Allergies, which begin in the spring and worry before the first snowfalls, are one of the most aggravated diseases. We turned to the allergist of the National Hospital Zhakybaeva Zarina Berikovna.
Now many suffer from allergies. Is there any information about the situation in the world and in the country?
– Currently between 20% and 40% of the world’s population suffer from allergic diseases. This is the third or fourth place among all non-communicable diseases. Allergy rates double every 10 years. It was revealed that 60% of residents of large cities suffer from allergies. In developed countries, one in three people in urban settlements is more likely to suffer from allergies. Due to environmental pollution and lifestyle changes, the number of patients is increasing. In our country, the spread of this disease in the future can cover about 35 percent of the population. Currently, this figure is about 5.5 million people.
There are also types of allergies. In what form do people who contact you most often come?
– The most common allergic diseases in Kazakhstan are allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis. According to official data from the Ministry of Health, in three years the indicator of allergic rhinitis (grass fever) increased from 193.2 to 217.7 cases per 100,000 population. These are only officially registered persons who have consulted a doctor with an accurate diagnosis. According to experts, the number of people with allergies is even higher. Many patients believe that they use traditional methods of treatment and “cleanse the body.” Therefore, they do not fall into statistics. Almaty, Shymkent, Astana and Zhetysu, Turkestan regions have a high level of allergies. In Almaty, statistics on the incidence of herbs reached a record level – 417.6 cases per 100,000 population. This means that every 240 people in the city officially suffer from allergies. This is twice as high as the Republican figure. The reason is not only the weak immune system of the townspeople, but also the location of the metropolis. Experts note that due to the fact that Almaty is located in the bowels, there is not enough ventilation, which prevents the spread of dust, and it remains over the city.
Allergy is a disease independent of age. Explain why?
– Yes, allergies do not depend on age. This is caused by the improper functioning of the immune system, which perceives harmless substances as a danger. The main factors in children are gastrointestinal insufficiency (enzymes are not able to break down proteins (milk, eggs) and genetics (with parental allergies (from 30%to 70%), the risk of allergies is high). And in adolescents hormonal changes in the body, stress, school load and emotional state, in adults stress, environmental factors, the influence of helminths or chronic diseases. Common factors include heredity, excessive sterility (hygiene hypothesis), and allergen exposure. There are several causes of allergies: food allergies: inappropriate reaction to food (milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, soy and other foods). Household (inhalation): reaction to dust mites, pets and fruit. Dust (grass fever): seasonal reaction to plant dust. Drug allergy: immune response to drugs (drugs that anesthetize with antibiotics). Insect allergy: Allergy to outbreaks of insects (bees, bees) or their components. Allergy caused by contact: reaction to skin contact with substances (household chemicals, cosmetics, metals).
Can seasonal allergies be prevented? What shall I do?
– Seasonal allergies are difficult to prevent completely, but symptoms can be greatly reduced or avoided. Avoid dust: Keep closed in the morning and on dry, windy days, use air conditioners with HEPA filters. When you arrive, shower immediately, wash your hair, change clothes. Wear sunglasses in the field. When washing, do not dry outside. Remove shoes from the entrance and remove them wet regularly.
Currently, the only treatment for allergies is allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), which is used during periods of remission rather than symptom relief.
ASIT can achieve prolonged remission (over many years) or significant desensitization, but does not guarantee complete treatment in 100%of patients.
If patients have any form of allergy, it is necessary to consult an allergist in a timely manner to identify a specific allergen and choose the appropriate treatment. Allergy is a chronic disease. It is impossible to completely eliminate it with medicines. A person’s tendency to allergic reactions persists for a long time or even throughout life. Although this chronic disease can be controlled and managed.
