Collin County Living Well Magazine July/August 2018 | Page 15

Coughing, Sneezing, Congestion, Oh My! The Battle
with Seasonal Allergies.
O
Courtesy of Healthcare Associates of Texas
h, the joys of seasonal allergies. Coughing, •
sneezing, congestion, headaches, itchy
eyes and nose. These symptoms can be
a source of pain and irritation for months
on end. What are seasonal allergies? Is there any
•
relief?
Sweet, local honey. Try a teaspoon of raw honey
made in your area. When eating local honey, you
are also ingesting local pollen, and over time,
you may become less sensitive to this pollen.
Saline spray or a neti pot. This natural sinus
rinse flushes out allergens and irritations and
soothes inflamed airways.
According to the American College of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology, seasonal allergies in the • Probiotics. Restore the balance of bacteria in
your gut to boost your immune system and help
US begin in February and can last through summer.
your body fight off infection and responses to
Depending on where you live, pollen from trees,
allergies.
grass, ragweed, and various native plants wreak
havoc on seasonal allergy sufferers. The big
As much as we love the flowers, new growth, and
question is how to alleviate symptoms.
rich greenery the spring season brings, it can be a
Although many seasonal allergies are caused by challenging time for allergy sufferers. Thankfully,
pollen and mold, more than two-thirds of allergy there are many options to help ease and alleviate
sufferers have year-round symptoms. If that is the those nagging symptoms. Talk to your doctor or
case for you, see your allergist to help find the root allergist to develop a plan that works for you. You
cause, not just treat symptoms. Some practical can enjoy the beauty of Spring!
strategies to help with seasonal allergies are:
If you are in need of allergy relief, call our office
today at [phone].
• Monitor pollen and mold counts in your area.
These can be found through weather reports in
newspapers, online, and your local news.
• Keep your windows and doors shut (both at
home and in your car) during allergy season to
keep pollen and mold out.
• Know which pollen causes your sensitivity.
• Take a shower, wash your hair, and change
clothes after working or playing outside.
• Wear a filter mask when mowing the lawn or
doing yard work.
As for treating symptoms, there are a variety of
over the counter and prescription medications that
can help ease your dripping nose and watery eyes.
Check with your doctor or allergist to see which
option is best for you. There are also many natural
remedies to help with seasonal allergy irritations.
Healthcare Associates of Texas provides its patients with a total continuum of care by offering comprehensive family medicine
and ancillaries under one roof. For more information, you can visit their website at www.healthcareassociates.com.
[phone]