Sprout Chiropractic & Wellness Blog; Roseville, MN

In order to manage seasonal challenges, it is important to understand what causes them. Seasonal challenges (allergies) are the result of an overreaction of the immune system to substances that usually cause no reaction to most individuals. It all starts in the nose. The nose produces mucus, which is normally thin and clear. Mucus helps keep dust, debris and environmental allergens out of the lungs by trapping foreign particles. But these substances can still cause a reaction in the body. The mucous membranes line the bronchial and nasal passages and contain immune cells (mast cells) which are loaded with histamines. Receptors sit on top of these mast cells, and when an allergen trigger lands on the receptor, it alerts the mast cells, which then respond by releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators. The histamine initiates a series of reactions meant to help the body get rid of the intruder, including sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itching. To counteract the effe