Allergies Sourcebook (Health Reference)

Basic information about allergies - causes, triggers and treatments

Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, affecting more than 50 million Americans each year. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), about fifty percent of Americans test positive for at least one of the most common allergens: ragweed, pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mite, cockroaches, milk, eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts. Symptoms associated with allergic reactions can range from mild annoyances to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency.

Allergies Sourcebook, Fifth Edition provides updated information about the causes, triggers, treatments, and prevalence of common allergic disorders, including rhinitis, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, dermatitis, eczema, hives, and anaphylaxis. It discusses the immune system and its role in the development of allergic disorders and describes such commonly encountered allergens as pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander. Facts about allergies to foods and food additives, insect stings, medications, and chemicals are also included, along with information about allergy diagnosis, treatments, coping strategies, and prevention efforts. The book concludes with a glossary of related terms and directories of resources, including one to help people with food allergies find allergen-free foods.

For over 25 years, librarians have trusted the Health Reference Series to answer their patrons health questions as they navigate the increasingly noisy, and often unreliable, landscape of medical information.

The Health Reference Series provides basic medical information for patients, families, caregivers, and the general public. Each volume takes a particular topic and provides comprehensive coverage. This is especially important for people who may be dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or a chronic disorder in themselves or in a family member. People looking for preventive guidance, information about disease warning signs, medical statistics, and risk factors for health problems will also find answers to their questions in this series.

The Omnigraphics mission has been to provide authoritative and engaging reference resources to libraries and schools. Spanning the areas of biography, history, health, culture, and ready reference, the Omnigraphics products have been consistently recognized for demonstrating the same uncompromising quality throughout the years.