Food Allergies, Testing, and Dietary Management in Columbia, Maryland

Allergists have discovered a wide range of foods that cause allergic reactions in people, but some are much more common than others. Many foods, such as eggs and dairy products, are most often found in young children and are outgrown before they reach adolescence. Others, such as fish and shellfish, present reactions first in adulthood. Peanut and tree nut allergies are among the most severe, with many patients being unable to even touch them without a reaction. Other common foods known to cause allergic reactions include sesame, soy and wheat. In the case of the latter, this is not the same thing as Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder.

Although many people might believe they’re the same thing, there are some key differences between an allergy caused by food and an intolerance to certain foods such as dairy. Allergies cause the body’s immune system to have a strong reaction that affects multiple organs. Some of the most frequent symptoms include swelling, difficulty breathing, hives and rapid heartbeat. In extreme cases, an allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis.

Intolerance, on the other hand, is mainly related to the digestive system and its difficulty in breaking down certain ingredients. This can result in symptoms such as bloating, excessive gas, nausea and abdominal pain. A food intolerance does not lead to more-severe outcomes such as rapid heartbeat or anaphylaxis.

There is a genetic component to allergies, and if your family has a history of allergic reactions, you may be more likely to develop them yourself. However, there also may be other factors that can determine your susceptibility to allergies. For example, suffering from asthma or eczema could mean that you are at a higher risk of developing food allergies.

You can expect an integrative, holistic approach to your treatment. We start our program with a comprehensive food sensitivity test, watching carefully for signs of delayed symptoms such as headaches, GI pain and skin issues. Once our holistic allergy doctors identify which foods may be causing your symptoms, we work to help you eliminate these from your diet. At the same time, we work on repairing your gut lining with probiotics and natural supplements. This can serve to “retrain” your body to process certain foods over time. Since 2014, our specialists have helped clients improve their overall well-being through our personalized treatment plans.