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Food Allergy
This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding
Food Allergy. A careful reading of this material could make a
big difference in how you think about Food Allergy.
Each year hundreds of people die from food allergy and other
allergies. Over 30,000 receive life-saving treatment in emergency
rooms due to food-induced anaphylaxis. Out of all allergies,
food allergy has got to be one of the most common, with an estimated
11 million people in the United States alone suffering from food
allergies.
The condition develops when the body’s immune system becomes
misdirected. As a result, it suddenly sees and believes that
harmless food proteins are, in fact, “harmful,” prompting
them to attack.
When you have an allergic reaction after eating certain types
of food, it means your immune system is responding to the substance
perceived by the body as a harmful allergen. Massive amounts
of antibodies are produced, binding with both the allergens and
mast cells (a certain type of cell containing chemicals). When
the antibodies come into contact with these mast cells, they
alter the structure of its membranes, causing the various chemicals
inside to leak out. One of the chemicals is histamine, which
is a major player in inflammation of surrounding tissue.
The symptoms of food allergy could range from mildly inconvenient
to uncomfortable to complete collapse of the body, a condition
known as anaphylaxis. Many people have died or have been brought
to emergency rooms as a result of anaphylaxis brought about by
violent allergic reactions to certain types of food.
Common signs of food allergy include the following:
Tingling sensation in the mouth
Swelling of the tongue and the throat
Difficulty breathing
Hives
Vomiting
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
Drop in blood pressure
Loss of consciousness
Death (extreme cases)
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point,
don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time
you finish.
Typically, these symptoms appear within minutes or two hours
after the person has eaten the food he or she is allergic to.
When talking about treatment for food allergy, the best method
is avoidance. If you’re allergic to certain types of food,
then you ought to practice strict avoidance of these foods. Food
allergy is largely symptomatic, which means that whatever medications
or treatment methods are available, they are usually to prevent
the onset or for treatment of the symptoms.
Epinephrine, also called “adrenaline,” is the medication
of choice for controlling severe reactions.
While any food can cause allergies, 90% of all food allergic
reactions are caused by:
Peanut
Egg
Milk
Shellfish
Wheat
Treenuts
Soy
Fish
Peanut food allergy is one of the most common, serious, and potentially
fatal food allergies. In a survey conducted by the Food Allergy
and Anaphylaxis Network, the prevalence of peanut allergy in
both adults and children alike has doubled up over a period of
five years. Peanuts are actually legumes but it is probably unnecessary
to eliminate other legumes unless there is good reason to suspect
that they cause problems or your doctor tells you to avoid them.
Egg-related food allergy is often mild. However, there are rare
cases where egg can trigger anaphylaxis. Food labels must be
thoroughly scrutinized for products containing egg or albumen.
It should also be noted that well-cooked eggs (as in cakes) are
generally harmless. But raw and lightly cooked eggs can cause
allergic reactions.
Research is uncovering new facts about food allergy almost every
day. |
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