Do you suffer from pollen, and sinus problems? Many people suffer from congestion, headaches, runny nose, sinus infections, sneezing, and sore throats at various times of the year. Some are more prone during the spring and fall, and others may be more affected during the summer or winter seasons. If you are one of these people this blog is dedicated to sharing some simple steps and smart suggestions to prevent and reduce pollen problems and sinus suffering all year long.
During the current crazy coronavirus conditions, many people are stressed and struggling even more than normal. As a result, they are especially concerned about boosting their immune system and reducing their chances of a lung, sinus, or throat infection. As more people become aware of bacteria and virus problems they must also learn and understand more about our entire respiratory system. Our lungs, nose, and sinuses play a major role in our defense against infections and in determining overall health.
The goal of this blog is to share some basic education, information, and inspiration for avoiding sinus infections and treating pollen problems in a natural and safe way. To stay happy and healthy it is important to be proactive and prevent problems before they occur. We must do our part to fuel our body with healthy food and nutrients which will keep us primed for peak performance and prevent problems. Our body requires adequate supplies of antioxidants, carbohydrates, enzymes, fats, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, proteins, and vitamins. If we do not have the right amounts and forms of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients it is only a matter of time before we will pay the price and experience problems. As someone who has experienced decades of colds, flu, runny noses, sinus infection, sniffles, and sore throats early in life and finally solved the puzzle, my experience and expertise may offer helpful ideas for you to allow days of prevention protocols to save decades of distress and needless suffering.
Pollen Problems
Pollen is a fact of life and absolutely necessary for plants to produce the beans, flowers, grains, nuts, and seeds that feed us and keep them reproducing and surviving. So we will always be exposed to pollen and therefore we must learn to minimize pollen problems. Pollen travels by air, bees, and insects. It is the pollen in the air that can cause the most problems. Because plants produce a lot of pollen and air can carry a lot of pollen it often travels great distances. Since we breathe in the air, we also breathe in the pollen with it. The nose and sinuses are designed to filter the air we breathe so the pollen can accumulate and aggravate in these areas. Excess pollen in the air can also make it into our lungs and cause issues. Since pollen is a foreign substance that activates our defenses to protect us from inhaled pollen particles.
When we have congestion, runny, or a snotty nose we are often irritable, less productive, and miserable. We often want a quick fix and turn to medical treatments. A major pitfall of pollen is once it causes a problem most people resort to antihistamines, antibiotics, cold medicine, cough syrup, decongestants, pain medications, and sinus medications to relieve the pain and symptoms. Unfortunately, all Over The Counter (OTC) and prescription medicines have adverse reactions, environmental impacts, financial costs, and side effects. Many people consume large quantities of these drugs for prevention and treatment without realizing all the consequences of their decision. The drugs affect our health, and our wealth, and ultimately end up in wastewater and contaminate the environment.
BTW Inflamed and irritated sinuses can cause so much pain and suffering you can experience headaches, loss of balance, loss of sleep, neck aches, runny nose, snoring, sore throat, and tooth pain. Doctor visits, drugs, and treatments for pollen problems and sinus suffering are a billion-dollar business. Investing your energy, money, and time for prevention and protection can save you big bucks and unnecessary suffering.
Avoiding And Preventing Pollen Problems
One of the first things to do is to identify the plant pollens in the areas where you live. Start by looking at your immediate area and also look for pollens in areas near you that can be blown by the prevailing winds. Become aware of what time of the year different pollens occur and how long the typical pollen season lasts for different plants. The next step is to identify what areas and activities you are exposed to pollens. Our lifestyle choices have a big impact on the amount of pollen we are exposed to.
People who exercise, play or work outdoors may be exposed to more pollen. People who exercise, play, and work indoors may be exposed to less pollen. Identify the top ten pollens in your area and when they are most prevalent. Start creating a calendar with reminders for prevention strategies to reduce pollen exposure. Address the methods and strategies which will provide the biggest benefit the fastest. What is the best way to avoid pollen? Avoid being outdoors for extended times during heavy pollen and if you must be outdoors wear a bandanna or cloth mask. After being out and exposed to excessive pollen take a few minutes to do a saltwater sinus flush to remove the excess pollen. Be sure to use slightly warm distilled water and quality sea salt to make your saline solution sinus flush. A Neti pot is helpful or you can use a cup.
One of the biggest contributors to congestion and sinus infections is the consumption of dairy products and other foods that are allergens and cause mucous congestion. Other mucus-forming foods include eggs, gluten, and wheat products, as well as Genetically Engineered (GE) canola, corn, and soy. Dehydration also plays a major role in our ability to eliminate dust and pollens from our lungs, nose, and sinuses. When we are dehydrated we lack adequate amounts of water to help flush out these irritants from our respiratory system. Dehydration also contributes to constipation which results in additional clogging of our elimination systems. Dehydration causes a chain reaction that can lead to worse complications and conditions.
How to Minimize Pollen Problems and Sinus Suffering
- Air filters are a great way to prevent sinus problems. Buy a quality air filter for your home and workspace. A quality air filter can remove a large percentage of the dust and pollen in the air. A friend recently mentioned she found a DIY air filter design online and for less than one hundred dollars she built one and has experienced a big benefit.
- A seasonal cleanse and detox at the beginning of a new season is a great idea. During some seasons we build up excess congestion and toxins which can be reduced with a simple cleanse and detox protocol. Consider a two or three-day DIY rejuvenation, rest, and retreat ritual. Be sure to include a saltwater bath, sauna, and spa protocol.
- Avoid inflammatory foods like dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, sugar, and wheat which can make you more prone to inflammatory responses.
- Be sure you are not being exposed to any mold in your home or work as this can cause serious health and sinus suffering.
- Chemicals can cause health problems and make sinus suffering worse. Chemicals are in our cars, clothes, furniture, homes, stores, and workplace. Avoid chemical cleaners, deodorizers, and fragrances.
- Consuming local bee pollen, pollen, or raw honey may help reduce your pollen sensitivity. Many cultures consume pollen in various forms as a de-sensitizing therapy.
- Dust can be a major lung, nose, and sinus irritant for many people. Wearing a bandanna or cloth mask during extreme exposure is very beneficial. Air filters can also help.
- Essential oils like cedarwood, eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oil can help boost your immune system and reduce sinus suffering,
- Holistic health protocols often suggest antioxidants, enzymes, herbs, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins for boosting your immune function.
- Humidifiers can provide a cold mist or warm mist to help put moisture in the air. Dry air conditions from using a central Air Conditioning (AC) or heating system or living in a dry climate can irritate the sinuses. A humidifier can help.
- Hydration is essential for the proper filtering function of our lungs, nose, and sinuses. We need adequate water to maintain the function of our elimination systems.
- Keep the windows closed on days with high pollen counts.
- Massaging acupressure points on your face can help reduce sinus discomfort. Massaging your cheekbones, ears, eyebrows, and throat can help relieve pain and pressure.
- Nutrient-dense organic whole foods help keep people happier and healthier.
- Rebounders and Swiss exercise balls can help keep you healthy and move the congestion out of the sinuses.
- Replace your central air filters when they are clogged or no longer efficiently filtering the air.
- Saturday or Sunday is a great day to devote to some Tender Loving Care (TLC). This is a great time to do a weekly cleanse and detox, essential oil diffuser, clay facial, massage, sinus flush, and simple water fast. FYI a simple water fast involves skipping one, two, or three meals in a day and consuming only herbal teas or water.
- Saunas are great for helping to keep the lungs, nose, and sinuses healthy and operating at peak performance. Infrared saunas can offer additional benefits.
- Stay indoors during exceptionally high pollen conditions.
- Sun exposure and Vitamin D play key roles in maintaining our happiness and health. This is why more people experience sinus suffering in the fall, winter, and spring.
- Teas, tinctures, and tonics have been used for centuries to maximize health and minimize health issues.
- Use a Neti pot with distilled water and a pinch of sea salt for sinus irrigation on a regular basis and more frequently during high pollen count days.
- Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K are essential and must be optimized to keep the body functioning in the best way possible.
- Warm wash clothes placed over your face can help relieve sinus discomfort.
- Wear a bandanna or cloth mask during high pollen exposure outdoors and doing yard work. They can be easily washed and reused. Avoid disposable masks.
- Xlear sinus rinse made with warm distilled water and used twice a day for a week during high pollen counts is a super strategy to prevent and treat sinus problems.
Passion and Purpose
The passion and purpose of Morningstar NEWS are to condense many hours of research down to two minutes of education, information, and inspiration for staying happy and healthy. Being exposed to pollen is inevitable so the best thing we can do to stay happy and healthy is to implement methods to prevent and reduce pollen problems.
“Remember an ounce of pollen prevention is better than a pound of pharmaceutical drugs.” —Michael Morningstar
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