Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeCauseDo Allergies Cause Headaches And Dizziness

Do Allergies Cause Headaches And Dizziness

How To Treat A Tension Headache

Does vertigo cause headaches?

Some people may find relief from tension headaches by applying hot or cold packs to the neck or head or by taking OTC headache medications.

Chronic tension headaches occur when a person experiences a tension headache for 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months. They sometimes happen when a person has underlying muscle issues, sits at a computer all day, or has chronic stress. A doctor may be able to identify strategies for dealing with these issues.

Why Do People Miss The Connection Between Allergies And Vertigo

Vertigo is a symptom of many vestibular disorders, such as vestibular neuritis, as well as potential neurological issues. Because it feels frightening and often indicates a larger medical problem, patients may not always connect the dots between their existing allergies and their vertigo. If you have unexplained vertigo and also suffer from seasonal allergies, pursue the connection by contacting your doctor.

How Can I Treat Allergy-Related Vertigo?

The good news is that allergy-related vertigo will respond to typical allergy treatments. The first step is to identify what specific allergens are causing the reaction. Once a patient has a confirmed diagnosis, it is much easier to identify effective treatments for the symptoms caused. Over-the-counter allergy medications and nasal steroid sprays, as well as daily saline rinses, will bring some immediate relief. It may take a patient some trial and error to find the combination that works for them.

Long-term relief will come from successfully treating the allergies themselves. There are a number of options for patients, including allergy shots and sinus reconstruction surgery. Patients can also take steps to reduce their exposure to allergens, such as installing air filters in their home and sweeping more frequently.

_____

You May Like: What Medicine To Take For Skin Allergy

What Causes Cervicogenic Vertigo

Research is ongoing into the full range of causes of cervicogenic vertigo, but medical scientists have discovered that the muscles and joints of the neck have a direct connection to the vestibular apparatus.

The vestibular apparatus is the part of the middle ear that is responsible for the sense of orientation and balance. Muscle spasms and joint degeneration can play a role in causing cervicogenic vertigo.

Doctors do know that atherosclerosis disrupts blood flow to the inner ear and parts of the brain, causing vertigo, along with other symptoms such as dizziness and a severe headache.

Atherosclerosis is not the only cause of the blocking of blood flow to the brain or inner ear. Previous surgeries, trauma to the neck, and severe arthritis can also block blood flow, causing the same symptoms.

The neck does a lot of work during your lifetime. It is the most mobile part of the spine, and over time, sees significant wear and tear, which can result in cervical spondylosis.

Spondylosis causes the vertebrae and discs to degenerate over time, leading to significant osteoarthritis of the neck. If spondylosis progresses far enough, it can put pressure on the spinal nerves or even the spinal cord. When this happens, symptoms can include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Pain across the shoulder area, or pain that radiates into the arms
  • A grinding or popping sensation that occurs when turning the neck.

Recommended Reading: Active Ingredient In Zyrtec And Claritin

What To Do If You Have Histamine Intolerance

When histamine intolerance develops due to an acquired cause for example, from certain medications the problem is relatively easy to diagnose and reverse. However, other causes, and the subsequent management of reactions, may not be so simple. Some patients opt for testing DAO levels, but the test isnt widely available.

Here are four strategies you can follow if you think you suffer from histamine intolerance:

1. Elimination Diet

One of the first steps for many people is to go on an elimination diet. All foods high in histamine are removed from the diet for a period of one to three months to see if symptoms improve. These foods are then gradually reintroduced to monitor reactions.

2. DAO Supplement

Another option many patients find not only acceptable, but also preferable, is simply to raise their DAO levels by taking daily supplements. However, the current product range is, at best, sparse, and this isnt a cheap option. Still, for many it can improve quality of life without going through the further disruption of food elimination or testing.

You can also take digestive enzymes for histamine intolerance.

3. Low-Protein Diet

Since histamine is made from amino acids and amino acids derive from proteins, it follows that foods high in protein ultimately affect histamine levels. Additionally, histamine levels elevate as food is allowed to age in the gut, which can feed bacteria that can continue to feed the cycle.

4. Low-Histamine Diet

Airborne Allergies And Dizziness

Food Allergy Headache Dizziness Swaying Feeling Vertigo ...

Airborne allergies can lead to sinus congestion as well as inflammation of the lining of the eustachian tube, which normally equalizes the pressure in the middle ear.

When the eustachian tube becomes blocked by inflammation, pressure builds and your ears feel plugged up, which sometimes can result in dizziness or balance problems.

You may also feel lightheaded or off-balance from the side effects of allergy medication. Most oral antihistamines can cause dizziness.

Recommended Reading: How To Help Indoor Allergies

Read Also: Can Allergies Make You Sick To Your Stomach

How Are Headaches Diagnosed

Your doctor will do an exam and get your childs to help see what might be causing the headaches. The doctor will ask about:

  • how severe the headaches are and how often they happen
  • when the headaches first started
  • what the headaches feel like, and where they hurt
  • whether the headaches have a pattern or change over time
  • any other symptoms
  • any medicines your child takes
  • any allergies
  • any family history of headaches

To help pin down the problem, doctors often ask parents and older kids and teens to keep a headache diary. In the diary, list:

  • all headaches
  • how long they last
  • a few notes about what might have brought them on

The doctor will do a complete neurological exam. This can involve looking in the eyes, testing nerves, and having your child do things like walk or touch his or her nose. To look for medical problems that might be causing headaches, the doctor may order:

  • blood tests

Read Also: Do Allergies Cause Scratchy Throat

What Are Symptoms Of Dizziness

Dizziness is a blanket term that describes multiple symptoms.

A person might feel lightheaded, faint or unsteady. In some cases, they are unable to determine their location and motion in relation to their physical environment.

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that causes a person to experience a spinning sensation. There are two types of vertigo: subjective and objective . Its the result of a dysfunction in the balance system of the brain or inner ear. Vertigo may last anywhere from a few minutes to several days.

Don’t Miss: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

How To Treat Sinusitis

Applying heated pads or warm compresses to the face may help. Some people may also find relief by taking allergy medications or over-the-counter pain relievers.

Antibiotics some sinus infections, but only if they are due to bacteria. They cannot help with viral infections.

Some people may develop a chronic form of sinusitis that may require a consultation with a specialist.

affect the middle ear , which is just past the eardrum. These infections are common among children. Sometimes, an ear infection follows another illness, such as a sinus infection or the flu.

The middle ear makes fluid itself to keep itself clean. This fluid should drain into the throat through an opening. However, if the throat becomes swollen, the opening swells shut. Therefore, the fluid collects, which can be painful. It may then become infected.

Symptoms may come on suddenly, and most people develop a fever. A person may also have pressure in the head, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.

Diagnosing And Treating Food Associated Headaches

Why your allergies might be causing vertigo

Diagnosing a food allergy headache is extremely difficult. While there is testing for food allergies, they are not very accurate giving a false positive result about 40 to 60 percent of the time.

Other ways to diagnose food allergy headaches include an elimination diet or food challenge. An elimination diet involves removing all possible food triggers from the diet and adding them back into the diet one at a time and recording the result. When a trigger is found, it is removed, and the elimination diet continued to determine other triggers.

A food challenge entails giving the person increasing amounts of a food that is thought to be a trigger until a reaction occurs. This type of test is considered the most accurate way to check for a food allergy.

A food diary is another way to check for food-related triggers and is a common practice in any migraine clinic. When you get a headache, you write down what you ate prior to the headache along with any symptoms or auras you had before the migraine or headache. This makes it easy to track foods and food combinations that may be triggers. A food diary can be an excellent ally for tension headache treatment as well as chronic headache treatment.

Recommended Reading: How Does A Food Allergy Test Work

Recommended Reading: Cetirizine Anti Allergy

Why Sinus Headache Is A Diagnostic Challenge: Similarities And Differences

Another common feature of allergic rhinitis and migraine is their seasonal exacerbation in the spring, fall, and summer months as a result of allergic triggers . A study from South Korea conducted between 2005 and 2013 showed that 13.5 % of migraine patients reported seasonal exacerbations . Moreover, the costs of migraine treatment are higher during allergy season , because many people with migraine experience an increase in headache intensity and frequency due to coexisting allergic rhinitis . Furthermore, ocular and nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis may vary from day to day, depending on the allergen concentration in the atmosphere .

To avoid a misdiagnosis, it is important to realize that the pain characteristics of each condition may differ. Patients describe sinus-related pain as dull and pressure-like usually bilateral located in the maxillary, glabellar, periorbital, or frontal regions of the skull and worse in the morning. Those with migraine, on the other hand, usually describe the pain as throbbing or stabbing, mostly unilateral, moderate to severe in intensity, located in the temporal or retro-orbital area, and not worse during a particular time of day .

The State Of East Coast Air In Fall 2021

For four season lovers on the East Coast, fall ushers in orange-red leaves, pumpkin patches, warm apple cider, and you guessed it, the potential for hurricanes. While living on or by the water is a huge plus for East Coasters, hurricane season leaves less to be desired. Because hurricanes can affect areas more than 100 miles inland, this weather event poses a threat to your familys and homes safety, no matter how far off the coast you reside.

For many, resulting air quality issues are often forgotten in the aftermath. Although hurricanes tend to be brief, yet disruptive, they can leave a lasting effect on your air quality once the storm rolls by. Plus, floodwaters and damage from high-speed winds and rain can lead to excess moisture in the air, leaving behind the potential for unwanted mold growth indoors.

Hurricane Season: What to Expect in 2021

Who could forget last years record-breaking season? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the 2020 season serves as a reminder to all residents in coastal regions or areas prone to inland flooding from rainfall to be prepared for the 2021 season. But, is 2021 predicted to be as worrisome as 2020? Yesand no.

Hurricane Season: Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality

Invest in greater health, virus protection, fewer allergens, more productivity, and better sleep.

Heres how each award-winning component helps your family Breathe the Fullness of Life at home during hurricane season and beyond:

Also Check: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

When Is Dizziness A Serious Health Concern

Temporary or occasional bouts of dizziness are usually a signal to slow down and wait for the fog to clear. If it persists, or becomes more frequent, seek medical help, advises Dr. Chacko.

But for those who have vertigo, it can be hazardous for themselves and others.

Its not the affliction itself, says Dr. Derebery, but the potential impact. She tells her patients to give up scuba diving permanently, and be cautious when driving, climbing ladders, or any activity that could be dangerous should vertigo occur.

The effect of vertigo is not just the spinning which causes you to lose your balance, she says. Its that your body cannot sense gravity so you can fall suddenly.

She adds that vertigo is a symptom of an inner ear issue. If it persists longer than 24 hours there may be something else going on in the brain that must be addressed.

Brain scans and other assessments can look for medical issues that could be the source of persistent dizziness or vertigo.

10 Things to Try For Allergy Relief

9 Foods That May Help Ease Your Allergies

9 Medical Conditions That Mimic Allergies

The State Of Fall Allergies In 2021

Do Allergies Cause Dizziness?

Yes, allergies come back around in the fall and after a pretty pollen-filled spring season, we dont have much relief to look forward to this time around. And, with air pollution playing a critical role in triggering allergy symptoms, all regions of the nation will be impacted. Are you a fall allergy sufferer? Heres what you need to know this year.

The spring allergy season usually sets the tone for fall. If theres too much rain in the spring, it could lead to mold growth that forces your symptoms to last throughout the fall. Another common trigger of fall allergies? Ragweed! Ragweed pollen can trigger your sneezes, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, certain climate factors could contribute to your symptom severity, including high heat and humidity that causes mold growth and warm winds that cause pollen counts to surge.

While its almost impossible to control your exposure to outdoor allergens, you can suppress your exposure when indoors, thanks to Aprilaire whole-home Indoor Air Quality solutions.

Fall Allergy Season: Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality

Recommended Reading: Claritin D Vs Zyrtec

How To Treat Sinus

To treat lightheadedness, get as much rest as you can because the light feeling in your head should pass when you lie down. For dizziness, you will need to treat your sinus problems.

When treating sinus or ear problems that cause dizziness at home, never use ear candling to remove wax from the ears. These products are so dangerous that the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2010 against their use. The organization noted that this method poses a risk for burns and does not have any scientific evidence to support its use to remove ear wax or help ear infections.

If you have allergies that contribute to your sinus problems, take antihistamines to reduce the allergic reaction and mucus buildup in your sinuses. Next, try decongestants to reduce inflammation and congestion in your sinus passages. While decongestants can ease sinus pressure and subsequent dizziness, do not take them for an extended time without consulting with your doctor. Nasal decongestant sprays can have a rebound effect and cause worse congestion if used for several days in a row.

If you continue to feel dizziness or lightheadedness after treating your problem at home, call a doctor to see if you need a prescription or an alternative treatment to help your sinus or ear problems.

We Recently Conducted A Survey And Found That The Majority Of People Dont Even Know If Their Home Has A Ventilation System Is There A Way People Can Conduct An Audit Of Their Own Systems So They Can See If They Need To Upgrade

For anyone that is not mechanically inclined or doesnt have any type of trade or mechanical background, its hard for them to conduct their own audit. A lot of times, customers think they have a ventilation system because they have that duct that is just sitting in the basement. But to be able to identify it on your own is tricky. One of the benefits of having your system serviced is that you can have the conversation with the service technician to be able to say, Do I have one? How does it work? Where is it located? We like to try and help our customers as much as we can, but thats one that I think would be hard for them to truly be able to identify or help them identify over the phone because of all the ductwork.

As far as signs of needing an upgradeon the ventilation side, moisture is probably one of the biggest things that would come to mind. When homeowners start to see condensation on the ductwork or see the ductwork sweat, they should consider upgrading it to a ventilation system thats more controlled versus just bringing in air. Regardless of the outdoor temperature and humidity, one of the key things is to eliminate and reduce the number of unintended consequences of a ventilation system. So, Id say moisture is one of those things that you can see thats telling you that you need something better.

Recommended Reading: Robitussin Drug

How To Treat An Ear Infection

Lying down with the ear that hurts facing up, with a heated pad on top, may help relieve the pain of an ear infection. This is because gravity helps the fluid from the ear drain into the throat. Also, the heat from the pad helps keep the drainage site open.

Taking OTC pain relievers can also help ease the symptoms.

Antibiotics may help treat middle ear infections, especially in young children and people with weak immune systems. However, draining the ear by lying on the correct side will help stop the condition from recurring and prevent a ruptured eardrum, which could happen due to fluid buildup.

happens when muscle tension radiates to the head. A person may also experience shoulder or neck pain.

Tension headaches tend to come on slowly, getting worse over time and causing pain throughout the head and sometimes a feeling of pressure. Very bad tension headaches can also make a person feel dizzy.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular