Food allergies

[blimix]

Someone I know recently discovered that they had several food allergies. The allergist had informed them that their unusual appetite and thirst could be symptoms of a food allergy: Something that no other doctor had ever mentioned. This testing turned out to have been long overdue. Cutting out the problematic foods not only relieved their perpetual hunger and thirst; it also eased their chronic issues with pain, mobility, energy, and gas. This is a tremendous life change, after decades of unhelpful visits to other medical professionals.

I'd bet that, even if food allergies turned out to be the cause in only a small fraction of similar cases, getting this message out would still help somebody I know. (I know an awful lot of people suffering undiagnosed chronic crap. You probably do, too.) There is no down side to getting tested for allergies, other than having to sit through mild discomfort, so get out there and do it. (I've done it, just to diagnose a slight, persistent cough: Far less reason than many other people have.)

Remember that they don't test for all possible food allergies; just the common ones. But eliminating the common allergens will at least keep them from masking the uncommon ones, making you more likely to notice and identify them. Best of luck.

Comments

[kirin]

Did the test for the cough turn up anything? I'd expect that sort of thing to most likely be environmental (pollen/mold/dander/dust), and unless the thing turned up was removable I'm not sure what one would *do* with that information other than taking the OTC allergy meds one has already been using. (Yes, I'm talking about myself here, and why I haven't gotten around to getting tested yet even though I probably should. Though now I'd need to look up a place in my new more restrictive network from the public marketplace.)

[blimix.livejournal.com]

It was environmental, and I was able to do something about it. (This is a public post, so details will be sparse.) It's all better now.