Did you know that diabetes and hay fever, seemingly unrelated conditions, may have an impact on each other? In this article, we'll uncover the connection between these two health issues and explore some practical tips on navigating hay fever season with diabetes.
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic response triggered by airborne seasonal allergens like pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds.1,2 It is estimated that 4.6 million Australians (nearly 1 in 5 people) are affected by hay fever.1 The symptoms of hay fever can significantly disrupt daily life,3 and often include:2
An itchy, runny, or congested nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Frequent bouts of sneezing
The need to breathe through your mouth
Frequent throat clearing
Feeling like you have a cold that won’t go away
Snoring during sleep
Hay fever's impact on diabetes: understanding the link
For people with diabetes, being under the weather from seasonal allergies can complicate matters further. While allergens themselves do not directly affect blood glucose levels, allergy symptoms can leave you feeling tired and less than your best, making it more challenging to manage your condition.4
In addition, some medications used to relieve allergy symptoms can affect blood glucose levels:
Steroids (corticosteroids) – can increase blood glucose levels by causing the liver to release more glucose, stopping glucose from being absorbed from the blood by muscle and fat cells or by reducing the body’s sensitivity to insulin.5
Decongestants – pseudoephedrine, an ingredient found in many decongestant medications may cause an increase in blood glucose levels.6
Antihistamines – typically not known to impact blood glucose levels. However, it's worth noting that certain antihistamines may induce drowsiness, which can affect your ability to notice and respond to fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Managing both conditions simultaneously is essential. Here are some practical tips:
Keep a close eye on your blood glucose levels and monitor them regularly
Select non-drowsy antihistamines or other allergy medications whenever possible
Maintain a balanced and healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support your immune system and help regulate blood glucose levels
Engage in regular physical activity but be mindful of pollen levels and consider opting for indoor workouts during peak allergy season
Stay hydrated to help alleviate hay fever symptoms like congestion and dry throat
Glucerna is scientifically formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition, with a focus on helping manage blood glucose levels.*7 It contains a low-GI carbohydrate blend plus myo-inositol to help manage blood glucose levels.7 Glucerna provides complete and balanced nutrition with 28 essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, zinc, iron, and chromium.7 This added nutritional support can be especially helpful when your body is dealing with the stress of seasonal allergies.
If you are suffering from hay fever and have noticed an effect on your diabetes management, we recommend speaking to your healthcare team. They can provide you with personalised advice and guidance on the most suitable hay fever management approaches that won't disrupt your diabetes care. By staying informed and working closely with your healthcare team, you can take control of your health and find greater comfort, even during allergy season.
Eating right when you have diabetes doesn’t have to be complex – it is about knowing what is best for you and your diabetes management plan. Knowing which foods are low-GI can be a helpful way of keeping track of your diet. Read on for a breakdown of what ‘low-GI carbohydrate’ means and how this might be helpful.
While there is no cure for diabetes, many treatments are available to help control blood glucose levels. A healthy lifestyle plays a big role in managing blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of complications.3 This article will explain briefly how type 2 diabetes is managed.
When you have diabetes, you may wonder what ‘eating right’ means for you.
Here we’re busting some of the myths around food and diabetes. Keep reading to learn more.
Food for Special Medical Purposes. Use only under medical supervision.
*Glucerna is formulated for people with prediabetes, diabetes and gestational diabetes, as part of a diabetes management plan (including diet and exercise).7
Abbreviations: GI : glycaemic index.
References: 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) Allergic rhinitis (‘hay fever’). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever/contents/allergic-rhinitis. Accessed: September 2023. 2. Health direct (2023). Hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever. Accessed: September 2023. 3. Bousquet PJ, et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013;160(4):393–400. 4. Diabetes UK (2022). Hay Fever and seasonal allergies. Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/conditions/hayfever-and-seasonal-allergies.html. Accessed: September 2023. 5. Karatzanis A,et al. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.2017;17(2):11. 6. Głowacka K and Wiela-Hojeńska A. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5146. 7. Glucerna® Powder Product Label.
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