 Perth
has one of the highest spring-summer pollen counts of any city in the
world. Because of this we have extensive experience in treating hay
fever, rhinitis and sinusitis with naturopathic approaches. Homeopathy
is especially effective in its treatment and usually gives immediate results.
Hay
fever or allergic rhinitis is a chronic condition with acute outbreaks.
These episodes may be constant or recur annually. It is based on an
allergy, usually to inhaled substances, although it is often
contributed to by food sensitivities. These inhaled substances may be
pollens, but also sensitivity to house dust and animal hair may be
responsible for the rhinitis
Homeopathy usually works immediately to remedy the symptoms of rhinitis
and hay fever, when accurately prescribed. Naturopathic and homeopathic
treatment focuses on management of the underlying problem, while
providing effective relief of symptoms through medicines that deal with
the acute layer.
Sinusitis may be a complication of rhinitis or secondary to an upper
respiratory tract infection or a cold. Here homeopathy, combined with
naturopathic strategies, also deals quickly with the inflammation while
treating any underlying infection. It also helps to prevent recurrence
by boosting the body’s immune response.
Many different medicines are used, depending on the exact symptom
picture in hay fever. Where sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes is the
main feature, remedies that cover that pattern of symptoms would be chosen. Itchy skin, ears, eyes and throat may require completely different remedies. The indicated homeopathic provides instant relief
of symptoms; but in the meantime the specific constitutional medicine
begins the process of healing on a deeper level.
 Hay fever is not just an acute problem. It has its basis in a hereditary weakness that we call a miasm in homeopathy. To treat a miasm a constitutional
medicine must be chosen by an experienced homeopath. This medicine
takes account of subtle imbalances in the whole pattern of health in
the patient on the mental, emotional and physical level, their past
history and also their family history. It begins to treat the
underlying sensitivity and in time may permanently improve or
completely eliminate the problem. Specific anti-miasmic remedies known as nosodes may also be chosen to aid the constitutional prescription. These are individually prescribed to the patient’s pattern of susceptibility.
Where considered necessary, homeopathic desensitising can also be
applied to reduce the sensitivity to specific allergens. This is
particularly effective where house dust mite is causing the allergy. In
the experience of this clinic, it is also a good diagnostic tool.
Symptomatic relief achieved by giving a potency of house dust in
homeopathic form confirms that house dust sensitivity is the problem in
that specific case.
In conjunction with constitutional homeopathic treatment, desensitising
can also be done for the hair of any animal, such as horses, cats, dogs
and guinea pigs and the feathers of birds. Patients are asked to bring
in a sample of their pet’s hair and a specific desensitising
homeopathic may then be prepared individually.
Naturopathic principles are important in the treatment of any allergy.
A healthy diet and lifestyle and effective stress management will often
keep patients below the threshold where their symptoms manifest. Wheat
and dairy allergies also underlie many cases of hay fever. Sensitivity
to grass pollens in particular means the patient may have a problem
with wheat, which is also a grass. Itchy symptoms accompanying the
rhinitis are a common giveaway here. However, in this clinic we attempt
to fix the underlying sensitivities with treatment, rather than just
get the patient to avoid the food. As their whole system improves, the
cause of that allergy is addressed along with everything else in their
symptom picture.
 Inflammation
in the sinuses may lead to sinusitis and sinus infection. A thick
purulent discharge can result, with pain and pressure in the maxillary,
frontal or ethmoid sinuses; this is respectively below the eyes, above
the eyes or behind the bridge of the nose. Here homeopathy also excels
when properly chosen remedies are prescribed to the exact symptom
picture.
A range of remedies may be prescribed, depending on their specific indications and the
constitutional picture of the patient. When accurately prescribed, we
usually find the relief is much quicker than with antibiotics.
Where the condition is chronic and recurring, however, constitutional
and anti-miasmic treatment is also commenced to begin to deal with the
underlying problem.
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