Food Allergies – Are They Common

food allergies

Food allergies are a common occurrence throughout America. We at On Call Medical Clinic would like to share some important information about food allergies  that may be helpful.

More than 50 million Americans have an allergy of some kind. Food allergies are estimated to affect 4 to 6 percent of children and 4 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Food allergy symptoms are most common in babies and children, but they can appear at any age.

The body’s immune system keeps you healthy by fighting off infections and other dangers to good health. A food allergy reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts to a food or a substance in a food, identifying it as a danger and triggering a protective response.

While allergies tend to run in families, it is impossible to predict whether a child will inherit a parent’s food allergy or whether siblings will have a similar condition.

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. A food that triggered only mild symptoms on one occasion may cause more severe symptoms at another time.

The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction that can impair your breathing, cause a dramatic drop in your blood pressure and affect your heart rate. Anaphylaxis can come on within minutes of exposure to the trigger food. It can be fatal and must be treated promptly with an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline).

Below are the most common foods that cause allergies in people.

Eggs, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat and Soy.

Certain seeds, including sesame and mustard seeds, also are common food allergy triggers and considered a major allergen in some countries.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may involve the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory tract. They can surface in one or more of the following ways:

  • Vomiting and/or stomach cramps
  • Hives
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Repetitive cough
  • Shock or circulatory collapse
  • Tight, hoarse throat; trouble swallowing
  • Swelling of the tongue, affecting the ability to talk or breathe
  • Weak pulse
  • Pale or blue coloring of skin
  • Dizziness or feeling faint

Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and send the body into shock; reactions may simultaneously affect different parts of the body (for example, a stomachache accompanied by a rash)

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope this information was helpful. We gathered this information from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology’s website. Please remember that we are here 7 days a week when you need us. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn about all the services we offer as well as skin care services.

 

OverEating – What Can Help

overeating

 

 

Overeating -We all tend to overeat at times.

Here are some suggestions that may help when overeating occurs.

  • Take a Walk -An easy stroll will help stimulate your digestion and even out your blood sugar levels. Or go for a leisurely bike ride instead. But don’t overdo it. A real workout could send the blood to your legs instead of your stomach, which could slow digestion.
  • Drink Water- Just sip on a cup of water (about 8 ounces) after a big meal. It can help your body get rid of excess salt you likely got from your meal. It can also keep you from getting constipated. Continue to drink water over the rest of the day to keep yourself hydrated.
  • Avoid Lying Down– First, you lose the chance to burn off some of those calories you just ate by, say, doing the dishes or going for a walk. Also, when you lie down with a full stomach, food can work its way back up. This can slow digestion and worsen acid reflux (GERD).
  • Avoid Carbonated Drinks – If you’ve already overdone it, carbonated drinks may not be a great idea. When you drink them, you swallow gas that can fill up your digestive system. This will make you feel even more bloated. You burp some of it away, and the rest moves through your digestive system until you pass it as gas.
  • Try Working Out– After some time has gone by, work up a real sweat: Run, lift weights, play basketball. It’s best to wait at least 3 to 4 hours after a big meal. It will burn off some of those extra calories. It may also help jump-start your metabolism and prevent constipation. And regular exercise seems to help control mood and hunger so you’re less likely to overeat in the future.
  • Eat Slowly– It can take around 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain it’s full. If you’ve already eaten too much in the first 10 minutes, you haven’t given your brain the chance to figure it out. Half an hour later, you’re sure to feel uncomfortable from too much food. Slow down and you may find that not only do you eat fewer calories, but you also feel more satisfied.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that you enjoyed this information about overeating. We gathered this information from the WebMD website. Please remember that we are here when those minor accidents or illnesses occur. We are available 7 days a week when you need us. Our staff of trained professionals can help diagnose your situation and help you to obtain a quick recovery. We have a state-of-the-art laboratory facility in our office that helps us quickly determine what your illness may be. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as our skin care procedures we offer.

 

Bread – Is It Good For Us?

 

bread

We all seem to eat too much bread, so the question is “Is this good for us or should we try and cut down on Bread.”

Here is some information about bread and some suggestions when eating bread.

  • Raises Your Cholesterol

Eating too much Bread can raise your cholesterol If you eat toast in the morning, a sandwich at lunch, and a roll with dinner, you’re not just loading up on carbohydrates. You’re also eating a lot of salt. Most Americans get too much salt. When it comes to food sources, bread and rolls are the No. 1 source, beating out chips and other junk food. A single slice of bread isn’t high in salt. A slice of wheat bread has about 147mg sodium. Eating bread several times a day adds up. Too much salt can raise blood pressure. It can put you at risk of heart attack or stroke.

  • Eating Whole Grain

Fiber in whole grains may help reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. Nutrients in whole grains help your body form red blood cells and keep your immune system healthy.

  • Whole Grain Pumpernickel

Your blood sugar levels go up after you eat foods that have carbohydrates. That includes bread. If you’re worried about your blood sugar, whole-grain pumpernickel is your best bet. It keeps you full longer than other breads. And it causes the lowest and gentlest change in blood sugar. That’s important for people with diabetes. In general, look for coarser, denser breads with a lot of grainy bits to avoid a spike in your blood sugar.

  • Gluten Free Breads

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. People who cannot tolerate gluten should avoid breads and other foods made with those grains. Many gluten-free breads and mixes are made with white or brown rice flours and starches such as arrowroot, potato, and tapioca. Avoiding wheat can be hard. It’s in most prepared foods and in some vitamins and lip balms.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that you enjoyed this information. Please remember that we are here when those minor accidents or illnesses occur. We are available 7 days a week when you need us. Our staff of trained professionals can help diagnose your situation and help you to obtain a quick recovery. We have a state-of-the-art laboratory facility in our office that helps us quickly determine what your illness may be. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as our skin care procedures we offer.

RSS
Follow by Email