Your Health Detective: Headaches

It’s August, the blooms of summer have faded, yet Fall allergies are right around the corner waiting to “attack” and cause those nasty symptoms like sneezing, sinus headaches, itchy & watering eyes, and sniffling from airborne pollens and mold that, when left untreated, can become a sinus or respiratory infection.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, more than 50 million Americans suffer with allergies, especially this time of year. Allergies are the 6^th leading cause of chronic illnesses, and most can be prevented! Fall allergies are triggered from plants belonging to the genus Ambrosia – commonly known as ragweed and don’t forget mold on the soil of your house plants. In parts of the country where mold is prevalent, like the South, East coast, and Pacific Northwest where I’m based, it is also a cause of much fall distress.

Scientists estimate that a single ragweed plant can release ONE BILLION grains of pollen over the course of a single season. The grains are so light they float easily on gentle breezes and has been detected as far away as 400 miles out to sea and up to two miles in the atmosphere!

According to Christine Franzese, MD, from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, “The reality is there is not a corner of this country where there is no ragweed pollen.” There are 17 species of ragweed in the U.S. In most part of this country the season used to begin around mid-August and run through October. Now it appears to begin from the beginning of August through the middle of November – global climate change?

AND…don’t forget dust mites. Although most common and prolific in humid summer months, they are stirred into the air as soon as you turn on your heat; these allergies can, and usually are, as severe as those of pollens and molds.

Environmental PRECAUTIONS you can take:

Use a face mask when you’re outside, especially between 5 and 10 a.m. AND on windy days.
Remove pollen from your skin and hair by dry-skin brushing and showering frequently. Remember to always dry brush gently and always towards the center of the body, never back and forth.
Keep your windows closed and turn on the air conditioner – make sure to replace or wash the filter.
If you dry your clothes outdoors, dry them inside during high outdoor pollution.
Remove decaying leaves from your yard and gutters as mold accumulates especially in those areas.
If you rake leaves in the fall, wear a face mask and long sleeves and pants.
When you first turn on your car air conditioner, leave your windows open and avoid breathing the air for several minutes until mold spores can disperse. If possible, purchase an air purifier with HEPA and/or charcoal that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter socket.

Over twenty years ago I commissioned a special homeopathic complex to naturally assist our body defenses from the reactive barrage of spring and fall allergens. I faithfully use this complex annually, as do my clients. It’s as simple as taking 6 drops under the tongue twice a day proactively beginning NOW for fall allergies. If symptoms do begin to develop, increase to 6 drops 3-4 times a day and continue until symptoms abate then go back to the maintenance dose for the remainder of the fall allergy season. This proprietary blend helps the body to adapt rather than bring on symptoms of allergy because it recognizes the allergens as enemies – it’s like nature’s defense neutralizer.

It is available ONLY from the exclusive supplier of products used and recommend in my practice, Natural Rejuvenation Solutions. To order “Pollen-Weed-Mold” Homeopathic Complex, click here. NOTE: A homeopathic has indefinite shelf life if kept cool (not refrigerated), – no hotter than body temperature and in a dark and dry (not in a steamy bathroom) environment like a cupboard or drawer.

Remember, in order to AVOID fall allergies, you MUST begin now, don’t wait until symptoms emerge – however, if they do, taking 6 drops several times a day will help you fight the assault.