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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