It’s been a bad year for people with allergies, and it’s not over yet. A perfect storm of weather conditions has made this one of the worst allergy seasons in decades, including setting up ideal conditions for mold allergies.But as we move into late summer and early fall, the big culprit, ragweed pollen, is causing debilitating hay fever symptoms for millions of people in the United States and around the world. Depending on where you live, other pollens are also an issue right now. The allergy forecast website, www.pollen.com, is a good resource for determining pollen counts for your area. It also provides access to allergy forecasts and other helpful information.
Abnormalities
Hay fever is caused by the body’s abnormal production of substances such as histamine. Essentially, the body produces histamine in reaction to ragweed and other problematic pollens that enter into the respiratory system.
Histamine increases the permeability of blood vessels near the allergic site, causing swelling as fluids permeate the surrounding tissue. Histamine also has an indirect inflammatory effect. The symptoms it causes are similar to cold symptoms but often more persistent: runny nose, congestion, excessive sneezing, sinus pain and pressure as well as watery and itchy eyes, and mild fever.
When serious and ongoing, these symptoms can be debilitating for work and school performance while disrupting social activities and life in general. When allergies become chronic, they can increase risks of other conditions, including sinusitis. Inflammation and/or infection of the sinuses can be both very painful and risky. (The sinuses are close to the brain.) Other related problems include asthma, ear infections, insomnia and reduced quality of life.
So it’s no wonder that billions of dollars are spent each year on allergy drugs and treatments. Pharmacies stock over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications that include antihistamines that block histamine production to reduce symptoms, nasal steroids to reduce inflammation and other symptoms, prescription immune modifiers and others. These drugs can provide symptom relief but they also produce significant side effects.
Natural Therapies
On the other hand, there are natural therapies that help to address the root causes of allergies. The goal is to balance immune function, regulate inflammatory responses and balance the system as a whole. That can reduce sensitivity to allergens such as ragweed.
One such therapy is acupuncture, which can address these issues in a few ways. In general, acupuncture has a regulatory and balancing effect on the system as a whole. It can regulate excess histamine production as well as allergic responses to outside stimulus. So acupuncture helps reduce reactivity/sensitivity to allergens.
Acupuncture can also decrease the expression of inflammatory proteins. A number of studies have explored these effects in people with hay fever. Balancing the immune response through a series of acupuncture treatments over time can have long-term benefits for people with hay fever by helping to reduce their occurrence.
As a comprehensive system of energetic medicine developed thousands of years ago in Asia, acupuncture can influence physical symptoms and ailments as well as emotional and psychological imbalances. Once your energy is better regulated, you can experience a deep feeling of well-being and relaxation. In our fast-paced modern world, with all of the issues we face as a society today, reducing stress is critical for health.
Proper stress management has been shown in numerous studies to provide significant health benefits. Stress reduction can help reduce the body’s reaction to allergen exposure and is an important part of an overall allergy-control program.
Diet And Supplements
Improving diet by emphasizing nutrient-dense, anti-allergy foods — such as brightly colored fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein — can help reduce allergic reactions while improving other areas of health. Certain supplements, such as medicinal mushrooms and a Traditional Tibetan formula, help regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation and provide the antioxidant support that can gradually reduce allergic responses. Other supplements such as quercetin (a bioflavonoid compound) and bromelain (a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme from pineapples and other fruit) can help reduce allergy reactions and symptoms. High doses of vitamin C can also provide support.
My best advice is not to wait for allergy season to begin your anti-allergy program. By balancing your system year-round with the right healthy foods, supplements and stress-relief practices, you can optimize immunity and reduce or eliminate allergic reactions for long-term energy and vitality.
For more health and wellness information, visit www.dreliaz.org.
http://easyhealthoptions.com/allergies-category/help-for-hay-fever/
