After a series of false starts, it seems like we might actually have arrived at SPRING! Unfortunately, the onset of spring brings about many unwanted side effects: congestion, sneezing, headaches, scratchy throats, and itchy eyes. In other words – allergies. These symptoms are just telling you that your immune system is being taxed by the pollen and other foreign particles in the air. Some folks will complain about their ailments while waiting for rain to wash away the pollen. However, there are a few healthy habits that you can take to proactively lesson your suffering.
Here are Dr. Trauben’s Top Five Allergy-Busting Actions you can take today to get back on track and get outside to enjoy the nice weather!
- Get adjusted more frequently during allergy season: We’ve all heard the song lyrics: “the head bone is connected to the neck bone; the neck bone is connected to the back bone…” and it is true – your spine is connected to every part of your body through nerves. Having a tight neck can mean less flexibility and space for drainage from your sinus cavities, and that means more congestion, pain, and pressure. Also, did you know that you can get your sinuses “adjusted”? When you are on the exam table, Dr. Trauben and Dr. Borenstein can use the activator (the small chiropractic tool that gently “clicks”) on your sinus area. The slight motion helps to loosen the build-up in your sinuses and encourages it to drain. More drainage = less pressure!
- Drink more water: If you think you are drinking enough water, drink MORE! You may have heard that it is healthy to drink in ounces half your body weight in pounds. (ie: if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water each day.) This amount is great for every day water intake. However, if your immune system is compromised, as it is when you suffer from allergies, you need to drink even more water. Additional water assists your body in literally flushing out the toxins that are causing your allergies!
- Supplement with vitamins: Many of us do not get all the nutrients we need each day in the food we eat. Our doctors advise all patients to supplement with a daily multi-vitamin to ensure we are getting the baseline amount of nutrients. Dr. Trauben also suggests supplementing with 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 5,000 units of vitamin D3. These added vitamins will boost your immune system to fight the allergens in your system and help to regulate your sinuses.
- Flush your nasal cavities: We know it is important to clean our skin and our teeth regularly. Did you also know that you can clean your sinus cavities? Found at most drug stores are inexpensive nasal flushing systems called Neti Pots or sinus rinse bottles. Filling these with warm water (and maybe a bit of special salt sold in the same area) and using them to gently rinse out your sinuses will help to flush the mucous and pollen you have breathed in and decrease your sinus pain and pressure. The rinsing movement also encourages other more stubborn congestion to drain, leaving you breathing much easier!
- Heat: When the pain and pressure of your congested sinuses is really getting you down, you can relieve the pressure by laying down with a warm, damp compress over your eyes and sinus cavities. The soothing heat and moisture will also encourage the congestion to drain and relieve your pain and pressure.
Don’t let allergies get you down this spring. Schedule a consultation with us to see if we can help enhance your immune system!
Setting your health in motion,
Dr. Jeff Borenstein & Dr. Steven Trauben
