Castletown Chemist » allergy

When one man’s wheat is another man’s poison

PSA.org.au — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:39:07 +0000

Food allergies are relatively common. Whilst severe and sometimes life threatening reactions to peanuts are well publicised, most food allergies are mild and easily managed and simply cause inconvenience and frustration.

However, coeliac (pronounced see-lee-ac) disease, which affects about one in every 100 Australians, is more than just a trivial and occasional adverse reaction to something we have eaten. The disease is triggered by the ingestion of gluten – usually in people who are genetically predisposed; that is, they have an inherited tendency to get the disease.

Gluten is the name given to the protein component of wheat and other grains – rye, oats and barley. So gluten is present in cereals but also often in bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta, pizzas and many processed foods – meats, soups, sauces and so on.

The symptoms of coeliac disease vary enormously. It is probably the main reason that it seems so difficult to diagnose; with evidence suggesting only one person in five has had the condition properly identified. In infants and very young children, common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal bloating and failure to thrive, but these symptoms commonly occur in children anyway. These symptoms can also occur in adults; and as well they are more susceptible to mouth ulcers, osteoporosis, unexplained weight loss, hair loss, skin problems and chronic fatigue.

In the UK children with peanut allergy will soon be undergoing experimental desensitising therapy with peanut flour to build up immunity to the potentially deadly peanut allergen. While no such studies are underway with gluten, Professor Peter Green from Columbia University in New York in a talk to Coeliac Society members in Sydney last year, said that when gluten is feed to infants for the first time prior to four months of age or after seven months of age, there is an increased risk of the development of coeliac disease. He said there is also a protective effect with breastfeeding. So the advice to mothers is to breast feed for at least the first six months and give small amounts of gluten between four and six months.

Each year, National Coeliac Awareness Week (13-20 March) highlights the need for us to consider coeliac disease when stomach problems persist. Despite the markedly varying symptoms and sometimes their extreme severity, treatment is usually simple and effective.

Early diagnosis of coeliac disease is important. However, the good news is that once diagnosed, the treatment for coeliac disease is very successful. It simply involves strict adherence to a gluten free diet.

This might sound difficult but it’s well worth the challenge of finding gluten-free foods on the supermarket shelves. Once started on a gluten-free diet coeliac disease suffers will pick-up and regain their energy and good health. Be aware, that a gluten-free diet is not a fad diet; and a gluten-free diet should not be started before the appropriate blood screening and other tests your doctor can order. Otherwise diagnosis may prove difficult or inconclusive.

Your local Coeliac Society (www.coeliac.org.au) can provide more information. They have dietary advice, recipes, information on where to buy gluten-free food, and above all the support needed to achieve effective control over the condition.

You can also get advice about intestinal and bowel problems from pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. Phone 1 300 369 772, or check out the Pharmaceutical Society website at www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care pharmacy finder for the nearest location. There are fact cards on heart burn and indigestion, vomiting and diarrhoea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Sneezing our way through September

PSA.org.au — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:14:37 +0000

Hay fever, known medically as allergic rhinitis is a common condition in Australia affecting about 40% of the population at least to some degree.

Despite this fact, or maybe even because of it, hay fever is thought to be a comparatively trivial condition – just a minor inconvenience.

However, if you suffer from hay fever and are forced to endure the sniffles and sneezes, the running nose and watery eyes, the frequently blocked nose and occasional sinus headache, you’ll know that it’s anything but a trivial complaint.

The symptoms of hay fever develop as the result of a super active immune system. That is: substances which in most people would cause no reaction, actually cause a severe allergic reaction in the really sensitive ones amongst us. These substances, generally called allergens or trigger factors, include wind borne pollen from grasses, weeds and trees – more likely to be troublesome around this time of year, spring and summertime.

But hay fever can occur all year round. When it does, the most common trigger factor is exposure to dust mite – these microscopic animals live with us in their millions in our pillows, blankets, bedspreads, doonas, cushions, curtains and carpets. Rather hard to avoid!

Perhaps not such a pleasant thing to think about, but it’s probably no surprise so many of us get sneezy and wheezy when we breathe in the little creatures, dead or alive, or even their droppings.

Similar year round symptoms can be caused by animal dander – the dead skin cells from our pets especially our cats. Mould and mould spores can cause the same sort of problems.

Exposure to cigarette smoke – your own or someone else’s – may increase sensitivity to allergens; and occupational exposure may lead to a greater likelihood of developing hay fever. For instance, if you work with wood dust, seed dust, textile dust, rubber latex, some chemicals and certain foods and spices, you may also have to work with hay fever.

Amongst all this doom and gloom there is some good news. Hay fever symptoms can often be prevented and almost always well controlled.

Of course, avoiding trigger factors altogether is the best option. But, when that is not possible, appropriate use of medication can work very well.

Which medication we choose will depend largely on the severity and frequency of symptoms. Mild symptoms occurring less than four days a week or less then four weeks at a time respond well to oral antihistamines. The new non-sedating antihistamines will be the best choice.

If your symptoms adversely affect your sleep or your work, school or leisure activities; or the symptoms persist for more than four days a week or more than four weeks at a time, then the so-called intranasal corticosteroid sprays (Rhinocort, Telnase or Beconase) will be the most appropriate treatment. When symptoms are severe a combination of antihistamine and nasal spray might be required.

There are other options too; depending on which symptoms are causing the most trouble. For watery, itchy eyes Zaditen or Eyzep eye drops will give fast relief.

You can get some really good advice on how to manage even the toughest forms of allergic rhinitis on the Hay fever Fact Card. It’s available from pharmacies around Australia providing the Self Care health information. Call the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772 for the nearest location or log on to the website www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care Pharmacy Finder.

Horsing around with hay fever

PSA.org.au — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:55:17 +0000

Equine influenza has hit the headlines once again.

A few weeks ago a horse recently arrived from overseas and resident at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in NSW had shown signs of the potentially deadly virus. Fortunately, this year, the infection was contained and spread prevented.

Up until 2007 Australia had been completely free of this infection which makes healthy horses a little hoarse, and puts somewhat less healthy horses at risk of serious complications. Horse flu cannot be acquired by humans, although humans may have unintentionally spread the infection among the horses – race horses, riding school horses, show horses and club ponies.

Given their environment, it might be thought that horses might be more susceptible to hay fever. However, while horses may well suffer allergies, and despite their rather prominent noses, it seems allergic rhinitis is not such a common ailment in the stables – except perhaps among the stable hand.

So while the horses are safe from flu this spring, it’s a sure bet, that with spring well and truly in the air, hay fever will be a significant problem in the human population.

If you suffer from hay fever and are forced to endure the sniffles and sneezes, the running nose and watery eyes, the frequently blocked nose and occasional sinus headache, you’ll know that it’s anything but a trivial complaint.

The symptoms of hay fever develop as the result of a super active immune system. That is: substances which in most people would cause no reaction, actually cause a severe allergic reaction in the really sensitive ones among us. These substances, generally called allergens or trigger factors, include wind borne pollen from grasses, weeds and trees – more likely to be troublesome around this time of year, spring and summertime.

Among all this doom and gloom there is some good news. Hay fever symptoms can often be prevented and almost always well controlled.

Of course, avoiding trigger factors altogether is the best option. But, when that is not possible, appropriate use of medication can work very well.

Which medication we choose will depend largely on the severity and frequency of symptoms. Mild symptoms occurring less than four days a week or less than four weeks at a time respond well to oral antihistamines. The new non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claratyne, Telfast or Xergic, will be the best choice.

If your symptoms adversely affect your sleep or your work, school or leisure activities; or the symptoms persist for more than four days a week or more than four weeks at a time, then the so-called intranasal corticosteroid sprays (Rhinocort or Beconase) will be the most appropriate treatment. When symptoms are severe a combination of antihistamine and nasal spray might be required.

There are other options too; depending on which symptoms are causing the most trouble. For watery, itchy eyes Zaditen eye drops, now available without prescription, will give fast relief.

You can get some really good advice on how to manage even the toughest forms of allergic rhinitis on the Hay Fever fact card. It’s available from pharmacies around Australia providing the Self Care health information. Phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772 for the nearest location.