Allergies make you tired primarily because your immune system is actively fighting what it perceives as harmful substances (allergens). When an allergen enters the body, the immune system releases chemicals like histamine and cytokines to combat it. This immune response causes inflammation and disrupts normal bodily functions, particularly affecting your sleep quality, which leads to fatigue. Allergies also can cause physical discomfort such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes, which disturb sleep and leave you feeling drained. Additionally, the immune system's prolonged activity in reacting to allergens consumes a lot of energy, further contributing to tiredness. Some allergy medications, especially antihistamines, may also cause drowsiness, adding to the fatigue. Key reasons why allergies cause tiredness:
- Immune system activation and release of histamine and cytokines lead to inflammation and fatigue.
- Allergy symptoms disrupt sleep, causing poor quality rest and tiredness.
- Chronic immune response drains energy as the body continuously fights allergens.
- Some allergy medications have sedative effects that induce drowsiness.
Thus, allergy fatigue results from a combination of immune system activity, physical symptoms interfering with sleep, and sometimes medication side effects.
