An allergy is a condition in which your immune system regards an ordinary, harmless substance such as a food, pollen or dust, as a dangerous invader, and responds to it by producing its own antibodies to attack the substance. An allergy normally causes an instant reaction, such as in the case of a fish, nut or milk allergy.

With an intolerance, the problem may be milk or wheat. You usually eat it every day. Because you are eating the food every day, your body built up a coping mechanism. After a number of years however, the body won't be able to cope so well, and long-term symptoms may set in. These symptoms won't improve until you find the underlying cause. Medication may treat the symptoms, but will not tell you the cause.

The following conditions are very often brought on by allergies and intolerances:

• Arthritis, rheumatism, joint pain
• Asthma and other breathing problems
• Colitis
• Constant catarrh or runny nose
• Constant tiredness
• Crohns Disease
• Eczema, dermatitis, acne or psoriasis
• Gas, bloating
• Headaches, migraines
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Itching, watery eyes
• Menstrual problems
• Mental conditions (eg. depression, hyperactivity)
• Sinusitis, sinus headache and swollen sinuses

Clinic Staff: Findley West, RN
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Location: 106 Blanca, Alamosa
Telephone: 719-589-8025

Last Modified: May 9, 2007 1:15 PM

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