From a naturopathic viewpoint, allergies are often associated with weak adrenal, immune, and digestive functions. Natural treatments are used to support and improve those functions and to alleviate hay fever symptoms. For seasonal allergies, beginning natural treatments 1-2 months before the season starts can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Good health can help ease allergy symptoms, and good health starts with nutrition.
But what would medical doctors and allergists say?
WebMD quotes Mary Hardy, MD, director of integrative medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles: “Using nature-based products can be a very useful way to handle mild allergies and a useful adjunct for more significant allergies, and there are many types of treatments you can safely try.” In fact, in a section called “Natural Allergy Remedies,” WebMD examines each of the following natural allergy treatments, their use and their effectiveness:
We’ve also examined a few natural remedies in our own blogs:
The general consensus seems to be that some of the natural remedies listed above do help some people some of the time. People also recommend vitamins for allergy symptoms, but there have yet to be any conclusive scientific results regarding their specific impact on sinus issues. In addition, doctors caution that some supplements may trigger allergic reactions themselves, so you should always research and consult your doctor before using them.
That said, we do know the risks for the most common types of allergy medications, and those aren’t ideal either:
- Antihistamines: dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, restlessness or moodiness, blurred vision, confusion, possible risks with long-term use, and negative interactions with specific medications.
- Decongestants: dizziness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, nosebleeds, throat irritation and increased tolerance.
On top of all of these risks and costs, both allergy medication and natural remedies are only temporary solutions. So if you are looking for a more permanent end to your allergy suffering, schedule an appointment with CT Sinus Center to see how we can help. When you first come in, our expert team will talk to you about your medical history and your symptoms. Next, through our patient-centered philosophy and up-to-date diagnostic tools, we will pinpoint what is causing your discomfort and develop the right treatment for your lifestyle. You may even be a candidate for one of our two outpatient procedures, both of which will end your suffering in around an hour:
- Balloon Sinus Dilation, which will reshape your nasal passages, promoting draining and natural healing.
- Turbinate Reductions, in which the tissue in the nose that supports the nasal passages is decreased, decreasing the size of the turbinate and quickly increasing airflow
Call 860-BALLOON to schedule an appointment at one of CT Sinus Center’s four conveniently-located offices and start breathing freely, like nature intended.
For more information on sinus– and allergy-related conditions or treatments, read more about CT Sinus Center and take a look at our blog.