Many people suffer from some form of allergies ranging from mild to severe depending on the environment and the person’s current health condition. Allergies are a symptom of the body’s response to something in the environment. Stress and nutrition play a role in the body’s ability to cope with allergies. By managing stress and making nutrition a priority will help your adrenal glands and improve allergic reactions.

Adrenal Fatigue

Your adrenal glands sit above your kidneys, and they do a lot for the body from balancing hormones such as cortisol to supporting your immune system. Your immune system responds to what it perceives as a foreign substance in your body, such as a virus or harmful bacteria. Just the same is pollen or food consumed that your body does not agree with. Also, cortisol is a hormone that is secreted to support you during times of heightened stress. If you sustain long periods of stress, your adrenal glands will respond by producing more and more cortisol. Eventually, your adrenal glands will wear out, unable to produce the cortisol and regulate other hormones in the body. The result is a weakened immune system and increased allergy symptoms.

Stress & Nutrition

Stress is not always negative. It is what gets us moving away from danger or gets us to wake up in the morning to get to work. Small amounts of stress are motivation to get some things finished. However, long periods of heightened stress are never good for anyone. For those who are prone to other health conditions such as allergic responses to the environment makes managing the symptoms more difficult. We cannot avoid stress altogether. However, if you have experienced an unusual amount of stress, and you have noticed an increase in allergic symptoms, your adrenal glands may be suffering. Symptoms can be sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes, or an upset stomach. They cannot produce enough cortisol to counter the inflammation in the body. This creates a vicious cycle. More histamine is produced and the harder the adrenal glands have to work. 

Make sure and get adequate nutrition and take your vitamin supplement. If you have recently recovered from an illness such as a cold or flu, increase your Vitamin C temporarily. Try adrenal friendly foods and keep a journal to record your symptoms and overall wellbeing.

Best to Eat

• Beef
• Wild-Caught Fish
• Avocado
• Coconut Oil
• Chicken

Avoid & Reduce

• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Processed Foods
• Dried fruit
• Fast Food 

Holly Springs North Carolina E.N.T.

If you are unsure if what you are experiencing is adrenal fatigue, it may be time for you to be tested or retested for allergies. The first step is to contact your primary care physician to rule out any other medical conditions. If you are under heightened stress, reach out to someone to help you through your difficult time. Connect with us at Holly Springs E.N.T.  and make an appointment so we can determine a plan to help you manage your allergies.