May has finally come and life outside is starting to warm, plants are starting to grow, and people are putting in their gardens.  Spring is one of my favorite times of year, walking around the yard looking at all of the plants popping up out of the ground, the downside for many is pollen is rearing its ugly head.  Spring is also the time of year that I write an article about allergies and how to treat them so buckle up and enjoy the ride and hopefully I can help you get to a better place in your allergy battle.

There are two reasons for addressing allergies.  First is that I want to help patients achieve some level of relief by developing lifelong strategies.  The second is to address the way we often go about dealing with allergies which is by playing catch-up, while only treating symptoms, essentially blocking the body’s natural response, without looking to strengthen the body’s response to the allergens.  Therefore, I have to wonder if we go about “treating” allergies all wrong? 

Many people are looking for natural alternatives out of personal preference, as well as the side-effects that common over the counter allergy medicines can cause such as drowsiness, dry mouth, feeling jittery, difficulty sleeping, rebound congestion, and even raising blood pressure. 

Conventional treatments only calm symptoms.  Antihistamines are used to block histamine at the receptor site.  Histamine is released in response to exposure to an allergen and which stimulates the histamine receptor causing the symptoms of swelling, runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives, just a few reactions.  Decongestants shrink blood vessels decreasing swelling and congestion but can also lead to unnaturally stimulating the body, kind of like running your car on a high idle.  If this is not good for your car, what could it do to your body after prolonged and continual stimulation? 

Nasal decongestants are the worst as they work incredibly well for a couple of days but then your body gets used to them and once that happens, they cause increased congestion.  We refer to this as rebound congestion which requires more frequent use to get an ever-weakening benefit. If you learn anything from this article, please avoid decongestant nasal sprays.

What if we were able to support and strengthen these pathways, allowing the body to operate in its natural state?  Could this be a better approach?

When looking for natural relief during allergy season, I like to focus on four main areas: 

(1) the health of the immune system,

(2) how the body responds to allergens and environmental factors,

(3) supporting healthy mucosal linings such as nasal passages, and

(4) stabilizing the mast cells to help prevent excessive histamine release before it ever happens.

If you can avoid allergens, that is often the best solution, however, we know that quarantining can get old in a hurry so staying indoors forever is not an option but keeping your windows closed will help decrease your exposure to allergens.  You might also consider an air purifier which can remove allergens in your home.

Nasal irrigations are a mechanical solution and involves something most people find offensive, shooting water up your nose.  There are several options to consider: Neti Pot, NeilMed Rinse bottle, and nasal nebulizers.  They are listed in order from the least amount of pressure used to the most.  These products will physically wash the sinus mucosa and rinse away the allergens.  Performing this procedure twice a day can provide great benefits for patients.

As a side note, for the patient with chronic sinus infections, we can compound capsules with antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids that can be added to the rinses to help treat those infections.  Sinus infections are one of the most difficult infections to treat due to lack of blood flow so by taking the treatment directly to the infection, the patient often has had better results without wreaking havoc on the bacteria lining the intestinal tract.  This compound requires a prescription from your provider if it is an option you would like to pursue.

Here are some of my favorite natural ingredients to help during allergy season. Quercetin has strong antioxidant activity and has been shown to support immune health by decreasing the release of inflammatory compounds including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Quercetin is known for its ability to stabilize mast cells, diminishing the release of histamine, the compound known to cause hypersensitivity reactions during seasonal changes.

Stinging nettles leaf is a plant that has been shown to balance immune response, specifically in the airways and nasal passages. Studies have shown that the extract of stinging nettles leaf balances a variety of inflammatory activities that affect respiratory health.

Bromelain is a plant enzyme naturally found on the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant. Bromelain is a proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme that aids in the breakdown of large protein complexes, including antigenic compounds, and has been shown to enhance the absorption of quercetin. Bromelain has been shown to reduce circulating allergenic protein complexes associated with hyper-immune sensitivity and seasonal discomfort.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid precursor to one of the most important antioxidants in the body, glutathione. Both glutathione and NAC help reduce the viscosity of the mucus allowing for clearing of the airways and improved respiratory health. 

Vitamin C cannot be synthesized by humans and is, therefore, an essential nutrient that must be consumed in the diet. Among its numerous health-promoting properties, vitamin C is an essential vitamin that supports the immune system and is also a potent antioxidant. When the body is under a significant amount of stress, vitamin C is excreted rapidly. Vitamin C has many immune-boosting properties but is distinctively beneficial for individuals with seasonal discomfort because of its ability to deactivate histamine.

And lastly, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root (DGL) which is the root of the licorice plant has been shown to have expectorant (mucus-loosening) properties in humans, thus providing healthy respiratory support.  It also acts as a demulcent by soothing irritation in mucous membranes. 

The beauty of working with these natural ingredients is that you can get them all in one product, so you don't have to source them individually. These ingredients work great for seasonal allergies, but they are also effective against environmental allergens inside and out of the home, so you are covered from season to season.

Seasonal allergies are a common occurrence and are often resolved with a strategy like the one discussed however, there is a group of patients who have excessive allergy symptoms.  This group of patients have a super twitchy immune response to allergens, often year around, and sometimes quite debilitating.  For this group with have other options to tame down the immune response.

If you would like help or more information about natural treatment option for seasonal allergies, do not hesitate to contact my pharmacy staff, as they would be more than willing to help you at 701-483-4858. All my articles can be found online at our website, www.irsfeldpharmacy.com. My podcast, "The Irsfeld Pharmacy Optimal You Podcast," can also be accessed through the website.

Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!