Many people think of allergies exclusively in terms of airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and molds. However, immune reactions can result from the different types of food sensitivities you may possess. The most common foods causing allergic reactions are peanuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs and tree nuts. Currently there is no cure for food allergies. Once identified, we recommend eliminating those problematic foods from your diet.
Food allergies are divided into two major categories: immediate and delayed. When immediate food reaction occurs, sufferers experience symptoms within hours of having ingested the food. Symptom onset is rapid and may include tingling of extremities, wheezing, coughing, tightening of the throat, nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Sometimes in cases where nuts, shellfish, fish, and peanuts have been eaten anaphylaxis can occur.
Immediate food reaction is a fixed food allergy. The food to which you are allergic will almost always provoke an immune reaction when ingested. In immediate reactions the body over produces what is called Immunoglobulin E antibodies, (IgE).
Symptoms of a delayed food allergy (or food sensitivity) can take up to 72 hours or more to appear. This type of immune response is mediated by the IgG antibody, which is the largest circulating antibody in our immune system and can cross the placenta from mother to child. IgG antibodies are the most common form of immunologic mediated food responses. It can be difficult to identify the offending food since we eat so many foods that go through different processes and have many ingredients. Many times the foods we eat frequently and seem healthy are contributing to our health problems. Elimination of the offending foods can improve many health problems and lead to a better quality of life.
Unidentified food sensitivities can contribute to many chronic health conditions, some of the symptoms of food sensitivities include (but are not limited to) the following:
Respiratory System
Rhinitis (runny nose), sinusitis, asthma, ear infections, throat pain, cough, hoarseness, mucous build-up
Gastrointestinal System
Vomiting, bloating, cramps, nausea, feeling of fullness, constipation, diarrhea, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, digestive disorders, (stomach, intestines), colitis and Crohn’s disease , hemorrhagic ulcers, celiac disease
Skin
Hives, eczema ( atopic dermatitis ), infantile eczema, acne, psoriasis, redness, dry skin, itching.
Central Nervous System
Migraine, headaches, dizziness, concentration disorders, drowsiness, depression, hyperactivity
Musculoskeletal System
Arthritis, joint and muscular pain, back pain, weakness, fibromyalgia, cramps
Eyes
Dry, watery, red, swollen eyelids, stuck together
Using a simple and painless in office procedure at gesund we can test over 200 food and airborne allergens for sensitivity. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms you may have food sensitivities, book an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors to discuss food sensitivity testing.
