Blog Post

Trouble Sleeping? It May Be Allergies

  • By Admin
  • •
  • 18 Jun, 2019
  • •
Woman has a Sleeping Disorder
Allergies cause a lot of suffering during the daytime, but they can also cause you to have poor-quality sleep. Allergies affect your sleep in numerous ways, and you may not even know that they are the cause of problem. Here are some of the signs that you are having a sleeping problem, ways that allergies may impact your sleep, and ways you can improve your breathing and quality of sleep at night.

Signs That You Have a Sleep Disorder

Some of the signs that you have a sleep disorder may seem obvious, but other symptoms are not so clear. Here are some examples of poor-quality sleep.

You Wake up Frequently

You tend to wake up for seemingly no reason several times a night and sometimes have problems falling back to sleep.

You Have Been Told You Snore

Either someone has told you that you snore, or you have actually been awakened by your own snoring. This is a classic sign of an obstructive sleep disorder.

You Feel Tired Throughout the Day

You may feel that you slept well the night before, but you feel exhausted during the day, especially in the morning.

You Have Brain Fog

Brain fog is that hazy feeling when you can't think straight or at all. This generally happens in the morning and sometimes goes away by mid-day or with a nap.

You Fall Asleep During Low-Activity Periods

If you find that you fall asleep any time you wind down or sit for a long time, then you could be suffering from a lack of night-time sleep.

Ways Your Allergies Disrupt Sleep

For most people, allergies cause sleep problems because they contribute to an inflammation of the airways and cause breathing difficulties. These blockages can completely cut off your air supply and create a dangerous condition called sleep apnea. Allergies can also cause enlarged adenoids and make it impossible to breathe through your nose.

At night, your cortisol levels, which regulate the amount of inflammation in your body, are lower. This low cortisol level makes allergy-related inflammation worse. In addition to breathing problems, allergies can also cause skin problems and nighttime itchiness.

Things You Can Do for a Better Night's Sleep

While allergies have no cure, you can do things to reduce the amount of problems they cause when you sleep.

Clean Your Room

Keep your room as dust-free as possible. Be sure to also lessen or eliminate clutter that can accumulate dust. Consider removing carpeting and cloth drapes to further reduce dust accumulation.

Keep Pets Out

Even if you are only mildly allergic to your pet, don't let them sleep with you, and keep them out of your room in the day.

Get Tested for Allergies

Find out what your triggers are so that you can reduce or eliminate them, especially in your bedroom.

Take Allergy Medication

Ask your doctor which types of medicines are best for you. Many people with sleep problems have good results with nasal steroids. Stay away from cold medications as these can cause an adverse reaction after a few days.

Eliminate or Reduce Scented Items

Scents are very problematic when it comes to allergies even if they're on your clothing or bedding. Wash your bedsheets and clothes with a scent-free detergent and fabric softener. Frequent washing also helps reduce dust mites.

Even if your allergies are bad, chances are that you can improve the quality of sleep. It's important to identify your allergy triggers in order to reduce or eliminate them.

The Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Fort Worth can help you identify and treat your allergies as well as work to solve your allergy-related sleep problems. Contact us for an appointment to receive aggressive management options.

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COVID-19

By James Haden • 12 Mar, 2020

We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy.

 

Given the following:

many of our patients have underlying conditions that could potentially make infection with COVID-19 more severe

 

in light of the fact that the ongoing novel Coronavirus pandemic is officially now local,

 

to ensure the clinic can remain open to best serve the needs for ALL of our allergy and asthma patients, we have implemented the following:

  • If you have a cough or fever, DO NOT  come to the office. Call ahead first . We may be able to schedule a Tele-Visit to accommodate you. This is to protect all of our patients  in the waiting room who are not ill.
  • We are unable to test for COVID-19. Currently this must be done at our local health department.
  • We have enhanced our already robust office cleaning protocols, cleaning all contact surfaces frequently with powerful antiseptic products.
  • Patients with cough (it is asthma season) are provided mask Before  entering the clinic and will be directly taken to an exam room to isolate from the general waiting room population

We encourage all of our patients to follow the recommendations of the CDC and WHO to limit exposure:

 

CDC:     https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

 WHO:   Coronavirus


Remember also that the flu is still circulating and if you haven’t had your flu shot, it’s time to get it now. As of today a fever is still likely to NOT be COVID-19, but that may change rapidly.

If you’ve been taking your asthma medication less than regularly, it is now time  to religiously take them daily as prescribed. If you have questions about how to use them please contact us.

If you need refills please let your pharmacy know, they will contact us.

Working together, we can slow the spread of this virus and minimize its impact.

It is spring and allergy season is here. COVID-19 doesn’t change that. My office is here to continue to manage all of the usual symptoms you may experience.

We don’t want anyone to fall behind on allergy shots if at all possible. Hopefully this pandemic will pass in a few months, but another allergy season is always just around the corner.

 

Let us know if we can help and take care of yourselves and your families!

 

All of our best,

Dr Haden and all of the staff at Haden Allergy

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