If you’re like one of six Americans, the thought of spring doesn’t spark joy. Instead, you’re trapped in your home, windows closed, sneezing, and putting drops in your red and irritated eyes. Did you know there is a safe, effective way to find relief? Naturopathic medicine for allergies helps you love being outside again.
Why Aren’t Over-The-Counter Medications Effective?
Like most people, you’ve tried every over-the-counter allergy medication from A to Z. You find that, after repeated use, these medications lose their efficacy, forcing you to switch to a new one.
Here are just a few reasons your trusted, reliable allergy relief pills stopped working:
1. Drug Tolerance
Over time, your body builds tolerance to medications. When this happens, your body’s natural detoxification system clears the medicines from your system quickly and efficiently, long before the pill can do its job.
Other times, your cells stop responding to the drug, like when you repeatedly hear a noise in the background and tune it out.
Increasing the dosage is a temporary fix for drug tolerance, but naturopathic medicine for allergies is a long-term solution.
2. New Allergens
Remember that having one allergy increases the risk of developing more. You may be exposed to new allergens in your environment, such as a new pet, a new job, or a move to a different geographical location.
3. Depressed Immune System
It doesn’t take much to throw the immune system out of balance. Poor nutritional choices, increased stress levels, and poor sleep habits are just a few ways to weaken the immune system.
Allergies develop when the immune system works overtime, responding inappropriately to whatever it perceives as threatening. Allergies develop when your immune system is not working as it should and worsen when the imbalance isn’t corrected.
Naturopathic medicine for allergies is effective because your doctor works to restore function and balance to your immune system.
Worsening Allergies
Allergies aren’t static; they worsen over time. What may have worked to control your symptoms may no longer be enough if your allergies have worsened.
Even if your allergies haven’t worsened, the allergen levels may have increased. Some years have lower pollen counts than others, usually due to weather conditions.
Naturopathic Medicine for Allergies vs. Medications
There are many reasons to choose safe and effective allergy relief through naturopathic versus over-the-counter medicines. On top of the side effects of drowsiness and brain fog, there are a few other reasons to avoid over-the-counter allergy medications.
1. Pre-Existing Conditions
Antihistamines place those with pre-existing medical conditions—such as heart disease, thyroid conditions, high blood pressure, and diabetes—at a greater risk for complications. Additionally, antihistamines could interfere with the meds you currently take to manage your medical condition.
2. Nasal Decongestant Sprays May Cause More Harm Than Good
Nasal decongestant sprays are a popular tool to help dry out the nasal passages. Unfortunately, they may work too well and cause nasal irritation and a dry mouth. These sprays also contain preservatives that damage the delicate nasal tissues. Nasal decongestant sprays are linked to other unwanted side effects—including chest pain, racing heart, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
3. Cost Prohibitive
Seasonal allergies are estimated to cost the sufferer $16,000 over their lifetime, and that’s in medications alone. When you consider the environmental changes you may need to make—such as air purifiers and filters—and add them to wages lost because of missed work, it’s much more than that.
These medications must be taken proactively to lower the body’s reaction to allergens and are ineffective if taken after exposure to your trigger. The rising costs of over-the-counter allergy relief products and the need to take them consistently make this solution costly.
By contrast, naturopathic medicine for allergies naturally decreases your dependence on expensive over-the-counter medications.
Quick Tips for Allergy Relief this Season
You can make a few lifestyle changes to help control your allergies this season.
- Listen to the pros: Listen to the pollen forecast and stay inside on high-pollen days.
- Don’t hang clothes outside: Pollen coats everything it touches, including your clothing and linens. Don’t hang your clothes on the line during peak pollen times to avoid contamination.
- Stay inside on dry, windy days: Dry and windy conditions create the perfect storm for allergens. The best time to be outside is after a soaking rain.
- Shut pollen out: Keep pollen outside by closing your windows during peak pollen times. This includes rolling up your windows in the car.
- Know your triggers: It’s crucial to know your allergens. Remember that having one allergy places you at risk of developing more.
- Stay indoors in the morning: The morning is peak pollen time, so plan your outdoor activities for the afternoon or early evening.
- Shower after exposure: Shower and change your clothes when you come inside to remove pollen.
Why is Naturopathic Medicine for Allergies so Effective?
Unlike medications that mask symptoms, naturopathic medicine for allergies finds the root causes. Your naturopathic doctor discovers the conditions causing your immune system’s imbalances and then works to reverse them. The result is lasting, dependable, and safe relief from your allergies.
Imagine going to your child’s softball game, hiking in the woods, or simply enjoying a picnic. You can be outdoors again, free from allergies and medications. Start by scheduling your free phone consultation with Sedona Naturopathic and find out how naturopathic medicine for allergies will help you rediscover the joy of being outside this season.
