Allergies


In todays’ pollutant world, it is estimated that 1 in 3-4 people has some form of allergy, as we are constantly exposed to forms of allergens. The pitfall in conventional medicine and medications, is that although they may help symptomatically, they also come with a wide array of side effects.

What are allergies? It’s a combination of immune reactions responding to a particular harmless allergen, which the body has identified as harmful. Therefore, by trying to neutralize it, the body creates allergic symptoms. This is an unhealthy reaction to something that typically causes no harm and occurs when there is a misbalance in the immune system. During such, the immune system thinks it’s a threat and decides to start a cascade of reactions to protect the body.

There can be different types of allergies: food allergies (such as a nut allergy or a gluten allergy), environmental allergies (such as dust, pollen, animals etc.) and chemical sensitivities (such as food additives, cleaners, perfumes, colognes, medications etc).

The good thing is, naturopathic medicine is great for allergies management. It can provide with a safe alternative to the current conventional approach without the side effects. Dr. Tali, a Toronto naturopath, uses evidence based natural approach to treating your allergies and improving your quality of life.

Allergies treatment in Toronto

Diagnosis

Allergy symptoms can range throughout the whole body and can be shown in different ways. Allergies are typically also associated with asthma, eczema, sinusitis as well as ear and lung infections.

Common symptoms of allergies: congestion, itchy and runny nose, itchy skin, red skin, watery and swollen eyes, hives, chest tightness, wheezing and short breath, sneezing, headaches, sinusitis. Some of the common allergens are:  insect stings, pollen, dust, animals, mould, tree nuts, wheat / gluten, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy and medications.

If you are experiencing obstructed airway, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue, nausea, rapid pulse and shortness of breath – you may be experiencing anaphylaxis which is a medical emergency, you should seek urgent medical care.

Identifying triggers is the first approach to treatment goals. Dr. Tali offers a wide variety of testing such as food allergies, food sensitivities, candida testing, and organic acid testing. With an in-depth intake and curiosity, she will be able to get down to the root cause of it. 


Causes

Some of the common causes of allergies include:

  • Dysbiosis in the gut – 70% of our immune system is in the gut, so candida, parasites, SIBO, leaky gut and indigestion can all create a predisposition to allergies.
  • Anything that affects digestion, can affect allergies: stress, diet, sleep etc. All of these can affect the quantity and quality of your digestion. When you have low stomach acid, proteins aren’t digested well which are given an antigenic property. Over time, this may start a a reaction by the immune system.
  • Family history of allergies or asthma
  • Age – children are much more likely to experience allergic reactions than adults
  • Asthma- if you have asthma you are much more likely to have allergies. It can also be vice versa, as allergies can trigger asthma. 
  • C-section – if you were born via a c-section, you are more likely to get allergies and asthma. This is likely due to lack of exposure to the healthy bacteria in the vaginal canal.
  • Breastfeeding helps in asthma prevention which further helps reduce allergies. Specifically prolonged breastfeeding has shown to reduce the risk of allergies. 

Allergies Naturopathic Treatment

Dr. Tali’s natural approach to allergies treatment is evidence based. The goal of treatment is to identify the allergens (if hasn’t been identified yet), minimize and prevent allergy symptoms as well as the frequency of allergic episodes. Treatment is individualized as no two bodies are the same. You will work together to correct any immune system imbalances while removing the triggers and improving quality of life. You need a curious health care practitioner such as a naturopathic doctor, to dive deep into your health and understand the body as a whole.

As mentioned before, Dr. Tali, a Toronto naturopath, offers testing in order to understand the root cause of your allergic reactions and where the imbalances are present. Allergy treatment includes herbal medicine, supplements, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, diet, nutrition and lifestyle modifications. Managing associated conditions such as rashes, asthma, eczema etc. is also important.

PMID: 18386435