Allergies are a very common occurrence in the modern world. Thanks to today's diets and lifestyle we are more vulnerable than ever to inflammation and immune system disorders. Allergies are caused by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur, mold and pollutants. They cause the immune system to overreact, releasing histamine into the blood.
Increased levels of histamine are responsible for the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, wheezing, runny noses, watery eyes, itchy or stuffy nose, puffiness, dark circles and full-blown asthma, bronchitis or skin reactions like hives and eczema.
While modern medicine has many drugs that can reduce histamine levels, they are not without side-effects. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and substance dependence, resulting in their long-term abuse. They treat only the symptoms of the allergy and do not address the root cause, which is your immune system's tendency to overreact to harmless substances.
Over the counter nasal decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can temporarily clear the nasal passages and make breathing easier, but they should not be used for more than three days as they can cause substance dependence and increase blood pressure. Also stopping these medications can cause a rebound effect, and make nasal congestion worse, especially for those who use them to treat chronic allergies.
If you are able to indentify the allergens that your body reacts to, you can opt for allergy shots, which are designed to expose your body to tiny amounts of the allergen over a period of time and build immune tolerance. This treatment can take from few months to years to complete and you may have to take booster shots throughout your life. The downside of these shots is that they suppress your immune reaction rather than regulate your oversensitivity.
Steam inhalation, onions, garlic and other natural remedies can act as natural decongestants, but again, they do not address the root cause of the over reaction. Allergies are cause by an unregulated immune response in which the B-cell response (which produces histamine) is excessive compared to the T-cell response.
To get to the root of the problem, this imbalance must first be addressed so as to regulate the body's allergic and inflammatory response. The best way to do this is to bolster your immune system with a healthy diet and lifestyle. When you are experiencing an allergic or inflammatory reaction, there are a number of natural remedies that can help regulate B-cell response and prevent inflammation.
Vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, nettles, eyebright, turmeric and citrus flavonoids are some of the natural vitamins and herbs that have been used for a long time to regulate immune response and inflammation. Other immune regulators include herbs such as ashwagandha and ginseng. Known as adaptogens, they help the body adapt to external stressors and conditions that can suppress T-cell response and cause allergies.
When consumed in the form of a health supplement, these natural remedies can reduce allergic reactions while regulating your immune system to react differently to allergens in future. When you have a choice between using addictive prescription medications that have adverse side effects, and natural remedies designed to help your body cope better, it's pretty obvious that the latter choice is the safer and healthier way to go.
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