Dealing With Seasonal Allergies: Natural Approaches to Heal and Reduce Symptoms

It's that time of year when those prone to seasonal allergies are once again tormented by itchy, watery, and burning eyes; congestion; dry throats; sneezing; coughing; loss of sleep, and just feeling blah. Although I don't suffer myself, I am writing this on behalf of all of the people that I know and love who have suffered more than enough with seasonal allergies.

There are many natural ways to reduce allergies. I'm not talking about taking antihistamines here. Antihistamines only suppress the symptoms and do nothing to heal the physical problem. Although those with allergies may need to take an antihistamine, there are also some things that can be done to aid the body in fighting off allergens.

What can be done to strengthen the immunity, reduce inflammation, and lesson the negative reaction to environmental irritants for those who suffer from seasonal allergies?

• Reduce or eliminate refined sugars. I don't think there is one single human discomfort that can't be reduced or eliminated by reducing or eliminating processed sugars and white flour (simple, fast acting carbs). Sugar causes inflammation and also creates a mineral imbalance in our bodies. Both the inflammation and the imbalance compromise our immunity, which in turn makes it much more difficult for the body to deal with any type of allergic reaction. You need a strong immunity to combat allergies, and sugar compromises that ability. Consuming sugar may also cause allergies to develop because of inflammation, compromised immunity, and mineral imbalances.

When I recently did a two-week sugar fast-no sweeteners of any kind including maple syrup and honey, no bananas or dates, no dried fruit, no white rice, white flour or potatoes-I was very surprised to find that the congestion I normally have first thing in the morning was gone during that fast. It came back with the reintroduction of sugar and fast acting carbs.

• Use a netti pot. Using a netti pot clears out the sinus cavities of any impurities, including pollen and environmental irritants. I love using my netti pot! I'm not plagued with allergies, but I know that a netti pot reduces my nasal congestion when I have a cold. I use mine just to clear out those passages, even when congestion is not an issue. I frequently use a netti pot as part of my morning routine: brush my teeth, use my tongue scraper, and use my netti pot. It feels great!

I bought a little plastic netti pot many years ago, and it does the trick. I will eventually replace it with a ceramic one, as I try and eliminate my exposure to plastics. However, for the time being, I'll continue to use the one that I have.

Use distilled water. Tap water, filtered or unfiltered, should always be boiled for at least five minutes, then permitted to cool to a comfortable temperature. It may be more convenient to boil a larger amount, and to keep it in a container to be used once or twice a day.

If using bottled spring water, boil it first.

Do not use unboiled tap water. I cannot stress this enough. Tap water can introduce pathogens and toxins into your nasal passages, and can create more of a problem than you already have. If distilled water is not available, pre-boil the tap water for several minutes, and allow to cool down. If boiling water is also not a possibility, then just don't use a netti pot.

Some people prefer room temperature, and others prefer it a little heated. This takes only a minute, as you don't want the water to be too hot. Add 翹 teaspoon of salt and mix it until it dissolves (I use a heaping 翹 teaspoon). Some people also like to add a 翹 teaspoon of baking soda, to sooth the drying properties of the salt. I don't do this, but if the salt feels too drying, baking soda can be added.

Do not use iodized salt or salt with anticaking agents. Read the ingredients. There should only be one thing listed there: "Salt." It can be any kind of salt, but make sure that nothing else is listed. You can also purchase packets already made up for use with a netti pot. I prefer to make my own, as I like to use high quality natural sea salt. If you find that the solution burns your sinuses, either reduce or increase the amount of salt slightly. If it isn't the correct balance of saline to match the saline in your body, it will irritate. Try adjusting the amount.

Put the spout of the netti pot into one nostril, and tip it so that the water drains out of the other nostril. You'll want to lean your head forward slightly and to the side of the nostril that is draining. (Stand over a sink.) Keep your mouth open and breathe while using it. Experiment with the correct angle to hold your head. Now, change nostrils and do the same thing on the other side. It may take some practice, but you'll get used to it. When you're finished, gently move your head in a circle to help drain any water that is left in your nostrils, and gently blow your nose.

Some people simply cannot use the netti pot because they hate how it feels, or they can't get it to drain properly from their nostrils. For those who don't like or can't use the netti pot, try using a nasal bulb syringe that is used for babies when they are congested.

• Eat raw local honey. Eat raw local honey to introduce small amounts of the pollen from local flowers. (Bees carry minute amounts of nectar and pollen from flower to flower while making honey.) This works in much the same way as getting allergy shots. Raw local honey will introduce the pollen in amounts small enough for your body to handle. Over time, it will help your body to build up a resistance to these allergens. It is recommended that you consume a couple of tablespoons, daily, of local raw honey. It is best to start doing this before allergy season kicks in, but I imagine that it's never too late to derive some small benefit, even if started later in the season. If this is the first time you've eaten raw local honey, begin with small amounts, as there have been some allergy sufferers who have had a severe reactions to the pollen present in honey. This is not common, but you should be aware of the possibility and start out slowly if it's something new that you're just introducing to your body.

• Increase fermented foods and probiotics. The majority of your immune system is in your gut. Eating cultured or fermented foods helps to increase the friendly bacteria that build up our immunity.

• Consider any food allergies that may be contributing to the body's weakened immune response. If you suspect that you have an allergy or sensitivity to any food, remove the food for two weeks. On day 15, reintroduce the food and see how your body responds. Common food sensitivities include gluten, dairy, peanuts, soy, and eggs, but allergies can come from virtually any food. Food allergies are more than just a pain in the neck. They compromise your health by compromising your immunity.

• Reduce stress. Stress also compromises our immunity. I could write volumes about how the body responds to stress, and how it takes a toll on human health-physically, mentally, and emotionally. Most of us are aware of the dangers of unresolved stress in our lives, or of stress that we don't learn how to manage. This stress causes our immunities to be greatly compromised. For those with allergies, a compromised immunity will cause the immune response to be weakened. Focus on ways to reduce stress in your life. Pray, meditate, practice yoga, take walks, workout in a gym (if you can't be outdoors), take time for self-care, keep a journal, and/or embrace a higher power to help you to relax and manage stress.

• Up your intake of Omega 3 fatty-acids, known to reduce inflammation. Omega 3 fatty-acids can be found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, oily fish (salmon, herring, trout, and sardines), chia seeds, and walnuts. Animals that are grass fed are also a good source of omega 3 fatty-acids.

• Eat more food with vitamin C and take a good vitamin C supplement. Vitamin C helps to build a strong immunity.

• Consider taking the herb, stinging nettle. It has known anti-inflammatory properties and is used, in holistic medicine, to treat allergies.

• Eat a diet high in foods that reduce inflammation. Ginger, onions, garlic, turmeric, foods high in omega 3 fatty-acids, pineapple, walnuts, fish (salmon is wonderful for reducing inflammation), berries, and healthy fats (coconut oil and olive oil), along with all fruits and veggies, will help to reduce inflammation.

• Avoid or reduce the foods that cause inflammation. Sugar, processed foods, table salt, alcohol, refined grains, farm factory animals, and unhealthy oils (polyunsaturated and trans fats) all cause inflammation in the body. If you are sensitive to dairy, it can also cause inflammation.

These are some of the things that you can do to build up your immunity and reduce inflammation, which can help to alleviate seasonal allergies. Remember that natural healing takes time. Begin making some positive dietary and lifestyle changes today, and you can look forward to seeing improvement as time goes by. Some changes will be more immediate, but others will increase your immune response over a period of time.

Ignoring the Potential of Asthma Can Prove Disastrous

Ever feel short of breath from little physical activity, despite being in decent shape? Does your child suffer from coughing episodes without any perceivable trigger? You or your loved one may be developing asthma, and should seek asthma testing and consultation for this difficult, but manageable respiratory disease.

For a rudimentary understanding of what asthma is, the classic definition is a chronic inflammatory disease that obstructs airflow due to a variety of triggers and causes. Though prognosis is generally positive, asthma can have debilitating consequences and create serious complications when compounded with other illnesses.

If you do not have asthma, there is a simple exercise to get the feel for what it may be like to struggle with a respiratory disease. Try breathing through a straw for a length of time. The restriction of airflow to your lungs is similar to the constriction of airflow caused by an asthma attack. For the asthmatic, an attack can happen at anytime due to one of several common triggers.

While asthma can be genetic, certain environmental factors or irritants can cause asthma attacks. The most common of these triggers are allergies and air quality. Allergic reactions are immune system response to normally harmless substances, usually through the symptoms shortness of breath and inflammation. Environmental factors include presence of allergens, or the quality of air in regards to irritants such as cigarette smoke and pollen. The combination of all of these factors contributes to the prevalence and severity of asthma and asthma attacks.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be asthmatic, scheduling an asthma testing should be the immediate first step in treating the disease. With very simple procedures, today's asthma doctors can run tests that will effectively isolate the allergens that can trigger your respiratory problems in under an hour. Treatments are varied and can include anything from steroidal inhalants that halt inflammation, to injections that weaken allergic reactions that induce asthma attacks.

Being proactive and seeking a consultation is the first step to health and wellness. As stated before, asthma isn't a death sentence; but ignoring asthma can lead to serious health complications. Statistics show that nearly a quarter of emergency room visits are asthma related, and asthma has a hand in over 10,000 deaths every year in the United States. Protect yourself and your family by consulting an asthma doctor about allergy and asthma testing, while it's still manageable.

Allergic Reaction to Allergy Shots

Although there is no cure for allergies, many people have found immunotherapy (more commonly known as allergy shots) to be an extremely effective way to manage irritating symptoms. Allergy shots are usually discussed as an option for people who have not been able to control their allergies with other methods, people who are not able to avoid the cause of their allergies, and people who have experienced unpleasant side effects from other types of allergy medication.

During an allergic reaction, the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance. Allergy shots work by exposing the system to small amounts of the problem allergen until the body can effectively build up natural defenses against it. They are administered over a given period of time. The number of injections will depend on the severity and type of the allergy. Immunotherapy is usually very effective and can help to drastically reduce allergy symptoms. Normally, allergy shots are very safe. Exposure to the allergen is minimal, and should not be enough to trigger a problem. However, it is possible for them to cause an allergic reaction. They should only be administered by trained medical professionals in a safe environment to avoid any possible complications.

What to expect from an allergy shot

It is fairly common for patients to experience a small amount of swelling or discomfort at or near the injection site. This may occur immediately after the shot, or may not appear until a few hours later. This is usually a harmless reaction that should go away within 24 hours.

Occasionally, the shots will trigger the very sorts of allergic reactions that they are meant to get rid of. Exposure to a known allergen is always risky, and it may be necessary to adjust the dosage if reactions occur. These reactions will have the same types of symptoms as a regular reaction to the allergen. For example, someone who is taking the shots to manage an allergy to dogs may experience the same symptoms that they normally would after coming into contact with pet dander. These are usually minor reactions, and may include:

• Sneezing, difficulty breathing, a runny nose, or an itchy rash (especially at the injection site)

These symptoms will usually disappear fairly quickly. However, most allergists agree that it is a good idea to monitor patients for up to 30 minutes after an allergy shot just to make sure.

In very rare cases, allergy shots can trigger a serious reaction called anaphylaxis.

Serious Allergic Reactions to Immunotherapy

During anaphylaxis, the respiratory system will show signs of great distress. Some signs of anaphylaxis are a serious constriction of the airways, swelling and tightening of the throat, serious difficulty breathing, or a rapid pulse. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition, so it is essential to seek emergency medical attention right away at the first sign of any of these symptoms.

Take the Right Precautions

It is never safe to risk exposure to a known allergen without proper precautions. Since there is a slight risk of an allergic reaction to immunotherapy, it is important that these shots are only administered by a trained medical professional in a safe environment. Do not leave the doctor's office until all symptoms, even minor ones, have faded.

Understanding the Common Symptoms of a Latex Allergy

Latex allergies are something that was once a big problem with health care professionals. Now that they have other types of gloves the problem isn't as problematic. There are still groups of people who have allergic reactions to latex and for these people avoiding latex products is important. It is the rubbery substance that gloves are made out of that causes the allergy sufferers an outbreak, not latex based paints. Allergic reactions can have a delayed or an immediate reaction.

Immediate reactions have the potential to be fatal. Direct contact with latex can trigger allergic reactions. Within a short time, usually only minutes, of exposure the allergy sufferer begins to break out in hives. Shortly thereafter tightness in the throat starts, wheezing and breathing difficulties can quickly move to anaphylaxis and then death. For most people with serious reactions, it requires actual physical contact with latex, for some people their allergies are so serious and they are so sensitive that just taking a pill that was in a bottle having a latex stopper in it can cause a serious, immediate allergic reaction.

A delayed latex allergy can cause itchy reddened and mildly swollen skin in the area that the latex contacted about 12 to 24 hours after the contact. This is an annoying reaction but is generally harmless. This type of reaction is from the chemicals used in the process of making latex.

An allergy specialist can do a patch test by putting components of latex on the skin and reading the results in 48 to 96 hours to diagnose a delayed reaction. Immediate reactions are difficult to test for with skin tests due to a lack of latex extract instead RAST is used. Allergy tests should only be done by a licensed doctor who is experienced in allergy diagnosis.

There a few food allergies that often cause symptoms that are similar to those found in people who have latex allergies. These include avocado, banana, chestnuts, kiwi, and melons.

The best way to treat this type of allergy is to prevent exposure to latex. If you have already been exposed to latex the treating the symptoms to find relief is your next course of action. Latex balloons, condoms, and gloves used in cleaning as well as those used in medical practices should be avoided. This is only the beginning; there are latex pacifiers, latex nipples for baby bottles, erasers toys, rubber bands and more. Reading the labels on products before handling them if you are sensitive is of utmost importance.

If you are going to have surgery the hospital and the physician need to know of your allergy and they need to clean the rooms thoroughly and make sure to use only non-latex gloves and instruments that have not been in contact with latex products.

Allergy attacks should be treated by a physician immediately if there are any breathing difficulties. There are shots that can be given to help prevent allergic reactions. An epinephrine shot may be needed if the allergy attack is severe. Most people with severe latex allergies carry an EpiPen to treat immediate reactions.

Treatment Options For Eczema Sufferers

If you suffer from eczema you are not alone. Eczema is a skin condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. The intensity of eczema cases is varied form the mild and inobvious, to the extreme and dibilitating. Therefore, eczema treatment options cover a wide range of intensities and variations also. They range from simply modifying hygiene practices to the last resort use of ultraviolet light treatment. Eczema treatment options are available for all types of sufferers.

It is vital to learn the different eczema treatment options on the market today in order to make an appropriate selection. Medical research regarding eczema treatment is an ongoing process with advancements in research and technology coming forward every day. Currently eczema is not curable, but can be controlled through eczema treatment techniques, and often held in a state of remission.

A first line of defense against eczema is to modify and step up your hygiene routine. People with eczema are highly susceptible to harsh, drying soaps. Pay special care to the use of 'bargain' laundry detergents, as your clothing being saturated with irratants can aggrevate the condition. Soaps can reduce the amount of moisture in your skin, moisturizers can help replace it. Skin moisture is crucial and with dry skin comes an eczema flare-up. Hot water can also dry out your skin, so opt for a cool bath. In short, the less exposure to hot water the better.

Make heavy moisturizers a part of your daily routine. Apply moisture cream or
ointments immediately and liberally after taking your shower or bath. This is the best time to retain moisture in your skin. You can also apply hydrocortisone cream to eczema areas. This home eczema treatment routine will benefit and help keep mild cases of eczema under control.

If you have tried home eczema treatment, but your eczema flare-ups continue to be
bothersome, head to your Dermatologist. They can prescribe more potent moisturizers, creams, and ointments to apply to your skin. They can ascertain the cause of your eczema and prescribe anti-inflammatory and allergy medicines as well.

Check to see if a food allergy could be the cause of your eczema. You can then modify your intake and eliminate that food from your diet. If skin irritants are to blame for your eczema then you can remove the irritants from your environment or wear protective clothing. Sometimes experimentation is the only way to identify them. Allergy shots are also a possible eczema treatment option. It is critical to remove the source of your eczema for effective eczema treatment.

The previous eczema treatment options do not work for a minority of eczema cases.

These chronic, extreme eczema sufferers can turn to ultraviolet light eczema treatment. This type of eczema treatment is a last resort and should be discussed with a physician.

Eczema treatment options are available and will help any eczema sufferer manage their condition. Consult with your family doctor or Dermatologist for more information. They can make a diagnosis and recommend an eczema treatment plan specifically geared towards your case.

What Is An Allergy?

Fresh on the heels of the Dallas Morning News making my point for this article, I can breathe a sigh of relief. You see, I had been struggling with several very interesting topics as potential articles but this front page news item "sealed the deal". Now, some if not most of what I'm about you'll have seen on these pages already, but with a looming allergy season that portends to be nasty, I felt this deserving of discussion.

I guess the best way to describe the forthcoming allergic events would be to call it a "perfect storm" of sorts. The News summarized it well: a combination of a dry, warm winter with strong winds out of seemingly everywhere is leading to likely misery for a lot of us in North Texas. But if any good can come of this is the fact that there's ample time to do something about it- that "it" means treatment, of course, but, even better, prevention.

There is absolutely no need for anyone with seasonal allergies to endure the suffering. With the availability of so many preventive treatment options out there, it's frankly surprising to me when my colleagues and I see the inevitable tide of patients, sniffling and sneezing unnecessarily. I will again stipulate for the record that doctors' offices are not fun and no one looks forward to visiting them. That said, when compared to the relentless, daily assault a lot of us go through, it's a small price to pay for relief.

When it comes down to it, "allergies" are just a series of events triggered by an overeager immune system whose end product results in your misery. What your doctor can do to help you is to thwart the response your body has to pollen/dander, etc. by the administration of medicines designed to affect the immune cascade - BEFORE you "feel" your allergies. This can be done by anti-histamines (Allergra and others), inhaled steroids (Flonase, for example), or leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair). One or all can be used/combined to blunt the allergic reaction. Allergy shots, i.e. immunotherapy, are usually reserved for severe cases or those patients that have tried all of the above and failed to achieve good therapeutic response. What works best really depends on you and your doctor working together and finding the best combination. In other words, what works for YOU may not work for you.

Regardless of methodology, treatment isn't really optional - there's pretty good evidence out there that relegates allergies to a not so- benign status. Studies have demonstrated that severe allergies can lead to the development of asthma- that's right, asthma. That includes folks who've never been had symptoms of asthma before! This is based on the similarities that allergies and asthma share in terms of how they develop and how, when "mature", they affect your respiratory tract. Asthma, however, is a whole different ballgame - it can kill. Morbid, yes, but very true.

The moral- don't wait. Take the fight to the allergies. And, no, not everyone needs to be "tested." Empiric treatment is the norm. If you eventually need injections as part of your treatment, then testing is mandatory to find the best course of treatment. Whatever said treatment is, it all starts with "the team"- you and your doctor. You know how miserable you can feel. Do you honestly want that, especially knowing how easy it is to avoid? Well, then, why aren't you picking up the phone for an appointment? Rhetorical question, folks

Over the Counter Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology seasonal allergies (aka hay fever) affect over 35 million Americans and results in 16 million visits yearly to the doctor. Symptoms often appear at about the same time every year and can include runny nose, sneezing, congestion and itching in the ears, eyes, nose and throat. Seasonal allergies are usually triggered by airborne pollen from trees grass and weeds and from mold spores.

Allergy

An allergic reaction is the bodies over-reaction to substances in the environment. These substances are often called allergens because they cause the allergic reaction. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are very similar to that of a cold but a cold will usually resolve in 7 to 10 days while an allergic reaction can last for weeks or even months. Also the nasal discharge during a cold is often thick and yellow but in an allergic reaction it is thin and clear.

Treatments

Treatment for allergies can be as simple as using over the counter products or it can include visits to the allergist for allergy skin tests and immunotherapy (allergy shots). This article focuses on over the counter therapy. If you do not find relief from these suggestions you should seek further assistance from your doctor.

Histamine

When exposed to an allergen, the body responds in several ways, including producing extra histamine. Histamine causes inflammation, swelling, a runny nose, sneezing and itching. Histamine also narrows airways in the lungs (constricts bronchi) and increases stomach acid secretion.

Antihistamines

This class of medications is a good starting point for treatment of seasonal allergies. There are several over the counter antihistamines available, many of which were once only available by prescription. They work by blocking the action of histamine in the body.

Antihistamines are generally separated into first and second generation agents. The first generation antihistamines are considered to be sedating while the second generation agents are commonly known as non-sedating. In reality, all antihistamines have the potential to cause drowsiness.

Some of the more popular first generation antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist) and doxylamine (Unisom). Doxylamine and diphenhydramine are so sedating they are commonly marketed as sleep aids. Clemastine is less sedating than these and chlorpheniramine is less sedating than clemastine. A benefit to these antihistamines is their ability to decrease mucus production in the nose due to their strong anticholinergic effects.

The second generation antihistamines include cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin). They are much less sedating than first generation antihistamines and are dosed once daily. They also have fewer side effects but as a result they are less likely to dry up a runny nose.

Check with your doctor before using antihistamines if you have glaucoma, prostate problems, emphysema, bronchitis or you are taking sedatives.

Decongestants

Since congestion is one of the symptoms of allergies, it makes sense to use this class of medication to get some relief. There are only two oral decongestants available over the counter. They are phenylephrine (Sudafed) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed PE). They work by constricting blood vessels. This in turn results in shrinking of the nasal mucosa (the mucus membranes) allowing more air to pass, improving drainage and a less stuffy feeling.

Decongestants can also be found in nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (Afrin). They can provide more immediate relief oral decongestants but the nasal sprays should not be used for more than 2 to 3 days due to worsening of congestion after stopping. This is known as rebound congestion.

Talk to your doctor before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease or diabetes.

Combination Antihistamine Decongestants

There are many combination products on the market. There may be a benefit to taking a combination product because the two classes of medications work together to improve symptoms. Have your pharmacist help you select a combination product that is right for you. As an alternative, you could buy a decongestant and an antihistamine separately and take both together. An advantage to doing it this way is you can selectively take one or the other or both together depending on your symptoms.

Nasal Irrigation

This is a good alternative therapy for seasonal allergies. It is an ancient technique of using a salt solution to bathe or wash the nasal passages. The theory is by washing away the allergens and mucus you improve normal function and decrease inflammation. 

Cromolyn Nasal Spray

Cromolyn nasal spray (Nasalcrom) is a less commonly used medication. It can be used in combination with other treatments. Cromolyn helps stabilize mast cells. These are the cells that over react to pollen or other allergens causing the allergy problems. Buy stabilizing these cells, they release less inflammatory chemicals such as histamine. In order for cromolyn nasal spray to be effective it must be used several times a day. Symptoms may take 1 to 2 weeks before they improve. Do not use to treat sinus infections, asthma or cold symptoms.

Local Honey

An alternative therapy for allergies involves eating 1 to 2 teaspoons a day of local honey. Local honey is defined as honey made within 30 to 300 miles (depending on who you talk to) from where you live. Bees make honey from plant pollen (often the same ones causing allergies). The theory is that continuous daily exposure to the pollen in the honey decreases the chance you will react to it when exposed in the air. Some people swear by this but the studies that have been performed do not support it.

Conclusion

There are lots of treatments available for seasonal allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, start your treatment a few weeks before your symptoms usually start and continue through the allergy season. If the above treatments do not provide relief you will need to seek the advice of a doctor.

Here are a couple of good resources

Check out your local pollen counts www.pollen.com 

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