I don't hide the fact that I love to help people who have been diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance. One of the first questions I tend to ask someone, is "how were you diagnosed?" Lately, the responses I have been getting have been scary. See, there is a bit of a difference in what is happening in your body when you are either allergic to food or intolerant to food (my second blog covers some of the basics here)
And while the end result is usually the same... staying away from the trouble food... the doctor who makes that decision needs to be the right one.
And while the end result is usually the same... staying away from the trouble food... the doctor who makes that decision needs to be the right one.
Which doc does what?... the allergist
Example of Skin Prick Patch Test Many people who are suffering from food allergies go to an allergist to see if they "allergic" to the troubled food. Usually, the doctor will perform a skin prick patch test. The National Library of Medicine can explain this procedure much better than me at this link.
Food elimination diets are not usually considered part of an allergy testing procedure, as there is no scientific data collected to tell if there is an immune response from elimination diets.
Food elimination diets are not usually considered part of an allergy testing procedure, as there is no scientific data collected to tell if there is an immune response from elimination diets.
Intolerant? Go see the GASTROENTEROLOGist
If you went to the allergist, and you were not "allergic" to a problem food, but belly pain and yucky side effects still exist, you need to see a gastroenterologist!!! I cannot stress this one enough. Commonly known as a GI doctor, they know the ins and outs of your esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines. They can determine what is going on, and if you are not absorbing the important nutrients your body needs. Don't take my word for it! There are two amazing articles from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics that explain in great detail the importance of seeing the right doctor at the right time.
Click here for article one!
Don't stop now.. here is another great one!
You may be thinking, "But Jan.. I am an adult. Should I really be checking out Pediatric pages?"
While there are plenty of sites that explain this concept, it is known that pediatric patients seem to suffer from food allergies more so than adults. Therefore, the articles I find seem to be better written and researched on pediatric sites. I would definitely recommend still reading them!
I don't know about you, but if someone tells me to stop eating a certain food because it is making me ill (or in my case, my child), I want to know exactly HOW it makes me sick and WHY I need to eliminate. Getting the right diagnosis, without question, is key to not only living with the allergy/intolerance, but having the knowledge to hopefully overcome it someday!
Click here for article one!
Don't stop now.. here is another great one!
You may be thinking, "But Jan.. I am an adult. Should I really be checking out Pediatric pages?"
While there are plenty of sites that explain this concept, it is known that pediatric patients seem to suffer from food allergies more so than adults. Therefore, the articles I find seem to be better written and researched on pediatric sites. I would definitely recommend still reading them!
I don't know about you, but if someone tells me to stop eating a certain food because it is making me ill (or in my case, my child), I want to know exactly HOW it makes me sick and WHY I need to eliminate. Getting the right diagnosis, without question, is key to not only living with the allergy/intolerance, but having the knowledge to hopefully overcome it someday!
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