ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND HOMEOPAHTY
Allergic rhinitis is a collection of
symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you breathe in
something you are allergic to, such as dust, dander, insect venom, or pollen.
This article focuses on allergic rhinitis
due to outdoor triggers, such as plant pollen. This type of allergic rhinitis
is commonly called hay fever.
For information on other types of
allergies, see:
·
Allergies
·
Allergy to
mold, dander, dust
·
Asthma
An allergen is something that triggers
an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergen
such as pollen or dust, the body releases chemicals, including histamine. This
causes allergy symptoms.
Hay fever involves an allergic
reaction to pollen. (A similar reaction occurs with allergy to mold,
animal dander, dust, and similar allergens that you breathe in.)
The pollens that cause hay fever vary
from person to person and from area to area. Tiny, hard to see pollens more
often cause hay fever. Examples of plants that cause hay fever include:
·
Trees
·
Grasses
·
Ragweed
The amount of pollen in the air can
affect whether hay fever symptoms develop. Hot, dry, windy days are more likely
to have increased amounts of pollen in the air. On cool, damp, rainy days most
pollen is washed to the ground.
Some disorders may be linked to
allergies. These include eczema
and asthma.
Allergies are common. Your genes and
environment may make you more likely to get allergies.
Whether or not you are likely to
develop allergies is often passed down through families. If both your parents
have allergies, you are likely to have allergies. The chance is greater if your
mother has allergies.
SYMPTOMS:-
Symptoms that occur shortly after you
come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:
·
Itchy
nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
·
Problems with
smell
·
Runny nose
·
Sneezing
·
Tearing eyes
Symptoms that may develop later
include:
·
Stuffy nose
(nasal congestion)
·
Coughing
·
Clogged ears and decreased sense of
smell
·
Sore throat
·
Dark circles under the eyes
·
Puffiness under the eyes
·
Fatigue and irritability
·
Headache
·
Memory problems and slowed thinking
SIGNS AND TESTS
The health care provider will perform a
physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your history of symptoms
is important in diagnosing allergic rhinitis. You will be asked whether your
symptoms vary by time of day or season, and exposure to pets or other
allergens.
Allergy testing may reveal the
substances that trigger your symptoms. Skin testing is the most common method
of allergy testing.
If your doctor determines you cannot
have skin testing, special blood tests may help with the diagnosis. These tests
can measure the levels of allergy-related substances, especially one called
immunoglobulin E (IgE).
A complete blood count (CBC) test
called the eosinophil white blood cell count may also help diagnose allergies.
PREVENTION:
The best way to control your symptoms is
to avoid being exposed to the allergens that trigger your symptoms. These steps
may help.
If you have hay fever, during days or
seasons when airborne allergens are high:
·
Stay indoors, and
close the windows.
·
Use an air
conditioner in your home and car.
·
Avoid using fans
that draw in air from outdoors.
·
Don't hang
laundry outside to dry.
·
Bathe or shower
and change your clothes after being outside.
·
Use a HEPA air
filter in your bedroom.
If you have year-round allergies:
·
Cover your
pillows and mattress with dust mite covers.
·
Remove carpet and
install tile or hardwood floors. Use area rugs and wash them often in very hot
water.
·
Use blinds
instead of curtains.
·
Keep pets out of
the bedroom.
·
Use a HEPA filter
on your vacuum.
·
Use an air
purifier.
·
Wash bedding and
toys such as stuffed animals in very hot water once a week.
HOMOEOPATHIC APPROCH TO ALLERGIC RHINITIS
In
homeopathy, there are two ways of looking at the problem of hay fever and
allergic rhinitis. Ideally the best way to eradicate the tendency to the
condition from the body would be to have long-term treatment from a
professionally registered classical homeopath. Believe it or not, one of the
best times to begin the treatment of seasonal allergies is during the least
troublesome months, although naturally very few of us remember to do this
because once the season has passed, we forget all about it until the symptoms
manifest themselves again.As a homeopath, despite repeatedly reminding summer hay fever patients to come for winter treatment, I rarely see them again until the following spring! Treating the whole constitution over several months can improve general health and wellbeing and, because homeopathy works deeply on reducing our susceptibility to the illnesses we habitually get, allergies ought to be removed as the constitution becomes stronger. Be prepared, though, for this to take some time! Any honest homeopath will tell you that to eradicate allergic response completely can take up to two years, although symptoms should thankfully reduce as treatment progresses.
The majority of people seeking homeopathic help with seasonal rhinitis will come once the symptoms have actually started and this is not normally the best time to start constitutional treatment because the remedy indicated for the whole person may do little to reduce the acute flare up. Most commonly a homeopath will take the temporary measure of calming the symptoms with what is called an acute remedy. This is a remedy that is not selected to treat the underlying constitution but is intended to control the symptoms in the least suppressive way until the season is over and deeper treatment can be started or resumed.
The following remedies are some acute prescriptions used temporarily to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. Unlike conventional medicine, and as with all homeopathic remedies, tablets are most effective when taken only in response to the symptoms. For example, if a remedy is accurately chosen, very few doses will actually be needed throughout the season. One tablet should be sucked or chewed each time symptoms relapse sometimes this can be several days or even weeks after the first dose!
Because allergic rhinitis can be quite severe, it is often preferable to use a homeopathic remedy in a higher potency to gain more rapid and long-term relief. Generally a single dose of the appropriate constitutional remedy in 200c does far more than repeated use of a 6c or 30c.
Some important medicines are given below
1)
ALLIUM CEPA
2)
ARSENIC ALB
3)
NATRUM MURIATICUM
4)
NUXVOMICA
5)
PULSATILLA
6)
SULPHUR
7)
NUX VOMICA
8)
PHOSPHORUS etc
Any information given above is not intended
to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. There for it is very important
that the patient should avoid self treatment and rather contact OLIVE HOMOEO CARE or a qualified classical
homoeopath and take treatment under his proper guidance and advice.
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Many people experience symptoms of Hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) on a regular basis. Hay fever is caused by allergens that the body reacts to by creating inflammation in the lining of the nasal cavity. This inflammation is part of the body’s defense against invaders. All of the symptoms of hay fever are the result of the body trying to kick out an ‘attack’ by the allergens.
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