Individuals whose allergies are unknown or insufficiently treated are predisposed to the development of many medical conditions, including asthma, sinusitis, nasal polyps, and recurrent infections.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses, which, if not treated properly, can cause chronic nasal symptoms. Allergy sufferers are also prone to asthma. A majority of individuals with asthma are allergic to airborne allergens. Studies have also shown that over-the-counter medicines improperly used by a person with asthma can actually induce attacks.

Persons with undiagnosed allergies to foods, insect bites, and medications are also at risk. If they come into contact with an unknown allergen, anaphylaxis can occur. Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic reaction to a substance, which affects the entire body and requires immediate medical attention. Other risks for undiagnosed or self-treated individuals include selecting the wrong and/or incorrectly using over-the-counter medicines, which may worsen an illness or cause secondary conditions.

Why Me? Allergies and the Immune System

If you suffer from allergies, asthma, and sinus infections, you've probably asked yourself a hundred times, "Why me?" Understanding why you have developed these conditions is vital to managing your disease.

Ironically, the culprit is your immune system -- the very network designed to recognize infectious substances and destroy them. The first time you came into contact with a foreign substance, your body made antibodies to fight it. When you come into contact with that substance again, the antibodies react, releasing many chemicals, including histamine.

Allergic reactions occur when these chemicals are released into your body and trigger a multitude of physical responses. They may include irritated and swollen tissues of the eyes and nasal passages, causing a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and sinus headaches. These allergic reactions can also cause the muscles of the intestine and breathing passages to contract, provoking severe stomach pain or an asthma attack. The class of antibodies responsible for most of these reactions is called the Immunoglobin E or IgE antibody. People with allergies have large quantities of these antibodies in their respiratory, skin, and intestinal tissues.