Talk To Your Allergist Right Away If You Are Suffering From Body Aches And / Or Cfs
You do not have to live with chronic pain and you do not have to live with fatigue. At Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group we have helped many patients with allergies, joint pain, and much more. We highly suggest you call us right away at 805-658-9500 for an appointment. We can do through testing to get the most accurate diagnosis which will lead us to the right treatment plan.
Allergies Usually Do Not Cause Wet Coughs
While coughing is often a symptom of both allergies and colds, the type of cough for each is different. A cold cough is wet and hacking, and typically produces mucus or phlegm that gets progressively thicker, often taking on a green or yellow tinge.
Allergies can cause a cough that feels like you have a tickle in your throat. Thats because allergens often irritate the lining of your nose, which triggers your nasal passages to create a watery mucus. This can drip out of your nose and down the back of your throat, creating that tickling sensation. This is referred to as post-nasal drip.
How Seasonal Allergies Are Linked To Joint Pain
Seasonal allergies occur at certain periods of the year. These allergies typically impact various areas of the body, including the throat, eyes and nose. Joint pain typically accompanies these allergies.
However, theres still the question about the link between seasonal allergies and joint pain. Here are some reasons:
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Do Seasonal Allergies Wreak Havoc On Your Body
If so, youre not alone many people experience an increase in their allergy symptoms during allergy season, especially when pollen counts are high. For some, symptoms are mild, with sneezing and stuffiness, while others experience joint, back and neck pain, in addition to breathing difficulties. However, although allergies can cause neck pain, join pain and back pain, there are many things you can try to make the pain subside.
In some cases, your symptoms may appear to be related more to the weather, injury or illness rather than specific allergens. However some allergy symptoms, such as non-allergic rhinitis and even joint pain, can be brought on by rapid changes in temperature and humidity that typically accompany the spring season. In the United States, spring often is the highest time for allergies, meaning your seasonal allergies could be the cause of your pain.
Lets take a closer look at how allergies and joint pain may be related.
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As fresh flowers emerge in the springtime, so do seasonal allergies. The main culprit is pollen released into the air by the green grass, mold, trees, and colorful flowers in full bloom. Nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a sore throat are common symptoms. But can seasonal allergies cause joint pain? Yes, they can. Lets look at how seasonal allergies affect your joints:
Many people complain of an increase in joint pain around this time of the year. This is because the pollen in the air lands on your skin, eyes, and nose triggering an allergic reaction in the body. The immune system works hard to fight against the foreign allergens. This causes fatigue and inflammation within the body. The inflammatory reaction spreads to the joints and manifests as joint pain.
Steps to prevent seasonal allergies:
If your joint pain continues even after getting allergy symptoms under control, you should visit an orthopedic doctor for an in-depth evaluation and treatment recommendation.
Also Check: How To Know If You Have Seasonal Allergies
How Common Are Food Allergies And Intolerances
Food allergies affect about 1 percent of adults and 7 percent of children, although some children outgrow their allergies. Food intolerances are much more common. In fact, nearly everyone at one time has had an unpleasant reaction to something they ate. Some people have specific food intolerances. Lactose intolerance, the most common specific food intolerance, affects about 10 percent of Americans.
Allergies Vs Cold Vs Flu Vs Covid
While symptoms for all of these conditions can overlap, there are some key differences.
Allergies can sometimes be confused with the common cold or the flu, but with a cold or the flu you will have a fever and be more fatigued, you can have body pain, not just sneezing and itchy eyes, says Dr. Lahari Rampur, an allergist who sees patients at UW Medical Center Montlake and Harborview Medical Center.
Sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip, and itchy, puffy, watery eyes are common seasonal allergy symptoms and can also happen if you get a cold.
Flu typically involves a fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and possibly a headache or cough. With COVID-19, the most common symptoms are a fever, throat pain, or a new cough or new shortness of breath, though runny nose or nasal congestion can also occur. Some people lose their sense of smell or taste or have gastrointestinal symptoms.
If all you have are allergies or a cold, you probably wont get a fever or body aches and if you do, they will be mild. If you do get the flu or COVID-19, youre unlikely to have sinus or eye symptoms.
While seasonal allergies can make someone wheeze or cough, , it will usually be pretty mild.
Also Check: How To Tell If Baby Has Cold Or Allergies
Joint Pain And Food Allergies
Besides seasonal allergies, food allergies are quite common in many people especially the children. Though in some cases allergic reactions to certain types of food are inherited, it is quite difficult to predict the condition amongst families. In that case, an individual may develop allergic reactions towards a certain food at some point in their lives. Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish, wheat, and shellfish are examples of common foods that cause allergenic reactions in many people. This happens due to overreaction of the immune system towards a particular food type or its components.
- Shock
- Hoarse throat and hives
These symptoms usually affect the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. In excess situations, food allergies may result in a condition called anaphylaxis which is life threatening when one fails to breathe properly thus causing a shock. In such cases, joint pain manifests.
The main cause of joint pain as a result of food allergies is inflammation. Researchers from different institutions such asJohns Hopkins Medicine and OrthoBethesda have concluded that allergens that trigger the immune system do result in joint pain in various parts of the body. That explains the reason why arthritis patients experience severe joint pain after taking certain foods that they are allergic to.
What Is Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. When you breathe in allergens through your nose or mouth, your body reacts by releasing a natural chemical called histamine. Several indoor and outdoor allergens cause hay fever. Common causes include dust mites, mold, pet dander and pollen from trees and plants.
Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of the nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis is not the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold. Hay fever is not contagious.
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How Is Allergic Rhinitis Treated
Several allergy medications can improve symptoms and help you live with hay fever. These treatments come in many forms, including liquids, pills, eye drops, nasal sprays and injections. Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if youre pregnant or have other health concerns. Your provider may suggest:
Antihistamines: Antihistamine medications are available with a prescription or over the counter. They work by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers. They include:
- Loratadine .
- Fexofenadine .
- Levocetirizine .
Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if youre going to drive.
These medications relieve congestion in the nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth or use a nasal spray. They include:
- Afrin® nasal spray.
- Phenylephrine nasal spray .
-
Pseudoephedrine .
Corticosteroid nasal sprays: These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase®, Nasacort® and Rhinocort®. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough.
Your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue.
Types Of Allergies Linked To Arthritis
The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis . RA is an autoimmune disorder in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, primarily in the joints. OA is usually the result of long-term wear-and-tear on a joint, or joint damage caused by a major injury.
While research into the connection between allergies and arthritis is ongoing, there are several studies that show an overall association between the two conditions and their risk factors.
For example, a 2015 study exploring the connection between allergies and rheumatoid arthritis suggests that people with at least one allergy have a greater risk of developing RA. The association is likely due to the two conditions developing in similar ways, primarily related to a chronic, irregular response of the immune system.
Certain allergy-arthritis connections are better studied than others, and some research is mixed or unclear. Lets review what experts have discovered regarding specific allergies and arthritis.
Foods and certain ingredients that tend to increase inflammation in the body may also worsen arthritis symptoms. This includes added sugars, processed meats, and alcohol, among others.
However, a
Also Check: Can Allergies Make Your Body Sore
How To Manage Your Seasonal Allergies To Avoid Joint Pain
- Check pollen counts. You can track daily pollen counts and forecasts easily online. You should also avoid being outside when pollen levels are at their highest, usually between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Shower off after being outdoors. This helps to limit the number of allergens being brought into your home. This also extends to your pets, try to bathe them after exposure to the outdoors.
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to avoid allergens drifting inside.
- Take allergy medication. Antihistamines help to block your bodys response to allergies and work quickly, usually within an hour of taking them. Nasal sprays are also a good option for severe allergy symptoms.
- Get ahead of it. If you know you get seasonal allergies every spring, start taking your medication early so your system is already ready to go.
If your joint pain persists outside of allergy season, it might be a good idea to schedule a consultation with us. our office at 544-3400 today.
What You Need To Know
- Allergies are the result of your immune systems response to a substance.
- Immune responses can be mild, from coughing and a runny nose, to a life-threatening reaction know as anaphylaxis.
- A person becomes allergic when their body develops antigens against a substance. Upon repeated exposure the severity of the reaction may increase.
- Allergies affect people of all ages, races, genders and socioeconomic statuses.
Allergic disease is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. People with a family history of allergies have an increase risk of developing allergic disease. Hay fever , eczema, hives, asthma, and food allergy are some types of allergic diseases. Allergy symptoms can range from mild to a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction .
Allergic reactions begin in your immune system. When a harmless substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who is allergic to that substance, the immune system may over react by producing antibodies that “attack” the allergen. The can cause wheezing, itching, runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms.
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Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Stomach Upset
My wife often starts a few young seedlings of spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes in a sunny window before they go outside for the spring.
Recently, when we had a few baby plants in the house, I started having headaches and stomach upset and couldn’t find a cause until I spotted a few little sprouts of pollen that had shot up from the baby spinach.
Once the offending plant was moved outside, my symptoms went away.
As a functional medicine doctor, I am used to seeing new patients who have been misdiagnosed for years due to symptoms that don’t quite fit the mold of a standard diagnosis.
There are, no doubt, many people unnecessarily suffering because of a misunderstanding of how we think of certain conditions.
Signs Of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are allergy symptoms that occur at certain times of the year when trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air. Additional allergens that cause or aggravate allergies are mold and dust.
Allergies develop when the bodys immune system overacts to something in the environment. You might experience seasonal allergies at any time during the spring, summer, or fall months and some people experience allergy symptoms all year long.
Different types of plants cause allergies at different times of the year. Depending on allergen triggers and where you live, you might experience seasonal allergies during more than one season or at different severity levels season by season.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
Seasonal allergies might also aggravate asthma symptoms, including wheezing and coughing.
An allergist can help you pinpoint the source of symptoms and manage severe allergic symptoms. You should also treat with an allergist if you experience allergy symptoms several months of the year.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Environmental Allergies
What Is Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It occurs when something in food irritates a persons digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest, or break down, the food. Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance.
Allergies And Chronic Fatigue
It is not uncommon for a person who suffers from allergies to also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome . Symptoms of CFS include extreme exhaustion that does not have any known cause. The first step is to talk to your doctor so they can assess for potential illnesses. If they cannot find the cause, then your next step should be to take to an allergist.
Why? Because it is often the case that a person with CFS has an over-sensitive immune system. When you consider that allergies can be caused by over-sensitive immune systems, it is easy to see that why the conditions often exist together. It is often the case that by treating allergies, fatigue can be reduced. Other things can affect both fatigue and allergies, such as mold spores and other environmental irritants.
Read Also: What Is A Sulfa Allergy
How Are Food Intolerances Diagnosed
Most food intolerances are found through trial and error to determine which food or foods cause symptoms. You may be asked to keep a food diary to record what you eat and when you get symptoms, and then look for common factors. For example, after charting what he eats every day for a month, a man finds that he had symptoms only on the days he ate cheese. This points the finger at cheese as a possible cause of his discomfort.
Another way to identify problem foods is an elimination diet. You begin by completely eliminating any suspect foods from your diet until you are symptom-free. You then begin to reintroduce the foods, one at a time. This can help you pinpoint which foods cause symptoms. Seek the advice of your health care provider or a registered dietitian before beginning an elimination diet to be sure your diet provides adequate nutrition.
How Seasonal Allergies Impact Chronic Illness
Seasonal allergies are uncomfortable and can cause or aggravate other health problems.
When my seasonal allergies strike in the Spring, I feel it in my joints and in my gut, says patient advocate Zoe Rothblatt, who lives with spondyloarthritis and Crohns disease. Along with the sniffles and congestion headache, my joints get a fiery ache and I get a crampy ache in my gut.
Also Check: How To Control Allergy In Blood
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.
