Tag Archive for: Seasonal Allergies

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How to Conquer Seasonal Allergies

seasonal allergies

Spring may be beautiful, but there are many who live with seasonal allergies who look upon the return of flowers, blossoms and other beautiful blooming plants with trepidation.

An ‘allergy’ is a sensitivity to something in your body that is usually harmless. When your body encounters a foreign substance inside your nose or air ways, the allergic reaction begins. Seasonal allergies are the same thing.

An allergic reaction is what happens in your body following exposure to allergens.  The tissues inside your nose respond to allergens by releasing substances such as histamine. Histamines then trigger sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy throat or nose.

What is Hay Fever?

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever”, affects millions of people every spring. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, itchy watery eyes, congestion etc.

Allergies are your body’s reaction to allergens (mold, dust pollen), a sign that your immune system is working overtime.

Allergies are your immune system trying to defend itself. You immune system identifies pollen, dust etc. as an invader or allergen. Your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Pollen and Mold Both Trigger Allergies

Pollen are tiny particles that are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. The weather can affect the amount of pollen in the air at any time.

Molds are tiny fungi that thrive in moist warm conditions; with their spores floating in the air, much like pollen.

Allergy testing can verify whether you’re reacting to mold, pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Every person is different in what they react to.  Just because you haven’t reacted to something currently, doesn’t mean you won’t react to it in the future. Anyone can become sensitized at any time.

5 Simple Steps to Manage Seasonal Allergies

There are some simple steps you can take to limit your exposure to the pollen or molds that cause your symptoms:

  1. Keep your windows closed
  2. Try to stay indoors when the pollen counts are highest, typically between 5am and 10am
  3. When you return indoors, take a shower and change clothes
  4. Avoid chores that stir up pollen and molds such as gardening, and lawn mowing
  5. Keep the relative humidity in your home below 50 percent; this also helps to discourage mold

Acupuncture Can Help With Seasonal Allergies

While allergy medications can temporarily alleviate the symptoms of hay fever, acupuncture addresses the underlying imbalance that’s causing the symptoms in the first place.

Acupuncture looks at allergies as a general disruption of a person’s defensive mechanisms. Instead of accepting the over reactive immune response and suppressing it with antihistamines, acupuncturists look at why the person’s immunity is compromised.

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Spring is in the air! Allergy Season Relief with Acupuncture

Spring is in the air! Allergy Season Relief with Acupuncture

If you suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms, you might want to consider visiting an acupuncturist. The goal of the acupuncturist is to develop a plan which addresses the person’s acute symptoms and provides relief while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance which is thought to be at the root of the person’s allergies.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Watery eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Postnasal drip
  • Ear congestion
  • Itchy sinuses, throat, eyes, or ear canals
  • Adenoid swelling – this occurs when the lymph tissue that lines the back of the throat swells
  • Dark circles under the eyes – caused by swelling and discoloration from the congestion of small blood vessels beneath the skin in the eye area.

If your allergy symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you should see your allergist or an acupuncturist for proper testing, diagnosis and treatment. Finding and treating the source of your suffering can also clear up other unwanted symptoms. Less-common allergy symptoms may include: headache, shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.

Decreasing Your Spring Allergy Triggers:

  • Try to stay indoors whenever the pollen count  is high – Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning
  • When the day is windy, pollen can counts surge
  • Vacuum often and clean air filters regularly
  • Keep your doors and windows closed to keep allergens out, and use an air purifier
  • Wash bedding and rugs in hot water to eliminate dust mites and other allergens
  • Shower, and change clothing after going outside to wash away pollen

If these steps still don’t provide any relief, and before turning to over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eye drops, speak with your healthcare practitioner to discuss all your options for treatment, including acupuncture.

Acupuncture treatment plans for allergies will vary greatly from person to person. The possible results will range from temporary relief to complete remission. Acupuncture frequently relieves nasal congestion and sneezing as soon as the needles are inserted.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies please contact our Registered Acupuncturist for more information on how she can help with your allergy symptoms.

 

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Acupuncture Can Help with Seasonal Allergies

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, springtime can be a mixed blessing. The warm weather, the flowers, versus the allergy symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.  Left untreated, allergies can lead to sinus infections, feeling groggy, headaches, depression, and in serious cases, allergies can be fatal.

Allergy medications temporarily alleviate these symptoms, while acupuncture addresses the underlying imbalance that’s causing the symptoms in the first place.

An allergen enters the body through the skin or is inhaled. The immune system identifies the substance as potentially dangerous and creates antibodies to attack it. The IgE antibodies in turn affect mast cells throughout the body and cause the release of histamines.

The body produces too much histamine when it has an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to certain substances that normally do not affect most people. This heightened immune response, which causes histamine to be released leads to the allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy throat, and itchy watery eyes.

With acupuncture, seasonal allergies are not isolated to the histamine response.  Acupuncture looks at allergies as a general disruption of a person’s defensive mechanisms.

Instead of accepting the over reactive immune response and suppressing it with medication (antihistamines), acupuncturists look at why the person’s immunity is compromised.

During a treatment, acupuncture points are selected for healing the symptoms and bolstering the underlying imbalance.  Depending on the specific symptoms, many additional points are also used.

The systems that are most commonly involved in chronic allergies are the lung, kidney and spleen. Treating the underlying imbalance as well as the symptoms helps to optimize immune function and prevent future allergic reactions.

Seasonal allergies are something many people have come to accept as an inevitable part of springtime, a trade off of sorts for the warm weather. It doesn’t have to be this way.  Acupuncture can relieve and prevent seasonal allergies, without negative side effects.

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What is an Allergy and Do I Need an Allergist?

An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it.  When the immune symptom detects anything unwanted or unknown, it will defend itself by attacking and destroying the dangerous substance. (There are hundreds of ordinary substances that can trigger allergic reactions). However, sometimes, the defenses are directed toward harmless substances such as dust or pollen and are incorrectly identified as dangerous.

When someone has allergies, their immune system makes an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies respond to allergens. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction.

Allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe, with may mild symptoms not requiring any treatment.  Some allergies can be controlled with the occasional over-the-counter medication, such as someone suffering from seasonal hay fever. However, there are many severe allergies that can interfere with your daily routine, and where allergic reactions can be life threatening.

Many allergy sufferers will tolerate or “put-up-with” minor symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion or wheezing. For those who suffer from moderate to severe allergies, the best defense is with the help of an allergist, to prevent or control the symptoms.

An allergist can develop a treatment plan with the goal of you leading a life that is as normal and as symptom-free as possible.

A visit to the allergist might include:

  • Allergy testing
  • Prevention education – avoiding the factors that trigger the condition
  • Medication prescriptions
  • Immunotherapy “Allergy Shots”

Allergies can appear at any time and any age, and sometimes allergies that have disappeared, will return years later.

Make an appointment with an allergist if you suffer from any of these symptoms:

  • Chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing
  • You experience allergy symptoms several months out of the year
  • Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications no longer work
  • Allergies interfere with day-to-day activities, and decrease the quality of life

As with most health issues, talk with your doctor or health care practitioner to find the best plan for you.

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Seasonal Allergies

allergiesIf you suffer from seasonal allergies you might want to consider visiting an acupuncturist.  The goal of the acupuncturist is to develop a plan which addresses the person’s acute symptoms and provides relief, while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance which is thought to be at the root of the person’s allergies.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Watery eye
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Postnasal drainage
  • Ear congestion
  • Itchy sinuses, throat, eyes, or ear canals
  • Adenoid swelling -this occurs when the lymph tissue that line the back of the throat swells
  • Dark circles under the eyes – caused by swelling and discoloration from congestion of small blood vessels beneath the skin in the eye area.

If your symptoms are persistent and last for more than two weeks you should see your allergist  or acupuncturist for proper testing, diagnosis and treatment. Finding and treating the source of your suffering can also clear up other unwanted symptoms. Less common symptoms may include: headache, shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.

Decreasing Your Summer Allergy Triggers:

  • Try to stay indoors whenever the pollen count  is high – Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning
  • When the day is wind, pollen counts surge
  • Vacuum often and clean air filters regularly
  • Keep your doors and windows closed to keep allergens out, and use an air purifier
  • Wash bedding and rugs in hot water to eliminate dust mites and other allergens
  • Shower, and change clothing after going outside to wash away pollen

 If these steps still don’t provide any relief, and before you turning to over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eye drops speak with your healthcare practitioner to discuss all your options for treatment; including acupuncture.

A recent study conducted in South Korea examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture treatment plans for allergies will vary greatly from person to person.  The possible results will range from temporary relief to complete remission. Acupuncture frequently relieves nasal congestion and sneezing as soon as the needles are inserted.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies please contact our acupuncturist for more information on how she can help with your allergy symptoms.

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How Acupuncture Can Help With Allergies

How Acupuncture Can Help With Seasonal Allergies Acupuncture is an effective option for allergy symptom control. Although it does not, in my experience, stop symptoms from returning the following year, it does reduce the body’s reactivity, leaving you less dependent on medications, and able to enjoy your spring and summer more.

What are allergies?

“Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an example of misplaced immunity. It is a learned response by the immune system wherein rapid physiological changes resulting in itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion and sneezing, asthma, and even diarrhea are produced. Typically, exposure to an allergen such as tree pollen elicits a massive release of IgE antibodies which attach to white blood cells known as mast cells. These cells are mostly located in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, the lining of the stomach and the skin. When these cells are stimulated, they release a number of chemicals including histamine which produce the allergic symptoms.”

My treatments allow patients who normally live on anti-histamines all season long the ability to go off them if acupuncture is administered regularly during the season when they are affected. Typically treatments begin with the onset of symptoms and are repeated once per week for 3 weeks, then once every two weeks for the remainder of the season.

Once symptoms are under control patients report improved energy and less reactivity to pollens. In part it is because they no longer require energy sapping anti-histamines to function, but also because their immune system is no longer using up so much energy to react.

An additional benefit to acupuncture for hay fever is that it helps prevent all the secondary infections allergy sufferers are prone to – such as colds, conjunctivitis, or chronic sinusitis.

With the allergy season getting started, consider acupuncture. It is a safe, natural and drug-free method of effectively addressing seasonal allergy symptoms.

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Seasonal Allergies and Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bc

allergiesSeasonal Allergies and Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bc   –  written by Victoria Spaurel R.Ac.

Acupuncture is an effective option for allergy symptom control. Although it does not, in my experience, stop symptoms from returning the following year, it does reduce the body’s reactivity, leaving you less dependent on medications, and able to enjoy your spring and summer more.

My treatments allow patients who normally live on anti-histamines all season long the ability to go off them if acupuncture is administered regularly during the season when they are affected. Typically treatments begin with the onset of symptoms and are repeated once per week for 3 weeks, then once every two weeks for the remainder of the season.

Once symptoms are under control patients report improved energy and less reactivity to pollens. In part it is because they no longer require energy sapping anti-histamines to function, but also because their immune system is no longer using up so much energy to react.

An additional benefit to acupuncture for hay fever is that it helps prevent all the secondary infections allergy sufferers are prone to – such as colds, conjunctivitis, or chronic sinusitis.

With the allergy season getting started, consider acupuncture. It is a safe, natural and drug-free method of effectively addressing seasonal allergy symptoms.

– Victoria Spaurel is a registered Acupuncturist having graduated from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria BC in 2005.  At Diversified Health, Victoria has had tremendous success assisting patients to reach their health goals. She uses a narrative approach to patient interviews, which helps build trust and enriches her understanding of the concerns at hand. Treatments are always designed and paced to suit her patients.

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