Does climate change make allergies worse?

Does climate change make allergies worse?

The desirable weather we have experienced in recent years could be contributing to increased allergy symptoms. This is especially true in winter when it is very slow, followed by warm weather that spews pollen and mold across the land. Allergy testing and natural treatments are available at naturopathic centers across the country. If your family suffers from year-round or seasonal allergies, you should consult a naturopathic doctor.

According to a USDA study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, there is a connection between the longer pollen season for ragweed and warming temperatures. The study was led by Lewis Ziska and showed that the ragweed season was extended by 27 days in the northern parts of the United States. This was probably due to winter starting later and ending earlier. This resulted in a longer period of time for pollen-bearing plants to produce allergens. There are other studies that point to similar conclusions.

Thanks to the warm weather, allergy seasons are much longer and harder to endure. Those who suffer from seasonal allergies may have seen this across the country. During summer and spring, you may observe itchy, red eyes, sneezing, and postnasal drip. The warming weather is turning seasonal allergies into almost year-round allergies.

Airborne pollen is the typical culprit for these symptoms, known as allergic rhinitis and hay fever. It can also pose a number of other problems for asthmatics, who experience more frequent attacks during these seasons. In some cases they can even be life-threatening. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from asthma caused by allergies. This is twice as much as in 1980.

Natural allergy treatments like SLIT are available at naturopathic centers near you. This is an oral treatment that you place under your tongue. With proper nutrition, this can help stave off and possibly eliminate allergy symptoms. Check with your local naturopathic center to find out more.

The majority of pollen that causes allergy symptoms comes from trees, grasses, and weeds. During spring the main culprit is tree pollen, while in summer it is pollen from grass. In late summer and fall, the respiratory tract is dominated by weed pollen. Allergy testing is necessary to determine what is causing your seasonal allergy symptoms. The time of year you witness it usually tells you what the culprit might be, but lately the weather has been on the verge.

There are several studies that have linked climate change to longer and more severe allergy seasons. Data shows spring is coming 10 to 14 days earlier than it was two decades ago. This means more pollen for longer periods of time. A study published by the USDA showing that hay fever is more severe and longer lasting. For example, a ragweed typically produced a million pollen grains. During climate change, ragweeds become supercharged, increasing the number of pollen grains to three to four million. And this is just one of the many weed species found in the United States

Thunderstorms have also been linked to increased allergy symptoms. This gave it the name “thunderstorm asthma.” Some doctors believe this has something to do with the pollen and dust kicked up by the storm. As thunderstorms have also become more frequent and severe, it directly contributes to allergies.

There are over 60 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. If you are one of them, you should consult a doctor who uses natural remedies to treat allergies.