Miserable from all the sneezing, itching, and wheezing? You’re not alone.
Growing research shows a link between conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Data suggests that the more severe your allergies or asthma are, the higher your risk of developing depression or anxiety. Some data also indicate that patients with underlying mental health conditions may have worse allergy symptoms during peak allergy periods.
While causation is difficult to prove, one prominent hypothesis states that the immune system’s pro-inflammatory response to allergies can affect the body’s main stress response. In other words, your ability to adequately respond to other stressors is hindered.
For those suffering from seasonal allergies, allergen immunotherapy has been shown to provide the best long-term outcomes. While some studies suggest that allergy treatments may improve the mental health of those suffering from allergies, additional studies are needed to further investigate the effects of allergen immunotherapy on the mental health of those suffering from these conditions.*
If you think you may be experiencing new or worsened mood disorders as a result of allergic or allergic asthma, speak to your healthcare provider about appropriate next steps and treatment options.
Allergy and Anxiety and Depression among Ethnic Minority Children and Their Caregivers. J Pediatr. 2017 Aug;187:258-264.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.04.055. Epub 2017 Jun 5. PMID: 28595764.
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between allergies and mood and anxiety in a population sample. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012 Dec;42(12):1765-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.04042.x. PMID: 23181792; PMCID: PMC3701302.
(3) Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H. Cross-sectional associations of asthma, hay fever, and other
allergies with major depression and low-back pain among adults aged 20-39 years in the United States. Am J Epidemiol. 1999 Nov 15;150(10):1107-16. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009936. PMID: 10568627.
(4) Simões Cunha M, Amaral R, Pereira AM, Almeida R, Alves-Correia M, Loureiro CC, Lopes C,
Carvalho J, Ribeiro C, Vidal C, Antolín-Amérigo D, Pinto D, Ferreira-Magalhães M, Vasconcelos MJ, Lozoya C, Santos N, Cardia F, Taborda-Barata L, Ferreira R, Morais Silva P, Ferreira TM, Câmara R, Silva E, Bordalo D, Guimarães C, Calix MJ, da Silva S, Marques ML, Morete A, Nunes C, Vieira C, Páscoa R, Alves A, Marques JV, Reis B, Monteiro L, Monteiro R, Cepa M, Valentim B, Coelho DS, Fernandes S, Meireles P, Aguiar MA, Mourão AR, Fonseca JA, Jácome C. Symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. BMJ Open. 2023 May 5;13(5):e068725. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068725. PMID: 37147092; PMCID: PMC10163458.
Keep Learning
They say knowledge is power. We couldn’t agree more. Learn about the chronic health condition that affects 50 million Americans every year.
Allergies affect millions worldwide. They can manifest as itchy eyes and a runny nose or as severe and potentially life-threatening. One of the most common ways to manage allergy symptoms is through antihistamines.
Late summer elevates ragweed pollen levels in the air and affects nearly 50 million people in the United States alone(1). Beginning around August and commonly peaking by mid-September, symptoms of ragweed allergy sufferers can range from mild to severe. In some cases, ragweed pollen may also contribute to the triggering of other negative health conditions. This makes it vital to identify your ragweed allergy and work with your doctor or allergist for a solution.
As the seasons change, so does the risk of developing symptoms that mimic the common cold. It’s challenging to recognize the difference between allergies and a cold as a lot of the symptoms overlap. However, understanding the key differences and similarities between these two conditions is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Dealing with brain fog from allergies can be a frustrating and debilitating experience. Cognitive cloudiness and lack of mental clarity can significantly impact your daily life. Fortunately, there are various methods you can explore to alleviate these symptoms and regain your focus and mental sharpness.
There are many ways to test for environmental allergies including skin, oral, nasal, blood, and provocation tests. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
