How many times do you hear the word “allergies” in a week? Why are people so allergic to everything around them? The allergenic reaction we get is supposed to protect our bodies when there is something really dangerous. An intruder needs to be sneezed out or washed out with tears. An allergic reaction helps to prevent pathogens from getting into our bodies by making it more difficult to swallow or breathe. Sometimes our bodies thinks we are under attack when, in reality, we are not. This has to do with how our immune system is trained. The immune system is the army of our body, watching for intruders in every system. An army that is not trained properly gets confused and overreacts. A large part of our army is made in our belly so it is not surprising to learn that many allergy patients have some sort of belly issue, too.
In our allergy program, our goals are to calm the reaction, retrain the immune system or army, prevent infections that often come with allergies, and restore function to the affected systems. We use natural tools that are gentle and effective in calming reactions such as an asthma attack, skin reactions, runny noses, and itchy eyes. In the case of asthma, inhalers may still be needed for a while, but patients who stick to the program are normally off inhalers within 3 months. Retraining the immune system may begin by identifying food intolerances and other sources of gut irritation. Respiratory infections, eye infections, and so on can become a constant struggle with the irritation that allergies bring, so the key is to prevent the allergies in the first place. My goal for patients is to nourish their bodies back to normal physiology and function.
Are we allergic to what we eat? Is there a solution?
Food allergies and allergy testing are of great concern today. Wheat and milk allergies have been talked about a lot. Environmental allergies such as cat and dog allergies have also been more common.
The effects of seasonal allergies can vary among sneezing, watery eyes, waves of fatigue, headaches, dizziness, breathing difficulties and a variety of other symptoms that can relate to pollen count, cleanliness, how often we are inside or outside, perfumes, soaps, detergents, clothing, etc. The allergy remedy involves the understanding that there is a threshold to how many foreign substances our bodies can tolerate. We can tolerate the intake of a certain amount of a substance, but if we are unable to eliminate what we do not need, the threshold goes down. A seasonal allergic reaction is often related to the immune system being over-reactive or over-protective. The immune system development starts in the belly, which is why so many individuals with seasonal allergies often have food intolerances, as well.
Let’s clarify some things. The difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is the part of the immune system involved. Often, food intolerances can make allergies to food more likely. Food allergies can cause anaphylaxis or hives and are tested by the popular skin scratch test on your back or arms. Intolerances to foods, on the other hand, will cause reactions all over the body that may be strong or mild. Diarrhea, constipation, heart palpitations, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, and rashes can all relate to intolerance to food. It can be harder to connect the dots between food intolerances and their symptoms compared to food allergies.
Food intolerance testing can help take the mystery out of determining which foods cause symptoms and can be done by a blood sample and sometimes a stool sample. This kind of testing can differentiate milk protein allergy from lactose intolerance. It can also rule out gluten sensitivity and the most common food problems. Often, a fruit or vegetable that may seem harmless can be causing a symptom. Both the blood and stool food allergy tests can be run through our office. Fortunately, the accurate blood test can be done as a simple finger stick, which is much less traumatic for kids than a blood draw.
Most food intolerances are temporary and with the right approach, these foods can often be safely eaten again in moderation. Testing for food sensitivity can help set the stage for an effective food allergy diet or, in most cases, a food elimination diet. The antibody reaction of the immune system is tested for its reaction to the particular food or foods, whether in food allergy testing or food sensitivity testing. This approach is often quite effective for an allergy remedy, improving food allergies and seasonal allergies.
We specialize in finding out what your food intolerances are and helping patients heal their belly to be able to eat them again. Start your path to feeling better and empowered to improve your health and vitality. For help with allergies, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Journey of Health Medical Clinic
619-772-1164
