Solving seasonal allergies
TIPS, SOLUTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE THE SEASON
It happens every year. It causes people’s eyes to water, induces lots of frustration and maybe even a few sleepless nights. No, it is not the yearly filing of income tax. It is seasonal allergies.
Normally, we associate allergy symptoms with runny noses, sneezing, and watery eyes. It can’t be that bad – right? If these symptoms lasted for only one day, having allergies might be manageable, but these symptoms can last for up to four months. Sometimes people with allergies suffer from headaches, sinus pain and infections, and constant fatigue. This month, I will discuss herbal supplements and other non-drug measures to help soothe those allergy symptoms.
One natural solution to help treat allergies is quite simple: avoidance. How can one avoid allergens that are everywhere? Stay indoors all day in a bubble? No, there is no need to be this drastic.
It’s true – we spend most of our time at home. We also spend most of that time in our bedrooms; this is where you start. We spend almost eight hours a day in our bedrooms, so it should be an allergen-free sanctuary. Pets should not be allowed to spend extended amounts of time in this room. Carpets should be vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner that uses a HEPA filtre, and surfaces should be dusted regularly. If at all possible, an air filtration device should be kept in the bedroom. Change sheets regularly and wash them in hot water to kill dust mites. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust proof covers. During the day, consider covering your entire bed with a sheet. And at night, remove this sheet and put it in another room. This will help to keep dust, pollens and other allergens off of your bed.
One often overlooked allergy season option is the nasal rinse. I’m not referring to the gentle salt water sprays that help to moisturize the nostrils. I’m talking about the more ... vigorous, nasal flushes. A review of scientific data appeared in the February 2003 issue of the Canadian Family Physician, and determined that nasal rinses were a simple and inexpensive option to help treat various sinus and nasal conditions. I find using a sinus rinse product can really help with my seasonal allergies or cold symptoms. Once your get over the awkwardness of squirting about a cup of salty water up your nose, things are great. Ask your Heart Pharmacist to help you find a nasal irrigation product. I personally use a NeilMed sinus rinse.
My favourite supplement recommendation for allergic rhinitis is quercetin. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. The best sources include apples, green tea and onions. During an allergic reaction, your body’s immune system recognizes a foreign substance and tries to get rid of it. It does this by causing a part of the immune system, called mast cells, to break apart and release histamine and other inflammatory compounds. This causes a lot of congestion and prevents the spread of the foreign substance. This sounds like a great idea, but with seasonal allergies, there tends to be an over-reaction to allergens. How quercetin and other flavonoids work is by preventing the breakdown of mast cells and the subsequent release of histamine. This is referred to as mast cell stabilization. Vitamin C and the synthetic flavonoid, cromolyn sodium, also can act as mast cell stabilizers. I recommend the more soluble form called quercetin chalcone, taken 250mg two or three times a day. Rarely, side effects of headache are seen.
Another idea is to watch the newspaper or weather channel for your local pollen count. This might help you plan your week in order to avoid days when your allergies might be at their worst. This may be especially helpful of people who exercise outdoors.
Another tip that my wife mentioned to me is the miracle of the Vicks inhaler and Tiger Balm. At night, when symptoms might be bad, place a LITTLE bit of tiger balm under the nose. The aromatic vapours will help to keep the nasal passages open so you can rest better. Also, keep a glass of water by your bedside in case you wake up with a dry mouth in the middle of the night. This happens quite often with people who have allergies.
Seasonal allergies can be very troublesome and tiring for those who are affected by them. When the symptoms of fatigue, watery nose and eyes or sneezing get your down, visit your Heart Pharmacist. They can help you choose the right anti-histamine or supplement to treat your symptoms.
It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your allergy symptoms; even just make notes on your calendar. This will tell you a few important things; when your allergies hit, what has worked and what has not. Many of the natural supplements work best if they are taken in advance. This is especially true of homeopathic treatments for allergies. If I had a nickel for every time someone has said that they have forgotten what they took last year that worked really well, I wouldn’t have to write these articles anymore. I would still chose to, but I wouldn’t have to.
“Keep a journal of your allergy symptoms; even just make notes on your calendar.”