Allergies
Allergies are caused by allergens, the most common found in food, chemicals and inhalants. The reactions they cause may include headaches, migraines, vomiting, asthma and rashes. These are called IgE allergies and they affect the body quickly and in some serious cases, for example peanut and shellfish allergies, they can cause anaphylactic shock.
Other less serious but obvious allergies include hay fever, (usually caused by an inhalant like house dust mites and pollens) and conditions such as eczema. Food intolerance however, which is an ever increasing problem, is far more complicated. This can come about after the gut has been affected by long term treatment of antibiotics or a period of stress that depletes the immune system. The intolerant person will feel ill anywhere between a couple of hours to a couple of days after ingesting or being exposed to the allergen, making it very difficult to diagnose.
Food intolerances may cause many varied symptoms:
- IBS
- bloating
- abdominal pains
- diarrhoea
- migraine
- headaches
- dizziness
- chronic fatigue
- eczema
- psoriasis
- acne
- arthritis
- swollen joints
- aches
- pains
- asthma
- rhinitis
- sinusitis
- wheezing
- catarrh
- anxiety
- ADHD
- panic attacks
- depression
There can be an enormous array of health problems with food intolerance and it is no wonder that many people get lost in their myriad of symptoms and doctors are at loss to know how to treat their patients.
“After three years of skin rashes and headaches I was at my wit's end. I was so convinced that everything I was eating was making me ill, that I was only eating about six or seven foods. After a few simple blood tests with Kate, and avoidance of two foods, I’m now completely free of symptoms, and can eat a well balanced healthy diet again.” Sasha, Uckfield
