Successfully Eliminating Allergies and Allergy Symptoms

If you’re suffering with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, pollen and inflammation may bother you in a seemingly weird way… as if your entire system is revved up with allergy symptoms, it’s idling in a fast overdrive gear all the while it’s sitting still in the driveway! You may feel lethargic, but inside you’re quite the opposite. Your body is producing an abundant supply of inflammation and that is not what you want. Instead, you need to find ways to reduce all sources of inflammation. That’s what today’s post is all about.

Allergenic-type reactions in the body include inflammation and often an over-production of mucus. The nose, sinus cavities and, possibly, bronchial linings can swell, feel boggy, and be tough to breathe through. This may cause pain (more swelling and tightness) because your body is producing too much mucus and it’s inflamed.

From Medicine.net: “Mucus” without an “o” is the Latin noun for “a slimy semifluid discharge from the nose.” “Mucous” with an “o” is the corresponding adjective.

With your immune system functioning in a frenzied state of over-production because of allergies, your body increases mucous secretions or inflammation. That increases your histamine response and causes more bio-chemical reactions, many of which also cause symptoms. This occurs in an effort to protect you from whatever enemy your body perceives is a threat, nevermind how miserable you feel during the ordeal.

These allergy symptoms are your body’s reaction to what it perceives and, in most cases, they are nothing to fear. Too bad that the whole process can make you feel so miserable. If you’re not aware and prepared ahead of time for what is to come, a state of panic can set in. Remember… DON’T FEAR. Don’t supply any additional energy or add to your body’s response to being sick in any negative way. Instead… BE CALM. Remain in control.

If you suffer with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any autoimmune illness, your body doesn’t necessarily interpret these specific signals even as mildly as I’ve described here. Instead you may feel worse… as if you’re suffering from either a beginning sinus infection, a bronchial infection or an increase of widespread body pain and fatigue. At other times, it may be the opposite: when your body is fighting something else, your Fibro or CFS symptoms abate almost entirely and you’re aware only of the misery quotient concerning your allery/ sinus related illness.

(Note: Whether you have a simple allergy or cold or it’s turning into something worse, it’s up to you and your doctor to decide. Don’t neglect going to see your physician if your symptoms do not abate after a reasonable period of time, if you have trouble breathing or if your fever spikes and neither Tylenol, Advil nor aspirin lower it and keep it in a moderate range.)

• Drink lots of pure clean water each day. (At least eight 8-oz. glasses of extremely pure, clean water.) An abundance of water helps to wash the allergy offenders right out of your system. Plus, adequate fluids encourage your lymph system to work well for proper flow. You can add some tea to increase your fluid consumption, but too much tea will counteract what you’re trying to do and promote dehydration.

• Go so far as to wash your bed linens, curtains, towels, even the dog! Change your whole house air filter often. Keep pollens and dust out of the air you breathe indoors, but especially out of your bedroom. (NOTE: *I also purify and clean the room air by atomizing a fine mist of either Young Living lemon oil or orange oil. I use one of the Young Living atomizers to dispense it continuously. That way I ingest these health-promoting oils by the simple act of breathing. For me it’s a no-brainer and I get that many more therapeutic grade oils into my system.

*TIP: PLEASE, Please, please… stay away from hydro-carbon produced (manmade chemical) room sprays. Some of the chemicals can be very, very harmful. In some people, this habit can promote symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. You don’t want to do that.

Instead, give essential oils a try as a healthy alternative to freshening your house and keeping your air healthy to breathe. You won’t be spraying harmful chemicals in your air, plus the essential oils like the Young Living brand can aid in your recovery and health maintenance! Be sure to only use the highest quality oils like Young Living. Off-brands are often produced with chemicals themselves, causing them to be ineffective or adulterated in the distillation process. Even though the off brands use plants and herbs for their products, because they’re not of the high quality and because they are not distilled to the highest standards, they can end up being harmful to some people or, at least, totally ineffective.)

If you don’t purify your air in such a healthy manner, there’s a good chance that instead you’re adding to the toxic load that every cell in your body is trying to handle, especially the ones in your respiratory and immune systems. I covered many of related points in last Friday’s edition of the Health Matters Show. I encourage you to go back and listen to the 15 minute broadcast.

• If a certain substance seems to trigger your allergy symptoms, make an effort to find out what this substance is, e.g. ragweed. After you figure it out, keep away from the substance as much as possible. Example: don’t go walking in a field where ragweed is in full bloom or don’t stay outside when the wind is blowing the allergen on your body, in your eyes and up your nose!

• Consider using a clear, pure, lightly salted solution of water with a pinch of soda to wash out your nose and sinuses. Now, there are many ways to do this and you should get some further advice on the how, where and when. I have used a netty pot in the past and that did work.

Lately, I’ve taken an easier route and am using NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I bought a kit at my local drug store in a box. It included a plastic squirt bottle and packets of pre-mixed salt, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. I do not sell this product, but you might want to look into this kit if you need something that is easy and effective to use for washing out your sinus passages. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) product. If you have major questions after reading the box, check with the local pharmacist or your doctor. The salt in the rinse helps to clean and heal the nasal tissues and the soda compound keeps the salt from stinging your delicate skin.

• Do a little research on foods. Many of the foods you eat may increase inflammation in your body and add to your misery quotient. Experts will tell you that only a purely alkaline diet encourages a decrease in inflammation. Now, before you complain, yes, an alkaline diet is difficult to keep going, but it’s not impossible. You can aim for it! Plus, know that some foods will be tougher on you than others during allergy season, such as a food like melon. Now isn’t that a shame? But, biochemically, everything like this is related in your body.

Personally, I discovered that if I don’t keep my cantaloupe consumption to a low roar in the summertime, I suffer. I must maintain eating only a small portion that is spread out over several days. Of course, that’s doesn’t help a person when you’re trying to keep fresh melon in the house to eat. One lady gave me this tip… either share your fresh melton so you don’t eat too much too fast -or- buy a smaller quantity. The rule is: don’t eat too much of anything that exacerbates allergy symtoms at once or for too many days in a row. Space out and rotate your foods. Registered dieticians often refer to this more as the concept behind a rotation diet.)

• And lastly, don’t forget to nourish your body and immune system with exactly what it needs to be healthy. Everything from water, to foods to any of the fantastic nutraceuticals that companies have for sale. Yesterday, I told you a whole lot about Young Living’s Ningxia Red and how it might really help to get and keep you healthy. Earlier in the week, I blogged about essential oils for the immune system. If you missed any of the posts, please go back and review this information. I compiled it for your use.

Okay, that’s it for today. If you have tips that can help others during allergy, cold, and flu season, send them in and help out someone like yourself. They might return the favor!

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show, the place where people with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can get lots of answers about how to Get Well and Stay Well!

Tagged as: allergies, allergy symptoms, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, essential oils, Fibromyalgia, immune system, inflammation, mucus