Can Allergies Make You Tired?
Spring is in the air and that means sunny days, warmer temperatures, (cautiously) getting together with friends and family … and drowsiness?
For allergy sufferers, probably so. With the fresh blooming of flowers and blossoming of trees comes stuffy noses, watery eyes, sneezing fits, and maybe even a desire to hibernate again (until summer?).
There are many reasons why allergies can have you dragging. If the spring sneezes really have you down, CareSpot and MedPost urgent care centers are here to help. But let’s start with learning about what’s happening.
The sweetest dream: An allergy escape
It’s pretty hard to get away from all allergens; they exist both indoors and outside – and you might not even know that they’ll trigger your symptoms.
Among the biggest culprits are tree and grass pollens, mold, dust mites and pet dander, which means long-awaited gardening or walks at the dog park could come with serious fatigue.
It doesn’t stop there. Your allergies might also bring:
- Sneezing or sniffling
- Stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes, nose or throat
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Hives or rashes
But how could this happen? How could your spring celebrations be dampened by such annoying symptoms?
The prime suspect: Inflammation
It turns out that most of these symptoms, including the fatigue, are actually your body trying to help protect you.
Your immune system acts like an army to shield you from biological invaders, the ones armed with spores rather than spears. But the fight is intense and when your body is the battlefield, there’s a good chance you’ll feel it.
When your cellular strike force senses trouble, it responds with inflammation, which requires energy and can leave you feeling drained. It also deploys chemicals called histamines, which add to the fatigue and bring on swelling, itching and sometimes trouble breathing.
Other ways allergies run you down
Sleepless in the springtime
Another big reason why you’re longing to lie down? It might be a lack of sleep caused by your allergy symptoms. Sniffling, sneezing and congestion can make it very difficult to relax and drift off to dreamland. Eventually, those missed minutes and hours will catch up with you.
What can you do? Here are some quick tips:
- Take a shower before bed: Clean all of those allergens off before settling down
- Wash the sheets: Do it at least once a week to keep them free of allergens, too
- Raise your head: Sleeping with your head elevated can reduce nasal congestion
- P-U-R-I … F-Y … let’s purify! Consider buying an air purifier to help your bedroom’s air quality
- Forgo the four-legged friends: Pets are great snuggle buddies, but if you’re allergic to their dander, it’s best to keep them out of your room while you get a good night’s rest. You can make it up to them with belly rubs in the morning.
Maybe it’s your meds?
Most allergy sufferers know that common over-the-counter remedies list drowsiness as one of their prime side effects.
Some of these medications (such as Benadryl) are antihistamines that block your body’s histamine receptors – including the ones that keep you alert. That can leave your brain feeling pretty blah – even if your breathing is much improved.
Other decongestants, like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), are stimulants, but those can alter your sleep patterns and leave you feeling seriously out of sync.
Brain fog making your life a slog
You’ve probably heard about “brain fog,” which saps your energy and ability to think, as a symptom of COVID-19. But it happens with allergies, too.
Along with the fatigue, you might feel confused or disorganized or have trouble keeping track of your thoughts. Just getting through the day can feel like a huge challenge.
Just keep breathin’? It’s not always that easy
In her 2018 hit single, Ariana Grande talked about the physical effects of anxiety – and some serious allergy sufferers may relate (especially if they’re dealing with the aforementioned brain fog).
Allergies can also impair a person’s physical ability to breathe, which means you’re not getting as much oxygen as you usually need. That means your body has to work harder, which wears you down more quickly.
Maybe allergies aren’t to blame
With the grass green again, flowers in full bloom and trees ready to blossom, allergies would seem to be obvious answer – especially if you suffer from them regularly.
But it’s certainly a possibility that your fatigue could be caused by something else. Some allergy symptoms do overlap with other conditions, such as COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold.
If your usual meds and allergy defense strategies aren’t working, come to one of our locations to see if one of these conditions might be the culprit.
Let us help you dash that drowsiness
Many people find that spring allergies can be controlled with over-the-counter medications. But sometimes, you need to do something a bit more drastic to get your spring back on track.
One tool you might not have thought of in your fight against fatigue: The power of the pen. Keeping an allergy log can help you track your symptoms and perhaps identify their cause. When you feel particularly strong symptoms, try to brainstorm what you might’ve been exposed to that day and then make a note!
If you’re looking for relief from allergy symptoms, visit any CareSpot or MedPost location to explore your options for treatment. Be sure to let the medical team know about any allergy medications you’re taking.
Our providers will discuss what medications you’re currently taking and whether you can switch to something less likely to make you sleepy. They might also suggest combination treatments that include prescription medications, nasal sprays and eye drops.
More allergy resources
Want to learn more about how to better manage your spring symptoms? We’ve got you covered. Check these out:
Top 7 Ways to Defend Against Seasonal Allergies
Home Remedies that May Help Seasonal Allergies