Imagine a woman drinking a few drinks one night, taking ibuprofen for her hangover in the morning, and running. She’s never had a problem with alcohol, ibuprofen or practice for. But this time, a combination of the three causes a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
This is a real case that happened to a patient of Dr. Andrew Murphy, an allergist at Suburban Allergy Consultants in Pennsylvania. So is it possible to be allergic to exercise?
Not technically, Murphy said. When someone is exposed to something they are allergic to, there is a protein of the allergen, for example peanuts, grass or cat litter, which varies antibodies on immune cell in their body. The immune cells fire off chemicals such as histamine that cause sneezing, hives, wheezing and other symptoms. There are no proteins that enter the body when someone is exercising, so it is not possible to be allergic to running.
But exercise can cause the same variety of symptoms in people with a rare condition called anaphylaxis caused by exercise. ‘It’s not necessarily an antibody remedy, but exercise is a trigger and allergy [immune] cells are still being activated, ”Murphy told WordsSideKick.
Related: Why do I get sore days after I work?
Exercise alone is enough to cause an allergic reaction in some people, but it is unknown. One theory suggests that exercise causes the release of endorphins, which cause certain immune cells to release chemicals such as histamine, according to a 2010 review in the journal. Current allergy and asthma reports.
Other people, such as Murphy’s patient, have a condition known as anaphylaxis caused by exercise, or FDEIA. For them, eating a certain food before exercising can cause symptoms such as wheezing or hives, even if they have no reaction to the food when you relax. In the case of Murphy’s patient, the ‘food’ was alcohol, ibuprofen or a combination thereof. There are several theories as to why certain foods in combination with exercise can cause an allergic reaction, including that the exercise digestive tract more permeable, allowing allergens to better contact the immune system. Ibuprofen can further increase the permeability and uptake of foreign allergens into the body, and according to the review, it can interact directly with immune cells.
Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is rare. About 2% of people in the Western world experience anaphylaxis, and according to the survey, 5% to 15% of cases are caused by exercise. The food-dependent version of the condition is less common and represents between a third and a half of all cases. Not many children enter the office with either condition, Murphy said, and it usually occurs in teens and adults.
Treating food-dependent anaphylaxis with exercise is simple: do not eat for four hours before and after you exercise, according to a review in the journal Expert review of clinical immunology. Another option is to avoid the related foods altogether if known.
If exercise is the only trigger, managing the condition may be more difficult than managing FDEIA, but doctors can help patients develop specialized workouts, Murphy said. The amount of effort that someone can safely do with the condition varies. A leisurely stroll can cause some people to react, but others can cycle without any problems. Each patient should work with a physician to determine their own limits. According to a 2001 review in the journal, Murphy always prescribes an EpiPen in emergencies, and antihistamines can help prevent episodes. American GP.
Serious reactions in response to exercise are rare. In 25 years of practice, Murphy has seen only one person succeed. ‘I usually see more people with cutaneous [skin-related] symptoms like hives, or it has a bit of lip weakness or wheezing with it, ‘he said.
Originally published on Live Science.