Ah-ah-ah Choo!

It seems that nearly everyone I know suffers from seasonal allergies.  Prior to moving to Arizona, I did not. When I moved to Arizona, everyone I met advised me, “If you don’t have allergies now, you will within two years.”  They were right! Some people believe that if they live in the desert, they won’t have allergies.  Wrong!  Here in Arizona, pollen is carried by the wind, whereas in California, for instance, most pollen is carried by insects from plant to plant, therefore fewer for us to breathe in.  Plus as the population of Arizona has increased non-native plants such as olive and mulberry trees have been introduced to the area, causing problems for sensitive people. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be very mild to severe.  Those with Asthma especially suffer from seasonal allergies. The most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy sinuses, throat, eyes, or ear canals, ear congestion and postnasal drainage.  Less common symptoms may include: headache, shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing. There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications available to treat allergies, and there are also many natural remedies.  Neti Pots, saline spray, LOCAL honey, Hepa filters (for indoor allergies), which have proven results for many – but not all people.  There are also supplements such as spirulina, eyebright, and goldenseal, and bromelain that some people say relieve their symptoms.  Because supplements are not standardized nor are they FDA approved, check with your doctor before taking them.  There are many indoor allergens as well.  Those who suffer chronically from indoor allergies should keep their home especially clean.  An estimated 50 million Americans are allergic to everything from dust and dander, to mold and mites. Every home has potential allergens, but there are five that trigger the most indoor allergies: ·        Dust can be made up of many things, each of which can trigger indoor allergies.  Tiny bits of plants, skin, soil, insects, food, fibers, and animal matter can all be part of dust.   ·        Dust mite droppings are the most common trigger of allergy and asthma symptoms.  Dust mites can live throughout our homes – in carpeting, rugs, upholstered furniture, for instance - the most concentrated amounts are found in our beds.  They live on human dander (dead skin flakes).  They must have high humidity to survive.  (I was curious where dust mites come from, so I looked it up.  They occur naturally and can appear in nearly all homes.  The higher the humidity is in a home, the higher the higher the concentrations of dust mites in a home.  Dust mites do not drink water like we do; they absorb moisture from the air.  ·        Mold and mildew thrive in high humidity.  Mold is most frequently found in places like bathrooms or damp basements.  Mold and mildew shed tiny spores -- and it is these spores that trigger indoor allergy symptoms.  ·        For those with pet allergies, the cat’s or dog’s hair is not the culprit.  The allergic reaction to pets is actually caused by a tiny protein in an animal’s saliva.  Pet allergies can also be triggered by dander. Pet dander is sticky and light, so it will attach to our clothes, shoes and hair.  Then it can be carried anywhere.  ·        Like dust, cockroaches can be found nearly everywhere.  Again, it isn’t the roach itself that triggers the allergic reaction. The potential allergen is a protein found in the cockroach’s droppings. When I was young, I don’t remember so many people having allergies.  Was it not recognized/diagnosed as frequently, or could it be that the allergens themselves have increased along with the population? Do you have allergies? ======================== For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.  For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).  I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook