Seasonal Allergies + Regular Exercise

[ShadowDragon]

Hi, I have a question for those with seasonal allergies.

I developed seasonal allergies when I was about 18 years old. I have trouble in the spring, but it's worst in the fall. Last year I began exercising regularly (minimum of 20 mins cardio, atleast 3 days per week) at the beginning of March and kept it up til winter. My allergies didn't bother me much at all at this time. The only problem is that I don't know if the exercise helped me (because my allergies are a respiratory problem) or if perhaps the pollen levels where I live were just low last year.

Has anyone else with seasonal allergies had luck with reducing the symptoms of thier allergies by exercising regularly?

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"All beings have the capacity to cure themselves" - from K-PAX

[Cut-Throat]

No - exercise and allergies are unrelated!

It seems like every other poster here wants to find a simple solution to a complex problem. If there was an easy answer, the allergists would all tell us what it is. Otherwise all of these claims are voodoo science.

[ShadowDragon]

No - you've got me all wrong.
I'm not looking for a simple solution for allergies.

When you exercise, you make a lot of improvements internally that I feel may have helped me REDUCE my allergy symptoms. For example, your lungs are gradually able to get more oxygen out of each breath of air. If before one starts exercising he needs to take in 5 breaths to get sufficient oxygen, and after months of regular exercise now only needs 1 breath to get that same amount of oxygen, then that's 5 times less air being taken in. And consequently, 5 times less the allergens into his respiratory system.

I don't see how exercise could be entirely unrelated. Allergies are your body's response to the external environment, and exercise changes your ability to handle those stimuli. Certainly there is some relation there.

I was really looking for the responses of those who have experienced this as well. But thanks anyway.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Shadow Dragon


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"All beings have the capacity to cure themselves" - from K-PAX

[Sarah68]

Hi Shadow Dragon,

I have to say that I strongly agree with you.

I used to suffer from hayfever and asthma and I did a lot of running, but I found that the fitter I was the better I was with the allergies. Also, I am a great believer in alternative medicine and went and had some acupuncture. Within three sessions I had stopped using my Becotide inhaler completely and after ten sessions I had stopped using my Ventolin and have never used it since. I still have regular acupuncture treatment, but in between times, I discovered homeopathy also and had treatment with this and I don't get the allergies at all now.

I hate to tell the other poster that homeopathy can get rid of your susceptibility to allergies in the first place and allergists do not have all the answers. Try homeopathy and you may not have to suffer with allergies in the first place.

Anyway, I agree with the fitness link and allergies. I would also advise you to look at your diet which can also help and to get out there and try some acupuncture/homeopathy that could help you even more.

Hope this helps you towards a long and healthy life.

[Cut-Throat]

As one that has worked out on a regular basis for over 20 years, I can tell you that excerise certainly does help your overall well being. But as far as being directly related to relieving allergies - No!

I can tell you some other things that Help more. Getting a regular 8-10 hours of sleep. Maintaining a healthy weight and an excellent diet. All of these things are related to good health. I just have not found a 'magic bullet' for allergies and the allergists I've went to, have not either.

But heck, what do medical doctors know. They have only spent countless hours in school and practicing in their profession. They need to log on to the internet for a few months and become real experts!

[This message has been edited by Cut-Throat (edited 04-19-2003).]