There is Hope for People With Food Allergies

Food allergies are a very real problem to many Americans. When allergies go untreated they can become much worse. People with food allergies need to be able to identify and prevent them. Some foods can cause severe illness and in some cases, it can be life-threatening because the allergic reaction constricts the airways in the lungs, it can cause extremely low blood pressure and can cause suffocation by the swelling of the tongue or throat. It is estimated that approximately 12 million Americans have food allergies of one type or another which affects adults as well as children. Some of the most common food allergies in adults are: fish, eggs, milk, shellfish(such as, shrimp, crayfish, lobster, crab), peanuts, walnuts, and sesame seeds. The most common in children are milk, eggs, and peanuts.

There does not seem to be a cure for food allergies at this time, more research is needed. Most doctors will tell you to simply avoid any and all forms of the food to which you are allergic. However, that may be easier said than done. Especially if you have multiple food allergies.

There are many medical conditions that are thought to be associated with food allergies. These conditions can be respiratory (hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, sinus conditions, rhinitis, hoarseness); digestive; cerebral (headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, learning disorders, tension-fatigue syndrome, foggy thinking, depression); skin-related (dermatitis, eczema, hives, rashes); or some are related to other body systems (arthritis, urinary irritation, edema, hypoglycemia, diabetes, overweight, underweight, fatigue) and that's just a few of the conditions.

What is the cause of food allergies? Some doctors say it can be heredity, some say repeated exposure to the same foods, especially in large quantities, could be a reason for allergies, and some say that the most common cause of multiple food allergies is increased intestinal permeability. You need to see a specialist and if you don't get the help you need find another doctor who will help you.