For some doctors, even specialists, the possibilities that chronic allergy problems can cause deep emotional and depression issues are typically not addressed. The focus for these doctors remains on the suppression of symptoms. The holistic understanding of the possible connections between many different symptoms and allergy problems are ignored or refered out to another specialists. We often find this in patients who complain of symptoms such as chronic fatigue, muscles aches and pain, chronic headaches, brain fog, gastrointestinal gas or bloating, are often referred to gastroenterologists, specialized ENTs, and sometimes phycologists or psychiatrists.
Allergies and the Cognitive Problems of Brain Fog and Mental Disorder
A May 2021 study in the journal BMC Womens Health (1) examined how allergies impact cognitive abilities and emotional function in young women. The study authors wrote: “Allergic disorders may have a bidirectional causal relationship with mental disorders. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the associations between cognitive abilities and emotional function tests and quality of life with the presence of allergic disease in young women.”
What were the allergies the authors looked at?
“A diagnosis of allergic disorders, comprising allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis, was confirmed by a specialist in allergy.”
The findings?
Among 181 female young participants:
The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 26.5%
The prevalence of asthma was 2.8%
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis was14.9% respectively.
The allergic rhinitis group had higher scores than the non-allergic rhinitis group for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and lower scores for physical and mental health-related quality of life.
The atopic dermatitis cases had higher scores on the depression and stress scale compared to those without it.
Asthmatic patients also had significantly higher insomnia severity and lower physical health-related quality of life than non-asthmatic.
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of psychological/psychiatric disorders that included: anxiety, and sleep problems among allergic women, and a reduced quality of life that may be associated with it.
A Polish research team published their findings on emotional distress and quality of life in allergic diseases in their 2020 paper (2). Here is what they wrote:
“Emotional disorders accompany many somatic diseases, especially ones with severe or chronic course, and such are allergic diseases. Long-term course of (allergic) disease (and) the need for chronic treatment and repeated exacerbations as well as symptoms of depression or anxiety have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. . . “
What allergies were these researchers looking at?
Bronchial asthma
Atopic dermatitis and
Seasonal rhinitis
What did they find?
“Mood disorders as well as mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol abuse are the most common psychiatric disorders observed in patients with bronchial asthma.
There are data indicating a relationship between the occurrence of allergic rhinitis and mood disorders, anxiety disorders and suicidal tendencies.
Atopic dermatitis is associated with an increased risk of depressive and anxiety disorders and sleep disorders, and in children with more prevalence of behavioral disorders.
Most studies highlighted the relationship between emotional disorders and quality of life in the above-mentioned patient groups. In addition to physical ailments, patients suffering from allergic diseases also report emotional problems that can adversely affect the course of the disease, the treatment process, and reduce quality of life. Therefore, these patients require a holistic approach with a more accurate assessment of emotional disorders.
Treatment
In a person with allergies, the immune response is oversensitive. When it recognizes an allergen, it releases chemicals such as histamines, which fight off the allergen. This causes itching, swelling, mucus production, muscle spasms, hives, rashes and other symptoms, which vary from person to person and can range from mildly annoying to slightly painful to potentially fatal. They may also make certain medical disorders – like sinus problems, eczema and asthma – worse. Many common conditions such as headaches, fatigue, depression, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or learning disabilities may be triggered by allergies or sensitivities to foods or chemical odors.
Treatment with sublingual desensitization?
Sublingual desensitization is a very small dose of what you’re allergic to administered as drops under your tongue. Unlike taking antihistamines, this therapy actually treats the root cause of your allergies. When compared to taking allergy shots, sublingual desensitization is much safer and certainly more convenient than making weekly trips to the doctor’s office; and for anyone wishing to avoid injections, especially kids, there’s really no comparison.
How are the drops compounded?
We first design a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Using injection therapy, we place tiny amounts of the allergen just under the skin until a response is triggered. We then give successive dosages of the allergen until the symptoms disappear. Once the optimal dose for each individual is identified, we make a customized treatment vial of antigens. The patient then places drops under the tongue on a regular basis. This effectively helps to build up a healthy tolerance and immunity.
How long does it take to work?
Training your immune system to stop reacting to an allergen can take time. That’s why we recommend beginning the therapy, especially for pollen sensitivities, at least several months before the start of your typical allergy season. We’ve been using sublingual desensitization at the Magaziner Center for over 30 years and have found it to be an extremely safe and effective treatment.
References
1 Fereidouni M, Rezapour H, Saharkhiz M, Mahmoudzadeh S, Ayadilord M, Askari M, Karbasi S, Abbaszadeh A, Hoseini ZS, Ferns GA, Bahrami A. A study of the association of cognitive abilities and emotional function with allergic disorders in young women. BMC Women’s Health. 2021 Dec;21(1):1-8.
2 Jarosz M, Syed S, Błachut M, Badura Brzoza K. Emotional distress and quality of life in allergic diseases. Wiad Lek. 2020 Jan 1;73(2):370-3.
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