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By
Catherine Pruissen
What
is a Food Allergy?
All allergies are caused by an overreaction of the
immune. Usually, the immune system helps keep
us healthy. It defends the body from "enemies"
like viruses and germs, that cause disease.
An
allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly
treats a food as if it were an enemy. When this
happens, the immune system produces special proteins
called antibodies that
search for the food particles and then release chemicals
that try to destroy the food particles. These chemicals
also affect other parts of the body causing the uncomfortable,
and sometimes dangerous, symptoms of an allergic reaction.
* The parts of the food that causes an allergy is
a protein called an allergen. Most allergic
reactions to food are caused by a small number of
allergens.
Which
Foods Cause Allergies?
Most food items contain some proteins; therefore,
almost any food products are more likely than others
to cause an allergic reaction. These include
cow's milk, wheat, corn, chocolate, egg whites, soya
beans and other legumes, peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish
(shrimp, crab, lobster), and citrus fruits such as
oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes.
What
are the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Food?
The symptoms range from very mild to very server.
They occur alone or together with other symptoms.
Some allergic reactions to food can occur within
minutes of eating that food. Other reactions
may take an hour or longer to appear. The most
common symptoms involve these body symptoms:
Digestive
System:
- Nausea,
vomiting, pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Skin:
Itching, rashes, hives, and eczema.
- Respiratory
System: Congestion, coughing, wheezing, sneezing,
runny nose and asthma.
- Other
less common symptoms include headaches, tiredness,
pale color, circles under the eyes, sweating, ear
aches, joint pain, sleep disturbances and behavior
changes. The most severe type of reactions
fall into 2 categories:
Anaphylactic
Reaction:
- This
reaction involves two more of the above systems,
and the cardiovascular (heat and blood circulation)
system. Swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue,
and shortness of breath, are particularly dangerous
symptoms.
Anaphylactic
Shock:
- In
the most server cases, anaphylactic reaction is
followed by anaphylactic shock. This shock is
life-threating. If not treated, it can lead to collapse
and death. It
is important to obtain information form your family
doctor on how to treat a reaction, particularly,
an anaphylactic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
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