A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that an estimated 12 million Americans suffer food allergies and about 150 die every year. A food allergy is an immune system response to food that the body mistakenly believes that this food is harmful to it.
Mechanism of allergic reaction:
Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies. The next time the individual eats the same food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, in order to protect the body.
These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system.
Foods that generally cause allergy: products like egg, fish, soy, wheat and meat etc;
Signs and symptoms of allergic reaction:
1. Tingling sensation in the mouth
2. Swelling of the tongue and throat
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Hives
5. Abdominal cramps
6. Vomiting and diarrhea
7. Drop in blood pressure
8. Loss of consciousness (often leading to death).
These symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours, after the person has taken the food.
Food intolerance is an adverse food induced reaction that does not involve the immune system (as in the food allergy).
Ex: Lactose intolerance in some persons who cannot digest milk sugar due to lack of an enzyme.
Treatment for food allergy:
Experts say some people do get over with the passage of time. But if that does not happen, it I better to avoid allergens completely.
Allergy has no cure, but there is only symptomatic treatment available to manage the cases with antihistamine injections and other emergency drugs, etc. Some times the patient needs a stomach wash as well.
