Diagnosing Springtime Allergies

Well here it comes... it's that time of year again! For those of you who suffer from allergies and sinus infections, you know what I am talking about. The merry-go-round of symptoms that control your head - sinus pressure, fever, dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, and nausea. I wish there was a magic bullet that could remove all of the potential allergens in the environment and in your body, which triggers the release of histamines causing your sinuses to work overtime. We know there are three main types of hypersensitivities related to spring-allergy problems, sensitivities to food, airborne contaminants and environmental chemicals.

Acute and chronic sinusitis, allergies and upper respiratory health problems are one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor. Another often-overlooked factor is the Standard American Diet. Our modern diets include far more refined sugars and carbohydrates than ever before.

We touched upon the diet in earlier health tips. Diet is a critical component when it comes to sinus-allergy problems. Remember, excess simple and refined sugars put the immune system to sleep. While your immune system (your first line of defense) is asleep all these viruses, bacteria, mold and especially fungus multiply rapidly. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to stop bacterial infections, but these antibiotics can sometimes cause more harm than good when overprescribed. Protect yourself from the effects of antibiotics and learn about the importance of probiotics.

"Spring is in the Air"

For those who are affected by allergies, the expression, "spring is in the air" has special meaning. Get ready to sniffle, drip, and itch your way through the pollen-filled blooming months. Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the immune system to relatively harmless substances such as pollen, dust, food, animal fur, and environmental pollutants. In this article we will talk about the different forms of allergies and medications available and find answers to some frequently asked questions such as, are there any side effects associated with the common allergy medications and is there a cure for allergies? More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from asthma and allergies that have no immediate cures. Fortunately, there is no shortage of medications for these conditions. Asthma is usually treated with antihistamines to prevent the release of histamine chemicals that are released during allergic reactions. This form of treatment is effective, however, it comes with its share of side-effects which include: dry mouth, difficulty with urination, constipation, drowsiness, and may even cause nightmares in some children. Antibiotic Overload? The human digestive tract ranges from 25-35 feet and houses over 400 species of bacteria. In total there are over a 100 billion organisms in our digestive tract. The use of antibiotics is equivalent to pouring bleach into a fish tank in order to kill an overgrowth of algae. The bleach not only kills the algae but everything else that is present in that environment. Probiotics are small organisms that help maintain the natural balance of other organism in the intestines. The use of probiotics provides a safe and natural approach to curb the population of unwanted bacteria that cause microbial infections. It is necessary for people taking antibiotics to alternate with probiotics because antibiotics are unable to discriminate against good bacteria and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Health Follow-up:

Continue these proactive steps towards wellness: Increase your water intake Regular exercise (5 times per week, 30-45 minutes) Get plenty of good quality sleep Maintain a balanced diet of good carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes), good fats, and protein Take nutritional supplements targeted to your specific needs as well as eliminate fast foods and saturated fats Wash your hands frequently and practice "Good Hygiene" De-stress your mind and body with yoga, meditation or spiritual practices Detoxify your system and take an antioxidant. Have fun laugh every day. Humor is good medicine Develop positive personal and professional relationships