Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeEditor PicksCan Seasonal Allergies Cause Fatigue

Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Fatigue

So Why Do Allergies Make You Tired

Can Allergies cause fatigue?

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.

How To Treat Fatigue Caused By Allergies

If allergies are truly the source of your fatigue, treating the allergies is the best way to treat the fatigue. An ENT specialist or allergist can help you determine or confirm the root cause of your issues. After conducting an allergy test in the office or at home to diagnose your allergies, consider which allergy treatment option may work best to treat your fatigue and eliminate other symptoms.

Allergies Affect Our Patients Around The Clock

Most of our patients that have an allergy, especially Hay Fever/Allergic Rhinitis, tend to know they have them! They spend daytime during peak allergy season feeling the congestion, coughing and sneezing. Most people know how allergies affect their lives during the day, but not many of our patients are aware that allergies can affect the quality of their sleep. As you know from our other articles, the immune system is launched to attack allergens this frequent immune response can disrupt the body in various ways, including sleep.

Also Check: Claritin 24 Hour Non Drowsy Side Effects

Why Your Allergies Could Be Making You Tired

In the United States, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness. Allergens can exist both indoors and outdoors, and it can be a challenge to limit your exposure to them. When it comes to indoor and outdoor allergies, there are a few common culprits that can cause seasonal or recurring allergic reactions such as sinus swelling, nasal congestion or a runny nose, watery eyes, and tiredness. The most common triggers include dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet danderâall of which may cause fatigue.

There are several reasons why fatigue can be linked to allergies. First, exposure to an allergen triggers an immune response thatâs meant to protect you from foreign invaders. Your immune system produces a chemical called histamine, which can cause symptoms like itchiness, swelling, trouble breathing, and fatigue.

Allergy symptoms such as congestion, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and general feelings of discomfort can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep or disrupt your ability to stay asleep, contributing to feelings of fatigue during the day.

Plus, taking medicationsâsuch as antihistaminesâto combat or prevent allergy symptoms may lead to drowsiness during the day, as well.

Allergies Affect People Day And Night

Can Allergies Cause Fatigue

Chances are high that individuals with allergies know they have them. Theyll spend their days sneezing, coughing, and feeling congested. Typically, people realize how allergies affect themselves during the day. Not all sufferers recognize that allergies can worsen the quality of their sleep. The immune system targets allergens, and this frequent immune response disrupts the body in various ways.

Don’t Miss: Allergy Medicine Zyrtec

Limit Your Exposure To Allergens

Once you know which allergens are causing your symptoms, you can reduce your exposure to them. For example, if youre allergic to pollen, you can try to stay indoors on days when pollen counts are high.

You can check online with your local weather station to find your local pollen report. You should try to keep your windows closed if you have air-conditioning. If you do spend time outside, its important to bathe and change your clothing as soon as you come inside.

How To Tackle Allergy Fatigue

To fight allergy fatigue, individuals need to remove allergens wherever possible. Dust, pollen, and even pet hair can cause symptoms like breathing issues at night. A bed should be covered throughout the day by a mattress encasement and pillow covers. Likewise, a person should vacuum their homes floors often and keep windows closed. An air purifier that removes allergens can make sense for certain households.

Allergy sufferers can take steps to protect their own body, too. For instance, allergy medications can be purchased over the counter at drug stores. Antihistamines and decongestants are popular options to fight back against allergy symptoms. Individuals can take a nightly bath or shower before bed. In doing so, they wash away allergens and particles on their skin and hair.

You May Like: Robitussin Antihistamine

Fewer Allergens Means Less Fatigue And Better Sleep

After taking these steps, individuals can expect their constant fatigue to lessen. Symptoms could improve in leaps and bounds for some sufferers. Fewer allergens in the home and bedroom will lead to higher quality sleep. From there, a person can expect to feel more rejuvenated in the morning and have more energy during the day. Those that suffer from severe allergies can still reduce their fatigue and other symptoms in noticeable ways!

Schedule An Appointment With An Allergist Expert

How Do Allergies Cause Fatigue?

You dont have to lay in bed whenever allergic reactions strike you down. Manhattan Medical Arts have 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.

Also Check: Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Swollen Glands

Causes Of Allergy Symptoms

Your body responds too strongly to pollen produced by flowering plants. The pollen is the male reproductive cell of the plant. If you are not allergic, the pollen does not make you sick, but if you are allergic, your body mounts a defensive response.

Brightly colored flowers rarely produce allergy-causing pollens. The problem comes from plants that pollinate using the wind to spread each pollen cell. Large quantities of pollen can be spread on a windy day, sometimes as much as 20 miles.

The troublesome pollens come from junipers, pine trees, all grasses, several varieties of weed and many common deciduous trees those trees whose leaves mature and fall in the autumn.

  • Your body responds too strongly to pollen produced by flowering plants.
  • The troublesome pollens come from junipers, pine trees, all grasses, several varieties of weed and many common deciduous trees those trees whose leaves mature and fall in the autumn.

Can Allergies Make You Tired How To Beat Allergy Fatigue

Its that time of year againspring means leaves returning to trees and blooming flowers. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, it also means the reemergence of pollen, weeds, mold spores, and other common seasonal allergens.

Youre probably familiar with common allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes, but can allergies make you tired, too?

The short answer is yes, although it varies from person to person. Some people may just feel a bit sleepier than usual in the afternoon, while others experience fatigue thats so debilitating that it keeps them from being able to work or engage in everyday activities and hobbies.

Why do allergies make us tired, and is it possible to beat the fatigue? Florida Medical Clinic immunologist Dr. Daniel Reichmuth answers your questions about allergy fatigue and provides tips on how to alleviate your symptoms and start feeling more awake and alert.

Read Also: Histamine Effect On Lungs

Can Allergies Make You Tired

There are a number of symptoms associated with allergies. The most common ones are watery eyes and nasal congestion. Besides these common and relatively obvious symptoms, people often wonder if allergies can make someone feel tired. The answer is YES! It can.

This may vary from person to person in terms of how tired can allergies make an individual and in some cases, one might not experience this symptom at all but most people suffering from allergies may on a certain degree experience fatigue and tiredness.

How To Prevent Allergy Fatigue

MANAGING ALLERGY FATIGUE DURING ALLERGY SEASON

The best way to prevent allergy fatigue is to find an effective treatment option for your allergies. The first step in managing allergies and preventing symptoms like fatigue is to find out which specific allergens trigger your reactions. After this diagnosis, there are ways to minimize allergies and avoid fatigue. You can minimize allergy fatigue in several ways:

Also Check: Allergy Indec

Why Do Seasonal Allergies Make You Tired

Allergies cause fatigue. There are many reasons for that. One is the production of antibodies like immunoglobulin E after the allergic reaction happens. The body also releases histamine. Both of them combined create an inflammatory reaction that causes allergy fatigue.

Besides this, the nasal symptoms can cause restlessness which may affect an individuals sleep and sleep deprivation can lead to allergies making you tired.

Some scientists and experts refer to tiredness caused by fatigue as brain fog, which basically impairs an individuals concentration levels.

Allergies Are An Often

Home»Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology»Allergies Are an Often-Overlooked Cause of Fatigue, Body Aches, and Pain

Anyone who suffers from allergies knowns how frustrating they can be to deal with. They can cause all sorts of issues such as constant sneezy, running noses, watering eyes, and itching. What many people dont realize is that allergies can also cause fatigue, body aches, and pain. Not only do people who suffer not realize that allergies are the culprit, but doctors often do not know or diagnose properly.

If you have been dealing with allergies, and have also had body aches, been chronically tired, or had undiagnosed pain, it could all be related. Your first step is to contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500 for comprehensive allergy testing. Once we know what the specific allergy is, we can provide treatment options. In the meantime, read on to learn about the link between fatigue, body aches, pain, and allergies.

You May Like: Latex Allergy Foods List

How To Treat Allergy

Step one is getting to the source of whats causing your allergies in the first place. An allergist can help you do just that. He or she can perform allergy testing by skin testing or by blood work to help identify any allergy triggers, says Patricia Takach, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Penn Medicine.

Once you know whats triggering an allergic reaction, do your best to avoid those substances, says David Corry, M.D., professor of medicine in immunology, allergy, and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine. That means taking steps like staying indoors on high pollen count days and making a few lifestyle changes such as showering when you come indoors, cleaning your sheets regularly, and keeping petswho can carry things like pollen and grassout of your bed. Wearing a face mask when youre outdoors can also help filter out pollen and other allergens that may be irritating.

Its also a good idea to consider taking an allergy medication. This is especially important if you are feeling any breathing symptoms at allcoughing, wheezing, or shortness of breathas this is dangerous if left untreated, says Dr. Takach. An allergist can help determine the right medication for you.

The bottom line: If youre struggling with allergy-related fatigue and you cant seem to get relief on your own, talk to your doctor about your options. They should be able to find the best treatment plan to boost your energy again.

Allergies Can Worsen Sleep Apnea

Seasonal Allergies and Fatigue Remedies

Allergies can make certain sleeping conditions worse. Symptoms like inflammation and stuffy nose often cause you to breathe improperly, which can cause or worsen snoring and sleep apnea. When your airways are blocked or restricted, the lungs and even the heart struggle to get enough oxygen. The lack of air causes your body to wake itself up, interrupting your sleep sometimes hundreds of times in a given night. This explains the exhaustion that most people experience when suffering from sleep apnea, especially if allergies are making things worse.

You May Like: Allergies Swollen Lymph Nodes

Physical Symptoms Of Allergies

Besides sneezing and itchy eyes, other symptoms could indicate you have allergies.

Difficulty sleeping

Itâs hard to get a good nightâs sleep when you have sneezing, coughing, headaches, or a runny nose. Congestion makes breathing difficult at night, causing you to wake up early or struggle to get to sleep in the first place. This can also reduce the amount of oxygen your body gets, which can affect both mental and physical performance.

Headache

Inflammation and congestion in the nasal cavity from allergies often lead to headaches, especially around the face.

Sore throat

Allergens in the air, such as pollen, can irritate your throat when you breathe them in. If you breathe through your mouth because of a stuffy nose, especially while sleeping, the air flow also could dry out your throat and make it feel sore.

When Seasonal Allergies Flare Up You Can Expect Nasal Symptoms Like Sneezing Itching Runny Nose And Congestion These Symptoms Are Called Allergic Rhinitis Or More Commonly Hay Fever Although Fatigue Is Not Part Of Allergic Rhinitis It Can Also Be A Symptom Of Seasonal Allergies

Antihistamines got you dragging through the day? We have options outlined here, all backed by scientific studies.

A flare up of allergy symptoms can happen any time of year. In fact, about two-thirds of people who have seasonal allergy, actually have allergy symptoms all year, although they may not be as obvious. Symptoms like cough and congestion may be caused by winter or indoor allergies like pets, mold, or dust.

Seasonal allergy can start when trees start to pollinate. Tree pollen allergies can start as early as February. Grass pollen starts next in early spring. If you live in a tropical climate, grass pollens may be around most of the year. A rainy April or May can cause mold pollens to last into the fall. Weed pollens, especially ragweed, kick in from August through November.

Don’t Miss: Intolerance Medical Definition

How Allergies Affect Your Mood And Energy Level

Many studies have shown that people with allergic rhinitis not only suffer from symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes and nose, but from non-nasal symptoms, such as fatigue and depression as well.

Allergic rhinitis can make it harder to concentrate at work or school and affect your energy level and sleeping habits.

Unfortunately, some of these “extra-nasal” symptoms are more difficult to treat than the allergies themselves. Some of the major ones are:

  • Fatigue
  • Cognitive Effects

Nasal Irrigation Is Also A Drug

Can Allergies Make You Tired? Top Tips For Managing ...

Melissa Pynnonen, M.D., Co-Director of the Michigan Sinus Center, says nasal irrigation can be considered a first-line treatment for common nasal and sinus symptoms, its often more effective than medications or can be used in addition to traditional medication.

Of course, avoiding the allergens that cause your allergies would be best. If youre allergic to animal dander, ban your pet from the bedroom, vacuum regularly and use an air purifier. If youre allergic to mold, eliminate it from your home. If certain foods trigger an allergic reaction, stop eating them. If youre allergic to pollen, close your windows during allergy season. If youre allergic to feathers, dont get a bird and sleep on hypo-allergenic pillows with a feather-free duvet, and so on.

If you are suffering from allergies, but are unsure of the cause, an allergist can help.

Related Reading

Spring allergies? Natural solution for dry eyesWe all love the feeling of warmer weather and the promise of summer months ahead, but sometimes the side effects of seasonal changes may not make it less than enjoyable. Spring is a time for renewal and so the grass gets greener, the trees and flowers start to blossom and the scenery of white and grey fades away.Read More

Also Check: Claritin Zyrtec Together

What To Do If You Have These Symptoms

If youâre experiencing any of these symptoms related to allergies, youâre not alone: an estimated 67 million Americans experience allergies to some degree.

Many people can get a lot of relief with a few lifestyle adjustments:

â Change your homeâs air filters regularly.

â If outdoor allergies are a problem for you, avoid going outside between 5am and 10am. This is usually when the pollen count is highest.

â Shower, or at least wash your hair, everyday to remove allergens.

â Use allergy-safe covers for your pillows and mattresses.

â Change and wash your bedding regularly.

â Vacuum the floors often.

â Reduce clutter to create fewer places where dust, dander, and other allergens can collect.

â Avoid smoking or being around secondhand smoke.

Although these options can help reduce some of the symptoms and effects, your best option is to talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist.

The experts at Texan Allergy & Sinus Center have the tools and experience you need to determine the best way to treat and manage your symptoms. Donât wait any longer–request an appointment today!

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular