Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Leaves are on the Trees and the Kleenex Tissue is on the Nose

Autumn is here and there is more running than just people, noses are running, with the allergy season to blame. If “bless you” has become more than a religious phrase which is very frequently uttered in your home, you need to take note…before the sneeze tissue runs out! The body knows how to respond to allergens (pollens, molds, dust and grasses) with that familiar scratchy throat, watery eyes and runny nose). Allergens are microscopic particles which are inhaled or digested (food allergies). The body responds to this invasion of foreign substances by releasing histamine, bradykinin and other immune response chemicals. These cause the symptoms of allergies, which may include hay fever, asthma, eczema and hives.

Is the answer allergy medication? Most allergies medications, such as antihistamines are designed to suppress symptoms, which can actually destroy the bodies only defense against the harmful allergens. It’s like sending an “army” of helpers on leave. The answer for relief is to build a strong immune system so that the body has the ability to resist over-responding to allergens.

Ah Chooooo. . . Ah Cold… Or is it ah Allergy?

Your nose does not always “knows” what it is suffering from. People often misdiagnose themselves and may not seek treatment until the symptoms become unbearable. So, here’s how to tell…

IF YOU HAVEA COLD, you’ll experience nasal congestion with a slightly thick and watery nasals discharge. You may have a fever of less than 101◦ F., with the possibility of chills, muscle aches, fatigue, cough or a sore throat. This usually lasts for 7-14 days.

IF YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY, you’ll have a heavy flow of clear nasal discharge, attacks or sneezing, watery, itchy and red eyes, frontal headaches, along with the possibility of asthmatic wheezing. You’ll probably notice increased symptoms seasonally, or on windy days when your exposure to allergens is the greatest. Exposure is seasonal. In Spring its trees… in Summer it’s grass and weeds and in Autumn its ragweed.

Take Vitamins and “C. . .”

Yes, vitamins, A, C, and E can rescue you by helping the mucus producing cells of the nose, throat and lungs repair and regenerate. Take B complex vitamins (especially B5, B6 and B12), along with vitamin C to create strong adrenal glands.

The adrenals produce a natural anti-inflammatory agent called cortisol, which prevents the body’s response to contact with allergens like water eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat.

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Kleenex Tissue

You’ve heard that exposure to air pollution and to cigarette some can produce allergic reactions. Carbon monoxide and other pollutant are called “free radicals” ( a highly active molecule with an additional electron). Free radicals are dangerous because they damage certain human cells. A result of this type of exposure can be hay fever, aged skin, and even effect joints (which may result in arthritis). The good news is that several nutrients, which are antioxidants, may eliminate free radicals. The list includes beta carotene, vitamins C and E, manganese, selenium, zinc and coenzyme Q10.


Have Other Said “You Are Too Sensitive?”

Did you know that an allergy treatment, called desensitization, may relieve severe symptoms? When very diluted solutions of an allergen are introduced into the body orally, several times, the body has a chance to build up a tolerance. Eventually, exposure to the allergen will cause little or no reaction.


So before you start taking decongestants and antihistamines, consider a more natural approach such as the article has discussed.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Top Ten Referral List for a Chiropractor

Top Ten Referral List for Arapahoe Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center
10. Acquaintance with low back pain (low back strain, sprain or disk injury).
9. Your child or grandchild with a sports injury or developing scoliosis.
8. The weekend warrior.
7. Person injured in an automobile accident (no ambulance chasing, please.)
6. Your stressed out friend.
5. The co-worker with the runny nose, watery eyes complaining of allergies.
4. Your wife with PMS or menopausal symptoms (Warning, use caution and kindness when bringing this topic up with her.)
3. Your back pain in the neck husband (see warning on #4.)
2. You golfing, skiing, biking, or running buddy complaining of shoulder, back or foot pain,
1. Any individual with a spine; no spine-less patients please.