Uh Oh! It's Allergy Season Again!

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If so, you're among the 50 million Americans who experience various types of allergies every year. That's according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

You might not care for the extreme cold of the winter or excessive heat in the summer.

But you may feel both are preferable to the spring and/or fall when you get hit with miserable allergy symptoms.

Those symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and sneezing. Plus hives, rashes, itchy eyes, a runny nose, scratchy throat and dry skin.

What Are Allergies and What Causes Them?

Just so we're on the same page, let's define what allergies are. An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance called an allergen.

It could come from a variety of sources. Such as something you eat or inhale into your lungs. Or something injected into your body, like a poison from an insect bite. Or even something you touch.

Among the most common causes of indoor and outdoor allergies are grass, trees, weed pollen and mold spores. Plus dust mites, cockroaches, cats and dogs.

Because plant particles cause most allergies, they tend to be seasonal for most people. Plants have seasons of dormancy and reproduction that play a role here.

Pollen is produced by cone-bearing and flowering plants as a part of reproduction. Your immune system can view pollen as an intruder. And it can respond by releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause sneezing and additional symptoms.

This Allergy Season Could Be Rough

I'd love to tell you that there is an easy cure for allergies. But the truth is, there is no cure. People manage their allergies with prevention and treatment.

Mark Corbett is president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). He believes the spring 2022 allergy season could be tougher than usual for some people.

“People still have COVID on their minds,” he said. “They might not be thinking about spring allergies. So symptoms might sneak up on them.”

He suggests taking allergy medications two to three weeks prior to when itching and sneezing normally start to occur.

5 Tips to Consider

Here are some additional tips offered by the ACAAI:

• If you think you might have COVID, get tested. If the test is negative, your symptoms might be related to allergies. Consult an allergist who can identify what you are allergic to and what treatments are available.
• Remember that not all medications are equal. Some may prove effective but have side effects. Consult with your doctor or an allergist before starting any medication. Including over-the-counter meds.
• Identify your allergy triggers. Determining what is causing your allergies – and when – is key information your doctor or allergist can use to help you.
• Fresh air isn't always good air. If you are allergic to pollen, be careful about letting too much fresh air into your home when pollen counts are high.
• Don't wait until you're miserable. If you know your spring allergies are on the way, see your doctor or allergist early to get ahead of the problem. For many people, spring allergies are coming sooner than they used to.

Smoothies Can Be Healthy

As previously mentioned, there is no cure for seasonal allergies. But as with most of life's problems, the healthier you are, the better able to cope you will be. Including in survival situations.

One of the best ways to stay healthy is by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Now, they all provide plenty of nutrition when eaten raw or cooked individually.

But sometimes you want a combination of them in a different format. Such as in a healthy smoothie. These blended drinks are convenient to make. They have a delicious texture and they fill you up.

You can also add protein to a smoothie with nuts, seeds and yogurt. Not to mention leafy greens like spinach and kale for extra vitamins and minerals. Plus nut butters, coconut oil and protein powder. You can even add omega-3 fatty acids in the form of flax or chia.

My Recommendation: Patriot Power Blender

Of course, a smoothie requires a blender. The downside to most blenders is that they're bulky and noisy. They take up too much counter space. And they're not very portable. And boy are they messy.

But not the Patriot Power Blender. This cordless, compact, portable blender crushes ice and makes smoothies in 7 seconds flat. Weighing only 1 lb and standing just 10 inches tall, it's the perfect, tuck-out-of-sight blender.

You can make healthy smoothies, sauces, dressings and even baby food. This rechargeable mini-blender never needs batteries. It's the perfect size to take anywhere. Like the gym, the office or on vacation.

Claim the best deal now of 4 Patriot Power Blenders and you'll get a free health bonus bundle. Including Patriot Power Protein and Patriot Power Greens. As well as smoothie recipes and a $20 certificate. Plus free shipping and handling. There's also a payment plan available.

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