A new season in our hemisphere brings us much to look forward to… longer days and warmer temperatures, but yikes, there is also pollen that many people dread! Spring is often synonymous with ‘Allergy season‘, and because of that, we want to clear things up – without the Claritin, please.
Here’s the truth about allergies and how we can prevent negatively experiencing them.
Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to a typically harmless substance. When people are exposed to an allergen, such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods, their immune system reacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals, which can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and even anaphylaxis.
Most people don’t realize that the symptoms we typically associate with allergies – sneezing, coughing, itching, and more – can be reduced or prevented altogether by managing a few key areas.
Toxic Load: Your amount of exposure to toxins and chemicals in the environment can increase the risk of developing allergies. If your body’s immune system becomes overwhelmed by external toxins, it may elicit an inadequate response when encountering allergies. To learn more about detoxing and minimizing your exposure to daily toxicities, check out our Environmental Pillar Blogs.
Leaky Gut: Leaky gut is a condition where the gut lining becomes more permeable, allowing toxins and other harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream. This increased permeability may contribute to the development of allergies, as the immune system may become overactive in response to these foreign substances coming into the body through the gut. We have a ton of testing options that would help guide you to healing your gut, check out our Food Sensitivity Tests.
Inflammatory Load: Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for all health problems, including allergies. A high inflammatory load, caused by factors such as poor diet (wheat, dairy, packaged food), stress, and environmental toxins, increases the risk of developing allergies by disrupting the normal functioning of the immune system. Dive in deep with our Inflammation Blog Series!
Chronic Heightened Immune Response: Some individuals may have a chronic heightened immune response, meaning their immune system isn’t entirely responding optimally to allergens. We have found that this can be due to a misalignment in the spine, causing improper information to go to and from the brain. This misalignment allows the systems to go into either hyperdrive and overreact or, worse, not respond. Many people have found their allergies simply “disappear” under chiropractic care.
In case it’s unclear from the list above, almost ALL response to allergens – whether an efficient or inefficient response – is determined by your immune system, which can be enhanced and optimized by focusing on our Four Pillars of Health.
If you are needing immediate solutions to your allergy symptoms check out our three allergy or sinus solutions and purchase the one that best fits your needs and take as directed on the label.
Still want more or are ready to ensure your immune system is functioning to its highest potential, regardless of the season ahead, reach out for a phone consult here. This is where we can dive in deep on what is best for a personalized action plan! You can schedule here!
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