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THE FATIGUE FACTOR: CAN ALLERGIES MAKE YOU FEEL TIRED?

Aside from congestion and itchy, watery eyes, allergies can lead to daytime fatigue and disturbed sleep—which is not something to be taken lightly. Tiredness can lead to irritability, decreased productivity, depression, and memory problems.1

HOW ALLERGY SYMPTOMS CAN MAKE YOU TIRED

Your immune system responds to airborne allergens by releasing chemicals that create inflammation in your nose. As a result, you might experience nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose. All of these symptoms narrow airways, making it difficult to breathe, especially when you’re lying down—which can make for difficult night’s sleep.1

While many people suffer from seasonal allergies (caused by outdoor allergens like pollen), millions of Americans experience year-round symptoms. The culprit: indoor allergens—such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold—all of which can be found in the bedroom.2

TIPS FOR SLEEPING BETTER WITH ALLERGIES

The first step to sleeping better with allergies is to know what you’re allergic to, this way you can minimize your exposure to those allergens. You can find out by consulting an allergist. Minimizing exposure to allergens might mean cleaning your bedroom a certain way or keeping an eye on your local allergy forecast.

Come nighttime, you might also consider supplementing your allergy medicine with nasal strips to help open your nasal passages while you sleep. Allergy symptoms can make you tired, but they don’t have to. The key is to properly treat your allergy symptoms and reduce allergens in the bedroom. This will help you sleep better so you can do what you need to do during the day.

Sources:

1. Household Allergens and Sleep Problems | Sleep.org by the National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2015 from https://www.sleep.org/articles/household-allergens-and-sleep/

2. Indoor Allergens | American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2015, from http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/indoor-allergens