Seasonal Allergies Fatigue Brain Fog

How Allergy Symptoms Can Make You Tired

Allergies? Brain fog? Try this.

Your immune system responds to airborne allergens by releasing chemicals that create inflammation in your nose. As a result, you might experience nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose. All of these symptoms narrow airways, making it difficult to breathe, especially when youre lying downwhich can make for difficult nights sleep.1

While many people suffer from seasonal allergies , millions of Americans experience year-round symptoms. The culprit: indoor allergenssuch as dust mites, pet dander, and moldall of which can be found in the bedroom.2

How Can I Prevent Allergy Fatigue

Follow our tips below to prevent allergy fatigue:

Learn your triggers. Getting an allergy test at ENT of Georgia North can reveal exactly whats triggering your allergic reactions.
Practice avoidance. Once you know what youre allergic to, you can try to avoid it. For example, if youre allergic to pollen, you can stay indoors with the windows closed when pollen counts are high and hire a professional to do your yardwork.

Take over-the-counter medications. Antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids can all provide relief.
Use a neti pot. Neti pots, found at Wender & Roberts Pharmacy, relieve congestion by flushing out the nasal and sinus cavities.
Keep your head elevated. During sleep, elevating your head can prevent mucus from building up so you can sleep better.

Talk about immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a long-term solution for allergies that works by desensitizing your body to allergens over time.

For more information about allergy fatigue or to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist, call ENT of Georgia North today.

Why Do Allergies Make Us Tired

In the United States, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness. Allergens can exist both indoors and outdoors, and it can be a challenge to limit your exposure to them. When it comes to indoor and outdoor allergies, there are a few common culprits that can cause seasonal or recurring allergic reactions such as sinus swelling, nasal congestion or a runny nose, watery eyes, and tiredness. The most common triggers include dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet danderâall of which may cause fatigue.

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Schedule An Appointment With An Allergist Expert

You dont have to lay in bed whenever allergic reactions strike you down. Manhattan Medical Arts have expert physicians on board who can help you curb your allergy symptoms and can also help you figure out what you may be allergic to. Schedule an appointment in order to visit our board-certified physician or receive medical consultation online.

Ways To Prevent Allergy

Craig says people who can breathe easier at night, have a less interrupted sleep pattern and an improved quality of life.He found that study subjects who were treated with a topical nasal corticosteroid experienced improved night-time sleep and reduced daytime fatigue, and recommends nasal steroids as the first line of medical therapy in adults having AR with nasal congestion.Hoffman recommends taking extra vitamin C after an allergic reaction, as it is a natural antihistamine.

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Are These Secret Allergy Symptoms Affecting Your Life

Do you know all the different ways your allergies can affect your life?

Many people think that allergies just cause sneezing and itchy eyes. However, seasonal allergies can cause many other symptoms and side effects. Here are some hidden allergy symptoms and side effects that may secretly influence your quality of life.

How Are Seasonal Allergies Treated

Seasonal allergies are treated in a variety of ways. Most often, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines help suppress the bodys immune response, providing relief from symptoms. Decongestants can be used to relieve congestion. Over-the-counter cough medications are commonly recommended as well.

For people who need additional relief, antihistamine or steroidal nose sprays can be prescribed by your doctor. These help calm the bodys immune response to seasonal airborne allergens.

If you need more specialized care, your doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy. This helps your immune system build up a tolerance against an allergen by exposing you to the irritant in small doses. Allergen immunotherapy can be given in two ways:

Subcutaneous injections: Once your doctor determines what youre allergic to, she administers a series of shots containing those specific allergens. The shots are given in the doctors office over many months or years, usually in the arm.
Sublingual immunotherapy: As an alternative to injections, you can try prescription tablets or drops that dissolve under the tongue . Sublingual immunotherapy is only available for grass and ragweed allergies, however.

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Why Do Seasonal Allergies Make Us Tired

Seasonal allergies can do more than just cause a runny nose or coughwhen left untreated, they can lead to drowsiness and poor concentration, too.

Allergy fatigue is the result of your body working hard to fight off a foreign invader. Its similar to the way your body fights a virus like the common cold or the flu, which can also leave you feeling drained.

When you have an allergic response to something like dust, pollen, or pet dander, your body also releases proteins , which can cause inflammation in your nose. Chronic inflammation has been linked to fatigue and depression.

Allergies can also indirectly cause you to feel tired during the day by disrupting your sleep at night. Common allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and congestion can make it hard to get a good nights rest, making it hard to stay focused the next day.

Treating seasonal allergy tiredness isnt always simple, either. Common medications like Benadryl often cause drowsiness as a side effect. Fortunately, there are ways to manage fatigue and stay alert during allergy season.

How To Avoid Allergy Fatigue

How Helen Found Relief From IBS, Chronic Fatigue, Allergies & Brain Fog

Find out whats causing your symptoms

Try to keep track of your symptoms and what you believe may have caused them. Keep an allergy kit at home which will allow you to narrow down the possible allergens causing the symptoms.

You can also keep a journal to track which symptoms are caused when you are exposed to a particular thing. Like if you always feel nauseous after having milk, you are probably allergic

Limit the exposure

If you have figured out what allergens are causing allergy fatigue and other allergy symptoms, you can try and limit your exposure to them. If you are allergic to something thats in the air like dust or pollen, try wearing a mask outside.

Opt for Allergy Medication

Some medications and prescriptions work well in dealing with allergy symptoms. Allergy Shots can curb the symptoms in about 85% of people suffering from allergic reactions. Although before opting for this route always consult your healthcare provider.

Some allergy medications contain antihistamines, people are often concerned about whether antihistamines make you tired? There are some side effects attached to it. It may cause drowsiness and sleepiness in some people so it is advised not to operate any heavy machinery or drive after having antihistamines.

Visit your healthcare provider

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How Long Does It Take To Work

Training your immune system to stop reacting to an allergen can take time. Thats why we recommend beginning the therapy, especially for pollen sensitivities, at least several months before the start of your typical allergy season. Weve been using sublingual desensitization at the Magaziner Center for over 30 years and have found it to be an extremely safe and effective treatment.

References

2 Jarosz M, Syed S, Bachut M, Badura Brzoza K. Emotional distress and quality of life in allergic diseases. Wiad Lek. 2020 Jan 1 73:370-3.

Take Your Allergy Medication In The Evening

Antihistamines are a common and effective way to manage seasonal allergies, and modern allergy medicines are less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines. However, some people may still feel tired after taking an allergy pill, especially if they havent taken one in a while.

To help reduce drowsiness and feel more alert during the day, take your daily antihistamine in the evening rather than first thing in the morning.

Consistency is also key to reducing the drowsiness caused by antihistaminesthe longer you take a daily allergy medication, the more easily your body will be able to tolerate those side effects.

Not all antihistamines are intended for daily use, so talk with your doctor before starting or changing any allergy medications to make sure its a good fit for you.

If Allergies Make You Tired Fastmed Can Help

Managing your allergy symptoms starts by finding the source of your allergies. FastMed offers allergy testing at all locations. Be sure to let us know about any over-the-counter medications you are already taking to relieve your symptoms.

Keeping an allergy log is another tool that can help identify what is causing your symptoms. When you feel especially fatigued, jot down what you were exposed to that day.

Your FastMed provider may recommend combination treatments, including prescription medication, nasal sprays and eye drops. Well also discuss over-the-counter medications that are less likely to make you feel drowsy but can still alleviate your symptoms.

For more severe allergies, ask your FastMed professional if you are a good candidate for allergy shots. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America confirms that allergy shots are a highly effective treatment, reducing symptoms in about 85% of people with allergies.

Can Allergies Make You Tired

The short answer: yes. But, instead of the actual allergy causing fatigue, there are a number of allergy symptoms that could be making you feel exhausted. In fact, there are actually a few potential reasons why your allergies are wiping you out. And, when combined, they can lead to some serious fatigue.

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What Is Brain Fog Exactly

Brain fog or mental fog is a cognitive state characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of focus.

Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches can accompany mental fog.

The term brain fog is often used to describe the feeling of mental exhaustion or zoned out that can happen after a long day.

It can also be a symptom of depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, or sleep disorder.

People who experience brain fog often describe the condition as a mild cognitive impairment that usually lasts for a few days. However, others find it as a cognitive dysfunction that goes on for months.

The Bodys Inflammatory Response

If you have allergies, your immune system identifies harmless substances as threats to the body. When exposed to these allergens, the body triggers an immune system response to get the allergen out of the body.

This response causes the release of histamine, a natural chemical that leads to inflammation. The release of histamine is responsible for your allergy symptoms and can make you feel foggy and tired as your body fights to rid itself of the allergens.

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How To Prevent Allergy

Step one is getting to the source of whats causing your allergies in the first place. An allergist can help you do just that. He or she can perform allergy testing by skin testing or by blood work to help identify any allergy triggers, says Patricia Takach, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Penn Medicine.

Why Do Allergies Make You Tired Its About Inflammation

Indigestion, food allergies, food limitation , eczema, fatigue, apathy, brain fog, depression

Allergic reactions cause inflammation in your body, and when your immune system is inflamed, it takes extra energy to respond. Say you are allergic to pollen or dust mites your immune system views these allergens as invaders and springs into action whenever you are exposed to them.

How does your immune system fight allergens? By releasing chemicals called histamines, which not only make you feel tired but can cause symptoms like swelling, itching and trouble breathing.

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Controlling Allergies Will Improve Academic Performance

To provide symptomatic relief to children suffering from seasonal allergies, its best to begin with natural methods of prevention and treatment:

Choose times and places for outdoor activities on the basis of pollen count. Spring vacations and weekend outings should be arranged in locations with fewer flowering trees and grasses, when possible.

Help children wash their hair and change clothes when they come inside from playing. Launder the clothing to remove any lingering pollen.

If pets have been playing outdoors, dont let them into the childs bedroom. Keep bedroom windows closed, and use air conditioning if cooling is needed. The relief of an allergy-free space each night can make a big difference during pollen season.

Natural allergy remedies such as butterbur and astragalus have been found effective against seasonal allergies, according to the U.S. Governments National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. These and other herbal remedies are worth trying before turning to pharmaceutical options.

When working to ease the effects of seasonal allergens, consider the health of the entire body, including the child’s brain. Academic success depends on a healthy and well-balanced brain brain health begins with a well-nourished body that isn’t struggling against allergy attacks.

Find Out What Youre Allergic To

In order to treat your allergies, you have to know what youre up against.

An allergy test can help identify substances that trigger allergic reactions in your body. These substances, known as allergens, can be things you breathe in, things you touch, or things you eat.

A skin prick allergy test involves exposing the skin on your arm or back to small amounts of allergens to then see what you react to. These tests are typically done in a single sitting, and youll get results right away.

A blood allergy test can also check for allergens and is useful if you take a medication that can interfere with results or if your doctor suspects you may have a severe allergic reaction to even a tiny amount of an allergen.

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Find Relief From Fatigue Caused By Allergies

Fatigue can be caused by allergies and this can be frustrating. But it doesnt have to be forever. Diagnosing and treating your underlying allergies is the best way to find relief from your symptoms, get better sleep, and wake up feeling rested. Being tired can negatively impact your quality of life in many ways, but an ENT expert can help you address your issues and get back to a life free from fatigue from allergies. Schedule an appointment to discuss your allergy symptoms with a specialist today.

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Does Yale Medicine Offer Specialized Allergy Care

Yale Medicines Allergy & Clinical Immunology physicians have expertise in diagnosing and treating allergies and immunologic diseases. The department schedules weekly conferences to guide care of complex allergy cases, so patients benefit from multiple expert opinions.

In addition, we conduct research to determine the molecular basis of allergic disorders in order to develop new ways to treat people with allergies. Our goal is to help you better enjoy the seasons as they turn by keeping the achoos in check.

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Take A Shower Before Bed

Taking a shower before bed can help wash pollen or other allergens out of your hair or off your skin, ensuring that you are not bringing allergens into bed with you. Taking a shower or bath before bed may even improve your ability to get a good nightâs sleep by lowering your body temperature, which can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. This should help you feel more rested when you wake up the next morning.

Why Do Allergies Cause Brain Fog

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Q. When I have allergies or a cold, I find it difficult to think. How does sinus congestion affect the brain?

A. The short answer is no one really knows why people often report feeling fuzzy headed when they have allergies or a cold.

Its not something you could demonstrate on a test or scan, said Dr. Richard Lebowitz, a rhinologist and otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Medical Center.

But the condition is real. Children with untreated allergies perform worse in school than others, research has found, in part because allergies can interrupt sleep and make children feel tired, but other factors may be involved as well. Young students grades improve when their allergies are treated with nonsedating, long-acting medication, studies suggest.

The thought is allergies are essentially inflammation in the nose and sinuses, said Dr. Mark Aronica, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic. This inflammation triggers the release of proteins called cytokines as part of the immune response.

The same process happens when you have a cold. These cytokines are there to help fight infection, and also have an impact on our ability to think and function and perform, Dr. Aronica said. The result is that people with allergies or a bad cold often feel as if they are seeing the world through cheesecloth.

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