Using food to help ease your child's Hay fever

Using food to help ease your child’s

Hay fever

BY CLARE MARCANGELO

The flowers are in full bloom, the sun cream is out on the benchtop, Nippers has started, it’s safe to say that Springtime is well underway. However much we may enjoy the warmer weather and longer days, for many people Spring can bring a real sense of dread Hay fever season.

Hay fever and other chronically occurring allergy conditions are commonly caused by an allergic reaction to mould or pollens from trees, grasses and weeds, dust, or animal dander. The immune system believes the offending substance such as pollen to be an invader, which immediately triggers production of the antibody immunoglobulin E. This then causes histamine to release, deliberately resulting in inflammation and swelling of nasal passages, excessive mucus production and possible added symptoms like itching of the skin or throat, sneezing, weeping eyes and runny noses. This alone is something most parents would like to avoid, but to add to this, the potential disruption to normal breathing and/or sleep could contribute to fatigue, learning issues and decreased general wellbeing. To avoid these symptoms, some children may need to avoid airborne pollens and irritants by staying indoors during days with a particularly high pollen count.

For others it may mean regular doses of antihistamines or even steroid medications just to be able to enjoy Spring without suffering continual allergic symptoms. As costly and inconvenient as this strategy may sometimes be, it’s also possible for some of these medications to lead to further health issues when used in large volumes long term. This is certainly a concern

that I hear from many parents, as many would like to find an alternative for their child wherever possible. In these cases, we can look to diet for a little help.

Firstly, understanding Histamine and its function is key. Our

body’s incredible immune modulator, it kicks in when we need it,

but did you know that many foods such as aged

and preserved foods contain Histamine, while many other foods like chocolate and cheese can encourage Histamine production? That in mind, it makes sense that if your child does suffer from Hay fever, giving them antihistamine medication coupled with a diet that may drive up their histamine levels will be considerably less effective. In this case, it would be best to speak to your Paediatrician or Nutritionist for a helpful plan to avoid these foods during these periods. Additionally,we now understand that there is a link between people who typically suffer from allergies, asthma and eczema and their gut health. Your health professional will be able to shed some light on this, and a plan for improving gut health can be made. It is worth mentioning however that a big portion of gut healing protocol tend to include fermented foods. These foods really need to be introduced in a specific manner for those with allergies and hay fever, as they have the potential to increase Histamine and make matters far worse, so working within your own health plan is important.

You may also like to ask for a guide to antihistamine foods in order to reduce your child’s symptoms naturally, but to get an idea, here is a short guide to using food to help treat Hay fever.

Some people find it helpful to avoid dairy foods during flareups. Not only can cheese and milk help encourage Histamine in the body, which we want to avoid in these cases, but dairy can contribute to mucous production. Certainly not what we need for an already congested child. In this case, nondairy milk alternatives may fit the bill. Capsicum, kiwi fruit, broccoli and mango contain Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, acting as potent antihistamines and anti-inflammatories. This also supports strong immune function.

Including onion and garlic in your child’s diet will enhance antiinflammatory properties, may help reduce congestion and both contain Quercetin, which is a powerful antihistamine.

Cooking dinner with Turmeric will add Curcumin to your child’s diet, which itself is known to have anti-allergy properties, inhibiting the release of histamine.

The naturally occurring antioxidants and Vitamin A in colourful veggies can promote healthy immune function, and help drive down inflammation.

Ginger is known to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and can help reduce nasal stuffiness. It’s a bit spicy and therefore not always tolerated by children, so why not make a nice ginger and turmeric filled curry or stir fry including all the lovely veggies, onion and garlic from this list? Or alternatively a refreshing fruit and ginger smoothie might be happily consumed next time your little one’s Hay fever symptoms flare up.

Using food to combat the symptoms of Hay fever may not be quite the immediate fix that over the counter medicine is, but it can definitely help your child’s health in the long run.

WHERE CHILDREN THRIVE Enrol now

Central Coast Council owns and manages eight education and care centres across the Coast that can provide your child with a nurturing learning environment to help them grow and develop to their full potential. The benefits of our centres:

Community based, (Not-for-profit) Play/Interest Based Learning Opportunities Transition to School Programs Qualified and experienced educators SunSmart approved Healthy cooked meals included Bush Kindy/Outside the gate program Free speech pathology assessment, reviews and programming

Anxiety

The struggle is real

BY LINDIE NELL

Maybe you are someone that does not suffer from an anxiety disorder and you struggle to understand how it feels? You might also struggle to understand how someone can’t just “shrug it off”, “go on with life” or “move on”. Today’s article is not about reducing anxiety but about getting a glimpse into of life of a teenage girl that struggles with anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is a natural human response to a threat or fearful situation that puts a person on “alert” to help us prepare to deal with the threat. The body responds in this way to survive. However, for someone with severe anxiety, there is no real threat but their body responds in the same way and can stay in the alert state. This can be a daily struggle for some people.

Let us take a closer look: the following poem has been written by a beautiful I girl. She has the most beautiful heart, she has a beautiful singing voice and is a high performing student. She also struggles with anxiety.

The anxiety struggle is real. According to a nationwide study, Young Minds Matter, anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder are the second and third most common mental health disorders in Australia and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are experienced by approximately one in seven or 560,000 young people in Australia.

Help is available and early intervention is important to support children to develop strategies to manage their anxiety.

*The above are only snippets from the poem. Permission has been obtained to publish the poem.

Lindie is a mental health clinician at The Heart & Mind Collective and specialises in working with children who have experienced trauma and attachment difficulties. Lindie also works with children with anxiety and behavioural problems, Contact Lindie on 0424 882 013 or visit the website www.heartandmindcollective.com.au

THE ANXIETY POEM

Good morning crippling anxiety! Nice to see you, again. Oh, I slept horribly too, again. But I love waking up next to my cute friend. My crippling anxiety. Who helps me view society in a demented way. A way that’s riddled with phobia. A way that means I can’t watch movies without getting panic attacks. Even movies like Zootopia. But it’s fine, because you sugar coat slavery and call it safety. Plate it on a silver platter and offer it to me. You’re only making me do what’s best for me. You’re only making sure I’m not too carefree. Or too happy. You’re only turning me into a control freak

You’re not that bad.

I also can’t sleep. And if I get sleep which I won’t which is neat, but if I get sleep it’s controlled by anxious dreams. And when I sneeze it’s an anxious sneeze, and when I breath it’s an anxious breath. I’m constantly scared of death. Everything I do is riddled with anxiety and stress.

All I ever do is hyper ventilate. I can’t concentrate for more than two seconds. That’s no way to live I reckon.

This is no way to live. A life where Good moments are just a blur. Good poems are just a slur.

This is my life. Where stepping in the shower feels like drowning. My heart beat drowns me. My anxious heart beats loudly. My therapist’s not that proud of me. Because I can’t do anything unless it’s done anxiously.

MY LIFE IS:

Good morning anxiety! Good night anxiety! I’ll see you mess my life up tomorrow anxiety! Hate you too. I’m a disappointment to all my friends and family because of you.

I can’t come to your party.

And I’m so used to replies like “Someone has it worse than you” Or “So and so is coming to my party and they get stressed too!” or “Just stop being afraid” or “try yoga and you’ll be ok”

And I’m sure yoga’s great,

But you have no idea what it’s like to be me for a day.

But please invite me to things. Because if you don’t, I’ll hate myself.

I can’t eat with the door completely shut because what if I got stuck. What if the door just magically decided not to open? What then? You think I’m joking but ask my friends I can›t eat, or sleep or breath with the door completely shut.

No, I’m not sick. I’m just grieving.

I’m the freedom I’ve lost. And the time I’ve wasted.

I can’t cry with the door completely shut. Because I need someone to hear me.*

New clinic opens to help Central Coast Cancer Patients

Recovering cancer patients on the Central Coast have celebrated the opening of a new facility in Erina last night, with the official launch of Cancer Rehabilitation & Lymphatic Solutions state-of-the-art specialised clinic. Having treated hundreds of patients across the region to assist in their cancer recovery, the specialist clinic has been specifically designed to offer cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema services to patients during and after their cancer treatment. Cancer Rehab & Lymphoedema Therapist and Clinic Founder, Kate Perkins, said the clinic offers a warm and welcoming environment for patients to regain their strength and confidence throughout their cancer treatment and beyond.

“We’re so excited to be able to offer this space to all of our patients and anyone requiring support and assistance during treatment and throughout their cancer recovery,” says Kate.

“The clinic offers a welcoming and supportive environment, with a dedicated exercise floor space, and two comfortable treatment rooms. “Our programs are designed to help people diagnosed with cancer during and post treatment to regain strength, movement and energy through education, as well as individualised and group exercise programs.”

The Clinic also offers internationally renowned PINC & STEEL Next Steps classes; combining Pilates, yoga and cardiovascular exercises specifically

designed to rebuild strength, flexibility and stamina following cancer treatments. “The results reported by those who have completed the PINC & STEEL programs worldwide confirm the positive impact they have and continue to have long after the program has been completed,” adds Kate.

Cancer rehabilitation services at the new facility include: early monitoring for cancer related lymphoedema; patient education relating to fatigue management and exercise benefits; scar tissue management; breathing techniques; lymphoedema risk minimisation strategies; postural and movement patterns.

Lymphoedema services include: the assessment, treatment and management of primary and secondary lymphoedema: prescription of compression garments; Manual Lymph Drainage Massage; Low Level Laser Therapy; patient education; early monitoring and detection of cancer related lymphoedema.

All services are Health Fund claimable, with EPC GP Management Plans accepted.

Cancer Rehabilitation New spacious location dedicated to Cancer rehabilitation; individual & group prescribed exercise programs.

Kate Perkins, B.App.Sci (Occupational Therapy) helps people who have undergone surgery and related treatment for cancer gain recovery of strength, movement, and energy. » Lymphoedema monitoring pre/post cancer treatment » Assessment and management of Lymphoedema » Strength After Breast Cancer prescribed exercise program » Scar tissue management – surgical, adhesive scar tissue, cording » Lymph and Scar Taping techniques » Low Level Laser Therapy » Manual Lymph

Drainage massage » Compression garment prescription » Patient Education » EPC and Health Fund Claimable Call us on 02 4312 7033 to make an appointment

@lymphaticsolutionsau E: info@lymphaticsolutions.com.au https://lymphaticsolutions.com.au

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