The nasal tissues produce thin, clear mucus aimed at trapping foreign matter and debris and keeping it out of your lungs, which is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Natural allergy supplements may be able to give you some relief from the symptoms.
Reasons and Seasons
Wherever you live in the U.S., allergy season starts when the grass begins to grow after the winter is over. The new growth causes the release of grass pollens, which are primary culprits for most nasal allergy sufferers. In some parts of the country this occurs earlier in the year than others, while states like Florida that hardly ever experience frost might have low-grade allergy seasons all year round. Grass pollens are followed by tree pollens, after which more fortunate allergy sufferers might catch a break as they move into summer.
When we hit August the ragweed season starts, first in the south east parts of the nation and later expanding northwards and westwards. This is joined in September by the fall pollen season, until the first frosts fall. During late October and early November, we get a second wave of grass pollens, which lasts until just before Christmas. In addition to the various pollen allergens, you can also develop a nasal allergy in response to dust mites, animal dander or old skin, cat saliva, and mold—all of which can occur at any time of the year.
These active, year-round allergens allow precious little opportunity for sufferers to be allergy-free, and the reasons why people get these reactions are almost as varied as the timing. For those unaffected by natural triggers, rhinitis can also be caused by wood or cigarette smoke, the use of chemicals, cold temperatures, humidity in the air, wind, polluted air, hairspray products, perfumes and colognes. And while anyone can develop allergic rhinitis, if a member of your family has had asthma or atopic eczema their risk for allergy attacks is higher.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of nasal allergies are caused by the body’s response to the allergens irritating it. For most people, when they come into contact with an allergen, their bodies produce histamine as a form of defense. The histamine is responsible for the allergy symptoms you experience, which can include:
- A runny nose, with sneezing and congestion
- Itchy, watering eyes
- Coughing
- Post-nasal drip that causes a sore throat.
Like allergy supplements for humans, this is a natural substance that works to protect your system from the allergen. It does this by initiating the production and release of the mucus mentioned above, which is somewhat less than pleasant.
Rhinitis is usually a temporary condition that clears up on its own after a few days, but for anyone with chronic nasal allergies the symptoms can hang around for far too long. For people who are exposed to allergens on an ongoing basis, it can take weeks to clear up.
Nasal Allergy Complications
While nasal allergies can’t usually be cured, treating the symptoms will ensure you don’t develop complications. Some of the problems that can arise are difficulty sleeping, development of asthma or sinus infections, frequent headaches, ear infections and poor quality of life, but allergy supplements for humans can help you to avoid these.
Natural Treatments
Few people want to take antihistamines or any other drugs on a daily basis. They carry side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth, and they stop your body from manufacturing a naturally-occurring product. Decongestants, eye drops, and nasal sprays offer short-term relief for the symptoms, and while immunotherapy or allergy shots are effective in a number of patients, they are an inconvenient, drawn-out process that can also have side effects such as headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. In some instances, antihistamines can also cause gastrointestinal, urinary, and circulatory problems.
Non-pharmaceutical therapies offer a lot of promise, however, with acupuncture, nasal irrigation, and natural allergy supplements for humans heading the list. Dr. Garber’s Enviro Defense bioformula contains a proprietary blend of biotherapies that is specifically formulated to support your body’s allergic response regardless of the specific allergic trigger.
Building Immunity
Since there aren’t any proven medical cures and natural therapies have some constraints, people who experience severe allergic rhinitis are constantly looking for ways to treat their condition. By using appropriate natural allergy supplements for humans, you can build up your immunity against the allergens, and perhaps even achieve freedom from nasal allergies that lasts.
Email Dr. Garber for more information.
