The release of histamine and immunoglobulin E antibodies, as well as an inflammatory response, can cause itching, swelling, narrowing of the airways, and tiredness. Also, allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and sneezing. These can make sleep difficult, contributing to tiredness.
Signs You May Have Histamine Intolerance
Fatigue. Brain fog and poor concentration. Headaches or migraines. Difficulty falling asleep and/or insomnia.
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. Scientists already know the chemical histamine sends signals to the brain to make it awake, which is why antihistamines are associated with drowsiness. The new research suggests that the chemical GABA acts against histamine, like a chemical 'brake' preventing wakefulness being too intense.
Histamine intolerance (HIT) is assumed to be due to a deficiency of the gastrointestinal (GI) enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) and, therefore, the food component histamine not being degraded and/or absorbed properly within the GI tract.
Water does aid in the removal of histamines from the body as more that 95% of excess histamines are removed from the body through the urine. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps keep histamines at safe and healthy levels that your body can process efficiently.
In humans, plasma histamine levels increase in the early hours of the morning in healthy volunteers or asthmatic patients7,8,9,10. Although still controversial10, these nocturnal peaks in steady-state plasma histamine levels are implicated in the nighttime exacerbation of asthma symptoms7,9.
What does allergy fatigue feel like? It can feel like extreme drowsiness, not even depending on the amount of sleep you get.
Thus, histamine is an important regulator of sleep—wake cycles and probably contributes to the diurnal changes in other brain functions as well. Histamine also reduces seizure activity, another H1 receptor-mediated effect. H1 antagonists increase seizure onset and/or seizure duration in humans and animals.
Histamine intolerance occurs when you have a high level of histamine in your body. It can happen if your body can't break down histamine properly. It causes a variety of symptoms, including: Headaches or migraines.
The symptoms of histamine intolerance vary widely.
These include: Flushing, difficulty regulating body temperature, sudden excessive sweating. Hives, rashes, swelling, itchy skin, eczema.
What is the most powerful natural antihistamine? Researchers haven't yet established any natural product as the “best” or “most powerful.” Natural antihistamines with the most research backing their use include stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics.
Histamine works with nerves to produce itching. In food allergies it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. And it constricts muscles in the lungs, making it harder to breathe. Most worrisome is when histamine causes anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that is potentially fatal.
High histamine symptoms
Think hives, rashes, itching and congestion. It's notable that, what many people don't realize, is that histamine intolerance can produce a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms. These symptoms include digestive distress (particularly diarrhea), mood issues and fatigue.
Levels of histamine in the brain can increase as a result of an overactive immune system and mast cell response as well as the intake of foods that contain histamine. Mast cell disorders and histamine intolerance are both known to cause brain fog [21, 15].
It may not seem obvious, but allergies can cause serious fatigue in addition to other frustrating symptoms. They can drain your body's energy and keep you from getting a good night's sleep, leaving you feeling exhausted and hazy during the day time.
Beat Allergy Fatigue
To reduce allergy fatigue, try showering before bed, cleaning your bedroom and bedding regularly, and using an air filter to reduce airborne allergens. To boost your energy levels long term, focus on lowering your sleep debt and getting in sync with your circadian rhythm.
Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, which means it can lower histamine levels and mitigate allergic reactions and symptoms. Consume plenty of Vitamin C rich foods, like tropical fruits, citrus fruits, broccoli and cauliflower, and berries.
Second- and third-generation antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness. Of these, cetirizine works the fastest but has a higher chance of making you feel drowsy. Fexofenadine is the least drowsy option.
Because dehydration can influence the body's natural histamine response, making sure you drink enough water can be an effective way to help keep your histamine response in check.
Coffee contains histamines in low amounts, but for people who are sensitive to them, it contains plenty to get a reaction out of them. While the natural histamine content in coffee is low, some coffee processes can increase histamine levels.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C boosts the immune system. It also acts as a natural antihistamine. According to a 2018 study on vitamin C in the treatment of allergies, oxidative stress plays a key role in allergic diseases. As vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it may act as a treatment for allergies.