Family Homeopathy in Wimbledon

Hay fever

Millions of Britons suffer from hay fever. In 1997, a study found that 35% of 13-14 year olds suffered from it. Whereas some people are affected mildly for only a few weeks, others are struck by a whole range of symptoms lasting from early spring through to early autumn.

The symptoms of hay fever

Symptoms include itchy, watering, red and swollen eyes, runny, stuffy and itchy nose, sneezing, itchy palate, itchy and sore throat, wheezy breath, coughing and asthma. A headache may accompany these complaints and occasionally the symptoms may flare up and look like an acute infection needing to be treated with antibiotics. Whilst in most cases hay fever is not life-threatening, it takes the joy out of spring and summer time activities for many children and adults alike.

Possible factors contributing to hay fever

One possible explanation for the prevalence of hay fever may be the frequent use of paracetamol at infant age as exposed by a study reported on by The Times newspaper. According to this study frequent use of paracetamol (as little as once a month) below the age of 1 year increases the risk of developing asthma and hay fever by 48% in 6 year olds “Calpol generation may be vulnerable to asthma and hay fever”, study says http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4783572.ece. Other factors more prominently seen in adults may be environmental such as relocation to a different country or emotional such as bereavement. Inheritance plays an important part, as hay fever belongs to the group of atopic conditions such as asthma and eczema which tend to run in families.

Medical treatment and side-effects

Medical treatment cannot cure the condition and so aims at relieving the symptoms during the season. Decongestants, antihistamines and steroid medication are commonly used and may be prescribed as drops, sprays, inhalers, injections or tablets. Whilst these bring relief to most, they do not cure the complaint and it usually returns when no medication is used. Some people experience side-effects such as nose-bleeds, but most complain of a general drowsiness induced by antihistamines.

This may be especially inconvenient or even worrying for GCSE and A-level students and people who need to remain very clear-headed due to special responsibilities at work. Poor exam results are a common feature amongst hay fever sufferers and this in turn may lead to feelings of frustration, poor confidence and even depression.

Homeopathy as an alternative

Homeopathy may offer an alternative to the medical approach. Whereas anti-histamines and steroids are employed to suppress the abnormal reaction to pollen, the homeopathic approach aims to strengthen the immune system so that it may become less sensitive to pollen. In other words, the idea of the homeopathic approach is to retrain the immune system to accept pollen as a substance that it is not worth staging a full-scale war against. The continuous reaction to pollen saps resources from our immune system and leaves us tired and depleted.

Homeopathic treatment

Homeopathic therapy includes a first appointment lasting up to 2 hrs. There are no physical examinations, but I will guide the patient through a set of questions to establish all individual factors in the case. Details such as inherited tendencies, likes and dislikes as well as possible triggers of diet or environment are all important pieces of information that lead me to prescribe the most appropriate remedy. The homeopathic remedies will be sent by post within a few days together with instructions on how to take and store them. The patient will also be advised when to come for a short follow-up appointment and how and when to contact me in between appointments for ongoing support.

Prognosis

With homeopathy, it may be possible to reduce medication dramatically. To help reduce the allergic tendency and to strengthen the immune system the therapy needs to be continued through he autumn and winter, but at a less intense level. In subsequent seasons the symptoms may gradually ease off.

Family Homeopathy