What You Need to Know About Allergies and Headaches

There are many migraine sufferers who believe that certain foods like cheese, chocolate, red wine, caffeine and monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is frequently used in types of Chinese food, can trigger allergic reactions can lead to a migraine attack. This may not be entirely true as it can simply be a bad reaction rather than a full blown allergy and though it may be true that these foods can indeed be a contributing factor leading to headaches it all depends on the individual concerned and how their body reacts to certain chemicals in their system.

Everyone is different and in the same way that some of us are taller or shorter and some of us can run fast while others run slow, our bodies respond in different ways to different foods and chemicals when we eat. Some of us find these substances irritating and they make us uncomfortable. Some find they are made ill when some foods are eaten but there is no simple rule that says that any of these foods are always bad for you.

As a general rule, allergies themselves don’t actually cause the headaches headaches some people experience. There are, of course, exceptions like Hay fever, which is one of the most common and debilitating allergies. Hay fever is a true allergy in the sense that the sufferers body launches a massive, aggressive immune response to combat the danger it perceives when pollen is inhaled. The same can be said for responses to dust, mold and animals, which can often be very uncomfortable or even dangerous for people who experience these true allergies.

The truth in all of these situations is that the headache is actually caused by the inflamed nasal passages and sinuses brought on by the allergy, commonly known as sinusitis. People who suffer from sinusitis often lose sleep, are unable to work and just feel too miserable to indulge in leisure activities. And since the problem lies with the sinuses, buying over-the-counter allergy medications won’t really help at all, so it’s highly recommended that a doctor should be consulted at this point.

Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis can be properly identified through its various symptoms, which can range from feeling ill with a headache or the presence of nasal discharge that is usually a yellow green color, to a general feeling of stuffiness and tiredness. A fever may also be present if the sinus infection has been going on for some time.

Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is generally short-lived but still very unpleasant to have; acute sinusitis is most likely present in people who suffer from allergies, or can be caused by bacterial infection, such as the ordinary cold. If the source of allergy is removed, acute sinusitis could resolve itself; otherwise, acute sinusitis can persist and eventually become chronic sinusitis, which lasts longer. Chronic sinusitis, a more a difficult condition to treat, tends to recur several times within the year.

Treatment for Sinusitis

It’s always a good idea to see your doctor if you think you may have sinusitis. Treatment will generally involve antibiotics, which will usually clear the problem up fast. If your sinusitis becomes chronic, your doctor will recommend seeing an immunologist who is an allergy specialist.

In order to make a proper diagnosis, a complete medical history and appropriate allergy tests will be required to specifically tailor your allergy treatment. Sinusitis should be treated as soon as possible because it can cause further problems with the nose, eyes and middle ear for months, or even years. It is always important to consult your doctor about any medical matter and especially if you have any concerns about your health.