Food Allergies

But are increasingly common and can lead to death. Blame it on the processed foods and additives that our bodies have not had time to get used to.

More than one million Portuguese suffer from food allergies: 8% 3% are children and adults. Often confused with food intolerance, but while the first body develops antibodies in response to certain foods, in the second, 'what there is a deficiency in the body that has no essential enzymes to digest certain substances, such as lactose or gluten, "explains Cristina Santa Marta.

Some of the foods most likely to cause allergies are eggs, cashews, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, chocolate, chestnut, kiwi, sesame and curry.

Symptoms: The lighter can be limited to rashes, urticaria (swelling of the lips and throat), shortness of breath, nausea and diarrhea. In more severe, there may be an anaphylactic reaction, wherein the sore throat is so large that prevents breathing, which can cause loss of consciousness and even lead to death. It is not always necessary to ingest food in some cases the mere inhalation is sufficient.

Diagnosis: Blood tests detect the presence of antibodies and sometimes the skin may also be useful. Although a positive result means that there is not always allergic a negative sensitivity is unlikely to it. Elimination diets are another way to try to identify allergens. Imply that eliminate all possible causes of allergy, and then reintroduced one at a time, until you identify the culprit.

Treatment: In acute crises, are administered antihistamines and corticosteroids. There are also kits emergency epinephrine to combat anaphylactic shocks. In addition to these drugs, there is no specific treatments and the solution avoid the possible causes of food allergies.