Blog Post

Boosting Your Immune System

  • By Admin
  • •
  • 27 Aug, 2018
  • •
Girl lying down in bed and sleeping

If you suffer from frequent allergies, you might feel as if you have no hope for a comfortable life. However, this is not true. Boosting your immune system can help mitigate the symptoms of allergies.

Building a strong defense for your body is about more than taking Vitamin C. You need other resources in your bag of tricks. The following methods will help you build up your system so that you can enjoy life more fully.

Avoid Stress

Stress is an immunosuppressant, meaning that it prevents your system from working to its fullest capability. You may notice that you often feel under the weather when you are also stressed or anxious. This is no coincidence. Having a suppressed immune system - whether it's the result of stress or something else - means that you are more likely to get sick. It also means that your allergies are more likely to flare up.

Reducing the amount of stress you have in your life will also reduce your allergy symptoms. While you may not be able to avoid all sources of stress in your life, see what you can do to cut out unnecessary activities or responsibilities. Remember, your well-being is worth it.

Sleep Well

Lack of sleep can also lead to significant changes to your immune system. Individuals who get little sleep are more likely to get sick after viral exposure than those who receive a full night's rest.

Sleep allows your immune system to release a protein known as cytokine, which fights inflammation and infection. Make sure to catch about seven or eight hours of sleep each night to reap the benefits of this antibody.

Avoid Alcohol

Sipping an alcoholic beverage every once in a while is not going to have a major effect on your immune system, but drinking these beverages day after day could have a significant influence.

Drinking often actually prevents white blood cells from doing their job and eliminating bacteria. According to some studies, infectious diseases are related to high rates of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol can also impact your ability to get a full night of sleep, meaning that you may find yourself facing the effects of sleep withdrawal on your immune system as well.

On the other hand, some studies suggest that moderate use of wine and beer may actually benefit your health. The key is to drink alcohol only in moderation.

Avoid Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes severely impacts your body's ability to heal itself. Even after surgery, individuals who smoke are more likely to experience an infection. Smoking cigarettes can significantly slow the amount of time it takes your body to heal itself.

While some studies suggest that nicotine could act as an anti-inflammatory agent, the truth is that, even if this is true, the substance also has detriments. It suppresses the immune system, preventing it from acting to protect you.

Eat Well

Your diet has a lot to do with how you feel. Those who eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits are more likely to have better immune systems. Eating a diet rich in sugar has the opposite effect.

Science also suggests that eating more colorful produce is the most beneficial for your system. These food items are the ones most likely to be rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that your body - including your immune system - needs. Next time you think about reaching for high-calorie carbs, consider grabbing blueberries or even a bell pepper instead.

Seek Treatment

You do not have to live with allergy symptoms on a daily basis. Resources are available to help you. An allergy specialist can help you discover your allergy triggers and prescribe medication and other strategies that will mitigate your symptoms.

The Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Fort Worth offers assistance with allergy management. Call today to set up an appointment with a professional who understands your condition.

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COVID-19

By James Haden • 12 Mar, 2020

We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy.

 

Given the following:

many of our patients have underlying conditions that could potentially make infection with COVID-19 more severe

 

in light of the fact that the ongoing novel Coronavirus pandemic is officially now local,

 

to ensure the clinic can remain open to best serve the needs for ALL of our allergy and asthma patients, we have implemented the following:

  • If you have a cough or fever, DO NOT  come to the office. Call ahead first . We may be able to schedule a Tele-Visit to accommodate you. This is to protect all of our patients  in the waiting room who are not ill.
  • We are unable to test for COVID-19. Currently this must be done at our local health department.
  • We have enhanced our already robust office cleaning protocols, cleaning all contact surfaces frequently with powerful antiseptic products.
  • Patients with cough (it is asthma season) are provided mask Before  entering the clinic and will be directly taken to an exam room to isolate from the general waiting room population

We encourage all of our patients to follow the recommendations of the CDC and WHO to limit exposure:

 

CDC:     https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

 WHO:   Coronavirus


Remember also that the flu is still circulating and if you haven’t had your flu shot, it’s time to get it now. As of today a fever is still likely to NOT be COVID-19, but that may change rapidly.

If you’ve been taking your asthma medication less than regularly, it is now time  to religiously take them daily as prescribed. If you have questions about how to use them please contact us.

If you need refills please let your pharmacy know, they will contact us.

Working together, we can slow the spread of this virus and minimize its impact.

It is spring and allergy season is here. COVID-19 doesn’t change that. My office is here to continue to manage all of the usual symptoms you may experience.

We don’t want anyone to fall behind on allergy shots if at all possible. Hopefully this pandemic will pass in a few months, but another allergy season is always just around the corner.

 

Let us know if we can help and take care of yourselves and your families!

 

All of our best,

Dr Haden and all of the staff at Haden Allergy

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