How Is The Cause Of Coughing Up Blood Diagnosed
Since coughing up blood can range from mild to serious, its important to diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms so that you can be properly treated.
Your healthcare provider will begin an exam by asking how much blood you have been coughing up, for how long and how much is mixed with mucus.
The following tests may be done:
- A computed tomography chest scan.
- Chest X-ray to look for tumors or fluid in the lungs.
- Lung scan.
Can Seasonal Allergies Lead To Neck Pain
- NSPC Team
Winter is over, the sun is out, flowers are blooming and you are miserable. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, the start of warm weather ushers in endless hours of sneezing, itchy eyes, and sinus congestion.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Every year, 20 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, otherwise known as hay fever. While allergy symptoms are tolerable for many people, others experience added distress due to neck pain.
If allergies and neck pain bother you at the same time of the year, you may wonder if there is a connection between the two. We will examine some possible reasons for this pattern.
Is It Allergies Or A Cold
Allergies affect more than 50 million people in the United States each year, with many individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis. Also known as hay fever, its symptoms are as common as they are annoying sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watering eyes to name a few.1
While some symptoms overlap between allergies and a cold, you may notice some key differences. Colds are contagious and people often unwittingly infect others for two days before symptoms appear. A low-grade fever and aches and pains may accompany them. This common illness may also develop gradually over a couple days.2
On the other hand, viruses dont cause allergies, so you cant pass allergies on to anyone else. They occur when the body initially encounters a normally harmless substance and creates antibodies to it. When the body encounters the substance again, the existing antibodies tell the immune system to send chemicals such as histamine into the bloodstream to fight the invader. The immune response causes unpleasant allergy symptoms, and they often come on suddenly rather than gradually.3 Take our allergies versus cold quiz to find out which one you have.
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Treating Body Aches And Fatigue
Symptoms of allergies can be treated, but lasting relief comes from treating the cause of the allergies. Uncovering what allergens you are intolerant of can help you treat your allergies, and reduce or eliminate your symptoms. A board-certified allergist can help to diagnose your allergies and come up with a treatment plan.
At the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our allergists are all board-certified specialists in Allergy and Immunology. Our teams focused training allows us to help you find relief from your allergies. We offer extended hours and same-day appointments to ensure that you can get treatment from our Georgia allergists, with no wait. Contact our offices today to schedule your appointment.
Your Allergies Can Cause A Sore Body
Some people suffer from hay fever or allergy-induced sinusitis in summer due to the higher pollen count or humidity. Symptoms like itchy eyes, coughing, runny nose and constant congestion are enough to wear anyone down.
Not only in your head and nose
For some, a mild sense of discomfort may be as bad as it gets. But, according to the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania , some people who suffer from seasonal allergies may also experience severe joint, muscle, back and neck ache.
You may even experience a low-grade fever, which makes it easy to confuse your allergy symptoms with a cold or even flu.
The link between chronic fatigue, aches, pains and allergies was established decades ago. In a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, patients who complained of fatigue, low-grade fever, aches and pains also often reported either seasonal or food allergies.
How are pain and allergies related?
While seasonal allergies often affect the nasal region, and the symptoms are mostly above the neck, pollen can affect the entire body as your immune system goes into overdrive.
Allergies and joint pain
When you experience allergies, your body has higher inflammation levels than usual as your immune system reacts to pollen and your body attempts to flush out the allergens, according to the OIP. This can cause joint ache.
Allergies and body aches
Allergies and tiredness
Establishing the cause
Tips on managing your symptoms
R75 per month
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Allergies Causing A Cough Headache And Joint Pain
There are many different symptoms that appear when someone experiences an allergic reaction. The main symptoms we are familiar with include congestion of the nose, itchy skin or nose, and watering eyes.
Depending on the types of allergies, one may have a headache, cough, or joint pain. A headache and cough often appear during the spring, summer, and fall due to seasonal allergies. Joint pain is caused by inflammation from the immune system reacting to an allergen.
Allergies can be a tricky thing as they range from mild to severe reactions. The more you read and learn about them, the better youll be able to manage them.
Allergies And Body Aches
If you are suffering from joint pain, or any other type of general discomfort or pain, it could be caused by allergies. Remember that allergic reactions can cause inflammation. Inflammation can then cause joint and muscle aches. As a result, you can see that one sign of an immune system reaction can be chronic body aches.
There is often another issue at play as well: Allergies can cause physical symptoms from its symptoms. For example, one symptom is chronic coughing and sneezing. Both of these can lead to soreness if your body is repeatedly put through the paces.
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Could A New Medication Be Causing My Throat Clearing
Certain medications can cause throat clearing as a side effect. A class of blood pressure and heart medications called ACE inhibitors can cause coughing and throat clearing due to a buildup of substances that irritate the airways. Inhaled steroids can also cause throat clearing in this case, the medication causes direct irritation to the larynx.
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Why Is Neck Pain So Prevalent
According to the NCBI, roughly 20% of Americans experience neck pain at some point in their lifetime. Your neck contains the top most part of your cervical spine, which is a finely tuned instrument comprised of multiple components that work in combination to produce precise movements. If any of these components suffer injuries or wear out, its likely to lead to pain and stiffness.
In older people, neck pain is most commonly caused by worn joints or arthritis. Young people, on the other hand, can experience neck pain due to injuries or excessive strain. The most prevalent causes of neck pain include:
- Pinched nerve
- Disc degeneration
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When To Seek Medical Care
If the joint pain persists for several days, is severe, occurs with redness, warmth, or swelling, or is accompanied by a fever or unexplained weight loss, it’s important to see your doctor to get a physical exam and rule out serious causes.
“Diseases 101: Serum Sickness.” American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. AAAAI. N.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2010.
“Joint Pain.” Medline Plus. US National Library of Medicine. 4 May 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2010.
“Joint Pain Overview.” University of Maryland Medical Center. UMMC. 24 April 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2010.
Identifying Your Asthma Triggers
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You Develop Gas Bloating Episodes Of Belching Loose Stools And/or Diarrhea After Eating
Although there are many causes for these symptoms, this could be due to gluten sensitivity/celiac disease, food allergies/sensitivities, lactose and/or fructose intolerance, and/or SIBO .
Solution: Keep a food diary, do an elimination diet, and see your health care provider and/or a gastroenterologist to get tested for these disorders. Occasionally a CDSA through a laboratory specializing in nutritional medicine can help identify the cause of GI problems.
When To Seek Help From Your Doctors
If you suffer from allergies and neck pain at the same time, seek care for both ailments. Do not just treat your allergies, hoping that your neck pain will automatically go away. Similarly, do not assume that treatment for your neck pain will improve your allergies. The two problems might be unrelated.
See a general practitioner or an immunologist if:
- Your allergies persist after treatment with over-the-counter medications
- Your allergies interfere with your daily life, such as driving safely or work
Neck pain requires a visit to a pain specialist who can diagnose the underlying problem and offer you the best treatment.
See a pain specialist if:
- Neck pain does not improve with over-the-counter medications
- You have trouble turning your head while driving
- A doctor has diagnosed you with neck problems in the past
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Close Look On Seafood Allergies
Most cases of seafood allergies usually last for a lifetime without any known cure. The exact cause of the allergic reaction is the presence of protein in the flesh of fish or other type of seafood.
An individual might also be allergic to certain proteins in the skin or bones of seafood which are commonly used in creating gelatin. Some can experience an allergic reaction while using fish oil supplement, yet most supplements do not contain any fish proteins. If an individual is allergic to one type of seafood, he/she is at high risk to be allergic to another type.
The Top 8 Symptoms Of Dust Allergies
Do you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of dust allergies?
Or could it be something else?
Unfortunately, some of the signs of a dust allergy, like sneezing, coughing and a runny nose, are similar to sicknesses such as the common cold.
What may seem to be dust allergy symptoms may actually be a cold and vice versus.
But, how do you know for sure?
Dust allergies can range from mild to severe.
In a mild case, you may experience an occasional outbreak of the symptoms below, while in a severe condition you might notice chronic, ongoing problems.
In this article, well share with you eight of the most common signs that are associated with allergies related to dust and dust mites.
Hopefully, this information will clue you in to whats really going on with your health.
Note: If symptoms such as wheezing or nasal congestion are severe, you should call your doctor. If shortness of breath or wheezing quickly gets worse, seek emergency care. The information provided in this article should not substitute for professional care.
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The Link Between Seasonal Allergies And Neck Pain
Winter is finally over. The flowers are blooming, the sun is out, and you are miserable seemingly endless cycles of itchy sneezing, sinus congestion and sinus congestion. If seasonal changes trigger your allergies, youre certainly not the only one. According to Healthline, around 17.9 million adult Americans are diagnosed with allergic rhinitis every year. That equates to around 7.8% of the countrys population.
While some people only have to deal with allergy symptoms during seasonal changes, others have to put up with the additional distress caused by neck pain. If youre one of these people, youve probably wondered if theres a connection between the two. Over the course of this blog, well discuss some possible reasons behind this pattern.
Mind Your Face Mask Or Facial Covering
Be sure to wear clean masks. Masks can decrease pollen exposure through the mouth and nose, but patients can still be exposed through eyes and skin, says Juan J. Maya-Villamizar, MD, a rheumatologist and the medical director ofRheumatology Center of Palm Beach, Florida. If masks are not frequently washed or exchanged, some of the allergens can stay on their surface and trigger an allergic response.
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Allergy Causes And Risk Factors
Allergic rhinitis typically comes in two forms: seasonal and perennial. As its name suggests, seasonal allergies strike at predicted times of the year, most often in the spring, summer, or early fall. The main culprits tend to be pollens from grasses, trees, and weeds as well as mold spores transported through the air.
People with perennial allergies suffer all year. Triggers tend to be exposures encountered during everyday life such as animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, or mold spores rather than outdoor greenery or conditions.4
While allergies are more likely to strike during childhood, they can develop at any time during a person’s lifetime. Reactions can vary from minor to severe.5
Unfortunately, you cant control most of the risk factors for developing hay fever. People with existing allergies, asthma, or eczema are more likely to have hay fever. And if a parent, sibling or other blood relative has allergies or asthma, your chance of getting hay fever increases. But you can control one risk factor by spending less time exposed to allergens like animal dander or dust mites.
How To Get Rid Of Allergens
Many people experience airborne allergies that increase pain and joint swelling. However, plenty of these people cannot afford medical treatment to treat their pain. If youre in a similar situation, try the following techniques to minimize exposure to allergens:
- Clean your house: Wear a face mask while you clean. Inspect around kitchens, bathrooms and sink cabinets for mold. If you find any, remove it with distilled white vinegar. Vacuum carpets and furniture thoroughly to remove pollen and pet dander.
- Keep your windows closed: Its nice to keep the windows open when the weather is pleasant. However, an open window is a welcome mat for allergens, especially on days with high pollen counts. Run your air conditioner instead and change filters at least monthly.
- Stay indoors on windy days: Wind blows pollen and other allergens around. If its blustery outside, curl up with a novel or tune in to your favorite TV show.
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You Suffer From Chronic Constipation Despite Eating A High Fiber Diet And Drinking At Least Two Liters Of Fluid Per Day
This may be due to Lyme disease affecting the GI tract, food sensitivities and/or a lack of adequate magnesium in the diet.
Solution:Do a food allergy/sensitivity profile, try off grains such as wheat, and do a blood test for mineral deficiencies, including magnesium, with a serum and red blood cell magnesium level. Often, getting off sensitive foods and increasing magnesium in the diet will help with chronic constipation.
Gluten And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack connective tissue, including cartilage and the lining of blood vessels. Since it can affect multiple organs and systems in the body, symptoms are widespread and may be unique to each individual. However, fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle and joint pain are common manifestations.
Similar to rheumatoid arthritis, SLE is associated with celiac disease. Likely caused by inflammation and an overactive immune system.
One hospital reported 5 cases in a period of 4 years. The onset of SLE and celiac disease occurred at the same time with one patient. Celiac disease occurred before SLE with another patient. And SLE occurred before celiac disease with the remaining 3 cases. Only three of the five patients experienced abdominal symptoms. However, all five patients responded favorably to a gluten-free diet.
This study set out to determine the risk of patients with biopsy-confirmed cases of celiac disease developing SLE. They concluded those with celiac disease were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with SLE than the general population. However, since celiac disease only affects 1 2% of the population, the chance of someone with celiac disease developing SLE was relatively low .
Interestingly, there have also been patients that were falsely diagnosed with SLE and later correctly diagnosed with gluten sensitivity.
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Gluten Is Connected To Many Forms Of Autoimmune Arthritis
Can gluten cause muscle and joint pain? For genetically susceptible individuals, the intestinal damage caused by gluten in combination with an overactive immune system and chronic state of inflammation leads to celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to attack your intestines, which creates even more damage and inflammation. But as I mentioned, the inflammatory effects arent limited to your gut. Which is why celiac disease is associated with many other autoimmune conditions. And several of them cause your immune system to attack your muscles and joints, which causes pain.
Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan
If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or may lead to poor asthma control.
Also, a common cold can turn severe. So, if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.
You have a couple options:
Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an or an if needed.
Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.
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