Naturopathic Wellness

Get Outside This Spring  Spring is finally here! The weather is warming up, which means it’s time to begin planting flowers in the garden, doing lawn preparation or just spending time outside enjoying the warm weather. It is lovely to be surrounded by all of the plants and trees that are in full bloom at this time of the year. However, if you are like the millions of people in the US who suffer with seasonal allergy symptoms, the downside of spending time outside can be the itchy eyes, running nose and sneezing that can take out the fun out of enjoying this time of year Allergies are pretty common. Both genes and environmental factors play a role.   The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It also reacts to foreign substances called allergens, which are generally harmless and in most people do not cause a problem.   But in a person with allergies, the immune response is oversensitive. When it recognizes an allergen such as pollen, it releases chemicals such as histamines. which fight off the allergen. This causes allergy symptoms.   Common springtime allergy symptoms include:   Sneezing Itchy, red or watery eyes Runny nose Congestion Fatigue  Headaches Skin reactionsSome individuals with severe allergy sensitivities may experience rashes, hives and breathing problems as well. Tree pollens are already in the air. Grass pollens and then weed pollens will follow them. Windy, sunny or clear days will often be worse for people with seasonal allergy symptoms than wet, cloudy or windless days because pollens travel more easily when there is no dampness in the air. Keep this in mind as you prepare for outdoor yard work or play. Even garden-variety flowers and flowering trees such as apple trees, oak trees (acorn flower) produce large amounts of pollen every year and can cause severe allergic symptoms. Many pollens that are carried by the wind are usually very lightweight and almost invisible to the eye but can pack a serious punch on the sinuses. A major issue with pollens these days is that the majority of plants, trees and shrubs planted in urban areas are male. Male plants produce the pollen grains that cause the majority of seasonal allergy symptoms. Homeowners and developers select the male plants because they are low maintenance and do not produce seedpods or fruits that leave such a mess in yards and surrounding areas. The most intensely pollen producing plants are being planted simply because they don’t make a mess. With more urban development occurring and more male pollen producing plants being planted, allergy symptoms will continue to rise. Compounding the pollen issue in the spring is the fact that greenhouse gases are having a big impact on increasing pollen production, contributing to the global increase in allergy symptoms. As things heat up, pollen production increases as well. Plant pollens are not the only trigger for gardeners as they prepare their lawns. Mold and mildew play a big role in seasonal symptoms because their spores affect people in the springtime as well as year round. Mold can be found in the new soil that is brought in for yard plantings or in the mulch that is used in garden beds. Also please remember, if you are composting, molds are in the compost pile as well. Springtime is a great time of year and should be enjoyed by everyone, even people who suffer with symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities. At Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, we offer Advanced Allergy Therapy that can help relieve or significantly reduce the symptoms associated with the springtime pollen season. This treatment is non-invasive and does not include needles, supplements or medications. It is completely pain-free and available to all ages, including infants.  If you suffer from springtime allergy symptoms, please call Glastonbury Naturopathic Center today at 860-657-4105 and find out how we can help!