Achoo! Fall Allergies are Here Again

The bad news? Pollen levels are on the rise, pollen seasons are longer and more and more people are developing allergies. The good news? There are ways to fight back.

Fall allergies, chiefly triggered by pollen from the ragweed plant, mold and dust mites, will likely last up to 27 days longer than usual in the northernmost spots of North America. Why is this happening? According to scientists, we're using more carbon-based fuels, which generate greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) that trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere. As a result, plants and trees flower earlier each spring and frost over later in the fall, extending allergy season. Carbon dioxide also boosts the amount of pollen each plant generates, increasing pollen levels.

Does it seem like more and more people around you have allergies? You're not imagining things. The number of Americans who have allergies is two to five times higher than it was five years ago. Why is that? Experts point to several theories:

• We're too clean - that is, our immune systems are quicker to overreact to otherwise harmless substances such as pollen. This is due to our bodies being exposed to less dirt and bacteria.
• On the flip side, our environmemt is too dirty. Pollution (including exhaust fumes) can trigger allergic flare-ups.
• Our diet isn't helping. Processed, preserved foods throw up the bacteria balance in the gut, setting us up for allergic sensitivity.

So what's the good news? Well, there are more treatment options on the market than ever before, including non-sedating antihistamines, steroid sprays and eye drops. Experts also suggest eating whole, fresh foods in an effort to normalize gut bacteria.

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