About Allergies: Could Chronic Sinusitis Be Due to IgA Deficiency?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Primary immunodeficiencies that affect the production of protective antibodies place people at risk for infections of the sinuses, middle ears and lungs. The most common primary immunodeficiency is IgA deficiency, which occurs in about 1 in 300 people. People with IgA deficiency can go undiagnosed for years, and experience numerous infections per year. The diagnosis of IgA deficiency can be made with a simple blood test -- and can lead to an explanation of why a person has so many infections. The treatment of IgA deficiency involves not only monitoring for and treating recurring infections, but also monitoring for and treating various autoimmune diseases (including celiac disease) and certain forms of cancer that occur at higher rates in people with IgA deficiency. IgA Deficiency Deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most common primary immunodeficiency. It is characterized by very low to absent levels of IgA in the bloodstream, which can result in an increased amount of infections that involve mucus membranes, such as the ears, sinuses, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. People with IgA deficiency are at an increased risk of other diseases, including autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, allergic diseases, as well as worsening forms of immunodeficiency. See More About:  allergies  sinus infections  celiac disease Chronic Sinusitis Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are defined as inflammation of one or more sinuses. Sinuses are hollow cavities within the bones of the face. The sinuses are lined by mucous membranes that normally produce fluid - this fluid usually drains into the nasal passages and is swallowed throughout the day. However, when the drainage sites for the sinuses are blocked, the sinuses cannot drain, and an infection may develop. See More About:  allergic rhinitis  allergen avoidance  antihistamines Celiac Disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease of the small intestine caused by intolerance to gluten, a protein found in various cereal grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and trouble absorbing nutrients from the intestines (malabsorption). It affects approximately 1 in 100 people, and Caucasians are even more commonly affected. The most common ages people are diagnosed is infancy (at about 1 year of age) and adults in their 30s and 40s. Women are affected nearly twice as often as men. See More About:  food allergy  gluten free diet  wheat allergy Allergies Ads Allergies Gluten Allergy Sinus Infections Wheat Allergy Chronic Sinusitis Featured Articles Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications Allergy Basics Frequently Asked Questions Nose and Eye Allergies Skin Allergies   More from About.com Favorite Summer Frozen Drinks Blended with ice or chock full of fresh fruit, these yummy drinks will liven up any warm-weather gathering. More> Best Frozen Summer Desserts Ten easy, delicious, make-ahead desserts that will cool you down on the hottest of summer days. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement