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"There are probiotics specifically for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and a little bit of it every day can be cured!"
There is a saying on the Internet that the gospel of allergic rhinitis groups is coming, and scientific studies have shown that there is a probiotic that can cure our old rhinitis, 200% cured, and you can say goodbye to allergic rhinitis in 3 days! Many patients who are deeply afflicted by allergic rhinitis believe it and have purchased this kind of probiotics.
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Rumor analysis
This claim is debatable.
There are currently no clear studies showing that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics are effective in treating or curing allergic rhinitis, and further research is needed on whether they are effective.
As soon as the season changes, many patients with allergic rhinitis begin to sneeze and itch their nostrils, which makes people sleepless at night and depressed. No, "eating a certain probiotic can cure allergic rhinitis" is a "good prescription" that is very popular on the Internet.
The author opened the online shopping platform, entered relevant keywords, and found that a bunch of probiotic products claiming to treat allergic rhinitis did pop up on the page. So, is there really the kind of probiotic that specifically works for rhinitis treatment?
What are probiotics, prebiotics,
Synbiotics, postbiotics?
To understand the above questions, let's first figure out what probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics are. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) definition:
1
Probiotics
Live microorganisms, when ingested in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host.
2
Prebiotics
Ingredients that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms and confer health benefits are commonly inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs), lactulose, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
3
Biostime
A combination of prebiotics and probiotics.
4
Postbiotics
The inactivated microorganism and/or its constituent preparations have health benefits for the host.
As the largest microbial exposure to date, the intestinal flora is also related to the regulation of immunity and the suppression of allergies. For this reason, for decades, a series of intervention studies have been designed to treat allergic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota, including the effects of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in the treatment or prevention of allergic rhinitis.
Probiotic treatment
Rationale for allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis, has the main symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, postpharyngeal dripping, nasal congestion, often accompanied by itching of the eyes, nose and palate, and other common symptoms are cough, irritability and fatigue.
If the patient is continuously exposed to an allergen, persistent inflammation of the nasal mucosa occurs, and the sensitivity of the nasal mucosa increases over time, and the nasal allergy threshold slowly decreases and becomes more sensitive. As a result, exposure to low levels of allergens can also lead to persistent, and even more severe, rhinitis symptoms.
The results of in vitro studies and animal models have shown that probiotics can directly alter the composition of intestinal microbes, or indirectly by influencing microbial products, host products, or food composition, or by regulating the host's immune system. Symbiotic gut microbiota can reduce local inflammation and may stabilize the integrity of the intestinal barrier, potentially reducing the systemic allergen load.
Probiotic treatment
Results of the practice of allergic rhinitis
However, in a large number of existing probiotic-related clinical studies, the research conclusions vary greatly. Two good quality meta-analyses have reported that certain strains of probiotics may reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis and improve quality of life, but there are also studies of similar strains that have reached the opposite conclusions.
Although there are positive research conclusions, the quality of the studies is uneven, the study design and outcome measures are different, and it is difficult to make appropriate treatment recommendations to the corresponding population based on these conclusions, depending on the study population, strain, dose, duration of use, and duration of treatment.
Source: CCTV News
Evidence that probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics can improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis is still limited, and further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
allergic rhinitis
What are the main treatments?
The current study is to evaluate the potential of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in the treatment of allergic diseases, but they are not yet suitable for clinical treatment. There are no probiotic-related recommendations in the latest international guidelines and Chinese guidelines in 2023.
Most people's allergic rhinitis is persistent, recurring, and requires ongoing treatment. The guideline recommends that the preferred treatment be allergen avoidance + pharmacotherapy, with the addition of allergen immunotherapy for refractory or severe cases and, rarely, surgery as appropriate.
1
Avoid allergens
This is a seemingly simple measure, but it is actually very troublesome. It is usually necessary to develop a comprehensive environmental control plan on a case-by-case basis under the guidance of a professional allergist. Patients with rhinitis should avoid or minimize exposure to allergens if they have identified them.
2
drug therapy
First-line preferred drugs include nasal corticosteroids (nasal corticosteroids), second-generation oral antihistamines, and nasal antihistamines. Mast cell membrane stabilizers and leukotriene receptor antagonists are slightly different in domestic recommendations than abroad, and antileukotrienes are included in the first-line treatment in China, while the opposite is true abroad.
Patients can learn to master the indications for medication, and take medication as needed or continue to take medication according to the rhinitis attack. The safety of rational use of these drugs is very high, and the problem of adverse drug reactions can be discussed with doctors, and it is not recommended to avoid drugs due to adverse reactions, after all, the cognitive and life impact of repeated rhinitis attacks will be more serious.
In addition, nasal saline irrigation is a safe, convenient and inexpensive adjuvant treatment, which has the effects of diluting mucus, improving mucuciliary clearance, reducing mucosal edema and reducing allergens in the nasal sinuses, without increasing the risk of otitis media, and other discomfort reactions are mild.
3
immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as desensitization therapy, is also a first-line treatment and is clinically recommended. In China, it is suitable for rhinitis patients who are allergic to house dust mites, dust mites and Artemisia annua pollen.
It can be administered by subcutaneous injection, sublingual lozenge, or drops, and by administering progressively increasing doses of allergen extracts to induce immune tolerance, so that patients can significantly reduce symptoms when they are re-exposed to the corresponding allergen, or even no clinical symptoms. Treatment is usually 3 years.
conclusion
Although there are some studies that suggest that certain strains of probiotics reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, there are also studies of similar strains that have concluded otherwise. At present, there is limited evidence for "probiotics improve symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis", and further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks, and there are limited safe and effective treatments. When patients with rhinitis do not respond well to conventional treatment regimens, it is recommended to consult a specialist in allergy and immunology and otolaryngology for evaluation.
According to the "rumor" mirror
In our previous article on Science Myth Busting, we mentioned that every day, scientific journals around the world publish a large number of new developments and discoveries in life science and medical research, some of which are related to health, medical and drug development or clinical progress. These findings are often also the source of news stories in the health sector. Especially in the era of self-media, many people who are concerned about their own and their families' health often look for information that is beneficial to maintaining health or treating diseases from the published news. However, it is very difficult for the general public who do not have specialized knowledge to understand the research described in a scientific paper and to be able to make correct judgments about the results.
It's understandable for patients and their families to seek out the latest research advances in treatment while enduring the pain. However, for practical reasons, we do not encourage people with no expertise to seek treatment from the so-called new research results, and to change or abandon existing treatment options.
Scientific research is a gradual process, and there are few earth-shattering discoveries and inventions. In the face of new medical research, you may wish to consult professionals first, or "let the bullets fly for a while", and do not blindly hope for personal home remedies experience, new and old methods that have not been tested by safety and science, etc.
Source | Science refutes rumors