AllergiesHeadache

What You Need to Know About Allergies and Headaches

Migraine sufferers usually think that certain foods like cheese, chocolate, red wine, caffeine and monosodium glutamate (MSG) used in types of Chinese food can trigger an allergic reaction that can bring on an attack. This isn't entirely true, as it's more of a bad reaction than an allergy. While these foods can indeed cause headaches, each individual's bodily make-up is unique, with others having a body chemistry that tends to release irritating substances when some foods are eaten.

In general, allergies by themselves don’t cause headaches, with some notable exceptions like Hay fever, which is one of the worst allergies. Hay fever is a true allergy in the sense that your body launches a massive, aggressive immune response to combat the danger it perceives when pollen is inhaled. The same holds true for dust, mold and animals, which can cause other 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 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 best to consult your doctor if you have any doubts.