A Chiropractor in West Palm Beach can help you with many ailments by way of adjustments. However, some of your lifestyle choices outside of the doctor’s office can make a big difference. By incorporating certain lifestyle changes you can contribute to faster healing and continued wellness.
Allergies affect one’s quality of life and can reduce productivity at work, school and home. Moreover, when not addressed properly, allergies can lead to secondary problems such as sinus and ear infections. Read below to learn about Chiropractic Wellness: Allergies (Part 1).
Allergies and the Immune System
Firstly, allergy occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. Secondly, the immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other diseases. Thirdly, this includes white blood cells and organs and tissues of the lymph system, such as the thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and bone marrow. Fourthly, the immune system identifies foreign substances/invaders and mobilizes the body’s natural defense system to fight them. However, sometimes the immune system incorrectly identifies a nontoxic substance as toxic. Fifthly, substances that provoke an allergic response are called allergens. Sixthly, so in response to the allergens, the white blood cells overreact and cause damage to the body. In conclusion, the allergic reaction becomes a disease in itself.
What Causes Allergies?
Allergies can be just uncomfortable and irritating or life threatening. The latter response (life threatening) would be asthma. When severe, asthma can cause inflammation edema and swelling of bronchial tubes.
The reason why some people have allergies and others don’t is unknown. Scientist say there may be a genetic component. Interestingly, allergies can start at any age. However, the most prevalent age of onset is between 15 and 20 years of age. It appears stress may aggravate allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies and Examples of Allergens
Symptoms of allergies include: nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, itching, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, hives and skin rashes. Just about any substance can cause an allergic response. The most common ones are: pollen, dust, certain metals (e.g. nickel), certain cosmetics (e.g. lanolin) dust mites, animal hair, insect secretions, drugs (e.g. penicillin, aspirin), some food additives (e.g. benzoic acid and sulfur dioxide, MSG), animal dander, chemicals (e.g. some found in soap, cleaning supplies, cigarette smoke).
Mold Allergies
Furthermore, many people are allergic to mold. These are microscopic organisms. They live all through your house (e.g. under the sink, bathroom refrigerator and damp dark places). Additionally, mold lives in the air, soil, and other organic material. Interestingly, molds can be both beneficial (e.g. penicillin and cheese) and destructive (e.g. mold spore cause allergies).
Your rooms should be dust free and humidity free. An air filter to remove mold, pollen, and dust will help. Some plants are great at removing pollutants from indoor air.
Food Allergies
Certain foods also cause allergies. Most common foods causing allergies are: dairy, chocolate, eggs, shellfish, strawberries and wheat. Other less common foods causing allergies are: bananas, beef, caffeine, citrus fruits, corn, peanuts, processed/refined foods, white rice, artificial color (e.g. dyes in food). Be attentive to food labels and that some products have several different names (e.g. MSG is also called sodium glutamate monhydrate).
If you have food allergies, rotate your foods. Eating different groups of foods every 3-4 days is best. You can figure out some of the foods by doing a food sensitivity questionnaire/diary. By omitting certain foods in your diet for thirty days, you will find hidden food allergies. Also, try fasting and then adding small amounts of foods and recording your reaction after eating is another method. Examples of positive allergy reactions are: bloating, headache, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, rapid pulse or heart palpitations.
Helpful Supplementation for Allergies
Acidophilus – enhances the immune system with improved digestion.
Calcium and Magnesium – Helps with stress.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – anti-allergic with “results better than antihistamines produced by body” (1)
Multienzyme complex– improves digestion
Quercetin – an antioxidant, increases immunity and decreases reaction to certain foods, pollens and other allergens
Raw adrenal grandular, raw spleen glandular, raw thymus glandular– for enhancing immune function and raw adrenal for replenishing tired adrenals.
Vitamin B complex – digestion and nerve function optimization.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids- protects from allergens and helps with inflammatory response.
Grape Seed Extract– prevents free radical damage
Vitamin A, E – (check with your doctor if pregnant)- are antioxidants helpful against allergens
Herbs- Boswellia (Indian frankincense), ephedra, eucalyptus/thyme leaves, eyebright tea, Yerba Mate, stinging nettle, licorice root, golden seal root (shouldn’t be taken for more than one week)
Homeopathy– Various remedies
According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ (Nabco’s) Practice Analysis of Chiropractic 2015
“Chiropractic is based on the premise that the body is able to achieve and maintain health through its own natural recuperative powers, provided it has a properly functioning nervous system and receives the necessary health maintenance components. These components include adequate nutrition, water, rest exercise and clean air”.
Your chiropractor in West Palm Beach will adjust your spine to improve the relationship between the spine and nervous system, which affects the function of all the organs and systems in your body. She will educate you on how to prevent future suffering by learning and implementing a lifestyle for health self enhancement. In this regard, we may give take home exercises, recommend ergonomic changes and nutritional/lifestyle changes. Call Dr. Natalie Meiri, your chiropractor in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to find out more about Chiropractic Wellness: Allergies (Part 1) or to schedule an appointment.
References: Prescription for Nutritional Healing (3rd edition), Phyllis A. Balch, CNC (1)
*For all the above, please check with your primary care doctor before implementation of supplement recommendations.