Essentially a year-long problem, allergic rhinitis can also be a seasonal allergic reaction marked by excessive nasal discharge, nasal blockage, and sneezing attacks. Red conjunctivae and itchy eyes are additional symptoms a lot of sufferers experience. As the blockage of the sinus pathways becomes more severe, sufferers may also report symptoms of asthma, headaches, impaired mental focus, breathing problems, and thickened mucus membranes. These symptoms are derived due to the sufferer’s extreme sensitivity to fumes, animal dander, dust mites, spores, and/or pollens according to a conventional perspective. For certain unknown reasons, the immune system of the patient has signaled the affected area to stay on high alert for factors that may enter the body through the throat, mouth and nasal pathways. When a perceived foreign agent enters the body through said body parts, the immune system acts up hysterically and commands the body to isolate the foreign agents immediately within the vicinity of these orifices. The immune system then dispatches white blood cell killers to eliminate the invaders. The battle between the infiltrators and the white blood cells produces the symptoms and signs that we distinguish as an allergic reaction.
Conventional Therapies for Allergies:
Typical treatments for allergic rhinitis are often to desensitize the body to the allergen or may involve the use of antihistamines to inhibit the immune response of the body to the allergen. These therapies basically either redirect or suppress the immune response of the sufferer to a specified allergen and do not address the other related aspects of the patient’s condition that may be important for a much more effective resolution. They also do not clear the blockages that can slow down or even prevent body systems from regaining their harmonious function.
The Approach of Traditional Chinese Medical towards Allergies:
The way Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) addresses allergic rhinitis is to treat the internal factors that have caused the dysfunction of the immune response of the body and to also relieve the symptoms caused by its hyper-reactive condition. Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture aid the immune system to correctly and calmly evaluate the threat and help it come up with a proper response that is reasonably proportional to the degree of the threat.
Wei Qi:
Wei Qi is a TCM concept that pertains to the functions and nature of immunity. It is one of the body’s defensive components and is associated with vital energy or Qi. Wei Qi flows between the muscles and under the skin, shielding the body from being severely impacted by heat, wind or other elements that the body encounters in the environment. Kidney and Lung Qi aid Wei Qi in defending the body against potential wind borne pathogenic elements. Kidney Qi conveys nourishment directed upwardly towards the Lungs. It also sends signal from the endocrine system to enable Wei Qi to come up with a healthy defense response to whatever pathogen it may face. Lung Qi, on the other hand, protects and nourishes the mucus linings of the respiratory tract, mouth and nose.
A strong and well-nourished Wei Qi can properly identify a foreign agent within its borders. It will then execute a proper inflammatory response to ensnare the infiltrator, while at the same time signal white blood cell killers to eliminate the trapped allergen. Sneezing and nasal discharges help remove the dead pathogen from the body thus restoring homeostasis to the body.
Deficiency that can complicate an Allergy condition:
Blocked or deficient organ systems responsible for producing Wei Qi can exacerbate a mild allergic reaction making it severe. Tired while blood cell soldiers may fail in their quest to eliminate the infiltrators and this may cause the affected and inflamed part of the body to be become extremely toxic. More mucus accumulation can lead to more forceful sneezing causing the sufferer severe breathing problems. Important facets in rhinitis patterns that are complicated by deficiency are listed below:
- Weak deficient pulse
- History of eczema or asthma
- Pale and waxy complexion
- Increased itching around the nose and eyes
- Recurrent and transitory sneezing
- Onset often comes with a change of weather
Allergies worsened by stagnation:
If the blood and Qi pathways become obstructed, Wei Qi wanes. Blockage can develop when Liver gets very much affected by emotional stress. Unreleased anger or frustration can throttle liver qi, restraining the normal flow of blood and qi to other systems of the body. Without the efficient and regular circulation of nutrients and information, the defense mechanism of the body malfunctions, (i.e. it overreacts). Some of the patterns involving allergies worsened by stagnation include:
- A string-taut pulse
- White or red face turning purple during an anger fit
- Easy and disproportionate reaction to current events
Food Choices That Can Affect Allergies:
Poor dietary choices can lead to another type of obstruction/stagnation. Daily eating of cold foods that can produce phlegm causes a slow digestion of the foods that also slows down the absorption and distribution of nutrients to the entire body. All kinds of foods and drinks that contain sugar as well as dairy products, peanuts and cold fruit juices can cause the production of mucus in the digestive tract that often ends up in the lungs and nose. Children are often affected by this condition and so we often see many of them suffering from chronic noisy respiration, nasal itching and persistent runny noses. Important features in this type of rhinitis pattern include:
- Loose stools
- Thirsty with no desire to drink
- Picky eater due to a poor appetite
- Muzzy headed, fatigue and a droopy posture
- White face
Acupuncture’s Miraculous Effects:
Acupuncture is usually the TCM choice of treatment that is often combined with Chinese herbal remedies to treat allergic rhinitis. In order to alleviate sinus signs and symptoms, the acupuncturist carefully places very fine-gauged needles into the affected energy channels known as meridians. These meridians need to be stimulated in order to suppress an ongoing allergic reaction. Along with that, the acupuncturist needs to also reformat signal pathways between the immune system and the other organ systems of the body and to clear accumulating mucus to help prevent the onset of any future attacks. One to up to three sessions of acupuncture treatments during the month before the start of the allergy season can reinforce and normalize Wei Qi, the kidneys and the lungs in a way that the patient is no longer sensitive to the once troublesome allergens.
Chinese Herbal Remedies Can Provide Relief:
Taking certain Chinese herbal formulas each day can significantly minimize the severity of the symptoms during an allergic reaction. It can also strengthen the kidney and lung systems for a long period of time. If foods that produce mucus are avoided, being allergy-free even when going outdoors is practically guaranteed.
COMMENTS