ACHOOOOO!!!!!!!!

It's that time of year again!!!
If you live in Austin and other allergen-laden locales, you are certainly familiar with the outward symptoms of airborne allergies. I believe the fires have stirred up the air and has made some allergies worse this year! Are you suffering form itchy eyes, congestion, headaches, or ear aches, if so you may be familiar with allergies and what they do to you. But did you know that depression can actually be a symptom of an allergy at work in your body? So can muscle aches, joint pain, anger and irritability, even an inability to think clearly. The list of allergy symptoms goes on and on.

The exact cause of allergies isn't known. Western science defines an allergic reaction as the body's defense mechanism against an allergen or foreign substance. The body's immune system takes over in an attempt to protect it. Ironically, your body is making you uncomfortable by fighting what are often benign substances. So why is Elm or Ragweed kicking your butt right now and not your neighbor's or your spouse's? We found the answer is your Immune System strength and your immunity against the allergen!

Allergies to airborne substances - cedar, ragweed, mold, dust, mountain juniper, are often indicative of inflammation somewhere in the GI tract. They are typically secondary to a food allergy that is creating the inflammation. So rebuilding the stomach lining, will decrease allergies, even airborne!

Some allergens are actually inherited, but these are few. In fact, allergic reactions to soy, peanuts, dairy products, and wheat appear to be the only genetic allergies. Changing the pH and calming the inflammation of the bowels is the key to reducing or eliminating allergies. While it isn't an overnight process, the results are worth it-living without sinusitis, itchy watery eyes, headaches, pressure, fatigue, drainage, sinus infections, irritable bowels, spastic colon, diarrhea, and constipation.

You may be shocked to discover how many of your seemingly unrelated symptoms are actually allergies. Other symptoms of allergies include migraines, heartburn, fainting, blood-sugar problems, indigestion, and even mood disorders. Often, depression is actually a result of commonly ingested allergens, and many people find they can reduce or eliminate their need for psychotropic medications by modifying their food intake.

In my office we use homeopathic remedies, herbs, acupuncture and adjustments to alleviate allergy symptoms and rebuild the stomach to address and fix the cause.

All of these combined together is how you can be allergy free!

Chiropractic
By releasing stress on the nervous system, chiropractic permits the immune system to function more effectively-something all allergy sufferers need. A nervous system without stress functions more efficiently. Recent understandings in psychoneuroimmunology reveal that when the nervous system functions better the immune system benefits. Chiropractors correct a basic cause of body malfunction to improve the function of your immune system. Please note that the chiropractic approach is to remove vertebral subluxations, a common spinal distortion that puts stress on your nervous system. Freed of nervous system stress, your body will work more effectively to neutralize the allergy-causing chemicals in your environment. As Dr. Kurt Donsback has said: "A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

Acupuncture
Acupuncture can target the areas where the allergies may stem from. Acupuncture is a procedure, and therapy where I insert a tiny thin needle into certain acupressure points that are designed to open and increase the energy flow (Qi) throughout the body. Once the body has a thorough energy flow, the body will become balanced both hormonally, physically and mentally. With allergies, I can treat the root of the problem, as well as where the problem manifests itself within the body.

Probiotics
Again, working on the immune system is the most important defense against allergens. The good stomach bacteria (probiotics) train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies.

Natural D-Hist and Texas Allergy

Both are fast acting and help reduce allergy symptoms. Both are sold only by Dr.'s and I do carry both in the office as well as a high grade probiotic.

Natural D-Hist combines Quercetin, which is a mast cell stabalizers that inhibits compounds that affect the nasal passageways slowing down nasal discharge, with Bromelain which supports the mucousal lining and slows down the mucus viscosity. D-Hist does not leave you with that "hang over" feeling benedryl or other over the counter medications may.....

Texas Allergy Spray is a homeopathic remedy that slowly introduces Texas Allergens into your system such as Ragweed, Mold and Cedar. By introducing small amounts before allergy season hits, your body will build immunity to the allergen when it comes into contact with the real thing. I like to start my patients on this the month or so before the allergen that bothers them is at it's highest. For example I start my Cedar sensitive patients on Texas Allergy in late September for the November Cedar Season.