By: Dr. Michael Morsillo, B.Sc., N.D.
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
For most people, spring means warmer weather, brighter and longer days, more time spent outdoors, and blossoming trees and flowers. For millions of Canadians, however, spring can be a dreaded time of the year with severe symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Seasonal allergies are characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy & watery eyes and fatigue. The most common allergens that trigger this reaction include dust mites, feathers, animal dander, mold, pollen, grass, and fungus spores.
Seasonal allergies occur because the immune system over-reacts to an allergen. Airborne particles come into contact with the nasal mucosa, eyes, and lungs and binds to a white blood cell called a mast cell. The mast cell will immediately release histamine as well as chemical messengers to attract other white blood cells to give an additional release of histamine upon further allergen exposure.
Histamine is responsible for most of the allergy symptoms that we experience and most pharmaceutical therapies are designed to block histamine from binding to its receptor. One problem with this approach is most allergy medications produce side effects including sedation, dizziness, tinnitus, arrhythmias, rebound congestion, and mucosal damage. The other problem with this approach is that it does not address the root cause of an over-reactive immune system.
As a naturopathic doctor, the goal of treatment is to provide natural therapies that will address the root cause and make the body less reactive to allergens. Some of the underlying causes that may lead to allergies include digestive dysfunction, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, inflammation, adrenal dysfunction, and poor detoxification. Over time, many of these imbalances can disturb immune system functioning, setting the stage for allergic reactions.
At Newmarket Naturopathic Health Centre, we address these root causes using natural medicines, which can offer effective and long-lasting relief of seasonal allergies.
There are some natural therapies below that have been well-researched and shown to be quite effective for seasonal allergies:
Vitamin C:
Decreases allergy symptoms by preventing histamine release from white blood cells and allowing the body to more efficiently detoxify histamine.
Nasal Saline Rinse:
Nasal washes with salt water is one of the most helpful, inexpensive approaches for allergies. Frequent saline rinsing of the nasal mucosa will thin the mucus, promote mucus evacuation, and refresh the nasal mucosa.
Minimize exposure:
You can minimize exposure to allergens by using air conditioning in homes and automobiles, frequent shampooing of pets, and using HEPA filters in the bedroom and main living areas of your home. These HEPA filters can especially minimize exposure to dust particles.
Fruits & Vegetables:
Fruits and vegetables, especially onions, garlic, apples, and broccoli contain plenty of antioxidants and bioflavonoids, which can provide daily defence against seasonal allergies.
Homeopathic Allergy Formulas:
Homeopathic medicines can be very effective for treating allergies and clinical studies have shown that some homeopathic formulas can completely eliminate allergy symptoms even in those who have been suffering for years.
Homeopathic medicines are a very safe and effective treatment for seasonal allergies. Call now to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Michael Morsillo maintains a naturopathic clinical practice in Newmarket within Nature’s Emporium, where he focuses mainly on anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal concerns, cancer, detoxification, and weight loss. For more information or to schedule an appointment at Newmarket Naturopathic Health Centre, please call 905-898-1844 ext. 135.