Hi Everyone,
Today I just wanted to raise awareness about allergies in general. After having a really rubbish week in regards to reactions I now just want to spread the word and raise awareness a bit more. As food intolerance's are becoming more common within our society, but many are still ignorant towards these allergies. I don't feel anger about them not understanding because nobody understand until it happens to them, however I read an article this morning that displayed some really good facts about allergies I just want to share with you.
This week I have suffered with a reaction - my throat closed up, it was burning and so sore, you struggle to breath and my nose was constantly running. I also had a lump on my throat - which is not the most attractive. However I live on my own and it's scary. Luckily I am used to dealing with anxiety attacks too so I know how to with these kind of things without panicking too much.
So here are some facts and info to help you.
Allergies:
* 2% of adults suffer from allergies from infancy.
*6-8% of children have an allergy. *Reaction time can be anywhere from immediately to 2-3 hours after.
How does it effect you:
-Skin
-Digestion
-Airways
Is it deadly?
Depending on how serve your allergy is and how much you have consumed and depend on how life threatening your reaction is.
The most common allergies:
-Peanuts
-Tree
-Eggs -Milk -Fish
They are persist and lifelong.
Intolerance:
*45% of the population suffer from food intolerances
*Reaction time - delayed reaction to food up to 72 hours after eating the offending foods.
Reactions: -Bloating
-Joint pain
-IBS
-Tiredness
-Eczema
-Low Mood
-Headache
Is it deadly - no.
The most
common intolerances:
-Wheat
-Gluten
-Milk
-Fruit and Veg
Symptoms can clear by avoiding these foods.
What are the symptoms of food allergies: Mild * Swollen itchy skin
*Eczema
*Redness of the skin or around the eyes
*Itchy mouth or ear canal
*Nausea and sickness
*Stomach pain
*Diarrhea
*Nasal congestion or runny nose
*Sneezing
*Dry cough
*Uterine contractions
Severe:
*Obstructive swelling of the lips, tongue and/or throat.
*Trouble swallowing
*Shortness of breath or weezing
*Drop in blood pressure
*Turning blue
*Chest pain
* Loss of consciousness
*A weak pulse
* Sense of 'impending doom'.
Ways you and especially children may describe a reaction: -This food is spicy
-My tongue is burning
-It feels like something poking my tongue
-My tongue/ mouth is tingling/ itchy
-My tongue feels funny
-There is a frog in my throat
-There is something stuck in my throat
-My tongue feels full and heavy
-Itchy ears - I feel there are bugs in my ears
-My throat feels thick
-It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue (throat)
Parts of the body that will reveal symptoms:
Neurological Symptoms:
-Amnesia
-Apathy
-Aphasia ( inability to speak )
-Black outs
-Coma
-Depression
-Delusions
-Dizziness
-Emotional instability
-Epilepsy
-Fainting
-Fatigue
-Feeling indecision
-Hallucinations
-Headache
-Hyperactivity
-Impaired comprehension
-impaired corrdination
-Insomnia
-Irritability
-Lethargy
-Mental Lapses
-Moodiness
-Nerulga ( nerve pain )
-Paranoid thinking
-Withdrawal
Respiratory Symptoms:
-Asthma
-Bronchitis
-Coughing
-Runny nose
-Shortness of breath
-Smells
-Wheezing
Circulatory Symptoms:
-Anemia
-Angina (heart pain)
-Chest pain
-Edema ( fluid build up )
-High blood pressure
-Irregular heart beat
-Irregular pulse
-Phlebitis (vein inflammation )
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
-Abdominal pain
-Bloating
-Belching
-Canker sores
-Colitis
-Constipation
-Diarrhea
-Diverticulitis
-Uclers
-Excessive gas
-Food cravings
-Gagging
-Gallbladder pain
-Heartburn
-Hunger pains
-Ingestion
-Nausea
-Peptic uclers
-Salivate
-Stomach pains/cramps
-Sickness
Joint Symptoms:
-Arthraglia ( joint pain )
-Arthritis
-Swollen ankles
Musculoskeletal Symptoms:
-Backache
-Muscle Pain
-Neck Pain
Skin Symptoms:
-Acne
-Bleeding and bruising
-Clammy skin
-Cracked skin
-Eczema
-Hives
-Sweating
Other Symptoms:
-Bed-wetting
-Cataracts
-Conjunctivitis
-Diabetes
-Dysmernorrhea ( menstrual pain )
- Earaches
-Failure to thrive in infants
-Fever
-Hoarseness
-Impotence
-Lower blood pressure
-Multiple sclerosis
-Obesity
-Sneezing spells
-Swilling around the eyes
As you can see we can all be effected in so many different ways which is why food allergies/intolerance is an incredibly a difficult and complex subject which is properly why so many people/business and eateries shy away from them and don't like dealing with the issue. I understand this and I think that is why more info needs to be spread/given out so that everyone is more aware and know how to deal with this issues better. Knowledge is power!
My intolerance's and allergies aren't deadly however I do suffer lots of the symptoms above all at once and that is scary and hard to cope with.
I suffer with:
-Throat closing up
-Lump on throat
-Pressure on my chest
-Headaches
-Brain fog
-Withdrawal - When I begin feeling unwell I go quiet to try to try and cope with the symptoms
-Bad coordination and balance - become very clumsy
-Black out, faint and forget where I am or how I got there ( very scary when I am on my own )
-Stomach cramps
-Sickness
-Runny nose
-Tiredness - my head is normally banging that I just want to shut my eyes
-Weakness - don't want to move
-Don't really want to talk or interact
- Sickness - which sometimes makes me hungry or I lose my appetite
- I feel like I am no longer in the room - I am in such a daze
These symptoms aren't life threatening and I am SO lucky that I am only affected in this way. However it does make life tough and prevents you from doing lots of things. Like myself a lot of you will panic about eating out, I always have to check the menu before going, sometimes I have to ring and talk to the chef but they don't always understand and with some food labels not being clear there is always a risk of them using something that they though was safe but wasn't.
When visiting restaurants at home I usually take my soya milk, coconut or almond milk and asking them to make a risotto with nothing else but my milk and risotto rice - with just veg. So I know I am ok with everything that has gone into my food.
It is a pain carrying around your milk and ingredients that is why restaurants and cafes need to be more informed. Though for the moment it is better than having a reaction.
Let me know how you are affected, what are your symptoms? How do you cope?
Let's spread the message and keep ourselves informed the best we can so we can pass on our info.
Reach out: Insta @sophiewardy
Twitter @sophwardy
Snapchat @sophwardy
I would also like to thank Allergy Switzerland who now follows my blog through Twitter - any advice you have or do differently to us please let us know. I am truly thankful for you being on board. Thank you.
I am sorry today's blog is quite detailed but this is of course very close to my heart and I want to help and spread the word as much and as far as I can.
I hope you have learnt something today and if you thought you didn't suffer with an intolerance maybe you have realised you might do and try cutting it out of your diet for a few days and see if you feel better.
I will leave you with the phrase 'knowledge is power'
Spread the word
Happy Friday :)
Have a good weekend and enjoy the foods and experiences you have.
Love and Peace xo