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Can Seasonal Allergies Make Your Stomach Hurt

Seasonal Allergies: Keeping Symptoms In Check

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For many kids and adults, seasonal allergies are the pits. They can be unpleasant and difficult to manage. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , seasonal allergies may affect up to 40 percent of children and 30 percent of adults.

Also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, seasonal allergy symptoms usually start when airborne pollen from trees, grass, flowers and weeds enters the eyes, nose and throat and sets off an allergic reaction.

Lets break down what seasonal allergies are, what you can do to minimize triggers, and how to treat your childs allergy symptoms.

Managing Your Seasonal Allergies

One of the most important things someone suffering from allergies can do is to identify the triggers. While some people seem to blame one trigger, it is possible that there are actually multiple triggers. It is not uncommon for those who suffer from spring allergies to show symptoms throughout the year. Some ways to avoid triggers include:

  • Shower after being outdoors.
  • Monitor pollen and mold counts, which are available on TV or in the news.
  • Stay inside during peak pollen counts, which is the middle of the day of the afternoon.
  • Wear a filter mask when working outdoors.
  • Take preventive medication.

You can take other precautions as well, such as bathing and shampooing your hair each day to completely remove the pollen from your hair and skin. You should also wash your bedding in hot soapy water at least once a week.

You may need to wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from pollen. Those with severe allergies might find that a facemask is helpful during times when daily pollen counts are very high. It is also important to avoid line drying your bedding or clothes outdoors if the local pollen counts are high, as pollen can settle on these items.

Natural Food Allergy Stomach Pain Relief Remedies

Over the years, studies have confirmed the effectiveness of a variety of natural remedies for stomach pain relief.

Chamomile tea is particularly beneficial if you experience cramping or spasms. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to help your stomach muscles to relax. I recommend adding a few pieces of fresh ginger too, which also helps to reduce inflammation naturally.

Oregano is another strong natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which helps to neutralize free radicals. In fact, oregano and thyme oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling in the gut of mice

Peppermint in the form of tea, mints, and fresh leaves may also help to alleviate an upset stomach and nausea by acting as a natural analgesic.

Hot water bottles or beanbags can provide a soothing effect when youre suffering from abdominal pain. Cuddle up on the bed and allow the heat to relax your stomach muscles.

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Lesser Known Symptoms Of Seasonal Allergies

My boys and I suffer from tree pollen allergies. More than birds chirping or flowers blooming, I have come to associate boogery sleeves and sneezing with the onset of spring. But these are the typical symptoms, which are easily recognizable as allergy-induced.

What Id like to address in this post are some lesser known symptoms of seasonal allergies, which may also be rearing their ugly heads this spring. Red eyes and runny noses aside, there are plenty of other ways that allergies can make us miserable. Especially in children, who already have a hard time translating physical symptoms into words, some of these symptoms are easily overlooked.

So, dear reader, I present to you a few somewhat obscure allergy symptoms to be on the lookout for this spring:

1. Headaches. Headaches in combination with nasal symptoms are a typical seasonal allergy complaint. However, many people do not realize that isolated headaches can also be brought on by high airborne allergen levels. I personally do not experience a great deal of sneezing or eye irritation, but one of my first clues that allergy season is upon us is a frontal headache.

4. Skin rash. Most people assume that allergic skin rashes are due to food allergies or contact with a chemical/metal allergen. However, it is common for eczema to flare up during airborne allergy season.

Keep these symptoms in mind as you enjoy the warm temperatures, and seasonal allergies wont catch you off guard.

Herbal Medicines And Allergies

Fight Seasonal Allergies from the Inside Out

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:

  • chamomile
  • sunflower
  • tansy.

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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Natural Supplements That Have Helped Me

With my seasonal allergy being off the charts, at times I need to take antihistamines such as Claritin twice a day as directed by my physician.

This helps with my

  • and watery, itchy eyes
  • and well as calms my stomach

Over the years, I have tried many supplements to determine which are best for my body and you may have to do the same. Unfortunately, there is no cookie cutter option out there.

The one that I love and help with inflammation is

  • Omega 3 Fish oils

I stopped in a local health food store while in Florida and this nice lady who worked there and knew a ton about supplements, recommended a sinus support supplement called QBC Plex that has

  • Quercetin

Prevention Is The Key

Whether you have a food allergy, food intolerance, or sensitivity, the key to long-term food intolerance pain relief is avoidance. Once you have identified the culprit of your pain or undesirable food allergy symptoms, take measures to avoid the trigger.

Always read labels and ask whats in your food before indulging. In the case of a food allergy, make sure everyone around you is made aware, just in case an emergency happens. Lastly, always have an anaphylaxis plan in place. Though the severity of some food allergies can lessen over time, its best to avoid testing the waters with even the slightest amount of potentially dangerous food.

References

Kylene Bogden

Kylene Bogden is one of the most well respected Functional Sports Dietitians in the United States. As a high school and collegiate sprinter, she experienced recurrent injury and fatigue. After years of constant struggle, she eventually learned that an abundance of processed foods and poor fueling strategies were the root of her performance issues. Kylene’s personal journey as an athlete fueled her passion for finding a more progressive approach to sports nutrition. Since then, she has helped thousands of individuals dramatically improve overall health and athletic performance by taking a whole food approach. To learn more about Kylene’s story and how a functional nutrition approach can help you to achieve your goals, simply click on the contact us link in the upper right-hand corner today!

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Histamine Can Cause Stomach Upset

When histamine is released in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

Underlying conditions and imbalances can also cause too much histamine to be released.

A few examples are small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , underlying or low-grade infection, poor diet, heavy metal toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, and food sensitivities.

What is referred to as histamine intolerance or histamine sensitivity is usually a combination of a few underlying factors .

In a case of histamine intolerance, an individual can become sensitized to histamine-containing foods, histamine-releasing foods, as well as classic environmental allergens.

A common treatment for histamine intolerance is to be on a special diet and take supplemental medication – but those with histamine intolerance will only have moderate success without personalized treatment to address the underlying cause.

Read more about Histamine Intolerance

Food Allergies At School

Seasonal Allergies and Sinus Issues (Jessica Southwood, MD): Every Day Health 2020

The prevalence of food allergies in children increased 18% from 1997 to 2007, and most schools have at least one student with a food allergy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . To address the needs and health of children with food allergies, the CDC released the Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Centers. These guidelines may be helpful if you are concerned about your child’s allergy and food being served at school.

For more information, please call 304.691.1300.

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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

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.

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How Is Allergic Esophagitis Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and when they began. Tell him or her if you know certain foods cause your symptoms. Tell him or her if you have any medical conditions or a family history of allergic esophagitis. You may also need any of the following:

  • Allergy tests are used to see how your body reacts to certain allergens. The tests may show what is causing your allergic esophagitis.
  • A barium swallow x-ray is used to take pictures inside your esophagus. You will swallow barium in a thick liquid before you have the x-ray. The barium helps any injuries show up better on the x-rays.
  • Endoscopy is used to find any tissue changes. A scope is used to see inside the esophagus. A scope is a long, bendable tube with a light on the end. The scope is placed in your mouth and passed down your throat and esophagus. A camera may be hooked to the scope to take pictures.
  • A biopsy is used to take tissue samples from your esophagus to be tested. The samples may also be checked for any other problems with your esophagus.

What Are Seasonal Allergies

Can Seasonal Allergies Make You Sleepy?

Seasonal allergies strike at different times of the year, when trees, grass, flowers and weeds release pollen into the air to fertilize plants, and mold spores take flight to do the same. Also known as allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, seasonal allergy symptoms occur when airborne spores and pollen enter the eyes, nose and throat and set off an allergic reaction.

Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, sore throat, chronic cough, and dark circles under the eyes.

Its important to keep in mind that allergic rhinitis is more than just a mild annoyance. Some of the consequences of seasonal allergies in children include:

  • Fatigue and poor concentration in school due to lack of sleep
  • An increase in ear and sinus infections
  • Asthma exacerbations triggered by uncontrolled allergies
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Behavioral issues

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Jun Seasonal Allergies Or A Food Intolerance

Spring and summer months are prime time for allergies to affect more than 30 million Americans. However, if you experience allergy symptoms or problems such as nausea, fatigue, heartburn and more on a daily basis , it could be something more. Food allergies and food intolerances can affect you any time of the year, especially if you are exposed to something at home, in your food or at work. Find out what common allergens and intolerances there are, how you detect them, and what to do about them!

Food Allergy Immune System

Food allergies can cause severe or even life-threatening allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. Most food allergies are IgE-mediated. This means if you have a peanut allergy, your immune system identifies the proteins in peanuts as foreign invaders or allergens. The immune system then produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E , in an attempt to defend the body. These antibodies interact with cells triggering the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, called histamines, which cause an allergic reaction.

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How To Get Tested

If you think you might have a food allergy that could lead to nausea and vomiting, you should be tested by an allergist. Getting tested by a board-certified allergist is the first step to helping you deal with your allergy and avoid your triggers. An allergist will take a detailed medical history and review your symptoms to determine whether your symptoms are triggered by an allergy to food, medications, insect stings or something else.

Allergy tests are both convenient and accurate. When combined with a detailed medical history, allergy testing can identify the specific things that trigger your allergic reactions. Testing also helps your allergist determine whether you have a food intolerance or a food allergy, which both can cause stomach upset.

Many people may think they have a food allergy when what they really are experiencing is food intolerance. Food intolerance can often mimic a food allergy, causing nausea and vomiting, but is not life-threatening. The best way to determine whether you are experiencing a food allergy is to see an allergist for testing. An allergist will help you develop an action plan to deal with whatever allergies or intolerances you may have.

Be Proactive Not Reactive

How do Allergies Start? â Stomach Acid & Allergies Explained by Dr.Berg

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.

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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.

Does Leaky Gut Cause Allergies

In time leaky gut can overwhelm the immune system meaning it is less able to decide what is dangerous and what is not. Pathogens are deemed troublesome for example, because they include flu viruses and other disease-causing bacteria.

The likes of pollen and animal dander on the other hand, should be able to pass through without issue because they dont pose any threat to the body. However, under the growing pressure caused by leaky gut the immune system may begin to identify harmless substances such as pollen particles as dangerous.

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Symptoms Of Pollen Allergies

Everyones immune system is different and allergies to pollens can cause diverse signs and symptoms. This means that diagnosing an allergy can be difficult. If you think you may have an allergy, keeping a record of your symptoms can help you and your doctor to understand what is causing your symptoms.

Seasonal Allergies: Occurrence And Symptoms

Pin on HEALTH

Seasonal allergies are sometimes referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

In the United States, allergies typically are at their worst during the spring season, when flowers start to bud and trees begin to bloom. In most parts of the country, allergies typically start in February and can last until early in the summer.

Certain factors can influence the intensity and duration of allergy season. For example, milder winter temperatures can lead to early plant pollination. Additionally, a rainy spring can lead to rapid plant growth, ultimately causing an increase in mold and symptoms that can linger into the fall.

Seasonal allergies develop because the bodys immune system has become sensitized and is overreacting to something in the environment that normally does not cause problems in other people. Some of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies include grass, pollen and mold.

Some of the most common general allergy symptoms include:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Joint, back and neck pain

Other factors can influence the severity of allergy symptoms. After a rainfall, pollen counts typically increase. Pollen counts are often higher on warm and windy days. On days with no wind, allergens are typically grounded. High humidity also promotes mold growth. In addition, pollen levels are generally at their highest in morning hours. Certain pollens, such as grass and ragweed, are most prevalent when the nights are cool and the days are warm.

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