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:
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Anemia, a low red blood cell count, which can cause fatigue
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Psychological changes
The symptoms of systemic mastocytosis can sometimes occur as attacks, where more than 1 symptom appears at the same time. Following an attack, the person may feel tired and lethargic.
If you are concerned about any changes you experience, please talk with your doctor or a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin conditions. Your doctor will ask how long and how often youve been experiencing the symptom, in addition to other questions. This is to help figure out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis.
If mastocytosis is diagnosed, relieving symptoms is an important part of your care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your health care team about the symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.
The Primary Difference Between Allergies And A Cold
According to Weston, the primary difference between seasonal allergies and a cold is that a cold often manifests with a fever, and allergies do not. Seasonal allergies often manifest with itchy or irritated eyes and noses, and colds do not.
Many people think the long length of their symptoms suggest allergies over a cold, but this is not necessarily the case. A cold can be very tricky because some of the symptoms may linger, Weston said. Sometimes your cold may be gone, but your cough could persist for another month.
Seasonal allergies usually last the duration that the pollen or allergen is around for you to be exposed, which is usually the entire season. If a cough from a cold lasts for weeks, then the symptoms can get confusing.
The answer is simple and can be reached with a few simple questions. Do you have a fever? If yes, then you most likely do not have allergies. Do you have itchy eyes and nose? If yes, then you most likely have allergies. However, it is possible to simultaneously suffer from a cold and seasonal allergies. If you are confused or unsure of your symptoms, then call your primary care provider for more guidance.
Herbal Medicines And Allergies
Asteraceae is a family of flowering plants, including many common species, and some are used in herbal medicines. Pollen from plants in this family is a common cause of hay fever, asthma and dermatitis.
Plants from the Asteraceae family include:
- plants grown for their flowers chrysanthemums, dahlias, sunflowers, marigolds, safflower and daisies
- edible foliage plants lettuce, safflower, chicory and artichoke
- weeds ragweed, mugwort, sagebrush, wormwood, feverfew
- plants used in some herbal medicines echinacea, dandelion, chamomile, feverfew, milk thistle and wormwood.
Echinacea can cause severe allergic reaction , asthma attacks, severe hives and swelling in some people, and this can occur when the first dose of echinacea is taken.
Pollen from plants in the Asteraceae family can also cause an allergic skin reaction on contact. The pollen can be found in herbal medicines, shampoos, cosmetics and massage oils, and includes pollen from plants such as the:
Sensitisation to pollen of plants from the Asteraceae family has also been linked with allergic reactions to other substances that are similar. This is known as cross-reactivity and has caused allergic reactions to:
- plant-derived herbal medicines echinacea, royal jelly, bee pollen extracts and chamomile
- foods celery, honey, sunflower seeds, carrot, lettuce, watermelon and nuts.
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Ways To Avoid Digestive Problems
1. Eat Smaller, Frequent Meals. If you want to prevent indigestion, eat smaller, more frequent meals, writes gastroenterologist Cynthia M. Yoshida, MD, in her book No More Digestive Problems. In the case of a great picnic or barbecue, try starting with small portions of your favorite foods.
2. Take It Slow. Taste your food, savor it, and space it out. Practice mindful eating, and talk and socialize, says Gerard E. Mullin, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of integrative GI nutrition services at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. “If you overwhelm your stomach — and the more you eat the more you slow it down — you’ll feel gas, bloating and discomfort.” Hereâs one good way to help yourself slow down: Cut your food into small pieces, then chew each piece well.
Going slow refers to physical activity, too. Mullin suggests that if you exercise for more than 45 minutes, wait an hour before you eat so that the blood diverted to your muscles has time to return to your stomach, where it’s needed to help digest your food.
3. Store Food Safely. The waning sun feels great on your skin, but it also allows bacteria to thrive on food. There are about 76 million cases of food-borne illness in the U.S. each year, says the CDC. Common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
4. Avoid Fried and Acidic Foods. To prevent gas, bloating, and other symptoms of overindulgence, limit or avoid these types of food:
Seasonal Allergies & Digestive Symptoms
Among some of the lesser-known symptoms of seasonal allergies are stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, acid reflux, nausea, and stomach cramping.
These digestive symptoms can come with little or no upper respiratory symptoms which is why it can be difficult for these symptoms to be traced back to their source.
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Can You Tell The Difference Between A Food Allergy And A Food Sensitivity
With a food allergy, even one molecule of the offending foods protein can trigger a response. Your body will react as soon as the food is eaten. Thats why people with food allergies need to completely avoid foods they are allergic to.
Food intolerances can depend on how much is eaten and how often. People with food intolerances may not have symptoms when they eat a small portion of the food, or dont eat the food frequently. For example, if you have a sensitivity to dairy, having one small bowl of ice cream may not cause you any problems. However, theres a good chance you would wake up with diarrhea and brain fog after spending a night binging on Ben & Jerrys.
How To Treat Upset Stomach Caused By Seasonal Allergies
In this case, reducing your stomach upset caused by seasonal allergies often requires treating the seasonal allergies themselves. Dr. Bassett first recommends visiting an allergist for in-office testing, which can help identify your individual triggers.
a more tailored treatment for an allergy sufferer, explains Dr. Bassett. I have found the most successful approach is to be proactive, that is start their allergy treatment early, before the peak pollen season kicks into high gear.
Another preventative method is to reduce your gut inflammation during peak allergy seasons. Besides avoiding the foods Dr. Nasseri mentioned, research out of Stanford University from 2021 notes that a diet high in fermented foods can not only diversify gut bacteria, but also help reduce inflammatory markers.
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With increased inflammation, there tends to be an increase in mucus production, explains Dr. Nasseri. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods to limit the overproduction of histamine, which our bodies release to fight the invaders and result in our allergy symptoms.
Treating allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medication, saline spray and, if warranted, allergy medication or injections from your doctor, may also help reduce GI symptoms as a result.
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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Flu Covid
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My 14-year-old daughter has seasonal allergies that usually spike in the fall, as well as a love of the outdoors, so it is not uncommon for her to be congested and coughing. Last year, we home-schooled her, but now she is back in school in person. As we move from the fall into winter, how can I tell the differences between her allergies, a common cold, the flu, and COVID-19?
ANSWER: Everyone experiences symptoms of congestion and cough from time to time. It’s a common sign for many children, teens and adults, especially those who have seasonal allergies. However, as those are also symptoms of respiratory illness, it is important to be aware of the potential to spread germs to others, particularly since COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies, and the flu share many similar symptoms.
Seasonal allergies and COVID-19
Unlike COVID-19, seasonal allergies aren’t caused by a virus. Seasonal allergies are immune system responses triggered by exposure to allergens, such as seasonal tree or grass pollens.
While COVID-19 and seasonal allergies cause many of the same signs and symptoms, there are some differences. For instance, a fever will almost never accompany seasonal allergies, but it is a common sign of COVID-19. Also, muscle aches and fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea will likely not be present with allergies whereas, they are common signs of a viral infection.
COVID-19 and the common cold
The flu and COVID-19
Reduce risks
Symptoms Of An Allergy
Following are the common symptoms of an allergy:
- Irritation on skin
People often experience seasonal allergies. For example, you can get sick when trees or grasses release their pollen to help plant fertilization.
If this is the case for you, a doctor specialized in treating allergies can diagnose the problem. They will determine if you are allergic to any particular substance. Your doctor may expose your skin to different allergens to check for allergic reactions. They may also carry out blood tests to check for the antibodies that fight allergies.
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Signs Your Dog Has Seasonal Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from those irritating symptoms that come with seasonal allergies. Allergic symptoms occur when the immune system identifies generally benign substances as dangerous. Humans and animals with allergies will have extreme reactions when they inhale, ingest, or come into contact with whatever they’re allergic to.
Many of the symptoms of allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans, so it’s not too difficult to figure out of your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies. If you think your dog has allergies, visit your local animal wellness center to have a vet determine how you can ease their symptoms.Here are ten signs that your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies.
- Sneezing is a big sign that your dog may suffer from seasonal allergies.
- Itching and scratching are both signs that an allergen may be irritating your dog’s skin.
- Dogs can suffer from hives just like humans, so red, inflamed skin is another sign that your dog might be suffering from allergies.
- Dogs may obsessively lick their paws and fur to relieve themselves from itching associated with an allergic reaction.
- Hair loss can occur in spots where irritation has occurred and has not been treated.
- Dogs may get puffy, runny eyes during allergy season.
- To relieve itchiness, dogs may rub their faces on furniture or the carpet.
- Itchy ears and ear infections are both symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs.
- Itchy ears and ear infections
What If Your Dizziness Is Caused By Something Else
If a steroid nasal spray doesnt work, I encourage patients to follow up appropriately with their primary care physician or the doctor who referred them just to make sure were not missing something else, Dr. Aronica notes.
A number of other conditions can cause dizziness and vertigo, so if your allergies arent the culprit, you may need to see a neurologist or an otolaryngologist to figure out whats going on.
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How To Deal With Nausea
The most efficient way to deal with nausea caused as a result of some kind of allergy is to avoid contact with the potential allergen in every possible manner. According to an allergy doctor, one should identify the food which causes allergic reactions in him. After finding out the allergen special care has to be given by the patient in avoiding any kind of contact with the allergen. Food allergy patients start vomiting once the allergic food is eaten by him. This helps the allergen to go out of their body. Such people also show symptoms of diarrhea according to an allergist germantown. Once the allergens are thrown out the symptoms reduces and the patient feel relieved. Some minor irritations may persist which can be controlled with the help of over the counter medications. But if the symptoms persist and is severe in nature, it is better to consult an allergic doctor. Prevention of the use of allergen or coming in contact with the allergen has to be given top priority rather than trying hard to come out of the clutches of allergic reactions.
Can Seasonal Allergies Make You Vomit
Just as its not particularly common for seasonal allergies to cause nausea, its also not very common for them to make you vomit. However, some people do feel ill enough to vomit when they have seasonal allergies. This could be due to dizziness or mucus, or other effects of excessive amounts of histamine. But vomiting is more likely to be caused by food allergies or other reasons than it is to be from seasonal allergies.
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Pay Attention To What You Eat
The foods you consume play a significant role in your symptoms, Dr. Allen says. He recommends watching out for any food items that exacerbate your symptoms. He also adds while foods such as yogurt, Kombucha, and sauerkraut are good for your digestive flora, they do contain histamines .
As far as helpful things to eat, Dr. Allen encourages cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, anti-inflammatory spices , organic foods, berries, fibrous foods, and fish oil. He also mentions the importance of staying hydrated.
Your Allergies Are Getting The Best Of You
NasalCrom Nasal Allergy Symptom Controller
NasalCrom Nasal Allergy Symptom Controller
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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Consider Buying An Air Filter
Consider buying a product to make your home more comfortable, too. Prevent allergens from infiltrating your home and invest in HEPA filters, Dr. Gandhi says. She explains that high-efficiency particulate air filters remove small harmful allergens like dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air.
Dr. Madhankumar also recommends cleaning your home frequently, especially of allergens like pollen and dust.
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.
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How Sinus Infections Lead To Nausea
When you have a sinus infection, you also have a post-nasal drip. Sinus drainage nausea happens from this post-nasal drip flowing into your stomach. Nausea can be worse when you have an empty stomach. Unfortunately, post-nasal drip often worsens at times when you have an empty stomach, like in the middle of the night and early morning.
As noted, sinus infections can cause dizziness from ear infections or pressure. This feeling of movement and being off-balance could also make you feel nausea. In fact, another symptom of labyrinthitis, which also causes dizziness, is nausea. Treating the sinus problem will alleviate both dizziness and nausea.
To avoid nausea caused by post-nasal drip, you can gently blow your nose to get some congestion out of your nasal passages. You may also try a sinus rinse with a neti pot.
Use caution when rinsing with neti pots. While the Food and Drug Administration notes that sinus rinse products are safe when used and cleaned properly, some people make mistakes during use. If using untreated tap water, you risk a parasitic infection. Follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for treating water to use in a neti pot:
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