Many people suffer with a stuffy nose, coughing, and sneezing when the seasons change. Does this automatically mean you have allergies? The answer is No. The definition of allergies is described as your immune system reacting to a foreign particle such as pollen or pet dander which doesn’t cause a reaction in most people.

During the springtime, we begin to have an influx of irritants which can cause a histamine response in the body increasing inflammation. This can cause sneezing, sinus congestion, soreness in the throat, redness in the eyes, and itching. If the reaction increases or includes severe hives, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, drop in blood pressure, a severe rash or nausea/vomiting, then you need immediate attention. However, it is important to realize that you may have some mild symptoms such as sinus congestion or sneezing.

Often these symptoms are a healthy sign that your body is adapting to the season change and these symptoms will subside in a few days to two weeks.

When the symptoms are mild you can consider natural treatments like saline nasal spray or using a neti pot to rinse out the sinuses. You will want to keep your house clean of dander and dust; this will help limit your exposure to irritants. It is important to support the body with nutrition such as Omega 3’s to help reduce inflammation. Our typical diet tends to be low in these essential fats, so unless your diet leans more towards a Mediterranean diet, you will have to be intentional about supplementing. You can include Omega 3 into your diet by adding walnuts, chia seeds, olive oil and fatty fish.

Many allergy sufferers also praise chiropractic care, but chiropractic is not a cure for allergies. It is a way to correct the stress put on the body from an allergic response. When the body is overwhelmed it responds in various ways which can result in headaches and tension in the head and neck. Chiropractic is beneficial in addressing those issues by reducing stress on the spine, nervous and immune system.

Spring is a wonderful time and allergies shouldn’t keep you from doing the things you love. If we can help you, please give Natural Spine Solutions a call at (208) 966-4425.

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Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr. is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 966-4425.