Seasonal Allergies
Breathe Easy: The Benefits of Infrared Sauna on Seasonal Allergies
What Causes Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, are allergic reactions that occur at specific times of the year. These allergies are triggered by allergens, typically airborne particles such as pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. When individuals with seasonal allergies come into contact with these allergens, their immune system overreacts, releasing histamines and causing inflammation. This immune response leads to various symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and itching in the throat or ears. The severity and specific symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary depending on both the individual and the type of allergen. Genetic factors, exposure levels, immune sensitivity, overall health, age, hormonal influences, and individual differences contribute to variations in how the immune system responds to seasonal allergies.
How Does Infrared Sauna Help with Seasonal Allergies?
Inflammatory processes begin with a signal from the immune system to produce antibodies known as immunoglobulins. An overactive immune response can lead to an excessive production of these immunoglobulins, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation causes changes in blood vessel walls, including increased permeability and weakening.
Blood vessels are lined with special cells called endothelial cells. These cells guard the bloodstream, regulating what comes in and goes out. When these cells work better, they maintain a more appropriate and controlled wall permeability. Studies indicate that the improved function of these cells mitigates inflammation and allergy symptoms. Far infrared therapy has been shown to assist and strengthen these endothelial cells to function more effectively.
Studies Support Infrared Sauna for Seasonal Allergies
A clinical study investigated the effects of far infrared (FIR) therapy on 31 patients with allergic rhinitis over seven days. Daily FIR therapy significantly improved symptoms like eye itching, nasal itching, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, and sneezing. Smell impairment improved after the last treatment. The study concluded that FIR therapy reduced allergy symptoms.
Another study examined sauna therapy in general and found that several sauna sessions a week significantly decreased symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, coughing, and wheezing.
Three Ways Infrared Sauna Helps Relieve Seasonal Allergies Naturally:
Calms Immune Response:
An allergic response stems from an overactive autonomic nervous system reacting to harmless particles like pollen. Infrared sauna treatments have been shown to calm this overactivity, reducing triggered responses, particularly those associated with nasal congestion and discharge.
Opens Airways:
Sauna sessions achieve what antihistamines and allergy medicine often cannot. Regular sauna use has proven to enhance nasal airflow and clear passages, diminishing congestion and stuffiness.
Raising your core temperature significantly impacts your respiratory system, improving airflow through nasal passages.
A study using peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measured the sauna’s impact on airflow, revealing a significant increase in air movement through the nasal passages.
Strengthens Lungs:
Mayo Clinic published a study showcasing enhanced lung strength and capacity through sauna sessions, attributed to improved bronchial smooth muscle endurance from heat exposure. This allows for deeper breaths with less exertion.
In Summary:
If you’re suffering the discomfort of seasonal allergies, experiencing the benefits of infrared therapy at BodyWorks and Laser Clinic is highly recommended. With its potential to ease symptoms, infrared therapy presents a natural and promising approach to navigating the challenges that seasonal changes can bring.
For more information on infrared therapy, visit https://bwlcgb.com/infrared-sauna-therapy/.
REFERENCES
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immunoglobulin-test
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/blood-vessel-permeability
Krüger-Genge A, Blocki A, Franke RP, Jung F. Vascular Endothelial Cell Biology: An Update. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 7;20(18):4411. doi: 10.3390/ijms20184411. PMID: 31500313; PMCID: PMC6769656.
Hu, Ko-Hsin, and Wen-Tyng Li. “Clinical effects of far-infrared therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.” Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference vol. 2007 (2007): 1479-82. doi:10.1109/IEMBS.2007.4352580
Kunbootsri, Narupon et al. “The effect of six-weeks of sauna on treatment autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions of allergic rhinitis Thai patients.” Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology vol. 31,2 (2013): 142-7. doi:10.12932/AP0262.31.2.2013
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/fulltext#secsectitle0045