Understanding Allergy

by Dr Sophie Farooque

One in three of us experiences allergies at some point in our lives and we are more allergic than ever before, so why are allergies still so misunderstood?

In Understanding Allergy, Dr Sophie Farooque, a leading expert and consultant in allergy, will provide allergy sufferers and their families with the knowledge they need to help them navigate this minefield. The book will offer practical advice to reduce unnecessary suffering, debunk common allergy myths and address key topics

· The allergy epidemic
· Understanding and treating hay fever and rhinitis
· Living with food allergies, delayed food allergies and anaphylaxis
· Drug allergies
· What to do if you think you have an allergy
· Eczema and allergy prevention

Many people who are allergic often struggle to access help, whilst many think they have an allergy when they do not - Understanding Allergy is the essential and concise guide to diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes, to help you manage and alleviate your allergies.
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'A fascinating, insightful guide that is extremely clear' Professor Adam Fox

'A source of sound information and practical advice' Professor Roy Taylor

'A must read' David Stukus, M.D

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medicine

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2022

Reviews

[cichyczaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

dobrze się było czegoś więcej dowiedzieć

[Veron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Počet alergikov každým rokom rastie, to je fakt, ktorý sa, žiaľ, nedá prehliadnuť. Naši predkovia kedysi nepoznali, čo je to mať potravinovú alergiu, či intoleranciu v takej miere, v akej s tým bojuje naša generácia dnes. No rovnako dôležité, ako vedomie na čo sme alergickí je aj našu alergiu pochopiť.

Kniha Alergie je výborným sprievodcom svetom alergií, za ktorým stojí uznávaná alergiologička Dr. Sophie Farooque. Aj napriek tomu, že kniha patrí k odbornej-náučnej literatúre, zhlta som ju na posedenie za dva dni. Informácie v knihu sú komplexné, no opisované takým pútavým spôsobom, že máte pocit, akoby ste sedeli na vyšetrení a dozvedeli sa nové skutočnosti o vašom zdravotnom stave.

Spolu s autorkou si postupne prejdete základnými faktami o alergii, rozdielom medzi sennou nádchou a alergiou, či astmou, potravinovými intoleranciami a potravinovými alergiami, čo je veľký rozdiel. Zodpovie dokonca aj najčastejšie kladené otázky ohľadom vakcín nie len ku Covidu, ale všeobecne. Prečítate si o alergii na lieky, ale aj o anafylaktickom šoku. Zaujímavosťou je, že autorka vyvracia mnohé zaužívané pravdy, ktoré sú súčasťou našich životov, napríklad aj o "zahlieňovaní mliekom". Toto celé je spracované v prehľadnej textovej grafike a kde-tu dokonca objavíte aj ilustráciu-napríklad peľový kalendár, či priebeh alergie na arašidy a mnohé iné.

Mne v knihe chýbalo spracovanie mojej formy alergie, ale tá je tak špecifická, že si na jej spracovanie pravdepodobne budem musieť počkať. Napriek tomu som sa dozvedela enormne veľa informácii a túto publikáciu by som povinne preplácala každému pacientovi, ktorý práve opustil imunologickú ambulanciu - vo veľa veciach ho upokojí, ale aj mu zodpovie na viaceré otázky. Dokonca aj v prípade, ak alergiou netrpí, ale má na ňu len podozrenie.

4,5*

[Erik Angner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny story. When I first started reading this book, I posted a picture on Instagram with a note saying "This book could save your life, or the life of somebody you love." And then it did! I had an unexpected life-threatening allergic reaction while on a solo business trip eight time zones from home. It was terrifying. But because of the book, I had just renewed my prescription medication (an epipen) and instantly recognized the symptoms of anaphylaxis. I still suffered the inconvenience and indignity of being hauled by ambulance to the ER, blue lights and sirens and all, and of having to spend eight hours there. But the inconvenience and indignity was nothing as compared to what could have happened, if I hadn't recognized the symptoms and hadn't had immediate access to the right medication. I stand by my original assessment of this book and could not recommend it more emphatically. Everyone should read it.

[Niall James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting on the role of Eczema on the development of Asthma, Hayfever and food allergy. Useful information on prevention of Food Allergy in children once they show signs of developing Eczema and treating existing Hayfever before the pollen season starts and reducing asthmatic symptoms by doing so. Lots of information on anaphylaxis that should be public information taught in public education.

Great and concise read.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent guide for understanding the causes of allergies and managing their symptoms. I found this to be a very thought-provoking and helpful book that was accessible to read (I don't have any medical background) and highly recommend it for anyone who has allergies / has family/friends who have allergies etc.

[Joe Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to fault really. I’m not actually allergic to anything, so I picked this up in the library just to learn about what allergies are and how they work, as I had no idea - why do certain things make certain people ill?

Super informative, full of advice to help those who do suffer badly with them, and I learned a lot, which was the aim.

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed..particularly the section about anaphylaxis. This book is easy to read but felt that for something titled 'understanding allergy' I would have liked a bit more science. Although this is likely to make it less accessible.

[Aleece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand

Very informative for the everyday person who wants to know the basics on allergies. Great explanations and sources provided. All medical terms explained in easy to understand terms

[Jeltje · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and interesting book about allergies! I am a GP and have read this book in two days. It is full of practical tips for people with allergies and I know I am going to recommend this to my patients. Well done, Sophie.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any allergy sufferer or any medical professional who treats allergies

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone who's experiencing allergies or looking after someone who's allergic. I wish I read this book a few years early so I could help my daughter grow out of her allergies early. I have learnt so many things from this book, and it helps me to get things right and prevent allergies for my newborn baby.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mum had planned to read this book but I stole it from her and wouldn’t give it back until I finished it. I then proceeded to tell her a bunch of allergy facts she didn’t know, which she said is very embarrassing because it’s her NHS job to know. I also let her know she was using her nasal spray wrong.

I knew nothing about allergies before I read this book. Two days after finishing it, I had a weird allergic reaction and knew exactly what to do. Thank you Dr Sophie and second generation antihistamines.

[Anahita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly helpful overview on the pathophysiology of allergy, including for medical professionals. Dr. Farooque emphasises the necessity of allergy testing being conducted in the context of a highly carefully obtained allergy history.

I particularly found the distinction between IgE-mediated and non-IgE mediated allergy helpful, as well as the section on what constitutes anaphylaxis (i.e. rather a broad range of symptoms/signs!), really helpful.

Learning about what specific allergies are common to each age group, and how an allergy can occur in the context of multiple prior exposures, really interesting.

This is written well and should form essential reading for medical professionals. I certainly will be reading it again and highlighting the key sections!

[Mrs Rachel Newson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a long and detailed appointment with an allergy specialist

I loved the style of writing in this book, which made it feel like someone was talking to you and explaining what you needed to know in an adult and mature way.

I learned lots of new things about old assumptions that I had heard from others over the years, including some health professionals (probably myself included).

If you, or your child or other family members, suffer from any allergies (hay fever, food allergies, asthma) then this book will leave you feeling informed and empowered.

It is certainly money very well spent and may prevent you spending a lot of money on things that just don’t work! I would definitely highly recommend this book.