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Did You Know? Climate Change can Play a Role in Allergy Severity

By Expert HERWriter
 
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allergy severity can be affected by climate changes Dmytro Tolokonov/PhotoSpin

The weather this spring has been very strange! In the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area we have had 90 degree days in March and 40 degree days in April. This is very confusing for me.

The unpredictable weather is a result of the global warming of the planet, and the seasons going from cold to hot to cold again is impacting our the growing seasons. So if we as humans are confused, then you can be sure that the flowers and the trees are having a heck of a time figuring out when and how much pollen to release.

Trees, grasses and flowers have specific times of year when they release pollen into the environment but with the large swings in the temperature the pollen release is overlapping, creating higher counts than our bodies are used to. In addition, the high amounts of precipitation can increase the molds and spores released too.

The result for allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people with lung conditions can be worse allergy symptoms than usual. Also people may be caught off-guard with allergy symptoms appearing earlier than they would normally expect.

If you are being affected by allergies, what can you do about it? There are some simple lifestyle behaviors that can help boost your immune system. What you eat and how you manage stress can improve your allergic symptoms.

Focus on whole foods, especially healthy proteins and vegetables. Whole foods are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, fish and water found close to their natural state.

If you have any sinus congestion or sinus headaches, or are generally stuffy, stay away from milk, cheese, ice cream and dairy products. Dairy products, grapefruit and orange juice increase mucus production making sinus symptoms worse.

Highly processed foods or sugary foods like desserts, cookies, cakes, donuts or junk foods turn into sugar quickly in the body and suppress the immune system for hours after you eat them.

During allergy season, if you are an allergy sufferer, your immune system is working on overdrive to manage your symptoms. When you eat lots of sugar you are preventing your immune system from doing its job.

Managing stress releases your stress hormone, cortisol, which can suppress your immune system causing you to have worse allergic symptoms.

The wonderful thing about these lifestyle changes, of eating whole foods and managing your stress, is that they are beneficial for every disease condition, not just allergies. If you practice them all the time you will see benefits during allergy season and all year round!

Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Daemon Jones

Dr. Dae's website: www.HealthyDaes.org
Download one of Dr. Dae's books: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living or Stress Relieving Recipes: Using Food to Keep you Calm, @ www.HealthyDaes.org

Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. She helps her patients cultivate health and feel great, using a combination of safe and effective naturopathic and conventional methods.

Sources:

"2013 Allergy Season Could Be The Worst Ever, Thanks To Climate Change, Some Experts Say." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/31/2013-allergy-season-could_n_2989655.html

"How Stress And Sleep Loss Are Shortening Your Life - Forbes." Information for the World's Business Leaders - Forbes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2012/07/05/how-stress-and-sleep-loss-are-shortening-your-life

"Stress: Constant stress puts your health at risk - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/SR00001/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Reviewed April 30, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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Anonymous

Wow. I love how many things Im learning from this site.

July 23, 2013 - 9:19am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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