Suffering from Allergies? Integrative Medicine can help!
Suffering from Allergies? Integrative Medicine can help!
Written by Dani Mortimer, B.S. Integrative Health Sciences
Spring has always been my least favorite season. While most people are delighted by the fresh green buds and wafting scents of blooming flowers, my windows stay shut to protect against the pollen drifting in with the breeze. Stay tuned below for things you can do to prevent allergies this Spring season!
I was blessed as an infant with the holy trinity: asthma, allergies, and eczema. Unfortunately, I find this growing more and more common among children. Doctors always told me I would grow out of it, but here I am as an adult continuing to try and understand these conditions and how I can minimize and/or cure them. As an employee and patient at PIM, I get a front row seat to the integrative method of allergy and asthma management.
First of all, what do allergies and asthma have in common? Inflammation!
In many cases, asthma is triggered by inhalation of an allergen, causing an allergic response where antibodies trigger the degranulation of mast cells, releasing good ‘ol histamine and other inflammatory components.
This is one of the ways we can test allergic response. My provider at PIM, Veronica Porterfield PA-C, ordered blood work from LabCorp which revealed I had high plasma levels of histamine, as well as a high eosinophil count (eosinophils are a type of disease-fighting white blood cell which are pro-inflammatory and show up in allergic responses). With concrete evidence of allergic response in my blood, we were able to move forward with a protocol.
At PIM, every new patient completes a detailed intake form to give providers a full medical history. Using this medical history and any previous lab work, they are able to start piecing the puzzle together to find exactly why the symptoms are there and what they are telling us. This often includes specialty testing. I like to think of my PIM provider like a detective, following the clues of my body and testing hypotheses to determine the truth underlying my symptoms.
Veronica was able to make a protocol for me, taking into account my full medical history, my lab work, and the symptoms I was experiencing. No two protocols are ever the same! Though there are some things generally helpful for the majority of allergy and asthma sufferers, (which I will share below), it is always a good idea to meet with your provider and come up with an individualized allergy treatment plan specific to you and your needs.
You can Schedule a 20-minute free consultation with Lynda Sherland, CRNP, FNP-C or Veronica Porterfield, PA-C today to learn how integrative medicine can help you with your symptoms.
ALLERGY TREATMENT
Prevention
Start by removing any potential allergens from your home. This includes reducing dust mite allergens by cleaning your sheets and pillow cases, vacuuming, and wiping surfaces. It is also helpful to remove any allergenic pets, at least from your bedroom. You may consider purchasing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and planning activities to avoid exposure to early morning peak pollen counts.
Carpets can hold many allergens, therefore it may be helpful to remove carpeting from the room.
2. Nutrition
Check out our functional nurse practitioner Lynda Sherland’s new allergy-support recipe!
It can be helpful to remove dairy from the diet and consume more plant products rather than animal products.
Consume omega-3–rich fats found in cold-water fish, nuts, greens, and ground flaxseed. Consider the addition of pharmaceutical-grade (distilled) fish oil capsules or liquid supplements.
Increase intake of natural bioflavonoids and antioxidants by eating more organic fruits (especially berries) and vegetables.
3. Alternative Medicine
Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture can be helpful for asthma control. Check out our friends at Village Wellness in Berwyn, PA for some amazing acupuncture! (They also offer massage, reiki, craniosacral therapy and a host of other services).
4. Supplements and Botanicals
This is where your PIM provider comes in! Some examples of supplements they may recommend are: nettles, quercetin, Vitamin C, and many more!
5. Pharmaceuticals
As in Integrative Medicine practice, we combine the best of biomedicine with the best of natural medicine. This means that pharmaceuticals can still be helpful for some patients! As mentioned in the “Dr. Tetlow Shares” portion of the newsletter, azelastine can be used in a nasal spray to mitigate the sinus symptoms experienced during an allergic response. We invite you to talk to your provider about prescription nasal sprays and decide which option is best for you.
6. Immunotherapy
This is typically reserved for those patients with more severe or refractory symptoms, life-threatening allergic reactivity, or coexisting conditions (e.g., asthma, sinusitis). Discuss with your provider if immunotherapy is right for you.
Click for the full recipe!
Sources:
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/eosinophilic-disorders/conditions/eosinophil
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Are you looking for a more comprehensive, empowering approach to medicine? Schedule a 20-minute free consultation with Lynda Sherland, CRNP, FNP-C or Veronica Porterfield, PA-C today! Not quite ready to schedule and have questions? Quickly get in touch with us today!