The Science of Allergies: Why They Occur and Why They Are Increasing

In my daily practice as a physician, I have often heard people ask, "Why are allergies increasing so much now?" and "Where can I find accurate knowledge?" The simple questions and anxieties I encounter in the field, seeking easier-to-understand information, were the starting point for this book, "The Science of Allergies."

Allergies can be described as a "social disease" affecting one in two citizens. However, the underlying immune mechanisms are complex, and misunderstandings and anxieties are common. There is a significant gap between the latest research results and what reaches society. I began the concept for this book with the desire to bridge this "knowledge divide."

However, the editor's words made me think. How did the French literature I studied at university, and later lectured on to students after becoming a teacher, actually come to be in its home country? In other words, when did literature written in French become "French literature"?

The writing involved members of the ENGAGE Task Force, which leads Japan's "10-Year Strategy for Research on Immunological and Allergic Diseases," including co-editor Dr. Hideaki Morita, Director of the Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the National Center for Child Health and Development. Nineteen doctors and researchers from fields such as internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and basic immunology brought together "what they truly want to convey now" from their respective front lines. The process of refining the text while discussing the goal of creating "a science book that stays close to the 'perspective of everyday people' rather than a technical manual" was full of inspiration.

I have many personal experiences, such as a family member suffering from an intractable disease caused by drug-induced injury, and having to change my own research theme after developing allergies myself. My experience facing allergies from multiple perspectives—as a patient, a family member, and as a researcher and clinician—was a major motivation for compiling this book.

In this book, I aimed to cover everything from the basics of allergies to the latest research and knowledge useful for daily life, making it accessible to everyone. For those suffering from symptoms, gaining correct knowledge is a step toward turning "invisible anxiety" into "visible peace of mind," and for healthcare professionals, it should serve as an entry point for new dialogue connecting the local community and medical care.

At Keio University, there is a culture of giving back learning to society based on the spirit of "learning while teaching, teaching while learning." If this book plays a part in that and serves as a support for people living with allergies, I could not be happier.

The Science of Allergies: Why They Occur and Why They Are Increasing

Takeya Adachi (Co-editor/Author)

Kodansha Blue Backs

336 pages, 1,320 yen (tax included)