It is not uncommon to experience common allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and an itchy throat. However, sinus pressure from allergies can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and lightheadedness. These may be related to more serious problems.
If you feel dizzy, you may be wondering what caused it. Dehydration, medications, and a variety of conditions can make you feel dizzy and nauseous.
While vertigo may seem like a mild condition, it can actually be very disruptive to daily life. It can even be so severe that you stay in bed for hours or days.
Dizziness can sometimes be caused by allergies.
An allergy is the immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance that is not usually harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They may contain certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.
Allergy-induced dizziness can be caused by allergens.
When you’re allergic to certain airborne substances, including dust, pollen, and pet dander, your body begins to release chemicals, including histamine, to fight off these perceived invaders. These chemicals are the cause of what you know as allergy symptoms.
Typical allergy symptoms include:
Allergies can affect the Eustachian tube. Essentially a tunnel that connects your middle ear to the back of your throat, this tube helps regulate your equilibrium while also equalizing the pressure in your middle ear with the ambient air pressure.
When you start experiencing symptoms in your ears, including that annoying stuffy feeling that can make it hard to hear, it’s often because your Eustachian tube is clogged with mucus.
When it is blocked, it is no longer able to equalize the pressure in the ear and maintain balance in your body.
These middle ear disorders can cause symptoms of dizziness in people with allergies, the common cold, and sinusitis.
Dizziness can also be a symptom of allergies. Dizziness and vertigo are two specific symptoms that can usually be distinguished from each other.
When you’re dizzy, you feel like you’re passing out or passing out, rather than feeling like the room is spinning (or your head is spinning).
Lying down usually resolves light-headedness, at least temporarily, while dizziness generally doesn’t go away when you lie down.
Vertigo is a severe form of vertigo that causes you to see the room as if it were spinning. Someone with vertigo may also feel that they are moving while sitting or standing still.
In the case of allergy-induced vertigo, the culprit is fluid buildup in the middle ear.
It is important to note that while vertigo can be debilitating or disturbing, it is often treatable. Your doctor will likely perform several tests to determine the cause.
If it is determined that the dizziness is related to allergic rhinitis, your doctor will treat accordingly or refer you to a specialist (usually an allergist or ear, nose and throat doctor).
Since vertigo can be related to more serious problems, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible once you experience this symptom.
The cure for allergy-induced dizziness is usually to treat the cause — the allergy itself.
Avoiding the allergen altogether is the most effective way to treat an allergy. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely avoid airborne allergens.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications are available to relieve dizziness and other symptoms of allergies. However, treating the underlying cause is usually a more effective way to get rid of vertigo for good.
First, your doctor will try to determine the cause of your allergy-induced dizziness. This is usually done through a traditional allergy test, with a detailed analysis of your specific allergens.
Medicines
There are many options for fighting allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are popular for short-term use and can be very effective at relieving the congestion that may be causing your dizziness.
Antihistamines are also used to treat dizziness. Keep in mind that many older antihistamines can cause drowsiness. It is important not to drive or operate machinery when you first start taking an antihistamine.
Also, avoid taking it with antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, or alcohol. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Aside from antihistamines, other types of medications used to treat allergies or the symptoms of allergies include:
Allergy shots
In the long run, your doctor will probably want to treat the allergy that’s causing your symptoms. This can be done with prescription medications that are safe for daily use. It is also possible with specially formulated allergy shots.
When you get an allergy shot, you are actually being injected with a small amount of the allergen. This helps desensitize your body to the allergen over time.
Gradually increasing your dosage will help your body adjust. Your symptoms will subside over time.
Eating pattern
Your doctor may also check you for signs of celiac disease. This is a more serious form of gluten intolerance that requires complete avoidance of gluten in your diet or serious health complications can follow.
Dizziness can be a problem, but when allergies are the cause, treatment can leave you symptom-free.
The key is to diagnose the reason for your dizziness and treat the cause, rather than the symptom itself.