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Can You Get Congested From Allergies

Mucus In Throat Every Morning

Stuffy Nose | How To Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose Clear Blocked Nasal Congestion

If you wake up each day with mucus in throat, which you feel needs to be expelled, there are a few different reasons for that. For starters, mucus in throat in the morning could be a result of an infection or allergy, , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or it could be a sign of congestive heart failure.Congestive heart failure, in particular, can cause daily mucus in throat each morning, because the heart has a difficult time moving high amounts of blood through the body, causing fluid buildup. This fluid accumulates in the lungs, especially when a person is laying flat throughout the night. The result is a wet cough in the morning or throughout the night.

What’s Causing Your Symptoms

If you suspect that your symptoms are caused by an allergy, you can often get confirmationand reliefby taking the simple steps described below. But if youre uncertain or the measures dont help, talk with a doctor.

An office visit with your doctor and a few questions about your symptoms, environmental and occupational exposure, hobbies, overall health, and other factors should help narrow it down.

If necessary, an allergy skin test, which involves pricking the skin with a tiny amount of the suspected allergens, can confirm a diagnosis. A little redness shows that you have an allergy no reaction suggests nonallergic rhinitis.

Be wary of any allergy test thats not prompted by worrisome symptoms, a doctors exam, and your medical history. The free tests offered in pharmacies or home tests that you can buy often check for common allergens, including cat dander, cedar, dust mites, egg, and grass. But such tests are often misleading and can cause you to make unnecessary lifestyle changes.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is so concerned about the potential overuse of those tests that it recently included them in the Choosing Wisely campaign, which highlights unnecessary and sometimes harmful medical care.

Changes In Your Health

If at any time during the course of your immunotherapy you develop a new medical condition, you become pregnant, or you start a new medication, please tell the nurse. In particular, high blood pressure or heart medications and certain antidepressants cannot be taken with allergy shots. You should not get your allergy shot if you are have a fever, rash, asthma symptoms, or increased allergy symptoms.

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Nasal Allergy Symptom : Itchy Eyes

Itchy or watery eyes are a common allergy symptom. Although they can be annoying, eye symptoms donât usually cause serious eye or vision problems.

Again, avoiding the triggers that cause your allergies is the best way to help prevent itchy eyes. For example, if youâre allergic to pollen, keep the windows shut when youâre inside and wear sunglasses outside to help protect your eyes. Try not to rub your eyes, since this can irritate them, and avoid wearing contact lenses.

To soothe your eyes, try placing a cold washcloth over them or use artificial tears. Over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications or eyedrops that contain an antihistamine can also help relieve symptoms.

What Do Different Phlegm Colours Mean

How to Clear a Blocked Nose (Nasal Congestion)

Although research does suggest that the colour of phlegm is not a good indicator of significant infection in people with acute coughs who are feeling well, coughing up coloured phlegm might suggest a bacterial infection and may warrant advice from a health professional. Many people believe that having green or yellow mucus running from the nose means an infection is present whereas it is often a sign of simple dehydration or a harmless viral infection. We look at what the various colours of phlegm might mean:

Clear phlegm

This is the most common colour of phlegm and is usually triggered by an irritant, an allergy or a simple viral infection. Typical causes include allergic rhinitis and upper airway viral infections such as a or viral bronchitis and clear phlegm is generally not as thick or sticky as other types of phlegm.

Green or yellow phlegm

Green or yellow mucus can be a sign that the body is fighting off an infection, with the colour arising from white blood cells in the body. The longer and more severe any infection is, the greater the chance of the mucus becoming thicker and more dark green in colour. Common conditions causing this type of phlegm include sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis.

Brown phlegm

Black phlegm

Red or pink phlegm

Red or pink coloured mucus is usually linked to blood, and should always be medically assessed. Causes include , TB, heart failure, blood clots in the lungs and lung cancer.

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Some Throat Clearing From Mucus Is Normal

Skin is the lining covering the outside of the body, and the lining on the inside of us is made up of mucous membranes. It may come as no great surprise, but the mucous membranes manufacture and secrete mucus. The lining of the nose, sinuses, throat, actually the entire respiratory tract, is lined by mucous membranes and under normal circumstances the nose and throat make about a quart of mucus a day. This normal mucus is not too thick or not too thin, and it is usually swallowed unnoticed.

The respiratory systems mucus has many functions, but its two most important are its lubrication and barrier functions. Inhaled viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter are trapped on and in this sticky layer, which prevents such foreign material from being absorbed or attacking us all the time. When the mucus membranes are irritated or inflamed, they produce more/ excess mucus. Many things can cause this, including allergy, acid reflux and inhaled irritants. And when theres too much mucus, it causes throat clearing.

Do You Have Allergies Or A Cold

A cold is caused by a viral infection. In order to protect you from the virus, your bodys immune system releases white blood cells.

This causes an increase in mucous production and leads to your nose and throat becoming inflamed. You will become tired because your body is using up a lot of energy fighting the virus.

Allergies are different. An allergic reaction is caused by your body mistaking a harmless substance for something dangerous and attacking it. The sneezing and coughing you experience with allergies are caused by your body trying to fight off the allergen.

Colds are contagious and usually last for three to 14 days. They come with a cough, sore throat and a runny nose. Often they are accompanied by aches and fatigue. Itchy, watery eyes and a fever rarely occur.

Allergies are not contagious and can last as long as you are in contact with what you are allergic to. Itchy, watery red eyes and a runny or stuffy nose are common with allergies. Usually, these symptoms are accompanied by a cough, fatigue and a sore throat. The main difference between allergy symptoms and cold symptoms is that allergies never come with aches or a fever.

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Can Air Conditioning Cause Sinus Congestion

Its hard to imagine surviving warmer weather without the cooling power of air conditioning. However, turning on the AC to beat the heat can trigger sinus issues or exacerbate existing problems.

At Advanced Allergy & Asthma in Ogden, Utah, our team specializes in acute and chronic allergies, asthma, and other related conditions. If youve noticed sinus congestion that appears or worsens when you enter a cool, dry room, it could be the air conditioner.

What Can You Tell By The Color And Consistency Of Phlegm

3 Best HOME REMEDIES For CHEST CONGESTION Relief

When the lungs become infected, either from bronchitis or pneumonia , they often create more mucus.

Infection may cause mucus to change from a clear or light yellow thinner liquid to a darker thicker one. Mucus can become darker yellow or green. The dead white blood cells and other changes from the bodys response to infection cause this color change. The change in color may mean that your body is fighting off an infection. But not always.

There is some evidence that green or yellow phlegm is more often caused by a bacterial infection . Its just not a guarantee, so your doctor will look at other symptoms to decide which type of infection you havea bacterial one or a viral one.

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How Cold Air Affects Your Nose

Most people assume that sinus issues are due to colds or allergies, but that may not be the case. Your nose has incredibly sensitive nerve endings. When activated, they cause blood vessels to swell and increase activity in mucous membranes, which leads to congestion or a runny nose.

Aside from allergies, common sinus triggers include:

  • Cool, dry air
  • Infections
  • Hormones

This nasal sensitivity is why you may notice your nose running or growing stuffy when walking outside on a cold day or stepping into a cool, air-conditioned room. However, these reactions should be temporary. If you notice that your sinus congestion continues, you could also be suffering from allergies.

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Youre Congested Because: You Might Have Cancer

This is very rare, says Dr. Roditi. Tumors can be benign or cancerous and symptoms often mimic those from allergies and sinus infections, like facial pressure and congestion. Thats all the more reason to seek your docs help for congestion that lingers for a long time or you experience sudden stuffinessand youve never suffered from chronic nasal congestion before, says Dr. Roditi. If youre having the opposite problem, here are the reasons your nose is always running.

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Weakened Immune System While Pregnant

During pregnancy the immune system is very much lowered, so dont be much surprised if you catch various coughs.

See you doctor if you have:

  • A very persistent cough or youre bringing up a fluid especially when you cough
  • You might also feel very much sick
  • You are also experiencing a temperature that keeps rising even after taking paracetamol
  • You are experiencing a high temperature, coughing up the green mucus in nose, and generally feel much unwell.

All these symptoms might be an indication that a person has a chest infection. The doctor is able to prescribe various antibiotics. If the chest infection is left much untreated, it may affect the unborn baby.

Whats The Difference Between Allergies And Sinusitis

Its sometimes difficult to distinguish between allergies and sinusitis because their symptoms overlap. The following are some of the ways to tell the difference.

Allergies

Along with a stuffy nose, other symptoms of allergies include:

  • Sneezing

In addition to stuffy nose, sinusitis can also cause:

  • Thick mucus/drainage that is not clear
  • Headache/feeling of pressure behind forehead, cheeks, and/or eyes
  • Cough

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Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies

By Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.

Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?

Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.

Food Allergies That Cause Nasal Congestion

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A common symptom of a food allergy is nasal congestion. Nasal congestion is the result of inflammation in the sinus cavity that leads to swollen and irritated sinuses, according to the University of Maryland. Nasal congestion from food allergies is treatable, but a food allergy is not curable. If someone suspects she has a food allergy, she should see an allergist to undergo allergy tests. Nasal congestion from food allergies can lead to sinus pain, postnasal drip and a stuffy nose.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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Nasal Allergy Symptom : Sneezing

If youâve ever had a bout of uncontrollable sneezing, you know what a nuisance it can be. Some people have such severe sneezing episodes that they interfere with their daily life. But sneezing doesnât have to be that serious to seek relief.

If you canât avoid the allergen thatâs causing the sneezing, or if doing so doesnât help, try an over-the-counter antihistamine. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the label for any over-the-counter medicine. If that doesnât help, your doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid spray.

When Allergies And Illness Co

Remember that children with seasonal allergies can still get sick. With chronic nasal congestion, people dont clear germs as well from the nose. Therefore, they can get more viruses and those viruses can linger longer, Dr. Siegel. This means that if your child has allergies and then gets new symptoms that dont respond to allergy medications, its important to check with your pediatrician.

Anyone who has any illness symptoms must make sure to quarantine at home to avoid spreading the germs.

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Why Allergies Make Things Worse

You can experience even more sinus congestion in air-conditioned spaces when you have allergies, especially to irritants like dust mites, pollen, mold, or hayfever. Thats because the small particles causing allergic reactions can get trapped in AC filters, and then released back into the air every time the air conditioning runs.

Fortunately, you can still enjoy a cool air-conditioned environment free from sinus congestion. First, we recommend undergoing allergy testing to identify any sensitivities that could be worsening your symptoms. After reaching a diagnosis, we can help create a personalized strategy to help manage either acute or chronic allergy symptoms. Not only can our treatments help manage existing conditions, but they can also prevent new ones from developing.

Next, whether you have allergies or not, be sure to change your air conditioning filter regularly based on the manufacturers guidelines. These recommendations can vary significantly based on the type of air-conditioner you have, the filter it uses, and the number of irritants in the air. Remember, when you dont maintain your AC filters, you add more allergens to the air you breathe.

Finally, if you have sinus issues caused by cool, dry air alone, we recommend drinking plenty of fluids to stay properly hydrated and using a humidifier to increase the moisture in your environment.

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Why Sinus Pressure Without Congestion Is Unique

Cold, Flu or Allergies? Know Your Stuff(y) Nose ...

It seems like everyone can remember at least one morning where they wake up and just dont feel good. The pressure in their nose paired with the struggle to breathe properly is something we have all experienced at some point.

This issue is known as congestion, and it is that feeling you have when your nose feels blocked. In most cases, you will also experience sinus pressure when you deal with congestion.

Sinus pressure and congestion go hand in hand as congestion is caused by the nasal cavities in your head getting backed up. When these cavities fill up, your sinuses feel the pressure of the added fluid and tend to feel uncomfortable. This is why so often you will see people dealing with both sinus pressure and headaches at the same time.

Just because these two symptoms go hand in hand does not mean that they cant exist in isolation. As we will see, there are many causes of sinus pressure and dizziness that often dont come with added congestion.

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Risks And Side Effects

While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.

When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • rash
  • vomiting

If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.

What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.

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