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Food Allergies, Sensitivities, Intolerances and When to See a Doctor
/in Conditions, Nutrition/by Kaplan CenterFood plays an essential role in our lives. Apart from the energy it provides, it keeps the body healthy and fit. Food nourishes and it heals. However, our relationship with food is not always straightforward. Sometimes the things that we eat can also lead to other health problems.
Food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances are extremely common. They can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or health status. The symptoms can be obvious, but they can also be vague and non-specific. Consider some of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Weight loss
- Migraines
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Itching
- Sneezing
- Bloating or gas
- Skin rashes
Symptoms that are not as obvious are pain problems, mood disorders, and even mild cognitive impairment caused by generalized inflammation in the body. For example, headaches, arthritis flare-ups, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and muscular pain can be indicative of a food allergy or intolerance but are often overlooked as a symptom.
Food allergy vs. food sensitivity vs. food intolerance
In general, people tend to use these terms interchangeably, but in actuality, they all differ.
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Food allergies
A true food allergy is an immune reaction to a single ingredient or a whole food group. Signs and symptoms can be immediate and vary from mild to fatal (also called anaphylactic). Symptoms include:
- Swollen or itchy tongue
- Rash, hives or runny nose
- Abdominal pain, vomiting
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or closed airways
The sole treatment for these reactions is total avoidance of the trigger food/foods, and extreme caution when eating out at restaurants and buying packaged food. In case of exposure an auto-injection of epinephrine, also known as an epi-pen, is administered.
Common food allergies are peanuts, wheat, shellfish, soy, eggs, and others less common like sesame and strawberry. Animal bites and bee stings can also be allergenic to certain people.
Food intolerances
Food Intolerances are non-immune reactions to certain food components, such as sulfite in alcohol, lactose in milk, or even histamine in food. This generally occurs when the body lacks certain enzymes or nutrients that break down those molecules. This category also extends to artificial colors, fillers, preservatives, natural and artificial flavors.
Symptoms of a food intolerance can manifest as inflammation (joint pain), flushing, cold or flu-like symptoms because the body is struggling to metabolize those components but is lacking the tools.
Identifying the food trigger by keeping a food/symptom log, then eliminating it and tracking improvement is the best way to manage food intolerances. Working with a professional will guarantee a successful outcome through personalized supplementation and food plans.
Food sensitivities
Food sensitivities are a two-tier issue; they generally involve the gastrointestinal (GI) and immune systems, and their reactions can be delayed by hours or even days. These reactions are initiated by an imbalance in the GI system, which then triggers an immune response. One common imbalance is Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD), a more recent terminology for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or leaky gut. Symptoms can be unique to each patient and vary widely based on the food consumed. Some people experience migraine headaches, dizziness, mood swings, depression, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, sinus and ear infections, indigestion, diarrhea/constipation, acne, and other symptoms not listed here.
Food sensitivities are commonly seen with the consumption of dairy products, eggs, gluten, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, and others.
Addressing food sensitivities starts by eliminating all potential food triggers, followed by functional GI testing to identify the imbalance and treat any active problems (ex. infection, parasite), then repair intestinal lining and eventually reintroduce those foods after.
When to see a doctor
If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above or have never received a diagnosis in relation to those symptoms, then make an appointment to speak to one of our doctors. At the Kaplan Center, we understand the role that nutrition can play in causing and alleviating certain medical conditions. After taking a thorough history, our physicians will investigate possible underlying nutritional problems and carry out a diet assessment. This will give us a better understanding of your lifestyle and the foods to which you are regularly exposed.
Investigations for food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances
In addition to taking a full history and examination, testing that we may recommend includes:
- Food Sensitivity/Allergy Testing
- Blood tests to measure vitamin and mineral levels such as iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, and magnesium
- Antibody testing to see if your symptoms are related to an autoimmune condition
- Comprehensive stool analysis to reveal any abnormalities in the body’s gastrointestinal functioning
Furthermore, we may recommend keeping a detailed food diary or journal for a few weeks to help better pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment/Management
Based on your medical history, physical exam, and the results of any testing that was carried out, we will develop a better understanding of your digestive profile. Once that occurs, we will suggest treatment and management options that may include:
- An elimination diet (ie. removing the suspected food item from your diet for a period of time to see if symptoms improve)
- Maintaining a food diary that will help us spot any patterns related to problem foods
- Stress management techniques to help restore balance to an overactive immune system
- Nutritionist support to:
- Improve nutritional deficiencies that have been identified
- Rebuild gut integrity with a gut repair protocol
- Create a personalized anti-inflammatory diet tailored to your needs and goals
Our relationship with food can be complicated but it doesn’t have to be. With time and patience, it is possible to figure out what foods are causing your symptoms and how best to manage the situation. Our doctors will take a functional and integrative approach to deal with food allergies and sensitivities that include looking at all aspects of your health.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
5 Things You Didn’t Know Acupuncture Could Treat
/in Treatments/by Rebecca Berkson, L.Ac, Dipl.OMAcupuncture and pain relief go hand in hand. Every month new research is published confirming that acupuncture can effectively relieve a variety of pain conditions from migraines to back pain. In fact, there has been so much research in support of its efficacy that in the battle to fight opioid dependency, some major medical organizations are now rewriting their directives to recommend acupuncture and other non-pharmacological treatments along with, or in place of, more conventional treatments.
- As of January 1, 2018, the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, mandated that accredited hospitals are required to provide acupuncture and other non-pharmacological pain management modalities as a strategy option for managing pain.
- The guidelines of the American College of Physicians’ (ACP), updated in 2017, now “strongly recommend” physicians to look first at non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and other mind-body techniques, for treating acute, sub-acute and chronic cases of low back pain.
Acupuncture treatment, which involves inserting very thin needles under the skin, is especially appealing because it is relatively safe and has very few side effects. And while most people are most familiar with its role in treating pain, there are also many lesser-known conditions that acupuncture treats effectively.
Here are 5 conditions you didn’t know that acupuncture could treat:
1. Environmental Allergies
An article in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy recommended acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for allergic rhinitis. The sniffling, sneezing, and runny nose that some people can experience in one season, or even all year long, can sometimes be managed with antihistamines. But for those who are not satisfied with conventional medicine or suffer from side effects of medications acupuncture can be beneficial. Studies have shown people with acupuncture had reduced allergy symptoms and required less antihistamine medication compared to control groups. Studies have even shown that acupressure on specific points on the face and ears can be helpful with no needles at all.
2. Symptoms of Menopause
Acupuncture can reduce the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats, symptoms that the majority of women experience during the period of menopause. A recent study showed a reduction in symptoms by 40%. Maximum benefits are experienced after eight treatments, and the benefits lasted for 6 months after the treatments stopped. While acupuncture alone can help reduce the symptoms of menopause, some cases may require a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for increased effect. The hormone balancing effect of acupuncture can also help with other symptoms of menopause including insomnia and mood changes.
3. Healing Scars
There are several ways to heal scars using Chinese medicine. Acupuncture needles can stimulate healing, and moxibustion, a warming treatment, can increase circulation. Liniments (soothing lotions to reduce pain) such as Zheng gu shui, aloe vera, or Vitamin E can be applied to encourage healing. Older scars and scar tissue can also be worked on even if they are decades old. This can help with increased mobility and decreased appearance. Direct scar treatments should not be used until after 1 month after an injury or post-surgery to avoid infection.
4. Stress Reduction
We don’t need to explain the experience of stress. Unfortunately, this is all too common for most Americans. It is at the root of a whole host of problems from digestive problems, menstrual cramps, depression, and chronic pain. Acupuncture has long been known to produce relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and increase mood. Recent studies have shown in biological models exactly why this is happening. We know that acupuncture releases endorphins, our body’s natural opioids. These are largely responsible for the pain-relieving effect. But these neurotransmitters also produce a relaxation response. Researchers at Georgetown University have shown that acupuncture in clinical models releases endorphins and lowered stress hormones including the sympathetic NPY peptide pathway. This is important evidence that suggests acupuncture can protect against the stress response.
5. Reduce Wrinkles
Cosmetic acupuncture* (also known as facial rejuvenation) is for people who are looking for a natural, alternative way to reduce the signs of aging and improve inner vitality for a healthy appearance to their face. Acupuncture provides a non-toxic, non-surgical way of looking and feeling your best at any age. The main benefit is a brighter and healthier-looking complexion. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin by increasing circulation to the face, nourishing the skin and stimulating natural collagen production. It relaxes tension in the facial muscles for a more relaxed face. It’s not just a cosmetic process, you also get the benefits of an acupuncture treatment that has been shown to boost the immune system, reduce pain, relax and calm the body. Initial visits are ninety minutes and follow-up sessions are one hour. It generally takes six sessions and one month to start building collagen. Many report a glow to the skin after the first session. It’s recommended to get a series of twelve sessions, with weekly visits initially, and then every other week or once per month for maintenance. Acupuncture can be a complement to other cosmetic treatments, but people should consult their providers as to how long to wait after fillers, injections, and other dermatological treatments. A 30-minute consult is available for more information.
* Cosmetic acupuncture patients must have received a diagnostic exam by a licensed physician within the last 6 months and provide a documented recommendation for the treatment.
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