Why So Many People in Colorado Springs Feel Weird Right Now (And Don’t Know It’s Allergies)

 This summer in Colorado Springs has been unusually green. Beautiful? Absolutely. But if you’ve been feeling  a little  off—dizzy, foggy, congested, or strangely tired—it might not be what you think.

It could be allergies. Even if you’ve never had them before.

A few weeks ago, my youngest son (who is a grown man) was struggling at work. He felt lightheaded, couldn’t focus, and was honestly a little worried. He went back into the break room and was feeling like he had to sit down. The next day, he got in to see a doctor, and the diagnosis surprised him: seasonal allergies. He had so much fluid built up behind his ears that it was affecting his balance. And he didn’t even feel “allergic”—no sneezing, no itchy eyes. Just dizzy and off.

A Wetter-Than-Usual Year in the Springs

Colorado Springs has had a wetter spring and summer than usual. In June alone, rainfall was 1.44 inches above average. Frequent rain and cooler days have fueled a burst of plant growth—and with that comes a surge in mold spores and pollen.

That’s not great news for your immune system. Even people who’ve never had allergy symptoms before are feeling the effects.

Symptoms You Might Not Realize Are Allergies

Allergies don’t always look like sneezing and itchy eyes. In Colorado Springs, especially during high-pollen or mold-heavy seasons, symptoms can include:

• Dizziness or ear pressure

• Brain fog or fatigue

• Headaches or sinus pain

• Post-nasal drip and coughing

• Irritability or poor sleep

Why Allergies Hit Differently in Colorado

Our high altitude and dry climate already strain the respiratory system. Add in wildfire smoke, explosive plant growth, and wind-borne pollen, and it’s no surprise that even healthy people are feeling “off” this summer. I am slightly relieved as I am “getting older” and it’s been a tough summer for me. I have forced myself to maintain my 100 miles per month, but haven’t been feeling it. Now I can blame it on allergies and not on my age.😆

How Naturopathic Doctors Can Help

Naturopathic doctors don’t just treat the symptoms of allergies—they work to identify and address the underlying factors that make your immune system reactive. That could include:

• Gut health and microbiome imbalance

• Food sensitivities or dietary triggers

• Environmental toxin exposure

• Inflammation and oxidative stress

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

• Mold exposure or hidden infections

They also work with evidence-based natural therapies—like quercetin, vitamin C, NAC, and local immune supports—to calm the response without suppressing your system. For the last several weeks, I have added all of that, and added a half hour nap a couple of days a week. A totally new experience for me.

You Don’t Have to Tough It Out

If you’re in Colorado Springs and feel like something’s just “off” with your health, don’t write it off as stress or age or overwork. (Although with me it CAN be all of these things, too!) It could be your body reacting to an allergy season that’s hitting harder than usual.

Here are a few practical ideas that have helped me personally—no medical advice here, just what I’ve learned from the ND community and from living in Colorado:

On high-pollen days, I try to skip sugar (it’s actually getting easier) and dairy before heading out — less mucus, less reactivity. A quick saline rinse when I get back home helps clear the gunk. I used to think those practices were kind of gross, but now they’re just part of my routine.

I’ve also experimented with supplements like I mentioned earlier: quercetin and stinging nettle — both of which some NDs recommend as gentler, non-drowsy antihistamine alternatives.

Allergies aren’t always just about what’s blooming — they’re often about how primed your system already is. I burn the candle at both ends more than I should, so instead of avoiding the outdoors, I’ve had to focus on making my body better able to handle allergy season. For me, that’s meant eating better, working on my sleep, and yes — even eating plain yogurt for gut health.

I can’t change everything at once, so I pick one thing at a time and stick with it until it’s habit. Over time, those small changes have improved some bad patterns, and I’ve noticed fewer symptoms. The changes have been slow and subtle — sometimes I don’t even realize it until I catch myself feeling good. Clear. Rested.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering how I know it’s a high-pollen day? The Weather Channel has a handy “allergy forecast” you can check. Sweet. Here it is: https://weather.com/forecast/allergy/l/Colorado+Springs+CO?canonicalCityId=c02dded5a48cf24a44c0eebaeac1d331