FREE ALLERGY REPORT

By Robin Ravenhill


BA LCH MARH BInstAT

Registered with

The British Institute for Allergy and Environmental Therapy

The Allergy Clinic (www.theallergyclinic.co.uk) specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of food and environmental allergy and intolerance, toxic chemical and metal sensitivity, and diet and nutrition problems. I do not just do tests and leave you with the results. I prescribe treatments which address the causes as well as the symptoms of allergy and disorder, and offer full and relevant advice and support. My aim is to restore health and enhance your vitality and resistance to illness and stress.

This Allergy Report gives you helpful information on 1) The types of allergy that we know about, 2) How to differentiate between them, 3) The most common testing methods available (including the ones I practice), 4) The benefits of desensitisation, and 5) The value of a ‘holistic’ approach to allergies. There are also tips to help you diagnose and treat six common allergy related conditions, including eczema, hay fever, irritable bowel, fatigue and more.

Having read the report, if you would like further advice for yourself or a family member, then please ring 01273 905101 or email info@theallergyclinic.co.uk with your query and contact details.

1. The Allergy Problem

We all know about allergic reactions to pollens and grasses (hay fever), and house dust mite (asthma), and more serious reactions to peanuts or bee stings which can eventually lead to anaphylaxis (an acute and sometimes life-threatening reaction). These are examples of Classic Allergy (or True Allergy). Most such allergies have two characteristic features:

Reaction times are rapid, sometimes so rapid that symptoms can appear in minutes (even seconds) after exposure to an allergen.

Symptoms tend to be ‘typically’ allergic: swelling, sneezing, hives, itching and so on, rather than looking like the symptoms of some condition other than allergy.

In recent years, however, a different class of sensitivity has been unmasked, which we call Intolerance (or Hidden Allergy). We know that intolerances are much more common than classic allergies, in fact so common that allergists estimate that over 50% of our population is affected by them. It is these allergies which go largely undetected and untreated.

2. The Difference between Classic Allergy and Intolerance:

Intolerances are different and more difficult to diagnose than classic allergies:

Unlike classic reactions, there is usually a delay between exposure to a trigger substance and the onset of symptoms. So, for example, the cheese you eat on Monday could be the cause of your migraine on Wednesday.

The symptoms of reaction are often common complaints like tiredness, bloating, achy joints – symptoms we don't think of as typically allergic.

People intolerant to the same food may have very different symptoms from each other, while conversely, people with the same symptoms may be intolerant to completely different foods.

The same sensitivity, for example to potatoes, may show up as different symptoms at different times, depending on other variables.

For these reasons we may not suspect we have allergies at all. Long delays, familiar complaints, and varying reactions mean we don't readily associate our symptoms with our diet or environment. Yet foods, chemicals, and other substances may well be the hidden causes of the symptoms you're suffering from.

(Have a look at Symptoms of Allergy and Intolerance on the website to help you assess your allergy status).

3. Different Testing Methods and their Pros and Cons:

There are different ways of testing for sensitivities. Below is an outline of the most commonly used methods.

Unfortunately, the medical profession on the whole currently only recognises classic allergies, and this limited understanding is reflected in the poor range of tests available through your GP (assuming you are able to get one at all). The standard test is the Skin Prick Test (technically know as a RAST test) which detects the presence of specific IgE antibodies in the blood which are indicative of classic reactions. This test will ONLY tell you if you have classic allergies, and WILL NOT detect intolerances (many of which are mediated by the IgG antibody). In other words, anything you have an intolerance to won’t show up in a doctor’s test. Given that most sensitivities are intolerances (especially to foods), these tests rarely tell the whole story and are of very limited value.

Very occasionally, some GPs may be able and willing to offer you a Blood Test for intolerances which detects IgG antibodies (technically known as an ELISA test), or even a combination test for both IgG and IgE. If not, there are several laboratories which offer these tests privately, for both food and inhalant allergens. I work with an excellent lab called Genova Diagnostics and offer these tests myself to patients who request them. They are more informative and of greater practical value than the standard NHS RAST test. However, even these tests will not always tell you the whole story, simply because some sensitivities show up in the body in ways which we do not fully understand yet. And they are expensive, ranging from around £160 to £280.

Some of my patients have in the past had Hair Analysis tests for sensitivities (and nutritional status). In my experience these tests sometimes get it right and sometimes they don’t, bringing into question their reliability. If you want to try one of these tests, do some research and choose a reputable lab.

The testing method I use is known as Diagnostic Kinesiology. This is now a well established approach (along with electro-acupuncture techniques which work in a similar way). Kinesiology is now easily my preferred method of testing by virtue of its versatility and accuracy (about 85/90% in the context of a full case history). It reveals both classic allergies and intolerances. It is safe and non-invasive (no needles or blood) which makes it ideal for children. It involves you in your own allergy detection – you’ll feel the difference! And we get to know the results as we go along (there is no long turnaround time as there is with blood tests). It is also very cost-effective as testing is included in the cost of a consultation.

Kinesiology can reveal sensitivity to almost anything: problem foods and additives, inhalant allergens like pollens and moulds, environmental pollutants like diesel fumes and chlorine, household chemicals like washing powder and shampoo, and so on.

The versatility of kinesiology is such that I can test for the presence of unwanted microflora in the gut (such as fungi and parasites) and key toxins (such as chemicals and heavy metals), all of which predispose to allergy. And it can reveal weaknesses in different organs and systems, for example the liver, which is the main organ of detoxification. For most people this approach is all that is required to obtain an accurate allergy and toxicity picture. And what’s more, kinesiology helps with the selection of effective treatments!

If you want to know more about kinesiology then please contact me.

4. The Benefits of Homeopathic Desensitisation:
Desensitisation is a treatment option of great value to some people. It depends on the type of sensitivity and how severely it impacts on their lives. There are several desensitisation methods available, varying hugely in complexity, effectiveness and cost. How they work biochemically is beyond the remit of this article. Generally speaking, however, desensitisation treatments boost our immune response to allergens so that we are no longer sensitive to them.

My preferred method is Homeopathic Desensitisation. It is by far the most cost-effective (at only £7.50 per allergen) and it is safe (as with all homeopathic remedies). It works with a high rate of success: 95%+ with environmental allergens such as house dust might, pollens and grasses; and 75%+ with staple foods like wheat and dairy, 85%+ with other foods and drinks.

Not everyone wants or needs to be desensitised, as it is easy these days to find alternatives to the foods we might have to avoid, even staples like dairy and wheat. However, in my experience it makes good sense to consider desensitisation in the following circumstances when it really can make a big difference to quality of life:

Desensitisation really comes into its own with environmental allergens such as house dust mites, pet hair, pollens and grasses and so on, simply because they are very difficult to eliminate from our environments. We can avoid foods by choice, but it is nigh on impossible to avoid pollens during the hay fever season, or to eliminate house dust mites from our home environments. And the success rate is very high, at around 95/97%.

Homeopathic desensitisation is safe for all ages, including the very young. If you have children you will know how difficult it is preventing them from eating the things they like, especially when they are away from your supervision. Desensitisation can make an obvious difference to their enjoyment of food and drink, and also take away your worry that they might consume something that upsets them.

Sometimes our freedom to chose what we eat and drink is limited, for example at work, when we're out socialising, at restaurants, abroad on holiday and so on. Once you have been desensitised these occasions need not concern you so much, as you’ll feel free to enjoy more of what is available.

Have a look at some genuine Testimonials to see for yourself how effective desensitisation can be.

5. The Value of a ‘Holistic’ Approach to Allergies:

‘Holistic’ simply means looking at the ‘big picture’ where your health and well-being is concerned. It means taking into account everything about you and your circumstances that might be contributing to your allergy status and the symptoms you are experiencing. A good allergist knows that a full case history is essential to a proper understanding of your allergy status. This is because allergies always beg the question ‘What are the underlying causes of my sensitivity to … wheat, potatoes, pollens or whatever?’ My aim always is to identify and treat these primary causes, as this really is the best way of helping people to get better and stay better.

So, if you want to achieve a lasting and positive outcome, your test results need to be understood in the context of a full case history taken by an experienced practitioner. Ultimately, it is the ‘big picture’ that decides the significance of your test results. This is true whatever testing method you choose. Test results on their own are often misleading simply because they tell you nothing about the underlying causes of your sensitivities.

For example, I regularly see people with food sensitivities who have underlying gut flora imbalances, such as fungal overgrowth or parasite infestation. These organisms can cause malabsorption problems and predispose to allergy. Diagnosing and treating the underlying gut problems often results in their food sensitivities clearing up. To simply diagnose allergies and avoid trigger foods isn’t always the healthiest solution. Although there might be some improvement, there are often residual symptoms because the underlying condition remains untreated. And this can lead to further problems later.

Other common factors that predispose to allergy are family history, lifestyle issues, poor diet and nutritional status, and stress of all kinds. In fact, stress is often the single most significant factor when it comes to allergy and intolerance.

6. Diagnosis and Treatment Tips for Six Common Allergy Related Conditions:

Eczema:

Eczema can be difficult to treat. Often it responds well to homeopathy. Sometimes it is primarily stress related, sometimes it is an allergic condition (food and/or environmental), sometimes it is a bit of a mystery. When different treatment approaches have been tried with limited or no success, it is worth considering toxic chemical or metal poisoning as the cause. For example, there is evidence that mercury from amalgam can pass through a mother’s placenta into the foetus and cause a susceptibility to many conditions after the child has been born, including eczema. I have found mercury toxicity in both children and adults and treated it successfully with chelating (binding) supplements that eliminate heavy metals and toxins from the body.

Hay Fever:

Hay fever symptoms are obvious. However sometimes pollens and grasses can affect more than our eyes, ears, nose and throat. For example, occasionally they can cause skin reactions and affect our joints and muscles, sometimes without the usual ENT symptoms. When this happens we are, of course, less likely to think of pollens and grasses as the culprits – and yet they are.

The hay fever season begins earlier than you might think, around March when some tree pollens are released, such as Silver Birch. Therefore, February is the best time of year to begin a course of homeopathic desensitisation to pollens and grasses which will take you right through to the end of the season (see Hay Fever on the website).

Several homeopathic remedies are excellent for the relief of hay fever (whether you are taking antihistamines or not). If your eyes are mainly affected try Euphrasia 6 or 30, if it is sneezing that is bothering you the most try Sabadilla, and if it is itching, especially deep inside your mouth and throat, try Wyethia. Allium Cepa often helps if the above don’t. These remedies can be ordered from homeopathic pharmacies like Helios (01892 537254) or Ainsworths (020 7935 5330), or prescribed (free of charge) by myself through a consultation.

Hives:

Hives is a common condition (also known as urticaria). Many doctors assume it is an allergic reaction to something. However, there is a form of hives known as ‘emotional urticaria’ which is primarily driven by stress, and this too is common. So, if you find yourself suffering from hives you may well benefit by reflecting on the stress in your life, managing it appropriately, and finding ways of relaxing. If this does not seem to help, then come in for allergy testing. Homeopathic remedies that may help are Nat. Mur. 30 or 200 or Rhus Tox. 6 or 30.


Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

The large majority of people suffering from IBS have food sensitivities and/or gut flora imbalances such as fungal overgrowth (often candida albicans) or parasites. As already mentioned, these gut flora problems can cause malabsorption and predispose to sensitivity. Also in my experience with irritable bowel, there is usually a significant stress picture that may need to be addressed. Even if the stress is over there may still be residual symptoms that need to be cleared up with treatments and adjustments to diet.

Feeling Tired All The Time (TATT) and Depression:

TATT is a keynote symptom of allergy, because so many people with sensitivities suffer from tiredness, lethargy, and brain fag. Feeling emotionally down, depressed and/or anxious is also common, because there is a profound relationship between ‘food and mood’ in susceptible people. So, if your fatigue and/or emotional sensitivity is out of proportion to your workload and lifestyle, then it makes good sense to have your allergy and toxicity status checked out. Once you have been diagnosed and treated, you may well feel reborn, as so many people do!

Weight gain (especially around the waist):

Allergy can make you fat! If you are overweight or experience fluctuating weight you are more likely to have food intolerances. If you do, there is a good chance that you will lose weight or it will stabilize once offending foods have been eliminated from your diet. I have had a lot of success helping people find their optimum weight by addressing food sensitivity.

This is particularly true if you put on weight mainly around your waist (more than anywhere else). This is a sign not only of food intolerance, but also a condition known as ‘insulin resistance’. This means that your ability to metabolise sugar and fat becomes compromised, and in time it can predispose to type ll diabetes and heart and circulation problems. As well as having your allergy and toxicity status checked, it is important to make lifestyle adjustments, especially to your diet, that address the insulin resistance.

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I hope you have found this Allergy Report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further advice.

Copyright Robin Ravenhill - November 2009

The Allergy Clinic

Tel: 01273 905101

Email: info@theallergyclinic.co.uk

Website: www.theallergyclinic.co.uk

Clinics in Lewes, Eastbourne and Polegate in East Sussex