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Do Allergies Make You Dizzy

What To Do If You Have These Symptoms

Why your allergies might be causing vertigo

If youâre experiencing any of these symptoms related to allergies, youâre not alone: an estimated 67 million Americans experience allergies to some degree.

Many people can get a lot of relief with a few lifestyle adjustments:

â;;;;;; Change your homeâs air filters regularly.

â;;;;;; If outdoor allergies are a problem for you, avoid going outside between 5am and 10am. This is usually when the pollen count is highest.

â;;;;;; Shower, or at least wash your hair, everyday to remove allergens.

â;;;;;; Use allergy-safe covers for your pillows and mattresses.

â;;;;;; Change and wash your bedding regularly.

â;;;;;; Vacuum the floors often.

â;;;;;; Reduce clutter to create fewer places where dust, dander, and other allergens can collect.

â;;;;;; Avoid smoking or being around secondhand smoke.

Although these options can help reduce some of the symptoms and effects, your best option is to talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist.

The experts at Texan Allergy &Sinus Center have the tools and experience you need to determine the best way to treat and manage your symptoms. Donât wait any longer–request an appointment today!

Why Seasonal Allergies Cause ‘brain Fog’

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The spring allergy season is upon us. Pollen counts are skyrocketing, sinuses are swelling, and for some of us other symptoms are creeping in as well. If youve experienced a brain fog characterized by dizziness, imbalance and fatigue during allergy season and wondered about the connection between the pollen youre inhaling and the mental murkiness, youre not alone. Science has been working the case, and although we dont have a clear picture just yet, were beginning to understand more about what happens in our brains when pollen is in the wind.

The basics of this story involve allergens and the immune system. If youre among the 30% or so of the population with seasonal allergies, your body responds to allergens as an assault and your immune system reacts by producing histamines, compounds that cause muscle contractions and blood vessel dilation. Later into the reaction, your body releases proteins called cytokines that signal the surrounding tissue to brace against the offenders.

All of this plus the activity of a few more chemicals results in inflammation, which we feel in our sinuses, nasal membranes, throats, eyes and lungs. Some of us are more sensitive to particular allergens , and the severity of reactions varies, from annoying to life threatening.

You can also try avoiding what sets you off , but for most allergy sufferers thats not much of an option.

Which Allergy Medicine Has The Least Side Effects

About 87 million people in the US bought allergy medication last year, and you may be one of them. Allergy drugs have evolved to offer relief for symptoms like itchy red eyes and nasal congestion. Of course, every medication has side effects and the question is whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Yet when you are faced with taking allergy medicine regularly, it may be time to consider the side effects and which medication has the least.*

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Medical Care For Houston And Beyond

If you need to see a doctor, then call Emergency Hospital Systems. Our experts will help you get to the bottom of your medical problem. Whether you need a diagnosis or treatment advice, we will offer professional, caring services. Click on the locations tab as shown above to find the hospital closest to you.

Other Common Causes Of Dizziness

Dizziness and Fatigue: 9 Possible Causes

There are many conditions that cause dizziness. Ear infections are a common, usually harmless cause. However, other conditions can be a major problem. These are things like heart disease, anemia, and low blood pressure. Low blood sugar can also cause dizziness. Lastly, mental health symptoms can cause dizziness. Anxiety and panic attacks are both common culprits.

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How Are Your Ears Affected

Our ears are made up of three parts the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Allergic reactions can cause the outer ear to itch or swell. The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube, which acts as a drainage tube of sorts. When mucus clogs the middle ear it affects that drainage. Pressure builds, which can lead to discomfort, popping in the ears or an earache. Your middle ear may itch as well. The inner ear is filled with fluid, and if this fluid becomes infected, you may suffer dizziness, ringing in the ear or loss of balance.

Sometimes a stuffy nose and sinus pressure can radiate to the ears, causing pressure or earaches.

Some people experience a short-term hearing loss due to an allergic reaction. This is known as conductive hearing loss and usually is temporary and resolves itself when the allergies subside.

Young children commonly experience middle;ear infections, which may be triggered by allergies. These infections are known as otitis media. If these occur often, a professional may recommend allergy tests.

How Are Sinus Headaches Diagnosed

Most of the time when people diagnose themselves with a sinus headache, its really a migraine. So, its important to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests. A magnetic resonance imaging test can rule out serious brain conditions. Multiple imaging tests can reveal sinus blockages and include:

  • X-rays.
  • Nasal endoscopy .

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Allergies And Dizziness 101

Itchy and watery eyes, coughing, and running noses are often signs of allergies. But dizziness? Its actually a more common allergy symptom than you think.

Thomas Chacko, MD, an Atlanta-based board-certified allergist, and immunologist, says many things can trigger dizziness, including allergies.

My goal is if we can treat the allergies and decrease the allergic inflammation, the symptoms of dizziness may improve, explains Dr. Chacko, who served as president of the Georgia Allergy, Asthma Immunology Society.

The issues can be complex when dealing with dizziness, he says, and finding the cause and cure usually involves some work with your doctor.

Heres what you need to know about allergies and dizziness, including treatments and when to see your doctor.

What Can You Do

Can allergies make your head feel weird?

Address diet certain foods such as smoked meats, walnuts, cashew nuts, milk-based products and foods with artificial colourings are high in histamine so these are best avoided when suffering from allergic rhinitis. However, there are foods low in histamine that you can eat instead such as fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as herbal teas.

Try Echinacea – the immune system has to work extra hard when suffering from allergic rhinitis in order to fight off allergens. This puts it under a great deal of strain so any extra assistance you can give it could be beneficial. Echinafoce Echinacea Drops ;are ideal for this as they are made from fresh Echinacea in order to fully support the immune system.

Try nettle tea this is a natural antihistamine so it should help you deal with the symptoms that come about as a result of this chemical. Such symptoms include inflammation and, therefore, dizziness too.

Up your vitamin C intake vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and is great for the immune system too. This means its a great addition to your diet when youre suffering from allergic rhinitis. You can obtain vitamin C from citrus fruits like oranges, but dont forget that strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes and leafy greens also contain vitamin C.

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Why Pollen Allergy Season Causes Vertigo According To Science

Pollen is really out here trying to ruin all our lives. For some allergy sufferers, it can can cause intense and seemingly random dizzy spells.

Vertigo is a symptom some people experience alongside various illnesses. Itâs a feeling of being dizzy to the point of disconnection; at worst, a person might feel completely disoriented and even nauseous.

Since weâre right in the middle of a truly terrible allergy season, it makes sense some allergy sufferers are experiencing vertigo. Because allergies affect a personâs sinuses, congestion in this area contributes to feelings of disorientation.

According to the Silverstein Institute for ear, nose, and throat treatment, allergies can irritate âthe middle ear down to the back of your throat.â This region, called the Eustachian tube, is partly responsible for keeping us balanced.

âWhen it is clogged, it cannot equalize the pressure in your ear and help your body maintain its balance and thatâs when you feel the dizziness,â SI reports.

Sinus congestion and, thus, vertigo are caused by your bodyâs response to something foreign. In this case, the alien body is pollen. When the bodyâs immune system works into overdrive to âattackâ these bodies, we experience allergy symptoms like nasal congestion, throat irritation, and more.

If youâre feeling sick or tired from allergies, just know that the worst will be over soon â hopefully.

Heres Why Allergies Make You Miserable

So, what causes your seasonal allergies to move from typical symptoms like nasal congestion, puffy eyes, and throat irritation to that whirling sensation that can knock you off your feet?

When you breathe in certain allergens, like pollen, your body releases inflammatory markers called histamines that cause swelling and mucus production in your nose, throat, and inner ear tubes. The response is what makes you feel like your head is filled with pressure.

Your sinuses are supposed to be air-filled cavities, not filled with fluids. But when you get so stopped up and inflamed, fluid gets trapped and causes an imbalance in your inner ear fluids. That can contribute to headaches and feelings of dizziness a lot of people will say that they feel like theyre stuck under water, said Elliott.

Generally speaking, you dont have to worry about vertigo just because of a high pollen count. The onset of dizziness tends to happen when people delay treatment for their allergies, and try to wait them out, Elliott added.

Vertigo is directly correlated with how long patients wait to see the doctor. Once an allergic response is triggered, that begets the release of more and more chemicals in the body, creating a compounding effect. You end up with vertigo as a complication of an untreated allergic response in the nose, said Elliott.

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You May Have A Heart Condition Or Circulation Problems

Changes in blood volume affect the blood flow to your brain and inner ear, so regular dizziness â especially the kind that happens right after you stand up â could be an early sign of conditions like heart arrhythmia, low blood pressure, and more, according to Mayo Clinic. I know this sounds scary, so resist the urge to panic and just go see a doctor. That’s your best bet for anything â even if your symptoms prove to be nothing.

When Is Dizziness A Serious Health Concern

Video of allergy

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.

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Doctor Provided Allergy Treatments

In severe cases, immunotherapy may be your best option. This involves injections that help your body build up a tolerance to the allergen, leading to a reduction in symptoms over time.

How can you prevent winter allergies?

To protect againstwinter allergies, wash bed linens in hot water; keep pets outdoors or away frombedding and invest in a high-efficiency particulate air filter.

If you are experiencing vertigo that may be associated with allergies or would like more information, contact an ENT doctor in Boone or Jefferson.

Learn more about hearing health

Diagnosing And Treating Food Associated Headaches

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.;;

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Headache Triggers For People With Allergies

Allergy doesnt always look like allergy and allergy symptoms can manifest in many different ways. Some experience itchy throat and runny nose. Others know their allergies are peaking when they experience headaches or migraines, and some find that headaches are their only allergy symptom.

Though a definitive cause of migraines isnt totally clear, clinical evidence and research has shown a connection between migraines, headaches, and allergies. Foods, environmental factors and irritants can all be headache triggers.

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Is It Low Blood Sugar

How to Ease Ear and Sinus Congestion

People with diabetes need to check the amount of sugar in their blood often. You can get dizzy if it drops too low. That also can cause hunger, shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Some people without diabetes also have trouble with low blood sugar, but that’s rare.

A quick fix is to eat or drink something with sugar, like juice or a hard candy.

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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.

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Ringing In The Ears And Dizziness

Many disorders that affect;the inner ear can potentially lead to ringing in the ears and dizziness, especially;Menieres disease.;

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo ;typically causes dizziness but no other symptoms.;

Dizziness caused by the inner ear may feel like a whirling or spinning sensation , unsteadiness or lightheadedness and it may be constant or intermittent. It may be aggravated by certain head motions or sudden positional changes. Although nausea and vomiting may occur, people do;not typically lose consciousness as a result of inner ear dizziness.;

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How To Prevent Allergy Fatigue

The best way to prevent allergy fatigue is to find an effective treatment option for your allergies. The first step in managing allergies and preventing symptoms like fatigue is to find out which specific allergens trigger your reactions. After this diagnosis, there are ways to minimize allergies and avoid fatigue. You can minimize allergy fatigue in several ways:

The State Of East Coast Air In Fall 2021

Dizziness and Fatigue: 9 Possible Causes

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:

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