No one can care or know more about your body than you do.
The past year has shown how each of us is unique, and that it is a good idea to learn what will promote individual physical and mental health.
We’re building a community of people who are looking for more healing and less need for healthcare.
Spring is here and nature is waking up. With warmer weather and blooming plants, some of us will also experience seasonal allergies especially nasal symptoms.
If you know you have seasonal allergies, don’t wait until you have symptoms. There are things you can do to prepare that can decrease problems.
1. Care for your nose with saline nasal irrigation using either a Neti Pot or
NeilMed bottle
https://www.ayurvedum.com/how-to-use-a-neti-pot/
https://www.neilmed.com/usa/directions-videos.php
Do not use plain water, it will burn. NeilMed makes buffered salt packets that are available with or without the NeilMed bottle. These packets make it easier to make the solution in the correct concentration.
2. Stabilize mast cells by starting mast cell stabilizer medication or supplement 14 days before you anticipate exposure to pollens that affect you.
Quercetin is a powerful flavonoid that stabilizes mast cells with minimal side effects. More on mast cells and quercetin tomorrow.
As always, consult with your clinician for guidance specific for your condition. We provide information not individual recommendations.
Additional information:
How to safely use nasal irrigation: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
Journal article:
a. Allergy Asthma Clinical immunology Journal : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32467711/
b. If you like diagrams, this link shows the multiple ways quercetin affects immune cells https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-020-00434-0/figures/2
Those I see regularly and those who live far away,especially those who pick up a conversation where we left off months or years ago
Help your body take care of you by drinking enough water; if you have a persistent cough, an accessible, economical treatment is being well hydrated.
Think of the cilia in your respiratory tract as hairs that protect your lungs. They work best when well hydrated- your body uses the water you drink to hydrate essential parts, including the cilia.
There are other things that can help, but reaching for water first, before things get severe can be a good idea.
Our bodies have great abilities to adapt to too much or too little water; because of this, we can be complacent and not notice when improving the quality or having a glass of water instead of a different beverage can improve how we feel. Filtered water in a glass or stainless water bottle is healthier than a plastic bottle.
If you are feeling hungry, listless or tired, have a big glass of water and notice if you feel better, there's a good chance it will help.
