Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2018 | Page 37

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 (972) 258-7499. • 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. (972) 258-7477