Like most military families, I moved a lot as a kid.? By the time I was in 3rd grade, I had lived in 6 different houses.? Fortunately, the last house my parents bought was on a beautiful lake in the midwest.? It was an idyllic place to grow up and a great opportunity for a budding entrepreneur. ?Since we lived on the outskirts of town, it was easier to find odd jobs around the neighborhood.? My neighbor, Uncle Art (his preferred nickname versus addressing him as ?Mr.?), had a rolling 3 acre lot that required meticulous attention.? It was my job to mow, trim and rake it several times a month for the generous compensation of $25 per day.? To a teenager, cash was king, however, to an allergy sufferer it was a brutal endeavor.? Now that I mow my own lawn, I?m thrilled to report that I can do it allergy symptom free.? If your allergies bloom along with the spring flowers, relief may be in sight.?
Brutal Blooms
The change of season for most of us is met with excitement and anticipation as we all look forward to warmer weather and more outdoor activities.? For me, every season used to mean a different reason to sneeze and sniffle with itchy, watery eyes and a perpetual stuffy nose.? Seasonal allergies are basically the body?s irrational response to things in nature that are typically harmless.? Medical science remains somewhat baffled as to why certain people have allergic responses while others don?t.? It may come down to a confused immune system.? This confusion usually shows up after the age of 5 or 6 and may be triggered after a nasal infection or viruses that affect the nose and lungs according to Mark Larche at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.? It also may have something to do with our genetic makeup in combination with other environmental factors.? Interestingly, cleaner home environments, lack of outdoor time for kids, and the trend towards anti-??bacterial wipes, gels and lotions, may have led to more allergies as our immune systems haven?t been put to the test from an early age.
Here are some common airborne attackers and their season of influence:
- Spring ? trees in bloom release pollen into the air especially Birch, Cedar, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Oak, Pecan, Orange, Palm, Poplar, Walnut and Willow
- Summer ? grass growth and lawn mowing produce summer suffering.? Most common allergies come from grasses like Bermuda, Kentucky Blue, Rye, and Wild Oats.
- Fall ? the end of the growing season means the beginning of the weed season including hemp, nettle, plantain, ragweed, goldenrod, thistle (or tumbleweed), and sagebrush.? One ragweed plant can produce over one billion grains of pollen.
- Year round ? airborne allergies don?t always end at your doorstep.? Indoor allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold, dust, mildew, and smoke can be year round-??culprits.
Airborne Assault
If you?re beginning to feel like a prisoner in and out of your own home, here are some easy steps you can take right now to minimize your allergy exposure:
- Reduce Outdoor Time ? especially during the early morning hours from 5am-??10am when most trees and plants are in their prime blooming time.
- Close the Windows ? as nice as the temps may be, the wind in your face may wreak havoc on your allergies so close your car windows when driving and keep the house buttoned up on windy days as well.? Be sure your a/?c filters and ducts are clean so you?re not introducing more irritants.? Also, check your ceiling fans for dust before operating them.
- Filter It ? consider an in-??home air filtration system.? Did you know that the average home has at least six detectable allergens according to HealthCentral?.com?? Look for a good multi-??room or whole house system that includes HEPA (high-??efficiency particulate air) filtration to trap irritating particulates like pet dander, smoke, and dust mites.
- Avoid It ? while it may not make you popular at home, finding someone else to mow your grass may be a good alternative during peak allergy season.
A Breath of Fresh Relief
In addition to some basic lifestyle changes, there are other ways to improve our odds of surviving allergy season.? Some people do turn to allergy medication to help navigate their way through the bloom boom.? While antihistamines may be a good quick fix for an allergy attack, ongoing use and overuse of allergy medication has its cautions including drowsiness, dizziness, loss of focus, digestive issues, and blood pressure issues.? Believe it or not, nature may be your best friend when it comes to reducing allergy symptoms. Here are some natural remedies to consider:
- Spice is Nice - spices like cayenne pepper, hot ginger, Horseradish, Dijon mustard, onion and garlic help support a healthy immune system with higher levels of immune supporting vitamins including Vitamin C.? Their spicy nature helps flush out nasal passages.
- Plant Power ? plants like goldenseal, nettle and butterbur all have anti-??inflammatory qualities which help to decrease chemicals in the body that may cause allergic reactions.
- Quercetin ? a flavonoid found in red wine, onions, berries and buckwheat acts as an antioxidant and anti-??inflammatory
- Peppermint oil ? a natural decongestant that may help to open air passages and it has the added benefit of smelling great!
- Food Fighters ? Omega-??3 fatty acids aid in inflammation reduction.? Great sources to tame allergies include wild caught salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds and olives. ? For some, however, certain foods may actually trigger allergic responses.? NY University Allergist Dr. Clifford Bassett recommends avoiding bananas, cucumbers, sunflower seeds and melons until you figure out the source of your irritations.
- Comprehensive Supplementation ? this was my best weapon against seasonal and food allergies.? When I added a complete and balanced powdered supplement* to my healthy eating habits I became symptom free of my allergies and have remained that way for over twenty years.
Gesundheit!
After years of allergies I received plenty of sneeze related salutations.? In my family, it was important to say ?God Bless You? after each sneeze.? Gesundheit is also a common phrase wishing the sufferer ?Good Health.?? Hopefully, you?ve found a few nuggets of relief to help you celebrate the season rather than the suffering.? Either way, I?ll send my blessings and condolences since now you?ll likely have to mow your own yard!
Armored Up ?Enjoy comprehensive nutrition and the added benefits of high potency lunasin in *Reliv Now? and LunaRichX? at www?.reliv?.com/?buy use RCN: 53960101
?A joyful heart is good medicine??
The statements contained in this material have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The personal testimonials shared reflect individual experiences and are not necessarily typical of the results you may obtain. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Copyright ? 2013 by Christine A.Toriello, all rights reserved.?
More from: Chris Toriello
Chris Toriello, former mechanical engineer, is an expert in performance nutrition, has a passion for working with athletes and individuals at all levels of fitness, and is a military spouse. www.RelivingMaine.com
Source: http://military-fitness.military.com/2013/04/the-as-of-april-allergies.html
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