Category: Allergies

Aug 30 2010

Natural Allergy Relief For Oak Pollen



Oak pollen allergy sufferers are quite familiar with the huge amounts of pollen that oak trees produce and the allergy symptoms that occur when oak pollen is high. The oak pollen pods resemble little worms and they release their pollen to be carried by the wind, while the pods fall and accumulate on the ground, almost like orangish-brown fuzzy snow.

During the oak pollen season, the effects of the pollen are everywhere, with cars and windows covered with the orange-brown film the pollen creates. Even pavement where the spent pollen pods accumulate will get stained brown. Those suffering from oak pollen allergies can experience severe reactions. Massive sinus drainage, watery eyes, sneezing, and/or coughing will develop that can defy almost any allergy treatment available, at least until the oak pollen subsides.

Severe oak allergy reactions can motivate sufferers to turn to every remedy they can think of, including drastic measures like steroid injections. Some will decide to handle the situation once and for all by starting allergy shots, even though the needles are less than pleasant, without realizing that it often takes years to finally get results.

Many oak allergy sufferers will seek out natural relief from treatments like nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy and/or acupuncture, and all of these forms of treatment will provide some degree of temporary relief for the majority of people. But what if there was a way to do more than just suppress allergy symptoms?

But what if there was another way to deal with allergies that gets rid of the problem long-term as seen with allergy shots, but gets results in days and doesn’t require getting stuck with needles repeatedly? Well, there actually is a way to do this, using “energy medicine” techniques.

The most widely-practiced of these natural allergy relief methods is NAET, which stands for Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique. Dr. Devi Nambudripad is a chiropractor and acupuncturist from California who accidentally discovered how stimulating specific acupuncture meridians while being exposed to the allergens one reacts to can reset the body so that it no longer reacts to those allergens.

Since NAET was first developed in the 1980′s, other similar techniques have been developed that are more streamlined, but NAET is still the most popular. All energy-based allergy elimination techniques are definitely strange and can seem like they are too good to be true, but in eight years of practicing Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique (ASERT), a newer, more efficient version of allergy elimination based on the underlying principles of NAET, I have found it to be extremely effective on even the most severe and chronic of allergy sufferers.

Because these techniques are so strange and because I practice in San Antonio, an area where a high percentage of the population is still extremely skeptical of alternative medicine, I do the allergy desensitization on people and let them experience the results before they pay me. I use the honor system with regards to the allergy elimination procedure I use in my office – I do the full allergy elimination procedure and patients pay me after the fact when they are satisfied that the treatment was effective for them. The vast majority send me checks or call me with a credit card number, which I think is a dramatic testament to the effectiveness of this technique.

The great part about these techniques is that the results occur quickly. In the case of seasonal allergies like those to oak pollen, symptoms may be severe for weeks at a time, so allergy sufferers seek out some form of natural allergy relief that takes effect quickly, rather than a treatment approach like allergy shots that can take years to be effective, and rather than treatments that have potentially serious side-effects such as steroid drugs. Energy-based allergy elimination provides relief within a day or two and does so without the risk of side-effects.

Better yet, the effects of energy-based allergy elimination last for several months to several years because these techniques actually get rid of the allergies, not just suppress allergy symptoms and inflammation. So, oak allergy sufferers can usually go through multiple oak seasons without any problems without ongoing treatment after going through the allergy desensitization.

Although NAET practitioners often claim that the effects of NAET are permanent, which they may be in some cases, it has been my experience that allergies can re-develop, particularly after somone is sick with a cold or flu, or suffers a major trauma during a high pollen season. It appears that the body may develop allergies in a “guilt by association” manner in which an activation of the body’s immune system and inflammatory response from something other than pollen may become associated with the presence of a given allergen, thus triggering a reaction to the allergen. In other words, if you catch the flu during a time when oak pollen is high, it is not unusual to develop oak allergies.

In any case, energy-based allergy desensitization is very much for real, and it offers fast, effective natural allergy relief for oak pollen allergies, as well as any other type of allergy (including airborne allergens, foods, and skin-contact allergies).

Aug 22 2010

Simple Allergy Treatment



According to a recent study, approximately 55 percent of all U.S. citizens test positive to one or more allergens and chronic sinusitis is affecting about 35 million Americans. Now that’s a whopping figure. Despite our advanced medical technology, allergy is still very much a problem and tonnes of money is spent annually for various treatment of allergies.

It is impossible to get rid of allergy entirely from our lives as it is our body natural ways of reacting to allergens which is manifested in various symptoms that we identify as allergy.

If absolute treatment is impossible it is therefore important to know how to keep allergy at bay like maintaining certain level of cleanliness at places where you spend time the most. It will be much easier if you can identify what is the allergen that trigger the allergy. Once you identify the allergen, all you have to do is to keep yourself away from it.

But of course, it is also impossible to be 100% sure that you will never get in contact with the allergen all the time. It is therefore important to be prepared. Depending on the nature of the allergy you should always have at least some basic medication handy.

For example, if you have dust or pollen allergy, a bottle of essential oil will come handy when you have an allergy attack. Sometimes though, a good sleep is all it takes to subdue the allergy symptoms. For skin rashes, a cold shower may just be the solution. But then again, it all depends on the nature of the allergy.

If it gets serious, visiting your doctor is still the best option.

Aug 22 2010

Allergy Treatment – How Turbinate Reduction Can Help



Turbinates are the shelves on the side of your nose and the middle and inferior are the main turbinates. They serve a major function of warming inhaled air before it enters your lungs. They also help trap dirt, dust, and particles like pollen They can enlarge or shrink, and tend to enlarge when you are affected by allergies including cold or infection. Turbinate reduction is a treatment option for the turbinate which obstruct portions of the nose and airway and may result in difficult breathing, sleep apnea, congestion, etc.

The most common symptoms of an enlarged turbinate are breathing through your mouth, sneezing, snoring, stuffy nose, headaches and reduced energy too. If medication including antihistamines and decongestants are not working for you, turbinate reduction may be the solution.

Turbinate Reduction – How Does it Work?

The radio frequency turbinate reduction procedure is a quick procedure, achieved through the use of an endoscope. Local anesthesia is normally used to insert a probe into the turbinate and shrinks some of the tissue, which has enlarged. The radio frequency method is a low-temperature technique and it helps preserve the mucous membrane and maintain a normal nasal function. Thus, the turbinate can continue to perform its function of filtering the dust particles and keeps the inside of your noise moisturized too.

Once you have consulted an ENT surgeon and undergone the turbinate reduction procedure, you will surely experience effective relief which only increases over time. Consider this, the procedure might take only 90 seconds per side to complete! That is definitely the quickest remedy for your allergies. The procedure is usually covered by insurance so you don’t have to worry about rising medical bills.

Jul 21 2010

Natural Cures Help For Allergy Treatment



The substances known as allergens are what cause allergies in individuals who are very sensitive to them. People’s allergic reaction to something as manifested by inflammation or allergies occurs when they inhale, touch or eat something that their bodies are not used to.

One out of three people either say that they have a food allergy or that they modify the family diet because a family member is suspected of having a food allergy. To diagnose food allergy a doctor must first determine if the patient is having an adverse reaction to specific foods. This assessment is made with the help of a detailed patient history and a diet diary, The next step some doctors use is an elimination diet. Under the doctor’s direction, the patient does not eat a food suspected of causing the allergy, like eggs, and substitutes another food, in this case, another source of protein. This technique cannot be used, however, if the reactions are severe (in which case the patient should not resume eating the food) or infrequent.

Other popular allergic causes are pollens from flowers (this can be referred to as springtime allergy), moulds and dust. These ‘triggers’, known as potential allergens, may be animal fur and dander, feathers, mites, house dust, pollen, cockroach droppings, insect stings, chemicals (like perfumes, and even our everyday cosmetics like shampoos and soaps!) and dyes, medication, synthetic fiber, and a huge variety of food and drinks. To address these reactions, the first line of defense is avoiding allergens that cause these allergic symptoms.

While many think of allergy treatment in the forms of over-the-counter inhalers, ointments and medication, others opt for the more natural way for allergy relief like an herbal supplement that would help eliminate the sneezing, the coughing and the itching. Right within one’s kitchen are ingredients to concoct an allergy home remedy without paying for the traditional drugs. Dealing with allergies is a serious matter because allergies could be fatal when allergy treatment is not administered immediately. If you think your allergy is leading to Asthma symptoms you must seek medical advice.

When people begin to take the natural approach to allergy treatment, chances are they might be embracing homeopathy, a disease-treatment system practiced for hundreds of years already. Some other forms of natural remedies are: Apitherapy, Applied Kinesiology, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Biofeedback, Bodywork, Buteyko, Chinese Medicine, Color Therapy, Flower Essences, Gemstone Therapy, Herbology, Iridology, Macrobiotics, Meditation, Music Therapy and Naturopathy.

Though there are those who claim that homeopathy doesn’t really work, others are quick to defend its efficiency. An herbal supplement is the better option to deal with allergic reactions than those drugs that contain chemicals. There are known cases where certain individuals have allergy reactions to some medications. Others simply don’t want pills and injections for their allergy treatment. In this case, a home remedy allergy treatment would be fine.

Using nutrition and vitamin supplements to build up your immunity strength makes common sense. I have found information on a site contributed by Helene Malmsio to be really helpful in learning more about natural cures allergy treatment. For instance, he better your nutrition quality is, the stronger your body becomes to fight off the triggers that would otherwise cause an allergic reaction in the stressed and overwhelmed immune system in the body.

Natural herbal supplement for allergies often use the Guarana herb as the chief ingredient to help reduce inflammation, as it has anti-histamine properties and is safe, effective and cheap and does not suppress the symptom of the allergy; rather, it targets the root cause of the problem that leads to the symptoms of the allergy. You can make yourself a strong tea brew from the Guarana herb, either with the plant or from commercially made instant teas, or take guarana tablet supplements. So, natural herbal allergy relief is achieved in a simple and fast way.

You can also sometimes get allergy and hay fever relief by having a steam facial, as breathing in the steam helps to clean out the pollens from your sinuses, and the moisture can soothe inflamed tissues in your nose and eyes. Cool cucumber slices or cold wet tea bags can be rested on your eyes to help soothe them. Keeping the house windows and doors closed in Spring time will also help, despite the temptation to let the mild warm breeze air out the house, that breeze will also bring pollen from all the new flowers and grasses.

If you need to work outside where you are exposed to the pollens, it would be advisable to wear a filter mask to clean the air you breathe. You also need to consider the other allergy triggers you may be exposed to like house dust, pet hair, chemical sprays and fumes, that need to be eliminated from your environment.

There’s a range of complete herbal supplement available that are suitable to use as a self care strategy and allergy home remedy. These natural vitamin herbal supplements guarantee effective allergy relief. They can combat underlying problems for allergic causes minus the pills and injections.

Jul 20 2010

Treatment Options For A Baby Allergy



Dealing with a baby allergy can be difficult for parents; they often work very hard to keep their child from whatever they have an allergy to and then often need to help the child cope with an allergy attack when it does happen. It’s imperative for a parent to understand natural treatment options for any baby allergy as of course you never want to give your child any over-the-counter or prescription medication unless first advised by your doctor. Medications designed for adults can be harmful and even fatal for a baby.

First of all, remember that it’s very common for a child to suffer from a baby allergy. Allergies are the result of the immune system not responding properly to fight off irritants and of course a baby’s immune system is nowhere near as developed as it should be. Allergies can and often are outgrown by children, so even if your child has severe allergies now this doesn’t mean he or she will be suffering from them forever.

Also, when dealing with a baby allergy make sure you’re not doing anything to irritate it further. While your baby may be allergic to certain food or elements in the air, switching to allergen-free detergents and personal care items can help tremendously. Be sure that whatever you use for your baby allergy that you’re not overmedicating as this can only further irritate the allergy. Get a HEPA filter for the home or the baby’s nursery, and apply a warm wet cloth to the baby’s chest to clear any lung irritations.

Use Eucalyptus or olbas oil in boiling water and allow the child to inhale the steam that is being generated. This treatment is also very good for any type of stuffy nose due to a cold, flu or allergy problems. Both readily diffuse into the air and can provide benefits to nasal and bronchial areas. If your baby suffers from air-borne allergies then an environment with a high humidity will be of benefit because air with a high humidity content does not carry air-borne contaminates well. Extra moisture in the air will also help to remove any pollen or other allergy producing pollutions from the air.

When treating a baby allergy for the skin, use products that list oils as their first ingredients rather than the diaper rash cream you get at the pharmacy. Sunflower oil, cocoa butter, aloe, shea butter, olive oil, rosewater, and other natural oils are going to be better on baby’s skin than harsh creams and treatments. Make sure the products also have no synthetic fragrances. Zinc oxide is also a natural treatment option for a baby allergy of the skin as it forms a natural urine barrier to protect the skin from wet diapers.

If you have done all you can to treat the baby allergy then it’s time to see a doctor. While parents often prefer to use natural ingredients and avoid harsh medications and other treatments, it is also important that a child be treated properly especially in the case of a severe allergy. Failure to see a doctor and get medical intervention in severe cases can result in tragedy. So use all the natural treatment options you can for your own baby allergy but don’t rule out bringing your precious baby to the doctor as well.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Jul 16 2010

An Effective Allergy Treatment



Does it ever seem to you like your nose is constantly congested? Perhaps you have a know it runs like the Mississippi River. How about itchy sinuses? Sometimes when these things come upon us we wonder if it’s a cold that just won’t go away. Well I sincerely doubt that that is the case. I believe those are the symptoms of an allergy.

What you have to figure out is exactly what you are allergic to before you can effectively treat the symptoms. I recall suffering from allergies as a kid and having to go to the doctor and do a series of skin tests to determine exactly which allergies affected me. This will probably involve a number of oils and needles. You know, they scrape your skin and then dab some substance like pollen or grass on it to see if it reacts. But in order to effectively create an allergy treatment you must first know what allergy it is that you are dealing with.

Are you an allergy sufferer? I hadn’t really bad when I was a kid. I think he can outgrow these things to appoint as you immune system becomes stronger. But for myself it was so bad that I actually had to get three injections a week for years for my allergy treatment and for my immune system finally took over and did the job.

As far as allergy treatments go this was a lot of fun, but it actually became a teen and didn’t bother me after a while. The shots themselves didn’t hurt because the needle is the doctor used was really small. Well, I guess actually sometimes it did hurt when he hit a muscle, but that was no big deal.

I’m happy to report now that the allergy treatment that I recently was indeed very effective. I do get the occasional congested nose in fits of sneezing, but that usually only occurs when I’m cutting the lawn or some other such activity where the contact with the allergen is at its highest.

Surfing the World Wide Web is an excellent way to collect information that be of value to you. There are quite a few over-the-counter remedies that can be effective as allergy treatments. But I must caution you that if you’re allergies are really starting to get the better if you, common sense dictates that you see a doctor.

If you do go the over-the-counter route you must always be sure to read and comprehend the ingredients before using. I understand you want to curb those annoying allergies, but you don’t want more serious problems to grapple with. You can also consult your local pharmacist for some general info on the best allergy treatment for you or your child. There’s no need to suffer needlessly if you can benefit from an effective allergy treatment.