Are you one of the millions of people who love the Spring weather but dread the sniffling and sneezing that’s associated with seasonal allergies? With the welcome weather, the pollen count increases and today the counts seem to be even higher than that of just 10 or 20 years ago, producing more and more allergy sufferers. However, there is hope! New treatments are offering better ways to combat the dreaded allergies.
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is one of the most common conditions experienced today. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes and itching in the nose, eyes and roof of month. In the United States today, more than 50 million people are effected by these nasal allergies and they account for more than 13 million doctors visits a year. Last year alone, roughly 8% of people over the age of 18 were diagnosed with hay fever, that’s about 17 million adults. And the numbers are up worldwide as well. The rise of allergies has risen every year across the globe for more than 50 years.
What causes a person to have, or develop, allergies is not entirely known but a large part of why certain people have allergies is hereditary. It is also important to note that in order to have an allergy, you must have been exposed to it at some point. With allergies on the rise, more an more studies are being done to try to pinpoint a cause. This has led to everything from global warming to suggestions that modern societies are too clean, causing our bored immune systems to attack harmless things, as the blame.
So if you are one of the millions of people who are already experiencing allergy symptoms, you may care more about the treatment of the problem rather than what has brought it on. Over the counter medications can come with side effects leaving the user lethargic and zapping motivation. Today, there are a variety of natural remedies to alleviate symptoms. From local honey to probiotics that influence the immune system and strengthen the body’s response to common allergens, allergy sufferers are finding relief from symptoms. Another thing to keep in mind is that vitamins such as vitamin C, which is a natural immune builder and omega-3, which fight inflammation are also helpful weapons in the fight against allergies.
As allergies can become severe, it is always best to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms, especially severe symptoms. Allergic diseases such as asthma can be very serious and should always be examined. And before you begin any supplement program, consult with your physician to avoid any unwanted drug interactions or side effects.