Some of us have dealt with allergies for most of our lives. Yet when you experience new allergies or the sudden worsening of allergies or asthma that has long been under control, you need to ask yourself why. While major drops in your immune system or shifts in your hormones may cause new allergies to develop, another, often overlooked, cause involves your stress response and adrenal glands. You may ask yourself, “What does adrenal function have to do with allergies?” Or “Can Adrenal Fatigue cause allergies?” Here, we’ll look at the connection between your adrenal health and how your body deals with allergies.
Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Allergies? The Bigger Picture
Before looking at the question, “Can Adrenal Fatigue cause allergies,” we first need to understand more about Adrenal Fatigue and its actions on the body.
Adrenal Fatigue is not something that happens overnight. It is the body’s response to long-term stress. This stress could result from:
- Emotions, such as stress from a stressful work or home environment or resulting from grief due to the loss of a loved one.
- Exposure to environmental toxins, such as toxins found in cleaning materials in your home.
- Poor dietary choices such as eating foods high in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, or trans fats.
- Health conditions related to chronic inflammation.
Simplifying The Mechanisms of Adrenal Fatigue
No matter the stressor, the body’s response is the immediate activation of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response. This response starts in the brain and is induced by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The activation of the NEM stress response results in a cascade of changes in normal bodily function. These include, amongst others, an increase in stress hormone production accompanied by a decrease in the production of other hormones, the slowing down of various bodily functions, and an increased heart rate and blood pressure. These changes put your body into fight or flight mode to support your chances for survival.
Common Hormones Produced by The Adrenal Glands
The center of the adrenal gland, the medulla, produces two hormones: epinephrine, commonly called adrenaline, and norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline.
- Epinephrine plays a role in your body’s fight-or-flight response. It also reduces tissue swelling and reduces agents of inflammation in your body during stressful periods. It also lowers your body’s release of histamine. This is why it is the hormone commonly given to people when they go into anaphylactic shock due to a severe allergic reaction.
- Norepinephrine is a hormone that helps with the regulation of body processes in fight or flight mode.
The outer layer of the adrenal gland is called the cortex. The cortex is responsible for making three important hormones.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is the precursor hormone to testosterone and estrogen, which are commonly referred to as the male and female sex hormones, respectively.
- Aldosterone plays a key role in blood pressure regulation.
- Cortisol is commonly referred to as the stress hormone and plays a key role during the body’s NEM stress response activation. It promotes the release of blood sugar to give you energy. It also plays a significant role in countering inflammation, but research shows that constantly elevated cortisol levels can promote inflammation, such as in this study on cortisol, inflammation, and depression.1
Prolonged Elevated Cortisol Production
The problem with prolonged periods of stress is the constant need for high cortisol levels. This increased cortisol production comes at a cost. Not only do the adrenals use up precursor hormones – needed for the production of other essential hormones – to make the cortisol, but they may struggle to keep up with supplying the demand as well. This could result in Adrenal Fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue has a few distinct stages and symptoms. In the initial stages, you may develop a set of health issues with mild symptoms that progressively get more severe as time passes. Later, as the adrenal glands become fatigued and can no longer meet the cortisol demand, there is a decline in cortisol production. But too little cortisol has its own set of health issues. Eventually, the latter stages of Adrenal Fatigue are accompanied by widespread chronic inflammation and could leave you bedridden.
How Does Cortisol Production Influence Allergies?
Your body naturally increases cortisol production to fight inflammation during an allergic reaction. Prolonged cortisol elevation can cause leaky gut. When the gut gets leaky, your immune response is heightened and therefore you might see more allergies or food sensitivities show up. In the latter stages of Adrenal Fatigue, the low cortisol levels may lead to an increase in inflammation and in the severity of symptoms. You may also develop asthma or see asthma episodes worsen in frequency and intensity.
Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Allergies?: The Allergy Component
This brings us to allergies. What are allergies and can Adrenal Fatigue cause allergies?
Firstly, let us look at the traditional take on allergies.
Allergies
The simplest definition of an allergic reaction is an immune system’s overreaction in response to an allergen. We can find these allergens just about anywhere, including in the foods we eat, plants, animal dander, and even the medications we use.
The immune system, when encountering these allergens, may experience them as dangerous. At the same time, your immune system will produce antibodies to combat these allergens. Inflammation may also occur.
The most common allergy symptoms include the following:
- Itching
- Runny nose
- Skin irritations
- Digestive issues
- Inflammation
Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Allergies in Asthma
Adrenal Fatigue, with its marked impact on cortisol levels, can affect the production of hormones like estrogen, which in turn has an effect on histamine levels.
One study showed a key connection between asthma, estrogen, and histamine. It noted that while there are more prepubescent boys with asthma than girls, the opposite is true after puberty. This difference is ascribed to the female sex hormone, estrogen.
Estrogen and histamine levels share an important link. When your estrogen levels fluctuate, so too does your histamine levels. Also, in the case of menopausal and post-menopausal women, estrogen dominance is common. With estrogen dominance, you may also see a rise in histamine production that results in allergies or an increase in the severity of allergy symptoms. This includes asthma.
Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Allergies In The Gastrointestinal Tract?
Certain allergy symptoms like gastrointestinal issues, skin reactions, and headaches point to a histamine intolerance. This refers to your body’s inability to break histamine down properly. While genetic factors and dietary deficiencies, like a lack of vitamins B and C and certain minerals, may promote this, Adrenal Fatigue may also prove responsible. This is because gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, Adrenal Fatigue accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders may promote food intolerances or make them worse.
Leaky gut, one of the most prevalent gut health issues, is one of the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue.
Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Allergies Due to Leaky Gut?
The term “leaky gut” is used when you are experiencing problems with gut lining permeability.3 It means that the minute spaces in your gut lining that allow for the transfer of nutrients from the gut to the bloodstream have become wider. As a result, larger particles move into the bloodstream. These particles, are not all beneficial in nature and could result in widespread, systemic inflammation. Conversely, inflammation also promotes a leaky gut.
A leaky gut allows food particles into your bloodstream that should not be there, prompting your immune system to identify them as invaders and attack. This can form the beginning of allergies.
The most common causes of leaky gut include the following:
- Stress
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut bacteria imbalances
- Inflammation
- Exposure to environmental toxins, often in food
- Yeast overgrowth
- Medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and pharmaceutical drugs
- Health conditions, including autoimmune conditions and diabetes
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Food allergies
Symptoms Associated With Leaky Gut Include:
- The development of a variety of skin issues like eczema, rosacea, rashes, and acne
- Digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and bloating
- Mood imbalances that include anxiety, depression, concentration issues, confusion, fatigue, and headaches
Leaky Gut: The Cortisol Connection
Stress, no matter its source, causes an increase in cortisol production. Interestingly, various studies strongly indicate that stress plays a large role in leaky gut development. Furthermore, a 2024 study mentions that high cortisol levels can have a non-beneficial effect on gut flora composition.4 Glut flora dysbiosis is a major contributor to the formation of a leaky gut.
Can Adrenal Fatigue Causes Allergies? Addressing Both Conditions Through An Integrative Approach
When it comes to the question of ‘Can Adrenal Fatigue cause allergies’, the answer seems to be yes. So, the next question is how to address both Adrenal Fatigue and allergies. Fortunately, many of the holistic protocols that address Adrenal Fatigue may improve allergy symptoms as well.
Addressing Allergies
Many natural remedies can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies and intolerances. Examples include the following:
- Saline nasal rinses using Neti pots
- Inhaling steam, such as from a bath or a pot of hot water
- Using supplements such as vitamin C
- Tea, tinctures, or capsules containing herbs with antihistamine properties like stinging nettle or butterbur
- Bromelain, an enzyme commonly found in pineapples, thins mucus and reduces nasal swelling
- Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in plants that may help reduce your body’s reaction when in contact with allergens
You could also consider Allerdim. This supplement contains both quercetin and bromelain in relatively high concentrations as well as stinging nettle leaves. It may help alleviate allergy symptoms. Used together, bromelain helps your body to absorb and effectively use quercetin. Allerdim may also help to prevent the production of the fatty acids we commonly find in people with asthma symptoms.
Lifestyle changes may also help reduce your allergy symptoms. These include using air filters, showering before getting into bed, and dusting and vacuuming your home regularly to get rid of dust mites and pet dander. Also, try to limit the use of chemical cleaners in your home. Rather, research the use of chemical-free cleaners to ensure a safer home environment free of chemical compounds or buildup.
Addressing Adrenal Fatigue
Making certain healthy changes to your lifestyle and diet does much to support adrenal gland function and the healing process.
Dietary Changes
A healthy diet helps support your adrenals and hormone production, along with lowering inflammation. This means eating plenty of organic fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Cutting out foods that promote inflammation may also help. This means avoiding sugar, processed foods, and hydrogenated oils. Cutting down on your caffeine intake may also help.
Exercise
Gentle exercises such as yoga, Pilates, and walking may help lower inflammation and stress levels. However, if your Adrenal Fatigue is in the later stages, intense exercise is not recommended as it raises cortisol levels and adds more stress to the body.
Get Enough Sleep
Many people with Adrenal Fatigue do not sleep the recommended eight hours per night. However, sleep is essential for repairing your body and recovering from stress. To get better sleep, try to improve your sleep hygiene with these tips:
- Go to sleep and wake at the same time every day.
- Have a snack of nuts or warm milk before bed.
- Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and free of electronics.
- Avoid stimulants within three hours of bedtime.
Practice Destressing Techniques
You can practice certain techniques to help calm the mind and body such as:
- Meditation
- Deep breathing techniques
- Walking in nature
- Journalling
- Practicing a hobby
- Connect with other people
- Therapy
Herbs and Supplements
Adaptogenic herbs have a balancing effect on the body. Others can directly influence an increase or a decrease in the production of certain hormones. They may all have a beneficial effect on the adrenal glands. Supplements like vitamin B, C, and magnesium, for example, may also support adrenal health and reduce the effects of Adrenal Fatigue on the body.
However, you should always consult your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen. These professionals are best able to individually advise you on a supplement’s suitability because they take your comprehensive health history into account, including any health conditions you may have.
In Closing
Can Adrenal Fatigue cause allergies? It can affect hormone and cortisol levels, leading to inflammation, leaky gut, and affecting histamine regulation. This can then cause or worsen allergies and asthma. Addressing both your allergy symptoms and your Adrenal Fatigue is thus important.
If you are struggling with these two issues, following a comprehensive approach like that in the Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Program may speed up your recovery journey. The program includes eating plans and numerous resources for how to go about recovering from Adrenal Fatigue. In some cases, this may also help reduce allergy symptoms.
