Food Allergy Testing

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Health Disorders and Adverse Reactions to Food

Health Disorders and Adverse Reactions to Food Adverse reactions to foods can cause both mild and severe health problems in a subset of the population. Immediate food allergies are known to affect 4% of the general population, whereas general adverse reactions to food may affect a much higher proportion (>20%). The symptoms caused by the food reactions can be as mild as bloating but as severe as anaphylaxis. Conditions which may be caused or exacerbated by adverse food reactions include asthma, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine, otitis media and skin rashes. A wide variety of more non-specific symptoms can be attributed to food sensitivities such as fatigue, headaches, and difficulty losing weight, food addictions and trouble concentrating.

Allergies versus Sensitivities to Foods

Adverse food reactions include any abnormal reaction resulting from the ingestion of a food. They can be categorised as food allergies (with an immune response) or food sensitivities/intolerance. The existence and classification of food sensitivities have been controversial. These types of reactions are difficult to diagnose because the time between consumption and response may be delayed (up to 2 days) and the symptoms are often subtle. In many cases ingestion of the offending food paradoxically masks the symptoms temporarily. Furthermore, multiple causes contribute to food sensitivities, making this area difficult to study.

Common Conditions:

  • Asthma

  • Headaches

  • Eczema

  • Fatigue

  • Irritable Bowel