Seasons Change Well
The season is changing! Finally the six months of Indy winter is rolling out and spring is upon us! Along with that for many of us comes sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, and nasal congestion. For the average American with allergies, this is typically followed by a trip to Walgreens for Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, and everyone’s favorite, a light spritz of Flonase!
First of all, these drugs aren’t the solution to the allergies you have, but I think most of you know that already because they don’t actually address the cause of why you have them in the first place. Secondly, they carry the potential of harmful side effects:
• drowsiness
• impaired performance
• dryness of the eyes, nose and mouth
• restlessness
• abdominal distress
• unusual bleeding and bruising
• heart palpitations
• insomnia
In children, side effects include:
• nightmares
• overexcitability
• upset stomach
• impaired cognitive function
An allergic response happens when our bodies release histamine in response to an allergen. A strong immune system is key to fighting seasonal allergies.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, allergies are actually disorders of the immune system. The body overreacts to harmless substances and produces antibodies to attack the substance. This is what causes the symptoms.
You’re more susceptible to a weakened immune system after a physical trauma/surgery or during times of emotional stress. A lack of sleep can even make you more prone to allergies.
Why? Because all of these have an impact on your nervous system’s ability to regulate effectively. As Stress-ors go up, adaptation goes down. Over time, symptoms are a certainty. Continued decline leads to dysfunction and disease processes. The allergy isn’t just a symptom, it’s part of the process of decline.
According to the British Institute for Allergy & Environmental Therapy, stress makes allergies worse, and once stress is properly managed and relieved, the symptoms of hay fever improve.
This wasn’t a study on simple mental health changes. This was a study on how a stressed out body can’t adapt to the changing environment as well.
This is one of the many reasons why neurological, corrective based chiropractic care is so beneficial. We don’t get adjusted for back pain, headaches, high blood pressure, or allergies. We get adjusted for the benefits to our central nervous system and the improved ability for our body to take on our environment with a state of ease. The goal is to heal, not just deal.
So here are some natural solutions for this season besides the adjustment.
1. Eat Intentionally
- The major goal is to limit the inflammatory response in the diet. We should avoid major triggers like gluten, processed dairy, rancid oils, and simply stick to eating REAL food.
2. Supplement Effectively
- Taking supplements can aid the body in finding a state of ease/balance resulting in less symptoms. Unlike meds that make the body more toxic, most supplements are simply an introduction of specific nutrients that the body uses as it heals. We really love D-Hist and D-Hist Jr. for kids
3. Move Daily
- The average American is so sedentary and only gets an average of 2-3 hours of movement per day. Try to make sure you walk at least 7,000 steps per day. The lymph system of your body will be much more effective in drainage helping you offset symptoms. Not to mention the multitude of other benefits from movement alone.
Have a great start to Spring!