Allegries

For millions of people, the simple act of petting a cat, dusting the shelves or opening a window invites sniffles and sneezes. But it's not the cat, dust or pollen that's responsible for your symptoms - it's an overreaction by your own immune system.

What it is  "Allergic rhinitis" is the medical term for the nasal symptoms caused by allergies to a variety of airborne particles. The condition can be an occasional inconvenience or a problem so severe that it interferes with almost every aspect of daily life. If you notice symptoms in warm weather, you may have seasonal allergies, commonly called hay fever, triggered by tree or grass pollen or ragweed. If you have symptoms year-round - called perennial allergies - the most likely culprits are mites in household dust, mould or animal hair. You may be allergic to one or more of these irritants. Both types of allergies have the same symptoms. People with allergic rhinitis may have a decreased resistance to colds, flu, sinus infections and other respiratory illnesses.

What causes it  When bacteria, viruses or other substances enter the body, the immune system sets out to destroy those that can cause illness, but ignores harmless particles such as pollen. Some people's immune systems, however, can't tell the difference between threatening and benign material. As a result, innocuous particles can trigger the release of a naturally occurring substance called histamine and other inflammatory compounds in the area where the irritant entered - the nose, throat, or eyes.
No one knows why the immune system overreacts in this way, but some experts think that poor nutrition and pollutants in the air may weaken the system. Allergic rhinitis also runs in some families.

SYMPTOMS

• Red, itchy or puffy eyes, sometimes with "allergic shiners" - dark circles around the eyes.
• Sneezing
• Swollen nasal passages.
• Runny nose with a clear discharge.
• Irritated throat.
• Fatigue.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

• If you experience wheezing or difficulty in breathing - it mas be a sign of an asthma attack, required immediate treatment.
• If you develop a headache or fever that gets worse when you bend forward, or a yellow or green nasal discharge - it may be a sinus infection.
• If allergy symptoms interfere with daily activities and natural supplements don't help.
• Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Supplement recommendations
SUPPLEMENT	DOSAGE	COMMENTS
Quercetin	500 mg twice a day.	Best taken as a combined formulation with bromelain
Nettle	250 mg 3 times a day on an empty stomach.	Standardized to contain at least 1% plant silica.
Vitamin A	10,000 IU a day with food.	Take with 30 mg zinc a day. If pregnant or considering pregnancy, don't exceed 2500 IU a day.
Vitamin C	1000 mg 3 times a day.	Reduce dose if diarrhoea develops.
Pantothenic acid	500 mg 3 times a day with food.	Also called vitamin B5.
Ephedra (AU)	130 mg standardized extract 3 times a day.	May cause insomnia. Don't use if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease or anxiety, or if you take an MAO inhibitor.

How supplements can help  For seasonal allergies, take all supplements in the chart from August to the end of October. In place of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, try quercetin. Whereas drugs simply block the effect of histamine, this flavonoid inhibits its release without any side effects. Combining it with the herb nettle can combat sneezing, itching and swollen nasal passages.

Vitamin A and vitamin C support the immune system; vitamin A is the main antioxidant in the respiratory passages, and vitamin C may also have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. Pantothenic acid may reduce nasal congestion. Take these three nutrients during the allergy season, even if you opt for traditional drugs to relieve specific symptoms.

And, for severe cases of hay fever, the prescription herb ephedra (Mahuang) may be useful because it opens the respiratory passages. You can use ephedra with quercetin and nettle, but not with prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants.


What else you can do

• Stay indoors with the windows closed when pollen counts are high. Use an air-conditioner, in the car as well as at home. (Clean filters regularly.)
• Eliminate carpets and use washable loose covers on furniture. Encase mattresses and pillows in allergy-proof covers and wash bedding weekly in very hot water. Dust mites collect in these areas.
• Clean dump areas to prevent the growth of mould.

Source - The Healing Power of Vitamins Minerals and Herbs (Readers Digest)