It came as a big surprise when Gittel Willner suffered her first bout of hay fever at the age of 47. "I never had allergies before," said Mrs. Willner, now 53. "I remember thinking. How could this happen?"

Two years later, she had a frightening allergic reaction to a nut. "One morning, I was cleaning up the counters; I found a filbert and popped it into my mouth," she said. "Within a minute, my chest started constricting, I couldn't breathe, and I thought I was dying." She subsequently vomited and the symptoms eased.

Often thought of as a childhood affliction, allergies can occur at any point in a person's life. And experts say that the prevalence of allergies in adults is rising.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, has been diagnosed in an estimated 14% of American adults, or nearly 30 million people. Another 3.5% have allergies to food. Experts believe that the number of allergy sufferers is even greater because many never seek a diagnosis.

Some experts suggest that people whose allergies begin in adulthood were not exposed to high levels of allergens as children or that their immune systems became sensitive over the years. Moving to a city, a different area or a new house can set off allergies, as can acquiring a pet. Being exposed to allergens when the immune system is weakened, as occurs after a viral infection or during pregnancy, can also set off an allergy. It is not uncommon for women to develop allergies after pregnancy.

Allergies in adults have increased, as has the prevalence of allergies in children. The most widely accepted theory to explain the increase holds that in Western nations the developing immune systems of babies are exposed to fewer infections, largely because of the widespread use of antibiotics, vaccinations against diseases, cleaner food and water, and better living conditions ("the hygiene hypothesis"). As a result, the immune system produces more cells that predispose to allergy.

Until recently, pollution was considered the top reason for the increase, and many experts still believe it plays a role. Some pollutants, like diesel exhaust, activate certain allergens, increasing their potency. Global warming with increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can increase the growth of certain plants like ragweed, and make them pollinate more.

Other researchers believe that the increased incidence of allergic disease is related to indoor pollution. People in the U.S. and other developed countries spend more than 90% of their time inside. In indoor environments, which have become increasingly airtight, and in food and water, we are exposed to thousands of organic and inorganic substances such as volatile organic compounds, phthalates and pesticides, to name just a few. Many of these compounds can affect the immune system and cause sensitization, and many are associated with respiratory symptoms.

Allergies are not just an annoyance. People with allergies have 3 times the risk of developing asthma, and adult-onset asthma is also on the rise. Allergies can also be associated with an increased incidence of ear infections and chronic sinusitis.

According to a recent survey, 52% of sufferers said allergies impaired their ability to work, and most said they felt tired and miserable when their allergies hit. A recent article in the Annuls of Allergy and Asthma showed that allergy sufferers had impaired sexual function.

Unfortunately, many adult sufferers are under-treated, and many never see a physician for their allergies. Patients tend to live with symptoms because they believe there are no better treatments available.

Allergy treatments are based upon a three-prong approach.

1. Allergen avoidance, especially of indoor allergens such as dust mite and animal dander.
2. The use of OTC or prescription medications which include antihistamines, decongestants steroid and antihistamine allergy nasal sprays (non-addicting, unlike over-the-counter decongestant sprays) and leukotriene modifiers.
3. Allergy injections to dampen the immune system (desensitization).

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Michigan Allergy, Sinus & Asthma Specialists

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Web: www.michiganallergy.com
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