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What is
Allergic Rhinitis?
Ten Million
Canadians suffer from
seasonal allergies or
allergic rhinitis (AR).
These allergies are caused
by a combination of trees,
grass, ragweed, pollen,
molds and/or dust. The
typical symptoms are itching
of the nose and/or eyes,
nasal congestion, itchy sore
throat, sneezing and a runny
nose. These allergies cause
fatigue and
daytime sleepiness, reduced
work productivity, impaired
concentration and learning,
and insomnia. Those with AR
often suffer from other
conditions such as sleep
apnea, allergic
conjunctivitis, asthma,
sinusitis, nasal polyps,
middle ear infections and/or
upper respiratory
infections. In fact, AR is
considered a significant
risk factor for asthma.
Current mainstream
treatments include avoiding
exposure, pharmaceutical
drugs such as antihistamine
nasal sprays and/or allergy
shots.
Introducing
Sublingual Immunotherapy
(SLIT).
SLIT was
developed and has been used
widely in Europe over the
past 40 years. It is a
natural treatment used to
desensitize allergic persons
to their allergy triggers.
The remedies are customized
homeopathic low doses of
allergic triggers (eg. mould
and grass). These
homeopathic remedies are now
available from Ontario
species and are therefore
specific to this region and
identical to the allergens
that are triggers for
Ontario allergy sufferers.
These neutral tasting
remedies are easily taken in
liquid drop doses only once
per day.
How are
Allergies Tested?
Allergies are determined
using an in-office scratch
test, somewhat similar to
those given by allergists
through mainstream
medicine. The difference is
that these tests are
performed in-office (without
any need for a special
referral) and do not
penetrate (that is, scratch)
the skin. The actual test
takes seconds and the
results are based on clear
and observable reactions on
the skin within 20 minutes
of the tests.
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Brief
History of SLIT.
Clinical experience
with SLIT spans more
than 30 years. In
other parts of the
world, especially in
Europe, sublingual
treatment has become
increasingly
commonplace. In
1998, the World
Health Organization
referred to it as a
"viable alternative"
to injection therapy
(allergy shots).
Is
SLIT Effective?
Favorable results
with more than 50
double-blind,
placebo-controlled
studies have been
published in
peer-reviewed
journals. In one
study, (Vasco
Bordignon et al, Ann
of Allergy Asthma
Immunol. 2006;97:
158-163)
3
drops of allergy
remedies delivered
once daily over a
period of a year
caused a reduction
in the need for use
of antihistamines
from 60 days per
year to only 10 days
per year. Cochrane
Collaboration, the
world’s most-trusted
international
healthcare
organization,
concluded that
allergy drops
significantly reduce
allergy symptoms and
the use of allergy
medications.
Is
SLIT Safe?
The safety profile
for sublingual
immunotherapy is
superior to
injection
immunotherapy.
Systemic reactions
are three times less
with SLIT than with
allergy shots and no
anaphylactic
reaction have ever
been recorded in
over 30 plus years
of its use.
Using
SLIT in Naturopathic
Medicine.
One of the most
important tenets of
naturopathic
medicine is to
‘first do no harm’
by using the most
gentle approach
possible that is
effective. The use
of low-dose
homeopathic remedies
fits well within
this philosophy. As
with any chronic
disease the approach
is comprehensive,
individualized and
focused on treating
the root cause of
the problem. SLIT
is a wonderful
adjunct to the
existing therapies I
use for allergies
including support
for immune
functioning,
detoxification and
other mainstays of
allergy treatments.
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