It's LA. There are as many people in Los Angeles County as there are in the entire state of Georgia. Of course there's valet parking for Starbucks, the dry cleaners, amazingly, for small strip malls of which there are a zillion. When I go to my local market, I park on the 2nd floor and take the elevator or escalator to the 3rd floor where the food is located. Yes, there are two floors of parking. Not too much longer to put up with this.
When I go to the dry cleaner, I get there just before 9 a.m. so I don't have to use the valet. The valet is $5.00 AND they expect a tip. Yes, I hear you laughing. I REFUSE to use a valet to pick up a blouse.
When I go to the dry cleaner, I get there just before 9 a.m. so I don't have to use the valet. The valet is $5.00 AND they expect a tip. Yes, I hear you laughing. I REFUSE to use a valet to pick up a blouse.
I was waiting for the clerk to return from retrieving the order of a young man waiting next to me. He was miserable. Sniffling, sneezing, congested. Do I? Don't I? Do I? Oh, mercy, he was so miserable. OK, I do.
I kinda felt bad because if he had been a woman, I wouldn't have hesitated. Ugh.
I kinda felt bad because if he had been a woman, I wouldn't have hesitated. Ugh.
Photo credit by nextgov.com
I introduced myself and told him how I defeated my allergies and trips to the ER with allergy-induced asthma. He put everything down and got out his phone and started taking notes.
He listed the veritable pharmacy of medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter that he was using. Nothing was helping. Happens "all the time". Now, he says that he's getting depressed over it. It's interfering with his life, "big time". I explained the concept of "functional impairments" and their role in depression. Yep, that's about right.
I explained how my allergist and ear, nose and throat doctors were going to put themselves out of business because they both recommended the NeilMed Sinus Rinse and I've been using it regularly ever since. I haven't been in an ER (for myself) or those doctors for about 7 years or so.
I also explained how many of my clients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder suffer, as well, with a variety of allergies and responded positively to the sinus rinse treatment. I recommended that he speak with his doctors even though it's an over-the-counter product. "Uh, no, they've had their chance." Well, at least I suggested it.
He listed the veritable pharmacy of medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter that he was using. Nothing was helping. Happens "all the time". Now, he says that he's getting depressed over it. It's interfering with his life, "big time". I explained the concept of "functional impairments" and their role in depression. Yep, that's about right.
I explained how my allergist and ear, nose and throat doctors were going to put themselves out of business because they both recommended the NeilMed Sinus Rinse and I've been using it regularly ever since. I haven't been in an ER (for myself) or those doctors for about 7 years or so.
I also explained how many of my clients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder suffer, as well, with a variety of allergies and responded positively to the sinus rinse treatment. I recommended that he speak with his doctors even though it's an over-the-counter product. "Uh, no, they've had their chance." Well, at least I suggested it.
I spoke to him of the "brain fog" caused by allergies themselves, not to mention the medications which cause drowsiness.
When a cold or allergies hit, people frequently report feeling "fuzzy". It's subjective. It isn't seen on a scan or measured through a blood draw.
I went on to explain to him that studies have proven that children with untreated allergies perform worse in school because of disruptions in sleep. When their allergies are treated with medication that doesn't sedate them, their grades improve significantly when other variables were controlled so as not to interfere with the interpretation of the results.
When a cold or allergies hit, people frequently report feeling "fuzzy". It's subjective. It isn't seen on a scan or measured through a blood draw.
I went on to explain to him that studies have proven that children with untreated allergies perform worse in school because of disruptions in sleep. When their allergies are treated with medication that doesn't sedate them, their grades improve significantly when other variables were controlled so as not to interfere with the interpretation of the results.
Allergies inflame the tissue in the nose and sinuses. Once it starts, it's tough to get under control and that seemed to be this young man's problem. He wasn't controlling the physical environment in his nose and sinuses.
The inflammation releases cytokines as part of the immune response. [I've had a lot of clients with genetic and other disabilities leading to chronic inflammation and related immunity problems, hence, my knowledge.] Cytokines negatively affect our ability to think which impacts our performance.
The immune response increases fatigue. You know how it is. When you're sick, even mildly sick, you just want to sleep all the time. My Dad, who grew up in the depression, often said, "Sleep is the best medicine". Yep, especially if you're poor with limited ways to deal with discomfort.
The young man was convinced. He needed to do something differently. He shared that he was going to get the sinus rinse kit and the distilled water he needed to use with it on his way to work. Turns out, he's an attorney with a big case and he's lagging behind and important people are noticing. He not only feels horrible, but he's intensely anxious, to boot.
The inflammation releases cytokines as part of the immune response. [I've had a lot of clients with genetic and other disabilities leading to chronic inflammation and related immunity problems, hence, my knowledge.] Cytokines negatively affect our ability to think which impacts our performance.
The immune response increases fatigue. You know how it is. When you're sick, even mildly sick, you just want to sleep all the time. My Dad, who grew up in the depression, often said, "Sleep is the best medicine". Yep, especially if you're poor with limited ways to deal with discomfort.
The young man was convinced. He needed to do something differently. He shared that he was going to get the sinus rinse kit and the distilled water he needed to use with it on his way to work. Turns out, he's an attorney with a big case and he's lagging behind and important people are noticing. He not only feels horrible, but he's intensely anxious, to boot.
I love the way life works. You hear me say, quite frequently, that "there's nothing new under the sun, only surprises". You guessed it.
I met him again yesterday morning. I hardly recognized him. He was crisp in his suit, joking with the clerk and when she said, "Good morning, Claudia", he turned around and came toward me, hugged me and said, "You saved my life in just a week. I bought two of those kits and took them to my doctor and told him I wouldn't be back. I gave one to the doctor and one to a guy who was sneezing his brains out in the waiting room". Sounded like sweet revenge to me!
I met him again yesterday morning. I hardly recognized him. He was crisp in his suit, joking with the clerk and when she said, "Good morning, Claudia", he turned around and came toward me, hugged me and said, "You saved my life in just a week. I bought two of those kits and took them to my doctor and told him I wouldn't be back. I gave one to the doctor and one to a guy who was sneezing his brains out in the waiting room". Sounded like sweet revenge to me!
He said that he was going to follow my lead and keep several at home to give away. I told him, previously, that I "hooked up my UPS guy, a postal worker and one of our garbage collectors" with kits. He remembered.
Then, he said, "Tell me more about what you know about allergies". So, while we waited for our respective garments to show up, I shared with him the information I learned from an article about the "curious" relationship between the seasons and suicide.
Over decades and in various countries, there are significantly more suicides in the early spring and summer than at other times of the year. The researcher decided the common link was pollen-induced allergies.
Then, he said, "Tell me more about what you know about allergies". So, while we waited for our respective garments to show up, I shared with him the information I learned from an article about the "curious" relationship between the seasons and suicide.
Over decades and in various countries, there are significantly more suicides in the early spring and summer than at other times of the year. The researcher decided the common link was pollen-induced allergies.
He's doing such an important job!
Any well-trained psychologist worth their salt would immediately question these results because it is well-documented that people who are depressed are prone to suicide kill themselves in the spring and into the summer because the world outside is very different from their inner experiences. Their inner life is very gray and dark, but outside, it is bright and colorful.
The study proved that the increase in suicides was dramatic. It was double among young women and four-fold in older women during peak pollen seasons in several areas around Dallas, TX. The same trend was seen in Tokyo.
Other studies have shown an increase in aggression and mood disturbances when people are suffering from allergies. The researchers concluded that these behaviors are related to inflammation that causes a chain reaction in the body and not specifically, to allergies alone.
Other studies have shown an increase in aggression and mood disturbances when people are suffering from allergies. The researchers concluded that these behaviors are related to inflammation that causes a chain reaction in the body and not specifically, to allergies alone.
Here's how this whole process works:
1. A speck of pollen touches the immune cells in the nose.
2. Those cells release the cytokines which are used to communicate messages between cells.
3. The cytokines travel up the nose and into the brain.
4. The brain's delicate "chemical soup" is disrupted leading to anxiety and impulsive behavior.
5. The cytokines may influence the brain by traveling through nerves or by triggering immune cells to attack healthy brain tissue which results in the angst and impulsivity that may lead people to harming themselves.
Cytokines have been found at high levels in the brains of those who suicide.
1. A speck of pollen touches the immune cells in the nose.
2. Those cells release the cytokines which are used to communicate messages between cells.
3. The cytokines travel up the nose and into the brain.
4. The brain's delicate "chemical soup" is disrupted leading to anxiety and impulsive behavior.
5. The cytokines may influence the brain by traveling through nerves or by triggering immune cells to attack healthy brain tissue which results in the angst and impulsivity that may lead people to harming themselves.
Cytokines have been found at high levels in the brains of those who suicide.
The researchers feel that they don't have enough evidence to confidently say there's a direct correlation. More research is necessary.
They recommend that doctors investigate the emotional well-being of their patients with allergies. It may be the case that treating allergies may improve mood and vice versa. It's a complex relationship.
If you see a family member struggling emotionally and they are also symptomatic with allergies, take it seriously. I'm not saying they'll kill themselves, but between compromised sleep, overall feelings of misery with no end in sight, it's important to get them the help they need. The NeilMed Sinus Rinse might be a good start. It was for me and for my new lawyer friend. But again, consult with your doctor. You may actually teach him/her something new! It happens!
Also, when the pollen count is high, best not to provoke the people around you. You may just be that "tipping point". Just sayin'...
Just do the best you can,
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
They recommend that doctors investigate the emotional well-being of their patients with allergies. It may be the case that treating allergies may improve mood and vice versa. It's a complex relationship.
If you see a family member struggling emotionally and they are also symptomatic with allergies, take it seriously. I'm not saying they'll kill themselves, but between compromised sleep, overall feelings of misery with no end in sight, it's important to get them the help they need. The NeilMed Sinus Rinse might be a good start. It was for me and for my new lawyer friend. But again, consult with your doctor. You may actually teach him/her something new! It happens!
Also, when the pollen count is high, best not to provoke the people around you. You may just be that "tipping point". Just sayin'...
Just do the best you can,
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
