Natural Products For Respiratory Support

When you have asthma that is related to allergies, it can be hard to breathe. Your breathing difficulty can be related to the mucus that is in your lungs, and relief comes when your lungs expel the mucus. The same can be said for when you have a cold that comes with airway congestion. 

While many people think that the best way to expel the mucus is with over-the-counter medicine, this can come with unwanted side effects. As a person who avoids traditional medicine, I have discovered alternative ways to clear the mucus from my lungs. Keep reading to discover natural products that have helped me with my respiratory system. 

For the past 8 years, I have been healing from food allergies, asthma, seasonal allergies, and mold sickness. From discovering that a dairy allergy was the cause of my severe asthma symptoms to being exposed to mold in my home to receiving allergy shots for seasonal allergies, I have discovered the best natural products to help my body heal. 

The past 8 years have been rough, with sleepless nights, many hours in the gym, and having to change my diet, but I have healed my body. I no longer struggle with asthma symptoms, and I am sleeping. My intense gym sessions have strengthened my lungs and my body. The diet part, with 4 different food allergies, is no longer a struggle for me. 

 I chose not to use traditional prescription medicine due to side effects and the fact that they only offer temporary relief. Throughout my healing journey, I have discovered many natural treatments and products that offered me respiratory support. Keep reading to discover what products I use for asthma and mucus relief.

Best Natural Products For Respiratory Support

   ~ Extra Strength ClearLungs ~ This was the first natural supplement that I discovered for my asthma symptoms. It was at a health conference that I experienced an asthma attack while in the expo hall. Something was in the room that triggered me to have an uncontrollable cough along with voice hoarseness.

 I was in front of the Ridgecrest Herbal display, and I noticed their samples of ClearLungs. I asked the Ridgecrest representative about the ClearLung sample, and he encouraged me to try it. The sample that I tried was the ClearLungs liquid, and within 15 minutes, I started coughing up some mucus, and I could feel my ears draining. After I coughed up the mucus, my voice was no longer hoarse, and I stopped coughing. I left the booth with plenty of ClearLungs capsules to take home with me. 

When I got home, I explored the Ridgecrest Herbal website and discovered their Extra Strength ClearLungs. I still use this supplement to keep my lungs happy. 

Purchase ClearLungs Extra Strength Here

   ~ Olbas Inhaler ~ I was at Expo East when I received a sample of the Olbas nasal relief inhaler from the expo hall. This Essential Oil Inhaler is amazing for opening up my airway and helping me expel mucus. I call it my natural inhaler, and I never leave the house without it.  

 This pocket-sized inhaler contains natural essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus. I use this inhaler when I am having an asthma attack, and it helps me breathe better. This product is also great for nasal congestion. Once you try it, you will buy several of them. My husband makes fun of me for having an Olbas Inhaler in every room in the house, but there was a time when I needed to use these more than once a day.

Purchase Olbas Inhaler Here

  ~ Olbas Lozenges ~ These herbal lozenges have been a lifesaver for me during my first couple of years of allergy shots. My allergy shots caused me to have severe asthma attacks, which made breathing difficult. One of the main ingredients in the Olbas Lozenges is eucalyptus oil, which is amazing for opening up the airway. 

 These sugar-free drops have powerful vapors in them that work better than cough syrup for clearing sinuses and breathing. The lozenges also help keep me calm when I am struggling to breathe. This is another product that I always take with me when I leave the house, in case I have an asthma attack from someone wearing perfume. 

Purchase Olbas Lozenges Here

  ~ Betterbrand Mullein Tea Bags for Lung Detox ~ I recently received a sample of this lung detox tea, and I am liking the benefits from drinking the tea. The tea is made with natural ingredients and is caffeine-free. That means I can drink it at any time of day. 

Some of the ingredients in this respiratory support tea are mullein leaf, thyme, elderberry, ginseng, and ginger. The herbs in this tea offer respiratory health benefits for better lungs and easier breathing. The tea has a mild taste, and I did not need to add any sweetener to my tea.

The mullein Leaf in this lung detox tea helps clear mucus buildup and support open airways. I enjoyed this tea both hot and cold. I drank the tea after a day of being exposed to fragrance, a huge asthma trigger for me, and it helped me get the mucus out of my lungs. The reviews on this tea show that it helps people clear the mucus out of their airways.

Purchase Betterbrand Mullein Tea Bags for Lung Detox Here 

Natural Methods For Mucus Relief

 Having a stuffy nose and clogged sinuses from allergies or a cold can make breathing tough. Want relief from congestion or sinus pressure? Whether you have asthma, allergies, COPD, or a common cold, these ten things may help you clear mucus from your airway.

1. Drink Hot Coffee

2. Exercise

3. Soak in a hot tub

4. Read my article 10 Effective Ways To Clear Mucus For Better Breathing to find out the other 7 things that help with mucus relief 

Having mucus in your airways can be a pain, so having effective ways to clear the thick mucus from your airways is always a good thing. So the next time you are having problems breathing that is due to mucus, try these methods to see if they give you relief. Just remember that I am not a health professional, and I am writing from my personal experience with asthma. If a doctor has prescribed medications for your asthma or COPD, please continue to take them. 

Additional Resources For Allergy and Lung Support

 ~ 10 Effective Ways To Clear Mucus For Better Breathing

~ The Best Teas For Spring Allergies and Asthma

 ~ How I Manage My Asthma Naturally Without Prescription Medication

 ~ How to Naturally Heal Your Lungs From Trauma

Side Effects Of Allergy Shots ~ Common & Uncommon

 Seasonal allergies and allergies to pets can be tough. From sneezing to itchy eyes with many other annoying allergy symptoms, relief is hard to find. Allergy shots are a treatment for allergies that you need to check out.

 Allergy shots are proven to be an effective treatment for seasonal allergies and a wide range of other conditions, including Asthma. Do allergy shots work and are they worth the effort and cost? Keep reading to discover my experience with allergy shots.

 If you suffer from allergies, you’re familiar with the constant congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and other hay fever symptoms that always spring up as springtime rolls around. Or maybe your symptoms plague you all year long because of ever-present pets, mold, and dust. Perhaps your allergies have become so bad that you have allergy-induced asthma.

 The answer to ending the misery of seasonal allergies is allergy shots but are allergy shots worth it? Do allergy shots really work? Over a year ago these were the questions that I had about allergy shots before I started my allergy shot treatment plan. I have been receiving allergy shots for two years and I am happy to say that allergy shots work. Read more about my allergy shots treatment here.

Side Effects Of Allergy Shots ~ Common & Uncommon

 I have been receiving allergy shots for two years, so I have a wealth of information about the allergy shot treatment plan. I think the most common question that people have about getting allergy shots is What are the side effects?

 I know that my biggest concern about allergy shots was what side effects would I experience. While the doctor gave me a pamphlet about the side effects of allergy shots, it did not answer all of my questions. In fact, I was scared about some of the side effects that were mentioned in the pamphlet, like anaphylaxis and death. 

 I am still alive so I am happy to say that I did not die from allergy shots. I have only experienced an anaphylaxis reaction to allergy shots once, this was due to adding a new mold allergy shot serum to my existing allergy shot treatment plan. Thankfully Benadryl worked and I learned that I have to do the mold shots separately from my seasonal shots. 

Side effects of allergy shots can include

+ Skin irritations such as redness, swelling, stinging, and itching. 

+ Mild nasal stuffiness or a runny nose

+ Sneezing

+ Cough

+ Itchy or red eyes and ears

+ Itchiness or tightness of the throat

+ Hives

+ Asthma

+ Anaphylaxis - a rare side effect

+ Death-a rare side effect

The above is a list of side effects that I read about from the information that I received from the allergy doctor. These are the side effects that most people who are receiving allergy shots experience. From this list of allergy shot side effects, I experienced skin irritations, coughing, asthma, hives, and Anaphylaxis.

The time when my arm was swollen for three days!

Then there were side effects that I experienced that were not on the list. I guess my allergies were so severe that I experienced symptoms that were uncommon, so they did not make the list. 

Uncommon Side effects that I have experienced from allergy shots

+ Fatigue

+ Stomach issues like gas and diarrhea

+ Brain fog

+ Inside stomach itching

+ High blood pressure

+ Shaking

The above uncommon side effects mostly happened during the build-up portion of my allergy shots. The most unusual side effect that I experienced was the stomach issues. This side effect only happened during my mold allergy shot build-up treatment plan. I would get my allergy shot and 30-40 minutes later, my stomach would start cramping and I had to use the bathroom. I would then experience gas the rest of the night. My gas was so bad that my husband would ask me, before I went to my allergy shot appointments, if I was getting the fart shots or the coughing shots.

The side effects that I experienced from allergy shots

 Side effects from allergy shots are expected as one is getting a dose of their allergens injected into their body. Most side effects happen during the build-up phase of allergy shots, as the shot serums contain the things that you are allergic to. So your body is reacting to the allergens. 

Most side effects occur up to 30 minutes after you receive the shot but some may last up to 24 hours.

  The side effects that I experienced were 

+ Intense stinging in my arm ~ This lasted about 5 minutes after the shot

+ Asthma attack ~ I would have an asthma attack 30-40 minutes after the shot 

+ Breathing problems ~ I would struggle with breathing several hours after the shot

+ Coughing ~ I would cough for several hours and until the next day

+ Stomach Issues ~ This would only happen after my mold shots

+ Swelling in my arm ~ The injection site on my arm would be swollen for 3 days

+ Arm itching ~ My arm would itch for several hours after the shots

+ Stomach itching ~ This happened a couple of times and lasted for 15 minutes

+ Fatigue ~ I would be super tired for several hours 

+ Tightness in the throat ~ Happened once and was a result of my asthma issues

+ Anaphalxisis ~Thankfully this only happened once and a double dose of Benadryl took care of it

+ Shaking ~ Related to the Anaphalxisis

+ High blood pressure ~ Related to the Anaphalxisis

Side effects may happen during the maintenance build-up phase

 Once your allergy shot treatment is in the maintenance build-up phase, side effects can still occur but for most people, they are less severe. The plus side is the side effects will get better or subside as you progress in your allergy shot treatment program. 

 I am on maintenance for both of my allergy shot treatments. I get my mold shots one week and then my plants and pet shots the following week. 

For both shots, the side effects that I still experience are 

+ Stinging in my arm ~ a couple minutes after I get the shot

+ Coughing ~ 30 minutes after my shots and several hours afterward

+ Swelling in my arm ~ goes away the next day

+ Fatigue ~ several hours after the shots

 I am happy to report that the side effects of the allergy shots are lessening as I get further along in my allergy shot plan. My body is getting used to the allergens in the allergy shots and my allergies are getting better. 

 For the past two years while receiving allergy shots, I could not enjoy being outside as I was still reacting with allergy symptoms from the plants that I am allergic to. The allergy shots are working as I can now sit outside in my yard and enjoy my water fountain.

Check out some additional articles for allergy shot information

~ Will Allergy Shots Help My Asthma?

~ My Experience With Allergy Shots

~ Allergy Shots Info & Products That Help Allergies & Asthma

~ Ending Seasonal Allergies With Allergy Shots

~ Do Allergy Shots Work? ~ My Personal Experience

Reasons To Buy The Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier

 With wearable air purifiers becoming increasingly popular, you might be wondering if they really work. You may also be wondering if you need to buy a wearable air purifier. Keep reading to find out more.

 Having airborne allergies to things like pollen, pets, mold, and fragrance can be hard, especially when they trigger symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches, or asthma attacks. These airborne allergies can make going outside or visiting places hard, as one never knows if their allergen will be present. For a person with multiple airborne allergies, a trip to a movie theater, the park or even traveling can make them miserable for days.

 I am sensitive to fragrance and this airborne allergen triggers asthma problems for me. To avoid having an asthma attack, I have to take precautions to go outside my home. Fragrance is everywhere! From people wearing perfume to someone using hand sanitizer all the way to someone spraying a cleaning product, these items all trigger my asthma. So I avoid crowded places or wear a face mask. The face mask keeps me to not breathe in the allergens.

A face mask can be hard for an asthmatic to wear

 For most people, wearing a face mask is easy, for a person with asthma a face mask makes breathing hard. While the face mask helps one not to breathe in the airborne particles that can trigger asthma symptoms, it too can cause asthma issues. So a face mask is not a solution for those with allergies. At times it can be easier to just stay home, rather than go to a public place.

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The Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier gives you freedom

 I refuse to live in a bubble, to be safe from all of my airborne allergies that trigger my allergy-induced asthma. So I decided to try a wearable air purifier. I want to be able to attend church, go out to eat, and travel. I selected The Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier so I can enjoy life without allergy symptoms and asthma attacks.

What is a wearable air purifier?

 A wearable air purifier is a device that is similar to a home air purifier as it draws in surrounding air using a fan and removes harmful particles like pathogens, pollutants, and allergens. A wearable air purifier is a portable device that uses a HEPA filter to trap common allergens like mold, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and fragrance so the wearer does not breathe them into their body. The portable air filter prevents the person from experiencing allergy symptoms from air pollution.

Meet the Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier

The Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier is the best wearable personal air purifier for allergies, viruses, and air pollution. This portable air purification system combines comfort with certified protection from allergens like pet dander and pollen, as well as air pollution and dangerous pathogens, by creating a zone of clean air around the user’s face. 

The Respiray Wear A+ uses an H12 HEPA filter to capture over 99% of pollutants. It is designed to be close to your mouth and nose for superior protection. When you wear the Respiray Wear A+, you instantly breathe cleaner air wherever you are.

What I like about the Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier

The best feature of the Respiray air purifier that I like is the fact that it does not cover the face, like other portable air purifiers. That is a huge plus as I can talk and eat while wearing the Resppiray. Other features that I love are:

~ A discrete portable air purifier 

~ Not a mask worn over the face- one does not look like an alien when wearing the device.  

~ Stylish, lightweight, and comfortable to wear ~ it blends in with your clothing.

~ Low noise level ~ sounds like a fan on low.

~ Reduces allergen particles ~ by more than 99% (certified by SGS USA).

~ Eliminates airborne irritants ~ including pet dander, dust, pollen, and mold.

~ One-size fits all ~ from age 13 +

~ Alternative to allergy drugs and immunotherapy shots

~ No side effects ~ like allergy medicine

~ Offers instant relief

~ Affordable cost at $139.00 ~ Buy it Here

~ USB charging ~ provides an 8-hour battery life.

~ Very affordable replacement filters ~ that last for 200 hours

~ Can be used indoors and outdoors

Take back your life with the Respiray Wear A+ 

The Respiray Wear A+ portable air purifier allows me to enjoy life again. I can attend church services without having to worry about someone near me wearing perfume. I can go to restaurants and movie theaters. I can travel without having to wear a face mask. I love that I no longer have asthma attacks from people applying hand sanitizer.

 I always wear the Respiray Wear A+ air purifier when I go to my allergy shot appointments and I no longer experience asthma symptoms from the alcohol wipes that they use to clean my arm. I even wear this portable air purifier when I am outside pulling the weeds or spraying my DIY natural weed spray.

 I love that this wearable air purifier needs no batteries and lasts for 8 hours on a single charge. Most people do not notice that I am wearing this portable air purifier and for those who ask me about the Respiray Wear A+ portable air purifier, it has opened up conversations about my fragrance allergies. Most of my friends have stopped wearing perfume to church.

The best portable device for airborne allergies

The Respiray Wear A+ is comparable to traditional allergy medicines like antihistamines, and it significantly reduces allergy symptoms for patients suffering from allergies attributed to airborne pollen, house dust mites, and cat allergens. This remarkable device filters out air pollution so you can enjoy being outside or around pets. 

Super Effective and Drug-Free Way to Relieve Hay Fever, Dust, and Pet Allergies

~ Buy The Respiray Wear A+ Wearable Air Purifier 

Do Allergy Shots Work? ~ My Personal Experience

 Allergy shots are proven to be an effective treatment for seasonal allergies and a wide range of other conditions, including Asthma. Do allergy shots work and are they worth the effort and cost? Keep reading to discover my experience with allergy shots.

 If you suffer from allergies, you’re familiar with the constant congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and other hay fever symptoms that always spring up as springtime rolls around. Or maybe your symptoms plague you all year long because of ever-present pets, mold, and dust. Perhaps your allergies have become so bad that you have allergy-induced asthma.

 For some people, allergy medicines work to stop allergy symptoms but for a lot of people, allergy medicines do not bring any relief to their miserable allergy symptoms. Are you frustrated with no long-term success from oral decongestants, nasal sprays, and eye drops? 

 Allergies are the 6th most common cause of chronic illnesses in the US.

The answer to ending the misery of seasonal allergies is allergy shots but are allergy shots worth it? Do allergy shots really work? Over a year ago these were the questions that I had about allergy shots before I started my allergy shot treatment plan.

 After experiencing a life-threatening allergy reaction, I decided to have allergy testing done. The allergy testing results showed that I was allergic to everything from plants, weeds, grass, pets, dust, and more. These allergies were the cause of my severe asthma symptoms. At the allergy appointment, the doctor gave me two treatment options, prescription asthma medications or allergy shots. 

I Chose Allergy Shots

 I chose allergy shots for my treatment plan to reduce my asthma symptoms that were caused by the many things that I was allergic to. At the time I was apprehensive about starting allergy shots as I was concerned about the side effects that included anaphylaxis and death. I was also concerned about the time commitment for allergy shots.

 The last 16 months have been rough! I started allergy shots in 2022 as a treatment to help with my severe allergy-induced asthma symptoms. I was not even sure that the shots were going to work. The shots were tough as I was being injected with things that I was allergic to and I had some pretty bad side effects. 

 I just received my last build-up allergy shot and now I am on maintenance. The question is do allergy shots work to cure one of their allergies? 

18 months later ~ Allergy shots were an effective treatment plan for me 

 I am happy to inform you that allergy shots worked for me. My allergy symptoms have improved as well as my asthma. 18 months ago, I was experiencing severe asthma symptoms that left me gasping for air several times a day and it was affecting my sleep. It was so bad that I was not able to be outside.

 I recently finished my allergy shot build-up phase and I am amazed at how my body has healed. I am sleeping better and my asthma symptoms have greatly improved. I am glad that I chose allergy shots for my asthma treatment. Receiving allergy shots was not easy for me, due to my asthma. Keep reading to discover my experience with allergy shots.

What are allergy shots?

Allergy shots (also called subcutaneous immunotherapy, or SCIT) are one of the best treatments available for your allergies and asthma. Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy aimed at reducing or eliminating allergy symptoms.

 Allergy shots use tiny doses of a specific allergen to desensitize your immune system’s response to that allergen. By regularly exposing your body to small amounts of an allergen, you can develop immunity over time. 

Benefits of allergy shots

~ Fewer symptoms and less need for medications 

~ Enjoy outdoor activities 

~ Better sleep

~ Reduce the risk of developing asthma

~ Ability to manage your asthma symptoms naturally 

Common allergens treated by allergy shots

~ Dust mites

~ Pollen (from weeds, flowers, trees, etc.)

~ Animal dander

~ Mold spores

~ Cockroaches

~ Certain stinging insects such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, fire ants

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I had a longer treatment plan for allergy shots

 A typical allergy shot plan includes a build-up phase and a maintenance phase. The buildup phase generally takes three to six months and the maintenance phase generally continues for three to five years. My build-up phase lasted 18 months, due to the severity of my asthma and mold sickness. 

 I also experienced some bad reactions to the allergy shots that made my treatment longer. Thankfully, I never experienced any side effects that required an epi-pen or hospitalization. My most severe reactions to the allergy shots were asthma attacks and swelling with redness at the injection site. 

Allergy Shots Tips For Fewer Side Effects

 I eventually learned, through experience, how to manage the side effects of allergy shots. I also stopped telling the shot techs about my allergy shot side effects that did not involve breathing issues, as that would set me back 2 weeks. I learned to deal with my arm having a huge red itchy hive for 3 days after the shot. 

 I also discovered that exercising after my shot appointment, even walking through a store, caused me to have an asthma attack. So I always rested for several hours after my allergy shots. I used my nebulizer a lot during my allergy shot therapy.

I increased my exercise routine 

 Another thing that really helped me during the build-up phase of my allergy shots was exercise. I already exercised regularly but I increased my cardio and strength exercises to make my lungs stronger. My lungs were damaged from my allergies and mold exposure so exercise was how I healed my lungs from trauma. Stronger lungs made it easier to recover faster from an asthma attack.

Will my allergies be cured?

 I would like to think that allergy shots will cure my allergies and asthma but that is not how shots work. The shots can help desensitize your immune system so it does not react to the allergen. For now, my allergy symptoms from seasonal allergies, pets, and dust have been greatly reduced, some people find their symptoms completely disappear and never return. My asthma is still triggered by other things like fragrance, chemicals, smoke, humidity, and mold.

 I was not able to receive allergy shots for mold for several reasons. The main reason there was not any more room in my allergy shot serums. The other reason, my body was exposed to a lot of mold, from a water leak in my home, right before my allergy testing. So the allergy testing did not show my mold allergy. I will have to do allergy shots for mold at a later time.

Next up ~ allergy shot maintenance phase 

 Since I just finish the build-up phase of allergy shots, my next step is a maintenance phase. I will continue receiving the maximum dose of my allergy serum once a month for 3-4 years, so my body will continue to not react to those allergies. At some point during this time, the doctor will have me do allergy testing again to see if I am allergic to the items that are in my allergy serums.

For now, I am feeling so much better, thanks to being able to sleep and not having asthma attacks. I am glad that I said yes to allergy shots.

Check out some additional articles for allergy shot information

~ Will Allergy Shots Help My Asthma?

~ My Experience With Allergy Shots

~ Allergy Shots Info & Products That Help Allergies & Asthma

~ Ending Seasonal Allergies With Allergy Shots

Allergy Shot Therapy + Results Update

 If you are considering allergy shots as a treatment for your seasonal allergies and other airborne allergens, then you are at the right place. A year ago I started allergy shots and it has been quite the learning experience. Keep reading to discover my experience with allergy shots.

 It was sixteen months ago, that I had a severe dairy allergy reaction that left me struggling to breathe. It was a scary experience that even my husband did not know how to handle. That was the wake-up call that made me realize that I could not manage my food allergies and asthma on my own. So I made an appointment to see an allergy specialist.

When I made the doctor appointment to see an allergy doctor, I also made an appointment to get allergy testing and an asthma breathing test. At the allergy testing place, I did a breathing test and then allergy testing. The allergy testing was done on my back with the nurse poking my back with serums of all different allergens. From pets to plants to grass, trees, weeds, mold, dust, and food, these were all placed into my skin. When the testing was done, the nurse said my back was angry. All I want to do was itch my back.

 Then the doctor went over my allergy and asthma history and the results of my tests. The doctor showed me all the things that I was allergic to. I was allergic to almost every weed, grass, tree, and plant in New Mexico. I was also allergic to dust, cats, dogs, cockroaches, mouse urine, and wheat. The milk and soy allergies that I discovered through a food allergy blood test, did not show up on the testing as I had not consumed those for 3 years. Strangely, the mold that I have been allergic to my whole life, did not show up on the testing. After telling the doctor about having mold in my house 4 months ago, she said that my body may be overloaded with mold sickness and that can cause it not to show up on tests.

The allergy and asthma doctor gave me the bad news

 The doctor told me that my asthma was out of control and I needed to get it in control or I would have COPD later in life. The doctor wanted to prescribe asthma medications but I was reluctant to take prescription medicine for asthma as I did not want to experience the side effects. I had been managing my asthma symptoms naturally for several years with good success with natural asthma treatments. I tried my son's asthma inhaler many years ago but it did not open my airway. This natural breathing inhaler works best when I am having an asthma attack.

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The doctor suggested allergy shots

The doctor then told me about allergy shots as a treatment for asthma. The allergy shots would help with my seasonal allergic asthma symptoms. As the doctor explained, it would take a layer of inflammation off of my lungs. That would help with my asthma.  

 Unfortunately, there was no treatment option for my food allergies but decreasing inflammation of my lungs could help with the asthma symptoms from my food allergy reactions. The doctor prescribed an epi-pen for my food allergies. Thankfully, I have never had to use an epi-pen. 

 While I have had several accidental ingestions of my food allergies, a double dose of Benadryl has helped. I have learned the symptoms of a food allergy attack ~ coughing, mucus overload, and my voice changing ~ to administer Benadryl. If I am going somewhere to eat, I bring my emergency food allergy medicine kit with me.

My emergency food allergy medicine kit contains

~ 2 epi-pens

~ Clearlungs

~ Benadryl

~ Claritin

~ Olbas Inhaler

~ Olbas Lozenges

~ Nasacort Spray

~ Portable Nebulizer when traveling

My experience with allergy shots

 I did not say yes to allergy shots at my first doctor's appointment for allergies as I had to do some research first. I wanted to hear about other people's experiences with allergy shots. While I found plenty of medical information about allergy shots, I found very few people experience info related to allergy shots. 

 The medical sites said that allergy shots are safe and listed the side effects of allergy shot treatments. I also read that a rare side effect of allergy shots was anaphylaxis and possible death. That right there scared me but my husband reassured me that the allergy place would have the medicines to handle that. 

Allergy shots update after a year

 I have completed a year of allergy shots and it has been a wild ride. I like to compare the side effects of allergy shots to a roller coaster. The allergens of the allergy shots are injected into your body and you have side effects like an allergy attack as your body gets used to the allergens. Every day the side effects get better and eventually go away. Then you get your next treatment and it starts over again. That is my life right now!

 Allergy shots have 2 phases, the build-up phase, and the maintenance phase. I am still in the build-up phase of allergy shots. While most people can complete the build-up treatment part of allergy shots in 6 months, my severe asthma made the doctor select a year build-up. I still have a couple more months due to some side effects that I experienced from the shots.

 While the side effects were not life-threatening to me, they were bothersome. I have experienced itchiness in my arm, a sore arm, and asthma breathing issues. It took me a while to learn what to do and not do on the day of my allergy shot appointment The day of my allergy shot and the day after are always tough for me. Check out Allergy Shots Tips For Fewer Side Effects to learn more. 

I had to stop eating wheat

 A month ago, I had to stop eating wheat. As the levels of my allergy shots go up, it can be compared to being exposed more to the items that I am allergic to and this can cause my body, especially my lungs to be more inflamed. Last month, I noticed that an hour after I ate something with wheat in it, my asthmatic cough would start. It was on Christmas, after I ate a meatless roast made from wheat, that I had a bad asthma attack. Thankfully Benadryl calmed it down. So now wheat has been added to my food allergies.

 While wheat showed up on my allergy shot panel a year ago, it never bothered me. The doctor said it may be a temporary allergy and I am hoping that I will be able to eat wheat again in a couple of months when my build-up phase is done. So now my food allergies include dairy, soy, mushrooms, and wheat. Eating out at restaurants is a challenge.

Do I recommend Allergy Shots?

 So the question is do I recommend allergy shots? The answer is yes! While the allergy shots have been hard for me due to my asthma, I have been seeing improvements in my health. I am able to recover faster from an asthma attack and some airborne allergens don't bother me as much. I used to not be able to be in the same room with someone wearing a chemical fragrance without having an asthma attack but now I can be near them for a couple of minutes. 

  I am also able to do intense exercise. A couple of months ago exercise was hard and I had to take lots of breaks but now I am able to run on the treadmill for 2 minutes at a fast speed. The exercise is helping my lungs get stronger. I know exercising with asthma sounds strange but exercise is good for those with asthma. These Ten Tips For Exercising With Asthma sure do help.

 My son is also receiving allergy shots and the only side effects he has had is the typical seasonal allergy symptoms like sneezing, sinus congestion, and a runny nose. The goal of the allergy shots is to get the body to tolerate the allergens and eventually not be allergic to them. That can happen after the build-up phase. So I will update you on that in a couple of months.

Products that I recommend for those with allergies and asthma

 As a person who has been dealing with allergies and asthma for way too many years, I have tips and products that have helped me and I love recommending them to others. I have made many improvements in my home over the past couple of years and they have helped with my allergy symptoms.

Things to do if you have allergies and or asthma

~ Replace Carpet with tile or vinyl. The carpet holds in dust and allergens plus it is hard to keep clean. Tile floors are so easy to clean.

~ Remove Shoes inside the home. Your shoes are dirty and they could be covered with pollen or grass.

~ Close Windows on windy days or days when the air quality is not good and stay inside. Check your air quality here.

~ Buy an Air Purifier to help keep the air inside clean. An air purifier is an investment for your health. Don't buy the cheapest air purifier as they may not work well. Also, make sure to buy the correct size of air purifier. If the room that you want to clean the air in is 1000 sq feet make sure to buy a purifier made for that space. I have done my research on air purifiers that work best for allergies and I purchased this air purifier. I like that this air purifier has a sensor that automatically adjusts filtration and it is quiet to operate. I also like that it has three filters to get those small particles. 

Products that I use to help with my asthma and allergy symptoms

~ Clearlungs

~ Benadryl

~ Claritin

~ Olbas Inhaler

~ Olbas Lozenges

~ Nasacort Spray

~ Portable Nebulizer

 The past couple of years has been a learning experience with healing my body. From discovering that I had asthma to discovering that food allergies were making my asthma worse to starting allergy shots. Then there was discovering mold in our home to mold remediation services. I am learning what is best for my body. While I will never be 100% cured of my allergy-induced asthma and food allergies, I am learning how to manage them so that they don't take over my life. My body is healing from lung trauma and my lungs are getting stronger. Make sure to check out some other posts that I have composed about my body's healing process.

~ How to Naturally Heal Your Lungs From Trauma

~ 7 Effective Ways To Clear Mucus For Better Breathing

~ Discovering Food and Plant Allergies With Home Testing

Best Ways To Reduce Inflammation In The Body & Lungs

 Inflammation is a defensive response by the immune system, which dispatches white blood cells to the affected sites. You may not always see it or feel it, but inflammation may slowly be damaging your body.

 The word inflammation can be used in so many health conditions from joint health to even asthma. Many chronic conditions are the result of inflammation. It is a condition that so few people understand. So what is inflammation? Do I have inflammation? How do I treat inflammation?

 When you hear the word inflammation what comes to your mind? Do the words pain and swelling pop into your thinking? Most people hear inflammation and think of injuries but it can also be applied to infections, sickness, and even asthma. Inflammation is a part of the body’s natural healing system to help fight injury and infection. But it doesn’t just happen in response to injury and illness.

Inflammation with Asthma and Allergies

When you think of asthma, you think of breathing issues with tight bronchial tubes or narrowing of the airways, but you usually do not think of inflammation. I bet you probably don't think of how inflammation damages the lungs. I know that I did not think about the health of my lungs from the chronic cough that I had from asthma. I just thought of asthmatic coughing to be an annoying part of my life, and that is why I delayed medical treatment for so long.

 I also thought that my coughing was a result of my seasonal allergies and could not be asthma, as I had no wheezing symptoms. I thought that the increase in mucus was just a post-nasal drip issue, and I did not go to the doctor until it almost caused me to lose my life. It was a dairy allergy that I discovered through a food allergy blood test, which increased my asthma symptoms. It was an accidental dairy ingestion that caused my airway to swell to the point that I could not breathe. 

 I then made an appointment with an allergist and an asthma specialist. It was then that I learned how the chronic inflammation of asthma was damaging my lungs, and I started allergy shots for asthma treatment.

What is an asthma attack?

 During an asthma attack, the muscle wall contracts, and the lining of the airways becomes swollen and inflamed. These changes cause a narrowing of the airways which is further aggravated by an increase in secretions from the mucus membrane, which may actually block the smaller airways.

The increase in mucus during an asthma attack is the inflammation, making more white blood cells. My asthma attacks were from many different triggers, like seasonal allergies, smoke, chemical fragrances, and food allergies. When one of these triggers entered my body, my body saw it as a foreign invader and started producing more white blood cells to attack it, and that made the mucus. That is why we have lots of nasal mucus when we are sick. Our body is trying to get the germs out of our body. My asthma was giving me chronic inflammation. 

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What can I do to reduce the risk of chronic inflammation?

 After being told that my chronic inflammation from asthma could lead to COPD, I knew that I had to do something to reduce the inflammation in my body. I knew that I did not want to take prescription medicines for asthma as those would come with additional side effects. For now, I was able to manage my asthma attacks and restore normal breathing with a natural inhaler. My current plan of asthma treatment includes allergy shots as I want to naturally heal my lungs from trauma.

Here are some additional ways to reduce inflammation in the body.

1. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods ~ Food can play an important part in healing in your body and certain foods can reduce inflammation. Foods that reduce inflammation are fruits like blueberries, vegetables like beets, salmon, tuna, flax seed, olive oil, green tea, and spices like ginger, rosemary, and turmeric.

Don't like the taste of beets? Check out this delicious beet drink powder supplement that will help with a healthy inflammatory response after exercise. 

Check out this delicious recipe for Beet Hummus https://www.momknowsbest.net/2017/12/easy-beet-white-bean-hummus.html

2. Cut back or eliminate inflammatory foods ~ Certain foods can cause inflammation in the body, so it is wise to reduce or eliminate these inflammatory foods. Inflammatory foods include red meat, trans fats foods such as margarine, corn oil, deep-fried foods, sugar, dairy, wheat, and most processed foods.

3. Control blood sugar ~ Food with simple carbohydrates is known to increase our blood sugar which increases inflammation. So limit or avoid simple carbohydrates, such as white flour, white rice, refined sugar, and anything with high fructose corn syrup. One easy rule to follow is to avoid white foods, such as white bread, rice, and pasta, as well as foods made with white sugar and flour. 

4. Make time to exercise ~ Regular exercise is an excellent way to prevent inflammation. Make time for 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three to five times per week. Strength training is also needed 2 to 3 times a week for 10 to 25 minutes. Weightlifting has plenty of benefits for helping us age better.

5. Lose weight ~ People who are overweight have more inflammation. Losing weight may decrease inflammation.

Use code MOMKNOWSBEST15 ~ Save 15% on the best Vegan Protein Powder

6. Manage stress ~ Chronic stress contributes to inflammation. Find ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, and meditation.

7. Take supplements ~ Many supplements can help reduce inflammation in the body. Some supplements that may have anti-inflammatory effects are collagen, turmeric, fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc.

 The supplements that I take every day are pure fish oil and organic curcumin. Curcumin is a superior form of concentrated turmeric and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Curcumin is also rich in antioxidant properties. I like that fish oil is also a powerful anti-inflammatory & a natural pain reliever. I like that Pure Micronutrient supplements are made with pure ingredients and are gentle on the stomach. When I take supplements, I want ones that are highly absorbable and made without nasty ingredients like fillers.

8. Use An Infrared Sauna ~ Infrared saunas can be a powerful tool for reducing inflammation when used consistently.  Infrared saunas offer a range of potential health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, pain relief, relaxation, and detoxification. These benefits can help lower inflammation in the body. Read more here.

Additional resources: 

+ How To Manage Asthma Symptoms Naturally

+ Natural lung healing treatment plan

+ Allergy Shots Information 

+ Mold Sickness 

+ How To Use An Infrared Sauna For Best Health Benefits

Allergy Shots Tips For Fewer Side Effects

If you have seasonal allergies or allergy-induced asthma, then allergy shots may be a good treatment program for you. Allergy shots are over 90% effective to decrease allergy symptoms or eliminate allergy symptoms. Allergy shots can help with asthma symptoms and promote lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped.

 Allergy shots are usually a very effective way of treating chronic allergies but there are some drawbacks that may make receiving allergy shots hard for some people. The high upfront costs of the allergy injections and the time commitment for the allergy treatment can be cons for those who are considering allergy shots. Then there are the side effects that come with the buildup phase of the allergy shot treatment plan.

 While most people have mild side effects from allergy shots like increased seasonal allergy symptoms and pain and swelling at the injection site, for those with asthma the allergy side effects may be worse. I have been receiving allergy shots for 7 months and I have had some side effects from the allergy shots that have caused my asthma to flare up. My main reason for deciding to start an allergy shot program was to decrease the number of asthma attacks that I have. While I have experienced some miserable side effects from my allergy injections, the end result of fewer asthma attacks makes it so worth it.

My allergy shot tips for fewer side effects

 It has been a learning experience for me while undergoing my twice-a-month allergy shot injections and I have learned how to better manage the side effects of the immune therapy of allergy shots. So I want to share these allergy shots tips for fewer side effects.

Stay inside ~ The serum of the allergy shot is basically filled with the items that you are allergic to. So these shots of allergens can make your allergy symptoms worse. So staying inside, especially during allergy season,  is a good idea. That way your body is exposed to fewer allergens. 

Change your diet ~ During the build-up phase of allergy shots, you should avoid eating foods that cause inflammation and eat more food that helps decrease inflammation. Your allergies are causing inflammation in your body. For those with asthma, your asthma symptoms may be the result of increased inflammation of your lungs. Long-term inflammation of the lungs may lead to COPD. So check out the list of the best foods to eat to reduce inflammation in your body and the list of foods that can increase inflammation.

Foods to eat to fight inflammation

+ Pineapple 

+ Turmeric

+ Sardines

+ Walnuts

+ Tuna

+ Almonds

+ Olives

+ Dark green leafy veggies

+ Berries

+ Avocados

+ Red Grapes

Keep reading to discover a delicious turmeric pineapple protein smoothie that helps me breathe better

 Chronic inflammation plays a central role in some of the most challenging diseases of our time, including asthma. Chronic inflammation is when white blood cells start to attack healthy tissues and organs, causing a chronic inflammatory process.

Foods that can increase inflammation

+  Sugar

+ Red Meat

+ Processed Meats 

+ Dairy

+ Fried Foods

+ Gluten 

+ Refined Carbs

+ Excess Alcohol

+ Artificial Sweeteners

How to Naturally Heal Your Lungs From Trauma

Exercise ~ Exercise is beneficial for those receiving allergy shots, especially if you have asthma. Exercise will help you the extra mucus, that allergy shots create, out of your nose, ears, and lungs so you can breathe better. Check out these 10 tips for exercising with asthma.

Lift Weights ~ Lifting weights can help strengthen your lungs and abdominal muscles. I find that weight lifting is an effective tool that helps push the mucus out of my lungs to restore my breathing. Check out 7 effective ways to clear mucus for better breathing.

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Allergy Shot Tips For The Day Of Injections

The day that you receive the injections of allergy shots is when you will experience the most side effects. So these tips will better prepare your body to have fewer negative side effects.

 No exercise for 12 hours after the shots ~ exercising after the allergy shot injections will cause your body to process the allergens at a faster rate, thus increasing the side effects. So the allergy shot handbook recommends refraining from exercise for 12- 24 hours after your shots. For those with asthma, resting on the couch is best so you do not experience any asthma symptoms. 

Take an antihistamine ~ Taking an allergy medicine antihistamine like Claritin an hour or more before your allergy shot appointment will help to prevent side effects from the allergy shots. 

Perform a nebulizer treatment ~ If the allergy shots increase the mucus in your airways, using a portable nebulizer after your allergy appointment will help you get the excess mucus out of your airways. Just make sure to use a saline solution with the nebulizer.

Always bring a natural inhaler to the allergy treatment center ~ A natural inhaler will open up your airways so you can breathe better. The inhaler contains a special blend of powerful essential oils that helps you breathe by invigorating nasal passages.

Purchase some lung supplements ~ If your allergies cause you to have asthmatic symptoms, then taking some daily lung supplements will help decrease mucus production and inflammation.

Use a pain-numbing cream ~ Applying a cream that numbs the pain on the injection site will help with the pain and soreness that can happen with an allergy shot treatment.

Avoid hot showers or hot tubs ~ The heat from a hot tub or a hot shower may make the side effects of the allergy shots to be worse.

Turmeric Pineapple Protein Smoothie For Better Breathing

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup pineapple chunks ~ fresh or canned

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 scoop vegan protein powder ~ I like using Nuzest protein as it is allergy-friendly

6 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy. This makes one serving. This smoothie contains several anti-inflammatory ingredients like pineapple and turmeric, so it may calm down the inflammation and mucus production to help restore free breathing. One of the many benefits of pineapple is boosting immunity and suppressing inflammation.

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Check out some additional articles for allergy shot information

~ Will Allergy Shots Help My Asthma?

~ My Experience With Allergy Shots

~ Allergy Shots Info & Products That Help Allergies & Asthma

~ Ending Seasonal Allergies With Allergy Shots