Combating Allergies
Your immune system protects your body from foreign substances called antigens, by producing antibodies and chemicals to fight them. Usually, the immune system ignores natural substances and fights the dangerous ones like bacteria.
Allergic reactions occur when your immune system reacts abnormally to a substance that is not necessarily harmful. In the case of Hayfever, the immune system overreacts to the pollen, dust, and mold in the air and produces too much histamine. It is the histamine that inflames and irritates the sinuses and eyes. In some cases, the histamines can irritate the lining of the bronchial tubes resulting in asthma. Symptoms associated with pollen related allergies are persistent sneezing, running nose, itchy, tearing eyes, and itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, and throat.
The medical approach to combating allergies includes antihistamines, decongestants, and steroids prescribed as a nasal spray. Many of these can be purchased “over-the-counter”, but may cause some undesirable side effects such as drowsiness or nervousness.
How Chiropractic May Be a Better Option
Chiropractors work to strengthen the immune system by making sure there are no subluxations that are interfering with nerve transmissions to the immune system. Studies show that a healthy nervous system helps your immune system to function better and that chiropractic care plays an important part in maintaining a healthy immune system. This can help minimize the immune system’s need to compensate for the natural antigens in the environment.
Many have found relief from miserable allergy symptoms through chiropractic care. For some, an antihistamine may still be needed during the early phases of care while the spine is being restored to an optimal position. Other lifestyle changes in diet or supplements may be recommended to further strengthen your immune system.
Simple Tips to Provide Relief
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning to filter out pollen’s and dust. Change the filters regularly. Keep your car windows closed. Use the air conditioner while driving.
- Limit early morning outdoor activity. (Pollen is heaviest in the air between 5 and 10 am)
- Replace a feather pillow with synthetic ones. Wash pillows and all bedding in hot water frequently to rid them of dust mites.
- Do not mow laws or linger around freshly cut grass. (Mowing stirs up Pollen and mold) Likewise, do not rake leaves.
- Do not hang clothes or sheets out to dry. (mold and pollen can collect on them also)
- Do not grow too many indoor plants. (Wet dirt causes mold to grow)
- Wipe the surfaces of humid areas with bleach to kill mold and other unsightly allergens. Use a mixture of one cup bleach to one gallon water.