Why allergies hit so hard
Spring in Houston brings green trees, blooming flowers and, for many people, a runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergies can show up any time of year here, from tree and grass pollen to mold and dust. For some people, they’re a mild nuisance. For others, they take over.
Dr. Michael Ennis knows that feeling well. As a child, his allergies were severe enough to keep him from many everyday activities. His family tried everything, from shots and medications to surgeries. Chiropractic care became a turning point in his own health, and it shaped the career he chose. That experience is a big reason he cares so much about how the nervous system affects the way we feel.
What histamine does
Histamine is a natural chemical your body makes. It’s stored in certain immune cells, especially mast cells, which are common in the skin, nose, lungs and gut.
When your immune system sees something as a threat, these cells release histamine. In a true threat, that’s helpful. Histamine widens blood vessels, increases fluid and mucus and helps immune cells reach the area.
With allergies, the immune system overreacts to something that is usually harmless, like pollen or pet dander. The result is a histamine response that’s bigger than the situation calls for. That’s what causes many familiar symptoms:
- Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- An itchy throat or skin
- Hives or swelling in some people
Histamine isn’t the only chemical involved in allergic reactions, but it’s one of the main ones.
How allergy medications work
Most people reach for an antihistamine when allergies flare. These medications work by blocking histamine from attaching to its receptors, which reduces symptoms like sneezing and itching. Other medications, such as nasal steroid sprays, calm inflammation in different ways.
These treatments help many people, and they’re an important tool. If you rely on them, keep using them as your physician or pharmacist recommends.
Where the nervous system comes in
Your immune system doesn’t work alone. It’s in constant communication with your nervous system. The brain and nerves help regulate inflammation, blood flow and how the body responds to stress, and immune cells can respond to nerve signals.
The brainstem, which passes through the top of your neck, is a key part of this communication network. It helps regulate many automatic functions, including breathing, heart rate and parts of the stress response.
This is where Dr. Ennis’s perspective comes in. Conventional allergy medications block the signals that lead to symptoms. His focus is different: supporting a nervous system that functions as well as possible, so the body is better able to respond to its environment in a balanced way.
Where NUCCA care fits
Let’s be clear about what NUCCA care is and isn’t. It is not an allergy treatment, and it isn’t a replacement for your allergist or your medication.
NUCCA upper cervical care focuses on the alignment of the atlas, the top bone in the neck. When the atlas is out of position, it can affect posture and tension in the area around the brainstem. Our goal is to restore balance to that area with a precise, gentle correction. There’s no twisting, popping or cracking.
Some patients tell us they feel better overall once their upper neck is balanced, including during allergy season. That’s an individual experience, not a promise, and research in this area is limited. You can learn more about our approach to whole-body wellness and how it fits with your other care.
Simple ways to ease allergy season
Alongside your doctor’s advice, a few everyday habits can help:
- Check pollen counts and plan outdoor time when they’re lower.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days and use air conditioning.
- Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Protect your sleep. Congestion and poor rest can leave you foggy and tired. Our page on sleep help covers more.
- Pay attention to lingering fatigue. If you feel drained long after allergy season, our page on brain fog and fatigue may help, and it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor.
When to see a doctor right away
Seek emergency care immediately for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheezing, dizziness or fainting after exposure to an allergen. These can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Learn more about your nervous system
If you’d like to find out whether your upper neck is in balance, start with a $79 new patient visit at our Clear Lake office. Read more about NUCCA upper cervical care, or call (281) 218-7571 with any questions.