July 18, 2007

Rhinitis Hurting Your IQ?

this is your brain, this is your brain on . . . well, actually it's just toast

Feeling fatigued? Maybe even a bit forgetful?

These are some of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (or hayfever) that most people dismiss in lieu of eye and throat irritation or runny nose. Though you might think that the “hazy” feeling associated with lost sleep and allergy medications is temporary, it actually can have long term effects. Believe it or not, the results of rhinitis can lead to cognitive impairment.

Most people notice that when their allergies are acting up, they have a harder time concentrating or remembering 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
Problems remembering things
Irritability
Sleep disorders
Fatigue
Missed days at work or school
More motor vehicle accidents
More school or work injuries

The primary cause of the problem is often two-fold: interrupted sleep and over-the-counter allergy medications. Disruptions in sleeping patterns because of allergy symptoms can have a cumulative effect and begin to interfere with daily tasks. Often the over-the-counter antihistamine medications used to treat allergies are made with cheaper ingredients that, though they do their job, cause drowsiness as a side effect.

For children, the symptoms and learning disadvantages caused by allergies can be mistaken for attention deficit disorder and other behavioral problems. Constant sneezing and nose blowing can interrupt a child’s concentration and learning process. Sometimes the clogging of Eustachian tubes (ear canals) can cause temporary hearing problems, which also has been proven to have adverse effects on learning. Absent days can cause children to fall behind in their studies.

What can you do to avoid the haze of rhinitis?

When rhinitis becomes a chronic, year-round health concern, it may be time to consider seeing a doctor that specializes in allergic diseases.
Read the back of over the counter drugs—if the warnings are for drowsiness, then you should try to avoid taking that particular drug. Nasalcrom® (cromolyn) is one non-sedating nasal spray that is effective in treating rhinitis.
Non-drowsy antihistamines may make a big difference on allergies, but be aware of the effect that have on your body. Some individuals find that they are either too wound up from them or are still feeling fatigued.
Try avoiding the source of allergens by utilizing an air purifier. Pollen particles can be removed from the air and produce amazing results. One filters that is especially effective is one made by Dynamic Air Cleaners. Dynamic makes single room free standing consoles as well as whole house filters to replace your existing furnace or central air filter.