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.
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.
What Am I Allergic To
If you currently dont have any answers to why youre feeling so sleepy and sniffly, consider allergy blood testing. You can also think about getting a patch test, which is most effective for detecting allergies to airborne substances such as dust, mold, pet hair, and pollen. Once you know the allergens that are causing you trouble, you can begin to avoid them.
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What Happens During An Allergic Reaction
When your immune cells encounter an allergen, they produce a type of antibody called gE antibodies. These antibodies activate the mast cells a type of white blood cell to release histamines. Histamines are the mediators of an allergic reaction that cause inflammation.
This exaggerated immune response in allergies brings about many cellular and chemical changes in the body that result in various symptoms.
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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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 Treat Allergies
Youve done your due diligence and reduced the allergens in your home. Sadly, you might still be dealing with allergy symptoms. Prescription allergy medicine or an allergy shot may helpbut when your allergies are really bringing you down, its time to bring in the big guns.
Yeah, that means avoiding whatever is causing the allergies in the first place. If youre allergic to pollen, limit your time outdoors during the peak season. If youre allergic to your BFFs cat, it might be time to hang out exclusively at your pad. And if your bedding is full of dust mites? Invest in a hypoallergenic, antimicrobial eucalyptus comforter, which naturally minimizes dust mites and mold so you can sleep easy.
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So Why Do Allergies Make You Tired
There are actually a few potential reasons why your allergies are wiping you out. And, when combined, they can lead to some serious fatigue.
Youre not breathing well.
When this happens, youre not getting oxygen as easily, and your body has to work a little harder to operate normally, which can wear you out, says Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network.
The immune response is tough on your body.
Allergies cause bodily inflammation, and when your immune system is inflamed, your body uses up a fair amount of energy and resources to make an immune response, says Kara Wada, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Plus, when youre having an allergic reaction and histamines are released, that can make you feel tired, notes Dr. Monteleone.
Youre having trouble sleeping.
Seasonal allergies tend to cause nasal congestion, and that disturbs your ability to get a good nights rest, says Dr. Monteleone.
Your medication is wiping you out.
Certain allergy medications, including first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine can make you feel tired, says Stanley Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., division chief of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Consider Keeping Pets Out Of The Bedroom
Having pets on the bed can be an issue even if this isnt your primary allergy, since pets can have dust, pollen or other allergens clinging to their fur when they enter the room. Those with a pet dander allergy should strongly consider keeping pets off of the bed or out of the bedroom to make sleeping easier without allergy symptoms.
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Consider Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
While allergy medications provide short-term relief from symptoms, and often lose their effectiveness if overused, immunotherapy is a more long-term approach to allergy fatigue treatment. Immunotherapy slowly introduces the body to more and more of the allergen it is allergic to so that it builds up a tolerance and no longer reacts as strongly. Allergy shots are an older form of immunotherapy that are very effective, but this treatment has some associated risks and requires frequent office visits. Allergy drops are just as effective but can be done easily from home with daily drops under the tongue, making this one of the best ways to manage and eliminate allergies causing fatigue.
Schedule An Appointment With An Allergist Expert
You dont have to lay in bed whenever allergic reactions strike you down. Manhattan Medical Arts has 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.
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Can Allergies Cause Extreme Fatigue
Allergies occur when the body immune system responds to a strong reaction to substances called allergens. People with allergies not only have mild discomfort but also feel extremely tired. Can allergies cause extreme fatigue? Yes. For more information about allergies, contact a specialist. Some of the ways in which allergies cause fatigue are discussed as follows.
Do I Need To See A Doctor
In some cases, your allergic reactions or the ensuing sleepiness will prompt you to seek medical attention. Allergic reactions can be dangerous, so its important to understand what youre dealing with. A stuffy nose usually isnt serious, but other symptoms might be an indication of anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
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Sinus Discomfort And Sore Throat
A lot of pet allergies involve cold-like symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing. Cat allergies can cause post-nasal drip, which involves thick mucus sliding down your throat and creating a sore throat.
This symptom isnt constant, making people believe its caused by seasonal allergies or fighting off a cold. If you always feel like you have a sore throat and the start of a cold or sinus infection, it could be your cat.
Can Allergies Make You Tired Your Ultimate Guide
by Body Health Info Team | Health Quote Of The Day |
If you suffer from allergies, you know that they can make you miserable. From a runny nose to constant sneezing, sinus congestion to coughing, there are many symptoms associated with allergies. You may also be wondering about one symptom in particular, though: can allergies make you tired?
Image via pixabay
The short answer to this is that yes, allergies can make you tired. In addition to making you congested, which can make it difficult to sleep, when your body has an allergic reaction it often releases chemicals that make you feel tired. Essentially, your body is telling you to sit down and rest so it has energy to deal with the allergic reaction.
The chemicals that your body releases help you fight your allergies. However, they can also make your nasal tissues swell, which will make your congestion worse. Between your nasal congestion and inability to sleep, you may become too tired to function well. Many people refer to this state as “brain fog.”
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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.
What To Do Next
After youve found the culprit or cause of your allergy symptoms, there are many things you can do to lessen your allergic reactions and get you back to having a good nights sleep.
First, you should limit your exposure to your allergen as much as you possibly can. You may also want to hire a professional cleaner to do a deep clean of your home, as mold and dust are likely culprits.
If pollen in the air is an issue or it simply cant be avoided, your allergy specialist in NYC may provide you with the proper medication to help you cope with your specific allergen. They may also suggest taking a specific over-the-counter allergy medication that you can obtain at your local pharmacy.
In addition to medication, your allergy may require allergy shots. Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that desensitize your body to the allergy by introducing the allergen to your body slowly but surely. A certain amount is introduced, but not enough to cause an allergic reaction. This allows your immune system to get used to the allergen, building up an immunity to it altogether.
Another option to maximize good sleep while fighting off allergies is to consider nasal strips before bed. Nasal strips are applied to the outside of the nose and are kept on while you sleep. These strips help to open up your nasal passageways, increasing the airflow and therefore your ability to breathe.
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Allergies And Chronic Fatigue
It is not uncommon for a person who suffers from allergies to also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome . Symptoms of CFS include extreme exhaustion that does not have any known cause. The first step is to talk to your doctor so they can assess for potential illnesses. If they cannot find the cause, then your next step should be to take to an allergist.
Why? Because it is often the case that a person with CFS has an over-sensitive immune system. When you consider that allergies can be caused by over-sensitive immune systems, it is easy to see that why the conditions often exist together. It is often the case that by treating allergies, fatigue can be reduced. Other things can affect both fatigue and allergies, such as mold spores and other environmental irritants.
Why Cant I Just Catch Up On Sleep At Night
Its not that you cant sleep, its that allergies can cause both insomnia and very fragmented sleep, explains Dr. Kansagra, who serves as the director of Dukes Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program.
The inability to fall asleep, or period waking, is due mainly to irritation and discomfort.
Allergies may cause mucous buildup, and swelling and inflammation in the airway that can lead to sleep apnea, which is intermittent blockages in your airway while you sleep, said Dr. Kansagra. This leads to low quality of sleep.
Remember, when allergies are triggered, your body is waging war against the allergens.
A meta-analysis in the Public Library of Science looked at the association between allergic rhinitis and sleep.
Researchers found that those with allergies reported higher incidents of nocturnal dysfunctions, including insomnia, restless sleep, sleep-disordered breathing, and snoring.
The same research also found the nighttime issues led to daytime dysfunction, including difficulty waking up, daytime sleepiness, morning headache, and the use of sleep medications.
Even if you cant remember waking up from your allergy symptoms during the night, you probably did, says Dr. Haden.
Even getting the recommended eight hours of sleep doesnt mean that those were eight quality hours of deep sleep, he adds.
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What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue
Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like having caffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.
Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, in order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.
Viral Or Bacterial Infection And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, head or body aches.
Fatigue can be a symptom of infections ranging from the flu to HIV. If you have an infection, you’ll probably have other symptoms like fever, head or body aches, shortness of breath, or appetite loss.
Infections that may cause fatigue include:
- Flu
Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, deep muscle pain, painful tender points, sleep problems, anxiety, depression
Fibromyalgia is one of the more common causes of chronic fatigue and musculoskeletal pain, especially in women. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are considered separate but related disorders. They share a common symptom: severe fatigue that greatly interferes with people’s lives.
With fibromyalgia, you may feel that no matter how long you sleep, it’s never restful. And you may feel as if you are always fatigued during daytime hours. Your sleep may be interrupted by frequent waking. Yet, you may not remember any sleep disruptions the next day. Some people with fibromyalgia live in a constant fibro fog — a hazy feeling that makes it hard to concentrate.
Constant daytime fatigue with fibromyalgia often results in people not getting enough exercise. That causes a decline in physical fitness. It can also lead to mood-related problems. The best way to offset these effects is to try to exercise more. Exercise has tremendous benefits for sleep, mood, and fatigue.
Continued
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Things You Should Know Aboutallergy
- 09 Jul, 2020
Allergies can cause all kinds ofunpleasant, distracting symptoms, from digestive upsets and headachesto respiratory trouble and runny eyes. However, you may also haveexperienced another few hallmark symptoms of allergy problems:fatigue, drowsiness, and mental sluggishness.
If you have had noticeable troublegathering your thoughts, maintaining your alertness, or even stayingawake during the day, you need to understand how your allergies maycreate or aggravate your tiredness. Take heed of the following fourkey points about allergy-related fatigue.
1. Allergens Cause BiochemicallyBased Fatigue
An allergic reaction occurs when yourimmune system goes into battle by mistake, attacking a harmlesssubstance as if it were a virus or other germ. It does this byinstructing mast cells to produce antibodies for release into thebloodstream. These antibodies belong to a category known asimmunoglobulin E.
In addition to immunoglobulin E, theimmune system releases a substance called histamine. When both ofthese substances produce an inflammatory reaction in the body, youmay experience a sense of tiredness alongside other, more obviousallergic symptoms.
2. Allergic Sinusitis Can CauseBrain Fog
Individuals who feel dazed and unableto think well often describe their problem as brain fog. While brainfog may occur in association with many health problems, most notablyfibromyalgia, it can also occur as a side effect of a conditioncalled allergic sinusitis.
