Food Intolerances

Your family history could reveal a lot about any possible food intolerances you have. Many allergies are genetic. Food reactions are one of those types of allergies. Of course, you do not have to have a family link to be allergic to certain types of foods. Many people are. Young children often have allergies to certain things that they outgrow. Not all reactions to foods will go away, however. Some not only persist all through life, but can be quite severe.

Food intolerances should never be ignored. Even a mild reaction should be reported to your physician and considered a potential future threat. If you have a mild reaction after eating a particular type of food, that food may produce an even more severe and even fatal reaction when eaten the next time. Anyone who has a known reaction to certain foods should carry a dose of epinephrine on them to counteract possibly serious side effects of food based reactions. This is easily done now with single dose epi-pens.

Typical food reactions include difficulty in breathing and trouble swallowing. Swelling of the facial or neck regions are common and a reaction may cause itching in the mouth or the areas surrounding the mouth. More serious complications are swelling to the point of blocking the airways, sudden increases in heart rate or blood pressure, dizziness and fainting.

Pinpointing Food Intolerances

If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy for the first time, write down what reactions occurred and what foods you ate prior to having them. Keep a journal that outlines any stress or changes in living that may bring on an attack. When consulting your physician, those notes can be very beneficial in pinpointing the problem. Knowing what foods triggered an attack will help narrow down your potential allergies so you can avoid them. In some cases, they can sneak up on you though. So it is important to always be prepared and alert friends and family members to any possibility of a reaction so they can step in with help if necessary.

Ask your doctor if there are any associated triggers that could lead to an allergic reaction to food. For instance, people with known allergies to birch have a link to apple allergies. If you have an allergy to ragweed you may not be able to eat melons. Knowing about those hidden connections can help you avoid potentially life threatening food intolerances.

Diet and Nutrition are an important part of your wellbeing. Our dietitians and nutritionists are here to educate you and your family about healthy ways of living. We provide advice for people with food intolerances and allergies.