Mario Ojeda, Jr.

‘'Tis the season to be allergy-free

Joyce, a customer service rep, stands outside the company terminal I drive for, sneezing and teary-eyed. The morning is cloudy and drizzly, and I’m debating whether to go for my daily five-mile run. Someone informs me that the TV weatherman has not called for rain and that the sun should be breaking out by noon. Joyce immediately expresses a differing opinion. She claims her allergies are more accurate than the weatherman’s predictions and that it will rain within an hour or so, and suggests I go out and run right away. Guess what? She was right! Luckily, I got my five miles in for the day.
     For people like Joyce, the onset of seasonal allergies each year is dreadful. Statistics show that one out of every three people in the United States suffers from chronic, allergy-like symptoms. The most common causes are air pollutants, pollen, temperature, smoke, cats, dogs and dust mites. Symptoms include sneezing, itching, watery eyes, nasal congestion, postnasal drip and sore throat.
     When I first started my career in professional, over-the-road driving, I noticed that changing climates around the country affected my general health. Prior to my driving career, about the only thing that would cause me to sneeze and itch was being close to freshly cut grass, ragweed or cats. After driving professionally and experiencing different climates, however, I have developed more intense allergies. Since becoming more health conscious, I have learned to control my allergies through the benefits of good nutrition, exercise, water consumption and rest. With a little bit of willpower, research and discipline, I have restored my body to better health.
     Many of us aren’t keen on the idea of taking medications and/or injections to treat our seasonal allergies. And, in fact, a more natural and holistic approach may bring better results, not to mention fewer negative side effects. Medical references stress the importance of vitamin C consumption. In treating allergies, vitamin C reduces histamine production in the body by breaking down histamines released during the onset of allergies. Vitamin C also reduces inflammation within the body, which, in turn, helps keep breathing passages clear. This can be beneficial, especially to allergy and asthma sufferers. Other natural antihistamines are green tea, grape seed extract, pycnogenol and pantothenic acid (vitamin B complexes).
     Lastly, keep in mind the importance of sleeping at least six to eight hours a day, and doing at least 30 minutes of walking, stretching and other physical exercise daily. As drivers, it can seem hard to find time for getting exercise. However, if you consider taking a few minutes here and there from other activities, you may be able to dedicate 30 of those minutes to maintaining your health. You will be much better for it, since a well-rested, healthier and happier driver is, indeed, a safer driver.
     Mario Ojeda Jr. is a professional over-the-road driver.