Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0042109 (urticaria)
 6,569 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Allergic asthma and rhinitis, atopic dermatitis (AD), urticaria and gastrointestinal allergy, are common diseases of infants and children. Their phenotypic expression varies widely, being very mild in some cases, severe and frustrating in many, but even life-threatening in others. Specific IgE to foods and positive challenge test to a number of food allergens are frequently present in children with these disorders. Cow's milk (CM) appears to be the most common offending food both in gastrointestinal and in cutaneous manifestations of atopic disease. It was recently estimated that 14% of children suffer from AD and about 25% from more or less adverse reactions to CM. Babies of atopic parents are at high risk of developing atopic diseases. The main goal of modern medicine is prevention of chronic and severe diseases. Food allergy (FA) and AD may negatively interfere with the child's life and his physical and physiological development. We stress that few diseases like AD, although not being lethal, are causes of invaluable physical and emotional suffering either for children or their parents. Indeed, severe AD confronts doctors with one of their most demanding challenges: too long has this condition been neglected. Sensitization to foods occurs more commonly early in life, however it may even occur prenatally. The possibility of preventing such disorders in predisposed children has stimulated the investigators' imagination since the beginning of this century, when atopic diseases were not so common. However, the possible influence of early diet on later FA has received much attention only in the last decade. Prevention of FA might be achieved by altering the dietary factors, which are responsible for the sensitization and for the phenotypic expression of the disease. As the crucial expression of allergic disease results from an intricate interrelationship between the atopy-prone genetic constitution and the encountered environment, prevention of IgE-mediated disease could potentially be approached by selectively interfering with the major forces, genetic and environmental, that appear to be responsible in concert for the ultimate phenotypic expression of atopy.
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PMID:Prediction and prevention of allergic disease in at risk children. 1054 6

Allergic asthma and rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and food allergy are genetic diseases present in infants and children. Several investigators have provided evidence for a genetic localization for atopy. Babies of atopic parents are at high risk of developing atopic diseases; however, the phenotypic expression of such diseases varies widely in that it can be very mild in some infants and children, severe and frustrating in many, even life-threatening in others, as well as also being common, disabling and chronic. A meta-analysis of all available studies on the age of onset of atopic march was carried out by selecting what appeared to be the most relevant articles in the literature rather than aiming for a comprehensive selection. It was found that in the first year of life, there is the onset of atopic dermatitis in 79.8% (60.2-100%) of babies, of cow's milk allergy in 72.7%, egg allergy in 71%, and fish allergy in 51.3%. Asthma starts in the first year of life in 41.8%, in the second in 49.3%, and within the eighth year in 92.5% of children. Allergic rhinitis begins in 35% of babies in the first year of life, and in 59% or 13-19% in those aged 2-5 years. It seems therefore that up until now the role of pediatric allergy and immunology has been somewhat obscured, as can be witnessed by atopic march. Instead, pediatric allergy and immunology have a substantial, unmatched role, focusing on the early and often very early onset of atopy, which requires strategic intervention in the very first months of life or even before birth. As the main goal of modern medicine is prevention of chronic and severe diseases, the possibility of preventing such disorders in predisposed children has stimulated the imagination of researchers since the beginning of the century, when atopic diseases were not as common as they are now.
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PMID:The growing genetic links and the early onset of atopic diseases in children stress the unique role of the atopic march: a meta-analysis. 1058

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are among the most commonly used drugs. They have been employed to treat almost every known disease, from urticaria to leukemia. GCs are so termed because of their action to increase plasma glucose as a result of enhanced hepatic gluconeogenesis, but they play, also, key regulatory roles in a wide variety of physiologic processes. They are essential for survival under stress. GC effect is mediated through receptors localised in cytosol. Receptor-GC complexes bind to hormone response elements in nuclear DNA, affect transcription of genes, either stimulating or inhibiting mRNAs. Proteins so produced (enzymes, hormones) are responsible for the steroid response. There is one type of GC receptor and all GCs will affect all tissues in the same way. At present rational use of GCs falls into two categories: replacement therapy (in Addison's diseasse and in congenital adrenal hyperplasia) and pharmacotherapy, mostly for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, but also to lyse leukemic lymphocytes or to reduce brain edema. GC therapy does not cure the primary disease--it only ameliorates its manifestations and provides time for the body natural defenses to work. After the withdrawal of steroid therapy manifestations of primary process usually return. So, as a result, there is no positive effect on long-term prognosis. Most common indications for prologned high-dose GC therapy are in organ transplantation, tumour chemotherapy, collagen vascular syndromes, ulcerative colitis, nephrotic syndrome and regional enteritis. Asthma, allergic diseases, inflammatory eye diseases and blood dyscrasias are also often treated with GCs. Used in pharmacological doses GCs have a number of adverse side effects. The use of alternate 0 day therapy can decrease most GC side effects (less suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, growth inhibition, cushingoid features, infections and myopathy). Discontinuation of long-term therapy is potentially difficult ("steroid withdrawal syndrome"). It is necessary to reduce the total dose gradually, in small weekly decrements. Recent use of GCs in prenatal treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia is described.
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PMID:[Glucocorticoids in pediatrics]. 1819 4

Allergic disease and its symptoms, whether seasonal or perennial, can have a significant impact on individuals' quality of life. Asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, urticaria and food allergy are among the common allergies that nurses may encounter in the community. This article discusses the causes of allergic disease, the importance of considering allergen avoidance, and the alternative treatment options available.
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PMID:Recognising and managing allergic disease in the community. 2287 80