There are times in your life where you feel sorrow and pain, perhaps the death of a loved one or the breaking up of a relationship. There could also be times when you feel that life is just a little too demanding from you, or your career is causing too much stress for you. Whilst all this is normal, prolonged sorrow or a stressed life can begin to interfere with normal patterns of living and may even ultimately lead to symptoms of depression. If you feel this describes you there’s no need to worry as there are many antidepressant medications available today.

Over 17 million American adults experience some form of depression so there’s no need to feel as if you’re alone in suffering. As serious depression can interfere with a person’s normal lifestyle and causes problems with work, social and family living, it should be treated as soon as possible. There are many types of antidepressant medications that are available. However consulting with a trained mental disorders practitioner will reveal the best course of treatment for the sufferer. Feelings of depression can also occur because of this excessive stress that we need to cope with. They are ways that you can try and reduce your anxiety and stress. For people who have anxiety disorders the best treatment that you can get is from your doctor.

While there are different types of antidepressant medications available, some are more suited for various individuals than others. The side effects of each drug and the level of performance effectiveness can vary with each individual. The traditional medication for depression used to be tricyclic antidepressant medications which were named for their chemical structure. The side effects may include blurred vision, dry mouth, and weight gain, fatigue and weakness amongst others. Sometimes you may even experience symptoms that are similar to depression (examples being, fatigue and constipation).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs were often prescribed for “atypical” depression. “Atypical” depression may have symptoms like oversleeping, anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. The side effects for MAOIs are very similar to that of other antidepressant medications. The most common side effects are dizziness and rapid heartbeat. If you’re taking MAOIs there are certain foods and drinks that you must avoid along with certain over-the-counter drugs and other prescription medications. Adverse side effects may occur as a result of incorrectly following medical directions if you’re taking the MAOI antidepressant medications.

Newer antidepressants medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are now available for use. Some examples of SSRIs are Prozac, Luvox, Paxil and Zoloft. Though each of these antidepressant medications are chemically different all of these SSRI’s effectiveness is due to their reaction on serotonin in the brain.

As with all antidepressant medication it takes time before you will see an improvement in your outlook on life. Therefore instead of giving up on the medication you should give it sometime to work. After all it took some time for you to become depressed, therefore it will take time for you to become happy with your life again.

Most of the world’s populace has or will suffer from some kind of mental disorder. It seems that a new one is discovered each month. Never the less these disorders and Phobias can make the life of the suffer quite miserable. One the most common mental conditions is called anxiety or anxiety disorder. There are many derivations of this common mental illness. A severe form is called GAD short for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

In general anxiety is the natural reaction to being exposed to a dangerous, unsecured or threatening experience. GAD on the other hand is an excessive and pathological anxiety. It is so severe that often people who suffer from it cannot normally function in society. Their daily life’s activities are disrupted by unreasonable fears to the point that they are unable do much more than physically exist.

The unique feather of GAD is that is not triggered by a specific incident, situation or object. This “free-floating” anxiety, unlike panic or anxiety attacks does not depend on a memory of a triggering event. Worldwide it is estimated that between 175 and 196 million people suffer from GAD. Women are more likely then men to suffer from this anxiety disorder.

It is generally accepted that generalized anxiety disorder is associated with the irregular levels of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin, Norepinepherine and Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) are chemical neurotransmitters known to be involved with anxiety disorders. Research has shown that all three of these chemicals interact with one another during an anxiety or panic attack. The reduction of one or more of these neurotransmitters can result in the reduction of anxiety.

GAD suffers are at high risk to react to situation or location stress such as in large crowded stores, work place and transportation environments. Normal anxiety stressors like interpersonal relationships at work and school, financial and health problems can increase the affects of GAD symptoms.

Additional psychiatric problems commonly are manifest with GAD. These include depression, phobias and panic disorders. Adding these problems to the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can complicate treatment options. Frequently the patient also will suffer from a number of physical disorders related to stress. These include intestinal, digestion and cardio-pulmonary related problems.

Additional Gad symptoms include sleep disorders, racing thoughts, persistent unreasonable worries, nausea, persistent lack of energy and tiredness, depression, the inability to concentrate, manic like mood swings and inability to use self control around others especially in a social environments. All of which makes the life of a Generalized Anxiety Disorder sufferer absolutely miserable.

As you can clearly see this is a very serious mental disorder that requires serious medical treatment. As with any anxiety disorder the sooner you address the condition the more likely you will have favorable results and outcome. The worst thing a sufferer of GAD can do is ignore their symptoms until they are so affected, they are unable to live a normal life.

If you have one or more of the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder you should consult you family physician. Most likely they will refer you to mental health professional that specializes in treating this serious disorder. Again time is of the essence when treating any mental disorder

Researches have shown that there are about 5 – 8 % of young children who are inflicted with the allergy caused by food. Food allergy is an immunologic reaction that takes place when a person is hypersensitive towards a particular food containing protein.

With the increase in number children having allergies (food), more caregivers and parents are seeking help from various books. In today’s world there are a lot of books that tackle allergies (food) in children. But there are books which have titles that are tempting. These tempting books must be carefully chosen because there is a possibility of wrong information too. It is a very rare occasion to find a book that has everything you want to know about allergy in children. So, it is good to choose the book by the standards given below.

Overview of the food allergy

The book should have general and basic information about food allergy. Food allergy should be properly and well defined in such a way that even children should be able to grasp the meaning. Then the causes of food allergy must be explained to the children.

Symptoms and signs of food allergy should be well discussed. There are areas where general symptoms and signs are different from what the children experience. Additionally, the prevention methods and various other treatments must be provided in the reading material.

It is indeed important for an author to include allergy (food) related by law that could be helpful to your child and you. A fine example of a state rule implemented for the allergy is the Labeling law.

Kinds of food allergy in children

The various types of allergy in children is entirely different from that of adults. The most common allergies found in children are as follows:

• Peanut – a severe allergic reaction could result with this kind of allergy to those who suffer from asthma.

• Milk – It is a common allergen to all children specifically infant ones.

• Wheat – at an early and tender age there are individuals who outgrow allergies to wheat.

• Egg – Allergies to egg causes illness to children like nasal allergy or asthma

• Soy – This is the least kind of food allergy that could cause life threatening situations

• Peanut – incase it is left supervised it is a serious life threatening type of allergy.

Diagnosis, its prevention and treatment

It is necessary for a book about food allergy to discuss on treatment, prevention and diagnosis for children.

There are many methods used to diagnose the presence of the allergy cause by food. Few examples are elimination diet test, blood test, closely observing symptoms, and skin prick test.

Studies have shown that the best and the easiest way to avoid food allergy is by preventing yourselves from consuming allergens. For those children suffering from severe food allergies, they are provided with emergency treatment like carrying Epipen, wearing a bracelet and card information.

Recipes of food

Parents are often anxious that their child may not get the right amount of nutrition because of food allergy. But, there are ways and means to deal this situation by preparing substitutes for food for the kind of allergy. Be aware of the ingredients that are used while making the food. Make sure unwanted ones are eliminated to avoid food allergy.

Recipes are very useful for caregivers or parents to make delectable delicious meals to their children.

Food allergies are a common problem in kids. Nearly two million children have food allergies in the United States. Some food allergies are life threatening, even if the food is taken in very little quantity. Peanut tops the list of notorious foods which cause allergies. Following it are milk, especially cow’s milk, soy, eggs, wheat, seafood and other nuts.

Food allergies are caused when the immune system is confused. The job of the immune system is to protect the body from diseases, bacteria, viruses and germs. The antibodies produced by the immune system helps to fight these minute external organisms which makes the person sick. But if the body is allergic to certain food, the immune system mistakes the food to a harmful foreign substance and takes action towards it thinking that it is dangerous to the body. The body acts adversely, when it isn’t supposed to do so.

When the immune system detects allergic substance, the antibodies produce mast cells. They are a kind of immune system cell which release a chemicals, such as histamine, in the bloodstream. These chemicals affect the respiratory system, digestive system, nose, eyes, throat, and skin. Initial symptoms are runny nose, tingling sensation in the lips or tongue, and itchy skin rash like hives. The reaction can be mild to severe and depends on every individual. The symptoms can appear right after the food is consumed or after few hours. Other symptoms are cough, wheezing, nausea, hoarse voice, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, and throat tightness.

A sudden and harsh allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis. The patient encounters many problems, all at once which involve blood vessels, the heart, digestion, breathing, and skin. The blood pressure drops very steeply, the tongue swells and there is swelling in the breathing tubes. Patients who have such allergic reactions should be ready to handle emergencies. They should always carry some type of medicine which will help to combat or reduce the adverse affect of the food.

Most of the times, it is very easy to detect the cause of food allergy. Problems such as hives begin to surface as soon as the child eats the substance he is allergic to. At other times, it becomes very difficult to determine the cause of allergy. In such cases, everything should be observed under close surveillance. Food items which are made out of many ingredients should be thoroughly checked for the allergic cause. Most of the times, allergies are inherited from other family members or other kids born with food allergies. Changes in the surroundings and the body play a major role in these kinds of cases. Some of the kids aren’t actually allergic to the food and show only mild reaction. Like people who are lactose intolerant suffer from diarrhea and belly pain after consuming milk and diary products. This is not an indication that the child is allergic to milk. This reaction happens because their body is incapable of breaking down the sugars which are found in diary products and milk.

If the conditions are severe, a doctor should be consulted immediately. If food allergy is diagnosed, the doctor refers to an allergy specialist. The doctor asks questions like eating patterns, past allergic reactions and the time period between the consumption of food and the surfacing of the symptoms. The specialist can also ask about allergy related conditions like asthma or eczema and whether allergic reactions are hereditary. Usually skin test and blood test is done to test the antibodies and the reaction they have on the skin when it is exposed to the allergic substance. 

Kids who are allergic to egg and milk outgrow them as the age progresses. But allergies which are severe and are related to items such as peanut, shrimps, and some kind of fish, last for a lifetime. Other than food, children can be allergic to certain medicines and flower pollen. The best way to avoid allergies is to avoid the cause of it. No specific medicine has been developed for the cure of allergies.

Aromatherapy oils are known as essential oils form the base of aromatherapy and influence the mind, body and spirit. These oils are the concentrated extracts of plants and their roots, stems, flowers and fruits. Essential oils are extracted from the plants usually by the means of distillation.

Essential oils are concentrated and must be diluted by mixing up with carrier oils such sweet almond, apricot kernel, grape seed and jojoba, before application. Only a few pure essential oils like lavender and tea tree can be applied directly to the skin.

Massaging the oil onto the body is the most common method of getting the benefit of aromatherapy oils, since skin is the largest absorption organ that you have.

Presenting the list of commonly used essential oils -

Bergamot – Originally from Italy, it is obtained from the rind of the bitter orange. It is pale green in colour, with sharp, orangey and refreshing fragrance. It is happy uplifting oil, works well against tensions, headaches and anxiety either through massage or a diffuser. Recommended for vaginal itching and cystitis. If you are using this oil, avoid sun for at least 3 days after that.

Chamomile – The oil for women and children. Roman and German chamomile are used widely in world of aromatherapy. Roman chamomile is soothing and calming oil. Relieves cramps, spasms and shock. Good pain killer for dull aching pains. German chamomile is great oil for children. Soothes child’s colic or stomach upsets, alleviates nappy rashes and skin irritations.

Eucalyptus – quite versatile oil with origins in Australia. Used to fend off infectious illnesses, like flu, measles help bring down fever and relieve a bad cold. It is also an effective insect repellent.

Geranium – Sweet feminine aroma akin to rose, Geranium essential oil is extracted from Pelargonium. Avoid using Geranium essential oil during pregnancy. Good oil to use when one is irritable and depressed, especially during PMS. 4 drops of oil in your bath work as a great stress buster. Also acts as a remarkable insect repellent.

Jasmine – Reputed to be aphrodisiac oil, Jasmine has a very sexy and beautiful fragrance. Jasmine essential oil when massaged on the abdomen during the later stages of labour strengthens uterine contractions and relieves pain. Used in skin care for dry skin. Leaves a warm feeling after massage with jasmine oil. Comforts and helps a person to be more confident.

Lavender – This oil calms, soothes the skin, balances oil production, helps to heal blemishes, stimulates circulation to skin, reduces inflammation of acne and soothes nervous system.

Lemon – The uplifting and cheerful fragrance of fresh lemons is obtained by pressing the outer rind of the lemon fruit. A rich source of vitamins A, B and C. Helps to stimulate body’s immune system to fight disease.

Mandarin – Mandarin essential oil is extracted from the peel of mandarin oranges. Mild, sweet and fruity, it is essentially children’s oil. The anthranilic acid in the oil is good stress buster for kids.

Neroli – Obtained from the flowers of bitter orange tree, Neroli’s fragrance is bitter sweet and refreshingly beautiful. A gentle sedative rejuvenates the skin and relieves anxiety. Also said to be an aphrodisiac. Stimulates the growth of healthy new cells.

Niaouli – is spicy pleasant oil. Useful for sore throats, cough, runny nose, cystitis, general skin problems and hemorrhoids. Should not be used for children under 10 years old or by pregnant women. Used to clean minor wounds and burns, due to its antiseptic properties.

Palmarosa – It is antibacterial, balancing and regenerating with scent similar to geranium. Recommended for acne, make a great preshampoo hair conditioner. Good oil to diffuse during flu epidemics.

Peppermint – Smelling of fresh mint, often added to cosmetics and skin care products for acne or oily skin. Refreshing and stimulating oil, peppermint herb is well known for indigestion. Can cause insomnia, should not be used on babies or young children and can irritate sensitive skin.

Rose – Rose oil is all time favourite oil with its beautiful and soothing fragrance. Considered to be women’s oil and aphrodisiac. Tones the womb, overcomes problems with female reproduction system. Women should rose oil in first 5 months of pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage. The anti depressant qualities of the oil relax the person, relive stress and overcome depression. Can be used for all skin types, especially beneficial for mature skin.

Tea Tree – Has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and antiviral properties. Heals blemishes without any side effects such as dryness, itching, stinging, burning or redness. Restores energy depleted by everyday stress, reduce or alleviate mental fatigue and exhaustion. Irritating to highly sensitive skin.

Quite a number of people suffer from allergic reactions. There are countless of possible allergens and they can bring about the onset of symptoms when one develops a reaction. One of the conditions in which many people suffer from is food allergies. With food allergies, one has a hypersensitivity to food, or one of its components.

An allergy is a severe reaction of the body’s immune system. The immune system goes into overdrive when there is a perceived threat to the body. In this case, the body perceives an ingredient in the food, like protein, as potentially harmful and goes all out to attack this ingredient and you, in the process.

When it comes to symptoms of food allergy, different people may have different set of symptoms. However, most of them will feel a swelling of tongue and throat along with having a tingling sensation in the mouth. Difficult in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure and abdominal cramps may also be experienced by some people. Here, it is essential to mention that severe allergic reactions can cause death because they can affect cardiovascular system as well.

Food allergies happen when a person’s immune system believes that something he or she ate is harmful to the body. In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system produces antibodies, called immunoglobulin E (IgE), to that food. Those antibodies then cause mast cells (allergy cells in the body) to release chemicals, one of which is histamine, into the bloodstream.

An allergic reaction can be manifested in different ways and in varying intensities in different people. Some allergies may show obvious symptoms while others may not. Some people may react immediately once exposed to the allergen while in other people, it may take several hours for the symptoms to be manifested.

There seems to be about eight food allergies found. These foods include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and fish and shell fish. Each of these food allergies can be life threatening if not treated immediately. In addition, there are also people with allergies to fruits, vegetables and even seeds. Some of these common food allergies are seen most often in children.

So what is a food allergy sufferer to do? The first course of action is to educate themselves on labeling practices. Knowing where to look in a label for allergen information is a good first step. Avoiding foods that are labeled with the allergen is the primary method of treatment, since there is no cure for food allergy. Next, the food allergy sufferer must learn about ingredients that could contain allergens. For example, milk protein can appear under many labels and milk protein allergy can be caused by casein and whey.

Food allergies often result in food cravings. This seems to be a controversial statement but it is a fact accepted by medical establishment. This kind of allergy is called type B allergy and means food intolerance. Such intolerance can lead to weight gain, bloating, fatigue, water retention, etc. Some foods we crave will not necessarily make us fat, but others can be major contributors to weight gain.

If an individual finds themselves in an anxiety inducing situation or is feeling especially stressful, aromatherapy is a very fast, easy and effective way to alleviate those feelings. Simply inhaling lavender, rose, mandarin, lemon balm or clary sage can almost instantly increase an individuals their sense of calm and decrease their sense of stress. Another effective way to use aromatherapy to lessen stress is to essential oils while getting a massage. Burning an aromatherapy candle provides even more punch. Both are an excellent way to relieve stress by using aromatherapy. Being massaged with essential oils works especially well because one is combining the power of massage therapy with aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is such an effective and powerful way to relieve stress because you don’t have to go to a gym, lie down or pop a pill. There are no side effects, (unless you are allergic, perform a spot test so that you are sure) you can take it with you and instantly make yourself feel better. You can carry around a little lavender in your purse, if you are at work, you can use a diffuser. So you can experience the benefits of aromatherapy from anywhere. It can become your traveling stress buster. Aromatherapy works especially well in helping to cheer us up, feel balanced, become more energized and even to calm us.

And while there are certain aromatherapy scents and oils that are known to promote the reduction of stress, it is really best to go with the scent that calms you. If peppermint does it for you, use peppermint, if geranium does it for you, use geranium. In many cases it comes down to a personal preference, and that is just fine. You do not have to use a certain scent just because others tout its properties. Instead you may want to do a little experimentation and see what reacts best with your body to give you the feelings or state of being that you are looking for. To really multiply the power of aromatherapy to relieve stress, you may want to common essential oils or candles with other relaxing activities. For example, taking a hot bath that has drops of essential oils and while burning an aromatherapy candle will exponentially increase the effectiveness of aromatherapy to relieve stress. Remember to play around with various scents. You may even want to combine some scents to get a particular scent that you enjoy or you increase the power of its’ properties. If you are unfamiliar with creating essential oil blends, you could take a course or find some good information at your library or over the internet.

I have gathered some of popular essential oils used in aromatherapy and emotional well-being. They are categorized by their properties of emotional treatment.

Anger Reducing

Bergamot, Jasmine, Mandarin, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Tangerine, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Anxiety Relieving

Benzoin, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Confidence Enhancing

Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Rosemary, Spearmint, Tangerine

Depression Reducing

Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang

Fatigue, Exhaustion and Burnout Reducing

Basil, Benzoin, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clary Sage, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lemon, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Fear Fighting

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile Sandalwood, Vetiver

Grief Easing

Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Happiness Enhancing and Peace Keeping

Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Insecurity Reducing

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Irritability Reducing

Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood

Loneliness Easing

Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Rose

Memory and Concentration Enhancing

Basil, Black Pepper, Cypress, Hyssop, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint

Panic and Panic Attacks

Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Rose

Stress Reducing

Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Read full version of this article at Essential Oil and Aromatherapy

Next time i will give you some recipes of well-being essential oil blends. You can enjoin mixing and testing your own well being blends at home. For more information of Essential Oil and Aromatherapy, please visit Essential oil and Aromatherapy Home Page

It is a fact that you have to eat food everyday in order to give your body the nourishment it needs in order for it to function on its daily tasks. Obviously, food is what fuels your body to go on living. However, there are cases where food can also cause illness that you have to avoid.

Today, there are cases where people are allergic to certain kinds of food. In order to properly manage it, you have to consider that you will need to be aware of the food that you are allergic from and also to avoid food that contains certain kinds of allergens that your body will react to.

It is very important that you should know how to effectively manage your diet especially if you are allergic to certain kinds of food as allergy attacks can be very uncomfortable and can affect the normal functions in your daily life. In severe cases, allergy attacks may need you to be hospitalized as it can cause swelling in your air passages that will not allow you get any oxygen in your lungs and suffocate to death.

First of all, allergy attacks are triggered by the allergens found in allergen-containing foods. Normally, these allergens are considered to be harmless. However, once it enters the body of a person with allergic reaction to specific allergens, the immune system overreacts and tries to destroy the foreign object that made its way to the body. During this process, the body reacts by showing signs of swelling to different parts of the body, skin rashes, redness and increase in temperature, itching, shortness of breath and wheezing,

As you can see, allergic reactions of your body can be very uncomfortable and will severely affect your daily activities. This is why you have to be aware of the foods you eat and know what kind of food you are allergic from.

Usually, the most common food allergies that the body reacts to are peanuts, shellfish, milk, fish, wheat and soy. If you are not sure what food allergens you are allergic to, you have to visit your physician or an allergist. They will give you a series of tests that will enable you to identify what kind of food you are allergic from. With this kind of information, you will be able to manage your allergy effectively and prevent any future attacks.

Here are some ways you can prevent allergy attacks. Firstly and obviously, you have to avoid foods that contain food allergens that your body reacts to. This means that you should never eat food that you are allergic to and never cook food with an ingredient that contains the food allergens.

If you are out dining in a restaurant, you should inform the waiter or waitress about your food allergy and ask him or her which food contains the food allergen you are allergic from. If you really want to eat foods that contain the allergens, you have to inform the waiter or waitress to not include the ingredient (milk, peanuts, tree nuts, egg) that you are allergic from.

If you accidentally ingested the food-containing allergen, it is very important that you should immediately take anti-histamine medications. This is why you have to take anti-histamine medication wherever you go in case you accidentally ate food that contains an ingredient that you are allergic from.

These are some of the common food allergens that you should know about in order to properly manage it and minimize the risk of future allergy attacks that can lead to severe discomfort and in severe cases, death.

Millions of people all over the world are affected by allergies. Tiny particles of dust in the air, a friend’s cat or even freshly cut flowers can lead to sneezing, itching and runny noses in some people. Though we are quite aware of external agents that cause allergies, we do not suspect the seemingly innocent glass of milk or bowl of fresh peanuts. After all, what can they do to us? Unfortunately, people who are allergic to these foods have to be very careful around such foodstuffs.

An allergy is a severe reaction of the body’s immune system. The immune system goes into overdrive when there is a perceived threat to the body. In this case, the body perceives an ingredient in the food, like protein, as potentially harmful and goes all out to attack this ingredient and you, in the process. This is what causes itching, rashes, hives or other reactions in the body. In mild cases, the reactions are also mild. However, some reactions are very uncomfortable and may even be fatal. Examples include vomiting, diarrhea, asthma, wheezing and anaphylaxis.

Food allergies may be caused by almost any ingredient in the food. Even so, specialists have identified eight common allergens that affect the most number of people. These are: wheat, egg, milk, soy, fish, peanuts, nuts of trees and shellfish.

There are a large number of myths surrounding food allergies.

Myth 1: Food allergies are very common.

Food allergies occur in less than 12% of the adult population. Of the 6-8% of children who suffer from food allergies, a huge majority outgrows their allergies as they age. Food intolerance is another matter. Food intolerance happens when a person is unable to digest or process a particular ingredient. Food intolerance produces mild though persistent reactions in the body, which is quite different from the severe allergic reactions caused by food allergens. A good majority of people suffer from food intolerance. Unfortunately, most people mistake food sensitivities for food allergies.

Myth 2: Most people are allergic to milk

Milk allergy is very uncommon in adults, though it is quite common in children below the age of 3. Most children outgrow their allergies as they grow. Adults may experience bloating, nausea or breathing problems after ingesting milk products. But these reactions are a result of being lactose intolerant.

Myth 3: Food allergy is only lifestyle threatening, not life threatening.

This is a serious misconception. Food sensitivity is lifestyle threatening, food allergies can become life threatening. This is because of the inherent nature of allergies, where the body produces severe and sometimes violent reactions to counter an attack. Food allergies are particularly life threatening in small children as they can accidentally ingest something that can cause a violent allergic reaction.

Food allergies must be treated immediately and patients need to be taken to a doctor as soon as possible.

Food allergies can be diagnosed by conducting allergy and intolerance tests. Once an allergy is detected, sufferers must avoid those foods. This is the only way in which food allergies can be treated. Of course, there are medications to relieve symptoms, but, as they say, prevention is always better than cure.