B.   Over-Active Immune System ---
        Allergies ANSWERS
                    
        1.   Normally, environmental substances such as (P R O T E I N S) are
              rather harmless.  However, ...  some people have a rapid and excessive
              I M M U N E system response to an environmental stimulus.

             This type of an excessive response is known as a(n)   A L L E R G Y. 

         2.    Common causes of allergies include foods such as ...
                a.   P E A N U T S                b.   S H E L L F I S H
                 c.    T O M A T O E S          d.  C H O C O L A T E
                e.   P O L L E N S   such as those from
                      (1)  G R A S S,        (2)  W E E D S,         or    (3)   T R E E S
                f.   proteins found in insect  S T I N G S
                g.   medicines such as P E N I C I L L I N

         3.   In people with allergies, the immune system releases chemicals called 
               H I S T A M I N E S.   This natural histamine release leads to
               symptoms such as a ...
                   (a)  ...  RUNNY  N O S E,  (b)  S N E E Z I N G,      (c)  a  R A S H,     
               (d)  and    S W E L L I N G.

               The last symptom above (_SWELLING_), if it occurs near an airway
               may interfere with a persons’ ability to  B R E A T H E.  

               People who suffer from allergies purchase medications known as 
               A N T I - H I S T A M I N E S  to reduce the effects of the  
               H I S T A M I N E S  and their annoying symptoms.

   

     

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