The Natural Health & Allergy Clinic

25/09/2023

Hayfever & Spring – The Love-Hate Relationship

Hayfever, asthma, eczema, sinusitis, itchy watery everything?

Spring – it’s a love-hate relationship for some…

On one hand we love the end of winter and the beginning of warmer sunnier and dryer days, but if you’re one of the people that suffer hayfever, it’s a real love-hate relationship.

Due to the warmer weather we get an explosion of pollen from trees, grass, w**ds and flowers, and this is what causes hayfever symptoms.

I used to have this myself and suffered every summer with horrendously itchy watery everything – face, nose, throat, eyes and ears. All I could do was take an antihistamine which really did take the severity out of it but I still felt like it was there lurking and although I was itch-free, I felt wiped out and in (allergy) fight-mode. Only for it to all start over again the next day.

Pick your condition… You may not get hayfever but you might suffer from asthma at this time of year, or your existing asthma or eczema gets a lot worse. Some might have sinus instead and battle with recurrent bouts that can frequently turn into an infection (sinusitis).

The other thing that having allergies does to us is really challenge our immune system. We might feel like we have a cold or that we’re always on the verge of breaking into one. For some, this is so chronic that they stop being able to tell if it’s hayfever or a cold. Read my blog here to help you differentiate…

Of course you could do all the…

staying indoors on dry, windy days

avoid lawn mowing, w**d pulling and other gardening

remove clothes that you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair

not hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels

Or you could get i​n touch and let me help you out.

Hayfever and spring not a problem but something else is? I address intolerances of all kinds.

Or maybe you’re good with allergies but have other health issues you’d like help with?

Feel free to get in touch.

17/07/2023

Vitamin D!

As we find ourselves a few months past summer, I wanted to remind everyone about the importance of Vitamin D and its association with immunity and mood.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in bolstering our immune function, making it an essential nutrient for combating infections and promoting overall wellbeing. During winter, when our exposure to sunlight diminishes, our bodies tend to experience a decline in Vitamin D levels. This decline can be more pronounced for individuals who spend less time outdoors, whose skin is naturally darker, and those starting the winter season with already compromised levels.

Studies have linked Vitamin D deficiency to feelings of fatigue, low mood, and even seasonal affective disorder (SAD). By ensuring adequate Vitamin D intake, we can potentially mitigate these mood-related challenges and enhance our mental well-being during the darker months.

Maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels has been found to have potential links to managing certain conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, asthma, allergies and even the common cold. Evidence suggests that Vitamin D may play a role in modulating immune responses and reducing the severity of these conditions.

So! Do you know where you’re at with your vitamin D levels? Have you ever had them tested? If you suspect low vitamin D could be a thing for you, it might be a really good idea to get tested. You can do this with a simple blood test.

Remember, by taking proactive steps to ensure adequate Vitamin D, you can support your immune system, support your mood, and potentially alleviate the symptoms of so many health challenges at all times of the year.

13/07/2023

Have the Winter Bugs Got You? -

Given we are well into winter I thought it would be a great idea to focus this newsletter on supporting your health during the colder months, with a few things that you may not have thought of.

11/07/2023

Let’s talk mould!

I’ve been seeing this a lot in my clinic lately: mould toxicity. It is a condition that can manifest with various symptoms and often leaves people puzzled (the foggy head doesn’t help!), unable to differentiate between a common cold, an allergy, or just general fatigue and worsening of current symptoms.

Many of my clients have reported experiencing headaches, runny noses, blocked sinuses, and persistent brain fog. Additionally, sore joints and aggravated digestive symptoms, particularly in cases with an underlying candida overgrowth, have become more pronounced. These symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life, and addressing the root cause is just so important.

One of the primary steps in managing mould toxicity is to identify and eliminate the source. Mould thrives in damp and poorly ventilated environments, so improving ventilation and using dehumidifiers can help minimize its growth. By reducing the moisture levels in your living or working space, you can create an inhospitable environment for the mould and it can no longer flourish.

In some cases, additional interventions may be necessary. This could include internal work such as addressing gut health, utilizing binders to aid in toxin removal, and providing immune and lung support. Improving these areas can help the body and facilitate recovery from the symptoms caused by mould toxicity.

If you or someone you know is struggling with persistent symptoms that could potentially be linked to mould toxicity, feel free to get in touch, remembering that early detection and intervention are crucial in managing mould toxicity effectively. If you suspect mould exposure or notice symptoms worsening in damp environments - it could be mould.