Cold vs Allergies: Which Do You Have?

Cold weather is finally here! That means it’s time for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, warm sweaters, and.. fall allergies. 

If you’re experiencing a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, or coughing, you may be one of the more than 50 million Americans that suffer from allergies each year. Or, you could have a cold –– and telling the two apart isn’t as simple as it may seem. 

Allergies and colds are two very different diseases. Allergies are an immune system reaction to substances like pet dander and pollen, while the “common cold” is an infection caused by a virus that typically lasts 7 to 10 days. 

Colds are transmitted through virus droplets that a sick person sheds when they cough or sneeze, and, despite its name, you can catch a “cold” at any point in the year — Yes, even in the summer. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the average healthy adult catches two or three colds per year.

While seasonal allergies are most common in the springtime, when hay fever and allergies caused by trees are heightened, many Americans experience seasonal allergies during the early fall months, too. Cool autumn air can even harbor irritants that are just as aggravating as pollen (Seriously!). 

So, why do people confuse the two so easily? 

It’s all about your symptoms – and the way you respond to them. Once you learn the difference between allergies and colds, you can find the right method of relieve for your symptoms — fast. 

One major signifier that you struggle with allergies and not a cold? Timing. If your cold-like symptoms develop suddenly and occur for long periods at the same time each year, you likely struggle with seasonal allergies. Unfortunately, people with allergies may be more prone to catching colds. 

Symptoms of the common cold include: 

• Sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, in addition to coughing and sneezing 
• For more severe colds: headaches, fevers, and body aches 
• If symptoms last more than a week or two, the virus may contribute to a more serious infection, such as a sinus infection, pneumonia, or bronchitis 

Allergy and cold similar symptoms: 

• • Sneezing 
  • Coughing 
  • Sore throat 
  • Runny nose 
  • Nasal congestion 
  • Watery eyes 

Telling them apart: 

The symptoms that colds and allergies DON’T share can be more telling than anything. Colds are more likely to cause fatigue, aches and pains, sore throat, and fevers. Allergies are more likely to cause itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin rashes such as eczema or hives. 

When trying to decide what ailment you’re experiencing, consider these three things: 

1. Time of the year 
2. Duration of symptoms 
3. What treatments are helping 

Consult with Dr. Judy if you are unsure about which category your symptoms fall under. 

Natural remedies for seasonal allergies: 

• Detox your body by eliminating fried foods, sugar, alcohol and other toxins from your diet or try liver supportive foods and herbs such as milk thistle, turmeric, artichoke, citrus fruits, and nuts 
• Cleanse your nose with a neti pot, sinus irrigator, or nasal oils
• Try acupuncture to help address underlying imbalances within the body 
• Take probiotics to help stimulate the production of immune-enhancing substances
• Add essential oils like peppermint, basil, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil to your bath, tea, massage oil, or oil diffuser to help reduce allergy symptoms 

Natural remedies for colds:

• Stay hydrated with water, juice, or warm lemon water (with honey) to help prevent dehydration and loosen congestion
• Sip warm liquids such as tea, soup, or warm apple juice to soothe aches and increase mucus flow 
• Add moisture to the air by using a cool vaporizer or humidifier 
• Boost your Vitamin C intake to reduce phlegm 
• Most importantly, rest: your body needs time to heal. 

Dr. Judy uses Standard Process supplements and doTerra essential oils to promote a healthy immune system all year round. If you are suffering from Cold or Allergy symptoms, speak with Dr. Judy at your next adjustment and get the relief you need!

Ticks: Dangers, Prevention Tips, and Treatment.

Ticks are a sensitive subject during the summertime in North America. And for good reason: a quick google of the word ‘tick’ will bring up stories such as “A New York Man Was Killed by a Rare Brain-Infecting Disease Spread by Ticks” and “Ticks are Reaching Record Numbers in North Carolina” – and it’s only August. 

Adult ticks – which are about the size of a sesame seed – can be active any time the temperature is above freezing, but they are most active during the warmer months. They are particularly pervasive from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November.

Ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses or parasites, and carry pathogens that can be passed onto humans through the bite of an infected tick. The most commonly found tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever. 

In the United States alone, more than 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); however, health officials have acknowledged that the true number of cases is likely much higher. 

Lyme has been diagnosed in almost every state, but recent reports show that 90% of cases stemmed from 14 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

Celebrities from Shania Twain to Avril Lavigne, Alec Baldwin, Yolanda Hadid, and Ben Stiller have been outspoken about their battles with the illness. Lavigne has even used her platform to spread awareness, famously telling People Magazine in 2015 that she was “bedridden for five months” due to her crippling symptoms. 

There is no direct way to test for Lyme disease – doctors can only test for the presence of antibodies that your body releases in response to the disease. If a test comes back negative, it may be that the antibodies haven’t built up enough to be detected, so if you think you have Lyme disease, it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible. 

Lyme disease – transmitted by the black-legged tick – has been called the “Great Imitator,” because its symptoms can mimic hundreds of other medical problems.

Symptoms of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases may be subtle or pronounced, and range from digestive and respiratory issues to vision impairments, neurological issues, and skin problems. 

Prevention Tips (and what to do if you’ve been bitten) 

Be tick aware. Use these prevention tips to maximize your safety!

• Avoid areas where ticks live: woodpiles, long grass, leaf piles, and beach grass.

• Apply doTerra’s TerraShield Outdoor Blend which contains powerful essential oils and other plant oils known to provide outdoor protection in a natural, safe way.

• Alternatively, other EPA-approved tick repellents (such as DEET) can be used, but we recommend trying natural products first. 

• Remove your clothing once you get home and toss it into the dryer for 10-15 minutes at a HIGH temperature. 

• Examine yourself and your pets DAILY.

• Check EVERYWHERE: ticks love to hide and are often found in hairy, hot places on your body. (Yes, even your armpits.) 

For more information on all common tick-borne diseases, go to  https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html. 

How Chiropractic Can Help with Symptoms

A Science Daily report shows that 15% of patients with Lyme disease develop central nervous system involvement – resulting in painful, sometimes debilitating symptoms. And, this is not exclusive to Lyme disease: it can be felt by any tick-borne illness.

New research also indicates that inflammation plays a major factor in the neurological changes associated with Lyme. Chronic Lyme symptoms include fatigue, restless sleep, aching joints and muscles, speech problems, decreased short-term memory, and pain and/or swelling in the knees, shoulders, elbows, and other joints. 

Inflammation is a normal and healthy way for the body to preserve itself. It helps the body to heal by removing harmful irritants and pathogens. The issue arises when inflammation becomes chronic. At this point, the body responds by creating even more inflammation.

While there is no one answer or quick remedy for fixing the ailments caused by Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to prevent inflammatory reactions in the body. For people who don’t want to take medication, or have found that it isn’t enough to resolve their pain, chiropractic adjustments can help with the aches and pains by triggering a positive response in the immune system.