Allergies are one of the most chronic illnesses in the US. It can be pretty hard to handle as life continues, and currently, there isn’t any cure for it. However, there are still many ways you can live a healthier life despite having it.
More than 50 million Americans have allergies, and this number continues to rise every year. It is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally, but there is no real effort to cure it despite this. The main reason for this is that allergies can be handled easily through various treatments and lifestyle changes.
When it comes to handling allergies, allergy medicine seems to be the solution. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Most experts believe that there are various ways you can combat allergies without relying on medicine. Here are some of them.
Allergen Immunotherapy
This is a widespread therapy developed many years ago. Its results have been quite positive and have been the go-to treatment for most people with allergies. But what is this treatment exactly?
Allergen immunotherapy is a kind of therapy that relies on exposing patients to micro-doses of their specific allergy in hopes of creating a new response from the immune system. The reality with allergies is that people who have them have sensitive immune systems. Allergies are merely a symptom of their exposure to their allergin, and allergen immunotherapy aims to change that.
There are many ways immunotherapy can be done. Some of it includes oral therapy, while others utilize syringes, especially for people with insect bites. Oral immunotherapy has shown great success in combating food allergies such as peanuts, and some improvements are being researched to increase the potency of this particular treatment.
You can do immunotherapy, but you still require the aid and observation of a professional. Before you integrate this into your lifestyle, visit your immunologist first, as they will observe your reaction to the allergen first-hand. If they see you fit for the therapy, they can implement a program that is right for you.
Pest Control
Experts suggest hiring an exterminator when treating allergens such as insect bites, animal dander, and more. Prevention has always been better than cure, and one of the best preventive measures for animal-related allergens is local pest control companies. We have them in every city, and they work hard to rid our homes of all sorts of pests. Additionally, they can teach us preventive measures so such pests never come back to our homes.
Other forms of pest control can also come from you. Installing screens in your windows and doors can prevent all sorts of insects from entering your home. Telling your children to only eat in the dining room can help avoid rats entering their individual rooms. Lastly, throwing your garbage every night can help reduce food sources for all sorts of pests.
Self-awareness Exercises and Meditation
One of the most problematic forms of allergies is when it’s comorbid with asthmatic symptoms such as difficulty in breathing. However, through self-awareness exercises and meditation, you can reduce the symptoms of both your allergies and asthma.
There are increasing studies that relate high stress with more dangerous symptoms of both allergies and asthma. However, stress is very much unavoidable in our daily life. But one thing we can do is manage it through self-awareness exercises.
Meditation has shown positive results when reducing stress in our lives. Hence, it also has real capabilities in making us adapt against our given allergies and asthma. Moreover, meditation has the capability of opening the pathways of our respiratory system, making it much easier for us to breathe even if we have an asthma attack.
There are many benefits to meditation that aren’t just related to allergies and asthma. So make sure that you give it a try when you have time.
Hydration
This is one of the simplest things you can do to live healthier, even if you have allergies. Sinus-related allergies can easily be treated by hydrating. Most people who have these kinds of allergies have clogged up noses due to a stuffy nose, but water and other natural fruit juices can get rid of the congestion. Moreover, it’s also good to hydrate if you’re feeling sick or under the weather due to hay fever. It can clean out any reasons for irritation quickly without affecting overall function.
Hydration is a straightforward activity but an essential one if you want to avoid allergies. Make sure always to have a glass of water near you whenever it’s allergy season.
Living a life with allergies can be challenging if you compare it to other normal lives out there. But with some healthy lifestyle changes, you should start feeling better. Hopefully, it will help your allergies disappear altogether or maybe lessen its more severe symptoms. Start these lifestyle changes as early as you can so you can experience their benefits earlier.
