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Food Allergy Symptoms:
The immune system of our body protects it against infections and diseases. It could be thought of as a line of defense. The immune system produces certain molecules called antibodies, which act as policemen, guarding the body against infection or disease-causing microbes. In food allergies, two parts of the immune response are involved. One is the production of a particular antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE), the other is the mast cell. The mast cell occurs in all body tissues, especially common in nose and throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.
When a person eats the food for the first time, specific IgE is produced in large amounts. This specific IgE then attaches to the surface of mast cells. The next time the particular food is eaten, the protein interacts with the specific IgE on the mast cells and triggers the release of chemicals such as histamine that produce the food allergy symptom. This is a genetic predisposition. Such people may come from families in which allergies such as hay fever, asthma, or eczema are common.
Sometimes, some nutrients in our food (especially proteins) are not completely broken down either by the heat of cooking or by the digestive acids and enzymes. Because of this, they could enter the blood stream and reach other organs. This could be a reaction-provoking substance (allergen). Now, the immune system produces antibodies specific to the allergen.
Typical Food Allergy Symptoms:
The person may display food allergy symptoms depending on the tissue in which these chemicals are released.
- Mouth
- Digestive Tract
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin
- Airways
- Wheezing
- Breathing problems
Food Intolerance:
Food intolerance is a metabolic disorder that does not involve the immune system. But if someone eats a food they are intolerant to, this could make them feel ill or affect their long-term health. Lactose intolerance for example. When you have lactose intolerance, you lack an enzyme that is needed to digest it. If you drink milk or eat milk-based products, you may experience symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Food intolerance may share some common symptoms with food allergy, but they are not the same.
Any food could cause an allergic reaction. But scientists have identified eight foods that are responsible for almost 90% of food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts (almonds, pecans), fish and shellfish.
Food Allergy Treatment:
As of now, there is no cure for food allergies. Avoiding the foods that cause allergic reactions may be the best step to take towards preventing them. Read the food labels carefully to see the ingredients. If you are allergic to specific foods, avoid them. Even if you try very hard to avoid the food that you are sensitive to, you may still eat it by accident. Consult with a doctor to make sure of your condition.
Anaphylaxis:
Anaphylaxis, sometimes called anaphylactic shock occurs when a person is exposed to a trigger substance, called an allergen. Allergens are normally proteins, and there is usually more than one kind of allergen in each food. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe and potentially fatal caused by bee, wasp stings and drug allergy, but food allergy is one of the most common causes that can involve various areas of the body which can be mild to life threatening. Very small amounts can trigger this form of food allergy and the symptoms usually appear within minutes and can last up to few hours. Eating foods that cause allergy within two to three hours of vigorous exercising triggers exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Breathing difficulties
- Hives
- Swelling of the mouth and throat
- Drop in blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
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