Allergy
Medications: Treating the Symptoms in Countless Ways
Whether
you are allergic to cats, mold, or pollen, the allergic
symptoms you feel are caused by your immune system overreacting
to relatively harmless particles and substances. Instead
of healing the immune system, most allergy medications on
the market today are targeted toward easing the symptoms
of an allergic reaction such as a stuffy nose, watery eyes,
or sneezing.
For
example, when you hear about allergy medications, you can’t
help but come across antihistamines. Antihistamines are
designed to counteract histamines, chemicals released by
your immune system during an allergic reaction or seasonal
allergy. When you search for allergy medications, you’ll
find most antihistamines are available in the form of tablets,
liquids, or nasal sprays. The side effects of these allergy
medications include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation,
jumpiness, restlessness, and irritability.
Decongestants
are another popular choice among allergy medications. Decongestants
are formulated to constrict blood vessels in an attempt
to block the fluid leaking out into the nose. Like antihistamines,
decongestants are also available in a variety of forms such
as tablets, nasal sprays, and liquid. These allergy medications
may be obtained over the counter or by prescription. Potential
side effects of decongestants are increased blood pressure,
dependence, and nervousness.
Anti-inflammatory
allergy medications like corticosteroids are another choice
to treat allergy symptoms. Different from the type of steroids
sometimes used illegally by athletes, corticosteroids are
meant for short-term treatment of more severe allergy flare-ups.
Corticosteroids are a prescription
allergy medication that may be applied via topical cream,
ointment, nasal spray, pill, or injection. Side effects
of corticosteroids are weight gain, heartburn, ulcers, high
blood pressure, and more.
There
are many other allergy medications available with or without
a prescription, but virtually all of them come with side
effects and are not recommended for long-term use. As an
alternative, many people turn to a natural
allergy medicine like Växa Aller-Sine, which does
not produce the side effects of other allergy medications.
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