From my own experience, sometimes when I am too tired or experiencing sudden change in temperature, cold then hot, then cold again..then hot....again..or breathing in a dusty environment, my body system will give a natural reaction which is producing histamine.

Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells are stimulated by the allergen and release their stores of histamine.

The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response.

All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In hay fever, this causes inflammation of the nose, eyes, skin or airways and results in itchy watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. Histamine is also responsible for the symptoms of allergic and itchy rashes, and allergic reactions to foods, medicines or insect bites. It can also cause more severe allergic reactions such as angioneurotic oedema, which involves severe swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue or throat.

Believe me, it is a very uncomfortable situation. Normally for a quick superfast remedy, I will take 1 tablet of piriton. Within half an hour, my conditions improved. Normally I got drowsy, which is good as it gave me a good time to sleep. But what I didn't realize, it has many side-effects, however it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Below are the side-effects :-

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
• Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• Wheezing or difficulty in breathing
• Muscle weakness
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Irritability
• Nightmares

Now, guess what, I am no longer using Piriton. I just drink the Special Temulawak and Beras Kencur Juice mixed together. Of course, I can't get a speedy recovery as Piriton, but yes, I still can sleep after 3-4 hours of drinking the juices. And by the grace of Allah and Alhamdullilah, the next night, I recovered fully. No more sneezing, no more running nose, and I slept like a baby.

Between Piriton and the mixture of the juices, I think the latter is preferable as it is herbal based, no side-effects, yet also a natural healer to many disorders. Piriton could give me inflammation of the liver, but the juices, it has natural cure for liver disease.

If you are in my situation, which would be your choice ? Which would you give to your children and loved ones ?

I think I know !

Source:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002083.html

http://www.patientsville.com/medication/piriton_side_effects.htm