Spring is just
around the corner. For some, the change
in weather brings anticipation of sunny days, school breaks, family vacations
and outdoor activities. However, if you
are one of the 35 million people in the United States who suffers from seasonal
allergies and sinus problems, you may find this change to be unpleasant or even
painful Your itchy, drippy nose and watery eyes are all the proof you need to
know that yes, spring has arrived.
Allergies are a disorder of the immune system. A typically non-harmful substance – pollen –
causes your immune system to overreact and initiates a response to neutralize
and flush out the allergen. The result
of this overreaction is inflammation, itching, runny nose and eyes, sneezing
and diarrhea, just to name a few.
As if that isn’t bad enough, allergies become a risk factor
for sinus problems. Sinuses are eight
hollow spaces found in the bones of your forehead, cheeks and temples. These spaces are responsible for draining
mucous and helping trap foreign particles.
When they become inflamed, they are unable to drain properly, which
leads to buildup, pressure and possible infection.
I’m sure some of you are asking “Why me? Why do I suffer
while my husband, wife, kids, or friends get to enjoy this beautiful
weather?” Well, there are a few things
that can make you more susceptible to allergies.
These include a family history of food allergies and eczema,
exposure to excessive stress and/or second-hand smoke, eating a poor diet, lack
of exercise and dehydration. I know you
can’t change your family history, but here are a few tips that may make the
change in seasons a little more bearable.
Avoid stress and start exercising. Excessive stress and lack of physical
activity have one thing in common: they both wreak havoc on your body. It is important to incorporate routines into
your daily activities that can battle this.
Try prayer, meditation, yoga and or aerobic exercise.
Improve your diet.
Try adding Vitamin C, Omega 3's, probiotics and super foods to your
diet. Vitamin C is a powerful
antioxidant that can be found in supplements and in most fruits and vegetables
- especially red/yellow bell peppers, dark green leafy vegetables (kale/collards),
broccoli, kiwi, berries, and citrus fruits.
Vitamin C fights inflammation that triggers allergies.
Omega 3's are an essential fatty acid that is unable to be
produced by your body. Therefore, you must supplement your diet by eating fish,
fish oil supplements, walnuts, and flax seeds.
A recent study suggested that Omega 3's can counter the specific type of
inflammation associated with allergies.
Probiotics can also be a wonderful addition to your daily
diet. Probiotic literally means
"for life" and when ingested in adequate amounts, it can provide many
health benefits. Yogurt is the most well
known probiotic but you can also try sauerkraut, sourdough bread and/or
supplements. In my opinion it's much
more beneficial and easier to digest probiotics, Omega 3's, and Vitamin C
through eating real food products and it will also steer you into a healthy
overall diet.
Super food is a term used to describe foods
that are nutrient
powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and
minerals. Eating them may reduce the
risk of chronic disease, and prolong life, and people who eat more of them are
healthier and thinner than those who don't.
Here are a few that should definitely be mixed into your diet: almonds, blueberries,
avocados, quinoa, apricots, asparagus, beets, garlic, ginger and spinach.
Boost your immune
system: the immune system is the body's defense against infections and other
foreign invaders.
Keeping your
immune system strong is essential to staying healthy. Of course a clean diet, exercise and stress
reduction are the mainstays of a healthy lifestyle but here are a few other
things you can do to boost your immune system this spring.
Sleep at least 8
hours a night, socialize more, get your Vitamin D from the sun, and see your
local chiropractor for optimal spine/nervous system function.
Written by: Dr.
Brooke Beck & Dr. Ryan Beck
