Dr. Katherine Walker ND
Spring is here, and for many of us that means returning to our daily dose of antihistamine allergy medications. At Apex Wellness Center we know there is another way; its about navigating the system as a whole and utilizing preventive root cause medicine.
Seasonal allergy symptoms can range from a runny nose, itchy eyes, headaches and congestion. Allergies are caused by your immune system mounting an immune response to a trigger in the environment, such as pollen or pet dander. Often times your allergic responses can be heightened because your immune system is overburdened by chronic inflammation in your body.
As you probably know by now, your digestive system plays a huge role in your immune system health. About 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. Your digestive system; ‘digests the world’ – your digestive systems is responsible for absorption nutrients, keeping out pathogens and digesting food.
With the magnitude of responsibilities our digestive system has, we believe a key way to reduce seasonal allergies is to lessen inflammation in your gut in order to restore your immune balance.
Determine your Food Triggers
We like to take the guess work out of our journey into health. A common way to determine your food sensitivities is by completing IgG Food Sensitivity Testing; this is a common blood test that can be an efficient first step in removing triggers.
The Food Sensitivity Test is different than traditional allergy testing in that it is checking for IgG (delayed immune reactions). Traditional allergy testing checks for IgE (immediate immune reactions).
Food sensitivities can develop overtime from poor diet choices or leaky gut. When we continue to eat foods that trigger inflammation we easily worsen other systemic complaints such as fatigue, sinus congestion, migraines, weight gain, mood complaints or even acne. And as we approach our body as a whole system of interacting components; this cascade can lead to worsening seasonal allergies.
A Comprehensive Stool Test
In this age of healthcare many of us have been over prescribed antibiotics; and of course this has a systemic effect. Antibiotics have a tendency to kill most of our good bacteria that colonizes our intestines; which can result in an overgrowth of intestinal yeast, candida or other pathogenic bacteria.
Candida overgrowth can worsen seasonal allergy responses, as well as cause intestinal inflammation and damage intestinal tissue leading to leaky gut.
I know I know, food sensitivity testing and stool testing for my seasonal allergies? However, for many of our clients it has been a turning point in symptom management for seasonal allergies. Its all about finding the root cause for chronic symptoms; information is power and often an impressive cure.
