Weed Pollen is on the Attack
Are you suffering from airborne allergies? Allergies compromise the immune system, making you much more susceptible to secondary viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
Allergies are our sixth leading cause of chronic disease. They significantly impact quality of life, increase the risk of multiple health problems and cost our country billions per year in medical treatments, absenteeism and lost productivity.
Weed pollen season has begun and will last until the first hard freeze of the year, which in Houston does not happen until sometime in mid-December, if at all. Most people think of ragweed, but there are numerous weeds that produce pollens. These plants are anemophilous, which means their pollen is airborne and distributed by wind. Pollens can travel 500 miles or more and are particularly troublesome when the cool fronts begin in the fall.
Allergies are an abnormal reaction by your immune system to normally occurring substances in the environment. Forty percent of Americans have an allergic disorder, and 20 percent have allergies bad enough to undergo allergy immunization treatment.
In individuals who have a genetic predisposition toward allergies, their immune system reacts to these allergens as foreign invaders and makes an antibody, IgE, to them. These antibodies bind to mast cells that line the mucosa of the nasal pharynx, bronchial tubes and gastrointestinal tract. Mast cells release histamine and other compounds that cause inflammation, blood vessel dilation, excess mucus production and nerve activation, all of which result in allergy reactions. That’s why people take antihistamines to reduce their allergy symptoms.
There are numerous substances that provoke allergies. The inhaled allergens are weed, tree and grass pollens, dust mites, mold spores and animal danders. Many individuals also have concomitant or combined food allergies. Wheat, corn, eggs, milk, soybeans, and nuts are common food allergens, but any food can cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. Certain drugs, chemicals, plants and insect venom can also provoke allergic reactions.
Allergies can cause itchy eyes and nose, mucosal drainage that oftentimes leads to throat and ear infections, as well as sinusitis, bronchitis, and headaches. They also depress your immune system and reduce your resistance to disease.
Inhaled allergens can turn your respiratory tract into a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and fungi, making you more susceptible to chronic colds and other infections. Asthma attacks also most commonly occur during October, the height of weed pollen season.
Food allergens add to the overall allergy load on your immune system. They can cause the same symptoms as airborne allergens plus chronic digestive problems and disruptions of the normal intestinal bacteria balance, paving the way for yeast overgrowth and leaky gut syndrome. They may also cause eczema, rashes, itching and hives, which can not only drive you crazy but also lead to skin infections.
Allergies are a cumulative problem. It is the combination of both airborne and food allergens which lead to a host of various allergic reactions.
The Hotze Health & Wellness Center was established in 1989 as an allergy practice. We have been a leader in the treatment of allergies for over 30 years, and I have served as President of the Pan American Allergy Society.
Over the years, we have expanded our treatment program to include the treatment of yeast, hypothyroidism, sex hormone decline and imbalance, adrenal fatigue, as well as vitamin and mineral supplementation.
In 1996 we became early adopters of sublingual, under the tongue, immunotherapy drops, which eliminate the pain and inconvenience of allergy shots. Most of our guests do remarkably well. We are now excited to be able to offer low dose allergen immunotherapy (LDA).
Low dose allergen immunotherapy is a breakthrough treatment for allergies of all kinds. LDA desensitizes and often eliminates allergies to more than 300 inhalants, foods and chemicals. We have guests of all ages experience that exceptional improvements with LDA.
Whether you have been diagnosed with allergies and are looking for a real solution, or you have unexplained symptoms that could be allergy-related, I urge you to learn more about our allergy treatment program at the Hotze Health & Wellness Center.
Are you ready to take control of your allergies?
Contact us for a complimentary Wellness Consultation today at 281-698-8698. Don’t wait – it’s time to get your life back!
