What is an Allergy?

When your body is exposed to any substance it does not like, you experience a reaction to that “foreign invader.” If that exposure is more than a one-time event, that immune response keeps occurring, releasing more and more chemicals to protect your body from what it perceives as a threat.

When you “get” a bacteria or virus, your body is designed to react to get it out. With some of these synthetic “foods,” your body only partly recognizes them. That’s why symptoms may be subtle at first, but repeated exposure causes worse symptoms as time goes on.

Can You “Outgrow” Allergies?

Because your body remembers, you don’t outgrow an allergy. The body’s reaction is shunted or diverted into a different type of response (e.g. autoimmune, arthritis), and is oftentimes long-term (like chronic sinusitis).

How Can I Know the Difference Between a “Cold” and an “Allergy?”

Because histamines and other chemicals are released by the body in response to a “foreign invader,” the symptoms may be similar: runny nose, sneeze, watery eyes, phlegm, etc. The main distinguishing feature is fever. When infected with a virus, for example, your body increases temperature to kill the bug. You do not get this with an allergic reaction.

What Are Symptoms of Allergies?

Common allergy symptoms beyond the obvious, previously-mentioned include abdominal gas/bloating, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches/soreness, joint pain, weight gain, hives, loose stool or constipation.

How Can Allergies be Treated at ABC Wellness & Rehab?

First, identify the cause. It is oftentimes food. It may also be environmental (such as a chemical or plant). We offer food allergy blood testing of 190 different foods. In addition, we can conduct a dietary analysis of common foods that affect people. Environmental factors can also be checked via the blood, however, environmental allergens are usually more difficult to avoid.

Regardless of the specific cause, the same immune system is affected (on overload). Consider this analogy: a bucket can only be filled so far with water. When its capacity is reached, excess water overflows. In the same way, when one is regularly exposed to allergens, there is a spill-over of mucus and you get sinusitis, for example; or in the case of weight gain, because your body is too sluggish to process foods efficiently. you pack on the pounds.

Next, strengthen the immune system. This can be done through proper nutrition (eating foods that help the body, not hurt it), and supportive herbs or homeopathic remedies.
   
Then remove the interference through spinal adjustments, acupuncture to mobilize blocked energy, and exercise to increase joint mobility (mobilizes fluids).

Finally, detox. When “junk” is allowed to remain in the body, detoxing clears the sludge to get rid of the offending agents.