There are few places better in the spring than Chicago - the tulips are blooming up and down Michigan Avenue, boats cruise the Chicago River, optimism surrounds our beloved Cubs, and my family has been coughing, sniffling, and sneezing since last week. It's that time of year when allergies and viruses wreak havoc on our springtime plans. Knowing the difference between cold and allergy symptoms is the key to getting effective treatment quickly.
How do I know if I have an allergy or a cold?
Viral illnesses like the common cold will have a timeline and symptoms that will vary slightly from seasonal allergies. Here are a few things to look for:
Fever
A definite red flag that you have an illness and not an allergy.
Fatigue
If you are lying on the couch doing a mental scan of your body to find a muscle or body part that doesn't ache, you're sick.
Mucus color
Clear, thin mucus is a sign of allergies. Viscous, yellow-green mucus is the hallmark of a cold at its peak.
Itchiness
Itchy eyes, ears and nose is an unmistakable sign of allergies as are red, watery eyes.
Timeline
Seasonal allergy symptoms will slowly worsen as the plants release more pollen. The symptoms will last for weeks whereas viral symptoms will develop over just a couple days.
What can I do to reduce allergy symptoms naturally?
As of 2021, the CDC reported nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 4 U.S. children have a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy. Some are even calling it an "allergy epidemic." Allergies that were once rare are now affecting an estimated one billion people worldwide. Environmental toxicity, systemic inflammation and a less than desirable gut microbiome are holding the top spots on the list of causes. For example: exhaust - specifically the nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust - from cars, trucks and buses causes ragweed to grow twice as large and produce five times as much pollen. You don't have to be chained to the Claritin-D forever, reducing or eliminating the dreaded springtime symptoms is within reach.
Nutrition
As I've said before in previous posts, all disease processes are inflammation wrapped up in a different package. The first place to start is an anti-inflammatory diet (read all about it here). Additionally, increase your intake of the foods that are known to reduce inflammation like ginger, low mercury fatty fish, chia and flaxseeds, red onions, capers and turmeric. Reduce or eliminate dairy a couple months before your D-Day. It's mucus producing which will trap pollen in your nose and sinuses causing you to suffer for longer. It's better to get a jumpstart on your symptoms before you are overwhelmed with inflammation and playing catch-up.
Heal the Gut
Gut permeability creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and allergic reactions of all kinds as well as a Pandora's box of chronic diseases. Close to 70% of your immune system lives in your gut so when your microbiome becomes overwhelmed with the bad guys, systemic mayhem ensues including seasonal allergies. Basically, allergies are a response to a hypersensitive immune system that causes a flood-gate-like release of histamines. Stress management, probiotics, prebiotics, fiber and an anti-inflammatory diet are your all-star team members when it comes to gut health. The best way to add probiotics, prebiotics and fiber is through diet. Choose fermented foods like sauerkraut and fermented pickles - great staples for all those upcoming spring and summer barbecues. Prebiotics are a fertilizer for the good guys and they're often a good source of fiber. You can find them in flaxseed, garlic, asparagus, oats and barley, organic apples and green bananas.
Supplements
I'm the biggest fan for nutrient testing. It takes the guess work out of supplements and giving your body what it actually needs. However, these are a few supplements I would recommend for most people suffering from seasonal allergies: (1) a quality fish oil to reduce inflammation; (2) turmeric, another anti-inflammatory shown to reduce allergy symptoms; (3) vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory, immune system powerhouse that has solid research for the management and prevention of allergic diseases. I recommend getting your vitamin D levels tested at least once a year. The optimal level of vitamin D hovers around 75 ng/mL (+/- 15).
Disclaimer
The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute professional medical advice from your healthcare professional.
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