Is Hay Fever Affecting Your IQ?
Feeling tired? Maybe even a little forgetful?
Some of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) go unnoticed rather than the more painful ones, such as irritation of the eyes and throat or a runny nose. Although you might think that the feeling of “confusion” associated with loss of sleep and allergy medications is temporary, it can actually have long-term effects. Believe it or not, the results of rhinitis can lead to cognitive decline. Simply put, your allergies can affect your ability to learn.
Most people find that when their allergies flare up, it becomes harder for them to concentrate or remember things. Rhinitis and the medications used to treat it are associated with other concerns, such as:
- Decreased ability to concentrate and function.
- Activity limitation
- Decreased decision-making capacity.
- Impaired hand-eye coordination
- Trouble remembering things
- Irritability
- Sleep disorders
- Tired
- Days lost at work or school
- More car accidents
- More school or work injuries
These are problems that are often overlooked because blowing the nose, sore throat, and itchy eyes demand the most immediate action. But repeated nights of disrupted sleep due to allergies can slowly wear you down over time and dull your mental edge. To increase disorientation, over-the-counter allergy medications often contain ingredients that are cheaper than prescription medications, resulting in an even more cloudy condition than that caused by allergies alone.
For children, allergies are often a kind of learning disability, and atopic (allergic) diseases have been shown many times to be confused with attention deficit disorder or other behavior problems. Constant bouts of sneezing and blowing the nose can break a child’s concentration, which in turn reduces the rate at which information is absorbed. Blocked Eustachian tubes (ear canals) can make hearing difficult, which has been shown to interfere with learning. In general, statistics show that children with allergies miss more days of school than their non-allergic peers.
What can you do to prevent rhinitis haze?
- When rhinitis becomes a chronic health problem throughout the year, it may be time to consider seeing a doctor who specializes in allergic conditions.
- Read the reverse side of over-the-counter medications – if the warnings are for drowsiness, then you should try to avoid taking that particular medication. Nasalcrom® (cromolyn) is a non-sedating nasal spray that is effective in treating rhinitis.
- Non-drowsy antihistamines can make a big difference to allergies, but be aware of the effect they have on your body. Some people find that they are too tired or still feel fatigued.
- Try to avoid the source of allergens by using an air purifier. Pollen particles can be removed from the air and the results are often spectacular. One filter that is especially effective is the one made by Dynamic Air Cleaners. Dynamic manufactures freestanding single room consoles as well as whole house filters to replace your existing furnace or central air filter.