The Allergy Epidemic - Essay Example

The Allergy Epidemic Diseases such as asthma and eczema used to be very rare chronic illnesses in the society and eczema was considered a sign of aging skin. However, this is not the case in modern societies as allergies are the fastest growing chronic illnesses in childhood. Asthma, eczema, and hay fever are some of the serious health complications whose prevalence has increased overtime (Matterne, Schmitt, Diepgen and Apfelbacher 2011, p.1295). Today, asthma is a popular chronic disease among children (Wjst and Dold 2001, p.757). One in three individuals in the UK is affected by allergies with the children being the most vulnerable ones to allergic diseases (Great Britain 2008, p.21). The occurrence of allergic disease is at an alarming rate with many individuals from developed countries having an allergic condition. Allergic diseases interfere with immune health contributing to various chronic illnesses (Hershoff 2000). Allergic diseases include asthma, eczema and food allergy among others (Eber and Midulla 2013, p.339). This essay focuses on the allergy epidemic following the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in developed countries. It aims at convincing individuals that there is adequate scientific evidence to support the argument that allergic diseases have increased tremendously over the past few decades. More so, the possible causes for rapid increase of this condition and potential solutions will also be included. Arguably, there are many causes of the allergy epidemic suggested by various studies including genetic susceptibility, lifestyle and environmental changes (Great Britain 2008, p.21). The immune system overreacts to harmless substances and when exposed to these substances, the body responds by swelling or itching among other symptoms. Genetically, allergies can be inherited as studies show that a history of asthma of allergy in a parent puts the baby at risk of becoming allergic. However, while infants with a family history of the disease are at a greater risk of becoming allergic, there is increasing number of children without a family history developing allergies. Susceptibility to allergies results from inheritance of mutant genes (Holloway, Yang and Holgate 2010, p.86). More so, twins study revealed that hereditary transmission of allergic diseases such as rhinitis is possible (Snow, Wackym and Ballenger 2009, p.531). Some of the suggested environmental forces that significantly contribute to increased allergic conditions in childhood include maternal tobacco smoking. Parents’ smoking behavior has been strongly associated with increased prevalence of allergies in offspring and so, smoking parents are more likely to give birth to allergic children. Secondly, dietary factors also causes increasing incidence of allergic diseases particularly food allergy. For instance, today’s diet is very different from the diet in some years back. Modern dietary patterns as compared to previous generations are the force behind many illnesses. Many scholars have associated various health complications with today’s diet and modern lifestyle. Higher rates of asthma are as a result of increased exposure to indoor allergens and increasingly sedentary lifestyle (Crameri, Aalberse and Blaser 2006, p.12). Some researchers have mainly focused on vitamins particularly vitamin D, folic acid as well as the effects of sunlight in relation to their impacts on allergies. Research findings indicate that reduced sunlight exposure due to increased screen time explains the rising cases of childhood allergy in developed countries. Thirdly, formula feeds increases the risk of allergies among children. In the contemporary world, many mothers use formula feeds rather than exclusively breast feeding their babies for the first months. Breast milk significantly reduces the risk of allergic diseases because breast-feeding introduces bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the infant’s gut and these are very essential for the development of normal oral tolerance to foods thereby prevent unnecessary food allergies. Change in the bacterial colonization of the gut is one cause of the allergy epidemic (Great Britain 2008, p.21). On the contrary, a breastfed child can develop a food allergy when exposed an allergen like peanuts through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers need to be courteous and try to eliminate the allergy causing food from their own diet so as to protect their children. More so, the use of antacids can prevent the destruction of potential allergens and many parents today administer potent acid suppressing drugs to their infants. This explains the increasing cases of childhood allergies worldwide. Food allergy is very common in developed countries with at least one child in every class at school being allergic to a particular food. scholars argue that developing countries have a very low incidence of food allergies but those moving to developed countries have an increased risk of becoming allergic. High rates of allergy is due to lifestyle changes, for instance, spending more time in doors leads to an increase to exposure to some allergens like pets. Individuals in highly developed countries are at a higher risk of allergies since they are more exposed to different allergens (Sikorski 2006, p.276). Apart from the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that less exposure to infection during childhood increases the risk of becoming allergic, there are other possible causes of a large increase in the rate of food allergies in children. First, delayed introduction to allergenic foods like eggs and peanuts puts individuals at risk of food allergy. On the contrary, early introduction to such foods helps in reducing cases of food allergy. In addition, different methods of food processing like roasted and boiled peanuts in modern life lead to increasing cases of food allergy. Cases of asthma have increased tremendously in infants due to exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutions, early entry into childcare, pet dander, and early end of breastfeeding among others. Allergic sensitizations to mites, pollen or pet allergens are some of the strongest forces behind the allergy epidemic (Eber and Midulla 2013, p.339). Studies state that pollution causes allergy since it causes an increase in nasal responsiveness to various environmental allergens (Snow, Wackym and Ballenger 2009, p.532). Furthermore, many studies have suggested hygiene hypothesis to account for the increasing rate of allergy epidemic. There have been rapid advancements in studies in medical science and hygiene. Accordingly, individuals’ life span has increased tremendously because of the reduced infections from dangerous microorganisms. This in turn led to a decrease in microbial load and this has been considered as one of the causes of increasing cases of allergic condition experienced over the past years. According to the hygiene hypothesis, the consideration of proper hygiene interferes with individuals’ immune system and this in turn increases the risk of allergic diseases. This implies that developed and sedentary lifestyles prevent the immune system from developing into a reduced allergic state of being. This explains why there are increased cases of allergy in most developed countries as compared to developing countries. There are many studies supporting the views of hygiene hypothesis. Firstly, a certain study indicated that there is increased risk of allergies in children growing in smaller families with higher socioeconomic status like in developed countries (Sikorski 2006, p.276). More so, studies revealed that there is lower incidence of allergies among children with older siblings as opposed to those children attending day care and have no sibling. Additionally, it has been noted that there is low incidence of allergies in children living or growing up on farms. Another study suggested a positive correlation between the infections in childhood and a decreased risk of some allergic diseases such as eczema. Additionally, using antibiotics frequently during childhood has been associated with increased risk of allergies particularly eczema allergy. Further, a certain study revealed that individuals with antibodies to Hepatitis A virus had reduced risk to allergies because Hepatitis A is considered a marker for poor hygiene. Lastly, studies have shown that prebiotics in the diet can significantly reduce severity and prevalence of certain allergic conditions. However, hygiene hypothesis theory has been criticized as some scholars claim that there is no existing evident to prove that cleanliness increases the risk of allergy (Tang and Allen 2012, p.274). The allergy epidemic tends to be a more serious problem for some countries than others. Various studies conducted indicated increased cases of allergic diseases in many developed countries as opposed to developing nations. This is because developed countries have higher living standards because of modern lifestyle where cleanliness is something which is very important. In developed countries, parents provide required protection for their children and so these children are not exposed to bugs and germs. More so, there are fewer childhood infections, families are smaller and in most cases, antibiotics are used in infancy and all these lead to allergies. Some of the potential solutions to halt allergy epidemic include education and creating awareness. Researchers state that allergic diseases can be managed effectively by educating members on these diseases and increasing awareness as this leads to better management of health. Scholars are convinced that only patient education on the condition is enough to bring about health improvement and eliminated allergies (Great Britain 2008, p.22). More so, those who are at risk of allergies need to be careful and allergic diseases can be controlled until various studies on their prevention are completed. Avoiding tobacco smoking especially by parents will help in reducing allergic conditions. More so, continuous breastfeeding in early years will decrease the risk of allergic diseases. Researchers believe that breastfeeding for at least six months, living a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding smoking around children or by pregnant women will help reduce the risk of childhood allergies. In conclusion, allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergy have increased in developed countries over the past few years. Studies have cited environmental and genetic factors as the main causes of the allergy epidemic. Maternal smoking has also been pointed as one common cause of allergic diseases among infants. More so, early end of breastfeeding increases the risk of allergies and so it is advisable to breastfeed infants for at least six months. According to hygiene, hypothesis cleanliness and sedentary lifestyle are the main causes of the allergy epidemic. This study suggests that smaller families with highly socioeconomic status are at a higher risk of becoming allergic. Therefore, according to this study, individuals in developed countries are at a greater risk of allergic diseases because they live a sedentary life characterized by cleanliness, small family size and high social and economic class. However, studies reveal that the symptoms of allergies can be reduced and improve the quality of lives of those suffering from allergy. Controlling the symptoms of allergic diseases is a very essential part of the solution to this epidemic. Studies conducted to explain the allergy epidemic reveal that our immune systems are very vulnerable to modern environmental changes. Disturbance of the natural balance of the environment affects negatively on our own health. References Crameri, R., Aalberse, R. C., & Blaser, K. 2006, Allergy and asthma in modern society: a scientific approach ; dedicated to Kurt Blaser ; 12 tables, Basel, Karger. Eber, E., & Midulla, F. 2013, Paediatric respiratory medicine, Sheffield, European Respiratory Society. Great Britain, 2008, Health inequalities: written evidence, London, TSO. Hershoff, A. 2000, Homeopathic remedies, New York, N.Y., Avery. Holloway, John W., Yang Ian A., and Holgate Stephen T., 2010, Genetics of allergic disease, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 125, Issue 2, p. S35. Matterne, U., Schmitt, J., Diepgen, T.L. & Apfelbacher, C. 2011, "Children and adolescents health-related quality of life in relation to eczema, asthma and hay fever: results from a population-based cross-sectional study", Quality of Life Research, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 1295-305. Sikorski, Zdzislaw E. 2006, Chemical and Functional Properties of Food Components, Third Edition, Chemical & Functional Properties of Food Components, CRC Press. Snow, J. B., Wackym, P. A., & Ballenger, J. J. 2009, Ballengers otorhinolaryngology: head and neck surgery, Shelton, Conn, Peoples Medical Pub. House/B C Decker. Tang, M., & Allen, K. 2012, Kids Food Allergies for Dummies, Queensland, John Wiley & Sons. Wjst M., and Dold S., 2001, Genes, Factor X, And Allergens: What Causes Allergic Diseases? Allergy, Volume 54, Issue 7, pp.757-759. 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