You Suffer From Chronic Headaches And/or Migraines
You have headache pain upon awakening in the morning, several hours after a meal, or even a day after eating certain foods. This is often due to food sensitivities which act as migraine triggers, and/or trigger a hypoglycemic response.
Solution: Keep a food diary and write down everything you eat. Notice patterns of how certain foods affect you. Certain foods and additives are known migraine triggers . Sending off a food allergy profile can be helpful in determining which foods may adversely be affecting you.
Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms
When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.
Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.
For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.
For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.
Inflammation Cortisol And Pain
Inflammation caused by gluten can also raise your cortisol, a stress hormone secreted by your adrenal glands. In acute situations, cortisol is a good thing. It actually helps regulate inflammation. It also raises your blood sugar to ensure you have enough energy to overcome imminent threats.
However, chronic inflammation leads to chronically high cortisol, which can have negative effects. For example, your cells may stop responding to cortisol. This creates many problems, including the uninhibited release of corticotropin-releasing hormone , which may activate inflammatory immune cells. CRH may also bind to cells in the brain and cause pain in the absence of tissue damage.
When cortisol is high, its also more likely to bind to the wrong receptors on your cells, which can set off a cascade of events that ultimately creates more inflammation.
As I just mentioned, cortisol raises your blood sugar. This is helpful in the short term. But over time, high blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes and more pain. For example, nerve damage is a common side effect of diabetes, which can cause bone and joint pain, numbness, cramps, tingling, and burning sensations. Diabetes is also associated with weight gain and obesity, which can put more pressure on your joints and cause pain.
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Allergies Hay Fever And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, headache, itchiness, nasal congestion, and drainage
Allergic rhinitis is a common cause of chronic fatigue. But allergic rhinitis often can be easily treated and self-managed. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will assess your symptoms. The doctor will also find out, through a detailed history or testing, whether your allergies are triggered by pollens, insects , animal dander, molds and mildew, weather changes, or something else.
One way to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis — including fatigue — is to take steps to avoid the offending allergen. In addition, proper medication can help with symptoms. Drugs that might help include:
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Mast cell stabilizers
Allergy shots — immunotherapy — may help in severe cases. This treatment involves weekly shots of increasingly higher solutions of the offending allergens. Allergy shots take time to be effective and are usually administered over a period of 3 to 5 years.
Can Pollen Allergies Cause Body Aches
Pollen allergy is very common millions of Americans are affected by this allergic reaction. An individual can be allergic to the pet dander, pollen, foods, dust and even plants. But, can pollen allergies cause body aches?
Discomfort is the main issue with pollen allergy. Sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat and wheezing are common symptoms of pollen allergy. Hives, itchy skin, cough and body aches are not frequent.
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What Are Body Aches Like With Coronavirus
People using the app have reported feeling muscle aches and pains, particularly in their shoulders or legs. COVID-related muscle pains can range from being mild to quite debilitating, especially when they occur alongside fatigue. For some people, this muscle pain stops them from doing day-to-day tasks.
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When To See Your Healthcare Provider
Body aches related to allergies can also often be a symptom of cold, flu, or viral infection. Consider visiting your healthcare provider if:
- Your body aches last more than a few days
- You have a temperature of higher than 103 degrees
- You experience persistent nausea or vomiting
- You have pain in the ribs, lungs, or chest
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Certain Allergy Medications Can Worsen Fatigue
Even though they work to relieve some symptoms, certain allergy medicines can actually make you more tired. Antihistamines in particular have been known to cause drowsiness, however, most newer, second-generation pills are designed to be non-drowsy. Still, it is important to always read labels carefully, and consult with a doctor if unsure which allergy medications may cause increased fatigue.
Treatment And Management Of Body Aches
Medications can help relieve body aches or pain along with other allergy symptoms. The main OTC options for allergic rhinitis include:
- Antihistamines like Benadryl or Allegra
- Nasal spray steroids like Flonase , also available in prescription strength
Allergy shots also may be used to prevent seasonal allergies.
To reduce muscle and joint pain, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Aleve or Advil may help. You also can try:
- Taking a warm bath or using a heating pad
- Trying an ice pack if heat doesn’t work
- Hugging a pillow or towel against your chest when you cough or sneeze
- Avoiding excess physical activity to allow your muscles to heal
An allergist can conduct specific skin or blood tests to identify allergies and develop an appropriate treatment plan. If you’re managing body ache symptoms at home, be sure to speak to your allergy specialist before changing how you use your medications or adding new ones.
Seasonal allergies usually strike during spring, summer, or fall, depending on your specific allergens. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent seasonal allergies and body aches. However, there are things you can do to help manage your symptoms. You can try to:
Weather can have a significant impact on seasonal allergies. While rain washes pollen away, pollen levels can spike right after a rainfall. Other allergens, such as mold, thrive in hot, humid weather.
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Why Do Seasonal Allergies Make You Feel Sleepy
As the weather warms and pollen begins its dance across the sky, some peoples bodies hurl them into a storm of watery eyes, runny noses and sneezing fits.
But sometimes the spring and summer months also bring bouts of tiredness. Can people with allergies also blame this on seasonal allergens? The answer is yes there are several ways that seasonal allergies can make us feel low on energy.
An allergy or allergic reaction is, by definition, a fight that the body puts up when its faced with a foreign invader, such as pollen, said Dr. Kara Wada, an allergist and immunologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The body expends a lot of energy in making all of the cells, proteins and all of the other substances that build up during an allergic response, also known as inflammation, she said.
This energy expenditure wears out the body and some of the same chemical signals in addition to fighting off what it sees as an enemy, makes you feel unwell and rundown, she said. This effect in seasonal allergies is like a watered-down version of the extreme tiredness that can overtake people who eat something theyre allergic to.
Allergies can also indirectly cause you to feel tired by robbing you of sleep. Its not uncommon to hear that people have poorer quality sleep from their allergies, Wada told Live Science, especially if their nose is so stuffed up they have to breathe from their mouth or post-nasal drip wakes them up in the middle of the night.
How To Get Tested For Allergies Causing Fatigue
As we have discussed above, both seasonal and year-round allergies can cause fatigue. Getting tested is the first step to feeling better if your allergies are triggered by pollens, animal dander, mold, dust mites, cockroaches, weather changes or possibly something else.â
âToday, testing for allergies can be both convenient and accurate. When combined with a detailed medical history, allergy testing can very often identify the specific trigger of your symptoms.âSays Ivor Emanuel, M.D, board certified allergy & otolaryngology specialist.
If your fatigue is caused by allergies, the best treatment is to get your allergies under control. Once you have been tested and have identified your allergies, you can work on avoiding triggers and controlling your environment. There are also other non-pharmaceutical and non drowsy medications available today.
Common allergy tests include:
- IgE Blood tests If you have allergies, your blood will contain certain IgE antibodies that show youâre sensitivity to many possible allergen triggers.
- Skin tests This involves pricking your skin with a needle to expose you to a small amount of an allergen. If youâre allergic, youâll develop a raised bump on the area of the allergen prick you are reacting to.
- Physical exam There are many physical signs of allergies, from skin irritation to nasal and breathing problems. These may help your doctor diagnose your allergies.
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Surprising Signs You Have An Allergy Or Sensitivity
Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities dont always turn up as a runny nose and itchy eyes. According to Leo Galland, MD, coauthor of The Allergy Solution, allergies are great mimics because they can manifest in unexpected ways. Many people may be suffering an allergy or sensitivity-related symptom and have no idea that an underlying immune reaction is the root cause.
These are some of the common symptoms of a sensitivity-related reaction or allergy that, on the surface, appear to be something else.
When To Seek Medical Attention
If youre experiencing chest pain, dont ignore it this could be the sign of a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Other symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or numbness in the neck, jaw or limbs
- Feeling hot or cold
- Feeling clammy or sweaty
For more information about body aches and other allergy symptoms, or to schedule an appointment with an allergy expert, call Spartanburg | Greer ENT & Allergy today.
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Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Body Aches Back Aches And Joint Pain
If youre wondering whether seasonal allergies can cause back aches and joint pain, youre not alone. There are plenty of ways seasonal allergies are related to back pain and joint pain as well.
For starters, it is possible to experience joint pain with a cold. Because both allergies and a cold cause similar symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, and stuffy nose, some people confuse a cold with allergies.
Colds are typically accompanied by a sore throat and coughing, and maybe even a fever and body aches in your neck. However, some people who suffer from inflammation because of their allergies experience joint pain as the body attempts to flush out the allergen.
Which Antihistamine Is Best For Tree Pollen
Recommended treatment for pollen allergies includes: over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines such as Allegra, Benadryl, or Clarinex decongestants like Sudafed nasal steroids like Beconase, Flonase, or Veramyst and drugs that combine antihistamines and decongestants like Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D.
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Dr. Frisch is committed to educating his patients on the latest information and technology in orthopedic care. Check out his blog to learn about the latest trends in healthcare.
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As fresh flowers emerge in the springtime, so do seasonal allergies. The main culprit is pollen released into the air by the green grass, mold, trees, and colorful flowers in full bloom. Nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a sore throat are common symptoms. But can seasonal allergies cause joint pain? Yes, they can. Lets look at how seasonal allergies affect your joints:
Many people complain of an increase in joint pain around this time of the year. This is because the pollen in the air lands on your skin, eyes, and nose triggering an allergic reaction in the body. The immune system works hard to fight against the foreign allergens. This causes fatigue and inflammation within the body. The inflammatory reaction spreads to the joints and manifests as joint pain.
Steps to prevent seasonal allergies:
If your joint pain continues even after getting allergy symptoms under control, you should visit an orthopedic doctor for an in-depth evaluation and treatment recommendation.
How Are Food Allergies/sensitivities Diagnosed
People with food allergies know exactly what food causes their allergy. They eat peanuts or a product with peanuts in it and immediately have a reaction. Their food allergy was diagnosed using either blood tests or skin tests.
In an allergy skin test, a very small drop of a liquid food extract, one for each food, is placed on the skin. The skin is then lightly pricked where the food extract was dropped. This is safe and generally not painful. Within 15 to 20 minutes, a raised bump with redness around it, similar to a mosquito bite, may appear. This shows that you are allergic to that food.
There are two accepted methods in determining a food sensitivity:
Laboratory tests
Lab tests for food sensitivities measure IgG or IgA antibodies to particular food proteins. Ideally, a lab will test both, as you can have a reaction to one but not the other. Once a food allergy is ruled out food sensitivity tests are run. For example, if you suspect you react to peanuts, ruling out a peanut allergy should be your first priority. Should the food allergy test show that you are not allergic to peanuts, your doctor may decide to investigate a peanut or legume sensitivity.
Elimination or reset diets
Your fatigue is different than the fatigue of anyone else you know. Youre a unique snowflake and your nutrition should reflect this. Food might not even be the cause of your fatigue. But the only way to find out is to experiment.
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Do You Have A Cold The Flu Or Allergies
The above table details the symptom differences between all three conditions.
The common symptoms of a cold, flu and allergies are a stuffy or a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a cough, a headache, or even fatigue. Two differing symptoms are a fever or aches/pain, these would not be caused by allergies, but could be due to a cold or the flu. Symptoms of the flu are often more severe than a cold.
While the symptoms are similar, the origin of the conditions are different. A cold and the flu are both caused by different viruses, whereas allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a trigger. Common inhalant allergy triggers are pollen, dust, mold, pet dander.
How Do Allergies Cause Extreme Fatigue
Allergies can cause extreme fatigue in multiple ways. It not only affects nighttime sleep and disrupts sleep, but also can induce daytime fatigue as allergies can wear down the immune system over time.
The allergens upset the immune system. When we are experiencing allergy symptoms our immune system is constantly working to keep releasing chemicals to help make us feel better. This constant running of the immune system can leave your body feeling overworked, weakened, and exhausted.
While allergies can cause fatigue, they can also cause brain fog. Allergic sinusitis affects the amount of oxygen being taken in from your nose due to blockage and congestion. This lower oxygen level in the body can decrease daytime mental efficiency as well as cognitive function. This results in “brain fog”. Some of us might think that it is a placebo effect due to the state of feeling unwell, but it is actually a side effect that can occur with allergic or chronic sinusitis.
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Food Allergy Food Sensitivity And Fatigue
In anyone with fatigue, understanding food allergies is important as many people with chronic fatigue have significant food allergies and intolerance. In addition to fatigue, symptoms of food intolerance often include digestive complaints like bloating or diarrhea, headaches, muscle pain and brain fog. A common reason for developing food allergy and intolerance is poor gut wall function and other digestive issues. Even irritable bowel syndrome, a common diagnosis with intermittent diarrhea and constipation, can be triggered by food allergy.
The University of York in the U.K. conducted a survey to help understand the benefits of elimination diets based on the results of a food intolerance test. Out of 436 who reported experiencing fatigue, 87% reported a boost to their energy levels having removed their trigger foods, defined as foods which show a positive IgG reaction to antibodies in the blood. Overall in the study, 76% of people who rigorously followed the recommended diet reported a benefit, 68% of which experienced this after 3 weeks. Other improvements included digestive issues 80% headaches, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, joint pain all improved between 70 and 80%
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