Many people suffer from food allergies every year. This occurs when the body mistakes a certain food as an invader. The most common foods that trigger a food allergy attack are shellfish, peanuts, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, pecans, walnuts, almonds, and strawberries. Approximately 1.5% of the teens and adults in the population suffer from food allergies while young children have a slightly higher risk at 6%. Some people can pinpoint exactly what foods have an adverse effect when it is digested like milk. About 10% of the population are lactose intolerant.
Your body will build up a defense to fight against anything that is believed to be harmful. People suffering from food allergies are sensitive to the proteins in food. The symptoms are triggered when the body tries to expel the invading food. Once the histamines are triggered it will affect the respiratory system, skin, cardio system, and gastrointestinal tract. The number of histamines released will determine how bad the food allergy attack will be once it occurs.
People with food allergies can feel symptoms ranging from mild to very severe. The symptoms will vary because no two people will experience food allergies in the same way. The side effects of food allergies include nausea, itchy skin, shortness of breath, stomach pain, rash, hives, sweating, chest pain, anaphylaxis, and swollen airways to the lungs.
Some people confuse food allergies with food poisoning. If you are in good health and feel very sick after eating familiar foods that you consume often, it is probably food poisoning. Most doctors will be able to determine whether you are suffering from a food allergen or from food poisoning. Some doctors will refer their patients to a registered dietitian to begin the elimination diet.
If it is a food allergy, doctors will use the elimination diet which will narrow down what you consumed for the purpose of identifying which food was the real culprit. Some people are also asked to keep a food diary to record everything they are eating throughout the day while paying special attention to any symptoms that may occur after consumption.
Food allergies are treated by reducing or completely eliminating certain foods from your daily diet. It is simple- avoid the food, avoid the symptoms. Some foods can be digested in very limited amounts. When you are dining out tell the waiter or waitress how the meal should be prepared and foods not to include in your meal. If you do not know ask what is in the food before ordering, read the food labels in the supermarket, and make sure there are no problem ingredients that may trigger a food allergy attack. Use over-the-counter anti-histamines when you feel the onset of food allergy symptoms.
Another way to alleviate and protect the body from food allergies is to drink purified water. Water that has been treated with chemicals like chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride can be abrasive and can also cause allergic reactions for sensitive people. For people who are already suffering from food allergies, clean purified water will help dilute the allergen and flush toxins out of the body. Drinking contaminated water, on the other hand, will only add to the symptoms and can lead to even more harmful health issues down the road. For your general health, always eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of chemical-free purified water.