Baby Food Allergies – All you Need to Know

January 12, 2010 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
In recent year we have seen an increase in the susceptibility of allergies. Baby food allergies are of particular concern as the source may be difficult to detect.

Baby food allergies are as common as adult food allergies.

If your baby appears distressed for no apparent reason or has unexplained areas of itchiness to the skin, then perhaps he or she has a baby food allergy.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy can be defined as an intolerance to a particular substance when touched, inhaled, injected or ingested.

When our body is exposed to a substance that causes an allergic reaction the response may be nasal or respiratory congestion, itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, or itchy rashes anywhere on the body.

Baby Food Allergies – Can My Allergies be Passed on to my Baby?

If you tend to have an allergic reaction then your baby may have a tendency to be allergic also.

However you and your baby may not share the same food allergies or be allergic to the same substances.

You may have asthma, while your child may develop hay fever.

Baby Food Allergies – How to detect them

It can sometimes be difficult detecting the cause of baby food allergies. If you think your infant has a baby food allergy, eliminating the following products from their diet may help.

• Milk and dairy products

• Eggs

• Nuts

• Shellfish

• Citrus Fruits

Once you have eliminated each of these food groups from your baby’s diet, you can begin to reintroduce them gradually one by one.

Wait a few days before the introduction of an additional food group and do not mix food groups.

If your baby has a baby food allergy you be able to detect it by monitoring his or her reaction to the introduction of these individual food groups.

Baby Food Allergies – Can they be prevented?

Breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of his or her life helps to reduce the incidence of allergies earlier on in life.

Try to avoid giving your baby pre-prepared foods that contain additives, or tinned or packaged foods.

Baby Food Allergies – When are they Most Likely to Occur?

Baby food allergies can occur at any time. Many babies are allergic to, or have an intolerance to cows milk and your baby may develop an allergy to other milk or wheat products, shellfish, nuts or citrus fruits.

If your baby has an allergic reaction after eating a particular food, you should see the signs within an hour.

Baby Food Allergy – Signs to Look For

The symptoms of a baby food allergy could include swelling or itchiness of the lips or tongue, wheezing or a skin rash.

Some babies may develop an intolerance to particular food groups.

If your baby has a food intolerance, symptoms might include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, colic or wind.

Treating Baby Food Allergies

As long as you can find the cause, then the best way to treat a baby food allergy is to refrain from giving your baby that particular food.

If your baby is experiencing related symptoms then the allergy could be pollen related rather than a baby food allergy. Non food substances that could also cause an allergic reaction include pet hairs, tobacco smoke, feather pillows, perfume or dust mites.

Baby Food Allergies – Healthy Alternatives

If your results indicated that your infant is experiencing baby food allergies, here are some non allergic foods that you can try introducing into their diet.

• Mangoes, apples, grapes

• Barley, oats, rye

• Cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes

• Chicken, salmon

If in any doubt you should seek professional help to determine whether it is a baby food allergy or something more serious.

Baby food allergies are quote common and with a little work are fairly easy to detect. Once you have detected the source of your baby’s food allergy, the simplest way to eliminate the symptoms is to remove the cause.



By: Sacha Tarkovsky

About the Author:

MORE FREE INFO

On all aspects of health and more on babies visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html



Caffeinated Content

Best Irritable Bowel Syndrome Remedybest Irritable Bowel Syndrome Remedy

January 9, 2010 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder, which can be eased by keeping certain factors in mind. We have tried to list out few things that would be helpful to you in overcoming the problems like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. We have a newsletter that gives a more comprehensive overview about the disorder and irritable bowel syndrome remedy options. But, here we suggest some of the basic irritable bowel syndrome treatments that would not only be helpful in helping ease the problem but also for leading a healthier life.

Most people will have experienced the feeling “butterflies” in the stomach when they are anxious. There is a proven nervous reaction in the gut that can cause a number of digestive related problems.

So, to help overcome digestive health problems and specially that of irritable bowel you need to overcome the stress, tension and problems of your life. Therefore, you need to learn a few stress management techniques, which once you start practicing should lead to a marked improvement in the IBS symptoms.

Continue reading to discover how to sign up for our Free Relieving IBS newsletter, and discover natural methods to relieve IBS.

One of the best ways to overcome stress and improve your health is to exercise regularly. Exercise boosts the metabolism, help strengthen the immune system, and also releases “happy” hormones and pain relief hormones, all of which can be helpful in treating this disorder.

Having a diet, which is high in fiber which, can prevent worsening of bloating and gassiness. Avoid having cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels, cabbage, sprouts, beans and cauliflower, dairy products, fried and junk food, smoking and alcohol, caffeine products, sucrose, citrus fruits, wheat products and carbonated drinks.

As food intolerance has been shown to play a vital role in irritable bowel syndrome by triggering the hyperactive response in the gut, it is suggested to make a list of food you are intolerant to and those foods that trigger the IBS symptoms.

Also, some of the following natural remedies may help ease the symptoms:

1) Peppermint oil – Peppermint Oil is one of the commonly used remedies for treating irritable bowel syndrome. It helps in eliminating the excess gas in the intestines. But keep in mind that the excessive dose of peppermint can result in loss of appetite and nausea, and in more extreme cases nervous system disorders, heart problems, and kidney failure. It is advisable to consult your doctor before taking peppermint oil, especially if other mediation is being taken.

2) Probotics – Probotics are friendly bacteria present in the digestive system, which act as a protective barrier for the digestive tract. They improve the immune function and help by producing Vitamin K, which is thought to help with IBS symptoms. Various studies have suggested that irritable bowel syndrome causes imbalances in the intestinal flora resulting in an over growth of gas producing bacteria. Therefore supplementing with probiotics can help restore balance.

3) Partially hydrolyzed guar gum ((PHGG)- PHGG is non gelling fiber which can be effective in reducing constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Various studies reveal that PHGG also increases the amount of beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestines that help in relieving irritable bowel syndrome.

Although this article only covers a few of the best irritable bowel syndrome remedy options, we hope it has helped to clarify some of the options available.



By: Susan Reynolds

About the Author:
Sign up for Susan Reynolds’ free IBS newsletter – Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about Irritable bowel syndrome remedy.



Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress

Gluten Intolerance Should not be Confused With Food Allergy

January 8, 2010 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Dining together on the table with having the same food really makes the fun of breakfast or lunch or dinner or whatever it is twice. Just the opposite happens when different food is arranged for someone who cannot follow the normal diet as the other. Yes, I am talking about those who are suffering from food intolerance. Gluten intolerance is becoming a very common problem nowadays all around the world.

Talking about gluten intolerance much of this kind responses from a variety of sources like citrus fruits or other acidic foods and even it may be due to the presence of some kind of chemicals such as some preservatives used in food or natural compounds like caffeine and, of course, lactose. Some times it is difficult to distinguish food allergy from food intolerance as their symptoms are quite similar but biologically they are absolutely different in bodily responses. In true sense food intolerance is a problem of digestive system whereas food allergy is an abnormal response to food that is generated by a specific reaction in the immune system. Whatever it may be food allergy or food intolerance both affects nearly everyone at some point.

Food intolerance is an abnormal response to food and is far more prevalent, that occurs in a variety of diseases, and is activated by several different mechanisms that are different from the immunological reaction responsible for food allergy. If you experience symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal problems, like gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, or if you experience runny nose, hives, or difficulty breathing or if you find yourself gaining weight then be sure that all these symptoms indicating of gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is very common food intolerance and is also called celiac disease in its most serious form, has been linked to behavioral problems, weight gain, and even autism. It is an incurable condition that causes the immune system to attack a person’s own body and causes all of the symptoms of food intolerance. In addition to it, such disease also affects the growth and skin conditions. And if left abandoned, in due course it can even cause bone disease, anemia, and even cancer. Now you can realize that how dangerous is this disease.

Gluten is protein and is found in all wheat products, and even in some products made from barley, rye, and oats. And unfortunately most of the food that is included in our normal diet contains gluten and people with gluten intolerance need to avoid those foods. It is recommended that if suspect gluten intolerance then you must speak to your doctor as soon as you can so that you can get the dietary guidelines to follow. This is important because what happens actually is that when you attempt to cut out those food groups that are creating health problems completely then you start suffering from malnourishment. There are many gluten-free products available in the market today but a product is gluten-free does not necessarily mean every time it is safe for people with gluten intolerance. Therefore it becomes important that people who are suffering from gluten intolerance must educate themselves with proper knowledge so that they become very good label readers.



By: tom dick

About the Author:

Get the information about gluten free, gluten free foods and gluten free products



Kansieo.com

All About Food Intolerance

November 23, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
All About Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is becoming much more of a household phrase these days.  For those who haven’t thought about it much or never had a reason to look into it, this is a basic guide to what it is, what some of the most common intolerances are, and some other related information.

Food intolerances can come from a variety of sources.  For example, some people can’t tolerate citrus fruits or other acidic foods. The food intolerances that trouble most people are chemicals (such as aspartame or preservatives), natural compounds (like caffeine), wheat and gluten, and, of course, lactose.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a food intolerance from a food allergy. Their symptoms can be quite similar, but actually they are completely different bodily responses. A food intolerance is a digestive system problem.

If you have a food intolerance, you might experience headaches, gastrointestinal problems, or weight gain. (Wine, cheese and chocolate are notorious headache causers.) Gastrointestinal issues can include gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, which are sometimes mistaken for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You might also have allergy-like symptoms such as a runny nose, hives, or difficulty breathing.

Lactose intolerance is one of the most common things people suffer from.  It is caused by a shortage of the lactase enzyme. Instead of digesting lactose normally, people with too little lactase can’t process milk sugars properly. When they consume dairy products, the result is fatigue, nausea, and a host of other digestive problems such as gas and bloating.

How serious is lactose intolerance? Children younger than two are especially susceptible to it. These children often need a special non-dairy formula to ensure proper nutrition. Most adults with lactose intolerance (5% of all adults in Ireland and the UK) can tolerate a tiny amount of dairy in their diets. Others can tolerate none at all.

Though more rare, foods that contain artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and colors sometimes trigger painful symptoms in people with an intolerance to such substances.

Another very common intolerance is wheat or gluten intolerance. (Gluten is a protein found in wheat.) These conditions have gotten a lot of press lately, and for good reason: gluten intolerance, also called celiac disease in its most serious form, has been linked to behavioral problems, weight gain, and even autism.

Celiac disease is an incurable condition that causes the immune system to attack a person’s own body. In this case, the autoimmune response is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten. Celiac disease can cause all of the symptoms of food intolerance, plus stunted growth and skin conditions. Left unchecked, it can eventually cause bone disease, anemia, and even cancer.

Unfortunately, gluten is found in all wheat products, and even in some products made from barley, rye, and oats. That means that people with gluten intolerance need to avoid certain alcohols, like beer. Wheat can also be found in unexpected places. It’s often used as a filler in ground meat and sausage.  

There are many gluten-free and wheat-free breads, pastas, and cereals – but they’re not created equal. Just because a product is gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for people with wheat intolerance. Gluten-free products can contain other wheat substances. Likewise, wheat-free products might contain barley, rye, or oats.

Basically, people who suffer from a gluten intolerance must become very good label readers!

If you suspect wheat, gluten, or any other intolerance, speak with your doctor as soon as you can. They will make a firm diagnosis and give you dietary guidelines to follow.

There is a great food intolerance test on the market that I would recommend to anyone who thinks they may be affected by one or several food products.  It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what is causing the problem.

Visit http://www.foodintolerancenews.com

If you find out you do have an intolerance, seek nutrition guidance, as when patients attempt to cut out the offending food group, it can cause malnourishment.  For example, some people avoid dairy products altogether because of their lactose intolerance. Without a good substitute, they risk calcium deficiency.



By: Kimberly Buchanan

About the Author:

Kimberly Buchanan has been interested and involved in various aspects of the health industry for over 10 years. She has personal experience with food intolerances and allergies as well as experience helping others discover the cause of and cure for their own intolerances, allergies, and other health related ailments (eg vitamin deficiency, weight gain).



Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress