Coughing, sneezing, itching and wheezing for many people are part of daily life and, very often, never fully diagnosed. Many people simply live with these symptoms completely ignorant of the fact that they, in all likelihood, have some form of allergy. There are those that will go through their entire lives with a naive acceptance believing, “That’s just the way they are”.
Allergies are at best annoying, negative reactions to something we have come into contact with, directly or indirectly. Mild allergies can often be contained with drugs, shots or by simply being lifestyle aware. At the other end of the scale, they can be entirely debilitating and life threatening. So how is ‘Allergy’ actually defined?
An allergy is the immune systems negative reaction in its defense to foreign bodies, pathogens in particular, which a person imbibes or comes into contact with. Common allergic triggers include some foods, dust mites, pollens, mold and dander. Those people with a predisposition to allergies are known to be allergic or atopic.
The likelihood of having an allergic disposition is, for the most part, genetic. There is a direct correlation between a person’s levels of allergic reactions and their family history of the same. The offspring of parents, neither of which have allergies, has a 15% chance of being atopic. If one parent is known to have allergies this likelihood rises to 30%, and further rises to 60% if both parents are allergy suffers.
Who, and Why Are People Susceptible to Allergies?
Although allergies normally manifest themselves from a young age and are often hereditary, allergic reactions can develop at any age. It is also known that the number of people with allergies is on the increase. Studies carried out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that food and skin allergies in those under the age of 18 are steadily on the increase. In addition to this, environmental and inhalant allergies are increasing in the general population of all ages.
Although the steady increase in the atopic population is very real, the reasons for it are not truly definitive. One explanative theory for this was first floated in the 1980s by professor of epidemiology David P. Strachan and is supported by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), his theory is known as the Hygiene Hypothesis.
The theory explains how, as a race, we have made our world a far more sterile place. Quite simply we have made our living space healthier and cleaner, cleaner water supplies, sanitation and advances in medical science are all contributing factors to this. The demographics of atopic populations support this theory, in the less developed countries around the world the percentage of atopic populations is lower than in the more developed areas of the world.
In less developed countries there may be less industry, lower levels of health care, less adequate sanitation and water supplies plus less awareness of general hygiene. All this can lead to the population having a greater exposure to endotoxins, the poisonous substances which exist in certain bacteria. These endotoxins act as a stimulus to the immune system and teaches it how to react, leading to a reduction in allergic reactions.
This increased exposure to endotoxins has been closely studied by The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the results of their studies support Professor Strachan’s hygiene hypothesis. As a result of this, they suggest that the immune system needs this ‘Education’ in order to function to its full potential and to defend the body against infectious attack through building up the body’s immune system.
The Atopic Populous in Thailand
The percentage of the Thai indigenous population that suffer with allergies is lower than that of Western countries. However, the overall numbers are increasing, this can be partly attributed to the hygiene theory, but may also be due to the increasing numbers of foreign nationals choosing Thailand as a place in which to live and work. It may seem a little simplistic, but it’s a fact that if you travel to another country, your predisposition to allergies will travel with you.
As little as 10 years ago, in Bangkok, the asthma rate in children was 4.2%, now that figure is around 13%. In addition to this, other sinus related and respiratory allergies are increasing, along with food allergies. But those with an atopic disposition should not be put off traveling through or moving to the Land of Smiles, particularly if you have children.
Thailand’s Pediatric Allergist Immunologists
Thailand’s worldwide accredited hospitals and clinics are blessed with highly trained and experienced pediatric allergist immunologists. Typically, these practitioners will have completed at least 4 years of medical school, three years of primary care pediatric residency training and a minimum of 2 to 3 more years of study in an allergy and immunology program. Their attained medical knowledge and skills go hand in hand with their natural, and immovable, dedication to caring for the young.
All of Thailand’s leading hospitals have dedicated allergy clinics, each of which offer comprehensive testing and treatment programs. Definitive allergy testing is vital in understanding the exact, and extent, of a youngster’s allergy reactive dispositions. Following accurate diagnosis appropriate and effective treatment can then be offered.
Very often, for those with allergies, lifestyle choices have to be made. Choices which avoid allergy inducing triggers and situations. For any sufferer to do this they require expert advice. Thailand’s pediatric allergist immunologists see the defensive molding of lifestyle as an integral part of their treatment of allergies.
Based in Bangkok, professors Kiatikhun, and Pakit Witchayanont, are renown specialists in pediatric allergies and immunology and, jointly, they have a reputation that is second to none. These highly respected professionals head up the allergy and immunology clinic for the Samitivej group of hospitals.
It is through their progressive research that advanced testing and treatment programs have been developed. From airborne particle inhalants, food intolerance, to mites and fleas, their programs now bring relief to thousands of young people with allergies.