Spring is in full bloom in Minnesota, and while the budding trees and colorful flowers may be pretty on the eye, they can also be hard on our bodies in the form of allergies. And when these allergies develop, they can make a chronic pain condition much worse. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why seasonal allergies can make a chronic pain condition worse, and we explain what you can do to help combat both.

Allergies And Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is unique to the individual and can develop for a variety of reasons, so allergies won’t always trigger a chronic pain flareup. With that said, there are a few ways in which allergens can contribute to an increase in chronic pain symptoms. Here’s a closer look why:

Your Immune System – Allergens put additional stress on your immune system, which helps regulate inflammation throughout your body. If allergens worsen or incite an inflammatory reaction, certain chronic conditions can become affected. If you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis or another pain issue in your joints, inflammation can make movement painful.

Sneezing – Allergens can also cause you to sneeze regularly and forcefully, and this action can take a toll on certain areas of your body. If you are already dealing with a tension headache or chronic low back pain, a set of violent sneezes is only going to make the problem worse. Mild or moderate body aches can easily be agitated if allergens cause you to sneeze in excess.

Exhaustion – The burden allergies place on your immune system is felt throughout the whole body, which means you may tire sooner after activities if allergens are in the air, making it more difficult to find the motivation to exercise or do other activities that help to control chronic pain symptoms. Always feeling fatigued can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to additional pain flareups.

The Mental and Emotional Burden – Allergies can also have a profound mental and emotional impact on a person. If you have bad allergies, you may shy away from certain activities and outings with friends or family out of fear of an episode, and that can be damaging on your psyche. Even though the weather is warming up and the birds are singing, you may find that your anxiety and depression is worsening because of your allergies, and that mental stress can have physical manifestations in the form of chronic pain.

So if you deal with allergies and want to prevent them from making your chronic pain worse, talk with a pain prevention specialist like Dr. Cohn. We’ll work to treat both conditions and make it so allergy season isn’t such a burden on your body. For more information or for help with your chronic pain or allergy condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.