Hi, a loved one is suffering from these symptoms and I was hoping someone would be able to put them together to be able to tell us what's wrong with her:

– Apparent hyper-adrenalization: feelings of being anxious without a stimulus, rapid pulse (about 90-100 bpm), trembling

– History of thyroid problems although doctors were unable to determine if it was hyper or hypo-active thyroid since her symptoms overlap with both classifications but blood tests seem to suggest hypoactive thyroid.

– History: had something that had "flu-like" symptoms a couple weeks ago and still hasn't fully recovered. Blood tests showed elevated ALT and AST levels which made doctors suspect hepatitis.

– History: Recently has had some abdominal pain and a slightly upset stomach.

If anyone has any clue to how these symptoms fit together, I would be eternally grateful for your input, and for any suggestions towards treatment. thank you!

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.

“Heat illness was the third leading cause of death amoung high school athletes in 2004.”

Summer is in full swing and the temperatures are rising. by 7:00a.m. the sun is already out and the thermometer can read 80 degrees, with 70% relative humidity. Workouts in the heat can be challenging and dangerous if you don’t take steps to help your body adjust. You could suffer some form of heat illness that could lead to heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke. Heat edema, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are the five common types of heat illness typically associated with strenuous activity in hot, humid weather (Marsh and Jenkins (2002)). Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It’s one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe (Mayo Clinic). Heatstroke, a result of the escalation of heat cramps and heat exhaustion, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher.

Many people comment that workouts in hot conditions are tougher, they get tired faster, and they can’t last as long. much of this can be attributed to the increased work the body has to go through to cool itself while you workout. These are early symptoms of heat exhaustion. When you exercise, your body temperature rises. To help cool itself down, your body sweats. You will notice in heat, that your body begins to sweat more and sooner than when you exercise in cool weather. To help keep yourself cool, wear lighter fabrics and lighter colors. Also, use a hat, one that has breathable fabric, to keep your head and your face cool.

Your body also looses more water due to the increase in sweating. as a result, you may experience heat cramps. Signs and symptoms of heat cramps usually include heavy sweating, fatigue, thirst and muscle cramps. immediate attention usually prevents heat cramps from progressing to heat exhaustion. be sure to hydrate, drinking 6-8 oz of water or sports drink every 15-20 minutes. (If you are working out for less than 80 minutes, you can just drink water, but it is recommended that you do a mixture of sports drinks and water). You can carry a bottle with you or plan your routes so that you are passing by water fountains frequently. If you will be working out in the same place for extended periods of time, bring a cooler to keep water cold. be aware that even with these precautions you may experience muscle cramps.

Ways to avoid heat illness:

• always wear sunscreen, even underneath clothing and remember to reapply if you will be outside for an extended period of time.
• Wearing sunglasses will help reduce damage to your eyes and keep you from squinting.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration impedes your ability to sweat.
• Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol can result in dehydration, along with other adverse effects on performance.
• be smart. Reducing the intensity of your workout, or easing into workouts in heat, can also help your body regulate and get used to the higher temperatures. Don’t expect to be able to do the same workout in 85 degrees that you could in 40 degrees.
• Avoid stimulants before workouts. Stimulants often speed metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure. This increased activity in the body produces extra heat (especially in hot and humid conditions). Under these conditions the blood vessels in the skin constrict, preventing the body from cooling itself efficiently. by making the user feel more energetic and less fatigued, stimulants keep users exercising longer. This can set the stage for heat illness, heat stroke and sudden death in certain situations.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very dangerous conditions. If you start to feel dizzy or nauseated, stop what you are doing and move to a shaded, cool area or head inside. use cool towels and washcloths to cool your skin slowly.

Ultimately, both exercise related heat illness and sunburn are preventable injuries. consequently, it is the responsibility of those caring for athletes, the parents, coaches, trainers, and team doctors, to ensure that athletes are educated in preventative strategies and are properly monitored during training or competition in the heat.

References:
Coris EE, Ramirez AM, Van Durme DJ. Heat illness in
athletes: the dangerous combination of heat, humidity and
exercise. Sports Medicine. 2004; 34(1):9–16.

Wendt D, van Loon LJC, van Marken Lichtenbelt WD.
Thermoregulation during exercise in the heat: strategies
for maintaining health and performance. Sports Medicine.
2007; 37(8):669–682.

Marsh SA, Jenkins DG. Physiological responses to the
menstrual cycle: implications for the development of heat
illness in female athletes. Sports . 2002; 32(10):601–614.

Noakes TD. A modern classifi cation of the exercise-related
heat illnesses. J Science and Medicine in Sport. 2008;
11:33–39.