Beyond Allergy » Food Allergies

Feingold Diet etc. (Avoiding Food Additives)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:14:08 +0000

The Feingold diet is based on the theory that certain foods and food additives should be eliminated from an individual’s diet to improve overall health and behavioral patterns as well as their learning abilities. Such effects of food additives can cause behavioral conditions such as ADD/ADHD, oppositional defiance disorders, as well as physical illnesses like Asthma. Specifically, the Feingold diet starts by removing foods which contain synthetic dyes, artificial flavoring and common preservatives from the diet. Foods containing salicylate (natural plant chemical that helps it resist pests and diseases) found in common herbs, fruits, and in some drugs and personal care products. Food additives, flavor enhancers, and artificial colorings in particular have a neuotoxic effect on the human nervous system. Afterwards, each food will slowly be introduced into the diet to check for any reactions.

Diagnostic Test: IgG ELISA/EIA Food Allergy Test

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:13:14 +0000

The typical food allergy is a reaction to certain foods that produce a Type I allergic reaction involving IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies with immediate onset of the symptoms minutes after ingesting the food. Another type of food allergy is more of a food sensitivity which is milder, but this time involving IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies measurable by an IgG ELISA/EIA Food Allergy Test. According to the IgG food allergy theory, the delayed food reaction with the IgG antibodies can aggravate different health problems and lead to disorders, such as ADD/ADHD, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although the IgG tests have been offered since the 1980s, research studies have never been able to vouch for its diagnostic reliability.

Zantac (Ranitidine)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:11:52 +0000

To prevent the ulcers in the stomach and the intestines, ranitidine, a type of Histamine-2 antagonist, is prescribed. Histamine-2 antagonists are drugs that hinder the production of acid in the stomach and reducing the chances of causing ulcers. It is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the stomach’s excessive production of acid, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn caused by the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. It is manufactured under the trade name, Zantac, by GlaxoSmithKline, and over-the-counter by Pfizer.

EpiPen (Epinephrine (Adrenaline))

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:11:15 +0000

Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a natural hormone released in times of stress, during exercise, and in response to low blood sugar. It conditions the body to be prepared for strenuous activity or life-threatening situations. When severe allergic reactions are triggered by a drug allergy, food allergy, or insect allergy, a quick injection of adrenaline with an EpiPen is the life-saving antidote. Adrenaline needs to be injected because if taken orally, it will easily be destroyed by the enzymes in the stomach. Once the adrenaline enters the body system, it will immediately reverse the effects of anaphylaxis by opening up the airways, reducing throat swelling, and maintaining blood pressure at a steady level.

Astelin (Azelastine)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:10:38 +0000

Astelin (Azelastine) is a steroid-free anihistamine nasal spray that provides relief for sneezing, sniffling, congestion, itchy, runny nose, and postnasal drip due to seasonal allergens. Azelastine is designed to be used twice a day with each dosage providing 12-hour relief. It is a second generation antihistamine to treat both seasonal allergic rhinitis and nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis. Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis symptoms are similar to allergic rhinitis symptoms but the triggers are not allergens but more of common indoor and outdoor irritants such s tobacco smoke, perfumes, colognes, hairspray, soaps, detergents, cleaners, paint and car exhaust fumes, and even temperature changes.

Singulair (Montelukast)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:09:57 +0000

Singulair is a prescription medicine approved for control of asthma and allergies. It can safely be used by adults and children as young as 2 years old for treatment of outdoor allergies, and for children as young as 6 months old for treatment of indoor allergies. It blocks leukotrienes in the body that cause inflammation in asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is not a steroid and is generally well tolerated according to clinical studies. It comes in 10 mg tablets, 4 mg and 5 mg chewable cherry flavored tablets, or pediatric granules. Therapy is one dosage per day for 3 to 14 days. Since the dosage should be continuous, it cannot be used for an acute asthma attack.

Allegra (Fexofenadine)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:09:25 +0000

Allegra (Fexofenadine) is a second generation, minimally sedating antihistamine that produced fewer side effects than the first generation antihistamines (diphenhydramine and brompheniramine). They are less sedating and are not known to cause dizziness or impairment of the cognitive function. They are also a safe prescription for children with no known negative effects on learning abilities. Fexofenadine is prescribed to treat seasonal allergies and chronic urticaria. Recommended dosage for seasonal allergies for adults and children 12 years or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily. Children 6-11 years old should only be given 30 mg twice daily.

Rotation Diet

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:08:50 +0000

A rotation diet is sometimes recommended to prevent some individuals from developing new allergies as a result of eating the same foods regularly. The idea is to vary the kinds of foods eaten on a regular basis to reduce the exposure to a potential allergen, hopefully preventing the development of new allergies. If the individual is used to eating a potentially problematic food everyday, when switched to a rotation diet, the individual should try eating the food only once in four days. If sensitivity to wheat is suspected, the individual should rotate wheat-containing foods into their diet every fourth day. By lessening the consumption of problematic foods by rotating the schedule when they are consumed, the symptoms triggered by these foods can be reduced.

Benadryl etc. (Diphenhydramine)

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:08:08 +0000

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that has a sedative effect used in treating allergic reactions. It works by blocking the effect of histamine at h1 receptor sites and reduce the muscle contractions, thus reducing the onset of allergic symptoms. It is prescribed for allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria, and also to treat allergic conjunctivitis, the itching and swelling of the eyes caused by seasonal allergens such as pollens and indoor allergens such as dust and dander. Diphenhydramine will take effect an hour after taking it and the effects will last for around 4-6 hours. Other than being an antihistamine, diphenhydramine also has anticholinergic (drying) effects when it is used to prevent motion sickness and to treat cases of Parkinsonism. Also, because of its sedating properties, it is also used to treat insominia.

Avoidance Diet

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:07:31 +0000

Undiagnosed food allergies are believed to cause many common health complaints and diseases. The only way to identify someone’s food sensitivities is by letting them undergo an allergy avoidance diet. The patient is asked to consume a long list of hypoallergenic foods such as lamb, pears, apples, rice, most vegetables, most beans and legumes (except peanuts) and the non-gluten grains. Once the body has gotten used to the absence of the suspected food allergen, that type of food is gradually introduced back into the patient’s diet. The symptoms resulting from the test will determine which foods should be avoided.