Seasonal Allergies & Sinus Conditions

During certain seasons, people experience coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. Now, based on these symptoms, this may sound like a common cold. What we are focusing on, though, are allergies and sinus conditions.

Allergies result from an over-reaction from the body, thanks to the immune system, in response to a substance that is normally harmless. Different allergies have different conditions, making it difficult to diagnosis all types of allergies with one test. Sinus conditions are no exception. Because of this, having allergies and sinus conditions can be frustrating, restrictive, and frightening; in some cases, it could be life-threatening.

Here at Diamond Chiropractic, we are exceptional when it comes to allergies and sinus conditions. We help patients alleviate pain caused by allergies and sinus conditions.

Common Seasonal Allergies​

Approximately 10-30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children experience having seasonal allergies; in some countries, the average may be closer to 50 percent. What they are allergic to, though, can vary. Allergies, and their symptoms, can range from mild to severe depending on the current situation.

Two of the most common triggers for seasonal allergic reactions include:

• Airborne allergens. Whether it’s pollen, dust mites, mold and mildew, or animal dander/ fur, these are, typically, what most people would associate with seasonal allergies. Warmer weather has a direct correlation to all of these allergens.
• Insects. Warmer weather means the arrival of those pesky insects. In this case, people may notice an allergic reaction if they were stung by a bee, or if they got bit by a spider. While some can experience mild irritation of the affected area, others may need further attention.

Other triggers involve medicine, the skin and food. About 10 percent of reported medicine allergies are caused by a reaction to penicillin, or penicillin-based antibiotics, resulting in swelling in the face and trouble breathing. The skin can also show irritation from substances like Latex. Lastly, some common food allergies towards eggs, milk, shellfish, and peanuts cause the same reactions.

How the Body Reacts

When your body encounters an unknown substance, your immune system will recognize this substance and classify it as friendly or foreign and begin responding to it. Messages will be sent throughout the body, to certain organs and systems, to release histamines, chemicals made by the immune system to help fight off any harmful/foreign substance. With allergies, substances like pollen and dust seem harmless, but your body sees it as a threat.

Once histamines are released into the body, blood flow in the affected areas will increase and cause inflammation. Inflammation allows the immune system to work more and repair those areas. An example is when you get a stuffy or runny nose, leading you to sneeze more and even have a sore throat.

Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the allergy. Most people experience mild symptoms, similar to those of a common cold. Sneezing, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose are perfect examples. Severe cases, though, have a few additional symptoms. Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat. Chest tightness. Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms should be treated right away before they get worse.

What about the Sinuses?

The sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities found in the skull. Your cheekbones and lower forehead have larger sinus cavities, while there are smaller cavities between your eyes and in the bone behind your nose. Lining the sinuses is a thin layer of mucus, which helps filter air particles we breathe in. Experts are not sure why we have sinuses. What we do know is, along with air filtration, they help humidify the air we breathe.

When it comes to seasonal allergies, your body will send messages to the sinuses to produce more mucous. This helps to capture substances from entering the body, either through the nose or the mouth. Due to this, the sinus cavities become irritated and inflamed to prevent further harm to body. As a result, we have a runny nose, are sneezing, and are suffering from a sore throat. 

Most sinus conditions result from inflammation in the sinuses. Because of this, it can be hard to determine if you are suffering from seasonal allergies or a sinus condition. 

The most common conditions that affect the sinuses include:

• Acute sinusitis. Also known as a sinus infection, inflammation is caused through virus, bacteria, or fungal infection. Expect some nasal congestion, discomfort in the cheeks and forehead areas, more mucus in your nose and throat, or even headaches.
• Chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is a persistent process of inflammation in the sinuses, rather than just a series of infections. Also called chronic rhinosinusitis, this occurs when the sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite getting treatment.
• Hay fever. Pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens can cause the sinuses, and defenses in the nose, to overreact. Most common results of hay fever are nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy feelings in the nose and throat.
• Nasal polyps. These are small growths in the nasal cavity that occur due to inflammation. Asthma, chronic sinus infections, and nasal allergies like hay fever are causes for the inflammation.
• Turbinate hypertrophy. Turbinates are ridges located inside the nose. So, when they are enlarged, airflow through the nose is blocked, making breathing difficult. 

Regardless of whether you have an acute or chronic condition, your Chiropractor can help you get some relief.

Treatment at Diamond Chiropractic

At Diamond Chiropractic in Omaha, our chiropractor will perform an examination, take x-rays, and evaluate your posture to determine the cause of your seasonal allergy/ sinus congestion pain, in relation to your spine. After comparing the findings and confirming the diagnosis, our chiropractor will develop a treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms, heal the pain, and provide you with recommendations to lower your risk for possible re-occurrences.

Spinal Adjustments 

Our doctor will realign the vertebrae in the affected area to increase your range of motion and alleviate the pain on the spinal nerves. Symptoms resulting from the pain, from other nerves in the affected area, may begin to decrease as well. As a result, pain experienced by sinus conditions and seasonal allergies will disappear. 

Intersegmental Traction

Intersegmental traction involves the use of a special chiropractic table. This specific table includes rollers that will roll along the sides of the spinal column, allowing blood to flow through the tight muscles and ligaments. As this occurs, the muscles and ligaments loosen up and relax more; in addition, your spine will become more mobile. This type of treatment is effective with alleviating pain from seasonal allergies/ sinus conditions.

Acupuncture

Electro-therapy, or acupuncture, is effective with seasonal allergies and sinus conditions, and with their symptoms. Patients will notice, after several treatments, the pain in their forehead, nose, and cheeks begin to decrease. In addition, they will start to see more mobility come back to their spine and other affected areas of the body.

Lifestyle Advice

With any injury, whether to the back, neck, or extremity, the last thing you want to do is make the pain worse. The same idea applies to handling seasonal allergies and sinus conditions. Our advice is designed to help you perform everyday tasks and responsibilities safely. We focus on healing and relief from seasonal allergies and sinus conditions, not aggravating the pain further.

Contact Our Omaha Chiropractor for Allergies/ Sinus Conditions

To get started with chiropractic care for your seasonal allergies/ sinus conditions, choose our Omaha, NE chiropractor today. Diamond Chiropractic Omaha South is currently accepting new patients of all ages. Call our office today. When it comes to seasonal allergies/ sinus conditions, get relief NOW & FAST.