Whether it is spring or fall, seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, coughing, and itchy eyes are to be expected. Clearly these are signals that the body’s immune system is in overdrive. 

Many people believe the sole cause of their discomfort is reactions to pollen and spores they inhale through their respiratory systems.

In fact, 80% of the immune system is actually located in your gut. It is the place in your body that interacts with the outside world more than any other, taking in nutrients from food while keeping out bacteria, pathogens, and undigested food particles.

When it comes to addressing allergies from the inside out rather than simply grabbing a box of Claritin, we’ll need to take a multifaceted approach in line with functional medicine. Rather than merely suppressing symptoms, it is important to look beyond environmental factors. With specific testing to determine cause, nutritional support, and lifestyle modification, it is possible to boost the immune system naturally.

The very foods you eat frequently may be putting your immune system on high alert. An overreacting immune system will often manifest as allergy symptoms. A food sensitivity is not the same as a food allergy, and you could be sensitive to a particular food without knowing it. If you were to eat a strawberry and immediately break out in hives, you are probably allergic to strawberries.

However, if you eat a muffin and days later feel drowsy, your nose is stuffy, and you have a headache, you may have a gluten sensitivity. With testing, we can measure IgE and IgA reactivity to better understand your immune response and make dietary modifications.

Other causes of triggering an excessive immune response include small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO); perforations in the gut wall (leaky gut) due to inflammation; a high level of cytokines in the bloodstream which irritate the central nerve system; genetic mutations; NSAIDs; prescription drugs; poor diet; candida overgrowth; blood sugar imbalances; vitamin and mineral deficiencies; environmental toxins and chemicals; prolonged fight or flight response, and more.

It makes sense to combine objective scientific data specific to each individual with a systems-oriented approach to healing the body from the inside out—the cornerstone of both chiropractic and functional medicine philosophy.

Signs and symptoms often associated with allergies and sensitivities:
  • Unexplained headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Ringing of the ears
  • Itching
  • Sneezing
  • Congestion
  • Flushing of the skin
  • Swelling of the throat or tongue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Hives
  • Bumpy skin
  • Brain fog
  • Moodiness
  • Intolerance to smells and jewelry
  • Constant skin outbreaks
  • Difficulty digesting foods
  • Bloating, gas, belching
  • Intolerance to shampoos, lotions, household products
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