For all its gradual color splendor, soft warmth, and beauty, the warm seasons can be a miserable time for many. For those suffering from hay fever and sinus pressure, the glory of the warm seasons can be significantly offset by runny, watery or itchy eyes, shortness of breath, sneezing, associated with hay fever and its possible sequelae, sinus pressure and sometimes sinus infection and yellow mucus. So what can be done to break that unwanted combination? Here are some practical suggestions:
First, tackle hay fever. I’ve found that the best time to start tackling a serious case of this ailment, also called “allergic rhinitis” by the medical profession, or RA for short, is in late fall or winter. Why? Because if you get proper treatment early on, when summer rolls around, and pollen counts are high, you could be numb enough to prevent a hay fever attack. This is what you can do:
- Have an allergy specialist perform skin tests for the pollen they suspect is causing your hay fever
- If the result is positive, begin your allergy desensitization treatment immediately.
- If you’re not sure what’s causing your hay fever and you suspect a source indoors – pet dander, house dust, household cleaning chemicals – get really close and take a deep breath and see what happens. If you are allergic to any of those items, you would know it almost immediately: sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, shortness of breath, etc.
- House dust is one of the main causes of this common ailment and can be desensitized against it. Your doctor can explain this to you.
- If there is yellow mucus, it may be a sign of infection and should be treated.
Boost your immune system. The easiest way to do this is by increasing your antioxidant intake. This can be achieved by eating foods rich in this precious element, such as: blueberries, pomegranates, bananas; Most fresh fruits are, to varying degrees, high in antioxidants. Or by taking supplements that you can get at your health food store or pharmacy. This will not only help your hay fever, but it will substantially help prevent other illnesses and ailments; since they destroy the cells of free radicals that are responsible for much suffering. Antioxidants can also make you feel and look better and extend your life.
The “magic” of water. If there’s one thing most of us don’t change, it’s plain water at room temperature. Water is nature’s most important body cleanser and detoxifying element. Getting used to drinking lots of water now will help to tackle the causes of hay fever, whatever they may be. Remember, our body is made up of approximately 75 percent water.
Food. Certain foods produce histamine, others can produce mucus or phlegm. These are things that can be associated with hay fever. Learn what these foods are, and of course, eliminate or avoid them altogether.
These simple suggestions, when applied, could help you have a more joyous summer-fall season. Why not try them?