Acupuncture Can Help with Seasonal Allergies

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, springtime can be a mixed blessing. The warm weather, the flowers, versus the allergy symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.  Left untreated, allergies can lead to sinus infections, feeling groggy, headaches, depression, and in serious cases, allergies can be fatal.

Allergy medications temporarily alleviate these symptoms, while acupuncture addresses the underlying imbalance that’s causing the symptoms in the first place.

An allergen enters the body through the skin or is inhaled. The immune system identifies the substance as potentially dangerous and creates antibodies to attack it. The IgE antibodies in turn affect mast cells throughout the body and cause the release of histamines.

The body produces too much histamine when it has an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to certain substances that normally do not affect most people. This heightened immune response, which causes histamine to be released leads to the allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy throat, and itchy watery eyes.

With acupuncture, seasonal allergies are not isolated to the histamine response.  Acupuncture looks at allergies as a general disruption of a person’s defensive mechanisms.

Instead of accepting the over reactive immune response and suppressing it with medication (antihistamines), acupuncturists look at why the person’s immunity is compromised.

During a treatment, acupuncture points are selected for healing the symptoms and bolstering the underlying imbalance.  Depending on the specific symptoms, many additional points are also used.

The systems that are most commonly involved in chronic allergies are the lung, kidney and spleen. Treating the underlying imbalance as well as the symptoms helps to optimize immune function and prevent future allergic reactions.

Seasonal allergies are something many people have come to accept as an inevitable part of springtime, a trade off of sorts for the warm weather. It doesn’t have to be this way.  Acupuncture can relieve and prevent seasonal allergies, without negative side effects.

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What is an Allergy and Do I Need an Allergist?

An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it.  When the immune symptom detects anything unwanted or unknown, it will defend itself by attacking and destroying the dangerous substance. (There are hundreds of ordinary substances that can trigger allergic reactions). However, sometimes, the defenses are directed toward harmless substances such as dust or pollen and are incorrectly identified as dangerous.

When someone has allergies, their immune system makes an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies respond to allergens. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction.

Allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe, with may mild symptoms not requiring any treatment.  Some allergies can be controlled with the occasional over-the-counter medication, such as someone suffering from seasonal hay fever. However, there are many severe allergies that can interfere with your daily routine, and where allergic reactions can be life threatening.

Many allergy sufferers will tolerate or “put-up-with” minor symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion or wheezing. For those who suffer from moderate to severe allergies, the best defense is with the help of an allergist, to prevent or control the symptoms.

An allergist can develop a treatment plan with the goal of you leading a life that is as normal and as symptom-free as possible.

A visit to the allergist might include:

  • Allergy testing
  • Prevention education – avoiding the factors that trigger the condition
  • Medication prescriptions
  • Immunotherapy “Allergy Shots”

Allergies can appear at any time and any age, and sometimes allergies that have disappeared, will return years later.

Make an appointment with an allergist if you suffer from any of these symptoms:

  • Chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing
  • You experience allergy symptoms several months out of the year
  • Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications no longer work
  • Allergies interfere with day-to-day activities, and decrease the quality of life

As with most health issues, talk with your doctor or health care practitioner to find the best plan for you.

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Food Allergy or Food Intolerance

Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to food you have eaten, triggering an allergic reaction.

Many people believe they have a food allergy, but in fact they have a food intolerance. Food intolerance is much more common than a food allergy, and while food intolerance can be uncomfortable (upset stomach) it does not involve your immune system and is not life threatening.  Food allergies are a reaction to food by your body’s immune system, and can be very dangerous, even fatal.

While any food can cause an adverse reaction, eight types of food account for about 90 percent of all food reactions:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Wheat
  • Soy

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. A food that triggered only mild symptoms on one occasion may cause more severe symptoms at another time.

Most food-related symptoms occur within two hours of ingestion; often starting within minutes. Food allergy symptoms can appear at any age, and you can develop an allergy to a food you have eaten for years with no problems.

The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening allergic reaction that impairs your breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. Anaphylaxis can come on within minutes of exposure to the trigger food.  Individuals with food allergies at risk of anaphylaxis carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) which contains medication in case of an allergic reaction.

An anaphylactic reaction can involve any of the following symptoms:

  • Hives, swelling, itching, redness, rash
  • Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue, trouble swallowing
  • Trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat tightness
  • Signs of shock
  • Nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Moist, cool skin, or profuse sweating
  • Restlessness, confusion, or a sense of impending doom
  • Turning  pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, feeling faint

Having food allergies needs to be taken seriously – Even if you have been given an epinephrine shot, even if you feel better,  call 911!

If you have any reactions to any food, be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare practitioner.

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