulate this concept, you might miss a serious and even deadly case of gluten intolerance simply because you're looking for an immediate and tangible reaction to consuming gluten.

I admit I still use the term gluten allergy because it often conveys the seriousness of the situation to many laymen in casual environments. A waiter might fear an allergic reaction more than "just" an intolerance, and thus he may be more vigilant in addressing your need while taking your order.

The topic of gluten intolerance is complex and evolving. A wheat allergy is a food allergy and you can experience several forms of gluten intolerance without testing positive for celiac disease (like a non-celiac gluten sensitivity). But try to stay clear on the difference between celiac disease and a food allergy and be deliberate and sparing in your use of the term gluten allergy.

Is NAET an Effective Treatment for Allergies?

Millions of people suffer with allergies and there isn't much they can do about them short of avoiding the allergen altogether. Allergies to things like cats and dust can turn a person's life upside down. In the past, people have tried allergy shots with varied success.

Many people with allergies, desperate for a solution, turn to alternative remedies. One particular alternative allergy treatment, called NAET. (short for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique) has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. Celebrities like Dylan McDermott and Alana Stewart have endorsed it.

So what is it? According to the official website: "NAET is a safe and effective technique in detecting and eliminating or desensitizing all types of allergies. NAET combines Kinesiology (Muscle Responsive Testing), Chiropractic and Oriental Medicine to clear allergic reactions through a reprogramming of the brain ... This technique can successfully desensitize the body in order to achieve an allergy-free state."

What types of allergies do NAET practitioners claim they can treat? The more common allergies such as food allergies, dust, pollen, pet hair, and flowers are often diagnosed and treated first. Then, items in one's environment that one may not have thought of as an allergen are tested: air conditioning, fluoride, plastic, chlorine. NAET practitioners claim that one can be "allergic" to just about anything.

Besides treating allergies, many practitioners practice what they call "emotional clearing." Events from one's past may cause health imbalances that cause allergies and other problems. By clearing the emotional issues, they claim, the health problems will go away.

NAET has also become a popular treatment for autism. Many parents claim their children have improved after treatment. Others claim the treatments brought no results for their children. NAET practitioners claim that some children need more treatment than others.

Given all the things one can be allergic to, NAET treatment can go on for months if the person has a lot of allergies. Treatment often takes place once or twice per week. It can be costly, but for those who have achieved results and rid themsevles of allergies, it may be worth it.

If you suffer from allergies, NAET may be an option. As with all alternative therapies, it is important to read as much as you can before trying them and spending the money. There is a lot of information about NAET available online to help you decide. While some people haven't had much success with the treatment, for others with severe allergies it has been life-changing.

Help I Am Allergic To Gluten

If you have Gluten Allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. The Greeks first described this disease in the 2nd Century AD and they called it Koiliakos Disease which means suffering in the bowls. Today the disease is called Coeliac Disease, which is derived from the Greek word Koiliakos.

Coeliac Disease and being allergic to Gluten are similar allergies but not exactly the same. Coeliac disease is a hereditary allergy to gluten that caused damage to the intestinal lining of the small intestine. Gluten allergy does not damage the small intestines but cause many of the same symptoms as Coeliac disease.

Gluten contains a protein that is found in most grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and to a lesser extent oats. When the grains are ground into flower the gluten is what gives the final baked products its strength and elasticity. Without gluten bread is heavy and dense. Depending on the type of grain being tested, different quantities of the gluten protein are found in different grains.

Allergic to gluten symptoms include abdominal cramps, vomiting, irritable bowel, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation. Blood tests can be used to determine if you have an allergy to gluten or if it is possible that you have Coeliac disease. A biopsy of the small intestine is the only way to successfully diagnose Coeliac disease.

Once a confirmed diagnosis is made for a gluten allergy or for celiac disease then the patient must change to a glutted free diet. For the Celica disease suffers, this gluten free diet is for life. There is no cure for celiac disease. Why the immune system attacks the gluten proteins is not known and more testing is required.

Avoidance of gluten-containing foods is the only effective treatment for people who are allergic. Avoidance can be very difficult because gluten protein is often hidden in other foods. Read the label of every food products that comes into your home.

Avoid any food products that have Wheat, Bran, Bread Crumbs, Cereal Extract, Natural Flavoring, Starch, Vegetable Gum, Soy Sauce, Gluten, or Enriched Flower on the label until you know if that particular item will give you an allergy reaction.

For those who are allergic to gluten, following a gluten free diet allows them to take control of their bodies and their life again. The quality of life will be greatly improved with the removal of the allergy symptoms and the health benefits of having the small intestines operating properly.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

The Food Allergy Maze

It is estimated that 1 in every 6 person is sensitive or allergic to some foods, and that many health, psychological and behavioural problems are due to food allergies. Yet conventional allergy testing methods often fail to identify allergies in patients.

I see many patients who have spent frustrating years trying to understand their health problems, only to discover that they do, in fact, have food allergies. Not surprisingly, a great many of these patients or parents of allergic children tell me that they first suspected allergies, but their suspicions were dismissed by their doctors after their tests results showed negative. It is thanks to sheer persistence that these patients eventually find the answers they have been seeking.

Kinds of Food Allergies

A food allergy can trigger either an immediate or a delayed reaction to food. This and whether or not the reaction involves the high levels of antibodies determine what type of food allergy it is.

Type l. Immediately or soon after eating the food, you show clear and often dramatic symptoms. If you are allergic to fungus, you might develop abdominal cramps within an hour of eating a ragout containing mushrooms. A child with a type 1 reaction to kiwi fruit might experience severe itching in the mouth or vomiting within 15 minutes of eating a kiwi fruit.

Type 1 food allergies they result in high levels of IgE antibodies in the blood so they are easily diagnosed by tests for these antibodies. Many doctors consider IgE mediated allergies to be the only real allergies, yet most food allergies are not Ige mediated. Only 3- 5 % of children and 1-2 % of adults are estimated to be affected by Type l food allergies.

Anaphylaxis - a severe reaction that can be fatal within minutes - is a Type 1 reaction. Warning signs are dizziness, light-headedness, swollen tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, fainting or facial swelling immediately after eating food. Get immediate emergency care.

Type ll. Though not considered a true allergy by more conservative doctors, a Type ll reaction still results in high levels of antibodies, usually IgA, IgG and IgM, as well as the typical inflammatory reactions.

Type lll. Delayed reactions often go unrecognized because the symptoms are not usually obvious, and may occur days after the food is eaten. Also, since they do not involve IgE antibodies, delayed allergy reactions to not show up on standard skin tests or some blood tests. Instead, they manifest as clusters of physical, behavioral and learning symptoms that affect several body systems at once. Type lll allergies are for this reason often called 'hidden' allergies.

A person with Type lll food allergies can suffer from recurring breathlessness, mucousy throat, sporadic hyperactivity and emotional swings, chronic stuffy nose, and flu-like symptoms. For another person, symptoms can include headaches, itchy eyes, stomach pains, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and swollen lymph nodes.

These delayed reaction patterns of food allergy are difficult to diagnose. Yet health practitioners believe that they account for most food allergies, especially in children. In my opinion, any undefined pattern of illness that involves different symptoms and different body symptoms should be taken as a likely sign of food allergy until proven otherwise.

Effective tests for Food Allergies

Given the prevalence of type lll food allergies, other testing methods are called for. The most common non-standard test is the Rotation Diet. Common allergenic foods and suspected food allergens are eliminated from the diet for 4-7 days, then reintroduced. When the body is given a chance to clear of food allergens, symptoms will usually subside or disappear. By reintroducing the food again, you cause symptoms to reappear, allowing you to identify just what foods affect you.

Kinesthetic and Energy Testing

Many natural therapists test for allergies by identifying energy disturbances caused by different foods. Some methods work on the principle that these disturbances will temporarily weaken the long muscles of the body, while others use energy technology to identify which foods cause disturbances in the body's energy fields. Though still not accepted as valid tests by conventional medicine, these testing methods are providing breakthroughs for thousands of patients whose allergies previously went undiagnosed.

Understanding Idiopathic Angioedema

Idiopathic Angioedema is a medical condition that causes severe swelling of the skin tissue under the surface layer or the 'Derma'. Angioedema often manifests very suddenly which can cause some distress. The cause of the condition is unknown as far as modern medicine goes, but many believe the condition to be linked to underlying autoimmune disease.

Generally the term idiopathic is used to describe a condition which is triggered by no obvious reason. Treatments for the condition are basically aimed at symptom relief which is good enough for acute attacks however it's of little help to chronic sufferer's

Angioedema or the deep swelling happens because of an allergic reaction which the body responds to by producing excess histamine, which in turn manifests as large areas of swelling.

The problem is that the allergen that triggered it is often hard to discover. Also, in many cases the standard antihistamine treatment cannot provide effective relief especially for the prevention of the condition becoming chronic.

Testing For Allergies

The standard skin tests can sometimes pinpoint the allergen, but this method is seldom successful as the reason for the condition are often deep rooted.

An elimination diet may prove to be more successful in discovering hidden allergens This generally involves the exclusion of one type of food or a specific product from the menu of the tested person, this is however a time consuming process.

Allergens, antagonists or triggers can be a certain type of food such as dairy, wheat or simply an additive or colouring used in any number of commercially produced products. There are many different kinds of food intolerances and they can vary substantially from a person to person. Thus, an elimination diet is a very useful tool for the determination of the cause of Idiopathic Angioedema (If you have the time).

Unfortunately the reasons for Angioedema like chronic urticaria are notoriously hard to pinpoint, allergens are all around us, in the air even the water we drink. Climate could also be a factor in as much as the number of cases drop significantly in warmer climates, this is most likely the result of the body absorbing higher levels of natural vitamin D3.