Allergies And Intolerances

"food intolerance is associated with at least 92 common diseases. The immune system reacts giving rise to fatigue, weight gain, arthritis, IBS and headaches etc."

Allergy Testing:

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is the body's immune system response to an allergen, which causes symptoms and disease.

Anything can be an allergen. It is a substance in the environment that the body interprets as harmful, so produces antibodies to attack the allergen. When the body thinks it is under attack, it releases a chemical called histamine to fight the invader. This is what results in symptoms including a runny nose and eyes, a rash and in some cases, more severe disabilities or even death.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the UK will suffer with an allergy at some time in their life.

ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES
"food intolerance is associated with at least 92 common diseases. The immune system reacts giving rise to fatigue, weight gain, arthritis, IBS and headaches etc."

FOOD ALLERGY

A food allergy can be defined as any adverse, and often immediate, reaction to food in which the immune system is involved. Severe cases may result in anaphylactic shock requiring immediate medical attention. Symptoms include swollen lips, mouth and tongue, urticaria (rash) and vomiting. Shellfish, some berries and peanuts are the common foods that induce an allergic reaction in some people, and in such cases are known as allergens. A person who is overly reactive to a food that is tolerated by most others is said to be hypersensitive or allergic.

ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES

Environmental sensitivities (or allergies) such as hay fever, pet allergies and asthma are becoming increasingly common and are known as “diseases of the 21st Century”. Some allergies can be extremely serious, even fatal. Skin conditions such as eczema can often be brought on by environmental sensitivities, amongst other things, and these reactions can be worsened where the body is already weakened by food sensitivities (see below).

FOOD INTOLERANCE

An intolerant food aggravates the immune system's mast cells in the gut's mucous membrane, causing the gut to leak. Particles of partially digested food then pass into the blood stream setting up a chain reaction. This gives rise to symptoms such as migraine, excessive weight, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

The onset of a food intolerance is often insidious and thought to be the result of normal absorption failing to take place. The foods which cause subtle but adverse reactions may slowly build up in number and severity. Symptoms are usually multiple, not consistent and may be affected by the sufferer's general state of health. They may take hours or even days to appear and include anxiety, mouth ulcers, aching joints and muscles, fatigue, headaches/migraine, sinus and mucus problems, fainting, dizzy spells, digestive disturbances (indigestion, discomfort, bloating, gas, etc.), hyperactivity weight gains, etc. The most common food intolerances are wheat and dairy products, and stimulants (coffee, sugar, chocolate, etc.).

At a recent ION (Institute of Nutrition) Conference, Dr James Brahy stated that food intolerance is associated with at least 92 common diseases. The immune system reacts giving rise to fatigue, weight gain, arthritis, IBS and headaches etc.

- Statistics on Allergies in the UK

Trends in annual rates of primary care consultations, hospital admissions and mortality for asthma among children aged under five years

Asthma, eczema and hay fever are among the commonest chronic diseases of childhood. In 1996, 21 per cent of children aged 2 to 15 years had ever been diagnosed with asthma in England; 24 per cent with eczema; and nine per cent with hay fever. 47% of children of 7 year olds, in a study carried out in 2005, were diagnosed with gluten intolerance.

In England and Wales, hospital admission rates for childhood asthma increased substantially during the 1960s (rates trebled among 0- to 4-year-olds from 1962 to 1969 and doubled among 5- to 14-year-olds), 1970s and early 1980s, but declined steadily during the 1990s.

In 2000, annual hospital admission rates for asthma were 48 per 10,000 children aged under 5 years and 16 per 10,000 children aged 5 to 14 years. Between 1990 and 2000, hospital admission rates had decreased by 52 per cent among children under 5 years and by 45 per cent among children aged 5 to 14 years.

The weekly incidence of acute asthma attacks diagnosed by a General Practitioner (GP), increased markedly during the 1970s and 1980s, peaked in the early 1990s, and by 2000 declined quite substantially for both age groups.

Trends in average weekly GP consultation rates for hay fever/allergic rhinitis by age, England and Wales

The proportion of children diagnosed by a GP with hay fever or allergic rhinitis tripled between the early 1970s and early 1990s. Weekly GP consultation rates (episode-based) for hay fever/allergic rhinitis declined during the early to mid-1990s then increased again, resulting in a higher consultation rate in 2000 compared with 1990.

In 2000, the weekly GP consultation rate for hay fever/allergic rhinitis was 21 per 100,000 pre-school children and 56 per 100,000 children aged 5 to 14 years.

Prevalence rates of asthma and hay fever were more common among pre-school children from manual households. Prevalence rates of eczema were slightly higher in children from non-manual households.

Hospital admission rates for urticaria, food allergy and anaphylactic shock in children under 15 years increased considerably from 1990/1991 to 2000/2001.

From 1994 to 1996, international comparisons showed that teenagers aged 12 to 14 years in Great Britain had some of the highest prevalence of symptoms and diagnoses of eczema, asthma and hay fever. Reasons for this are largely unknown.

For more statistics on asthma in the UK, download the following pdf document: www.statistics.gov.uk/Children/downloads/asthma.pdf

Sources:
Health Survey for England 1996, Department of Health
Health Survey for England 1997, Department of Health
Hospital Episode Statistics
Health Solutions Wales
Weekly Returns Service
International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)

Urticaria is commonly known as hives. First the skin itches, leading to pale red swellings of the skin that occur in groups on any part of the skin. Allergic reactions to certain food types such as eggs, nuts and shellfish can trigger urticaria.

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body. An anaphylaxic reaction can develop from an allergic reaction to food, medication, insect stings or latex.

- How an Allergy can affect your lifestyle

If you suffer with an allergy, life can be miserable. You may have to avoid outdoor picnics and barbecues in the summer if you react to pollen in the atmosphere. You may not know the cause of your allergy, but find that your skin is continuously itchy, red and sore. This can make you feel self-conscious and affect your confidence.

You may find it difficult to go out for a meal and this can be particularly distressing for children, if they cannot enjoy the fast food restaurant that their contemporaries rave about, due to food intolerances.

Living with an allergy is wearing. Having to pop pills all the time or avoiding an ever increasing list of foods is far from ideal.

What is Allergy testing?

Allergy testing at Bromley Health Management involves the use of a computerised screening tool. It is the very latest and sophisticated technology. You simply hold a brass bar in your hand whilst a probe is placed onto acupoints on your hands and/or feet. The computer is able to measure the likelihood of hundreds of sensitivities and produces an easy to read report immediately.

Based on the computer output alongside the skills and knowledge of the practitioner, the results will be interpreted. This may include nutritional guidance and the use of certain vitamins and minerals, herbs and homeopathic remedies along with possible changes to your lifestyle. In some cases emotional support may also be appropriate.

It is recommended that screening takes place, one month later and then possible 2 - 3 months after that, to monitor changes that have occurred and where necessary, the treatment programme may be adjusted to expedite further improvements.

- What to expect during an Allergy Testing Consultation
Before any screening takes place, a full consultation is offered which will involve the practitioner noting current and past health history, medication, recent surgery, diet and lifestyle. This will enable us to build up a picture of your situation, aims and set realistic goals and give you the opportunity to ask and discuss any queries enabling you to make an informed decision in your own time.

- Are you able to screen for every allergy?
The BEST system can screen for around 29,000 substances, so it is very likely that we will be able to identify your allergens and recommend a suitable treatment programme to help improve your health and well being.

- How does the screening work?
The BEST system is a computerised system that can assess your energetic and nutritional health. It identifies the presence of substances in your body and notes changes in the electrical characteristics of acupuncture points. The system is capable of simulating 29,000 individual substances.
The BEST system is based on Electro Dermal Screening, which has been developed since the 1950's. It is a quick, natural and effective way of testing your body.

- Will you be able to cure my allergy?
We make no claims to be able to cure, but we may be able to help identify what triggers your allergy and advise you on how to make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle to avoid these triggers and desensitise if appropriate. Every situation and every person is different.

- How many Tests will I need?
This varies on the complexity of your allergy. It is usually recommended that you have a screening 4 weeks after the original and then perhaps another 2-3 months later and after that an annual check up (MOT).

- Does allergy screening hurt?
No, not at all. You simply hold a brass bar whilst a probe is gently placed on an acupoint on your hand which relates to allergies. There is no discomfort associated with the process and there are no needles or blood involved.

- Will the screening trigger my allergy symptoms?
No, it will simply identify substances that your body may be sensitive to.

- Do I have to have needles inserted into my skin to test for allergies?
No. The BEST screening system is a computerised tool that works electronically, using acupuncture points on the body. You simply hold a brass rod in your hand whilst the practitioner places a brass probe on a specific point on your hand. There is no pain associated with the process.

- Will I be told to stop my medication?
No. A complementary therapist will never suggest that you change or stop taking your medication.

- I have a pacemaker fitted. Will the screening equipment interfere with this?
No. The BEST system is safe and has been tested on patients with pacemakers fitted. A health screen is not a treatment and therefore will not affect the function of the pacemaker.

- Is it safe to be screened?
Yes. There are no drugs involved and the system is quick and pain free.

- Can I be screened for allergies whilst pregnant?
No.. Whilst there is no evidence that health screening can cause any side effects, there is also no evidence that it will not. Pregnancy is an emotive subject, therefore, it is not recommended to screen whilst pregnant.

- Is the allergy screening system safe for use with children?
Yes. .

- How long will it take to identify my allergy?
It can take 1- 3 hours depending on the type of screening that is required. The computer will then provide a report on the way in which your body reacted to over 29,000 substances tested. We will interpret the report and provide advice based on your results.

- Are there some allergies that cannot be helped?
One needs to bear in mind the difference between true allergies and sensitivities. There can be no guarantees but experience has shown that when patients follow the treatment programme and appropriate tests have been carried out, steady progress can usually be made to de-sensitise and detox the body helping them manage their life, thus avoiding future allergic reactions.

- Will I have to avoid certain foods for life, or can I start to reintroduce them again after a while?
There may be certain foods that your body is currently intolerant of or sensitive to. The practitioner may advise you to refrain from consuming these products for a period of time whilst your body desensitises. Under the guidance of your practitioner, you may be able to re-introduce these food types gradually over a period of time.

At Bromley Health Management, health screening with the BEST system allows the practitioner to identify, and then combat food intolerances and environmental sensitivities. We offer dietary support and can even provide custom designed programmes for the client to follow.

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Saturday, 20 January 2007