Spring is upon us in the Philadelphia region. The birds are singing, the days are longer and pollen is everywhere. With the warmer weather and blossoming trees and plants, a lot of us are left wheezing and sneezing.
When it comes to treating allergies, every doctor and holistic practitioner has a different opinion. Some suggest gradual exposure to the allergen to build up a resistance, while others instruct patients to avoid whatever causes a reaction. Some people believe that you can just “outgrow” allergies. So what’s the truth?
Children with asthma often experience a reduction of sensitivity as they mature; sensitivities to pet dander, chemicals or food allergies can lessen with time as well. However, other people find that their allergies only get worse as they get older. It seems likely that other factors are involved besides age. People simply don’t “outgrow” allergies, something else must occur to change their allergic reactions, such as disease or medications.
Some allergy sufferers have agreed that gradually exposing their system to the substance that causes the reaction eventually lessens their symptoms. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the allergen and stops releasing histamine in reaction to it, meaning no more reactions.
This method may have its downsides as it could not be a healthy approach to allergy relief. It can reduce symptoms for some people but it may do so at the expense of the body’s natural immune defenses by driving the allergy, which is a form of un-wellness, deeper inside, where it may contribute to disease. Exposing oneself to an allergy causes an inharmonious balance between mind, body and spirit.
Other allergy suffers recommend total avoidance to heal the body. This approach is based on a belief that some allergic-type reactions are caused by overexposure to an allergen. By scrupulously avoiding the allergy trigger, the body can be allowed to heal and will respond positively after a “rest” period.
The disadvantages to this approach are that it can be time-consuming and requires absolute commitment to finding alternatives to the allergen. Additionally, this could be very difficult depending on the allergen – it can be tricky to completely avoid environmental allergens like pollen, pet dander or mold. Nevertheless, the results can be well worth the effort.
If neither of those approaches sound good for you, you can always try Nasal Irrigation. This is where nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses. It has been used in India for centuries as one of the disciplines of yoga. Clinical testing has shown that this practice is safe and beneficial.
The simplest technique is to snort water from cupped hands. Spraying the solution into the nostrils is more convenient, but also less effective. The most effective methods create a flow of liquid that enters through one nostril and then runs out of the other nostril. Warm salt water is commonly used, often with bicarbonate as a buffer. Other additives include a sort of antibacterial for killing germs that have accumulated in the nose.
No matter how you chose to deal with each option has its pros and cons. Talk with your doctor or holistic practitioner before you choose a method to relieve your allergy symptoms. Happy Spring!
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