Can Allergies Cause Muscle Weakness

Food Allergies And Joint Pain

Seasonal allergies arent the only type of allergies that can contribute to joint pain. Certain foods can cause your body to have an inflammatory response because of a pre-existing condition, a food sensitivity or allergy. Inflammation is what causes the joints to swell and create pain or discomfort. There are two main culprits for food-related joint pain:

• Arthritis
• Food allergy or sensitivity

If you already have arthritis, then you probably have experienced some amount of joint pain in the past. Although there are many different types, arthritis is basically inflammation that affects your joints, causing pain and stiffness. Some patients with this condition experience increased inflammation after eating certain foods. This is especially true of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, especially in the hands and feet.

Even though arthritis causes your body to be in a constant inflammatory state, its important to be aware of the triggers that can cause bouts of increased inflammation and lead to painful joint symptoms. Some foods known to impact arthritic patients and cause joint pain include:

• Food allergy/sensitivity test
• Elimination diet
• Nutritional deficiency test

Whether it be gluten, dairy or an assortment of other foods, identifying and eliminating these triggers from your diet could help you manage joint pain. An anti-inflammatory menu will also be beneficial to your overall health and well-being.

Joint Pain: Youre Not Alone

In a recent national survey, nearly one out of every three adults in the US reported having joint pain within the last 30 days. In this survey, deep pain was the most common complaint, followed by shoulder and hip pain

Joints connect your bones together, providing your body with support as you move. Joint pain can impact just about any part of your body, including the ankles, feet and hands. While joint pain can occur at any age, it becomes increasingly common as a person ages.

Damage to your joints caused by injury or disease cannot only interfere with movement, but can also be a common cause of pain. Some of the most common conditions leading to painful joints include rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, gout, strains, sprains and other injuries, such as in sports.

As with back pain, joint pain can vary greatly in terms of severity in the amount of time that it lasts. For example, joint pain that resolves within a few weeks is referred to as acute. However, many people suffer from chronic joint pain, or pain that lingers for weeks or months at a time.

Other common causes of joint pain include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
• Seasonal allergies

Can Allergies Affect Joint Pain

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If you suffer from allergies, you likely know the toll they can take on your sinuses. But what about the rest of your body? Can allergies affect joint pain? Believe it or not, allergies, whether seasonal or food-related, can affect joint pain. Allergy symptoms appear for a variety of reasons, but some symptoms like joint pain may occur because of the humidity and rapid temperature changes that accompany the spring season.

During allergy season, many individuals experience a spike in allergy symptoms, particularly when there is a high pollen count. Some individuals will have mild symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing.

Others, on the other hand, can experience pain in their neck, back and joints. Joint pain is widespread. A national survey showed one-third of adults claimed to have experienced joint pain within the previous 30 days.

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Niacin And Other Headache Triggers

You may have a food intolerance if you have the same negative physical reactions to the same food consistently, in a manner that is not caused by an allergy. Food intolerances generally involve less severe symptoms, and people can often have small amounts of the food in question without trouble. Sometimes, a food intolerance means that certain foods cause headaches.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that 20 percent of people who see doctors for recurring headaches have certain foods that cause these symptoms. Most of the findings in this area are based on self-reporting, which can be flawed. However, patients consistently report that the following foods can trigger headaches:

• Monosodium glutamate

• Diarrhea
• Unexplained weight loss

Untreated celiac disease makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. As such, people with the disorder may experience other symptoms related to malnutrition, including joint pain, osteoporosis, infertility and canker sores. The only treatment for celiac disease is a completely gluten-free diet. However, going gluten-free seems to only help people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Gluten is a protein found in certain grains, including wheat, barley and rye. Going gluten-free involves more than just buying special bread and pasta, however. You can find gluten in spice mixes, sauces and additives in all kinds of foods.

Read More:9 Foods You Didn’t Know Contain Gluten

Can Joint Pain Be Treated

To help understand joint pain, your doctor will first try to determine an underlying cause. Once you discuss the potential causes with your doctor, treatment options can vary based on the reason for the joint pain.

As with back pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help with moderate to severe joint pain. If you have milder pain that is not accompanied by inflammation, it is possible that taking Tylenol for a short period of time will provide relief.

Other drugs that may help reduce joint pain include antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs and muscle relaxants that can treat muscle spasms. Some people may find relief by taking two drugs at once, such as muscle relaxants and NSAIDs. It is important to consult with a doctor before doing this.

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Food Intolerance Or Food Allergy

Food intolerances are very common. In fact, many people often confuse food intolerance with food allergies. However, they are different.

Food allergy

A legitimate food allergy causes an immune system response, which affects several organs within the body. These reactions can vary from moderate symptoms, like developing hives or a body rash, to life-threatening symptoms, such as anaphylaxis, which causes your immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock.

Other symptoms of food allergies include:

• Tingling of tongue, lips or face
• Swelling of hands, feet, mouth or tongue
• Rapid pulse or arrhythmia
• Wheezing or trouble breathing
• Blurred vision

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should speak to your primary health care provider or seek emergency care if needed.

Food intolerance

In contrast, food intolerances typically have less serious symptoms and are more commonly related to the gastrointestinal tract. The most common food intolerances are lactose intolerance and food additive intolerances, such as monosodium glutamate or flavor enhancers.

Food intolerances with digestive tract symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Abdominal bloating
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramping

Food intolerance does not cause bloody or black stools, fainting, abnormal heart rates, muscle weakness or seizures. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should speak to your primary health care provider.

Prevalence of food intolerance

Food Allergies Intolerance And Reactions

If a specific food makes you feel ill, the reaction could be an allergy, an intolerance or some other kind of reaction. Many people label all negative reactions to food as allergies. After all, the end result is the same whether you have an allergy or an intolerance to a certain food: you must avoid the food that triggers your reaction.

However, the reactions inside the body are different, and lead to varying symptoms. The Mayo Clinic reports that the most common food allergy symptoms are:

• Itching and tingling in the mouth
• Dizziness and fainting
• Itchy skin, associates with hives or eczema
• Abdominal discomfort, including diarrhea and vomiting
• Swelling in the mouth, throat or other parts of the body
• Difficulty breathing, including wheezing and nasal congestion
• Anaphylaxis, which is life threatening

As such, you are not likely to experience a food allergy with fever, headache and fatigue. Instead, such symptoms may be signs of intolerances, other underlying disorders, or contaminated food.

Read More:10 Facts You Need to Know About Food Allergies

Read Also: Allergy Symptoms Mayo Clinic

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Dermatomyositis is a rare condition and is best managed by a multidisciplinary team and may even require referral to a tertiary care center. All physicians must be able to recognize the typical presentation of dermatomyositis as most patients initially present to a rheumatologist, internist, family physician, or pediatrician, depending on their age.

Concomitant treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants should be given to patients who are resistant to treatment with glucocorticoids alone or have extra muscular complications or severe weakness. Sun avoidance and sun-protective measures are recommended in all patients with skin disease. Rehabilitation in the form of resistive exercises should be started in the early phase of the disease as it can improve daily functioning. Patients should be followed up at regular intervals to follow the course of the disease and to monitor for response to therapy, adverse effects of therapy, systemic complications, and malignancy.

Sleep Disorders And Fatigue

Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, feeling exhausted upon awakening, snoring

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that disrupt or prevent restful, restorative sleep. That can take a toll on your health and quality of life, so its important to look out for signs and symptoms.

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Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. If you or your partner notices loud snoring and you wake up tired and stay that way, you could have sleep apnea. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. snore at least a few nights a week. But if the snoring stops your breathing for seconds at a time, it could be sleep apnea. Learn more about the best sleep positions and see if sleeping on your stomach is bad or not.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes low blood oxygen levels. That’s because blockages prevent air from getting to the lungs. The low oxygen levels also affect how well your heart and brain work. Sometimes, the only clue that you might have sleep apnea is chronic fatigue.

Your doctor may prescribe a medical device called CPAP that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may help. The surgeon will remove tissues that are blocking the airways. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

But sleep apnea is just one of many sleep disorders that cause fatigue. Other common types include:

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So Can Seasonal Allergies Really Cause Back Neck And Joint Pain

Yes! It sounds strange but seasonal allergies can absolutely cause back, neck, and joint pain. The main reason for this is because allergies cause inflammation. This inflammation is caused by your body trying to rid itself of the allergens causing the reaction.

Another factor in increased joint pain during allergy season is fatigue. Because your body is working so hard to fight these foreign allergens, you can become exhausted easily, which has been known to exacerbate joint pain. Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing can also cause sore muscles and joints.

How To Manage Fatigue Associated With Allergies

Managing fatigue from allergies usually requires figuring out how to best manage the allergy itself.

If youre struggling with allergies and associated fatigue, your doctoror an allergistcan diagnose your allergy and recommend a treatment plan to stave off tiredness and other allergy symptoms.

Here are some of the most impactful ways to improve fatigue from allergies:

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Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Weakness Of Both Legs

• Are you allergic to anything?
• Do your symptoms improve with Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin, known as NSAIDs?
• Have a friend stand across from you and hold out a finger. Touch that finger and then touch your nose. Move the target finger around and start going faster. Are you having trouble?
• Do you find yourself getting weaker and weaker?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

How To Manage Symptoms

• Management

Although not often discussed, seasonal allergies can lead to body aches and pain in addition to other symptoms like congestion, coughing, and watery eyes. This is due to increased inflammation in the body. Repeatedly coughing and sneezing can trigger even more pain. Read more to learn how to better manage seasonal allergies and help prevent body aches.

Verywell / Mayya Agapova

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Aches & Pains After Eating 5 Signs It May Be An Undiagnosed Food Allergy

If you experience unexplained chronic fatigue, joint aches, muscle pains, headaches, memory problems, or sleep disorders, it may be worth it to check what you’re eating.

People are frequently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, or a psychiatric disorder, such as anxiety or depression, typically because physicians are unable to find another cause for their symptoms.

Can we do better? Patients who come to see me with chronic symptoms often have many potential overlapping medical issues contributing to their chronic illness. Some of the biggest culprits? Food allergies, food sensitivities and nutritional deficiencies. That said, your aches and pains could very well be caused by what you’re eating.

Trembling In The Hands And Weakness In The Legs

Trembling of the limbs is an involuntary frequent reduction of various groups of muscles in the arms or legs. The condition when hands are shaking and there is weakness in the legs is often and often not the result of any one reason. This condition is physiological, essential, parkinsonian and cerebellar. Let us consider these states in more detail.

• Essential tremor and muscle weakness can be hereditary, or can be associated with age. This pathology increases with motor activity: it is not dangerous, but it significantly affects the quality of life of the patient.
• Parkinsonian tremor and muscle weakness is usually present in Parkinson’s disease and, as a rule, is accompanied by hypokinesia, or without it. Symptoms often occur in a state of rest.
• Cerebellar tremor and muscle weakness are observed in the defeat of the cerebellum, which controls the movements. This may be a manifestation of multiple sclerosis, congenital cerebellar ataxia, etc.
• Physiological trembling of the hands and weakness in the legs is the most common condition. It is associated with nervous overexcitation, anxiety, fear, overfatigue, hypothermia, withdrawal syndrome and certain diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems. Often, trembling in the hands and weakness in the legs appear after taking large doses of caffeine, or with prolonged exposure to the sun.

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How Can You Treat Back Pain

If youre suffering from back pain, there are several potential treatments to consider.

Medications, like topical analgesic creams and ointments, may offer pain relief. Analgesic medications are over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain and swelling. These drugs often referred to as NSAIDs, include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. It is possible to get a stronger NSAID from a doctor.

If you have chronic back pain, additional medications may include muscle relaxants and even antidepressants. However, these options may not work for everyone.

Medications are just one treatment option. You may prefer to use hot or cold packs, or both, to ease a sore and stiff back. These packs offer a number of benefits. Heat helps reduce pain and muscle spasms, while cold reduces swelling and numbs more intense pain.

Exercise is another treatment option, especially if the cause of the problem is weight-related. However, it is important to note that while exercise can ease chronic pain, it is not ideal for acute back pain. Individuals suffering from either types of pain should seek advice and clarification from a doctor or physical therapist.

Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion

Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances — or allergies — can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.

Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test — or invest in a home test such as ALCAT — which may help you identify the offending foods.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain, inflamed joints

Rheumatoid arthritis , a type of inflammatory arthritis, is another cause of excessive fatigue. Because joint damage can result in disability, early and aggressive treatment is the best approach for rheumatoid arthritis.

Medications that may be used early in mild RA include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

Other drugs used in more serious forms of RA include the anti-cytokine therapies , as well as shots and other forms of treatment.

Other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Sjogren’s disease, may also cause fatigue.

Deterrence And Patient Education

Patients and their families should be educated about the nature of the disease, its progression, prognosis, and the need to monitor for adverse effects of medical therapy. In addition, the following measures are recommended:

Sun Protective Measures

Patients should be advised to avoid sunlight, use sunscreen, and adopt sun-protective measures such as wearing wide-brimmed hats and full-body covered clothing to prevent the worsening of photosensitive skin rash.

Diet

Patients with severe muscle inflammation may require a high protein diet. The presence of esophageal dysfunction may require a special diet and an elevation of the head of the bed after meals.

Physical Activity

Physical exercise and rehabilitation is an important part of dermatomyositis management. Aerobic exercise and resistance training help to enhance muscle strength. Range of motion exercise is also helpful to prevent contractures. If muscle inflammation is severe, sustained rest should be advised, and physical activity should be avoided.

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