Spring time in Melbourne is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. Unfortunately for a lot of people, this commences the pollen season too. And that almost always spells out weeks of suffering from allergies, especially from hay fever. Yes, it is true that flowers bloom on gardens, city parks and almost everywhere and they are just so wonderful do look at. The sad thing is the inconvenience that floating pollen can bring to people, adult and children.
But did you know that you actually have a chance to fight the battle against this problem with products from Melbourne online health food stores? But before that, let’s get to know more about this problem.
The Prevalence of Hay Fever in Melbourne
Hay Fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, affects at least 17% of the population of adults in Australia. That’s equivalent to over three million people reporting that they have this as a long term condition. This number has doubled in the last decade, possibly due to climate change.
What Exactly Causes Hay Fever?
Pollen is the primary antagonist in this scenario. Pollen from weeds, grasses, shrubs and trees are carried by the wind all over the region during the spring season.
Fungi (molds and spores) and dust can also trigger Hay Fever symptoms. But because these can be found lurking in homes all year round, people suffering from this will naturally have this all year round too. It’s called Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.
The Immunoglobulin Problem
Some people, obviously, are not affected by Hay Fever. So what’s in the bodies of those who are diagnosed with this problem? It’s the antibody called IgE or Immunoglobulin E.
When you come in contact with pollen, the IgE which usually fights off infection will think that the pollen is bad for you. This action triggers a series of chemical reactions, one of which is the release of histamine causing the following symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
- Loss of sense of smell and taste often follow suit
- Runny nose with clear mucus
- The post-nasal drip often leads to slight coughing too
- Sneezing
- Itchiness of the nose and the eyes
- Excessive tearing (tear production) of the eyes
The Conventional Medications
Anti-histamines, decongestants, and cortico-steroids are just some of the medications prescribed depending on what needs to be targeted. At times, all three are given to the patient. Eye drops are also provided to give relief to the symptoms affecting the eyes.
Because Prevention is Better than Cure
There is very little one can do to stop the spread of pollens, obviously. However, you could do the following to lessen its effects:
Don’t go outdoors too often when pollen is high.
Shut the doors and windows of your home to prevent pollen entry.
If you need to go out, see to it that you wear face masks and wrap around glasses to keep pollen off your eyes and nose.
If pollen spreads more than the normal size, then wearing a surgical mask can help prevent its entry to the body. There are over-the-counter masks that can be purchased in downtown drugstores.
Another not so well-known preventive measure is eating the right kind of food. You’ll never go wrong when healthy food intake is practiced. This is actually the easiest form of prevention. Here are some important facts you should take note of when filling your fridge or food storage:
- Vitamin C is a natural anti-histamine.
- Raw food and vegetable diet helps.
- Milk, sugar and starch are mucus-forming foods, get rid of those
- Foods high in Magnesium, Calcium, Flavanoids and Methionine are great in reducing histamine-production.
- Water is the best natural cleansing agent for the body. 8-10 glasses can suffice the needed hydration for the body.
We all know that we cannot control the entry of the seasons and what natural phenomena that they bring. However, we can do our best to be prepared for it. So that when pollen crosses our vicinity we may get sick but not as serious as that of acquiring the illness for the very first time. By having a balance of nutrients in the body plus nutritious food, sufficient sleep and ample exercise you can keep yourself strong and healthy and be able to fight any form of sickness.