Allergies (respiratory)
Synopsis of Allergies (respiratory)
Respiratory allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, or pollutants, triggering an inflammatory response in the respiratory tract. The immune system produces histamine and other chemicals in response to these harmless allergens, leading to symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and throat irritation.
Respiratory allergies can be seasonal (e.g., pollen-related hay fever) or perennial (year-round due to indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander). In some cases, respiratory allergies can worsen or trigger asthma, especially if inflammation spreads to the lower airways.
Types:
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Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Triggered by outdoor allergens like pollen or mold, occurring at specific times of the year.
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Perennial allergic rhinitis: Occurs year-round, triggered by indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
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Allergic asthma: Involves airway inflammation and constriction triggered by allergens, overlapping with respiratory allergies.
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Occupational allergies: Caused by workplace exposures (e.g., chemicals, dust, animal dander).
Common Causes (Triggers):
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Pollen: Trees (spring), grasses (summer), weeds (fall).
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Dust mites: Microscopic organisms in bedding, upholstery, and carpets.
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Pet dander: Proteins from skin, saliva, or urine of cats, dogs, and other animals.
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Mold spores: Found indoors or outdoors, especially in damp environments.
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Smoke and pollutants: Can irritate the airways and exacerbate allergies.
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Cockroach droppings: Common allergen in urban settings.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Allergic asthma: Respiratory allergies can trigger asthma attacks, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty.
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Sinus infections (Sinusitis): Chronic nasal inflammation can block sinuses, leading to infection.
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Sleep disturbances: Nasal congestion and irritation can impair sleep quality.
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Ear infections: Especially in children due to blocked Eustachian tubes.
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Decreased quality of life: Persistent symptoms can impair daily activities, concentration, and mood.
When to See a Doctor or Allergist:
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Persistent allergy symptoms affecting daily life or sleep
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Symptoms worsen or become year-round
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Respiratory allergies trigger asthma attacks or breathing difficulties
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Over-the-counter medications are ineffective
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To confirm diagnosis through allergy testing (skin prick test, blood tests)
Natural remedies for Allergies (respiratory)
Saline Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot or Saline Spray): Flushes allergens and irritants from nasal passages, reducing congestion and inflammation. Use daily during allergy seasons.
HEPA Filters (Air Purifiers): Removes airborne allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from indoor air. Place in bedrooms and living spaces.
Quercetin (Natural Antihistamine): Stabilizes mast cells and reduces histamine release, lowering allergic responses. Available in apples, onions, and as a supplement.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Anti-inflammatory properties reduce airway inflammation and modulate immune responses. Include fish oil, flaxseed, or chia seeds in the diet.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): Herb traditionally used to reduce allergic inflammation and support respiratory health. Available as standardized supplements (PA-free).
Local Honey (Mild Seasonal Allergies): May reduce sensitivity to local pollen allergens. Use cautiously; not suitable for severe allergies.
Probiotics: Support gut-immune axis and may reduce allergic responses. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains are commonly studied.
Vitamin C: Acts as a natural antihistamine and supports immune balance. Include citrus fruits, bell peppers, or supplements.
Green Tea (Catechins): Contains polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may reduce allergic responses. Drink 1–2 cups daily.
Keep Windows Closed During High Pollen Times: Reduces exposure to outdoor allergens, especially in the morning when pollen counts are highest.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Allergies (respiratory)
2'-Fucosyllactose
akkermansia muciniphila
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
amino acids
arabinogalactan
ashwagandha
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bisabolol
black cumin
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
chamomile
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
coating
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
exo-peptidase
forskohlii root
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ginger
ginseng
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
horseradish
immunoglobin G
honeysuckle
l-histidine
l-theanine
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactococcus lactis
licorice root
magnesium
milk thistle
natural flavor
nettle
omega-3 fatty acids
perilla
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
platycodon root
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protease
purple butterbur root
quercetin
rhizome
rhodiola
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
streptococcus thermophilus
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
water
zinc
bentonite
mullein
cardamom
bee pollen
chrysanthemum
siler root
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
herbal blend (proprietary)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
2-Fucosyllactose
Astragalus
Ash
Aralia
Avens
Alpha Glucans
Asafetida
Aroma
Alpinia
African Ginger
American Basil
Artemisia Herba-Alba
Average Herb Strength
Agmisode
Aldimine
Azelaic acid
Ardisia
American Elder
Artemisia
Andrographis paniculata
Aloe vera
Almond Oil
Agaricus blazei
Adrenergic amines
Alkyl (unspecified)
Ancylostoma brasiliense
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Asteracea
Aloe
Aromatic acid (unspecified)
Acemannan
Alpha Glucans
Agaricus blazei
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
allyl isothiocyanate
Arabinogalactan
Asian Plantain
Ant
Acinetobacter lwoffii
Amor seco
Asarum sieboldii
Ash (unspecified)
Assam Indigo
Aster (unspecified)
Adsorbant
Black Seed
Blend (Combination)
Bentonite
Bifidobacterium longum
Bifidobacterium
Bee Pollen
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Botanical Blend
Bee Pollen
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Bidens pilosa
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
benzenoid (unspecified)
Beta-Glucans
Bishop's Weed
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis
Bioflavonoid
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Blackboard tree
Beta-pinene
Bisabolol
Bee hive
Bioflavonoids (mixture)
beta-lactoglobulin
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Buckhorn Plantain
berry
Boswellia
Blue Wiss
Bacillus (mixed)
Balsam (unspecified)
Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake)
Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement)
Bioflavonoids
Bifidobacterium breve
Benzoin siam
Butterbur
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Seed Oil
Bacillus (unspecified)
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Blend (combination)
Bacteria
blend (herb/botanical)
B. brevia
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacteria Blend
Bifidobacteria
Beta Glucans
Bupleurum (unspecified)
Balloon Flower
Blend (combination)
cucumber
Coral
Colostrum
Cinnamomum
Colostrum
Chrysanthemum maximum
Chlorophyllin
Cinnamic aldehyde
Cortisol
Calcium Ascorbate
Common Plantain
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Cineole
Colotsrum
California Goldenrod
Cowherb
Curcuma amada
Curcumen
Complex
cloves
Coating
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Cinidium
Centidepa (unspecified)
Comb
Cayenne
Centipeda
Chrysanthemum (unspecified)
Cistus
Common madia
Carbon
Chinese Licorice
Carrot oil
chrysanthemum
Clostridium butyricum
Chinese Cucumber
Catkin
Cystine
Capsules
capsule
Conehead Thyme
Chrysophanics
Digestion resistant Maltodextrin
Diatomite
Delivery system
Epidermal Growth Factor
European Elder
Echinacea (unspecified)
Enzyme (unspecified)
Excipients
Echinacea (various)
English Oak
Echinacea
Elder
Echinacea angustifolia
Endopeptidase
Eyebright
Echinacea pallida
Enzyme Blend
Elecampane
Echinacea purpurea
English Plantain
Essential oil (unspecified)
Essential Oil Blend
Euglena gracilis
esters
European Golden Rod
Flavor
food additive (unspecified)
Fang-Feng
Filler
Forsythia
Fernbush
Flavor
Fringed Pink
Fruit acid (unspecified)
Flavor/Color (Natural & Artificial)
Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Flavanoid (mixture)
Gelcap
Glucoside (unspecified)
Glucan peptides
Guaco
Growth factors
Glycyrrhiza (unspecified)
Giant Blazingstar
Galactooligosaccharides
Ginkgo
Great Plantain
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Glycerite
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Hedychium Spicatum
Honeysuckle
Halitum
Himalayan Salt
Honey
Honeysuckle (unspecified)
Heal-All
Houttuynia
Hoenelen
Honey loquat syrup
Herbal Blend
Hyperimmune milk peptides
Henna
Humic acid
Huang Hua (unspecified)
Immunoglobulin G
Inula
iridoids
Iris
Indian Chrysanthemum
Japanese Mint
Japanese Honeysuckle
Kefir
Kurtha zopfil
Kuding tea (unspecified)
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lesser speargrass
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactobacillus brevis
Licorice
Lactobacillus (various species)
Licorice (various)
L-Histidine
Lo Han Guo
Lactobacillus mixed)
Lactoglobulin (mixed)
Luo Han Guo
Lymph
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Larch arabinogalactan
Mannanoligosaccharides
Mum
Mineral ascorbate (unspecified)
Menthol
Moroccan oregano
Monoterpenes
Moisture
Magroside
Mexican oregano
Mucin
Marine colloids
Marigold (unspecified)
Nucno Pichana
Nigella Seed
Oil (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Oligosaccharides
Ovalbumin
omega-5 fatty acids
Oleoresin (unspecified)
Omega-3
Phellodendron
Pungent Principles
Perilla Oil
Polysaccharide
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Prebiotic (unspecified)
perilla
Polysaccharides
Pinellia Ternata
Proprietary Blend (Vitamin)
Pentacyclic alkaloids
Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. Shermanii
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Phosphate ascorbate
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Probiotics
Proprietary Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total diet
Platycodon
Phosphorus oxide
Peppermint
Polypodium leucotomos
Phellodendron Bark
Pinellia
Polypeptide (unspecified)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii shermanii
plant (unspecified)
Plantain (unspecifed)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Phleum Pratense
Phenolic (unspecified)
Pungent compounds (unspecified)
Plantago (unspecified)
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pollen (unspecified)
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Quercetin
Quercetin
Reishi mushroom
Rosmarinic Acid
Ragweed
Resin (unspecified)
Rooibos
Ravinsara
Sophora flavescens
Schizonepeta
Stinging Nettle
Savory (unspecified)
Smartweed
Solanaceae (unspecified)
Spirulina
Stabilizers
Sea water
Spanish Oregano
Stinging Nettle
Saccharomyces cerevisiae peptides
Salicylic Acid
Streptococcus salivarius
Sage-leaf alangium
Streptococcus (mixed)
Sagebrush
Spice (unspecified)
Stinging Nettle
Sesquiterpene
Seasoning (unspecified)
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Sodium Ascorbate
Stellaria dichotoma
Spanish Thyme
Stereospermum
Southern Elder
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Thyme
Terpenoids
Terpene
Tyrosinase
Thymus
Terpenoid (unspecified)
Tablet
Type-A Polymers
Terpene (unspecified)
Tagetes
Thuja plicata
Thymus
Tree (unspecified)
Vitamin B5
Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A cetate)
Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)
Vitamin C (unspecified)
Vitamin C (mixed)
Vitamin A (vitamin A acetate)
Vitamin C (mixed ascorbates)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Violet
Vitamin (unspecified)
White thyme
Wax
Wild Thyme
Yuzu
Zeolite
