FitSugar

Speak Up: How Do You Find Seasonal Allergy Relief?

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:00:00 PDT

A good percentage of the population suffers from seasonal allergies, and springtime can be the worst with all the new plants budding. To find relief, I'm a regular neti pot user and am always telling people to use one too. The warm salt water helps flush pollen, dust, and mold spores out of my nose, which helps prevent symptoms. When dealing with pain from sinus congestion, I also suggest people use a therapeutic warming pillow. The heat helps loosen up mucus, which helps alleviate sinus pressure.

If you too deal with seasonal allergy symptoms, I'm sure you have some great remedies, so share them in the comment section below.

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DrSugar Answers: Seasonal Allergies

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:30:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I have had a perpetually congested nose for about three or four years now. I didn't have allergies as a child, but I think they developed as I got older.

My symptoms include: frequent sinus headaches, worse in Fall and Spring, congested nose, which runs like crazy when I run, but also it becomes harder for me to breathe through. Am I right in thinking these are probably allergy symptoms? I have never been to a doctor about it – should I see a general physician or an allergist? Thanks!
–Allergy Alice

To see what DrSugar has to say,

read more. Every Spring and Summer allergies flare and people run to doctor’s offices and pharmacies looking for relief. Allergies can be tricky to diagnose and treat, because different people have different symptoms and not everyone responds to the standard treatments. The symptoms you describe, chronic sinus congestion and sinus headaches made worse when outdoors in the Spring and Fall, are entirely consistent with seasonal allergies. Other symptoms include itchy watery eyes, sneezing, and potentially worsening of asthma symptoms. The first step in treating your allergies is determining what allergens are affecting you, so you can avoid them. If you only have symptoms every year during the Spring and Summer then pollen is most likely the culprit. If you have symptoms all year long then you could be allergic to dust mites or a pet. Allergy detection can be made simply by deduction, but can also be easily tested by an allergist with skin prick testing. There are many potential treatment options for seasonal and chronic allergies. Since you can't really avoid the great out of doors, taking over the counter oral antihistamines Claritin and Zyrtec may help. Air purifiers can also help remove pollens and other impurities from the air in your home. Other treatments include nasal steroids such as Nasonex or Flonase, which can also be helpful for chronic sinus symptoms due to allergies. I would certainly start by seeing your primary care doctor, but keep in mind that allergists can be very helpful when it comes to difficult allergy problems. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

How to Kick a Nighttime Cough Naturally

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:23 PST

Whether it's because of a cold or allergies, coughing at night is not only annoying, it prevents you from getting the sleep you need to stay healthy. Before you down cough medicine (which often just masks the cough), you might want to relieve your nighttime cough with one of these natural remedies.

Steam up: Before hitting the hay, create a steam room in the bathroom. Shut the door, don't turn on the fan, and take a hot shower. Let the water gently run on your face, or if that's too intense, place a warm washcloth on your sinuses, allowing the heat and steam to help relieve sinus congestion. You can even use a neti pot in the shower - just be sure to fill it with warm distilled or sterilized water, not the shower water. Using a neti pot after you've breathed in steam can make it more effective.
Get moist: Since dry air can often cause a dry cough (especially in the Winter months when we crank up the heat), moisten the air you breathe by running a cool-mist humidifier on low throughout the night (I'm a fan of this humidifier from Crane). In the morning, be sure to wipe down your windows and windowsills as condensation tends to form, and you don't want this moisture to encourage mold growth, which can also aggravate a cough. Follow the directions that came with your humidifier when it comes to cleaning it, and disinfect it thoroughly at least once a week to avoid mold growth.

Keep reading for more natural ways to beat your nighttime cough.

5 Ways to Beat Dry Eyes

Prevention — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:03:25 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Stay bright-eyed with these simple strategies to stop eye itching and redness
By The Editors of Prevention

Are You Seeing Red? If you find yourself frequently dealing with the itching and burning of dry eyes, you’re certainly not alone. But allergies, pollution, and an overheated office are not the only causes of red, burning eyes: your age may be the real culprit. After age 40, women see a significant reduction in tear production along with eye-drying hormonal changes, the two major reasons why most women over 40 experience dry eyes. And if you wear contacts, expect the itch and irritation to start even sooner. With a few simple lifestyle tweaks and a little help from artificial tears, you can get quick relief from aging’s annoying little side effect.

1. Use Tears Liberally
Use artificial tears as often as you like; doctors say that most people underuse artificial tears. "You can use them as often as needed. From once or twice a day to every 20 minutes," says Dr. Monica. These over-the-counter drops will cleanse your eyes and restore the right kind of tears.

2. Moisten your eyes before blow-drying your hair
To keep from drying your eyes along with your tresses, use artificial tears before and after you blow-dry, says Dr. Monica. For extra measure, moisten your eyes halfway through too.

9 Tips to Healthier, Younger Hair

Learn more ways to beat dry eyes after the break.

Skip the Benadryl! Natural Ways to Relieve Congestion

Michele Foley — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:07:46 PST

Whether it's allergies or a nasty cold, being congested sucks. It's hard to breathe, the sinus pressure is painful, and it can even affect your hearing. Blowing your nose offers some relief, but in cases where you're really stuffed up, it can be pretty futile. OTC medicines help dry out mucus but leave users feeling loopy, sleepy, and spaced out. What's left to do? The next time you're feeling all stuffed up, try one of these natural remedies - you'll be breathing free and clear!

Steam it out: Whether it's a steam room, hot shower, or a makeshift steam bath over a bowl of hot water, steam helps to loosen mucus and relieve congestion from your nose and chest. Intensify the benefits with the addition of eucalyptus oil, a natural decongestant. Whatever method you use, slowly breathe in the steam for about five minutes and then try blowing your nose and/or coughing. This is usually enough time to break up and loosen the mucus in the body. To aid with sleep, use a humidifier; it helps add moisture to the air, which will thin out mucus in your nasal passages.
Grab a neti pot: It might sound a little uncomfortable, but using a neti pot does wonders for relieving nasal congestion and pain - just ask any ear, nose, or throat doctor. Neti pots (in combination with a DIY saline solution) help end nasal congestion by thinning out mucus and built-up crusting in the nose; think of it as a form of nasal irrigation. Still not convinced? Check out these neti pot tips for beginners.

Keep reading for two more ideas after the break.

What's Making You Sneeze This Fall

Susi May — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:03:30 PDT

Autumn may not officially begin for another couple of weeks, but Fall allergy season kicked off back in mid-August. The bummer is that this season lasts until the first frost. Spring sneezes are usually set off by pollen in trees, plants, and weeds, but the main Fall culprit is ragweed, although mold and dust mites may be tickling your nose too. And thanks to climate change, ragweed season is longer than it was 30 years ago - as much as 27 more days a year.

If, as Summer blends into Fall, you find yourself wiping an endlessly runny nose and rubbing irritated eyes, you might just be battling a ragweed allergy. One plant produces upwards of one billion far-traveling pollen grains. Most common in rural areas, pollen levels of this plant peak between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in urban areas. The King of Pollen Allergies, as ragweed is sometimes called, also flourishes in vacant lots, roadsides, ditches, riverbanks, and construction sites. More prolific on the East Coast and in the Midwest, your best bet for relief is to avoid the pollen by staying indoors and keeping windows closed (running A/C with a HEPA filter) especially when sleeping. Try over-the-counter antihistamine or prescription nasal spray to relieve the troublesome symptoms.

Does ragweed make you suffer? How do you deal with the symptoms?

Flickr User Ian Muttoo

Jessica Alba Promotes Flower Power and Pain Management

Lauren Turner — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:55:07 PDT

Stylish and pregnant mom Jessica Alba wore a bright floral D&G dress and Stuart Weitzman heels for an appointment in LA yesterday. She stopped by the Pain Relief Center after complaining of lower back issues on Twitter last night. Her growing belly isn't the only thing causing her trouble, since the actress also apparently has some pretty bad allergies. Jessica hasn't let any complications slow her down though, as she's been on the go traveling to NYC for the Met Gala and also stepping out for events closer to home. She should have another fun weekend ahead of her since she'll be celebrating Mother's Day with her family now that Cash Warren has returned to the West Coast from a quick trip to the Big Apple. Check out all the pics of the cute celebrity moms with their kids in honor of the holiday!

Food Cures For Common Ailments

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:30:29 PDT

I have friends who are all about popping pills to ease their ills. Advil for sore knees, Tylenol for headaches, and Prilosec for heartburn. I'm not dissing these medications because they definitely serve their purpose in making you feel better, but if you're more into the natural route, here are some foods that are proven to have medicinal powers.

Asparagus: As a natural diuretic, asparagus has been consumed for inflammation-related issues such as menstrual bloating and arthritis. It's in season now, so pick some up and enjoy it steamed or grilled.

Lemon balm: This lemon-scented member of the mint family is used to banish anxiety and stress, boost memory, and aid in sleep and digestion. To feel its calming effects, sip lemon balm tea.

Onion: Although they're known to cause bad breath, it's worth it when you find out this veggie reduces diabetes symptoms and protects against cardiovascular disease. Also prevents inflammation caused by allergies, protects against stomach ulcers, and colon, esophageal, and breast cancers. Add red or yellow onions to dishes, eating them raw or lightly cooked for the most benefit.

Grapes: If you're having issues with constipation, boil 10 grapes in six ounces of milk. Before bed, drink the milk separately and then eat the grapes.

Learn about three more medicinal foods when you

read more. Cayenne: This spice contains capsacin, which eases muscle aches, postoperative discomfort, and arthritis. New research shows it may also aid in weight loss. Add fresh chili peppers or powdered cayenne to recipes to add a little kick and to reap the pain-relieving benefits. Apple cider vinegar: If you suffer from sore muscles post-workout, give some vinegar a try. Saturate a cloth with apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the muscle for 20 minutes; the pain should disappear within a few hours. Reapply every three to four hours for continued relief until the pain is gone for good. Parsley: If you have issues with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), parsley is proven to "increase urine output." If you have a UTI, try drinking three cups of parsley tea a day. When I was dealing with this issue in the past, I put parsley in my green tea with toasted rice and couldn't even taste the parsley.

Choosing a Humidifier: Warm or Cool Mist?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:32 PST

Jack Frost is nipping at many of us with his chilly temps, and we're fighting back by turning up the heat. It keeps us warm, but completely dries out the air we breathe, so we end up with dry skin, chapped lips, a sore throat, dry cough, or congested sinuses. You can get relief by running a humidifier, which will add moisture back into the air. Many people use them while they sleep - the gentle whirring sound can be so relaxing.

When buying a humidifier, you'll be presented with two different types - warm mist and cool mist. To choose which one would be best for you, decide what type of air is easier for you to breathe. If you inhale well in a sauna, then a warm mist might be best. If you have allergies or asthma, opt for a cool mist humidifier instead.

How they work and are maintained may also be a factor, so to learn more about the difference between the two, keep reading.