Allergology in Naturopathy
Allergology is the specialty that deals with the overactive immune system (allergy).
Allergies can be effectively treated. While the substance that triggers the allergic reaction plays a secondary role in the naturopathic view of treating pollen allergy (hay fever), it is often recommended to conduct comprehensive laboratory diagnostics for food allergies. In addition to avoiding allergens and relieving acute symptoms, a causal therapy should also be implemented.
An allergy is the hypersensitivity of our immune system to foreign substances. The immune system produces defense cells to respond to foreign substances and thus deals with them biologically. Such defense and protective reactions usually occur unnoticed and serve to protect our body from harmful external influences. In an allergy, the immune system overreacts to certain foreign substances, producing the highly effective enzyme histamine.
These substances are known as allergens and are mostly organic substances such as pollen, animal fur, and food.
Allergics often have to accept significant limitations to their quality of life and spend most of their springtime indoors or completely avoid many foods. This is accompanied by severe symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and respiratory problems – or in the case of food allergies, severe digestive disorders and skin rashes.
Causes of allergies
The genesis of allergic diseases is multifactorial. The adrenal glands play a central role by releasing the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol. Every immune reaction of our body simultaneously leads to inflammation. If the adrenal glands are weak, they cannot control the inflammatory reactions of the overactive immune system.
Intestinal disorders also play a significant role in the development of allergies. On one hand, the intestinal mucosa produces large amounts of histamine during infections to activate immune cells – on the other hand, inflamed intestinal mucosa leads to increased permeability. As a result, long protein chains from food end up in the bloodstream and burden the immune system (Type 3 allergy). An absorption disorder of vitamin B12 in the small intestine can also disrupt hormone production of the endocrine glands and be involved in the pathogenesis of allergies.
Allergies of the upper respiratory tract, such as allergic asthma and hay fever, are usually associated with a microbial imbalance of the mucous membranes, or a lack of beneficial microorganisms.
For the therapy of allergic diseases, I offer individually tailored naturopathic treatments:
Nutrition/Gut
Traditional Chinese Medicine / TCM
Classical and augmented acupuncture
For the treatment of acute allergies, I use therapies of augmented acupuncture and classical acupuncture. However, the causal therapy of your allergy should also take place during symptom-free periods.
Author: Naturopath Alexander Spies
Please note that the names of the diseases listed do not imply any promise of healing or guarantee of relief or improvement of the conditions mentioned. The application areas of naturopathy are based on insights and experiences of the respective treatment methods. There are no relevant scientifically proven findings, that is, evidence-based studies, that demonstrate the effectiveness or therapeutic efficacy of naturopathy.
Some of the diseases listed require a medical clarification or are treated in conjunction with medical intervention in the naturopathic practice.
Your treating therapist will advise you on whether the treatment of your condition as a sole therapy of naturopathy or in conjunction with medical intervention is advisable, or if it requires immediate assessment by a specialist.
