Food Allergies
Allergies are acute immune responses to substances that should be immunologically neutral. Symptoms range from a runny nose to headaches to more severe and life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis. Once the body determines that a substance may be dangerous, it releases specific allergic antibodies that bind to blood and tissue cells. This attachment triggers the release of inflammatory mediators such as histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins that cause the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Key Points:
- Allergy is a common underlying cause of illness
- Most common food allergies: dairy, wheat, egg, soy, nuts, fish and shellfish
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) affects up to 25% of the population
- Family history of allergy is common
- Early introduction of solid foods may contribute to allergies in infants
- Many patients find they react to multiple substances from the same genetic family
- Studies show breastfeeding is protective against the development of allergies
- Allergies are more common in patients who live in very clean environments
How Can Naturopathic Medicine Help?
Avoidance of the allergenic substance is usually recommended as we work with your body to decrease sensitivity. Treatment will include looking at why you developed your allergy and how we can help support your immune system through digestive health care techniques and strategies until your immune system re-learns a normal response. The root of allergies usually involves some digestive disturbances including leaky gut or inflammation. As your body learns that benign substances do not require an immune response, you will be able to encounter your allergen with no ill effects.
Read more about natural medicine"s approach to allergies.
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