Food allergies seem to be on the rise. Some medical researchers say that over 32 million people in the United States have one or more food allergies. Of those, roughly 5.6 people with food allergies are under the age of 18. In addition, it is known that around 200,000 people each year in this country need emergency medical treatment due to an allergic food reaction incident.

How Many People Are Unaware They are Living with Food Allergies?

Many people today are living with a food allergy but may not know it because they associate the symptoms of gastrointestinal upset and flushed skin with irritable bowel syndrome or other health conditions.

It can take years for an allergy to develop fully. Some people have a food allergy but haven’t had a serious enough reaction to the food yet in order to recognize the issue. Constant or even low level contact with an allergen can later cause a serious life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis causes the soft tissues in the throat and oral cavity to swell so large that it obstructs the airway causing the person to become deprived of needed oxygen.

Common Symptoms of Food Allergies That Are Often Missed

There are a number of common symptoms related to food allergies that often get misdiagnosed or missed if the symptoms were mild. These symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach Upset or Cramping
• Skin Related Hives, Rashes or Itching
• Tingling or Numbness in Mouth
• Asthma Symptoms like Wheezing
• Breathing Difficulty
• Throat Swelling
• Fainting

How Food Allergies Affect People in Their Daily Lives

Living with allergies can be difficult especially for young children. It is common to have more than one food allergy. Many with allergies have to avoid many already prepared foods, places where the allergen might be, and can’t share foods with friends at school and get togethers.

Getting Tested for Food Allergies

An allergist, medical doctor or chiropractor can do testing for allergies. This is a relatively simple process, and the outcome will determine the course of treatment. 

Treatments for Food Allergies

Treatment for food allergies involves avoidance of allergens, having medications on hand for emergencies, and using alternative measures to target the immune system to reset after chiropractic adjustments and other treatments.

Contact Genesis Chiropractic for more information on food allergy testing.