Allergy season is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet. Ragweed pollen is still floating through the air in droves. If you’re sensitive to the allergen, you might have noticed that you feel a little foggy or sluggish during pollen season. That brain fog is a common problem that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Let’s look at why brain fog and allergies tend to co-occur and what you can do to minimize both.
The Connection Between Allergies and Brain Fog
There are two ways allergies may cause you to feel foggy:
- Allergies can keep you up at night, preventing you from reaching the seven hours you need to feel energized
- When your body exerts energy to fight allergies, you’re more likely to feel fatigued
Managing your exposure to pollen and seeking treatment for your allergies is the best approach to restoring your energy levels and mental energy.
Managing Your Pollen Exposure
Take the following steps to minimize your exposure to pollen:
- Keep your windows closed or install allergy screens
- Run an air purifier with a HEPA filter (change the filter regularly)
- Schedule your outdoor time outside peak pollen hours
- Wear a mask, goggles and long sleeves if you’re doing yard work
- Wear long sleeves during hikes around Monte Sano State Park
- Shower upon returning home
In addition to minimizing your pollen exposure, there are a couple of treatments you can consider to manage your symptoms or reduce your sensitivity.
Allergy Treatments
Two effective methods of allergy management include:
- Medication. Medication provides short-term relief from allergy symptoms. A couple of options include antihistamines, decongestants, steroid creams and sprays and mast cell inhibitors.
- Immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment approach to reduce your sensitivity to specific allergens. Administered orally (drops or tablets) or subcutaneously (shots), the treatment introduces gradually increasing doses of the allergen you’re sensitive to into your system. With effective immunotherapy, you can enjoy fewer symptoms for years to come.
A single ragweed plant can produce as many as one billion pollen grains.1 That’s a lot of pollen to contend with, especially if your symptoms include a foggy brain. If you’re struggling with allergies this season, contact North Alabama ENT Associates to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.
Sources:
1 Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Ragweed allergy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/ragweed-allergy