Break the connection between hay fever and sinus pressure in winter

For all their splendor of gradual color, soft warmth, and beauty, the warm seasons can be a miserable time for many. For those who suffer from hay fever and sinus pressure, the glory of the warm seasons can be significantly offset by the runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, shortness of breath, sneezing, associated with hay fever and its possible sequelae, sinus pressure and sometimes sinus infection and yellow mucus. So what can be done to break that unwanted combination? Here are some practical suggestions:

Address hay fever first. I’ve found that the best time to start addressing a severe case of this ailment, also called “allergic rhinitis” by the medical profession, or AR for short, is late fall or winter. Why? Because if you get the right treatment early on, when summer comes around, and pollen levels are high, you could become desensitized enough to avoid a hay fever attack. This is what you can do:

1. Have an allergist perform skin tests for pollens you suspect are causing hay fever.
2. If you test positive, start your allergy desensitization treatment right away.
3. If you’re not sure what’s causing your hay fever and you suspect an indoor source – pet dander, house dust, household cleaning chemicals – get really close and take a deep breath and see what happens. If you’re allergic to any of those items, you’ll know almost immediately: sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, shortness of breath, etc.
4. House dust is one of the main causes of this common ailment and you can be insensitive to it. Your doctor can explain
5. If there is yellow mucus, it may be a sign of infection and should be treated.

Strengthen your immune system. The easiest way to do this is by increasing your intake of antioxidants. This can be achieved by eating foods rich in this precious element, such as: blueberries, pomegranates, bananas; most fresh fruits are, to varying degrees, high in antioxidants. Or by taking supplements that you can get at your health food store or pharmacy. Not only will this help your hay fever, it will substantially help prevent other illnesses and ailments; as they destroy cells with free radicals that are responsible for a lot of suffering. Antioxidants can also make you feel and look better and prolong life.

The “magic” of water. If there’s one thing most of us trade our bodies for, it’s plain, pure, room-temperature water. Water is nature’s primary body cleansing and detoxifying element. Getting in the habit of drinking plenty of water now will help tackle the causes of hay fever, whatever they may be. Remember, our body is made up of approximately 75 percent water.

Foods. Certain foods produce histamine, others can produce mucus or phlegm. These are things that can be associated with hay fever. Learn what these foods are, and of course reduce or avoid them altogether.

These simple suggestions could, when applied, help you have a happier summer-fall season. Why not try them?