HEALTH MATTERS
Food Allergies : Everything You Need To Know !
By Kepha Nyanumba
Food allergy is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition , which appears to be increasing in prevalence . Experts estimate that up to 8 percent of children suffer from food allergy compared to 1-2 percent adults who are affected . A food allergy is defined as , “ an adverse reaction that occurs when your immune system overreacts to a food or a substance in a food , identifying it as a danger and triggering a protective response .”
While any food could possibly cause an allergy , certain foods are much more likely to do so . The foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions include : peanuts , eggs , soy , milk , wheat etc . Most allergic reactions occur within 30 minutes of consuming these foods , but it can occur as long as 4 to 6 hours after ingestion .
Food Allergy vs . Intolerance
The difference between food allergies and food intolerances is often confusing . With these medical conditions having potential overlapping symptoms , it is easy to see why the line separating the two is so often blurred .
Food Allergy
Food allergy also called hypersensitivity involves an inappropriate immune reaction to a seemingly harmless , nonpathogenic substance . The body reacts to the substance as if it were fighting a disease-producing micro-organism .
On first exposure to the offending food , the body ’ s immune system produces antibodies which are specific to that allergen . With any subsequent exposure , the allergen binds to the antibodies , which triggers the immune system to initiate a more rapid and aggressive response . This intense reaction can produce oral inflammation , cramps , nausea , diarrhea , gas , hives , and sometimes can produce respiratory distress . Symptoms can appear immediately after eating or could take several hours to appear and can range from mild to severe . The most severe reaction , anaphylactic
Nutrition intervention in the management of food allergy aims to prevent acute and chronic food allergic reactions through allergen elimination while ensuring optimal nutrition within the context of the allergen-restricted diet . shock , affects the whole body , with symptoms usually presenting within one hour following contact . Symptoms include wheezing , difficulty breathing , swelling of the throat and tongue , vomiting , and fainting . Anaphylaxis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention . People with known allergies should carry a medicine that counteracts the reaction , in case of exposure to the food .
Food Intolerance
In contrast to food allergy , food intolerance does not involve the body ’ s immune system . Intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food , likely to originate in the gastrointestinal system , usually caused by a limited ability or an inability to digest or absorb certain foods or their components . Food intolerance symptoms usually begin about half an hour after eating or drinking the food in question , but in some circumstances may not appear for up to 48 hours . Symptoms include nausea , bloating , abdominal pain , and diarrhea . The examples of food intolerance include Lactose and Gluten as enumerated hereunder !
Lactose Intolerance : Up to 70 % of the world ’ s population is unable to consume milk or dairy products without getting an upset stomach . Typically , the human body can produce the enzyme lactase , which helps digest the sugar found in milk ( lactose ); however , people who are lactose intolerant do not produce a sufficient quantity of lactase and , therefore , digestion of milk-containing foods is not adequate .
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