Seasonal AllergiesA comprehensive approach

Dr. Diana Draperwww.drdianadraper.com

What are seasonal allergies?

• A set of respiratory symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to pollen from a variety to trees, grasses, and weeds.

• A reaction of your immune system to something that the body recognizes as “foreign”

• IgE immune reactions cause anaphylactic responses (peanuts, bees, medications)

• IgG- immune reaction, less severe ie. Seasonal allergies

Common Allergens

*Pollen*Dust mites*Mold spores*Pet dander*Food*Medication*Insect stings

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

In the Body…

• To get rid of allergies, you must get rid of inflammation and

hyper-reactivity starting in your gut

• Digestive system- interface between external world (foods, allergens, bacteria)

and bloodstream• Our defense= stomach acid, barrier cells

Food Sensitivities

Foreign proteins get into your system and place your body on red alert to react to many triggers in your environment.

Conventional Medications

Allergy Medications may…• Make you drowsy and create

“mind fog”• Decrease libido• Increased appetite• Altered taste and smell with prescription inhalers• Depression• Rebound congestion with decongestants

Prevention• Diet: remove sugar, pop, preservatives, additives• Eat REAL food• Reduce dairy- essential for reducing congestion and

inflammation1. Commitment to a healthy diet2. Healing the GUT; eliminating sensitivities3. Specific Supplementation

Clinical NutritionDiet: *Eliminate dairy, gluten, baked flour goods, packaged juices

and sugar*Reduce exposure to known food and environmental triggers

Supplements:• Quercetin 500mg daily plant pigment; anti-inflammatory

nutritional supplement, repairs gut, boosts immune system in mucus membranes

• Zinc 25-40mg/d adult; supports the immune system• Vitamin C; up to 2000mg daily; anti-inflammatory,

antioxidant.

Botanical Medicine

• Stinging nettle (freeze dried); natural antihistamine, non drowsy

• 3-6 capsules/d• Local honey; bees eat pollen in local area, mini

allergy shot (no studies on this)

Acupuncture

• Balancing an overactive immune system, which can lead to allergy symptoms•Very helpful at relieving symptoms of allergies•Best to start weekly treatments one month before peak season

HomeopathyGentle, very low dose natural substance that stimulates the body to heal itself

Common Remedies for allergies:*Euphrasia: burning, itching eyes*Allium cepa: drippy nose “like a faucet”

Hydrotherapy

• Nasal Saline rinse; flushes sinuses out, cleanse nasal passages of allergens and irritants

• Cool Mist Humidifier; water droplets bind to allergens and they get heavy and fall to the floor so you don’t inhale them

• Steam inhilation: 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea tree, 3 drops rosemary essential oils 5-10 min

Any Questions