Symptoms of Food Allergies or Intolerances in Children and Adults
The symptoms, frequency and severity of food allergies differ from person to person. A mildly allergy can show itself as a skin condition such as eczema, respiratory conditions such as hay fever, a slightly runny nose or sneezing, but there is a very wide range of symptoms that can be caused by allergies.
Common symptoms of food or other allergies or intolerances in children include:
sniffling and a postnasal drip, inflammation of the nasal passages,
dark circles under they eyes (what is often called the allergic shiner),
puffiness under the eyes,
restlessness,
fatigue,
poor sleep,
headaches,
behavioral issues, such as:
irritability,
hyperactivity,
poor concentration, and
pickiness with food.
However the range of symptoms that can accompany a food allergies or intolerances is much broader than the symptoms in the list of common symptoms in children above. They symptoms can affect every system of the body.
Gastrointestinal system
bloating and flatulence
coeliac disease
constipation and or diarrhea
Crohn' disease and ulcerative colitis
gall bladder pain
gastric ulcers
gastrointestinal bleeding
heartburn
indigestion
infantile colic and colitis
mouth ulcers
mucous in stools
nausea and vomiting
pains or cramp
spastic colon
Skin, eyes and ears
acne
conjunctivitis
dark circles under the eyes
dermatitis
ear infections
eczema
eye pain
hearing loss
hives
itching and skin rashes
Meniere's disease
noises in the ears
periods of blurred vision
psoriasis
sensitivity to light
skin reddening
tearing
temporary refractive changes
Respiratory system
asthma
chronic rhinitis
coughing
frequent colds
hay fever
mouth breathing
nosebleeds
postnasal drip
sinusitis
stuffy nose
wheezing
Cardiovascular system
angina
high blood pressure
irregular heart beat
low blood pressure
rapid pulse
Urinary system
bed wetting
frequent night urination
painful or difficult urination
some kidney diseases
Musculoskeletal system
arthritis
joint pain
muscle aches and pains
muscle cramps
muscle spasms
muscle weakness
Cerebral conditions
anger
confusion
crying without apparent cause
decrease in coordination
decreased attention span
decreased memory
difficulty with concentration
dizzy spells
drowsiness but insomnia
feeling 'spacey' or 'unreal'
feeling 'foggy' headed
frustration
headaches
hyperactivity
irritability
learning difficulties
mood swings
nervousness
poor concentration
poor decision making
restlessness
sleeps to little or sleeps to much
tension-fatigue syndrome
Some health professionals also include the following as having a food allergy or intolerance component associated with them.
anxiety
delusions
depression
epilepsy
hallucinations
schizophrenia and other serious mental conditions
Other
abnormal body odour
excessive sweating
general weakness
aggravation of diabetes
hypoglycaemia
night-sweating
overweight
underweight
There is indeed a great range of symptoms - so it is important that you are able to eliminate food and chemical allergies or intolerances as being at the base of your problems. There are a number of different feature which should make you suspect a food allergy or intolerance. These are outlined below.
Fluctuating symptoms - that come and go and do not seem to be related to any particular environmental factor may be caused by eating a particular food of which you are intolerant. The fact that they symptoms may be there one day and not the next, and yet the offending food has been eaten on both days, is not reason to assume that the condition is not due to eating a particular food. What this indicates is that you are fluctuating back and forth across a 'symptom threshold'.
Fatigue. If you have a food allergy or intolerance you will be excessively tired and the tiredness is one that is not relieved by rest. You will often feel worst in the beginning of the day and then gradually pick up as they day progresses (or visa versa). But the energy level doesn't pick up to the level that is considered ideal. Sometimes you will feel so tired that you will need to go to rest or go to bed during the day. You may also be able to actually track down a period in your lives when the fatigue started. This may be with the onset of a bout of the flu or glandular fever or after an operation or period of high stress or during pregnancy and so forth.
Mental and psychological symptoms are also very common with food allergies and intolerances. Many people who have spent years on antidepressants, anti- anxiety drugs and other mind altering medication have symptoms such as irritability, depression, anxiety and tension that are directly related to food allergies or intolerances.
Weight fluctuations (sometimes many pounds or kilos in 24 hours), often also associated with fluid retention, can be directly caused by food intolerance. Weight problems often indicate food intolerances either directly or perhaps as a result of the metabolic effects of the ingestion of the offending food or because a food addiction can occur, resulting in binging on excessive amounts of carbohydrates.
Muscle and joint aches and pains are a common sign that you have a food allergy or intolerance and although this can be associated with nutrient deficiencies (magnesium or vitamin B6, for example) they often respond to the removal of the offending food. Inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with food intolerances (particularly to wheat and milk).
Bouts of a racing pulse or an abnormal heat beat are associated with food intolerances as well as certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies (especially vitamin B1, B6, magnesium and potassium).
Low blood sugar or reactive hypoglycaemia is often food related. In this situation the blood sugar can drop to the point where fatigue, anxiety, lethargy, palpitations, cold sweats, faintness, dizziness, headaches, hunger, aggression and irritability can all begin to set in (although they don't necessarily all occur).
Intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation which are found in irritable bowel syndrome are often caused by food intolerance. Sometimes severe and longstanding constipation can be caused by allergies or intolerances to wheat, other grains and dairy products.
Food addictions and or cravings can be a part of the food intolerance picture. There can be withdrawal symptoms caused by the allergic condition - this makes you feel less well and that feeling is made better by eating the offending food or chemical.
It can be seen from this article that food allergies and intolerances can be at the base of many diseases and common condition. To find out what you can do about food allergies and intolerances and how you can deal with many health problems get your copy of Safe Colon Cleansing.
15.10.2007. 20:04
This article hasn't been commented yet.
Top
Write a comment
* = required field