Newsletter 5

Good morning,

Hope you had a nice Easter break, and enjoying the glorious weather we are having right now.

The intention was to keep this short, but I clearly have a problem with limiting information!

In this newsletter there is information on

Hay fever season
Benefits of breathing
Mask, valuable information
Test update

Hay fever season

We are entering the pollen/hay-fever season therefore new symptoms are going to arise for many of us.

If you have hay fever, asthma or other allergic conditions, including eczema, please consider reviewing this website to help you differentiate between symptoms. https://community.aafa.org/blog/coronavirus-2019-ncov-flu-what-people-with-asthma-need-to-know

Hay fever is an allergic reaction (an immune system overreaction) to pollen released primarily by grasses, but can also be triggered by pollen released from trees.

Pollen particles contain a protein that causes inflammation, irritation and swelling of the nasal passages, but can also affect the eyes and the throat. The pollen (the allergen) causes the release of a substance known as an inflammatory mediator called histamine. It is the histamine that influences the symptoms of ‘hay fever’ in the body.

The symptoms of hay fever can often be split into two categories:

Sinus congestion, watery eyes, copious mucus, itchy nose
Red eyes, itchy eyes, inflamed nose and mucus membranes, headache

Antihistamines (OTC)

Antihistamines block the effects of histamine in the body which reduces the symptoms of an allergic reaction. As well as tablets, antihistamines are available, mostly over the counter as nasal sprays, eye drops or oral liquids.

The new generation of oral antihistamines is less likely to cause drowsiness than older versions, but still has potential side effects. These may include headaches, difficulty in passing urine, dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, palpitations, high blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, depression, disturbed sleep, tremors, fits, blood and liver disorders, and hyperactivity in children.

Nasal sprays are more localised in their effects but are only generally recommended for short-term relief for mild hay fever.

Also please remember that OTC anti-histamines can have a supressing effect on the immune system.

This is not ideal in the current situation so please take heed of the following suggestions to manage symptoms better.

What can you do?

The best way to control hay fever is to limit exposure to pollen and other allergens and irritants such as pet fur, insect sprays and tobacco smoke. With the pollen count at its highest at midday and again around 5 to 6pm, staying indoors during these hours is a good way to avoid pollen exposure.
HayMax pollen barrier balm, a natural, organic, drug-free pollen barrier applied at the base of the nostrils, is helpful in reducing pollen getting into the body.
Salt pipes can be helpful, a 2001 clinical study carried out on speleotherapy — or salt therapy (ST) concluded that there was a “significant decrease of the frequency of the obstructive bronchitis, asthma, pneumonias etc
- User trials showed its effectiveness as a treatment for breathing issues, and daily use can improve the respiratory system for people with hay fever, allergies, and asthma sufferers. Inhaling iodine through a salt pipe ( as mentioned in a previous email) will be supportive at this time
Air purifiers that have a HEPA filter are very helpful especially during the allergy season.
Try a chamomile or nettle tea to relieve your symptoms, as both have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties
While it’s tempting to relax with an alcoholic drink at the moment, it’s unfortunately packed with histamine.
Utilise local honey / bee pollen (small amounts on a daily basis)
Propolis sprays and tinctures. Begin with a few drops under the tongue and take every day throughout the hay fever season. Pollen and propolis treatments are examples of natural immunotherapy, slowly conditioning the body to tolerate allergens and therefore can be a very helpful approach to calming the body responses.
When you’re outside, pollen can stick to your clothes. This may explain why you feel sneezy long after you get home. Changing into something else straight away is a good idea.
To make sure you don’t start the day with an unwelcome dose of pollen, give your coat a good shake when taking your jacket off and before you put it back on. Do this outside!
Washing clothes gets rid of pollen, however drying them outside could put you back where you started, especially if it’s a windy day. If you can, dry clothes inside to stop pollen getting to them.
Sunglasses can shield your eyes from more than just the sun. If itchy eyes are one of your hay fever symptoms, glasses can be helpful to keep pollen away. Wraparound styles are the most effective.

Stay away from food that produces histamine

Histamine is the chemical your body produces in response to infection. It causes swelling that protects your body, but in hay fever sufferers, it’s released when it’s not needed.
The last thing you want to do is make your symptoms worse, so you need to avoid foods that either contain histamine or will encourage your body to produce more of it. The offending items include pickles, cured and smoked meat and fish, cheese and nuts. See full list

Low Histamine Level Foods

Fresh meat (cooled, frozen or fresh)
Freshly caught fish
Chicken (skinned and fresh)
Egg yolk
Fresh fruits – with the exception of strawberries, most fresh fruits are considered to have allow histamine level (also see histamine liberators below)
Fresh vegetables – with the exception of tomatoes
Grains – rice noodles, yeast free rye bread, rice crisp bread, oats, puffed rice crackers, millet flour, pasta (spelt and corn based)
Fresh pasteurised milk and milk products
Milk substitutes – coconut milk, rice milk
Cream cheese, butter (without the histamine generating rancidity)
Most cooking oils – check suitability before use
Most leafy herbs – check suitability before use
Most non-citric fruit juices
Herbal teas – with the exception of those listed below

High Histamine Level Foods

Alcohol
Pickled or canned foods – sauerkrauts
Matured cheeses
Smoked meat products – salami, ham, sausages….
Shellfish
Beans and pulses – chickpeas, soy beans, peanuts
Nuts – walnuts, cashew nuts
Chocolates and other cocoa based products
Vinegar
Ready meals
Salty snacks, sweets with preservatives and artificial colourings

Histamine liberators:

Most citric fruits – kiwi, lemon, lime, pineapple, plums…
Cocoa and chocolate
Nuts
Papaya
Beans and pulses
Tomatoes
Wheat germ
Additives – benzoate, sulphites, nitrites, glutamate, food dyes

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) blockers:

Alcohol
Black tea
Energy drinks
Green tea
Mate tea

Debatable:

Yoghurt – depends on the bacteria culture used
Egg white – it is a histamine liberator only when in its raw state

Other:

Yeast – even though it does not contain histamine as such, yeast serves as a catalyst for histamine generation during manufacture. There is no yeast in the end product.

One of the best nutrients for hay fever is a flavanol called quercetin, which studies have shown can suppress histamine production. Foods that are high in quercetin include green vegetables, berries, beans and apples.

Eating foods rich in beta carotene (carrots, spinach, any yellow fruit) and omega 3 (oily fish) are two more ways to soothe your blocked nose and painful sinuses.

We have been able to acquire more Vitamin C and Quercetin and we do currently have our normal natural effective antihistamine supplements in stock. Please contact the office or discuss with Emma at your upcoming consult

Breathing benefits

A close friend and colleague Nicky Jenkins, who has many years of experience in various therapeutic practices, has offered this wise information on breathing, which links in with the allergy season and Covid 19 recovery.

There are so many reasons why we should explore a conscious breathing practice. Right now, not one specific practice will prevent the onset of Covid-19, but embarking on a breath practice now will increase lung health and immune resiliency.

The following is a simple and highly effective way to boost respiratory health. Breathe through your NOSE. The air we breathe is full of bacteria, viruses, chemicals and other particles. About 75 % of all particles and viruses in the air are filtered out as they pass through the mucous membranes and cilia of our nose. If we breathe through our mouth, the air goes unfiltered into our lungs. In other words, we skip our body’s first line of defence against intruders.

Nitric Oxide, or NO, is a hugely important substance produced in large quantities in the nasal sinuses. When we inhale through our nose, NO accompanies the inhaled air in order to dilate the bronchial tubes to allow the air to pass through easily.

Another important function of NO is its antimicrobial properties which kills viruses and bacteria that have escaped from the cilia inside our nose and throat. NO also causes the blood vessels inside our lungs to dilate, which allows oxygen to be transferred to our blood more easily.

When we breathe through the mouth we miss these amazing warriors that support our health.

For more information and tips for breath work. Check out: www.breathspace.co.uk or our Breathspace YouTube Channel

Breathe Well

Nicky Jenkins

Mob: 07587 494127

Also another great avenue for breath work is a guy called James Dowler. James can be contacted at www.breathewithjames.co.uk

Masks

You will no doubt have heard the conflicting information regarding mask and Covid 19. Examine.com have released a good article with information on the different type of masks and the suitability. Please read so you can make an informed decision.

https://examine.com/topics/coronavirus-masks/?ck_subscriber_id=357464431

When we start to come out of current situation and slowly go into more social interaction it may be in your interest to have this understanding.

Have a nice day

Emma