Spring Allergy Season

It's Allergy Season - Get Natural Relief

Here in North Carolina the trees and spring flowers are in bloom and the air is heavy with pollen, as those of you with pollen allergies know only too well. Add to that the fact that the recent rains have caused a major increase in outdoor mold spores. What you might not realize is that besides the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses, pollen can cause more subtle symptoms which you might not immediately recognize. Either way there are a number of things you can do to help yourself and your family without the risks and side effects of drugs.

Symptoms - More than just itch and drip

Airborne allergies, like any other allergy, can cause almost any symptom in almost any body system. In addition to sneezing, itching and redness they frequently cause headaches, sinus pain above the eyebrows and in the cheek bones, sore and scratchy throat, blurred vision, sleep disturbances, fatigue, skin problems and even muscle and joint pain. Many times people feel like they're "getting sick" when in fact they are suffering from pollen allergies. Allergies can cause symptoms in every body system. Kinesiology can usually determine if a particular symptom is likely to be caused by a particular allergy. The ultimate test is seeing if the symptoms improve with the right treatment.

Help for airborne allergies - Three strategies

Limit exposure
- Wash out the allergen -- pollen, mold, dust, or whatever is bothering you -- using the Neti Pot, Hydropulse, Eye Wash, etc.
- Use HEPA or other air filters
- Keep your bedroom dust free
Use natural products to modify the histamine reaction
Desensitization.
Balance the immune system and reduce overall inflammation.

Dependeing on how much allergies bother you, you may only need to apply the simplest remedies aimed at relieving symptoms. On the other hand, if you have signs of major allergy reactions, addressing the cause can be a key to improving your overall health.

The Neti Pot:

This is the first thing I would recommend to anyone who has pollen or other airborne allergies. I have seen a number of patients who have been able to switch from Claritin to the Neti Pot alone. In case you don't already know, a neti pot is used to rinse the nose and sinuses with a comfortable saline solution. The obvious effect is to wash out pollens and other irritants. I know many people who haven't tried it think it will be uncomfortable or gross. Click here for more information on the Neti Pot. We have several choices of Neti Pots available at the office. We'll be glad to show you how to use it and get you going.

Eye Wash

Simply wash the pollen out of your eyes with an eye cup and saline solution. The trick is to use an eye cup because this not only washes out the eye itself but removes pollen from the eye lashes and lids. Eye cups and eye wash bottles are available from most drug stores along with saline solution.

Natural Anti-histimine supplements:

Antronex, a supplement I carry in the office, is the first thing I personally reach for when I have any kind of allergic reaction. Antronex contains Yakriton, a special liver extract discovered in Japan in the 1920's that seems to stimulate liver filtration and thus reduce histamines. I take two at the first sign of any allergy symptoms and then two more in twenty or thirty minutes if the symptoms persist. Usually one or two doses fixes the problem for me. People with chronic allergies can take it on a more regular basis. This is one item I would suggest everyone keep on hand at home.

"Methyl donors" including B-12, folic acid, betaine, along with cofactors such as B-6, and other B vitamins help clear histamines from the system and offer some people excellent symtpomatic relief. Spleen tissue, adrenal support, and herbs such as stinging nettle (urtica dioscea) may be helpful. Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce general inflammation as do systemic enzymes, antioxidants and herbs such as curcumin. Not everyone needs all of these but if you have a special need, filling it can make a big difference.

I have found that kinesiology is the most reliable method of deciding which supplement is most likely to be beneficial with a particular person at a particular time.

Acupressure

Acupressure can directly help alleviate the symptoms of sinus pain. The energy techniques of EFT and TAT, which are based on acupressure, can often help clear allergy symptoms. We teach these in the clinic and you can learn the basic techniques on several websites. These and other techniques can be used as part of a desentization program.

Immune System Imbalance

Allergies are caused by an imbalance in the immune system. Reacting to allergens is not a normal, healthy response; it is an OVER reaction to things that are no real threat to your body. This is typically part of more general inflammation. Inflammaton not only makes you feel bad and robs your energy but it affects every system in your body, including your brain, your heart, your lungs and your kidneys. Inflammation can have many causes.

The most common are gut infections and other chronic low level infections, sometimes referred to as stealth infections. Studies show that a large portion of Americans have parasites, "bad bacteria," or fungal infections in their digestive system. These conditions can be readily corrected using the correct herbal compounds along with replacing good bacteria with probiotics.

On common infection is caused by a bacteria know as Helicobacter Pylori. This is best know as the main cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, but it can also become systemic and is associated with atherosclerosis or plaque formation in the arteries.

Blood sugar dysregulation is another very common and underdiagnosed cause of general inflammation. Many patients find that imp;roving blood sugar handling eliminates chronic allergies.

Most patients will respond to these simple measures. When they don't it often takes some detective work to find and correct the source of the problem. No two patients are the same. Using my kinesiology protocols we can sort through the many possible issues and find solutions. What is important is taking a holistic approach , considering all aspects of the patient's health.

For example, we know that prolonged stress can have a significant negative effect on the immune system. Stress hormones can be reduced by vitamin or herbal compounds, by lifestyle counseling and by resolving emotional issues with techniques such as EFT and TAT.

Chronic sinus problems can be activated or worsened by pollens. Several studies from Mayo Clinic have shown that over 90% of patients with chronic sinusitis have an underlying fungal infection in the sinuses or in the whole body.

Food allergies

Food allergies may add to the total allergen load so that the pollen is just the last straw causing symptoms. Identifying and desensitizing or avoiding food allergies may help with airborne allergen symptoms. A 25 year ongoing study reveals that 95% of the population has what is known as a "Type II" toxic reaction (IgG response) to common everyday foods that you eat regularly. There are several different types of laboratory tests for allergies, each of which looks at a slightly different part of the immune system. In a pilot study, kinesiology was shown to be as effective as four accepted laboratory tests for detecting clinically significant food allergies. More on allergies.

Why not take antihistime drugs?

First, I think that whatever gets you relief is welcome, but antihistamine drugs do have side effects, which can be quite significant if not life threatening. Second, allergies represent a dysfunction in the body. I do not believe that the body is stupid or incompetent. Something is off. Typically, by following the trail of symptoms we can discover an underlying dysfunction, for example an extra need for vitamin B-6. In this case the missing nutrient has effects in every cell. So, in search of symptom relief we can contribute to real health and prevent future disease states.

The common antihistamine drug, Claritin D, can cause serious and even life threatening interactions with antidepressant drugs as well as several other classes of drugs. It can cause insomnia, exacerbate prostate problems, and cause a host of different problems. If you do decide to take this or other pharmaceuticals you should be informed of side effects and drug interactions. You can find more information at this website: http://www.medicalook.com/reviews/Claritin-D.html

If you're suffering, get help. Call the office for an appointment or phone consultation.

Related articles on this site:

How to Use the Neti Pot In the United States, sinus problems are the number one reason people see a doctor. Here's a simple solution: If your sinuses are clogged with mucus or inflamed by pollen, mold, dust or animal dander, then wash it out. I have seen many patients who no longer need sinus medications with regular use of a neti pot. This is an ancient yoga technique that is increasingly advocated by ear, nose and throat doctors. more...

Allergies, Food Intolerance and Chemical Sensitivities. Allergy has been called the great imitator because it can cause almost any symptom in any part of the body. An allergy is an out of control immune response to something that is not in iteslf harmful to the body. Allergies can vary from annoying to life threatening and everything in between. When we think of allergy we usually think of itching nose and burning eyes, but there are really several kinds of allergies. Allergies are an important cause of inflammation which is now thought to be a major cause of all chronic, degenerative diseases including everything from heart attack to dementia. The drug approach is, at best, treating symptoms and will not solve the problem of inflammaton. more...

Systemic Fungal Infections Molds are everywhere. Most are not a problem. But they can also cause chronic infections ranging from athletes foot and dandruff, to more serious infections affecting major organs. I find many people have fungal infections causing chronic sinusitis or chronic inflammation of the digestive system. The medical approach is to use toxic chemicals to kill the molds. The natural approach is to use non-toxic herbal and other products to suppress the fungal infection while strengthening and balancing the immune system. Since we are all exposed to fungal spores all the time fungal infections are usually mainly a symptom of a lowered immune response. more ...

Clinical Nutrition Clinical Nutrition represents a genuine revolution in healthcare. In the past 20 years that I have been in practice there has been an explosion of our knowledge of the biochemistry and physiology underlying disease and dysfunction. more...

Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis Many health problems can be prevented and managed effectively with early detection. If we apply more rigorous functional norms to conventional laboratory blood panels, we can find hidden health problems before they reach the disease state.

Why We Need Alternative Health Care We Don't Have a Health Care System, we have a disease care system and it's not working. Americans spend more than any other country on health care and have the worst outcomes of any major industrialized country. The medical system in not only an economic disaster but has been fundamentally corrupted by its financial ties to the drug and insurance industries.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Manlove, unless otherwise noted. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Manlove. Dr. Manlove encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed in these articles are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using any product.