There is disturbing news from the University of Maryland. Researchers have found that seasonal allergies might be associated with mood disorders, including depression. We've long recognized the association between seasonal allergies and fatigue. The latest report echoes what scientists found in 1999. Back then, a study of 7,000 patients found people with hay fever were twice as likely to be diagnosed with major depression. Why’s this the case? Well, the latest theory is very technical. According to researchers at the Association of Allergies and Scientific Analysis of Allergies, chemicals called cytokines are released in the nose during an allergic reaction. This activates a chemical called indolamine 2, 3-dioxygenase that slows down serotonin production. It's a chemical in the brain that is linked to depression.
