Hello
Hey there! I'm Tammy, but you can call me Tea! I'm super excited to share my story with you, and I hope it inspires and helps others along the way. I've created a special section below to dive into some key terms and share helpful links. Plus, I'll be what works for me and adding buttons to keep everything organized and easy to navigate. Let's embark on this journey together!
My Story
I'm thrilled to share I recently opened up about my health journey on "Who's In The Kitchen?" with Philothea Bezin! I know there were quite few terms mentioned in the story, so I wanted to take a moment to address them here, as they’re sure to come up again as I continue sharing my experiences.
This page is the beginning—I'm working hard to organize it make it even more exciting for you all! Stay tuned for more updates!
Helpful Links:
Topics & Resources
DAO
Diamine oxidase (DAO) is a digestive enzyme primarily produced in the kidneys, thymus, and intestinal lining. It plays a crucial role in breaking down histamine, a compound that can cause issues like migraines, gut problems, and skin conditions when present in excess.
Here's a more detailed look:
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Function:
DAO's main job is to break down histamine, both that produced by the body a that ingested through food. It's particularly important in the digestive tract, where it helps prevent excess histamine from entering the bloodstream. -
Location:
DAO is produced in the kidneys, thymus, and the lining of the digestive tract, particularly in the small intestine. -
Histamine Intolerance:
When DAO levels are low, individuals may experience histamine intolerance. This can manifest as various symptoms like headaches, migraines, gut issues, and skin conditions. -
Supplements:
Some individuals take DAO supplements to help manage histamine intolerance. -
Other Considerations:
DAO is also involved in the breakdown of other compounds like putrescine and spermidine. It's measured in histamine degrading units (HDUs).
H1 Blockers {Histamine Blockers}:
H1 blockers, also known as H1 antagonists or antihistamines, are medications that block the action of histamine at the H1 receptor, helping to relieve allergic reactions. They are commonly used to treat allergy symptoms like hives, itchy skin, and sneezing.
Mechanism of Action:
H1 blockers work by competitively inhibiting histamine from binding to H1 receptors located on various cells, including nerves, smooth muscle, endothelium, glandular cells, and mast cells. This prevents histamine from triggering its effects, which include inflammation, vasodilation, and itching.
Types of H1 Blockers:
First-generation antihistamines:
These are older antihistamines that can cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to sedation and other central nervous system side effects. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and promethazine.
Second-generation antihistamines:
These are newer antihistamines that are more selective for peripheral H1 receptors and are less likely to cause sedation. Examples include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra).
Uses of H1 Blockers:
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Relieving allergy symptoms:
H1 blockers are commonly used to treat the symptoms of allergic reactions, such as seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis, and insect bites. -
Motion sickness and vertigo:
Some first-generation H1 blockers, like meclizine, are also used to treat motion sickness and vertigo. -
Anxiety and insomnia:
Hydroxyzine, an H1 blocker, is sometimes used to treat anxiety and insomnia. -
Emetic prevention:
Promethazine can be used to prevent nausea and vomiting.