Spring is here! For some of us, this also means the beginning of the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses. Seasonal allergies affect more than 17 million adults and 6 million kids. Allergies vary from person to person all are on the immune system’s inflammatory reaction to a substance it considers foreign. Seasonal or not, allergies are the result of an exaggerated response by the immune system to substances that it recognizes as foreign. The conventional treatment for allergies are antihistamines such as Zyterec, Benedryl, and Claritin. However allergy medicine will not always fix the underlying cause. there are other alternatives and more natural remedies for allergy treatments.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet – an anti-inflammatory diet will help reduce not just your risk for allergies but with other health problems as well. Providing nutrient based foods to your immune system will give it the ability to repair itself and aid in fighting off common allergies in your environment. Some anti-inflammatory foods and ingredients that can be incorporated in your diet and help beat your allergies are: garlic, lemons, coconut milk, green leafy vegetables, gluten free grains and chicken stock.
Neti-pot – this method is especially great for people who have sinus problems. When using the neti-pot the water must either be distilled or sterile, this can be done by boiling tap water and wait until it cools. Do NOT use tap water as it has chlorine and fluoride which can actually aggravate your sinuses. Leaning over your sink, insert the neti-pot spout into the upper nostril and open your mouth and breath through your mouth while you gently pour. Do this on the other nostril as well. Neti pots help alleviate congestion, facial pain, and pressure by thinning out mucus and flush it out of the nasal passages.
Chiropractic – Chiropractic manipulation can help reduce allergy symptoms from chronic seasonal allergy sufferers by assisting with sinus drainage. Stronger immune system adjustments may also help regulate the rush of histamine and amount of cortisol produced during allergy season. The majority of allergies involve the release of inflammatory producing substances such as histamine.
Acupuncture – Millions of dollars are spent on medications and the allergy shots for the treatment of seasonal allergies. Some patients opt for alternative treatments like acupuncture, in which tiny needles are inserted just under the skin at specific points in the body that are used to reduce certain symptoms.
At Alliance Orthopedics our trained acupuncturists and chiropractors use a wide varieties of modalities which can help relieve the symptoms of spring allergies. Call to make an appointment now!