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When you think of allergy symptoms, it’s likely that your mind fills with thoughts of sniffles, sneezing, a runny nose, and maybe hives, or itchy eyes. While these are some of the most common allergy symptoms, they are not the only ones. Allergies can also frequently lead to one of two types of headaches, migraine or sinus headaches. Both are referred to under the single heading of allergy headache. What is an Allergy Headache? An allergy headache occurs when allergy symptoms trigger a headache. Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, causes inflammation of the sinuses. This inflammation can present as sinus pressure, and facial pain throughout the nose, forehead, and cheekbones. It can also be accompanied by symptoms that resemble the common cold: sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes/watery eyes, nasal congestion, and nasal buildup. Common Causes of Allergy Headaches The causes of your allergy headache may depend on your allergies and the type of headache you’re experiencing. They will normally coincide with your regular allergy triggers and allergy sufferers will often experience both worse symptoms and more frequent headaches in the springtime. It’s important to note here that allergy headaches are often miss diagnosed as sinus headaches or sinusitis. However, sinus headaches are actually quite rare, and more often than not, what a patient is experiencing is a migraine. Common allergy headache triggers can include: Hay fever or seasonal allergies Headaches caused by hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, aren’t a result of sinus headaches. It’s the inflammation in your nasal passages that is causing you discomfort. Histamine responses Histamines are your immune system’s response to allergy triggers such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. They can cause the worst of your allergy symptoms, and may even trigger migraines in those prone to chronic headaches. Food allergies Some foods can trigger a headache response not because of the allergy itself, but because of your own food sensitivities. There is some evidence that foods like dairy, chocolate, and eggs may cause migraines in some. Certain medications Certain medications, even those prescribed to treat migraines, headaches, or allergies can trigger the very headaches and migraines they are meant to treat. Migraines It’s possible that the headache you’re experiencing may be the result of allergens triggering an immune system response. This causes inflammation that presents as a migraine attack. If you’re a chronic migraine sufferer, it may not have anything to do with your allergies at all. Misalignment of the upper cervical spine Sometimes migraine or sinus headaches are actually symptoms of misalignments in the upper cervical spine. How Long Does an Allergy Headache Last? It depends on the real cause of your headache. An allergy headache can last as long as you’re exposed to the triggers for your allergy symptoms. True sinus headaches are the result of a sinus infection and can last up to 2 weeks while migraine attacks can last for hours or days at a time. Allergy Headache Prevention The key to allergy headache prevention lies in limiting your exposure to known allergens and triggers. That may mean spending more time inside during allergy season and leaving yardwork for those without seasonal allergies. To prevent the worst allergy symptoms: Keep windows closed on days with high pollen counts Drink lots of water Use a dehumidifier Take steam baths or hot showers to Use allergy-friendly bedding Wash your hands often, especially when you’ve been in contact with known allergens Vacuum and dust your living space regularly Avoid strong-smelling fragrances, air fresheners, and deodorizers Consider bare floors if your living space is carpeted Apply a warm washcloth or compress to the sinus area to reduce inflammation Drug-Free Relief For Allergy Headache Sufferers Here at Atlas Specific, instead of treating your allergy symptoms with medications to mask them, we look for the root cause of the problem. Upper cervical care can restore your body’s ability to adapt to allergens. By correcting vertebral subluxations in your upper cervical spine we aim to locate and reduce disturbances to your central nervous system allowing your body to better communicate with your brainstem and heal itself from the inside out. Our method of care can not only relieve your chronic headaches, but it can also help to prevent those headaches from returning. If you or someone you know suffers from allergy headaches, there’s no need to live with chronic pain and discomfort any longer. Click the link below to schedule a complimentary initial consultation, visit our Durango office at 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, or call us at 970.259.6803. Notice of Disclaimer: We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.

The average person is born with 33 individual bones or vertebrae in their spine. These vertebrae interact and connect with each other through flexible joints called facets. By adulthood, some of the vertebrae at the bottom end of the spine will be fused together during normal growth and development leaving approximately 24 vertebrae. The neck portion of the spine is made up of 7 of these vertebrae. The top bone, named after the Greek God Atlas, (C1) is where the head attaches to the neck. The second bone (C2) is called the axis, upon which the head and atlas rotate. From there, the vertebrae are numbered C3 through C7. So, with a total of 206 bones in the body, why is the Atlas the most vulnerable bone in your body? Why is the Atlas the Most Vulnerable Bone in Your Body? As we said above, the Atlas bone was named after the Greek God Atlas whom Zeus condemned to carry the world on his shoulders. You’ll find that this is an apt name when you consider that the average human head weighs between 8-12 lbs, and the function of the Atlas bone is to carry the weight of your world, your head, on your shoulders. The reason it’s the most vulnerable bone in your body is because of its unique anatomy. Unlike the other vertebrae in the spine, the Atlas bone is not connected to a disk; only a few ligaments hold it in place. This feature allows your head and neck flexibility and a full range of motion. However, since it’s not fused to any disks, it’s the bone that is the most vulnerable to misalignment in the spine. Accidents, injuries, and the stress of daily living can cause this bone to be knocked out of place. We call this a vertebral misalignment or subluxation. What Happens When the Atlas is Misaligned? If the atlas shifts out of place even to the slightest degree it can press upon, stretch, or otherwise impinge on the nerves of the brain stem. This can cause interference in the nerve flow between the brain and body resulting in an array of different ailments including: Chronic Pain A misaligned Atlas or subluxation can result in chronic pain throughout the neck, back, lower back, and hips as well as other areas of the body. Body Imbalance Furthermore, this type of misalignment typically tightens the muscles along only one side of the body. When this happens, a cascade effect is created. The muscle tightening pulls one hip up higher than the other, which pulls the leg up higher on one side. To compensate, the entire spine shifts or twists out of place in order to try and stabilize your core and remain upright against the force of gravity. This can lead to a body imbalance as well as structural degeneration and other painful conditions such as: Arthritis Bone spurs Bulging discs Nerve Interference A misalignment of the Atlas can cause undue pressure to be placed on the nerves. This pressure can cause conditions such as: Headaches Migraines Sciatica Numbness in the arms, legs, or feet Disruption of the Central Nervous System The brain and spinal cord make up the Central Nervous System, the most important system of the body. Your body relies on the spinal cord to relay messages from the brain to every organ in your body. A spinal misalignment can interfere with the proper functioning of the Central Nervous System. When this happens, information traveling through the nervous system can be obstructed. This could cause many potential problems over time, resulting in conditions such as: Multiple Sclerosis High blood pressure Insomnia Dizziness & Vertigo How to Care for Your Atlas Upper cervical chiropractic is a highly specialized branch of chiropractic care that focuses on the top two vertebrae of the neck, the Atlas and the Axis. Using gentle, non-invasive techniques and specialized imagery, doctors Tim and Danielle of Atlas Specific Upper Cervical Care can help you to maintain the correct positioning of your Atlas and help you to heal your body from within. Click the button below now to schedule your free consultation and start your journey to wellness today! Notice of Disclaimer: We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.