Self Care for Allergies and Sinusitis

In the recent months our clinic has seen a spike in the number of patients suffering from seasonal allergies. Symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, excessive mucus, sinus congestion, headache, fatigue and wheezing or coughing. The unlucky few may develop a sinus infection. Why are so many people suffering from allergies and what can be done about it? My hope is that this article will provide you with valuable information to help you reduce your suffering!

First let’s define allergy. Allergies are defined as: “a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid.” Conventional medicine treats allergies with medication and injections. Chinese medicine has a different approach. The goal is to reduce the reactivity of the body by lowering physical and emotional irritation and regulating and strengthening digestion and the immune system. Ideally, acupuncture treatments will begin before the seasonal allergies start. This can be difficult since the seasons of the Northwest vary greatly from year to year. In addition to receiving regular acupuncture to reduce irritation and balance digestion/immunity, the following techniques and guidelines are recommended:

1. Environmental Health
2. Dietary Therapy
3. Herbal Supplements

Environmental Health The EPA says that 60 % of Americans live in areas where breathing is a risk to one’s health. Air and environmental pollution are significant contributors to the rise of allergies. Remember that all of our energy comes from the air we breathe and the food we eat! Therefore the quality of air and food are extremely important. The nose and sinuses serve as the body’s primary air filter and protector of the lungs. Particulates of dust/ sand/soot /smoke, as well as bacteria/viruses/mold/chemicals clog and irritate the mucus lining in our nose and sinuses. Severe and persistent swelling blocks our sinuses leading to chronic congestion and infection. The following steps will help prevent and reverse this outcome.

1. Breathe clean air. Make sure you replace your furnace filter every 3 months. Use a humidifier if you have electric heat in your home. Fill your home with plants. Spider plants, aloe vera, philodendron and chrysanthemums all function as very effective air filters.
2. Irrigate. Use a neti pot to clean your sinuses. For people with chronic sinusitis this procedure should be done at least once a day, preferably in the evenings or after a steam.
3. Nurture your respiratory system by breathing steam. Put a large pot of boiling water on the stove and add a couple drops of Eucalyptus Oil, then cover your head with a towel and breathe in. Or visit one the local day spas (Olympus, Hot House, Banya 5) and melt in their Eucalyptus stream saunas!
4. Shower at the end of the day during allergy season. That way you are washing out accumulated allergens that may be trapped in your hair before going to bed.
5. Exercise regularly. If you are exhausted from your allergies, start slowly with two 30-minute aerobic workouts per week. This might just be walking the treadmill. Build up slowly to 3-5 workouts per week. If you have a sinus infection, no aerobic exercise, only moderate walking.
6. Increase your water intake!

Dietary Therapy During allergy season it is important to avoid foods that slow and impair digestion. Strong digestion helps us to have adequate and steady energy, blood production, and smooth circulation. When digestive function is impaired the balance of absorption/elimination is altered and toxins accumulate, creating a hyper-reactive body. Slowed digestion also leads to accumulation of phlegm which contributes to congestion and fatigue.

Dietary recommendations: Foods that are warming and neutral in nature. Foods that are cold extinguish “digestive fire” and contribute to mucus build up. Sorry, no smoothies and ice cream!

Consume more pungent vegetables and spices: onion, leek, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, garlic, and nutmeg.

Avoid: In general avoid excessive raw vegetables (remember, warm instead of cold—steam them), fruits (mainly citrus). No alcohol or dairy. Milk can increase and thicken mucus and is often the cause of food allergy. Sugar (including alcohol) weakens the immune system and is the primary fuel for bacterial infections and candida.

For those of you that want to be more aggressive, I recommend a product called MediClear by Thorne. Mediclear is a supplement containing proteins, vitamins, minerals and specialized nutrients and botanicals. It is intended to be taken daily as part of a 3 week cleansing program to cleanse, detoxify and strengthen the body. The 3 week program also requires eliminating certain foods, alcohol, and caffeine. If you are interested we can order the supplement at the clinic and a booklet outlining the food guidelines and menus is included. This is an easy, safe, affordable and effective way to “reset” your body.

Herbs/Vitamins

We carry a variety of Chinese herbs at the clinic. Consult with your acupuncturist for the appropriate formula. The following vitamins/minerals are recommended daily:

• Multivitamin
• 1000-2000 mg of Vitamin C
• 100 mg Selenium
• 500 mg Magnesium Citrate
• 100 mg Vitamin B6

The following doses are taken from Robert S. Ivker's book, Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Sinusitis, Allergies, and Colds. You might want to read this book too!

I really hope this helps—see you on the other side!