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.
Nasal Congestion Nausea Or Vomiting Runny Nose And Sneezing
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 8/31/2020
and can sometimes occur when you have upper respiratory conditions that cause nasal stuffiness and . reactions including hay fever or reactions to indoor allergens can cause these symptoms. Keep track of the pattern of your symptoms. If you are experiencing or concerning symptoms, seek the advice of your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Can Allergies Cause Dizziness
Mohammad A Younus, M.D. contributes to topics such as Allergy and Immunology.
Have you ever felt faint, lightheaded or unsteady on your feet when you were experiencing an allergic reaction? It doesnt happen often, but there are a number of reasons why having allergies may make you feel dizzy.
Fortunately, its possible to treat dizziness caused by allergic reactions, which should help you feel steady and stable once again.
Dizziness is a rare but possible side effect of allergies, and once you identify the cause, its possible to treat it and feel like your usual self, says Mohammad Younus, M.D., an allergy and immunology specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health.
When youre having an allergic reaction, these factors may cause dizziness:
Also Check: Pathophysiology Of Allergies
Signs Your Symptoms Arent Caused By Allergies
1. Your snot is green. Its not pretty, and its a sign of infection.
2. You have a fever. Hot flashes and chills are symptoms that are never linked to allergies.
3. You feel pain in your cheeks. While allergies can trigger sinus pressure around the eyes and temples, pain that extends through the cheeks and even to the teeth can signal inflammatory build-up thats common in sinus infections not allergies. And that could require antibiotics to clear up.
4. You have a cough but thats not all. You have to look at the constellation of symptoms because its very hard to differentiate between an allergic cough and one caused by post-nasal drip related to a virus, Dr. Corn explains. So a cough, plus anything else on this list = something more serious than allergies.
5. Congestion + bad breath. Terrible congestion is the hallmark of seasonal allergies, but it can occur for a host of reasons. When paired with smelly breath or a foul taste in the mouth, its probably a sign of infection.
If you think youre sick : See your doctor to rule out an infection that requires antibiotics , strep, and the flu.
What Are The Common Allergy
A very large number of substances can act as allergens. Most are proteins of insect, plant, or animal origin, but small chemical molecules can also cause allergy. Examples of common allergens are pollens, mold spores, dust mites, shed skin cells , insect proteins such as flea saliva, and some medications.
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Common Causes Of Anaphylaxis
Many things can cause severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. You might be highly allergic to certain foods, drugs, insect bites, or latex in gloves. While there is emergency treatment for a severe allergic reaction, see an allergist to figure out what causes it. You may be able to avoid the trigger in the future and prevent these serious attacks.
Feeling Sick It May Be Fall Allergies
Despite common thought, spring isn’t the only allergy-prone season. As the weather begins to change and fall settles in, many may find themselves experiencing allergies as bad as those they experienced during the spring, and possibly worse. Many people experience symptoms of nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and coughing and think they have a cold, when in reality allergies are to blame. That’s because allergens, like ragweed pollen, boost in numbers inflaming allergic reactions. A recent report showed that this fall is likely to be one for the records for allergy sufferers. The best way to live healthier this fall is to prepare and take preventative steps to irritating your allergies. This includes:
Cold vs. Allergy: Know the Difference A cold is generally caused by a virus that affects the upper respiratory tract, whereas allergies are the body’s adverse immune response to a protein. For those who feel like they regularly get a cold during the fall season, allergies could likely be the culprit. Prolonged cold symptoms could also indicate that allergies are the underlying reason for not feeling well. Determining that allergies are at the root of feeling ill will allow for better approach to treatment and prevention.
Seasonal allergies, although prominent this fall, don’t need to put a damper on your health. Small actions and a bit of education can go a long way in the fight against allergies.
For more on personal health, click here.
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Causes Of Nut Allergies
For all allergies, the immune system reacts to specific allergy trigger molecules . Your immune system, or that of a child in your care, produces antibodies that detect the allergen and cause inflammatory reactions and the release of a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes hives, hay fever and other allergic symptoms. The molecules that trigger your allergic reaction can be present in a range of foods, and you may have an allergic reaction to foods containing that molecule. For this reason, some people are allergic to the same allergy trigger in cashews and pistachios. This is known as cross-reactivity. Speak to your doctor about cross-reactivity because it is difficult to predict. In addition to peanuts, a wide range of tree nuts can also cause allergic reactions in some people. These include, but are not limited to:
- almonds
- pistachios
- walnuts.
The most common type of seed allergy is to sesame, although other types of seed, such as sunflower and poppy seeds, can also cause allergies. Allergic reactions to eating coconut, a large seed, are rare. However, an allergic reaction caused by contact with coconut, and cosmetics and products containing coconut, is more common. Peanut, tree nut and seed allergies are difficult to predict, so visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
How Sinusitis Causes Nausea
Sinusitis, another name for sinus infections, occurs when the sinuses are blocked by excess mucus and other bodily fluids, preventing proper drainage. The buildup of those fluids is what creates post-nasal drip.
Post-nasal drip causes mucus to accumulate at the back of your nose, which then drips down into your throat, making it sore. This extra mucus ends up reaching your stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting. To make matters worse, post-nasal drip tends to increase late at night and early in the morning, times when youre less likely to have food in your stomach. So, can sinusitis cause nausea? Yes. But what causes sinusitis?
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Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Dizziness Tinnitus And Nausea
Due to the severity of this allergy season, people are having allergies that usually don’t, and others are having more severe symptoms.
Dizziness, tinnitus, and nausea can combine to form a feeling similar to motion sickness. This sensation, lasting days or months, can be a result of seasonal allergies.
Lets go over some of these lesser-known symptoms of allergies and 5 ways to help your symptoms!
What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies In Dogs
In the dog, the most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localized or generalized . In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from the eyes or nose. In other cases, the allergic symptoms affect the digestive system resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
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Cleaning Your Nasal Passages
Regularly cleaning your nasal passages with a salt water solution known as nasal douching or irrigation can also help by keeping your nose free of irritants.
You can do this either by using a homemade solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy.
Small syringes or pots that often look like small horns or teapots are also available to help flush the solution around the inside of your nose.
To make the solution at home, mix half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiled water that’s been left to cool to around body temperature do not attempt to rinse your nose while the water is still hot.
To rinse your nose:
- stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- sniff the water into one nostril at a time
- repeat this until your nose feels comfortable you may not need to use all of the solution
While you do this, some solution may pass into your throat through the back of your nose. The solution is harmless if swallowed, but try to spit out as much of it as possible.
Nasal irrigation can be carried out as often as necessary, but a fresh solution should be made each time.
Allergy Dos And Donts: Get Shots
A flu shot can prevent influenza. Can you also get shots for allergy prevention? Yes! Officially called immunotherapy,allergy shots work like a vaccine. Your allergy specialist tests to see what substances are triggering your allergies. Then, in a series of shots, he injects you with tiny bits of those allergens. The aim is to build your tolerance to those triggers so your body no longer reacts to them. If allergy medication isnt working, if you cant or wont take it, or if your allergies are triggering other health problems like asthma, allergy shots may be an option. This allergy treatment is a big-time commitment and is not right for everyone. Consult with your allergy specialist.
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Vomiting Is One Of The Most Common Food Allergic Reaction Symptoms In Babies However Your Child Could Be Vomiting For Another Reason Or They Could Just Be Spitting Up Today Well Cover How To Tell Whether Vomiting Is A Symptom Of A Food Allergy
In babies and young children, vomiting is one of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction. However, your child could be vomiting for another reason or they could just be spitting up as their digestive system is still maturing. Today, well cover how to tell whether vomiting is a symptom of a food allergy, or of something else. Plus, well break down the difference between vomiting and spitting up.
What Is Flea Or Insect Bite Allergy And How Is It Treated
Insect bite allergy is the exaggerated inflammatory response to the bite or sting of an insect. Arachnids such as spiders and ticks, and insects including fleas, blackflies, deerflies, horseflies, mosquitoes, ants, bees, hornets and wasps, can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive dogs.
Flea saliva is by far the most common insect allergen in dogs, causing flea allergy dermatitis . Most dogs experience minor local irritation from flea bites. The FAD dog will react to a single bite with severe local itching. A dog with FAD will bite and scratch itself and may remove large amounts of hair, especially in the tail-base region. A secondary bacterial infection may develop in the areas of broken skin.
“Because one flea can be a problem for a dog with FAD, strict flea control is essential.”
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What Are Your Sinuses
Behind the bones of your face are four pairs of air cavities your sinuses. Their primary role is to produce mucus that moisturizes the nasal passage and to ward off pollutants and microorganisms. Because theyre usually filled with air, sinuses also help to lighten the weight of your skull.
When the sinus tissue becomes irritated or inflamed, the cavities can fill with fluid and blockages can result. Colds, allergies or physical conditions such as polyps or a deviated septum can all create blockages. Sinusitis occurs when the blocked fluid becomes infected as a result of fungal, viral or bacterial colonization.
Your Allergies Are Getting The Best Of You
Along with watery eyes, an itchy throat, and constant sneezing, seasonal allergies can cause post-nasal drip, meaning excess mucous in your nose trickles down the back of your throat rather than out of your nostrils. This can easily irritate your throat or cause a cough, but when that mucous makes its way down your esophagus and into your stomach, nausea may hit.
Nix the nausea: First things firsttry to avoid anything that seems to trigger your allergies . Keeping your mucous under control with some over-the-counter allergy medslike NasalCrom Spray and Claritincan also help. Just be sure to discuss with your doc. If your allergies become unbearable overall, he or she may recommend prescription-strength medication or even an allergy shot.
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What Causes Food Allergies And Intolerances
Food allergies arise from sensitivity to chemical compounds in food, even compounds that are found naturally in food. Food allergies are more common in people whose family members have allergies, suggesting a genetic or hereditary factor may be involved with the development of food allergies.
Food allergies develop after you are exposed to a food protein that your body thinks is harmful. The first time you eat the food containing the protein, your immune system responds by creating specific disease-fighting antibodies . When you eat the food again, it triggers the release of IgE antibodies and other chemicals, including histamine, in an effort to expel the protein “invader” from your body. Histamine is a powerful chemical that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system.
The allergy symptoms you have depend on where in the body the histamine is released. If it is released in the ears, nose and throat, you may have an itchy nose and mouth, or trouble breathing or swallowing. If histamine is released in the skin, you may develop hives or a rash. If histamine is released in the gastrointestinal tract, you likely will develop stomach pains, cramps or diarrhea. Many people experience a combination of symptoms as the food is eaten and digested.
Mucus In Throat Every Morning
If you wake up each day with mucus in throat, which you feel needs to be expelled, there are a few different reasons for that. For starters, mucus in throat in the morning could be a result of an infection or allergy, , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or it could be a sign of congestive heart failure.Congestive heart failure, in particular, can cause daily mucus in throat each morning, because the heart has a difficult time moving high amounts of blood through the body, causing fluid buildup. This fluid accumulates in the lungs, especially when a person is laying flat throughout the night. The result is a wet cough in the morning or throughout the night.
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Can Allergy Shots Make You Sick
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Your Blood Sugar Is Too Low
Your hormones work to regulate your blood sugar levels. But if your blood sugar starts to dip too low , certain hormones spike to help your body produce more glucose. When this happens, your stomach experiences a surge in signals that can create the sensation of nausea, says Dr. Lee.
Low blood sugar can also affect your autonomic nervous system, similar to the mechanism of nausea associated with anxiety, says Dr. Hoch.
Nix the nausea: To help keep your blood sugar steady, go for foods on the lower end of the glycemic index , says Dr. Hoch. The GI measures how quickly the carbs in various foods are broken down to sugar and released into your blood. Most fruits, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, and oats are all great options, according to the American Heart Association.
The timing of your meals matters, too. Hypoglycemia can be prevented by consuming small frequent meals throughout the day, says Dr. Hoch. Keep your portion sizes under control, include a mix of lean protein, quality fats, and low-GI carbs , and aim to eat every 3 to 4 hours.
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