Don’t assume you have food allergy

by cornell mcclellan Jan 13, 2011 01:53PM

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If you have ever suffered from fatigue, headaches, stomach ailments, and/or skin concerns, you might have wondered if food allergies are to blame.

Food allergies are rapidly becoming a popular culprit for many mysterious health ailments, leading people to cut out everything from wheat to seafood to dairy from their diets.

For those that suffer from food allergies, the risk can be great. Food allergies often are merely considered a nuisance, but for many people, allergic reactions can be severe and quite dangerous.

In fact, a recent study from the University of Pittsburgh found that food allergies accounted for more than 1 million emergency room visits. Researchers tracked emergency room data from 2001-2005, and found that food allergy complications led to almost 200,000 ER visits a year.

Symptoms of a food allergy reaction can include: dizziness, tingling in the mouth, swelling in and around the mouth, nausea, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, hives or eczema. a person also can go into anaphylaxis, a dangerous condition in which the airways become blocked. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, constricted airways, rapid pulse and shock. (In these situations, immediate medical treatment is required).

Reported cases of food allergies have greatly increased in the last few years, with up to 25 percent of people reporting a food allergy of some sort. however, the truth is that only around 2 percent of adults and 6 percent of children suffer from food allergies. Of those who suffer from food allergies, the most common reactions tend to be the result of one or more of these culprits: dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, seafood and nuts.

If you have experienced unpleasant side effects after ingesting certain foods, be careful before you immediately assume that food allergies are to blame. Numerous conditions (such as irritable bowel syndrome) might mimic the gastrointestinal symptoms of a food allergy.

Additionally, it’s also important to note the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance.

A food allergy often sets in quickly after a person completes her meal, with symptoms taking hold mere minutes after the food has been swallowed. This immediate reaction actually is the work of the immune system, which responds to the allergen by sending out histamines. (The histamine and other chemicals then lead to the food allergy symptoms).

A food intolerance can take hours or days before symptoms arise, and it rarely involves the immune system. Instead, food intolerance occurs when a person’s body simply cannot break down certain foods.

For example, a person who is lactose intolerant lacks the necessary enzyme (lactase) to break down dairy. with a simple pill such as Lactaid, many people who are lactose intolerant still can enjoy small amounts of their favorite dairy products such as ice cream.

However, people with food allergies generally cannot consume even small amounts of food that contain allergen triggers (at least not without risking severe side effects).

If you believe that you or a family member might be suffering from a food allergy, it’s important to see a doctor who specializes in allergy treatment. before your visit, keep a detailed food diary tracking your meals so that he can discover any possible correlation between your diet and your symptoms.

Write down the time you ate, what you ate, how the food was prepared, and how shortly thereafter you experienced any negative side effects. with this information, your doctor will be able to help you create a diet plan that makes you feel and look your best!

Cornell McClellan is the owner of Naturally Fit, 310 S. Racine, a personal training and wellness facility. he is also the fitness trainer for the President of the United States and the first Lady.