Relieve Your Seasonal Allergies With Acupuncture

The cold and flu season is winding down and that means you'll be in the clear for a while from sniffling, sneezing and congestion. Not so fast! If you're one of the millions of seasonal allergy sufferers, your sneezing, sniffling and congestion days are far from over. Spring is a time of budding flowers and blooming trees and for allergy sufferers it's also a time to be plagued by uncomfortable symptoms. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic response to outdoor allergens such as tree pollen, weeds and grasses.

In allergies, airborne pollen enters the body through the eyes, nose, or throat, and triggers an allergic reaction. Normally, the immune system does not respond to mild substances like pollen. But in sensitive individuals, the body's defense mechanism views these allergens as it would an infectious agent and mounts an attack. Once the immune system has detected the "invader," it unleashes a slew of chemicals such as histamine resulting in inflammation that leads to discomfort and irritation.

While antihistamines and decongestants are the usual course of treatment for seasonal allergies, a new study published in February in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that acupuncture can also relieve some symptoms. Acupuncture is a treatment in which tiny needles are inserted just under the skin at specific points in the body as to reduce certain symptoms. In the case of allergies, acupuncture can bring relief to allergy sufferers.

The study, of 422 people with grass and pollen allergies, found that those randomly assigned to a dozen acupuncture sessions fared better than patients who did not receive the procedure. On average, they reported greater symptom improvements and were able to use less antihistamine medication over eight weeks.

Acupuncture is an alternative for patients who are not satisfied with allergy medication - either because it's not working or because of the side effects.

In addition to using acupuncture to relieve your allergy symptoms, the following are preventative strategies you can take to naturally avoid allergy triggers.

Stay indoors on dry, windy days - the best time to go outside is after a soaking rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.

Visit The National Allergy Bureau's website (Aaaai.org) for a daily ranking of allergens, including seasonal tree pollens, grasses, weeds, and outdoor molds. Stay indoors when levels are high or very high for those that you're sensitive to.

Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.

Wear a dust mask if you do outside chores.

Remove clothes you've worn outside; you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.

Don't hang laundry outside - pollen can stick to sheets and towels.

Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.

Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.

Schedule a consultation with our doctor to learn if acupuncture is right for you and how it can relieve your seasonal allergy symptoms.

Herbs For Spring Allergy Relief

As spring bursts onto the scene with all of its lovely color, vibrancy, light, and new growth you may- unfortunately - experience an array of discomforting symptoms. Your eyes may tear, you may have a scratchy or draining throat, your nose may be constantly itchy and you may be always be on the verge of a sneeze or experience repeated sneezing - spring allergies

Seasonal allergies are usually accompanied by "stuffiness", sneezing, watery eyes, excess drainage, runny nose, excess mucus. These symptoms are the body's attempts to flush out an offending allergen. For those with seasonal allergies these symptoms can get out of hand and result in feeling miserable.

Herbs can be added to your medicine chest of remedies to help make your change of season more comfortable and enjoyable. Before deciding which herbs to include as part of your spring allergy relief program, it is wise to check with a practitioner familiar with herbal health care.

Bioflavonoids to the Rescue

Bioflavonoids are an important constituent found in many flowers, leaves, and fruits that help bring relief for seasonal allergy symptoms.

Bioflavonoids help prevent the formation of histamine. Histamine is one of the substances released by the body in an attempt to get rid of the offending foreign particle - the allergen. It is a hormone that causes tearing eyes and runny noses to enable the body to flush out the offending allergen. Histamine prompts the body to quickly get rid of the allergen by activating the common allergy symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, and swelling and inflammation.

Increasing your intake of bioflavonoids helps prevent the formation of histamine (as opposed to commonly used over the counter anti-histamines which interfere with histamine's action after it has been produced). Herbs that help alleviate sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses contain substances that prevent the formation of histamine. Without histamine, your seasonal allergy symptoms can be significantly reduced. Many bioflavonoids are also anti-inflammatories, which means they decrease the swelling of tissues caused by reacting to an allergen.

Anti-allergenic and bioflavonoid rich herbs include German chamomile, lemon balm, Baical skullcap, mints, anise, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, feverfew, milk thistle, and yarrow.

Hawthorn is an anti-histamine herb that blocks the release of histidine decaroxylase needed to convert histamine in the body. Licorice, ginkgo, cinnamon, cardamom, rosemary, many mints and the essential oils of orange, tangerine, lemon are antihistamine and anti-allergenic and help relax the nasal passages and airways. German chamomile may slow allergic reactions by increasing the adrenal glands' production of cortisone, which reduces lung inflammation and makes breathing easier. These herbs can be taken as teas or in tincture form.

Herbal Baths and Teas Help Soothe Irritation

Essential oils of chamomile, clove, caraway, and lemon balm contain natural antihistamines that can be useful for soothing itchy hives. Mix a few drops of the essential oil with an ounce of carrier oil such as almond or olive and apply to hives. Never apply the essential oils directly to skin as they can be caustic. Never take essential oils internally unless directed by a health care practitioner.

Itchy hives can also be relieved by taking an herbal bath. Dried antihistamine herbs such as thyme, German chamomile, basil, fennel, and tarragon can be mixed together and made into a soothing bath for allergy relief for skin reactions. To make an effective herbal bath use a quart glass jar and fill the jar one-third way of the dried herb mixture. Pour in boiling water to fill the jar. Put a cap on the jar and let it sit for over an hour. If you want a stronger bath, let the mixture sit four to six hours. Strain out the herbs and pour the remaining herbal liquid into the bath. Soak and relax. These same bath herbs can be used to make an anti- allergy tea to help relieve those worrisome symptoms. To make a tea use one teaspoon of the herbs to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Drink one to three cups a day.

More Herbal Allergy Helpers

An allergic response can cause tissue lining the sinuses to swell, which can block the outlets of the sinuses to the nose. When this happens mucus build up in the sinuses can cause headaches and mucus draining from the back of the nose into the throat (the common postnasal drip). Using an over-the-counter anti-histamine with these symptoms can thicken the mucus even more so that it can not drain. It is better to help dilate the sinus passages and thin and liquefy the mucus so that it can drain easily. Hot chili peppers are very effective at draining thick, congested mucus and relieving these symptoms. Herbs such as ginger, yarrow, lemongrass, chickweed, red clover, fenugreek can be effective decongestants that thin and liquefy the congested mucus.

To help relieve the scratchy, sore throat that accompanies seasonal allergies herbs that soothe and coat the mucus membranes - demulcents- can be effective. Demulcent herbs include: marshmallow, malva, slippery elm, and violet. If a cough accompanies the sore throat, you can try plantain, wild cherry bark, or horehound all of which act as excellent cough relievers. Plantain also supports the adrenals, acts as an anti-spasmodic and helps expel mucus.

Nettles helps to prevent the excessive release of inflammatory substances such as leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are one of the natural body substances released when an allergen enters the body resulting in an inflammatory response. This leads to irritated and swollen mucus membranes that secrete excessive mucus. Nettles is also anti-allergen, enhances the immune system and increases the body's ability to handle stress.

The herb ginkgo contains ginkgolides that interfere with the chain of events that results in allergic reactions. Phytochemicals found in ginkgo biloba block the action of platelet-activating factor that activates immune cells responsible for inflammation. Several studies suggest that ginkgo improves the ability to tolerate allergens. Follow label directions on the bottle as far as dosage is concerned. Avoid taking in excess as excessive ginkgo can lead to diarrhea, irritability, and insomnia.

Another helpful herb to use to increase the body's ability to resist reacting to allergens is milk thistle. Milk thistle protects the liver and improves its ability to clear antigens from the body and strengthens mucus membrane integrity while providing bioflavanoids.

Herbs can be a definite benefit in helping you enjoy the early days of spring and move energetically and free from allergy symptoms into the warm days of summer.

Before taking any herbs always learn about the herb you are taking to be sure it is compatible with you and check with a knowledgeable herbal health care provider. Enjoy!

Using Brainwave Entrainment To Treat Seasonal Allergies - Success!

It's that time of year again. Itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, the headaches, the fatigue...it just takes all the pleasure out of spring and summer.

Brainwave entrainment, using a meditative frequency, can alleviate or completely diminish allergy symptoms and provide much needed relief. Entrainment effects can be felt almost immediately.

Allergies are caused by an improper response from your immune system to a perceived threat from the environment. If you are stressed or depressed, your immune system is already impaired, so when are an allergen is presented, it overreacts as a way of defending itself. Allergies are triggered by allergens that affect the respiratory system-lungs, nose, mouth, sinuses and the passages. That's when you get the sneezing, watery eyes, runny or clogged nose, coughing, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and conjunctivitis. Any obstruction in the respiratory system can cause a lack of oxygen supply in the body and that never is good, in fact it could prove fatal.

Most common allergens are pollen, dust, molds, food, insect venom, medicines, and latex rubber. Common irritants are smoke (not just cigarette, forest or grass fires too), air pollution, and strong odors (like perfume).

Stress and heightened negative emotions also aggravate allergies, leading to chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis.

How Brainwave Entrainment Helps Allergy Symptoms

• Allergy symptoms occur from a messed up immune system. Entrainment boosts your immune system, changing the incorrect messages, by stopping the over-production of cortisol, a stress hormone that impairs the immune system.


• Boosting the immune system improves the health of respiratory passages which improves the body's ability to fight off allergens and infection.


• Entrainment is a clinically proven stress reducer.


• Brainwave entrainment helps you relax and control your mind and emotions, thus controlling your allergic reactions. If your emotions are out of control, your attack will be.


• Entrainment builds up respiratory stamina.


• A meditative brainwave frequency can reduce inflammation which benefits allergies and many other problems like anxiety disorders, asthma, binge eating, cancer, depression, fatigue, heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, sleep problems, and substance abuse.


• Research supports that meditative entrainment helps ease allergy and asthma symptoms.


• When the immune goes into over-drive, various parts of the body become inflamed. Brainwave entrainment can physically and mentally calm and relax the body, and its response to an allergen, which plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation.

Seasonal allergy symptoms can make you tired, very tired, irritable, depressed, and anxious.

Using a specifically designed brainwave entrainment recording in isochronic tones or binaural beats for the purpose of allergy symptom relief has been scientifically proven to be effective and beneficial.

Don't sniffle and suffer anymore. Build up your immune system, bust some stress, and reduce inflammation...and maybe you'll learn to love spring all over again.

Food Allergies - Is Your English Bulldog in Danger?

Is your English Bulldog suffering from a food allergy? How can you tell? How do you help him if he develops one? It is very important to know the answers to these questions to make sure your dog stays healthy. As a good mother or father knows, the health of your pet is vital to his and your happiness. Sometimes, however, it is hard to know when an allergy is affecting your beloved animal. Luckily, you will find some tips here to help you out.

Symptoms
There are a lot of ways you can tell if Rufus is allergic to something in his food. You just have to pay attention and notice it. Many of the signs are apparent in his skin and fur. If he seems to be scratching all the time with no sign of fleas, losing patches of hair, or developing dandruff type flakes, then you may be dealing with a food allergy. Another sure sign that Rufus' food is not agreeing with his body is an increase in bowel movements. If he is eating the normal amount of food but goes to the bathroom more often, it means that the food he is eating is not being processed through his body. This means that he isn't getting the nutrients he needs and will invariably become ill.

What can I do?
If you think that Rufus has become allergic to something in the food you normally feed him, now is the time to try another type of food. To find the right food for him, you have to figure out what is in his original food that he is allergic to. This will probably mean a lot of trips to the store, a lot of different dog foods, and a lot of extra time and energy. Thank goodness you know that Rufus is worth all the fuss! As you try each different type of dog food, you will have to give it around a month to know for sure if the allergy has made its way out of Rufus' system. Make sure that you are strict and feed him only the food you are testing. That way you know he is not getting something he is allergic to in a treat or off your floor. You can try several different types of hypoallergenic dog food, which may make it easier to gauge Rufus' reactions.

Hypoallergenic Food
This can really be a good choice for your dog, whether he has developed an allergy or not. Hypoallergenic dog food is made only with products that are natural for your dog to eat. A lot of the additives and fillers that people put into dog food these days are things that Rufus' body just can't digest. That will increase his chances of developing an allergy to something in the food. Hypoallergenic food is made with only the things that Rufus needs and are healthy for him. There is always a chance, however, that he may have become allergic to a typical ingredient that is not bad for him, but that his body just does not like. This may take some trial and error with various brands of foods to determine if this particular ingredient isn't present in more than one brand.

A food allergy can be really dangerous for your dog if you either ignore it or fail to respond in a timely manner. Once the original symptoms begin showing, do something about it as soon as possible. Kidney and liver function can be affected if your dog continues to be fed food he is allergic to. At minimum Rufus can get very ill, require IV antibiotics and a long hospital stay. However if ignored, he could die. Rufus is an important member of your pack and you would do anything for him, wouldn't you? You wouldn't continue feeding your daughter strawberries if you found out she was allergic to them, right? Rufus deserves the same love and respect.

As you can see, with a watchful eye, tuning into obvious changes in Rufus' behavior and health, a minor food allergy doesn't have to turn into something major. If caught early, Rufus, with a change in diet, can live a very long and happy life.

Are Swollen Eyes an Allergy Symptom?

Seeing some swollen eyes looking at you from the bathroom mirror is never pleasant but is it a signal of an allergy? Swollen and red eyes certainly mean that there's some kind of irritation and inflammation in the tissues in and around the eye but what could it be?

There are many possibilities. The swelling means that there is some fluid build up but does not tell us the cause. Here are some possibilities.

Glaucoma is a condition in which there is a high pressure in the eye which forces it forward and gives the eye a swollen and prominent look. This is a condition needing expert examination and treatment and not home treatment.

Pink eye is the common name for allergic conjunctivitis in which there is an allergic trigger making the front of the eye red and inflamed. Obvious culprits would be airborne allergens like pollen, dander, dust and dust from industrial plants and construction sites. Perhaps an air filter at home would help. Simply removing allergens from air may give enough relief so a H.E.P.A. filter is worth thinking about.

Contact lenses can also cause problems. Perhaps a slight infection is causing irritation and a review of how you look after your lenses is needed. Well worth checking with the expert who provided them

Make up allergies are common. There are many different chemicals in make up and personal care product that affect people with sensitive skin. Try using different make or even none!

Dry eyes are common too and cause people to take eye drops. Not infrequently those eye drops irritate the eyes and swelling is the result. A different eye drop formula may do the trick.

Sinusitis, the inflammation of the sinus cavities is often accompanied by pain, puffiness and swelling around the eyes and your normal allergy remedy should reduce the swelling as the anti-histamines do their work.

Swollen eyes are an indicator of an irritation, an inflammation in or around the eyes but in themselves are a very general sign that you need to give yourself some extra care and perhaps get some expert health advice. It may just be that a natural product like vitamin C would do the trick, by pushing your histamine level down and you look and feel fine again in a few hours or maybe it is a sign of something deeper like fluid retention. If the swelling persists the meaning is clear, go see your family healthcare professional.

Wheat Allergy Symptoms - Your Guide to Wheat Allergies and How to Treat Them

If you have a true wheat allergy, then you will experience symptoms almost immediately or within a few hours. Symptoms can vary each time you eat wheat or come in contact with wheat - yes you can have a reaction from just touching it if you have an allergy! Wheat allergy can sometimes be confused with a wheat intolerance or Celiac disease. Learning about the common symptoms will make it a lot clearer to you on whether or not you have a wheat allergy.

Common symptoms:

• Hives
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing
• Itchy eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anaphylaxis - A life threatening reaction that causes swelling of your throat and mouth making it very hard for you to breathe.
• Eczema

Wheat allergy is different to wheat intolerance because it usually occurs immediately and involves an immediate immune response using IgE antibodies. In wheat intolerance, your body is lacking the enzymes needed to adequately digest the protein in wheat.

Celiac disease is different again, where it is an autoimmune response to gluten which causes your own immune system to attack your small intestine inhibiting the absorption of nutrients.

All of these have their own unique symptoms, so it's important to learn about the different symptoms of each condition so you have a better understanding of what may be effecting you. This will make it easier for you to know what treatment route to take and also make it easier for you to explain to your doctor what is happening.

For more information on how to get tested for wheat allergy and how to treat it you should check out this website http://www.liveallergyfree.com.au/2010/03/09/a-dummies-guide-to-wheat-allergy-symptoms- and how to treat it.

Finding the Right Allergy Relief

For allergy sufferers, finding the right allergy relief can be downright frustrating and, at times, feel quite hopeless. When medication after medication proves unsuccessful, relief can seem like a far-off dream. However, being persistent, monitoring triggers, and keeping open lines of communication with a doctor may prove to be the best possible ways to get one step closer to finding a solution.

Depending on the type of allergy, many options are available for relief. Obviously, the most important treatment is to avoid the irritant as much as possible or to try and completely eliminate any type of contact with the allergen. In order to find the specific irritant, testing may take place to see what specific allergen is causing the allergy symptoms. Once the specific trigger is defined, a plan can be discussed with a doctor or allergist.

For individuals who suffer from pet dander, mold, dust, and mildew allergies, keeping the home as clean as possible can help to achieve some allergy relief. Choosing not to have an animal in the home if there is a pet allergy would eliminate this problem completely. But if the animal must remain in the home, frequent washing of the animal to eliminate excess pet dander can prove to be helpful in minimizing symptoms.

Frequent dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens with a bleach and water solution can help keep dust mites and molds at bay. Protecting mattresses and pillows with covers and pads minimizes the possibility of dust mites. And weekly washing of all bedding, including blankets, will also provide allergy relief by reducing allergens within the air. Also, obtaining an air humidifier and an air filtration system can reduce mold spore production within the air.

Certain over-the-counter medications also prove helpful for sufferers of seasonal allergies - those that are induced by the release of pollens into the air - as well as any other type of mild allergy. Nasal decongestants or certain antihistamines such as psuedoephedrine, phenyleprhrine, or oxymetorlzaone can be used alone or in conjunction with each other to achieve relief through the elimination of such symptoms as itchy and watery eyes, stuff and runny nose, and chronic sneezing.

For sufferers of more severe allergies, prescription allergy relief may be found in long term antihistamine use or in nasal corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, taken at low dosages, have proven very successful in eliminating ongoing chest congestion. Immunotherapy is also utilized in severe allergy cases and involves injections of the specific allergen over time in order to build the body's immunity and create tolerance to that allergen in the future.

If all of the treatments have proven unsuccessful, individuals should remain persistent and discuss other alternatives with their doctor to find the relief they need. Monitoring the triggers and tracking any changes will help the doctor understand the individual's specific allergy. New treatments are being discovered on a daily basis and keeping up-to-date with the newest developments could lead to finding the right allergy relief for you.