Alleviating Allergy Symptoms

posted: June 3, 2009

According to Health Canada, approximately 20 percent of Canadians suffer from allergies. Moulds, mildews, dust and pet danders are the main culprits for year-round allergies as they tend to be concentrated indoors. Pollen (or hay fever) affects sufferers on a seasonal basis as first trees, then grass and weeds release high levels of pollen into the air from the spring to autumn months. The conditions tend to worsen for allergy sufferers when the weather conditions are hot, dry and windy.

There are steps one can take to alleviate the symptoms of allergies. Over-the-counter drugs such as anti-histamines and decongestants, along with nasal sprays and puffers are the most common options utilized in fighting allergies.

An allergist can determine the primary irritants of an allergy sufferer and work out ways to best alleviate the worst symptoms, including the possibility of using vaccines.

Natural remedies through diet and other preventive measures can also help alleviate allergies. These include:

Eat lots of whole foods, especially fruits and veggies and whole grains; essential fatty acids in the form of fish oil or flaxseed oil to boost your immune system
Avoid eating sugar, soy foods, wheat and dairy as they all encourage mucus production
Take Vitamin C and quercetin (a bioflavonoid); they act as natural antihistamines
Probiotics also enhance your immune system and can reduce allergy symptoms
Nasal Irrigation: use of a nettie pot to flush the nasal passageways with a lukewarm saline solution can provide relief from congestion and sinus pain associated with allergies
Close windows at night
Air out closed and stuffy rooms frequently
Dusting in your home with damp cloths
Use an air filtration unit

Source: The Vancouver Sun, Tuesday May 19, 2009, Section E8 Healthy Living, The Summer Cold That Won't Go Away and Remedies and Prevention Tips to Alleviate Symptoms of Allergy.