Sneezing, sniffling, blurry eyes- oh what to do! How not to suffer from Spring allergies!

As this year’s not-so-chilly winter draws to a close and Fresno is transformed into a beautiful oasis where the Fruitless Pear Trees line the streets, and the Sierra Mountains encompass your view in every direction; you take a minute to marvel at this gorgeous sight. As the cool breeze runs through your hair, your vision starts to become blurry from the tears swelling up, you can’t smell the lavender in the air and ACHOOO! You have a sneezing attack! It’s allergy season; and with all of this natural beauty comes this pesky menace that affects 1 in 10 Americans today. In our April health blog, we will be discussing a number of ways that will help protect you from your allergies so you won’t be spending your spring behind closed windows and doors.

So what exactly causes so many people to have these seasonal allergies? Allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system. In the spring, airborne pollens from trees, grasses, flowers, and weeds cause an allergic reaction in the form of short term inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages when the body attacks pollen and histamines are released into your blood. The histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms of allergies. Allergy season typically kicks off in the spring when certain trees or grasses pollinate, affects 40 million Americans and cost more than $1 billion to treat. Although it's usually not a dangerous condition, it can be very uncomfortable and, for some people, can severely disrupt daily activities.

There are several things you can do before allergy season starts to help you enjoy the spring even more and save yourself a trip to the doctor’s office:

• Clean smarter- curtains, carpets and upholstery all harbor pollen, so frequent vacuuming is recommended, especially if your vacuum includes a HEPA filter. Also try to dust more often as well, use a damp cloth or static-charged material that will be able to trap allergens instead of a standard feather duster or dry cloth. Wash your pillow cases more often, and put them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes every other night;

• Breathe cleaner- invest in an air filter which will help allergy and asthma sufferers breathe easier since they're are designed to trap smoke, pollen and other larger particles in the air; and

• Eat healthier- nutritionists suggest adding cayenne pepper and ginger to your diet during allergy season, where a spicy curry or hot salsa can help clear up congestion. Add a tablespoon of local organic honey to your morning routine- since bees pollinate from local trees and plants, it helps build up your immune system to the pollen. Also, Quercetin, a flavonoid found in in onions, apples and black tea has anti-inflammatory properties and can block histamines. Try to avoid melon, banana, cucumber, sunflower seeds, chamomile and herbal supplements containing Echinacea because these foods can aggravate allergies.

As always, discuss with your primary care provider what options may be the best fit for you. So now plan that weekend hike, picnic or day outside and enjoy it without the runny nose, sneezing, blurry eyes of past springs!

This blog was written by Dania Abdul-Resoul, an intern at avecinia wellness center.  Dania is a pre-physical therapy student at Cal State Fresno.


For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page and follow avecinia on twitter . avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com.We look forward to meeting you!