Dizziness and fainting spells can be very severe.
Fatigue
Many people experience fatigue after eating foods with these allergens. Fatigue is a symptom of many diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. People suffering from these conditions often complain about feeling tired all the time. Fatigue can also result from taking medication such as anti-depressants or sleeping pills.
Exhaustion
After eating foods with these common allergens you may feel exhausted for several hours. This is an unusual sensation of extreme tiredness that doesn’t go away by taking a nap or sleeping at night. It can lead to sleep deprivation which can have serious consequences on your health.
Internal organs and bodily functions are adversely affected by sleep deprivation. It causes irritability, nervousness, anxiety, depression and loss of concentration.
Stomach Cramps
It is well known that stomach cramps can be caused by foods containing peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds), fish, shellfish, milk and soy. Intolerance to these substances usually causes diarrhea or vomiting. Stomach cramps often occur after eating foods with these ingredients which can cause exhaustion due to lack of sleep.
If you suffer from can allergies, you might find that your tiredness and dizziness is made worse by drinking alcohol. This is one of the reasons why people don’t often drink alcohol if they are suffering from can allergies.
Allergies can cause several different symptoms which may make you feel constantly run down or extremely tired. The best thing you can do for your health is avoid eating foods with the common allergens. You should also take steps to find out exactly what your allergies are. This can be done by undergoing hypoallergenic food testing at a hospital or allergy clinic.
It is not true that people with food allergies have to avoid eating entirely. It is still possible to lead a normal life by eating safe foods that don’t cause allergic reactions. It simply requires more thought and planning ahead to eat a balanced diet that meets all your nutritional requirements. It may also be helpful to keep a food diary so you can note down what you eat, when you have allergic reactions and how serious they are.
Foods to avoid with allergies
The following foods should be avoided by people with can allergies:
Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most common causes of allergies. It is broken down (metabolised) in the body into a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then broken down into acetic acid (vinegar) and acetate. These chemicals have a toxic effect on the body and can cause a wide range of symptoms from mild to life-threatening.
These chemicals irritate the stomach lining, causing stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and indigestion. They also irritate the lining of the intestines, causing abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation and hemorrhoids.
The risk of an allergic reaction caused by drinking alcohol is increased if you suffer from asthma, have a sinus infection or have been taking certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
People who are extremely sensitive to these chemicals may also suffer from hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure and shock. These symptoms can be life-threatening and require immediate emergency treatment.
Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks
Caffeine is another substance that can cause a wide range of allergic reactions. As with alcohol, an allergic reaction to caffeine may cause diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting. The chemicals also have a diuretic effect (they increase urinary frequency), which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Some people are allergic to the roasting process. This is more likely if the coffee beans or the cola nut were roasted in a factory that also manufactured peanut products. The symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to coffee or cola include anaphylaxis, asthma (bronchospasm) and shock.
Other common foods and drinks
Most of the other common food allergens can also have an effect on your body if you are allergic to them. A mild allergic reaction may cause hives or swelling in the lips, mouth and throat. A more severe allergic reaction may cause breathing difficulties, shock and anaphylaxis.
Foods that have a natural chemical in them are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than foods with additives. However, even food coloring and flavoring can cause a milder allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
Foods containing the following should be avoided by people with common food allergies:
Fish (e.g. bass, cod, herring, smoked salmon)
Crustaceans (e.g. crab, lobster, prawns)
Peanuts and peanut products
Tree nuts and nut products (e.g. almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios)
Milk and dairy products (e.g. butter, cheese, cream, milk)
Eggs and egg products
Wheat and wheat products (e.g. bread, pasta, pizza, pretzels)
Soy and soy products (e.g. tofu)
These are just some of the foods that are most likely to cause an allergic reaction. It is best to check with your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out exactly which foods you should and shouldn’t eat.
SENSITIVITY TESTING
Skin Prick Test (hypersensitivity)
The skin prick test is commonly used to identify allergens in food, insect stings and certain medications. For this test, a series of allergens are placed on your forearm or the back of your knee. A needle that holds a small amount of each allergen is tapped into your skin through a layer of protective gel.
A positive reaction occurs when you develop a red welt within 15 minutes. The size of the welt is compared to a series of negative and positive controls. This helps identify which allergens cause the most severe reactions.
In the case of food allergies, a RAST test may be performed. This is similar to the skin prick test except that several drops of extract from a particular food are placed on your forearm or back instead of an allergen.
Blood testing (allergy)
For people who have had severe allergic reactions in the past, a blood test may be necessary to verify the presence of specific IgE antibodies related to specific allergens.
Patch testing (dermatographism, skin irritation)
This test is used to help identify contact allergens. A medication called fluorescein is placed on your back or forearm. Any area that develops a rash within 48 hours is suspect and may require further testing.
Provocation Conjunctival Test (eye irritation)
Your eye doctor may perform this test if he or she suspects a particular chemical is causing your eye irritation. After applying a numbing drop in your eye, the doctor will drip different chemical drops into the eye. A positive reaction occurs when the eye becomes red and begins to tear profusely.
Serum Sickness Test (drug reaction)
If you become jaundiced or it is suspected that you have a drug allergy, your doctor may perform this test. A sample of your blood is taken and tested for the presence of certain IgG antibodies related to specific drugs you have taken.
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Psychiatric syndromes produced by allergies: Ecologic mental illness by HL Newbold, WH Philpott, M Mandell – Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 1973 – isom.ca
Breakthroughs for Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia, Allergic Disorders, Candidiasis, Parasites and Permeability by S Rochlitz – Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 2001 – biopathica.co.uk
Measuring quality of life in children with rhinoconjunctivitis by E Cutler – 2010 – Harmony
I Can Make You Sleep: Overcome Insomnia Forever and Get the Best Rest of Your Life by EF Juniper, WC Howland, NB Robertsa… – Journal of allergy and …, 1998 – Elsevier
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