(NaturalNews) As allergy season continues, it is important to remember that there are several natural options and that it is not necessary to take Claritin and Benadryl this year. These over-the-counter medications are highly dangerous and will put people at risk of developing several complications if they take them.

Keep these side effects in mind this spring, as many experts are claiming will be one of the worst allergy seasons in years!

Complications to common allergy medications

According to Javed Sheikh, M.D., Clinical Director of Allergy at Beth Israel Deaconess and full-time faculty at Harvard Medical School - over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications can harm people in a variety of ways:

1. Chronic fatigue - To stop the runny nose and itching associated with allergy attacks, diphenhydramine (the primary ingredient in Benadryl and other antihistamines) does more than block histamine. Its non-specific approach reacts with acetylcholine receptors and can cause significant drowsiness. Unfortunately, these wide-spectrum medical approaches have serious impact on the entire body because multiple systems are damaged in the process.

2. Decreased libido - It is a well-known fact that medications, which stop natural physiological processes, have what is referred to as a "depressive effect" on the body. Compound the fact that antihistamines oftentimes cause fatigue, and many people unfortunately experience various levels of decreased sex drive when they take allergy pills.

3. Weight gain - Adding insult to injury, people on antihistamines are not only less likely to exercise because they battle fatigue, they can gain excess weight because of increased appetite. In fact, researchers from Yale University published a study in the journal Obesity that described how the odds of becoming obese and developing metabolic syndrome are directly related to whether or not people take antihistamines.

4. Natural sense disruption - Taste buds and nasal mucosa are also oftentimes affected when drugs are taken to control allergies. Ironically, this can lead to more symptoms because these natural defense mechanisms are now unable to warn the body of allergens in the air or in food.

5. Infertility - Although limited research is available to confirm that allergy medications cause female infertility, a growing number of resources suggest that, because allergy pills dry mucous membranes in the cervix, some women may experience difficulty getting pregnant while on the pills. Regarding male infertility, however, antihistamines have repeatedly been shown to decrease sperm mobility, which can lead to an inability to conceive.

6. Pregnancy complications - In addition to infertility, a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology suggests that a relationship exists between antihistamines and pregnancy issues, such as hyperemesis gravidarum (a condition causing pregnant women to experience extreme nausea, vomiting, and dehydration). Not only were antihistamines rendered relatively useless in treating this debilitating condition, it was discovered that they contributed to increased symptoms in about 50 percent of the 254 women evaluated.

7. Anxiety - Decongestant pseudoephedrins are often added to allergy meds. Like Sudafed, these dangerous chemicals can have the same effect on the body as drinking Red Bull. In addition to causing sleep problems and restless, they can lead to a fast, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure and anxiety.

8. Depression - For people with existing depression or mental illness, the sedative effects of most allergy medications can exacerbate their condition. Additionally, lethargy, weight gain, anxiety and the other side effects listed above can trigger depression as well.

Sources for this article include:

Fields J. Allergy Medicine: 8 Surprising Possible Side Effects. [Internet]. Copyright 2014. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Ratliff JC, et al. Association of prescription H1 antihistamine use with obesity: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2010; 18(12):2398-400.

Fejzo MS, et al. Antihistamines and other prognostic factors for adverse outcome in hyperemesis gravidarum. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2013; 170(1):71-6.

Hayashi T, et al. Asthenospermia in hay fever patients improved by stopping treatment with histamine H1 receptor antagonists. Interna- tional Journal of. Urology 2006; 13: 1028-1030.

Louis MP, et al. Two cases of gynaecomastia with cetirizine, a second- generation antihistamine. Therapie 2004; 59: 163-164.

About the author:
Eric L. Zielinski, DC (c), MPH (c) has devoted his life to natural health and wellness for over a decade. Inspired by the timeless principles in the Bible, Eric's mission is to seek out ways to provide people with simple, evidenced-based tools that they need to achieve the Abundant Life. Formally trained as a chiropractor, Eric's primary approach is to serve his patients and clients through natural health care, nutrition counseling, spiritual mentorship, and empowering life strategies!

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