About the Book Since Allergy cannot be cured, the only way to deal with it is to learn to avoid offending allergens. This is the first book of its kind, written for common person, which brings out comprehensive, succinct and expert professional information on different aspects of Allergy. Since the modern system of medicine has limitations in treating this disorder, evidence-based up-to-date knowledge of emerging alternative therapies are discussed in great detail. Diagnostic considerations are also addressed for better understanding of the disease and its treatment. This book scores over other in that it does not confine itself to Allopathic treatment but goes much beyond and offers an authoritative guidance on Alternative therapies like Ayurveda, Yoga, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Magnetotherapy, Colour therapy, Acupressure, Music therapy and Vastu Shastra besides Feng Shui.

About the Author The author, Dr Arun Kumar Sethi, is a multi-faceted personality. He passed out as an outstanding Medical graduate from Stanley Medical College, Chennai in 1986. He worked as a Research Scientist at AIIMS, New Delhi, for about seven years. He has taught Physiology in Lady Hardinge and Maulana Azad Medical Colleges for several years. He has regularly contributed articles to many renowned medical journals. He is also an AIDS Counsellor and Reiki Master. His other books are - Bowel Care & Digestive Disorders, How to have Sound Sleep and Diabetes Control in your hands.

Preface Assumed epidemic proportions in all parts of the world. It poses one of the greatest health challenges of the 21 century, because no curative treatment has been found so far. Moreover, with scientific advancement, the menace of environmental pollution has also contributed towards the problem of Allergy.

Allergies are of several types. Some individuals are allergic to dust and changes in temperature; others are adversely affected by certain food substances or medicines. A few people suffer from skin allergy and a handful develop allergic symptoms due to insects and even their pet animals.

Since Allopathic treatment has failed to find a cure for the curse of Allergy, it is worthwhile trying other alternative forms of treatment like Ayurveda, Yoga, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Magnetotherapy, Colour Therapy, Acupressure, Music Therapy, Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui.

I have ventured to write this book in order to educate the layman about the different aspects of Allergy and hope the readers will find it useful and enjoyable to read.

Introduction Whe people correlate it with "Aachoo" - sneezing, running nose, watering of eyes, cough, etc. Some people think of allergy to medicines like Penicillin, Sulfa drugs, etc. and others connect it to food substances like milk, meat, cheese, etc. Unfortunately, allergy has become the bane of modern civilisation and we find ourselves allergic to several substances like pets, insects, perfumes, wheat, food preservatives, latex (gloves), plants, metals like arsenic, etc. Allergy is also a complicated and enigmatic subject for doctors and scientists, since neither the causative mechanism is clear, nor the treatment is satisfactory.

In order to understand what allergy is all about, we must first understand its basic mechanism. Allergy is closely related to our Immune System - the system which protects us from sickness and diseases. Our body is so designed that whenever a foreign invader (bacteria, virus, chemical, heat, cold, wind, water, etc.) or inner enemy (humor, aged cells, etc.) attacks our body, the immune system gets activated to protect us from this invader.

The innate (inborn) immune system consists of barriers such as skin and mucous membranes, enzymes and white blood cells (WBC) called neutrophils in its armamentarium. If the innate immune system is unsuccessful, the adaptive immune system takes over.

**Contents and Sample Pages**