Histamine, Antihistamine and Allergy Information and Resources: What They Are, How They Work and How They Relate To Meniere’s Disease Symptoms

Histamine: why worry about histamine? You have heard the term "antihistamine" (it means "against histamine") very frequently. A great deal of time and energy are spent trying to control it. Why? Because in large quantities it can cause a lot of problems such as edema (swelling) heart failure and even, occasionally, death.

If you understand even a little of how it gets "raised or activated" you will respect its nature and its actions. Most of us fear it, but in reality, it is a very major important protective mechanism of your body. So this section on histamine and Meniere's Disease is a part of an overall view devoted to allergies and reactions and how they may relate to Meniere's Disease.

This histamine section and how it relates to Meniere's Disease contains many links to safe sites and a lot of objective information. But know that the information is written in very simplistic terms. I want to make this information easy to understand. I feel if you understand something, you won't shy away from it, but rather use it comfortably.

Histamine: What It Is, How It Works And How It Relates To Meniere’s Disease Symptoms

This article explores what histamine is, how it works and how it relates to Meniere’s Disease symptoms: balance & hearing.

Histamine is a chemical found in each and every cell of your body. It is released in response to a need in one or more cells to keep you from harm. That is one of your body’s responsibilities. Mosby says “it is released in an allergic inflammatory reaction”, meaning your body is trying to protect you from “something”.

Histamine Definitions and Related Links

Histamine has far reaching effects. Anyone who has ever dealt with allergies is always on the lookout for the cause of increased histamine levels. That is what anaphylaxis is all about. It’s what you are always trying to prevent! I doubt that many people outside of the medical community know what it does and how it affects your body: why you do need to know about it. Toward the end I will comment on the “histamine diet”.

Here is one very important underlying idea. Nothing EVER happens in your body without a cause. And every cause has an effect: one or more (signs & symptoms).

Allergies & Intolerances

The difference between Allergy and Intolerance

ALLERGY is used to describe those cases in which the adverse reaction to a substance occurs almost immediately, usually within an hour. The reaction is obvious and often quite violent, for example, developing a rash or hives after eating berries or being violently sick after eating shellfish. True allergies are quite rare. They affect only a small percentage of the population and most often develop during childhood.

SENSITIVITIES or INTOLERANCE'S on the other hand, affect a great number of people and develop at any time of life. The symptoms of food intolerance rarely occur immediately after the food is eaten. In fact, the reactions are usually delayed by many hours, or even many days. For example, the bread eaten on Monday could be the cause of Thursday's joint pain. It is these delayed reactions which make the detection of the culprit foods a most difficult task without the help of expert laboratory testing.

Resources for Additional Histamine, Allergies and Anaphylaxis Information

There are many, many sites to explore on histamine, allergies, and anaphylaxis. It is well worth spending some time thinking this through and discovering your own personal opinion. It affects each and every person in some way. On this page I have included some definitions and resources with links so you can start your own search.

Anaphylaxis and Meniere's Disease

Anaphylaxis represents a “state of protection”. Essentially that means your body is protecting you against something that has just entered it. Something that will upset the wellbeing of your entire body. We are not talking about a little cut or a bruised elbow. This can be a life threatening situation.

Over the last 8 years, it has become increasingly apparent that Meniere’s is not a disease. “Something” is irritating or putting pressure on your balance and or hearing nerve(s). What it is is unknown until start to you investigate.

Your hearing nerve gives symptoms to do with a complete lack of hearing to horrible disabling noises…and, again, anything in between. It all depends on the intensity of the “intruder”. In each case, there has to be an intruder. So I always teach people to look for the underlying cause(s). There has to be one or more.

Your body is continually trying to protect you. Always! Naturally! In the case of an anaphylactic reaction, the body is trying to protect you from a systemic invasion. In the inner ear, it is trying to protect you from a localized invader.

Are Your Sinus Medications for Meniere's Disease Helping You or Hurting You?

It’s normal for people to treat sinus problems with all sorts of remedies: drugs, sprays, and other treatments, including saline (salt) washes. The point is that you want to get rid of the symptoms. If you choose to use sprays or drugs, you should be aware of a “dark side” to this treatment and it is the results of something you do with the best of intentions. The dark side is a term called “rebound”.

We also believe that over the counter medications aren't really medications. So you rationalize that there is no harm in taking them...and as they are harmless, but work well, taking more isn't a problem...Right? Wrong! Taking more could do one or two things: make the situation worse or make the whole effort useless. At this point I am speaking mainly about nasal decongestants and allergy products. These are products to help you breathe better when your nose and eyes are irritated and you just can't stand it any longer. So you reach for the sprays or the tablets.

Your Immune System: Delicate Yet Critical

This article covers the Immune System in great detail. How it serves you and why you need to keep it healthy. This is of particular interest to anybody suffering from Meniere's Disease, since a Meniere's sufferers immune system is under a great amount of stress.

Reflecting On Chemicals Going Into Your Body. Some of These May Be Behind Your Meniere's Disease Symptoms.

What we don't seem to get is that any kind of chemical might be a problem. And that could include your medications! This article will help you to learn and recognize that chemicals come in many different forms and different disguises. Your body has its own set, and anything you want to add must be in "sync" with its needs. Chemicals can easily enter your body via the mouth, nose, ears, skin, and eyes, even your hair shaft. But they are still entering your body.