Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
(UNDATED) - Allergy season can be made worse if you are stressed out all the time.
New research from Ohio State University says stress can make allergy symptoms worse in many people.
"It corrorborates some things we see in our daily lives," said Dr. Scott Phillips, an allergist with St. Vincent Hospital. "If you are stressed, it makes you more likely to get sick in the long run, and this study showed that people will have a few more allergy symptoms a few days after they have higher stress levels."
Phillips says the research makes sense because allergies are the body's reaction to the immune system identifying something as harmful, "when it really is harmless. We know that stress has adverse effects on the immune system as well."
Phillips says other research has shown that your body can also work the other way, that allergies can make stress worse.
"Allergies can affect someone's entire way of living, whether you are at work or doing something that's typically very pleasant."
In addition to using whatever allergy medication your doctor recommends, Phillips suggests talking to your doctor to find ways to cope with stress.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.