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 mouth2. Swelling of the tongue and throat 3. Difficulty in breathing4. Hives5. Abdominal cramps6. Vomiting and diarrhea7. Drop in blood pressure8. 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 … [Read more...]
Tongue: Functions and diseases
The golden word about the tongue is: “It has no bones, but it breaks the bones’’. At the same time, with the help of smooth talking, we can win the hearts of many people. Hence the tongue can be used either way, i.e. for good or bad. It depends upon , the way we use it. Is it a mischievous organ? Strictly speaking it is not, but helps us in many ways, as shown below: Functions of the tongue: 1. To know the taste, chewing and swallowing of the food 2. helps us to talk 3. Keep the mouth in wet condition (thus prevents the mouth becoming dry). It also gives information about some diseases inside the body, but its main role is, it acts as a mirror to the diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract. So some basic knowledge about the tongue is highly essential to every one. Diseases of the tongue: 1. Ankyloglossia: The patient cannot stretch or bring out the tongue out of the mouth. 2. Tongue Tie: Hereditary. It is present since birth and the child is not able to move the tongue freely. Other causes: Cancer occurring on the lower part of the tongue, Any trauma to tongue or swelling with pain of the tongue. 3. Deviation of the tongue to one side: Causes: • Irregular formation of the cheeks, • Hypo gloss nerve paralysis, • Cancerous tumors present on the sides of the tongue. 4. Frequent irregular movements of the tongue (not steady): • Hypothyroidism (goiter), functional … [Read more...]
