One of my favorite parts about the Midwest is there are four distinct seasons, my favorites being fall and spring. It may seem strange, but there are actually people that dread these two times of the year. ITS “HAY FEVER” SEASON!!!!!So I ask you…what is “hay fever” anyways? (you truly can google anything!) Researchers say that “hay fever” is a misnomer and is not caused by hay and it does not cause a fever. It is characterized by runny nose, itchy eyes and congestion. Most people have at least a mild experience during these seasons. Listen closely as I share a secret with you….IT IS TOTALLY NORMAL!! Our whole environment changes as the land prepares for the transition of the season. Some examples: the grass turns green, flowers come into bloom, the trees bud in preparation for leaves, etc. Because of this, the spring air we breathe has very different particles than the winter air and the body has to adapt to the change. So what does that mean for you??? Switching gears for a moment… We all know that some countries eat very different diets than we do. Many times, the average American’s digestive system cannot work with the food and drink in another country and results in violent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Our bodies work on a “supply and demand” basis. So if you lived in that area long enough, the body would adapt and create different digestion chemicals and patterns in order to work with what is taken in. In time, the whole digestive track would literally change to accommodate to the new diet. What an amazing body we have!So what does digestion have to do with hay fever? Our mucus linings in our sinuses change in order to work with the changing environment around us. So in other words, we have “winter sinuses” and “summer sinuses” and the transition time happens to be fall and spring (seasonal allergies/hay fever time). Due to the “supply and demand” concept in the body, new mucus linings are created to adapt to the new environment. In the process, the body has to slough off the old, hence runny nose, congestion and watery eyes. These symptoms are often inconvenient and many people look for a pill or elixir to stop the whole process. Ask yourself “Does it make sense to stop this process?” The messages that expedite the transition are carried along the nerve system which is what I, as a chiropractor, work directly with. From this point forward, do yourself a favor and let this process run its course since it is a sign that your body is taking care of itself. Let regular chiropractic adjustments aid the body in being its very best during this process and always!!
