In both spring and fall, the onset of seasonal allergy symptoms like runny nose, congestion, coughing, and itchy eyes is a common occurrence, signaling an overactive immune system. While many attribute their discomfort solely to reactions against pollen and spores inhaled through the respiratory system, the reality is that 80% of the immune system resides in the gut. This gastrointestinal hub interacts extensively with the external environment, absorbing nutrients while fending off bacteria, pathogens, and undigested food particles.
Addressing allergies with Dr. Caroline at Balance Atlanta from an internal perspective, rather than simply resorting to over-the-counter solutions like Claritin, necessitates a multi-faceted approach aligned with functional medicine principles. Rather than merely suppressing symptoms, it’s crucial to delve deeper into potential root causes beyond environmental triggers. It’s possible to enhance immune function naturally through targeted testing to identify underlying issues, coupled with nutritional support and lifestyle adjustments.
Diet plays a significant role, as certain foods may inadvertently exacerbate immune responses, leading to allergy symptoms. While a food allergy results in an immediate reaction (e.g., hives after consuming strawberries), a food sensitivity, such as gluten intolerance, can manifest days later with symptoms like drowsiness, nasal congestion, and headaches. Comprehensive testing allows measuring immune reactivity to pinpoint dietary triggers and guide personalized nutritional modifications.
Numerous factors can contribute to an exaggerated immune response, including conditions like small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gut permeability (leaky gut), elevated cytokine levels, genetic predispositions, medication use, dietary habits, and environmental toxins. By integrating scientific data tailored to each individual and adopting a holistic approach focused on internal healing, chiropractic, and functional medicine philosophies strive to address the root causes of health issues.
A well-functioning immune system can effectively identify and neutralize allergens, leading to fewer allergic reactions and milder symptoms such as sneezing, itching, congestion, and hives.
Effective allergy management can lead to clearer airways and improved respiratory function, reducing the risk of complications such as asthma exacerbations and sinus infections.
Minimizing allergic symptoms allows individuals to enjoy a higher quality of life, with fewer disruptions to daily activities, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall well-being.
An immune system that responds appropriately to allergens can help prevent severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
Allergies can impair physical performance and endurance due to fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased lung function. Effective management of allergies can improve energy levels and support optimal physical performance.
Allergies can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and other illnesses. By managing allergies effectively, individuals can reduce the risk of secondary infections and maintain overall health.
Allergies can dysregulate the immune system, leading to inflammation and dysfunction. Effectively managing allergies can help restore balance to the immune system, supporting overall immune function and resilience.
Allergies can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia or poor sleep quality. Individuals may experience improved sleep duration and quality by minimizing allergic symptoms, leading to better overall health and vitality.
Effective management of allergies may reduce the need for allergy medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays, which can have side effects and long-term consequences.
Allergies occur when the immune system reacts strongly to substances that are usually harmless, like
pollen, dust, food proteins, or pet dander. This immune overreaction releases chemicals such as
histamine, which cause symptoms like sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, hives, or digestive
discomfort. While medications can relieve symptoms, functional medicine focuses on identifying the
underlying causes of the immune system’s overreaction. By addressing root causes — such as gut
health, inflammation, or environmental triggers — it aims to calm immune responses and reduce the
intensity of symptoms.
Allergies develop when the immune system becomes sensitized to certain substances. Genetics, gut
health, environmental exposures, toxins, and chronic inflammation can all contribute to the
development of this condition. Food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, or imbalances in gut bacteria
may further heighten immune reactions. Functional medicine looks at the “total load” on the immune
system by evaluating lifestyle, stress, and lab results. By uncovering these drivers, practitioners create
personalized strategies to restore balance, reduce reactivity, and improve tolerance to everyday
environmental or food allergens.
Evaluation begins with a detailed health history and lab testing. Functional medicine may use food
sensitivity testing, stool analysis, nutrient panels, or immune function markers. For environmental
allergies, patterns of symptoms and lifestyle triggers are explored. This root-cause approach looks
beyond surface symptoms to understand what’s straining the immune system. By combining lab data
with lifestyle evaluation, functional medicine identifies the unique contributors to each person’s allergies
and develops targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies to reduce their impact.
Gut health is central to immune regulation. When the intestinal lining is compromised (“leaky gut”), food
particles can enter the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions. Dysbiosis, or imbalanced gut
bacteria, may also over-activate the immune system. Functional medicine often uses stool testing or
food sensitivity panels to assess gut integrity. Healing strategies may include removing inflammatory
foods, restoring gut balance with probiotics and prebiotics, and supplementing with nutrients that
support gut lining repair. Supporting gut health often reduces allergy severity and frequency.
Nutrition is a powerful way to influence immune balance. Anti-inflammatory diets rich in vegetables,
fruits, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants help reduce reactivity. Eliminating common triggers, such as
dairy, gluten, or processed foods, may help alleviate symptoms for some individuals. Functional
medicine tailors nutrition plans to individual needs, sometimes using elimination diets to identify food
sensitivities. Correcting nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin D, magnesium, or zinc, also supports
immune regulation. These strategies give the body a stronger foundation to handle allergens.
Allergies are an inflammatory response. When the immune system overreacts, it releases chemicals
that cause swelling, redness, and irritation in the sinuses, skin, or digestive tract. Functional medicine
addresses chronic inflammation by calming the immune system through dietary adjustments, gut
healing, and lifestyle modifications. Lab testing may reveal inflammatory markers such as CRP or
homocysteine. Reducing overall inflammation makes allergic reactions less intense and supports better
long-term immune regulation.
Chronic stress increases cortisol and inflammatory chemicals, which can worsen allergy symptoms.
Stress also disrupts gut health and weakens immune balance. Functional medicine often evaluates
cortisol patterns with adrenal testing and incorporates stress-reducing practices such as breathwork,
mindfulness, or gentle exercise. By lowering stress levels, the body becomes less reactive, and allergic
flare-ups may decrease. Managing stress is often a key step in calming the immune system and
supporting long-term allergy relief.
Copyright Balance Atlanta 2025 – Dr. Caroline von Fluegge-Chen
Lifestyle adjustments may include reducing exposure to allergens (such as using air filters or
hypoallergenic bedding), improving sleep habits, practicing stress management techniques, and
maintaining a regular physical activity routine. Functional medicine also emphasizes the importance of
hydration, outdoor time, and minimizing exposure to toxins from cleaning supplies and personal care
products. These changes work alongside nutrition and lab-guided strategies to reduce the body’s
overall “allergy load.” By lowering triggers inside and outside the body, patients often find their allergy
symptoms are easier to manage.
Seasonal allergies, such as reactions to pollen or grass, are often made worse by underlying
imbalances like gut issues or nutrient deficiencies. Functional medicine may recommend preparing the
body before allergy season with anti-inflammatory nutrition, targeted supplements, and stress
reduction. Supporting immune balance and gut health can reduce the severity of sneezing, congestion,
and fatigue during allergy flare-ups. While it doesn’t “cure” seasonal allergies, this approach can make
symptoms less frequent and more manageable.
Functional medicine should not replace medications or emergency care for severe allergic reactions.
Instead, it complements conventional treatment by addressing underlying contributors to immune
reactivity. While medical therapies manage acute symptoms, functional medicine works on prevention
and long-term balance through nutrition, gut healing, lab testing, and lifestyle modification. The best
outcomes often result from combining both approaches, providing patients with short-term relief and
fostering stronger resilience in the long term.