I definitely know a little something about seasonal allergies myself. Spring and fall are usually my worst seasons, but summer brings its own challenges. Every time my husband cuts the grass, I start sneezing! And my hubby knows the routine by now. When he finishes cutting that grass, those clothes are coming off at the back door and going straight into the washing machine. No stopping to sit down and eat. No walking through the house. Straight to the washer and then he's headed for the shower!

I'm not letting him bring all that pollen and whatever else he's stirred up into my house! LOL!

Now, some people might think I'm going a little overboard, but there's actually a good reason for my routine. Outdoor allergens can hitch a ride on our clothing, skin, and hair. And for those of us who are sensitive to them, that can mean more sneezing, itching, and congestion even after we've gone inside.

But here's something I hadn't always considered. While I've been so busy trying to keep those allergens out of my house, have I been paying enough attention to what my allergies might be doing to my brain?

Well, here’s what I discovered after doing some research.

Let's start with what happens when you have an allergic reaction. Your immune system identifies a substance, such as pollen, dust mites, or mold, as a threat. Even though that substance may be harmless to most people, your body responds by releasing chemicals, including histamine. Histamine helps produce those familiar symptoms: sneezing, itching, a runny nose, watery eyes, and congestion.

But there's more going on than meets the eye. Allergic reactions also involve inflammation, which is part of the body's immune response. And while inflammation serves an important protective purpose, the discomfort and inflammatory activity associated with allergies may contribute to fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Researchers are continuing to investigate how allergic inflammation and the nervous system interact. What we do know is that people with allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, frequently report fatigue, poor sleep, and reduced mental performance. So when someone says, "My allergies are making me feel foggy," there may be more to that statement than we realize.

When Allergies Interrupt Your Sleep, Your Brain Notices

Now here's a connection I really want my midlife sisters to understand. You know how much I talk about sleep and brain health. Sleep is essential for memory, learning, attention, and emotional regulation. But have you ever tried getting a good night's sleep when your nose is completely stopped up?

You toss and turn, breathe through your mouth and according to my husband, snore. You wake up so thirsty, and sometimes you wake up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed!

Research has consistently linked allergic rhinitis with disrupted sleep. And when we aren't sleeping well, the effects can carry over into the next day. We may have trouble concentrating,  remembering details, or simply finding the energy to do what needs to be done.

Now imagine you're already dealing with menopausal symptoms, hormonal changes, stress, or other factors affecting your sleep. Add uncontrolled allergies to the mix, and it's no wonder some women feel mentally exhausted. Sometimes what feels like a memory problem may actually be a sleep problem. And sometimes that sleep problem starts with your sinuses.

Here's another thing to think about. Sometimes the medication we're taking to relieve our symptoms may also affect how clearly we think. When my allergies are acting up I will take a Benadryl tablet or an antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine. I am pretty sensitive to antihistamines so it only takes one to knock me out. I can only take them before bed because they can cause drowsiness, slowed thinking and difficultly concentrating. These medications can cross into the brain and interfere with chemical signals involved in attention and memory.

This becomes especially important as we age. Older adults may be more sensitive to medications with anticholinergic effects, which can contribute to confusion and other unwanted side effects. Now, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting that you throw away your allergy medicine! But I am suggesting that you pay attention to what you're taking, how often you're taking it, and how you feel afterward.

There are also newer antihistamines and other allergy treatments that may offer relief with fewer cognitive side effects. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned. Remember: Your doctor is not a mind reader.

If you're having trouble concentrating, feeling unusually tired, or noticing changes in your memory, make sure you mention the medications you're taking, including those purchased over the counter.

What About Your Environment?

In my brain health coaching training, I've learned to pay closer attention to how environmental exposures can affect our health. The weather has been changing and some days I don’t know whether to turn on the heat or the air conditioner. In fact I opened the window the other day and immediately started sneezing. I closed it quickly and noticed all the dust that was sitting in the window seal.

As the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors, dust mites, pet dander, and mold can continue triggering allergy symptoms. Even after a hard freeze, indoor allergens don't necessarily take a winter vacation. Make you change your heating and cooling filters regularly. Taking care of our brains also involves paying attention to the air we breathe and the environments where we spend our time.

Which brings me right back to hubby and those grass-cutting clothes! I may not be able to control everything floating around outside, but I can certainly take steps to reduce how much of it comes inside my home. And sometimes those small, everyday kinds of decisions can make a big difference in how we feel.

Here are a few things worth considering this allergy season.

1. Pay attention to your symptoms. Notice whether your brain fog, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating seems worse when your allergies flare up.

2. Protect your sleep. If congestion is interfering with your rest, talk with your healthcare provider about treatments that may help you breathe more comfortably.

3. Know what's in your medicine cabinet. Some over-the-counter allergy and nighttime medications contain ingredients that may cause drowsiness or confusion. Pay attention to labels and side effects.

4. Take a closer look at your environment. Wash bedding regularly, address moisture and mold problems, and reduce exposure to allergens that you know trigger your symptoms. If you've been outdoors around pollen or freshly cut grass, changing clothes and showering can help keep allergens out of your living spaces.

5. Don't ignore persistent changes in your thinking. Allergies may contribute to mental fog, but they aren't the only possible explanation. Sleep disorders, thyroid problems, medication effects, and other medical conditions can also affect cognition.

The older I get, the more convinced I become that we have to stop treating the brain as though it operates independently from the rest of the body because it doesn't. Our sleep, immune system, hormones, medications, nutrition, and daily habits can all influence how well we think and feel. And sometimes those connections show up in unexpected ways.

So the next time you find yourself reaching for a tissue, remember that your allergies may be affecting more than your nose. And if you've been feeling unusually foggy, tired, or distracted, consider whether your allergy symptoms, sleep quality, or medications might be playing a role.

Sometimes taking care of your brain starts with paying attention to what your body has been trying to tell you.

Dr. Janice R. Love
In Her Right Mind

Because a Renewed Mind Changes Everything.