Horizon Season 2008 Episode 16 Allergy Planet

In the Horizon season 2008 episode 16 titled "Allergy Planet," the show explores the rise in allergies and allergy-related diseases around the world and investigates why this increase is happening. The episode focuses on the United Kingdom, where allergies are becoming more common and severe, with more hospitalizations and deaths related to anaphylactic shock due to allergies.

The show starts with interviews with people who suffer from allergies, including children, who talk about their experiences and how it affects their lives. The episode moves on to explore the science behind allergies, including the role of genetics and environmental factors.

One of the key factors that are explored is the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that our modern obsession with cleanliness has weakened our immune systems and made us more susceptible to allergies. The theory is that exposure to germs and bacteria in early childhood helps to train the immune system and prevent allergies developing, by teaching the body which substances are actually harmful.

The episode also examines the role of diet in allergies and how changes in our eating habits, such as the increased consumption of processed foods, might be contributing to the rise in allergies. The show interviews experts in the field and presents evidence to support these theories.

Throughout the episode, the Horizon team travels across the United Kingdom to meet with allergy specialists and researchers, as well as people who suffer from allergies and their families. The show looks at how allergies are affecting people's daily lives, including the impact on schools, workplaces, and social activities.

One of the main focuses of the episode is on new treatments for allergies, such as immunotherapy. The show interviews doctors and researchers who are developing new treatments and therapies that could help to reduce the severity of allergies and even help people to overcome them altogether.

Overall, "Allergy Planet" is a thought-provoking and in-depth look at the rise in allergies and allergy-related diseases around the world and what we can do to treat and prevent them. The episode acknowledges the difficulties that people who suffer from allergies face daily, while also offering hope for the future through new treatments and therapies.