Allergy Season During COVID-19
Seasonal Allergies = Extra Stress! How Can We Help?
I don't think that allergy season got the memo that we are already dealing with the stress of not feeling well during a pandemic; wondering if symptoms are merely due to seasonal allergies or something else can be the straw that broke the camel's back for some of us. We've already discussed in our previous email how stress can have an impact on our immune systems, so let Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center help you address your allergy needs through whole-food supplementation as well as with acupuncture!
There are a couple different types of allergies- to understand how best to treat them, it's good to first know what we're working with. Symptoms from Episodic Allergies are from exposure to something in the environment. This can include pollen, mold, pet dander, and other seasonal allergens. Symptoms from Genetic Predisposition are usually passed on through hereditary means through parent's genes to children. These allergies may not even show up in children until well into adulthood. However, unlike the parent, some children may outgrow these allergies. These allergens can include certain medications, foods, latex, and more depending on your family and background.
Why Do Allergies Affect Us So Much?
Everyone has different reactions to allergens, ranging from mild to severe or even fatal. Strong reactions to allergies can create imbalances in the immune system, which results in sluggish T- Suppressor cell activity. Improper T-Helper cell to T-Suppressor cell ratios begin one to two weeks before allergy season starts, and continues throughout the season, or however long the allergen persists. This is why some of us feel as if we are continuously presenting with symptoms from Spring to Winter, or throughout the entire year!
Issues With Common Allergy Treatments
Most of us have used over-the-counter allergy treatments in our lives- and like me, I'm sure many of you had a "favorite" brand you would use throughout the year- or for years on end. However, these OTC allergy treatments can become less effective with continued use. Some OTC nasal decongestant sprays can even make congestion worse with long-term use. But these aren't the only reasons why your traditional allergy treatments stop working. Factors such as changes in your environment, developing new allergies, not taking those OTC medicines as prescribed, age and stress can add to the inefficacy of your current treatments. Secondary conditions caused by allergies can also leave a lasting impact on our bodies, and are not able to be treated with OTC allergy treatments. You must be diagnosed by your general practitioner to see if you have developed sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis or other conditions as a result of your allergy symptoms.
Nutritional Allergy Protocols: What You Can Do to Get Ahead of the Season
Knowing how allergies affect your body is an important step in knowing how to best navigate your treatment throughout the year. Acupuncture has been used to treat seasonal allergies for centuries with great success. Acupuncture treatments are directed toward clearing the nasal passages, supporting the immune system and strengthening the systems of the body to prevent allergic reactions from recurring.
We here at Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center also work with whole-food supplements to help optimize and strengthen your body's response to allergens.
Standard Process and MediHerb offer different protocols depending on your body's needs. I have listed these suggestions below:
- Begin 1-2 wks Before Allergy Season Starts and Continue Throughout:
Allerplex: Has immune support also built into this supplement- Take 2 tablets 3-4 times per day.
Antronex: Take one tablet 4-6 times per day.
Cal-Amo: Take at start of allergies, dose will depend on your individual needs. - For Moderate Symptom Support:
Albizia Complex: Take 1-2 tablets (or more, depending on your needs) 3-4 times per day.
Antronex: Take one tablet 4-6 times per day.
Thymex: Take one tablet 3 times per day, with your meals. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). - For Moderate to Severe Symtpom Support:
Boswellia Complex: Take 2 tablets 3 times per day.
Sinus Forte: Take one tablet 4-6 times per day. - For Adjunctive Support:
Adrenal Support:
Drenamin: Take 1-3 tablets per meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Fen-Gre: Take 3 capsules per meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) with a full glass of water.
For Children:
Chewable Congaplex: Take 1-3 tablets per meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). - has a great raspberry taste from natural raspberry fruit powder! - For Secondary Conditions:
Sinusitis, Sinus Infections:
Andrographis Complex: Take 1-2 tablets 3 times per day, or at least 1 tablet per hour at onset of symptoms.
Golden Seal 500mg: Take one tablet 3 times per day.
Acute Bronchitis:
Andrographis Complex: Take 1-2 tablets 3-4 times per day.
BroncaFect: Take 2 tablets 3-4 times per day. Pneumotrophin PMG: Take one tablet 3 times per day.
Asthma:
PulmaCo: **Do not use in place of Bronchodialators** Take one tablet 3 times a day.
If you would like to know if any of these or other supplements may be able to work for you, go ahead and connect with Joe to schedule a phone consult to see which best suits your body's specific needs.
Look for our upcoming email on our office protocols for when we re-open our office to in-person treatments May 4, 2020! We plan to be open Monday-Friday from 11am to 5pm right now, with some Saturday times likely available.
Thank you always for your continued support during this unprecedented time! We look forward to helping our community in any way we can to help you all stay well and be healthy!