Summer Sickness Hits 8 Million in UK

Explores why hay fever is still a problem, uncovers the harmful and counter-productive effects of the drugs which claim to combat hay fever, and explains what can be done to cure it naturally.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2004 -- Its that time of year. Last week, approximately 8 million people in the UK were struck. Donning dark glasses, locking their windows at night, and weeping at the sight of the sun, the sufferers soldiered on. We are not talking about a super-bug, a virus, or biological warfare. We are talking seasonal allergic rhinitusis.

Between 10 and 15% of the UK population suffers from the hay fevers seasonal sniffles, runny nose, headaches and itchy eyes. Symptoms vary from person to person - in one it can be a minor but nevertheless irritating twitch in the nose. In another, hay fever can be like having an unshakeable 3 month long cold, leaving the sufferer with the feeling of being wiped out for weeks, interfering with work, exams and enjoyment of the summer months.

The reaction is not complex, and it is common knowledge that Pollen is the main culprit for the summer fever. When someone with hay fever comes into contact with pollen, their body produces a specific type of antibody, IgE. This IgE sticks to certain cells throughout the body, including those of the respiratory (breathing) system, causing them to release the chemical histamine. It is histamine that is responsible for the symptoms of sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy eyes and throat.

What isnt such common knowledge is that hayfever is not actually so dissimilar to other flu-ish ailments, in that your ability to cope and recover from it is mostly down to your immune system. If your immune system is weakened by a bug or infection during the summer months, you are more likely develop hay fever. This can become a problem when the onset of hay fever is mistaken for the continuance of the initial infection. It is also worth noting that its significantly worsened by stress.

What do we do to combat hay fever? We can take antihistamines, and if its really bad, we can take steroids to stem the flow by either injecting them or spraying them up the nose. However, doctors have raised significant concerns about side-effects of these drugs, particularly the effect these steroids have on the adrenal glands. Long-term use of steroids can lead to osteoporosis, or weaken the immune system -- which means if you take steroids you could be weakening your immune system, making yourself prone to a more extreme allergic reaction next year.

So for sufferers that dont want to pop pills or suffer injections, or to spray steroids up their nose, what is the natural alternative? Answer: Propolis. Propolis has been discovered to be a natural cure for hay fever. Extracted from Beeswax, the substance once ingested helps to accustom your immune system to the pollen. Propolis is also known for being a natural antibiotic, helping the immune system to cope with the allergic reaction. The propolis to use is the sub-lingual variety, and you should check that all the ingredients are hypoallergenic.

On top of this you can take vitamin C which is recommended for its anti-inflamatory properties and the boost it gives to the immune system, Vitamin A for its powerful immunostimulants, and B-complex for its anti-stress. Again make sure the ingredients are hypoallergenic.

Order hypoallergenic sub-lingual propolis, and immune boosting complex IM90, either online (see link) or by calling 0845 3302205.