2007-03-16 07:10:52 · 19 answers · asked by marshy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
you take it to help ease allergies.
2007-03-16 11:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by pooped_over 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An antihistamine works by stopping the effect of histamine, which is a neurotransmitter that's involved in allergic reactions. So, taking an antihistamine stops allergies from creating problems (though it doesn't relieve someone of an allergy, just their symptoms).
Antihistamines also cause drowsiness, because histamine is used in part of the brain that involves being awake or asleep.
Learn more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihistamine
2007-03-16 07:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thats a type of medication......
An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor. Only agents where the main therapeutic effect is mediated by negative modulation of histamine receptors are termed antihistamines - other agents may have antihistaminergic action but are not true antihistamines.
In common use, the term antihistamine refers only to H1-receptor antagonists, also known as H1-antihistamines. It has been discovered that these H1-antihistamines are actually inverse agonists at the histamine H1-receptor, rather than antagonists per se. (Leurs, Church & Taglialatela, 2002)
Hope this helps, xox
2007-03-16 07:15:33 · answer #3 · answered by § gαввαηα § 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor. Only agents where the main therapeutic effect is mediated by negative modulation of histamine receptors are termed antihistamines - other agents may have antihistaminergic action but are not true antihistamines.
2007-03-16 07:19:45 · answer #4 · answered by lilith663 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor. Only agents where the main therapeutic effect is mediated by negative modulation of histamine receptors are termed antihistamines - other agents may have antihistaminergic action but are not true antihistamines.
2007-03-16 07:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by Sarlax 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Histamine is a biogenic amine chemical involved in local immune responses as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter. When you are sick or have an allergic reaction to something, it means that a foreign protein has entered your body, and your body has recognized it as basically a threat. Your body produces histamines as its first line of defense against the foreign protein, the primary purpose being to expel the protein from the body before it causes further problems. You know this reaction as sneezing, congestion along the bronchial passages, coughing, watery eyes, rashes and fever. An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor.
2007-03-16 07:25:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The antihistamines are helpful for treating:
Hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)
Other nasal allergies
Itch and itchy rashes including urticaria or hives.
Insect bites and stings
Allergy, including severe forms
Sometimes we make use of their side effects (only specific antihistamines):
To reduce nausea and sickness, including motion sickness
To help sleep
To dry secretions
2007-03-16 07:15:47 · answer #7 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An antihistamine is a drug that stops the body from making 'histamines' ... histamines cause the 'symptoms' of allergies and some 'colds' like runny nose, watery eyes, etc.
2007-03-16 07:16:27 · answer #8 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Antihistamines are drugs that help combat the physical signs of allergies
2007-03-16 08:59:06 · answer #9 · answered by crazychick_woman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
antihistamine - any substance that capable of reducing the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of histamine, including a wide variety of drugs that block histamine receptors.
histamine is related to allergies
2007-03-16 15:41:09 · answer #10 · answered by glojoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
blocks histamines in the body...allergic reactions.
Like a bee stings....antihistamines goes straight to the source.
Or if you are allergic to grass while mowing it, take a benedryl
to stop the allergins entering your body.
2007-03-16 07:15:04 · answer #11 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋