Do You Have Food Allergies?
While some foods can be healthy for the majority of people, those with food allergies have to pay attention to every ingredient in every food they eat.It is estimated that 2% of the United States population suffer from allergies or sensitivities to some foods. Becoming aware of you or your childrens allergies and sensitivities is the first step in preventing a reaction.
Unfortunately, many people experience food allergies and not realize that this is their problem. These people may experience such things as fatigue after meals, spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome, rashes, mood swings, depression, muscle soreness, weight problems, or sleep disturbances, among other symptoms. Many times these conditions are attributed to stress or seasonal allergies.
While doctors can test for food allergies using a number of different methods, you can start by removing certain food from your diet. Keep a record of the foods you eat and note when you have any symptoms to help pinpoint a potential culprit. This may give your doctor an indicator as to your allergen.However, clinical test like the RAST of skin prick test can also help point doctors to specific food allergies.
Once you discover that you have a food allergy, it is best to simply stay away from that food, no matter how much you like it. About 5% of food allergies are immediately toxic and can result in throat-swelling and other conditions that cause death. You may not always experience these food allergies from birth. For some people, they come at later times in life, such as with you go through puberty, menopause, or a pregnancy. In fact, sometimes they can just show up for no reason at all. Our bodies change constantly and it is important to continually gauge the foods you eat in order to make the best choices.
With the help of a doctor you can control your symptoms and adjust your diet to maintain the proper nutrients you need. If you determine that you have a food allergy, whether it be to wheat or to seafood or to anything in between, it is not the end of the world. Healthy eating is about making good choices in order to avoid those foods.
Do dogs suffer from allergies? Find out that and more at AllergyInfoHQ.com.
