Breathe Easy This Spring – Understanding and Treating Allergies with Functional Medicine
As spring rolls in and nature bursts into bloom, many of us look forward to warmer days, vibrant flowers, and more time outdoors. But for millions, the arrival of spring also means bracing for the discomfort of allergy season. Sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose can quickly turn this beautiful season into a battle against irritating symptoms.
For some, these symptoms are just an inconvenience. But for others, seasonal allergies can derail daily life—leaving them feeling fatigued, foggy, and drained. Here’s the truth: Allergy symptoms are not just something you have to live with. They are signals from your body pointing toward underlying imbalances that deserve attention. The good news? By uncovering the root cause, you can take meaningful steps toward lasting relief.
What Happens When Allergies Strike?
When your immune system encounters a foreign substance—like pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander—it mistakenly perceives it as a threat, even though these substances are harmless. This triggers the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which signal mast cells to release histamine and other chemicals. The result? The classic allergy symptoms we all know too well.
Histamine: Friend or Foe?
Histamine plays an essential role in defending your body from harmful invaders. But when histamine levels spike due to an overactive immune response, it can lead to inflammation and unpleasant symptoms:
✅ Sneezing and Congestion: Blood vessels expand, leading to nasal congestion.
✅ Itchy, Watery Eyes: Increased tear production makes eyes feel itchy and irritated.
✅ Swelling and Puffiness: Tissues, especially around the nose and eyes, swell in response to histamine.
But histamine is just one piece of the puzzle. Chronic inflammation, gut imbalances, and immune dysregulationalso contribute to heightened allergic responses. Without addressing these deeper issues, allergy symptoms are likely to persist year after year.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
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Are You Experiencing These Allergy Symptoms?
The way your body reacts to allergens depends on various factors, including genetics, gut health, and immune resilience. Two people exposed to the same pollen may experience completely different symptoms.
Common Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
- Sneezing and congestion
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Redness and swelling around the eyes
- Sinus pressure and headaches
Non-Seasonal Allergy Symptoms (Food, Medication, or Insect Reactions)
- Tingling or itching in the mouth
- Hives, rashes, or skin redness
- Swelling (especially around the face or lips)
- Itching all over the body
- Digestive discomfort or nausea
While mild reactions typically resolve after removing the allergen, severe reactions, like anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention
Why Conventional Allergy Treatments Fall Short
If you’ve ever visited a conventional (allopathic) doctor for allergies, you’ve probably been given a list of standard recommendations:
✅ Avoid known allergens
✅ Take over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants
✅ Use corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
✅ Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots) for long-term desensitization
While these treatments can temporarily relieve symptoms, they often come with a hidden cost. Regular use of antihistamines and steroids can:
❗ Suppress Your Immune System: Making it harder to fight infections.
❗ Disrupt Your Gut Microbiome: Where 70% of your immune system resides.
❗ Trigger Dependency: Requiring higher doses over time for the same effect.
Despite these efforts, many people find that their allergy symptoms return year after year—because the underlying imbalance remains unaddressed.
Functional Medicine - Finding and Fixing the Root Cause
At Back On Track 2 Wellness, we approach allergies differently. We don’t just chase symptoms—we dig deeper to understand why your body is overreacting to harmless substances. Through Functional Medicine, advanced testing, and personalized care, we identify the root cause of your allergy symptoms and create a plan to restore balance and resilience.
Key Factors We Investigate
Gut Health and Microbiome Imbalances: A compromised gut lining (often called “leaky gut”) can allow allergens to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Low levels of vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids can impair immune regulation.
Chronic Inflammation: Prolonged inflammation primes the immune system to overreact, increasing sensitivity to allergens.
Histamine Intolerance: An inability to break down histamine efficiently can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
Toxic Load and Environmental Exposure: Mold, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins can overwhelm the immune system, making it hypersensitive to allergens.
By addressing these underlying factors, we can calm your immune system, reduce inflammation, and naturally alleviate allergy symptoms.
The Gut-Allergy Connection
Did you know that 70% of your immune system resides in your gut? The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and distinguishing between harmful invaders and harmless substances.
When the gut barrier is compromised due to inflammation, poor diet, or environmental toxins, undigested food particles and allergens can enter the bloodstream—triggering widespread immune activation. This condition, known as intestinal permeability (leaky gut), is often a major contributor to chronic allergies.
What's Next?
We’re talking about seasonal allergies all month long! In next week’s blog, we’ll explore the impact of lifestyle choices on allergy management—covering:
Anti-inflammatory foods that support immune balance
Hydration and its role in reducing histamine responses
Stress management techniques to calm the immune system
Natural remedies that help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms
Ready to Uncover the Root Cause of Your Allergy Symptoms?
Don’t wait another season to take control of your health. Whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or severe reactions, lasting relief is possible when you address the root cause. Schedule your consultation today.
Schedule Your Telehealth Consultation
We would love to sit down with you and chat about your experiences and current health complaints.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
By Dr. Todd W. Bunning
Dr. Todd W. Bunning’s Chiropractic and Functional Medicine services reach far beyond the local Roseville area, with webcam consultations available for patients in any location. With over 21+ years of Private Practice experience, Dr. Todd continues to focus on the individual: science-based methods to address whole-body health factors.
Dr. Todd’s education didn’t stop when he graduated from Life West Chiropractic College in 2003. Today, he’s continuing to receive training and is chipping away on numerous post-graduate degree programs. This unique blend of clinical health investigation and Lifestyle Medicine application helps people of all ages find the underlying factors that result in chronic disease.