(No subject)

[Guest guest]

Because folks keep asking, here is some basic

information I dug up on food allergies. More and more

medical-types are coming to realize that subacute

allergies (mild and chronic) are more common than

thought. The symptoms may be more subtle and on-going

than described below.

Suzi

According to the Food Allergy Network, the following

eight foods account for 90% of all food allergies:

peanuts, tree nuts (e.g., pecans), fish, shellfish,

eggs, milk, wheat, soy.

What Is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy occurs when specialized cells of the

immune system believe an ordinary food to be harmful

—an allergen — something that causes an allergic

reaction. These cells create immunoglobulin E

(IgE) antibodies to combat the allergen. Allergens are

usually protein molecules, and the body's antibodies,

also protein molecules, are capable of neutralizing

allergens.

When the allergen is next ingested, the body releases

powerful chemicals called histamines and other

chemicals called mediators to protect the body. The

body reacts to the histamines with an inflammatory

reaction. Typically, the reaction occurs up to two

hours after ingestion, however some reactions happen

within minutes.

Inflammation may occur almost anywhere in the body: on

the skin, in the respiratory or cardiovascular

systems, or in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms

may include a rash, runny or congested nose, sneezing,

headache, rapid heart beat, flushing, swelling,

tingling of the lips and/or tongue, or stomach cramps

and bloating with or without bowel upsets

(constipation or diarrhea).

In rare cases, a severe reaction involving all of the

body's systems causes a significant drop in blood

pressure that may lead to loss of consciousness. This

is called anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis requires

immediate medical treatment.

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