Allergies, Sensitivities & Intolerances

What Happens When Your Body Overreacts to Harmless Substances

Allergies and sensitivities are caused by an inappropriate reaction to harmless substances.

Have you ever had an allergic reaction and wondered why your body reacts so strongly to something that seems harmless? Well, allergies and sensitivities occur when the body mistakenly perceives harmless substances as harmful and reacts inappropriately. This reaction can occur when the body encounters an allergen through contact with the skin, inhalation, injection, or ingestion of the substance.

Interestingly, the word “allergy” comes from the Greek word “allos,” which means “other.” It was first coined in 1906 by an Austrian pediatrician named Clemens von Pirquet to describe an abnormal reaction in the body. Today, it is only used to refer to reactions involving the immune system.

While a “true allergy” is a reaction triggered by the immune system, there are a vast number of symptoms and conditions caused by sensitivities that may or may not involve the immune system. Many people believe they have allergies when they actually have undiagnosed food sensitivities or intolerances. In fact, fewer than 5% of the population has true allergies.

Traditional medical treatment for allergies typically includes total avoidance of the allergen, medications to reduce symptoms, or injections to desensitize the patient. However, a blood test that tests for IgE levels is the gold standard for traditional allergy testing. While this test can be helpful, some people may not show allergic symptoms even if their IgE level is high, or they may have symptoms to an item but not have an IgE response on the test.

 This is where AAT (Advanced Allergy Therapeutics) comes in. Unlike traditional allergy treatments, AAT works with the organ systems of the body, so even if the immune system is involved, it is irrelevant to the effectiveness of the treatment. Most patients who seek AAT treatment do not have true allergies; their symptoms are likely to be caused by sensitivities with no immune involvement. Since there are few options for the treatment of sensitivities, other than avoidance, AAT provides a highly effective alternative.

It’s important to note that food intolerances are typically due to a lack of a specific enzyme and cannot be treated with AAT. For example, lactose intolerance refers to the inability to digest lactose due to a lack of an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose. AAT is therefore ineffective against this intolerance.

The use of the word “allergy” has become a generic term used by the public to describe allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. The distinction of a true allergy based on immunoglobulin involvement is generally unknown. Therefore, the term “allergy” is often understood as a term for any negative reaction from exposure to a harmless substance. AAT treats the symptoms caused by any negative or inappropriate reaction regardless of whether they are caused by allergies or sensitivities. So, if you’re experiencing negative reactions to a seemingly harmless substance, AAT might be the solution you’ve been looking for.