Now that it’s Springtime, I’m seeing a lot of patients with the return of their seasonal hayfever. Some days are worse than others (recent windy weather in Melbourne was contributing to an increase in symptoms).
The strength of your immune response (and its sensitivity level) is linked to how much else it needs to tolerate and deal with on a daily basis.
For example, if you have food sensitivities and you continually expose yourself to these foods without realising, then you are burdening your immune system.
If you have leaky gut and/or pathogens in your gut in high numbers (for example, opportunistic bacteria such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, or yeast such as Candida albicans, or parasites such as Dientamoeba fragilis) then your immune system is already burdened with the task of keeping those in check.
If you are under significant stress, then we know that the immune response is altered by stress. Studies have shown a dampened immune response under stressful conditions.
If you are under-slept, then we know that you immune response will be less able to tolerate the onslaught of sensitivities, whether pollen, dust, grass.
The general health of our gut is so important in our immune response. We know that the majority of our immunity is found in the gut, and therefore a healthy gut with the right balance and diversity in bacterial strains is so important for our immunity. When our gut bacteria becomes out of balance (good bacteria vs bad bacteria), or we have made a lot of poor food choices (which burdens the liver), or drinking excessive alcohol, general maldigestion or stress, all cause the health of our gut to plummet – which means a healthy immune response is also compromised.
Naturopaths will take a look at your overall health, including all of these aspects mentioned above, in order to determine how we can strengthen your immune response (by addressing the underlying cause/s of weakened/dysfunctional immunity).
So don’t just suffer through your hayfever symptoms, and try not to take antihistamines every day and hope it will just go away. Many of these antihistamines will be causing further problems.
Make a time with your naturopath for a full health check, where we will find the underlying causes of immune dysfunction and correct them for you.
Yvette is a qualified Melbourne-based Naturopath and Nutritionist, MINDD Practitioner, member of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia, and Complementary Medicine Association. Yvette specialises in the treatment of conditions commonly affecting women and children, with a key interest in children’s digestive and neurological conditions, as well as women’s hormonal concerns, digestive issues, fatigue, anxiety, and skin concerns. Yvette consults in Camberwell and South Yarra, as well as Australia-wide via skype/zoom/phone. Book here.