Allergic rhinitis and fatigue

Allergic rhinitis and fatigue

Fatigue is a regular and long-lasting tiredness that can affect our ability to go about day-to-day life. It’s associated with a few medical conditions including colds and flu and, of course, allergic rhinitis. There are a variety of reasons as to why this is the case. 

Histamine 

Allergic rhinitis is caused by an over-sensitive immune system which reacts forcefully to things it deems as a threat. Such things include animal dander, pollen, mould spores  and dust mites. To fight these off the immune system releases histamine which results in, amongst other things, swelling, itching, congestion and a runny nose.

Suffering from these symptoms can, in turn, make it harder to sleep and tiredness during the day is the result. After all, it’s difficult to rest completely when you must wipe your nose very few minutes or your skin is inflamed and uncomfortable.

Immune System

In response to inflammation caused by histamine, the adrenal glands produce the chemical cortisol. Therefore, the more histamine that is produced, the more pressure the adrenal glands are put under. When they tire completely this not only increases the severity of inflammation, but it lowers the strength of the immune system too which makes you feel tired.

Medicines

Anti-histamines are often recommended for those suffering from allergic rhinitis as they block the release of histamine in order to improve symptoms. Although there have been advances in anti-histamine medication over the years, patients can still experience drowsiness as a side effect.

Additional problems

The onset of fatigue due to allergic rhinitis is often accompanied by several other problems too including:

• Poor concentration
• Short-term memory problems
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Weakened immune system 

What can you do to ease the problem?

B vitamins – it’s important to support your nervous system in order to deal with any feelings of fatigue. So, including lots of food in your diet that contain B vitamins is one way of doing this – such foods include eggs, milk, fresh meat, fresh fish and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Hydrate – keeping yourself hydrated is always important but this is especially true when you’re suffering from allergic rhinitis as dehydration may worsen any feelings of fatigue. So, opt for lots of plain water and herbal teas and avoid any caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks.

Magnesium – magnesium  is needed to maintain consistent energy levels and, according to some studies, low levels of it are even linked to poor sleep and insomnia. Therefore, it may prove beneficial to up your magnesium intake through your diet in order to improve feelings of fatigue. Foods such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, avocado and brown rice are all full of magnesium so it’s best to turn to these before any magnesium supplement. However, if you do feel you need another means of getting magnesium into your system to support your energy levels you could dry our Balance Mineral Drink. This contains potassium, calcium, vitamin D and zinc and is often used to improve overall health.

Relax – take some time out of your usual schedule to let yourself relax. A warm bath or shower for example, is a great way to unwind. Plus, not only that, the hot water creates steam which can break down mucus so you’ll be able to chill whilst helping your congestion at the same time!

Rest – it may seem a little obvious but getting some rest is one of the best things you can do address the problem of fatigue. Your immune system needs time to recover so if you need a little more time in bed to allow this to happen, then go ahead!

Vitamin C – this is a natural antihistamine so could help to counteract the effects of histamine. You are probably aware that citrus fruits contain vitamin C but so too do potatoes, broccoli, strawberries and blackcurrants. However, if you’d like to take a vitamin C supplement then Nature-C is an option. This organic product is made from natural fruit extracts and is often used to support the immune system.

Avoiding allergens

Staying clear of any allergens can improve your allergic rhinitis symptoms and will therefore help to deal with any feelings of fatigue. This is often a difficult task but here are few suggestions as to how you can go about it.

Animal dander – having pet-free zones within your home and, where possible, avoiding the use of carpets and rugs can help you to avoid animal dander.

Dust mites – to avoid coming into contact with these you could use allergy-proof bedding and wash your bed sheets regularly as this is where dust mites like to hide.

Mould spores – to prevent mould you should deal with any sources of dampness, like a pipe leak, and use extractor fans when cooking and washing.

Pollen – keep an eye on pollen count, especially when it’s hayfever season. Knowing when counts are high stops your symptoms from getting worse as it means you can avoid going out at this time.

Herbal remedies

For relief from the general symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as inflammation and congestion, you could try Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets. These are made from seven tropical herbs and do not have the side effects that many other allergic rhinitis treatments have such as drowsiness.

However, in order to deal with fatigue, it may be better to figure out and then address the problem that’s keeping you up at night.

Cough – Bronchosan Cough Syrup is ideal if it’s a dry, tickly cough that’s keeping you up at night. This soothes the problem to aid a better night’s sleep. 

Sore/watery/inflamed eyes – our Moisturising Eye Drops contains Euphrasia, or Eyebright, which as a herb has a long history in the treatment of eye problems. These drops sooth irritated eyes to leave them feeling more comfortable.

Nasal problems - congestion can make it difficult to sleep so dealing this problem can improve fatigue. Pollinosan Nasal Spray cleanses the nasal passages of any allergens lurking there. It also restores fluid and moisture in the nasal passages to help the area feel more comfortable.

However, if you feel you need a remedy that directly targets the problem of interrupted sleep, you could try Dormeasan, our natural sleep remedy. This is made from extracts of Valerian and hops and works to restore a normal sleep cycle. 

Conventional treatments

As mentioned, anti-histamines are the first port of call when it comes to allergic rhinitis as these block the release of histamine. However, the may also turn to things like nasal sprays and eye drops with anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties.