Do you have allergies? Then you probably know the problems that come with them. When you sneeze constantly, when your nose is blocked and it's hard to breathe, when you scratch your eyes, when you feel tired... Sometimes you can't sleep at night because of this. With all this, there are times when you feel bored with life. So today, let's talk about the relationship between allergies and the pressure we have in our minds, that is, stress . There is a bigger connection between the two than we think.
What is the relationship between stress and allergies?
Simply put, when you feel stressed, that is, when you feel pressure, burden, or anxiety, your body starts releasing hormones and other chemicals . One of the main chemicals among these is histamine . This histamine is the main reason for the itching , sneezing , runny nose, and rashes that bother us during allergies.
So, the important thing here is that stress doesn't cause new allergies, but it can make an existing allergy worse, meaning it can make your symptoms worse. That means your histamine levels increase, which increases your allergy symptoms.
Imagine that you have an exam coming up. Or you are feeling overwhelmed by a big project at the office. At times like these, you may have noticed that your allergies are more severe than usual.
It's really like a vicious cycle. The symptoms of allergies (sneezing, insomnia , fatigue) make you more stressed. That increased stress makes the allergies worse.
Another thing is that when we are constantly under stress for weeks or months, our body produces more of a hormone called cortisol . This weakens our immune system , the system that protects us from diseases. This increases the risk of developing various infections.
Does stress really cause allergy symptoms?
Yes. This has even been proven by scientific research on this. In one study, a group of medical students who were facing a lot of stress during an exam were given a vaccine and their immune system response was measured. The immune response of the stressed students was much weaker than that of the students who were relaxed and not stressed.
An allergy is also an overreaction of our immune system. An allergy is when our immune system overreacts to things that are normally harmless, like dust and pollen. So stress can make this response even more complicated.
If we look around, there are more people with allergies now than before, right? While 30-40 years ago, about one in ten people had allergies, now about one in three people has some kind of allergy. One reason for this could be changes in our environment, air pollution, and the fact that we try to be as clean as possible (squeaky clean society). All of this affects the balance of our immune system.
How to control stress and reduce allergies?
This is the most important part. Controlling stress can also provide great relief for your allergies. Different specialists give different advice on this.
Some doctors say that when you're constantly sneezing and your immune system is weak, the best thing to do is get plenty of rest .
Also, some doctors say that exercising is very good. Because the hormone epinephrine that our body produces when we exercise is a natural decongestant. Therefore, it even becomes easier to breathe.
There really is no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to choose what works best for you. Here are some simple methods you can try.
| Strategy | What to do and its benefits |
|---|---|
| Find the cause of the pressure | Find out what is stressing you out. If you are overwhelmed, learn to delegate some of your work to others. Don't let unnecessary things weigh you down. |
| Get a good night's sleep. | Get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep every night, not just on weekends. Rest helps restore balance to the body and help heal allergies. |
| Exercise daily. | Walk, run, or do any exercise you enjoy for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise reduces stress hormones. Also, epinephrine makes it easier to breathe. |
| Meditate | By meditating for about 15-20 minutes a day, you can reduce anxiety and achieve relaxation. |
| Take allergy medicine correctly. | This is something that many people overlook. Due to stress, they forget to take their medication. But it is essential to take the medicine prescribed by the doctor at the right time and in the right dosage. |
It may be difficult to do these things all at once. But gradually incorporate these habits into your life. You will feel a big difference. If you have any more questions about this, or if you are having trouble controlling your allergies, be sure to talk to your family doctor . He or she will give you the most suitable solution.
Take-Home Message
- Although stress does not cause new allergies, it can worsen existing allergies.
- When stress increases , histamine levels in the body increase, which in turn exacerbates allergy symptoms.
- Reducing stress through things like good sleep, exercise, and meditation can also help relieve allergy symptoms.
- Never stop taking your allergy medications as prescribed by your doctor . It is very important to use them as directed.
- If your symptoms are difficult to control, seek advice from your doctor . Never hesitate to do so.
Stress, allergy, stress and allergy , histamine, sneezing, immune system
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