Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Digestive Problems

Probiotics Can Help Your Gut And Your Allergies

Through probiotics, you can introduce bacteria into your gut to help improve gut diversity. And this improvement can help protect your body from seasonal allergies. The research between probiotics and seasonal allergies is only just emerging because as you may know from the overwhelming amount of probiotics often sold in a store, there is quite a lot of variety! Probiotics play an important role in the prevention and as a therapy for seasonal allergies, however, the benefit depends on many factors. And these factors include the type of probiotic, route of administration, dosing, and others .

One randomized controlled trial in 2011 administered either a probiotic or a placebo to adult volunteers. The probiotic was in the form of fermented milk. After four weeks of administration, the researchers measured each participants nasal reaction to a grass pollen. The study found that subjects that received the probiotic had lower nasal congestion in comparison to the placebo. This response was strengthened by a reduction in systemic immune markers including IL-5 and serum IgG. Therefore, the probiotic acted as an effective therapy against a seasonal allergy for these participants !

Aeroallergen And Gi Tract

While the role of food allergy in IBS has been studied extensively , the role of aeroallergens has not. Aeroallergens, such as house dust mites , pollens, mold, and animal dander, can reach our respiratory tracts through inhalation or our gastrointestinal tract through ingestion . Based on the aerodynamics of human nasal airflow, over 8090% of small particles in the inhalant air are trapped on the surface of the nasal mucosa and are transported by the mucociliary apparatus to the pharynx where they are either swallowed or coughed out. However, aeroallergens can still contaminate the food that we eat. Foods containing aeroallergens can cause allergic reactions such as oral mite anaphylaxis. Oral mite anaphylaxis is a relatively new hypersensitivity syndrome characterized by an immediate allergic reaction to mite contained in food. It is normally found in patients with IgE-mediated hypersensitization to HDMs . Food can also be easily contaminated by aeroallergens from furred animals and pollen grains .

Seasonal Digestive Distress: 10 Tips For Coping

End of summer and early fall is a time for barbecue, seaside clambakes, and fair food. And unless weâre careful, we suffer some unpleasant results: stomachaches, nausea, heartburn, and constipation or diarrhea.

Outdoor events can trigger digestive problems in a number of ways:

• Picnic and party food can spoil in the heat.
• We may over-exercise.
• And itâs easy to become dehydrated.

What can you do? Here, gastroenterologists offer five ways to avoid digestive problems, followed by five ways to deal with digestive trouble once you have it.

Recommended Reading: Where Do Pollen Allergies Come From

Gut Health And Allergies Are Connected

An allergy can be diagnosed and treated with medication prescribed by a doctor, but there are ways to prevent our risk of developing allergies, starting with a healthy gut. The gut microbiome consists of bacteria that live in our gut in a mutually beneficial relationship with us – they feed us and we feed them.

New research is increasingly finding evidence that a healthy and diverse gut microbiome is associated with fewer allergic symptoms. The rates of allergies have been rising steeply in the last few decades as humans settle in comfortably in urban environments.

Indeed, eating habits have become more homogenised with less variety of food sources. People get outdoors less and do less exercise. Families are also having fewer children and taking more antibiotics. In particular, antibiotics are a potent disruptor of microbial balance in the human gut.

All these factors cause our microbiomes to lose precious diversity, decreasing the number of species in the database that our immune system can recognise as foreign, yet not overreact, because it knows that they are not harmful.

In fact, this idea is not new. As far back as 1989, the hygiene hypothesis of allergy was proposed, stating that the greater our exposure to microorganisms, the lower our risk of developing allergies. This doesnt refer to how often you tidy your room or wash your hands, but rather to factors that affect your level of exposure to microorganisms.

How To Improve Seasonal Allergies With Better Digestive Health

Here are some tips to support digestion and immune function and help you feel better this allergy season.

1. Eat more high-fiber foods.

Fiber helps food move through the digestive tract, contributes to regular bowel movements, and feeds the good bacteria in your gut. High fiber foods include most fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes.

2. Reduce or eliminate common inflammatory foods.

To help calm inflammation in the digestive tract, you have to remove the foods that are contributing to inflammation in the first place. Common inflammatory foods include:

• Processed meats bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats
• Gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye
• Refined Carbohydrates white pasta, white bread, crackers, pretzels
• Sugar includes candy, cakes, sweetened drinks

4. To combat very severe seasonal allergies, try an elimination diet.

Some people have food sensitivities, which are not as easy to distinguish as a true food allergy. You may not even realize youre sensitive to something youre eating.

If you are sensitive to a particular food, eating it causes inflammation in the digestive system and triggers an immune response. Avoiding these foods is crucial to supporting digestion and immune function so your immune system doesnt keep mistaking benign substances, like pollen, as threatening invaders.

5. Take your supplements.

6. Chew your food.

7. Manage stress.

Read Also: What Does An Allergy Test Look Like

Medicines For Ibs Are Not Great

After being a doctor for 43 years, Dr. Kroker has seen a great progression in medicine. Sadly, though, he feels that treatment for IBS hasnt progressed like it should. There are plenty of inhalers that werent around when I became a doctor 40 years ago. There are great nasal sprays that were not around 40 years ago. There are disappointing medicines for IBS, Dr. Kroker explains. Its a very hard disease. There are medicines that are out there, but theyre not by any means, in my opinion, as effective as the medicines we have available for the respiratory allergies.

Fortunately, there is treatment for those who experience IBS in correlation to their allergies. While its more difficult to diagnose the connection, there are steps that can be taken in order to do so. Allergists look closely at the history of the patient, asking what they patient eats, what they dont eat, and so on. Dr. Kroker says, What is critical for them is to tell me what theyre doing when they experience symptoms. Kroker and his colleagues will also use blood testing and occasionally, a challenge test. After determining the direct connection, allergy drops can be taken in order for the body to build tolerance to the allergen and in turn, can help to reduce not only typical allergy symptoms, but allergy-related IBS symptoms, too.

What Is Contact Allergy

Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs. It results from direct contact to allergens, such as pyrethrins found in flea collars, pesticides used on the lawn, grasses, materials such as wool or synthetics used in carpets or bedding, etc. Contact allergies can develop to practically anything and at any age.

“…there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact…”

If the dog is allergic to any of these substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact, usually the feet and stomach. Removal of the allergen often solves the problem.

Caution: The symptoms of allergies can be confused with other disorders, or occur concurrently with them. Therefore, do not attempt to diagnose your dog without veterinary professional assistance. Be prepared for your pet to receive a full diagnostic evaluation to rule out other causes of itching and skin problems. If an allergy is diagnosed, your whole family must follow your veterinarian’s advice very closely in order to successfully relieve your pet’s discomfort.

Read Also: How Many Benadryl To Take For Allergies

Ige Reactivity Against Allergen Components

To compare the total IgE reactivity between the S- and NS-group the sum of the ISU score for all PR-10 proteins from each patients was calculated in order to obtain a mean score for each group. The overall mean score of IgE reactivity to PR-10 proteins was significantly higher in the S-group 62.91 ISU compared to NS-group 0.12 ISU . However, there were no significant differences in the IgE levels against the PR-10 proteins between the S and NS groups when analyzing the data separately for the different seasons. There was a trend towards an elevated median sensitization score in the S group to birch pollen related food 4.9 ISU compared to NS group 2.75 ISU in samples taken during the birch pollen season. The ISAC data with the sensitization patterns of the patients are shown in the Additional file1: Table S1.

Patients with GI symptoms

In this group we noted significantly higher levels of IgE to the major birch pollen allergen , hazel pollen , and apple in blood samples taken during the birch pollen season. Outside the birch pollen season there was an elevated IgE reactivity to timothy pollen rPhl p 1 .

Seasonal variation in IgE titers to the major birch allergen rBetv 1 and the grass pollen antigen Phlp1. Each colored line represents one patient and the left value is from outside the birch pollen season and the value to the right from samples taken during the birch pollen season .

Patients without GI symptoms

Healthy controls

Can A Food Allergy Cause Gastritis

Allergies are always annoying. Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, puffy eyes, and a sinus headache are typical pictures of a person suffering from an allergic reaction. However, these are not the only effects of allergens the digestive problem is one significant symptom of seasonal allergy.

Food allergies often cause digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or heartburn. However, can a food allergy cause gastritis? The answer is yes, however less likely. Lets start the journey to learn more about food allergy and digestive issues, gastritis.

Don’t Miss: How To Choose Allergy Medication

Seasonal Allergies And Gi Inflammation

Do you suffer from enhanced GI symptoms during allergy season?

The timing of allergy season varies depending on where you live. According to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology tree, grass and ragweed pollens thrive during cool nights and warm days.

Did you know that birch pollen allergic patients frequently experience gastrointestinal upset during birch allergy season? This GI upset may occur via local allergic inflammation in the small intestine.

Research has shown that birch pollen exposure triggered a local inflammation with an increase in duodenal eosinophils and IgE-carrying mast cells in patients with birch allergy suggesting a relationship between immune cells in the airway and in the gut.

Although many of us look forward to the warmer weather and the beauty that it brings, some may find that their GI symptoms can flare during the change of the seasons.

Oral allergy syndrome is linked with pollens that cross react with similar-like proteins in foods. For this discussion, I am focusing on birch pollen allergy, but individuals that suffer with ragweed, grass, and rubber latex allergy may have oral allergy syndrome induced by proteins in foods too. Oral allergy syndrome presents with itchy throat, itchy ears and even hives in the mouth. To learn more from The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America,

Not everyone with a pollen allergy experiences oral allergy syndrome!

Got Seasonal Allergies Fix Your Gut

For many people, April showers dont just bring May flowers. They also bring sneezing, sniffling, and runny eyes. When that happens, most grab for the allergy pills, antihistamines, and eye drops. But did you know you can greatly relieve, if not banish, your allergy symptoms by fixing your gut?

It may sound crazy that your gut health would affect your sinuses, but the two systems are very intertwined. Both the respiratory tract and the digestive tract are immune barriers, meaning its their job to protect the body from outside invaders.

The gut in particular profoundly influences the entire immune system. When gut health suffers so does the rest of your body. This can even result in allergy symptoms that flare up each spring.

Leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed and porous, allowing undigested foods, bacteria, yeasts, and other toxins into the bloodstream. The immune system launches an attack on these toxins, which creates inflammation throughout the body. For many people, this happens every time they eat.

This inflammation manifests in different ways for different people. It can cause joint pain, skin problems, digestive complaints, autoimmune disease, issues with brain function, fatigue, chronic pain, andseasonal allergies.

What causes leaky gut?

If youre interested in other causes of leaky gut, you can read more here.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Allergies In The Summer

Talk To Your Doctor About Medication

And of course, talking with your physician or allergist is almost always a good idea. Dr. Allen suggests asking about non-sedating antihistamine therapy.

You can also take an over-the-counter medicine such as Zyrtec or Claritinafter checking with a medical provider. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist as there are several different kinds of allergy medications, Dr. Gandhi says. These medications span from those that offer symptomatic relief to those that are more whole-body allergy medications, which might have a reaction to other medications.

While the spring season can be a pain , addressing your allergies in these ways can help prevent gut issues .

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Be Proactive Not Reactive

These tips can help support proper digestion and immune system function. When inflammation is decreased in the digestive system, you may find you experience fewer digestive problems and your immune system may become less reactive to seasonal allergies.

Dont wait until allergy season hits you to start taking preventive measures. Making diet and lifestyle changes a few weeks to months ahead of peak allergy season can help you sail through the season with fewer symptoms.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Allergies Fast

Are Allergies The Source Of Your Stomach Problems

Tummy trouble? You may have food allergies. A lot of people limp along with symptoms that resemble Irritable Bowel Syndrome when they could get relief from food allergy treatment. One of the most common symptoms of food allergy is gastrointestinal distress, including cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and even vomiting.

The most common food allergies stem from the Big 8 foods: wheat, soy, rice, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, and nuts. In addition to digestive problems, allergies to these foods can cause a number of symptoms including:

• Itching or swelling of the mouth and throat

Food allergies occur when the body mistakes proteins in food for harmful germs or bacteria. The immune system reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamine. Histamine can wreak havoc on the gut, inflaming the gastrointestinal tract, bogging down the digestive process, causing painful cramps, and more.

If you suspect food allergies, you can consult your allergy doctor . They can order an allergy test kit to see which foods you are most sensitive to. You can then avoid the trigger foods, but this can be difficult if you are allergic to common foods. Staying away from staples like milk and wheat, for example, can make mealtime tricky.

If you are tired of living with gastrointestinal distress, contact your allergy physician about a food allergy test kit and a potential food allergy treatment program, which can offer wheat, nut, and milk allergy treatment.

About The Author

Digestive Problems: When To See A Doctor

Fortunately stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive problems are usually fleeting.

If you experience digestive trouble often, talk to your health care provider. Your symptoms may be related to a medical condition such as acid reflux, food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcers. It may also be related to medications or supplements you are taking.

If you have frequent diarrhea, the CDC recommends seeing your doctor if you’ve also got:

• Blood in your stool
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up
• Diarrheal illness that lasts more than 3 days

But for most people who have a bit of digestive distress after we overindulge, a little rest, time, and TLC should be all we need to get through occasional barbecue excess.

Show Sources

Gerard E. Mullin, MD, associate professor of medicine, director of integrative GI nutrition services, Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Yoshida, Cynthia M. No More Digestive Problems, Bantam Books, 2004.

CDC: “Foodborne Illness: Frequently Asked Questions.”

National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus: “Abdominal Pain.”

USDA: âHandling Food Safely.â

Peikin, Steven R. Gastrointestinal Health, Harper Perennial, 1999.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health: “Indigestion.”

KidsHealth.org: “How to Be Safe When You’re in the Sun.”

Recommended Reading: How To Stop Itchy Throat From Allergies

Seasonal Variation In Duodenal Allergic Inflammation

Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms

During the birch pollen season there were significantly higher numbers of IgE-positive cells , CD3+ T cells and CD11c+dendritic cells in patients with GI symptoms than in the same patients outside the pollen season. . However, there was no difference between patients who experienced pollen season related gastrointestinal symptoms compared to patients with symptoms not related to season in the S-group. There was a correlation between the total serum IgE and IgE-positive cells in the biopsies taken during the pollen season . In contrast, there was no correlation between the duodenal cell counts and the total number of symptoms regardless of season. Furthermore, patients with oral allergy syndrome , showed similar cell counts during and outside the pollen season , and patients with asthma had elevated IgE positive cells in the duodenal mucosa during the pollen season .

Seasonal variation in the duodenal cell count in individual patients of the different study populations. . Each colored line represents one patient and the left value is from outside the birch pollen season and the value to the right from samples taken during the birch pollen season.

Patients without gastrointestinal symptoms

In the subgroup of patients with OAS there was an elevated frequency of duodenal tryptase positive cells outside the pollen season . Only three patients in the NS group had asthma, which impaired further statistical analysis.

Healthy controls