Food allergies are a common problem in kids. Nearly two million children have food allergies in theUnited States. Some food allergies are life threatening, even if the food is taken in very little quantity. Peanut tops the list of notorious foods which cause allergies. Following it are milk, especially cow’s milk, soy, eggs, wheat, seafood and other nuts.

Food allergies are caused when the immune system is confused. The job of the immune system is to protect the body from diseases, bacteria, viruses and germs. The antibodies produced by the immune system helps to fight these minute external organisms which makes the person sick. But if the body is allergic to certain food, the immune system mistakes the food to a harmful foreign substance and takes action towards it thinking that it is dangerous to the body. The body acts adversely, when it isn’t supposed to do so.

When the immune system detects allergic substance, the antibodies produce mast cells. They are a kind of immune system cell which release a chemicals, such as histamine, in the bloodstream. These chemicals affect the respiratory system, digestive system, nose, eyes, throat, and skin. Initial symptoms are runny nose, tingling sensation in the lips or tongue, and itchy skin rash like hives. The reaction can be mild to severe and depends on every individual. Symptoms can appear right after food is consumed or several hours later. Other symptoms are coughing, wheezing, nausea, hoarse voice, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, and throat tightness.

A sudden and harsh allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis. The patient encounters many problems, all at once which involve blood vessels, the heart, digestion, breathing, and skin. Blood pressure can drop very steeply, with tongue and breathing tube swelling. Patients who have such allergic reactions should be ready to handle emergencies. They should always carry some type of medicine which will help to combat or reduce the adverse affect of the food.

Usually it is straightforward to detect the cause of food allergy. Problems such as hives begin to surface as soon as the child eats the substance he is allergic to. At other times, it becomes very difficult to determine the cause of allergy. In such cases, everything should be observed under close surveillance. Food items which are made out of many ingredients should be thoroughly checked for the allergic cause.

Changes in the surroundings and the body play a major role in these kinds of cases. Some children aren’t actually classically allergic to a food and show only mild reaction. For instance some people who are lactose intolerant suffer from diarrhea and belly pain after consuming milk and diary products. This is not an indication that the child is allergic to milk. This reaction happens because their body is incapable of breaking down the sugars which are found in diary products and milk.

If the conditions are severe, a doctor should be consulted immediately and will ask questions about eating patterns, past allergic reactions and the time period between the consumption of food and the surfacing of the symptoms. If food allergy is diagnosed, the doctor will refer you to an allergy specialist. The specialist will ask about allergy related conditions like asthma or eczema and whether allergic reactions are hereditary. Usually skin test and blood tests are done to test the antibodies and the reaction they have on the skin when it is exposed to the allergic substance.

Children who are allergic to egg and milk will probably outgrow them as they grow up. But allergies which are severe and are related to items such as peanut, shrimps, and other kinds of fish, may last for a lifetime. Other than food, children can be allergic to certain medicines and flower pollen. The best way to avoid allergies is to avoid the cause of it. No specific medicine has been developed for the cure of allergies.

Learn more here about how to help children with food intolerances.

If you are feeling hungover after a party, it may not just be because of excess alcohol or late nights. Although it could be (hehehe).

Here’s another plausible excuse (honestly). According to food intolerance specialists YorkTest Laboratories, as the party season approaches there is an increase in the number of patients suffering from the symptoms of food intolerance – such as bloating, bad headaches, “feeling foggy”, stomach troubles and low energy.

It isn’t always a hangover – these symptoms can also arise when people consume foods to which they are intolerant.

They may have eaten something while at a party or restaurant without knowing the ingredients, or because they are eating larger amounts of one food than normal. Sometimes  a previously unsuspected intolerance may suddenly be triggered.

Knowing in advance that you are at risk of an adverse reaction could avoid much  suffering. Studies by scientists at York University show that chronic inflammatory disease is linked with food intolerance and just being aware of foods that can cause you a problem and not eating them can save much discomfort.

There are many ways of testing but my recommended method is explained in this article on food intolerance tests.

To take this low cost DIY test probably the best price is available from Amazon. Click here, and at the bottom of the page that opens you will find an ordering link.

If the results show that you have an intolerance there are various ways to pinpoint the particular foods that are a problem for you and if you choose further testing from YorkTest you will receive advice on ways to exclude the troublesome foods from your diet.

Although this blog is primarily about healthy eating, here’s an interesting article about healthy living, and how much sleep you’re getting.

Click the text here >> Repaying your sleep debt.

So now, I have a valid reason for my luxury weekend “lay-in”

While we’re talking about healthy eating, it’s important to remember that old saying “one man’s meat is another’s poison” – which I’ve also heard expressed as “oranges are good for you, except when they’re not!”

Basically, we’re saying that sometimes foods that are healthy for most people are unhealthy for others.

At the extreme end of this spectrum are anaphylactic shock reactions to foods such as peanuts, shell-fish or dairy products. These can be life-threatening and medical attention should be sought immediately.

Food intolerance, while unlikely to be life-threatening, can be debilitating and result in weight gain. So how do you find out if you’re eating a food to which you are intolerant?

There are various methods, but my preferred method is the YorkTest intolerance kit, and I’m pleased to refer you to an article that tells you more about the test and a discount on the link below.

February 2009 – Find discounted food intolerance test.