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Drug Allergy

Drug Allergy

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Drug Allergy is the abnormal reaction of your immune system to a medication. Any medicine is capable of including a drug allergy. On the other hand, a drug allergy is more likely with certain medications. A drug allergy is not the same as a drug side effect, a known possible reaction listed on a drug label. This type of allergy is also different from drug toxicity caused by an overdose of medication. 

Causes of Drug Allergy

Drug Allergy

A drug allergy happens when your immune system mistakenly recognizes a drug as a harmful substance. Once your immune system detects a drug as a harmful substance, it will develop an antibody specific to that drug. This can happen the first time you take a drug, but sometimes an allergy doesn’t develop until there have been repeated exposures.

However, you may not be aware of your first exposure to a drug. Some evidence suggests that trace amounts of a drug in the food supply may be sufficient for the immune system to create an antibody to it. 

Risk Factors of Drug Allergy

  • Certain illnesses commonly associated with allergic drug reactions, such as infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or HIV
  • Increased exposure to a drug, because of high doses, repetitive use, or prolonged use
  • A personal or family history of drug allergy
  • A history of other allergies, such as food allergy or hay fever

Diagnosis for Drug Allergy

In some cases, drug allergies can be overdiagnosed, and patients may report allergies to drugs that have never been confirmed. Patients may consequently be prescribed less effective or more expensive medications.

If you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis, he or she will perform a physical examination and ask you questions. If you give your doctor details about when your symptoms started, when you took medications, and when your symptoms improved or worsened, your doctor can make a more accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of Drug Allergy

Symptoms of Drug Allergy

Drug allergy symptoms often occur within an hour of taking a drug. Other reactions can occur days or weeks later. 

  • Wheezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Swelling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Itching
  • Fever
  • Skin rash
  • Hives

Treatment for Drug Allergy

A drug allergy treatment can be divided into two general strategies:

The overall treatment may vary from person to person. You need to consult your doctor for appropriate treatment. 

Medications of Drug Allergy

  • Antihistamines: Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or recommend a non-prescription antihistamine such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) that can block immune system chemicals activated during an allergic reaction.
  • Corticosteroids: injected or oral corticosteroids may be used to treat inflammation associated with more-serious reactions.

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Weight Loss

Weight Loss, , , ,

Obesity is a chronic disease defined by an excess amount of body fat. A certain amount of body fat is needed for storing energy, shock absorption, heat insulation, and other functions. A person that has excess weight or body fat may affect their health. A doctor will usually suggest that a person has obesity if they have a high body mass index (BMI). BMI is a tool that doctors use to assess whether or not a person is carrying excess weight.

obese tape measure

Most Common Cause Of Obesity

  • Physical inactivity

Inactive individuals burn fewer calories than active people. It’s been shown that a strong correlation between physical inactivity and weight gain in both sexes.

  • Overeating

Overeating leads to weight gain, especially if the diet is high in fat. Foods high in fat or sugar have high energy density. Epidemiologic studies have shown that diets high in fat contribute to weight gain.

  • Genetics

An individual is more likely to develop obesity if one or both parents are obese. Genetics also affect hormones involved in fat regulation. For instance, one genetic cause of obesity is Leptin deficiency wherein Leptin is a hormone made in fat cells and the placenta. It controls weight by signaling the brain to eat less when body fat stores are too high. In addition, if the body cannot produce enough Leptin or cannot signal the brain to eat less, this control is lost and obesity occurs. The role of Leptin replacement as a treatment for obesity is under exploration.

  • A diet high in simple carbohydrates

Carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels which in turn stimulate insulin release by the pancreas. In turn, insulin promotes the growth of fat tissue and causes weight gain. Experts believe that simple carbohydrates contribute to weight gain because they are more rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream than complex carbohydrates. The higher the insulin, the more it contributes to weight gain.

  • Frequency of eating

The relationship between the frequency of eating and weight is somewhat controversial. There are several reports that overweight people eat less often than people with normal weight.

  • Diseases

Diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s syndrome are contributors to obesity.

  • Social issues

Lack of money to purchase healthy foods or lack of safe places to exercise can increase the risk of obesity.

  • Psychological factors

For several people, emotions influence eating habits.  Many people eat excessively in response to emotions including anger, stress, sadness, and boredom. While the most overweight individual has no more psychological disturbances than normal-weight people, there are about 30% of the people who seek treatment for serious weight problems have difficulties with binge eating.

  • Medications

Medications linked with weight gain include:

weight loss tablets

Common Prescriptions For Weight Loss

  • Setmelanotide
  • Semaglutide
  • Liraglutide
  • Naltrexone-Bupropion
  • Phentermine-Topiramate
  • Orlistat
  • Benzphetamine
  • Diethylpropion
  • Phendimetrazine

Prescription medications used for the treatment of overweight and obesity work in different ways. For instance, some medicines may help you feel less hungry or full sooner. Other medicines may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat.