Spring has finally sprung. For many, the warmer weather is a relief. But for those with seasonal allergies, the warm weather also means additional pollen, ragweed, and other outdoor irritants. Below are Dr. Brody’s top 9 tips for combating seasonal allergies.
1. Lower Stress Levels
Studies show that those with seasonal allergies are likely to have more severe symptoms after completing a stressful activity or during periods of high stress. Stress raises cortisol, which is the “stress” hormone. When that hormone is elevated, your body has more severe reactions, including to allergens such as pollen.
To reduce stress levels, consider practicing meditation, deep breathing exercises, aromatherapy, or any mild physical exercise that you find soothing, such as yoga.
2. Check Your Allergens at the Door
If you are allergic to outdoor substances such as pollen, do everything you can to not track those allergens indoors. When you get home, change into different clothes and wash the ones you wore outside. Also take a relaxing shower or bath, making sure to wash your hair to remove any trapped pollen or allergens.
3. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is helpful in addressing many health symptoms, including those of allergies. Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into specific points just below the surface of the skin. Each point targets a certain symptom or area of the body. Manipulating these points offers relief of that specific symptom. Dr. Brody specializes in ear acupuncture, which can be done as an easy in-office treatment.
4. Keep it Clean
Consider investing in a HEPA filter to improve the air quality of your home. Breathing quality indoor air is critical for good health. Remember to regularly vacuum to suck up any lingering allergens. You can make plenty of effective cleaning solutions with natural everyday ingredients like vinegar. Proactively removing allergens from your home will help allergy symptoms at bay.
5. Utilize Nebulizers
Nebulizers are devices that deliver medicine to the body in the form of a mist that is inhaled through the lungs. If you have ever had an acute asthma attack, it is likely that you have used an albuterol nebulizer. However, nebulizers can also be utilized with other remedies as preventative or non-emergent care. Dr. Brody has proprietary supplement blends he uses for in-office nebulizer treatments that address symptoms of chest tightness and wheezing. Overall, nebulizer devices are great for targeting asthma-like symptoms that are all too common with seasonal allergies.
6. Check Your Hearing
One common symptom of seasonal allergies is excess wax buildup inside the ear. Not only can this be uncomfortable, it can also impact your hearing. Unfortunately, using cotton swabs only pushes the wax blockage further into your ear. Dr. Brody offers in-office ear irrigation that is effective and pain-free.
7. Take Antihistamines
All allergy sufferers probably know what antihistamines are, and there’s a good chance you’re already taking some. But, did you know there are natural antihistamine products? Though most over the counter antihistamines are synthetically manufactured, there are several antioxidants found in nature that block histamines in a similar way. For example, quercetin is a common natural solution that is found in apples, onions, and other produce. It is also available in a concentrated supplement form.
8. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps thin out mucus in your nasal passages, which helps flush everything out faster. Hot beverages like tea and broth also help hydrate and have the added benefit of steam, which can help open up your nasal passages.
9. Eat Right 4 Your Type
Eating a healthy diet is an important step in making sure systems in your body are running smoothly and efficiently. A poor diet can cause inflammation. Inflammation makes it even harder for your body to effectively combat invaders such as allergens.
There is no one diet that is best for everyone. Factors such as blood type and genetics come into play. However, a good place to start is eliminating processed foods and eating organically when possible.
For more information come to Dr. Brody’s free meetup on April 30th at 6:30 pm at Personalized Natural Medicine. For individualized recommendations, book an appointment online or call (203) 270 – 0070.
