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Do you know that food allergies can also trigger some diseases? Yes, there are some conditions that get triggered by food allergies. The diseases discussed can have symptoms similar to food allergies but a few of them do not involve IgE (Immunoglobulin E), the antibody that is responsible for life-threatening reactions in individuals suffering from food allergies. The good news is that Ayurveda has effective food allergy treatment and read the article to know more about the food allergy treatment.
What is Food Allergy?
An allergy manifests when the body’s defense mechanism overreacts after being exposed to some substance present in the food, considers it as a foreign substance and secretes chemicals to get rid of the invader. Food allergy treatment involves avoidance of food allergens that triggers the condition.
What are Some Common Food Allergens?
Some of the most common food items that initiate an allergic reaction are:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Tree Nuts
- Wheat
Food allergies impact around 50 million of people living in America and it accounts for 4% of adults and 6% of children.
What are the Symptoms of Food Allergy?
Some of the common symptoms of food allergy are:
- Hives
- Swelling of tongue
- Itchiness in mouth and throat
- Husky voice and difficulty in swallowing
- Chest congestion
- Wheezing
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Low blood pressure
- Anaphylaxis – life threatening condition with Lightheadedness or loss of consciousness, difficulty in breathing, and the body can go into a shock.
What are the Causes of Food Allergies?
Food allergies have a positive family history and if you already have allergic conditions like hay fever or eczema, then the probability of you getting food allergies are more. Also, you can experience food allergies if you already have asthma.
What are the Diseases Triggered by Food Allergies?
It is also possible that an individual can have both food allergy as well as a related problem like oral allergy syndrome. Some of the diseases that get triggered by food allergies are:
- Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis
- Asthma
- Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES)
- Oral Allergy Syndrome
- Celiac disease
1. Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease that is manifested as redness, swelling, and repeated episodes of itching. The disease usually begins early in life and continues till later in life. The exact cause of the condition is not fully understood and can involve a mix of hereditary and environmental factors.
The people suffering from eczema report flare-ups due to allergens or stress and the lesions are commonly observed in flexural areas like elbows, knees, and neck. The symptoms are dry, scaly lesions which ooze out and there are small fluid-filled blisters. The people who have these allergic conditions have an increased probability of having food allergies.
Eczema can be effectively managed by implementing ayurvedic concepts and principles. Ayurveda stresses on maintaining internal equilibrium by balancing doshas. This internal harmony can be maintained through herbal supplements, external applications, and detoxification therapies.
Also Read:- Ayurvedic Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis – Causes, Symptoms
2. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory issue in which there is swelling and narrowing of air passages which results in frequent episodes of wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness and frequent attacks of intense cough. The factor that triggers an asthma episode includes allergens like pollen grains, irritants, physical activity, respiratory infections. The various studies show the relationship between Atopic dermatitis, Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. The risk of getting into the stage of Asthma is high in a case with a clear history of childhood atopic dermatitis. Ayurveda stresses on managing the condition by identifying the root cause in terms of doshas dominance and also focuses on avoiding certain triggers like pollen grains and dust.
Also Read:- Ayurvedic Treatment of Asthma – Causes and Symptoms
3. Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES)
It is an uncommon and potentially severe allergic reaction that mainly impacts young children and infants. This condition is unconventional in nature as it produces a delayed allergic reaction to some particular food proteins in contrast to the conventional food allergies that includes an immediate immune response to the condition. The symptoms manifest several hours after intake of allergen food items and produce symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, and dehydration. Sometimes it can also culminate into hypovolemic shock.
Some common food allergens are cow’s milk, soy, rice, and some grains like wheat. It is important to follow dietary guidelines and closely monitor the individual to recognize triggers. Ayurveda can help to deal with these conditions by strengthening the immune system and by maintaining the balance of doshas through herbs support and detoxification methods.
Also Read:- Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) – Treatment
4. Oral Allergy Syndrome
This condition is also known as pollen-food syndrome and is a condition in which there is a cross-reactivity in individuals suffering from pollen allergies to some food items like raw fruits, nuts, and vegetables. This allergy syndrome is particularly triggered by proteins present in some food items which are the same as those of pollen and the condition presents itself as itchiness, tingling sensation, inflammation of mouth, lips, and throat.
Some common allergens are apples, carrots, and some tree nuts. This condition is more pronounced in individuals having hay fever or pollen allergies. The symptoms of the disease are usually mild and are present mainly in the oral cavity. It is, however, essential to seek interventions at the earliest to avoid the disease becoming chronic in nature. Ayurveda suggests some herbal supplements, external applications, diet, and lifestyle modifications, and panchkarma methods to remove the toxins and strike at the root cause of the disease.
Also Read:- Oral Allergy Syndrome – Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment
5. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune issue that is triggered by consumption of gluten which is present in wheat, barley, and rye. The individuals are not able to consume the products that contain gluten as it produces severe allergic reaction in the form of abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, tiredness, and rashes on skin. There are some antibody tests to confirm the disease and the management of the condition involves restricting the exposure to items that contain gluten.
It greatly impacts the quality of life of an individual and can also lead to complications like nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, and an enhanced risk of some autoimmune disorders. Ayurveda has a solution to typical conditions like celiac disease as it stresses on maintaining doshas balance.
Also Read:- Ayurvedic Treatment of Celiac Disease – Causes, Symptoms
Food Allergy Treatment through Ayurveda?
Ayurveda presents a holistic approach to manage food allergies. As per Ayurvedic concepts, it is believed that a state of balance between doshas is essential to maintain health while any imbalance in the doshas leads to diseases such as food allergies.
Identification of an individual’s unique constitution is essential to understand the underlying dosha imbalance. The ayurvedic management involves dietary modifications, herbal support system and external purification therapies. A classic example of ayurvedic diet for food allergy is incorporating anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and ginger and practicing relaxation therapies like yoga and meditation for effective management of the condition.
Conclusion
The write-up explicitly explained how people with some conditions like eczema or asthma are more prone to have food allergies and food allergy treatment is also discussed. However, these allergic conditions and food allergies can be effectively managed with Ayurvedic food allergy treatment.
If you or your loved one suffers from food allergy or other allergic conditions like Asthma, then you can book an appointment to consult with Dr. Sahil Gupta (CEO and Founder of IAFA Ayurveda®). IAFA Ayurveda® is one of the most trustworthy and committed institutions to improving the world through its original and holistic approach. Dr. Gupta’s team treats all types of allergies using 100% natural and herbal products.
References
Arora, D., & Kumar, M. (2003). Food allergies–leads from Ayurveda. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 57(2), 57–63. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14514269/
