What is an antihistamine?
What Is An Antihistamine?
An antihistamine is a type of medicine that may be used to relieve symptoms of allergies. Such allergy symptoms may include itching, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. The allergic reaction occurs when histamines are released into the body through the blood stream. These histamines cause fluids to escape from capillaries into the surrounding tissues. The capillaries are what link arteries and veins together, and when they release fluids, the body reacts. The job of the antihistamine is to counter these reactions and be and "anti" to the "histamine.
About Histamines
Histamines are used by the body as a part of the immune response to invaders in the body. Histamines also work to regulate the functions of various organs in the inner abdomen. When there is an overload of histamines in your body, a reaction occurs, which to many people is adverse. This is why an antihistamine is used to quell the histamines and diminish the reaction. The antihistamine blocks neuron receptors of a cell from receiving the histamine molecules. This prevents an overload of histamines and an allergic reaction.
Types of Antihistamines
There are two main types of antihistamine products, which are H1-antagonist and H2-antagonist. In addition to the two general types, there are two experimental types.
H1-antagonist antihistamine is the most common type of antihistamine and is commonly used to treat the symptoms of allergic reaction. H1-antihistamines also can be used to help with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, angioedema, and other types of allergic reactions. H1-antihistamines have side-effects that are caused by the antihistamine not being selective about the receptors that it blocks, which may cause drowsiness.
The H1-antihistamines need to be used with caution to avert other side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, anxiety, blurred vision, and dry mouth. When using an H1-antihistamine with other medications, be sure to use it in a controlled environment where you may manage yourself during any adverse reactions. Five base types of H1-antihistamines include: Ethylenediamines, Ethanolamines, Alkylamines, Piperazines, and Tricyclics.
The H2-antihistamine is primarily used for more gastrointestinal issues such as peptic ulcers and reflux disease. The type H2-antihistamine blocks histamine receptors in cell neurons in a more selective way when compared to the H1. Being that it is more selective, it has less side effects.
Other Types of Antihistamine Drugs
Two other types of antihistamines include H3-antihistamines and H4-antihistamines. The H3-antihistamine drugs are currently in the experimental stage and are being tested on ADD, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. These antihistamines act more as a stimulant than a drowsy type effect. The H4-antihistamine drugs are being tested to treat inflammatory conditions due to the anti-inflammatory.
Antihistamines are taken to ease the symptoms of allergic reactions and may also be used to help with insect bites or stings even if there is no allergic reaction involved. When taking an antihistamine it is important to be aware to the possible side effects so always be sure to take care when taking antihistamines.
An antihistamine is a type of medicine that may be used to relieve symptoms of allergies. Such allergy symptoms may include itching, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. The allergic reaction occurs when histamines are released into the body through the blood stream. These histamines cause fluids to escape from capillaries into the surrounding tissues. The capillaries are what link arteries and veins together, and when they release fluids, the body reacts. The job of the antihistamine is to counter these reactions and be and "anti" to the "histamine.
About Histamines
Histamines are used by the body as a part of the immune response to invaders in the body. Histamines also work to regulate the functions of various organs in the inner abdomen. When there is an overload of histamines in your body, a reaction occurs, which to many people is adverse. This is why an antihistamine is used to quell the histamines and diminish the reaction. The antihistamine blocks neuron receptors of a cell from receiving the histamine molecules. This prevents an overload of histamines and an allergic reaction.
Types of Antihistamines
There are two main types of antihistamine products, which are H1-antagonist and H2-antagonist. In addition to the two general types, there are two experimental types.
H1-antagonist antihistamine is the most common type of antihistamine and is commonly used to treat the symptoms of allergic reaction. H1-antihistamines also can be used to help with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, angioedema, and other types of allergic reactions. H1-antihistamines have side-effects that are caused by the antihistamine not being selective about the receptors that it blocks, which may cause drowsiness.
The H1-antihistamines need to be used with caution to avert other side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, anxiety, blurred vision, and dry mouth. When using an H1-antihistamine with other medications, be sure to use it in a controlled environment where you may manage yourself during any adverse reactions. Five base types of H1-antihistamines include: Ethylenediamines, Ethanolamines, Alkylamines, Piperazines, and Tricyclics.
The H2-antihistamine is primarily used for more gastrointestinal issues such as peptic ulcers and reflux disease. The type H2-antihistamine blocks histamine receptors in cell neurons in a more selective way when compared to the H1. Being that it is more selective, it has less side effects.
Other Types of Antihistamine Drugs
Two other types of antihistamines include H3-antihistamines and H4-antihistamines. The H3-antihistamine drugs are currently in the experimental stage and are being tested on ADD, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. These antihistamines act more as a stimulant than a drowsy type effect. The H4-antihistamine drugs are being tested to treat inflammatory conditions due to the anti-inflammatory.
Antihistamines are taken to ease the symptoms of allergic reactions and may also be used to help with insect bites or stings even if there is no allergic reaction involved. When taking an antihistamine it is important to be aware to the possible side effects so always be sure to take care when taking antihistamines.
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