Seasonal Allergies
Allergy season is here again, and more than 35 million Americans will be suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and other miseries.
Americans spent over $1.5 billion on over-the-counter allergy remedies in 1999. Hay fever sufferers spent an additional $225 million on physician office visits and $297 million on prescription drugs.
In allopathic medicine, seasonal allergy symptoms are called allergic rhinitis, believed to be caused by hypersensitivity to airborne dust, mold, pollen, fur or feathers.
These allergens produce an exaggerated immune response leading to upper respiratory inflammation and congestion. Patients are usually prescribed antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Chinese medicine offers many wonderful alternatives to drugs which often leave patients drowsy and dried-out. Chinese herbal remedies are also safer, gentler, and less expensive than pharmaceutical remedies.
On an important note, the best effect is achieved by taking the acupuncture and herbs treatments before the allergy season starts.