Naturopathic Allergist in Seattle, WA

Over a quarter of adults in the U.S. – and almost as many children - suffer with allergies. Nasal allergies, alone, affect nearly 35 million in the United States, and that number is growing. Allergies comprise one of the most prevalent - but often untreated or ineffectively treated - conditions in our country today, affecting almost 1 in 3 Americans.

Allergies are complex and vary widely among individuals in terms of both symptoms and triggers, which makes them more difficult to treat. Though sales of over-the-counter allergy medications increase each year with prices ever rising, they generally are ineffective or only partially treat symptoms.

Getting to the root of allergies in the context of your overall health is what a Naturopathic Allergist seeks to understand and treat. Contact Water’s Edge Natural Medicine to discuss options for supporting your body’s response to allergies. Schedule a consultation today with us by contacting us online or calling us at (206) 966-4522!

A Naturopathic Understanding of Allergies

An allergic reaction can be defined as an overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign substance, or allergen, which has been breathed in, swallowed or touched. This immune response creates effects in the body which can include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and scratchy throat. More severe cases may include rashes, hives, lower blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, and even, in extreme cases, death.

Allergens may vary from pollen to foods, chemicals and insect bites. Each individual’s genetic makeup sets the stage for susceptibility to allergies, but environment also plays a role. For some, early exposure to certain allergens may lead to allergies, while for others, climactic changes, diet, or exposure to a variety of environmental triggers may form the basis for allergic conditions.

Naturopathic Allergists understand allergic conditions as symptoms of larger, underlying imbalances within the body. Instead of simply treating symptoms, the goal is to identify and address the root cause of these systemic imbalances.

Our Naturopathic approach to treating allergies is both patient-centered and holistic, providing comprehensive, effective treatment plans designed specifically for each individual patient.

Risk Factors and Causes of Allergic Conditions

Allergies may be associated with weak adrenals, immune issues, or digestive problems. The cause – why certain individuals develop certain allergies – is not clearly understood. So, testing and treating the root of a specific patient’s susceptibility to allergies is a vital part of the plan.

Naturopathic physicians consider the individual’s physical, emotional and mental landscape, as well as that person’s environment and genetic makeup when investigating and crafting a plan to treat allergies.

When it comes to risk factors, interestingly enough, white non-Hispanic adults are most likely to suffer with seasonal allergies, while black non-Hispanic individuals are most likely to suffer with food allergies. Among children, boys are more likely than girls to suffer with allergies.

Testing for Allergies and Identifying Triggers

A cornerstone of Naturopathic care for allergies is investigating, understanding and identifying what triggers a particular individual’s allergic reaction to a specific allergen. Allergic triggers can vary significantly among individuals and might include anything from food to latex, but doing the detective work to identify a comprehensive list of triggers is essential. For food allergies, which might mean doing an elimination diet. For allergies to pollen and pet dander, there are various allergy testing approaches we will discuss with you.

How Does Naturopathic Medicine Treat Allergies?

After discussing the above factors, your naturopath will craft a personalized plan that will empower and restore your body. He or she will work to implement this plan as soon as possible before the allergy season begins, to ensure the best possible treatment outcome.

While results vary, one thing is certain: every individual is different and what works for one may not work for another. The answer is a customized, expert plan designed just for you.

What are Common Allergy Support Recommendations?

Naturopathic Allergists seek to Identify allergens and any unique sensitivities that may be contributing to your allergy symptoms. Common Naturopathic treatment options for allergies include:

Diet - What we put into our bodies impacts how we feel and how our bodies function and our immune system fights off illness, including allergies. A Naturopathic Allergist will always first assess your current diet and look for areas where toxic or allergenic foods should be removed, and nutrient-dense foods incorporated. Minimizing foods that provoke an inflammatory response is also important, so recommendations may include limiting sugar, saturated fat or refined and heavily processed foods. Sometimes a rotation diet – where the same food is not eaten more than once every four days – is helpful for allergies. Supplements may also be prescribed, depending on your nutritional needs and deficiencies.

Herbal medicine and Homeopathy – It is essential to first heal any underlying imbalances or conditions that are allowing your body to become overrun with allergies. Our naturopathic physicians specialize in herbal supplementation and homeopathic remedies and may prescribe one or many to help stabilize your health and soothe allergy symptoms. These remedies may be ingested in the form of supplements, teas, tinctures, or granules that can be mixed with water and consumed. At Water’s Edge Natural Medicine, we use only the purest, highest-quality herbs to address allergies and improve your health.

Acupuncture – This staple of ancient Chinese medicine involves the use of fine needles to balance the organs and organ systems of the body. Our experts are trained in the art of Chinese acupuncture, which may help allergy sufferers by targeting imbalances in the body that predispose an individual to a heightened immune response. Acupuncture treatments are gentle, soothing, and benefit the whole system, as well as the specific area targeted.

Our Naturopathic approach to strengthening your immune system and overall health also recommends that you:

• Reduce stress in your life
• Consume alcohol in moderation
• Incorporate healthy movement at least three times a week
• Remain at a healthy weight
• Get enough quality sleep

However, we understand that some people may be suffering from conditions that interfere with sleep. Others might have physical limitations that make exercise difficult. A Naturopathic Allergist considers your health issues in the context of health barriers specific to you and your life. We take all of these issues into account and recognize challenges, while finding alternatives and options that work specifically for you.

For instance, on your plan for Naturopathic Allergy Support, we may recommend massage, acupuncture, herbal remedies, medically supervised weight loss, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, yoga for gentle movement, or eating more fermented foods to balance your microbiome. It will be specific to you, your body and your life.

Our Treatment Philosophy

Here at Water's Edge, we have designed all of our treatment modalities specifically to treat illness, balance what is imbalanced, ease your symptoms, and empower your body to heal itself. Our practitioners begin by listening to your experience – learning about your symptoms and medical history. From there, they will work with you to discover the perfect allergy support regimen to alleviate discomfort and restore your health and vitality.

Request Your Appointment Today!

For years, our skillful, experienced Naturopaths practicing at Water’s Edge Natural Medicine Clinic in Seattle, WA, have been helping men and women achieve wellness and wholeness in every area of their lives.

If you are interested in seeing what a Naturopathic Allergist can do for you, we invite you to reach out to us. We’re here for you and happy to answer any questions you may have about your allergy symptoms and our unique healing approach.

Collect your list of symptoms and questions, and call Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Seattle, WA at (206) 966-4522 or contact us online.

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